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QuickBooks Payroll vs Oyster (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Last Update

Nov 07, 2024

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Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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QuickBooks Payroll

QuickBooks Payroll offers comprehensive payroll features and seamless integration with QuickBooks, making it an excellent choice for businesses seeking efficient payroll management.

  • Comprehensive payroll features.
  • Seamless QuickBooks integration.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Limited global compliance.
  • Higher cost for small businesses.

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$42.50 per month
Excellent Value For Price
4.5

0

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Oyster

Oyster provides global compliance capabilities and seamless remote hiring, making it ideal for companies looking to manage a distributed workforce effectively.

  • Global compliance capabilities.
  • Seamless remote hiring.
  • User-friendly platform.
  • Higher learning curve.
  • Limited local payroll features.

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

USD25 per employee/month

What is QuickBooks Payroll?

QuickBooks Payroll is a comprehensive payroll management solution designed to simplify the payroll process for businesses of all sizes. It offers features like automated tax calculations, direct deposit, and employee self-service portals. This tool helps businesses save time and reduce errors by automating payroll tasks, ensuring compliance with tax regulations, and providing detailed payroll reports. With QuickBooks Payroll, you can focus more on growing your business and less on administrative tasks.

What is Oyster?

Oyster is a global employment platform that enables companies to hire, pay, and manage a distributed workforce seamlessly. It offers features like automated compliance, payroll management, and employee benefits administration. Oyster helps businesses expand their talent pool by hiring remote employees from anywhere in the world, ensuring compliance with local labor laws, and providing a smooth onboarding experience. This tool is ideal for companies looking to embrace remote work and build a diverse team.

Pros and Cons of QuickBooks Payroll vs Oyster

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Pros & Cons of QuickBooks Payroll

Comprehensive payroll features
  • QuickBooks Payroll offers a wide range of payroll features, including automated tax calculations, direct deposit, and employee self-service portals. These features streamline payroll processes and reduce administrative workload, making it an excellent choice for businesses seeking efficient payroll management.
Seamless QuickBooks integration
  • One of the standout features of QuickBooks Payroll is its seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting software. This integration allows for easy data transfer and synchronization, ensuring accurate financial records and simplifying bookkeeping tasks.
User-friendly interface
  • QuickBooks Payroll is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage payroll tasks. This ease of use is particularly beneficial for small business owners and HR professionals who may not have extensive payroll experience.
Limited global compliance
  • While QuickBooks Payroll excels in U.S. payroll management, it has limited capabilities for global compliance. Businesses with international employees may find it challenging to manage payroll and compliance requirements in multiple countries.
Higher cost for small businesses
  • QuickBooks Payroll can be relatively expensive for small businesses, especially those with limited budgets. The cost may be a consideration for startups and small companies looking for a more budget-friendly payroll solution.
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Pros & Cons of Oyster

Global compliance capabilities
  • Oyster excels in global compliance, ensuring adherence to local labor laws and regulations worldwide. This capability is invaluable for companies with international employees, providing peace of mind and reducing compliance risks.
Seamless remote hiring
  • Oyster simplifies the process of hiring remote employees from anywhere in the world. Its platform streamlines onboarding, payroll, and compliance, making it easy for companies to expand their talent pool and build a diverse team.
User-friendly platform
  • Oyster offers a user-friendly platform that simplifies global workforce management. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features make it easy for HR professionals and business owners to navigate and manage their global teams effectively.
Higher learning curve
  • Oyster's platform may have a higher learning curve for users who are new to global workforce management. It may take some time for users to become familiar with its features and capabilities.
Limited local payroll features
  • While Oyster excels in global payroll management, it may have limited features for managing local payroll in specific countries. Businesses with primarily local employees may find other payroll solutions more suitable for their needs.

QuickBooks Payroll vs Oyster: At A Glance

Decision FactorQuickBooks PayrollOyster
Value to Price
Good4.2
Excellent4.6
Ease of Use
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.7
Functionality
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.8
Scalability
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.7
Integrations
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.5
Customer Support
Good4.1
Excellent4.4
Security
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.6
Overall Rating
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.5

Value to Price

Value to Price is a critical dimension that evaluates the cost-effectiveness of a software tool. QuickBooks Payroll offers a robust set of features at a competitive price, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses. Oyster, on the other hand, provides excellent value for companies looking to manage a global workforce, with its comprehensive features and global reach. If you are looking for a cost-effective solution for global employment, Oyster is the better choice.

Ease of Use

Ease of Use measures how user-friendly a software tool is. QuickBooks Payroll is known for its intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage payroll tasks. Oyster also scores high in this dimension, with a user-friendly platform that simplifies global hiring and compliance. If you prioritize ease of use in managing a global workforce, Oyster is the better option.

Functionality

Functionality assesses the range of features and capabilities a software tool offers. QuickBooks Payroll provides comprehensive payroll management features, including tax calculations and direct deposit. Oyster excels in functionality with its global employment capabilities, offering automated compliance and payroll management. If you need advanced functionality for global workforce management, Oyster is the superior choice.

