Multiplier vs Oyster: Which EOR should you choose?

Global Work Guide
Global Work Guide
Published in
13 min readMay 27, 2024

Choosing between Multiplier and Oyster HR can be challenging as both are prominent EOR service providers. Each platform offers distinct features and benefits tailored to assist businesses with global hiring needs. In this comprehensive comparison, I will delve into various aspects such as pricing, payroll and benefits management, security, and customer support to help you make an informed decision.

Multiplier vs Oyster HR — Which Is Best?

My analysis shows that Multiplier edges out Oyster HR as the superior EOR service for most businesses. Multiplier’s transparent pricing, comprehensive compliance framework, and extensive integration capabilities make it an optimal choice for companies looking to expand globally. It offers an efficient payroll system, flexible benefits management, and a robust API for custom solutions, ensuring seamless global HR operations. Additionally, Multiplier’s 24/7 support and commitment to data security further solidify its position as the go-to platform for international hiring and management.

Click here for more information on Multiplier now or click here for more information on Oyster.

Multiplier and Oyster Overview

When evaluating human resource (HR) management platforms, companies often compare Multiplier and Oyster HR for their global expansion needs. As a business owner or HR professional, you’ll want to weigh a variety of factors, from pricing and features to customer support and compliance. Both platforms serve as Employers of Record (EOR), meaning they can manage employment contracts and handle employee management duties on behalf of companies expanding globally.

My personal experience navigating these platforms has demonstrated that they each offer distinct approaches to payroll and benefits management, which are critical to maintaining employee satisfaction and ensuring legal compliance across different jurisdictions. A careful assessment of how they manage these elements can help businesses make an informed decision. Moreover, evaluating the integration capabilities and compatibility with existing systems is essential for a smooth operation.

As businesses strive to provide compassionate employment practices and adhere to local regulations, the security provided by these HR platforms becomes a focal point. Ensuring that sensitive employee data is protected while managing global teams is a non-negotiable aspect of the EOR solution that one chooses. Evaluating customer support is also crucial, as businesses need reliable assistance when navigating the complexities of international employment law.

Features of Multiplier and Oyster

In my examination of Multiplier and Oyster, I’ll be focusing on the features these platforms offer for global employment and payroll solutions. Both organizations are carving out significant roles in assisting companies with remote employment processes, catering to freelancers, contractors, and full-time employees alike.

What Is Multiplier?

Multiplier is a global employment platform designed to help businesses hire international talent without the need for local entities. As a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), it enables companies to manage payroll, benefits, and compliance — all under one roof. I acknowledge its standout features:

  • Onboarding: Simplifies the hiring process of remote workers.
  • Payroll: Offers streamlined global payroll services.

>> Read more about Multiplier on their website

Also read:

What Is Oyster?

Oyster is a distributed talent enablement platform that caters to the needs of companies looking to hire and manage remote employees worldwide. The platform is particularly focused on automating international payroll and providing a compliant way to hire globally. Specific functionalities include:

  • Compliance: Ensures adherence to local labor laws.
  • Benefits: Manages employee benefits efficiently.

>> Read more about Oyster on their website

History and Background

Multiplier entered the global employment arena with a mission to make international hiring hassle-free. It has since evolved into a trusted solution for companies of all sizes.

Oyster’s inception was driven by a vision to offer a comprehensive employment platform to facilitate remote work. The platform has developed a reputation for simplifying the complexities of global employment.

Target Audience and Use Cases

My investigation shows that the primary audience for Multiplier and Oyster includes SMEs and startups that operate on a global scale and industry leaders that require flexibility in hiring remote talent. The use cases are expansive:

  • Freelancers and Contractors: Streamlines engagement with a broad workforce.
  • Full-time Employees: Manages global onboarding and payroll for permanent staff.
  • Remote Work Enablement: Offers tools for companies to support a remote workforce.

Features Comparison

In comparing Multiplier with Oyster HR, I find it essential to break down the features into core components, additional offerings, their respective app capabilities, and how customizable and flexible each service is.

Core Features

Multiplier:

  • Payroll Management: Seamless integration with existing accounting systems; automation of global payroll in multiple currencies.
  • Onboarding: Efficient digital onboarding process with guided workflows.

Read more about the features in my 2024 Multiplier Review

Oyster HR:

  • Payroll Management: Offers a simplified global payroll solution with attention to local compliance.
  • Onboarding: Streamlines the onboarding process with tailored checklists and documentation handling.

