HR · head to head
Oyster HR vs People HR
The short version
- Only People HR has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Oyster HR no published pricing for Benefits package add-on; People HR pro and Elite+ HR plans require contacting sales; exact features unclear
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Oyster HR and People HR actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (HR).
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 HR
Nothing recorded that People HR does not also cover.
Only in People HR
- Employee Database
- Absence Management
- Document Management
- Performance
- Recruitment
- Self-Service Portal
- Slack
- Microsoft 365
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Oyster HR
- Global employment compliancenot People HR
- Multi-country contractor managementnot People HR
- International payroll processingnot People HR
People HR
- HR management for startups and growing teamsnot Oyster HR
- Integrated payroll and HR operationsnot Oyster HR
- Employee management with compliance featuresnot Oyster HR
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Oyster HR
- No published pricing for Benefits package add-on
- No published pricing for Visa sponsorship
- No published pricing for Salary Insights tool or Oyster Shell subscription
- Add-on features require separate quotes
People HR
- Pro and Elite+ HR plans require contacting sales; exact features unclear
- Payroll SaaS Pro and Elite+ pricing not published
- Combined plans mark no distinction between HR and payroll components
Pricing, plan by plan
Oyster HR
On request- Employer of Record (EOR)$699/month
- Per employee pricing
- Compliant employment in 120+ countries
- Multi-country payroll in 120+ currencies
- Global Contractors$29/month
- Per contractor pricing
- First 30 days free
- Instant contracts in 180+ countries
- People Partner Services$300/hour
- Project-based HR advisory
- Support for EOR and own entities
- Flexible scope from advice to full execution
People HR
Free- Starter$3/month
- per-employee pricing
- ideal for startups
- Core$5.5/month
- per-employee pricing
- growing teams
- Pro$8/month
- per-employee pricing
- larger companies
- Elite+$9.5/month
- per-employee pricing
- advanced HR
Which should you pick?
Choose Oyster HR if
Nothing in the data separates Oyster HR from People HR on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose People HR if
- You need employee database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want absence management.
Questions people ask
- Is Oyster HR or People HR better?
- Neither clearly leads. Oyster HR starts at On request and People HR at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Oyster HR or People HR?
- People HR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Oyster HR and Free for People HR.
- Does Oyster HR or People HR run on more platforms?
- Oyster HR runs on Web. People HR runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use People HR for free?
- Yes. People HR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Oyster HR starts at On request.
- What is Oyster HR best used for?
- Oyster HR is most often used for global employment compliance, multi-country contractor management, international payroll processing. Of those, global employment compliance and multi-country contractor management are not what People HR is typically brought in for.
- What can Oyster HR do that People HR cannot?
- People HR covers Employee Database, Absence Management, Document Management, Performance.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Oyster HR: How much does Oyster EOR cost?
Oyster Employer of Record costs $699 per employee per month in USD. This includes compliant employment in 120+ countries, multi-country payroll, automated reporting, onboarding/offboarding, and local expert guidance. Annual discounts apply, and a refundable deposit is required.
SourcePeople HR: How is PeopleHR pricing calculated?
Pricing is per employee per month (PEPM). Starter: £3, Core: £5.50, Pro: £8, Elite+: £9.50. Users can add/remove employees as needed.
SourceOyster HR: What is the cost of Oyster Global Contractors?
Oyster Global Contractors costs $29 per contractor per month after a free 30-day trial. Includes instant contracts in 180+ countries, multi-currency payments, identity verification, and invoice management. No minimum team size.
SourcePeople HR: Do I get a discount for annual billing?
Yes, annual customers receive discounts compared to monthly billing. Exact discount percentages not specified on the pricing page.
SourceOyster HR: What currencies and payment methods does Oyster accept?
Oyster accepts USD, EUR, GBP, and CAD. Payment methods include direct debit and wire transfers. Currency conversion fees apply when paying in a currency different from the employment contract currency.
SourcePeople HR: What add-ons are available?
Optional add-ons cost £1.50-£2 PEPM for most features. Specific add-ons not listed on the pricing page.
SourceOyster HR: Does Oyster offer discounts for nonprofits or startups?
Oyster for Impact provides discounts for nonprofits and B-corps. Startups can save up to $1,200 on EOR subscription fees. Refugees receive no-cost or discounted access to employment services.
SourcePeople HR: Can I combine HR and Payroll services?
Yes, combined HR + Payroll plans are available: Core+ (£7 PEPM), Pro+ (£9.50 PEPM), Ultimate+ (£11 PEPM). Support and implementation included.
SourceRelated pages
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