Softwr

Payroll · head to head

Oyster vs TriNet

Oyster logo

Oyster

Payroll

Hire globally, compliantly

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TriNet logo

TriNet

Payroll

Big company benefits and a team deeply involved in running your HR

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Oyster employer of Record is $699 per employee per month, with the discount tied to annual billing; TriNet pricing is fully customized with no published rates
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Oyster and TriNet actually diverge.

Attributes where Oyster and TriNet differ
AttributeOysterTriNet
Starting price$29/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded2020Unknown

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Payroll).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Oyster

  • Global Employment
  • Payroll
  • Benefits
  • Compliance
  • Contractor Management
  • Time Off
  • Expenses
  • BambooHR

Only in TriNet

Nothing recorded that Oyster does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Oyster

  • Hiring employees abroad without setting up a local legal entitynot TriNet
  • Onboarding and paying international contractorsnot TriNet
  • Getting country specific employment compliance advice for distributed teamsnot TriNet

TriNet

  • HR and payroll services for mid-sized companiesnot Oyster
  • Talent managementnot Oyster
  • Benefits administrationnot Oyster

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Oyster

  • Employer of Record is $699 per employee per month, with the discount tied to annual billing
  • A refundable deposit is required before an EOR engagement starts
  • Contractor management is free for 30 days then $29 per contractor per month
  • HR advisory through People Partner Services is billed at $300 per hour on top of the subscription
  • A currency conversion fee applies when you pay Oyster in a currency other than the contract currency
  • Payments are accepted only by direct debit or wire in USD, EUR, GBP or CAD

TriNet

  • Pricing is fully customized with no published rates
  • Assessment required before pricing is provided
  • No self-serve pricing options

Pricing, plan by plan

Oyster

$29/month
  • Global Contractors$29/month
    • Instant contracts in 180+ countries
    • Contractor payments in 120+ currencies
    • Identity verification
  • Employer of Record (EOR)$699/month
    • Compliant employment in 120+ countries
    • Multi-country payroll in 120+ currencies
    • Automated expenses, time-off, and reports

TriNet

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the TriNet review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Oyster if

  • You need global employment.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want payroll.
Oyster review

Choose TriNet if

Nothing in the data separates TriNet from Oyster on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

TriNet review

Questions people ask

Is Oyster or TriNet better?
Neither clearly leads. Oyster starts at $29/month and TriNet at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Oyster or TriNet?
Oyster starts at $29/month and TriNet at On request.
Does Oyster or TriNet run on more platforms?
Oyster runs on Web, Ios, Android. TriNet runs on Web.
What is Oyster best used for?
Oyster is most often used for hiring employees abroad without setting up a local legal entity, onboarding and paying international contractors, getting country specific employment compliance advice for distributed teams. Of those, hiring employees abroad without setting up a local legal entity and onboarding and paying international contractors are not what TriNet is typically brought in for.
What can Oyster do that TriNet cannot?
Oyster covers Global Employment, Payroll, Benefits, Compliance.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Oyster: How much does Oyster charge for Employer of Record services?

Oyster charges $699 per employee per month for EOR services, with annual discounts available. Setup, onboarding, and offboarding are included with no additional charges.

Source
TriNet: How does TriNet determine its pricing?

TriNet states: 'Many factors go into our pricing structure, including the state of your business and the size of your company.' Pricing is customized per client based on business size, location, and specific needs.

Source
Oyster: How much does Oyster charge for Global Contractors?

Oyster's Global Contractors tier costs $29 per contractor per month after a free 30-day trial. The plan covers instant contracts in 180+ countries, payments in 120+ currencies, and contractor management tools.

Source
TriNet: Can you get a TriNet quote without an assessment?

No. TriNet requires customers to complete an HR Solution Assessment or consult with a TriNet consultant before receiving a personalized quote. No pricing is available without this step.

Source
Oyster: What discounts does Oyster offer?

Oyster offers discounts for nonprofits and B-corps through its 'Oyster for Impact' program, startup savings of up to $1,200 on EOR subscriptions, and discounted or waived pricing for refugee support programs.

Source
Oyster: What payment methods does Oyster accept?

Oyster accepts payment by direct debit, wire transfer, and auto-withdrawal. The platform supports multiple currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, and CAD, with fees applied only when paying in a currency different from the contract currency.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Oyster

More on TriNet

Keep looking

Other head to heads