Additional Features

Multiplier:

  • Benefits Management: Provides flexibility in crafting competitive benefits packages for global teams.
  • Compliance: A comprehensive compliance framework ensures adherence to local employment laws.

Oyster HR:

  • Benefits Management: Automatic benefits allocation based on employee’s location.
  • Compliance: Offers real-time updates on international labor laws impacting compliance.

Mobile and Web App Features

Multiplier:

  • Accessible through both mobile and web platforms; the user interface is intuitive, enhancing the user’s overall experience.

Oyster HR:

  • Provides a fully-featured mobile app for on-the-go HR management; the web interface is streamlined for easy navigation.

Customization and Flexibility

Multiplier:

  • Integrations: Robust API support for integration with other HR tools and systems.
  • Automation: Offers high customization for automating HR workflows.

Oyster HR:

  • Integrations: Extensive integrations with popular productivity and work tools.
  • Automation: Provides automation for repetitive tasks to improve HR processes.

Payroll and Benefits Management

In my comparison of Multiplier and Oyster HR, the aspects of payroll processing, benefits administration, and tax handling are crucial for companies operating globally.

Payroll Processing

For payroll processing, Multiplier and Oyster HR both facilitate seamless integration of multi-currency payments, ensuring that employees receive their compensation in their local currency.

  • Multiplier: I can configure automated payroll with bonuses and expense management included.
  • Oyster HR: This platform supports a comprehensive overview of payroll, allowing me to track employee payments along with detailed payslips.

Benefits Administration

When managing benefits, both platforms cater to the administration of social contributions and local insurance policies.

  • Multiplier: Provides custom benefits packages adaptable to each employee’s location.
  • Oyster HR: I find that it aids in effortlessly aligning with local labor laws to offer relevant benefits.

Tax Handling

Tax compliance across different countries can be convoluted, but both Multiplier and Oyster HR are designed to simplify this process.

  • Multiplier: I can manage taxes in real-time, ensuring adherence to local tax regulations.
  • Oyster HR: It automatically calculates and withholds the appropriate taxes, simplifying the end of year reporting for me.

Handling global payroll and benefits is complex, yet both Multiplier and Oyster HR offer robust solutions to streamline these processes for a business like mine.

Pricing

When evaluating Multiplier and Oyster HR, I must consider the intricacies of their pricing models to understand which platform may offer the best value for my needs. This includes looking at the differentiation in their pricing tiers, value proposition, potential additional fees, and any available discounts or specials.

Pricing Tiers

Multiplier offers a simple pricing tier:

  • Standard: Charges are per employee per month, which includes full HR management services. The cost becomes more effective as the number of employees increases.

>> Find more information on pricing on Multipliers website.

Oyster HR, on the other hand, has several tiers:

  • Lite: Ideal for small companies, charging a flat rate per employee.
  • Business: A higher fee per employee that includes advanced features.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing for larger organizations with specific needs.

>> Find more information on pricing on Oyster’s website.

Value for Money

Multiplier’s pricing is transparent and straightforward, ensuring I know what I’m paying for at each tier. Its standard plan includes expense reimbursement, making it a cost-effective choice for companies with global teams.

Oyster HR provides a free trial so I can assess the platform before committing. Its value is evident in the higher tiers, where additional HR functions are unlocked, but this could lead to higher expenses as my company scales.

Hidden Costs and Additional Fees

I must note that Multiplier’s quoted prices exclude any third-party costs that may be incurred, such as payment processing fees.

For Oyster HR, certain integrations and premium support options are only available at higher tiers, which can result in unexpected costs if not properly accounted for.

Discounts and Special Offers

Multiplier occasionally offers discounts for annual payments, effectively reducing the monthly cost per employee.

Oyster HR tends to provide special promotions for new customers and referral bonuses, offering an incentive to sign up and recommend their services to others.

Security

I explore the security aspects of Multiplier and Oyster HR, focusing on how each company implements robust practices to safeguard data and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.

Data Protection and Privacy Policies

Multiplier:

  • Privacy Policy: Outlines clear procedures for handling personal and sensitive employee information, emphasizing their commitment to user privacy.
  • Data Handling: Enforces strict data minimization and retention policies, ensuring data is kept no longer than necessary.

Oyster HR:

  • Privacy Policy: Provides comprehensive details on user data collection, processing, and sharing, with a strong emphasis on transparency.
  • Data Handling: Implements rigorous access controls, allowing only authorized personnel to handle sensitive employee data.

Security Certifications and Compliance

Multiplier:

  • Certifications: Holds internationally recognized certifications including ISO 27001 for information security management.
  • Compliance: Meets GDPR and other regional data protection laws, reinforcing their dedication to global compliance standards.

Oyster HR:

  • Certifications: Achieved SOC 2 Type II certification, demonstrating excellence in cloud security practices.
  • Compliance: Compliant with privacy laws such as CCPA and HIPAA, showcasing their adaptability to various regulatory environments.

Measures Against Cyber Threats

Multiplier:

  • Infrastructure Security: Employs advanced cloud security solutions to protect against unauthorized access and potential breaches.
  • Cybersecurity Initiatives: Engages in continuous monitoring and regular security audits to mitigate cyber risks effectively.

Oyster HR:

  • Infrastructure Security: Uses state-of-the-art encryption for data at rest and in transit, fortifying their defense against cyber attacks.
  • Cybersecurity Initiatives: Regularly updates their systems and employs innovative threat detection technologies to prevent cyber incidents.

Employee Data Security

Multiplier:

  • Access Protocols: Strict role-based access ensures that employee data is accessible only to individuals with appropriate authorization.
  • Training Programs: Conducts periodic security awareness training for staff to maintain a high level of vigilance against data breaches.

Oyster HR:

  • Access Protocols: Implements two-factor authentication and rigorous access logs review to ensure the integrity of employee data.
  • Training Programs: Staff undergo continuous education on best practices in data handling and privacy, reinforcing their data security culture.

Integration and Compatibility

When discussing the integration and compatibility of Multiplier and Oyster HR, it’s crucial to consider their ability to blend with existing human resource management systems (HRMS) and payroll solutions, as well as the utility of application programming interfaces (APIs) for extended functionality.

Integration with HR Software

My investigation into these platforms shows that Multiplier supports robust integration features. It allows you to sync with popular HRMS seamlessly. It offers pre-built integrations with several leading HR solutions, enabling businesses to maintain a unified system for employee management. In contrast, Oyster HR leverages cloud integrations to offer a more flexible approach. It can connect with a broad spectrum of HR tools, ensuring that users can integrate it with their existing systems without substantial adjustments.

  • Multiplier: Pre-built integrations with HR tools like BambooHR, Workable
  • Oyster HR: Offers cloud-based connections adaptable with multiple HR systems

Integration with Payroll Systems

For Multiplier, I find that their integration with payroll systems is straightforward. Their service includes compatibility with various global payroll systems, which simplifies the payroll process in multiple jurisdictions. Oyster HR also emphasizes easy payroll integration. It offers a solution that can dovetail with an organization’s existing payroll system, ensuring a seamless experience.

  • Multiplier: Direct integration with global payroll providers supports a wide range of currencies and regions.
  • Oyster HR: Compatibility with current payroll systems to enhance payroll processes without redundancies.

API Availability and Usage

Working with APIs is key to extending HR functionality and both platforms understand this. I note that Multiplier offers a well-documented API that developers can use to create custom integrations and automate workflows. This reflects an understanding of the need for bespoke solutions in large-scale enterprises. On the other hand, Oyster HR’s API is designed for user-friendliness. It ensures that even with minimal technical knowledge, their clients can integrate various applications necessary for HR and payroll management.

  • Multiplier: Provides detailed API documentation designed for developers to customize and automate HR and payroll systems.
  • Oyster HR: User-friendly API with emphasis on ease of integration across HR solutions and payroll systems.

Customer Support

In my examination of the customer support from Multiplier and Oyster HR, I focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of their support systems to facilitate a smooth experience for users.

Support Channels (Email, Chat, Phone)

Multiplier:

  • Email: Available for all users.
  • Chat: Integrated live chat support.
  • Phone: Direct line for immediate assistance.

Oyster HR:

  • Email: Standard support channel.
  • Chat: Live chat option for quick queries.
  • Phone: Provision for urgent support needs.

Availability (24/7 Support, Time Zones)

Multiplier:

  • 24/7 Support: Offered with a focus on local HR and legal expert availability.
  • Time Zones: Geared to cater to international clients across multiple time zones.

Oyster HR:

  • 24/5 Support: Local HR and legal expertise available during the workweek.
  • Time Zones: Support tailored to accommodate a global user base.

Response Time and Efficiency

Multiplier:

  • Response Time: Aims for timely responses, minimizing delays in resolutions.
  • Efficiency: Utilizes in-house support for rapid problem-solving without third-party interference.

Oyster HR:

  • Response Time: Strives for swift response times in line with industry standards.
  • Efficiency: Efficient support network to address queries with minimal wait times.

Customer Satisfaction and Feedback

Multiplier:

  • User Reviews: Generally positive feedback, with particular praise for quick and knowledgeable support.
  • Feedback Channels: Encourages feedback through all support channels to enhance service.

Oyster HR:

  • Customer Service: Known for attentive customer service, often highlighted in reviews.
  • Feedback Loop: Actively seeks out and acts on customer feedback to improve the support experience.

How to Pick the Right EOR Provider?

When selecting an EOR provider, I focus on aligning their services with my business’s international growth strategies and needs.

Assessing Business Needs

I start by thoroughly evaluating my business objectives and global expansion goals. This involves identifying the scale of my need for global talent and determining the degree of global mobility support required. My assessment covers whether I need a comprehensive global solution or support in specific countries.

Key Features to Consider

Next, I list down essential features such as legal compliance, payroll management, and HR support. I also look for an EOR with robust technology platforms to streamline operations. It’s crucial to consider industry leaders in the EOR field, which have a track record of effectively managing the complexities associated with global employment.

Comparing Providers

I conduct market research to gather information on various providers. This involves examining their service offerings, client reviews, and pricing structures. Comparisons are vital to identify a provider that offers a comparable solution fitting my business model. It’s helpful to consult the Best Employer of Record Services in 2024 as part of this process to gain insights into highly regarded services.

Making the Final Decision

After comparing EOR providers, I make my decision based on which one aligns best with my business needs and objectives. The decision-making process includes an analysis of the cost-effectiveness and the level of customer service provided. I ensure that the chosen EOR can facilitate the seamless integration of global talent into my business operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses the most pressing queries related to Multiplier and Oyster HR, comparing costs, payment processes, and the breadth of HR services offered by each.

What are the differences in employer costs between Multiplier and Oyster HR?

Employer costs with Multiplier may vary based on the level of service selected, with premium features incurring additional fees. Oyster HR often advertises transparent pricing, but certain services may also result in extra charges. Employers should consider both the subscription costs and any potential add-ons when evaluating the total cost between these two platforms.

How do salary payment processes for Multiplier and Oyster HR compare?

Multiplier provides a streamlined approach to salary payments, offering integration with multiple currencies and adapting to local tax regulations. Oyster HR also facilitates global payroll, ensuring compliance with local laws and competitive exchange rates. Both services aim to simplify international salary disbursements but may have different interfaces and support levels.

Which provides a more comprehensive Employer of Record service, Multiplier or Oyster HR?

When comparing their Employer of Record services, Multiplier boasts extensive coverage. It supports businesses in hiring employees worldwide without establishing a local entity. Oyster HR’s Employer of Record service similarly offers global coverage, though the extent and specifics of their service coverage might slightly differ. It’s important for businesses to evaluate the scope and reach of each provider based on their specific needs.

How do Multiplier and Deel differ in their HR services?

The differences between Multiplier’s HR services and those offered by Deel include various aspects of international compliance, payroll automation, and customer service approaches. The aforementioned review analyzes these differences, providing insights into how the services stack up against one another in practical use.

In terms of global employment solutions, how does Multiplier contrast with Globalization Partners?

Multiplier emphasizes customization in its global employment solutions, enabling businesses to tailor their international workforce management. In contrast, Globalization Partners focuses on providing scalable solutions designed to help companies navigate global employment without the complexities of setting up international subsidiaries.

What sets Multiplier apart from Omnipresent in terms of HR solutions?

Multiplier distinguishes itself through its user-friendly platform and competitive pricing structure. It focuses on simplifying international employment. Omnipresent, while also excelling in these areas, may offer different ancillary services or customer support experiences that set their HR solutions apart. Businesses should assess which platform aligns better with their HR and global expansion strategies. You can read more in our Multiplier vs Omnipresent review

Conclusion

Multiplier takes the victory in May 2024 for global HR solutions. With its transparent pricing, robust compliance, and 24/7 support, it stands out as the optimal choice for businesses engaging in international hiring.

You can try Multiplier here and Oyster here.

How do they compare to competitors?

Read here more reviews on comparisons between Horizons, Oyster and other EOR providers:

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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