Scalability

Scalability evaluates how well a software tool can grow with your business. QuickBooks Payroll is scalable for businesses of various sizes, making it suitable for growing companies. Oyster is designed for scalability, allowing businesses to expand their workforce globally without hassle. If you plan to scale your business internationally, Oyster is the better option.

Integrations

Integrations measure how well a software tool can connect with other systems. QuickBooks Payroll offers seamless integrations with other QuickBooks products and third-party applications. Oyster also provides integrations with various HR and payroll systems, enhancing its functionality. If you need extensive integration options, QuickBooks Payroll is the better choice.

Customer Support

Customer Support evaluates the quality and availability of support services. QuickBooks Payroll offers reliable customer support, with various channels for assistance. Oyster provides excellent support for global employment, ensuring compliance and smooth operations. If you require strong customer support for global workforce management, Oyster is the better option.

Security

Security assesses the measures a software tool takes to protect data. QuickBooks Payroll implements robust security protocols to safeguard sensitive payroll information. Oyster also prioritizes security, ensuring compliance with global data protection regulations. If security is a top priority for managing a global workforce, Oyster is the better choice.

Overall Rating

Overall Rating is a comprehensive assessment of a software tool's performance across all dimensions. QuickBooks Payroll is a reliable choice for businesses seeking efficient payroll management. Oyster stands out for its global employment capabilities, making it the preferred option for companies looking to manage a distributed workforce. If you need a comprehensive solution for global workforce management, Oyster is the superior choice.

QuickBooks Payroll vs Oyster: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesQuickBooks PayrollOyster
Automated Tax Calculations
Excellent4.7
Excellent4.5
Direct Deposit
Excellent4.8
Excellent4.6
Employee Self-Service
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.7
Global Compliance
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.9
Payroll Management
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.8
Employee Benefits Administration
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.7

Automated Tax Calculations

When it comes to automated tax calculations, QuickBooks Payroll shines with its precise and reliable calculations, ensuring compliance with tax regulations. I found it incredibly helpful in reducing manual errors and saving time. Oyster also offers automated tax calculations, but its strength lies in handling global tax compliance, which is a boon for companies with international employees. If your business operates globally, Oyster's tax compliance features are invaluable.

Direct Deposit

Direct deposit is a crucial feature for any payroll system. QuickBooks Payroll offers a seamless direct deposit experience, allowing employees to receive their paychecks promptly. I appreciated the convenience it brought to payroll processing. Oyster also provides direct deposit, but its focus is on facilitating payments to a global workforce, making it ideal for companies with remote employees. If you need to manage payments for a distributed team, Oyster is the better choice.

Employee Self-Service

Employee self-service portals empower employees to access their payroll information independently. QuickBooks Payroll offers a user-friendly self-service portal, which I found beneficial for reducing administrative workload. Oyster's self-service portal is equally impressive, with a focus on providing a seamless experience for global employees. If you have a diverse workforce, Oyster's self-service features are a great asset.

Global Compliance

Global compliance is a critical consideration for companies with international employees. QuickBooks Payroll provides compliance features for U.S. regulations, but Oyster excels in global compliance, ensuring adherence to local labor laws worldwide. I found Oyster's compliance features invaluable for managing a global workforce. If your business operates internationally, Oyster's compliance capabilities are unmatched.

Payroll Management

Payroll management is at the core of both QuickBooks Payroll and Oyster. QuickBooks Payroll offers comprehensive payroll management features, including automated calculations and reporting. I appreciated its efficiency in handling payroll tasks. Oyster, however, takes payroll management to the next level with its global capabilities, making it ideal for companies with a distributed workforce. If you need advanced payroll management for a global team, Oyster is the superior choice.

Employee Benefits Administration

Employee benefits administration is an essential feature for attracting and retaining talent. QuickBooks Payroll offers benefits administration features, but Oyster stands out with its global benefits management, providing a competitive edge for companies with international employees. I found Oyster's benefits administration features particularly useful for managing a diverse workforce. If you need to offer competitive benefits to a global team, Oyster is the better option.

Pricing Comparison of QuickBooks Payroll and Oyster

To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of QuickBooks Payroll and Oyster. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your payroll and global workforce.

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QuickBooks Payroll Pricing Plans

Payroll Core + Simple Start
For Small Businesses
$42.5

per month

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Payroll Core + Simple Start includes:
  • Auto Payroll feature to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
  • Employee portal for easy access to pay stubs and tax forms.
  • Track income and expenses to maintain financial clarity.
  • Invoice and accept payments to streamline cash flow management.
Payroll Core + Essentials
For Growing Businesses
$57.5

per month

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Includes Payroll Core + Simple Start, plus:
  • Run enhanced reports to gain deeper insights into business performance.
  • Manage bills and enter time to streamline operations.
  • Connect up to 3 sales channels for expanded reach.
  • Includes 3 users to facilitate team collaboration.
Payroll Premium + Plus
For Large Enterprises
$92

per month

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Includes Payroll Core + Essentials, plus:
  • 24/7 expert product support for uninterrupted assistance.
  • Track project profitability to optimize resource allocation.
  • Track inventory to manage stock levels effectively.
  • Includes 5 users to support larger teams.
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Oyster Pricing Plans

Contractor
For Small Businesses
USD29

per contractor/month

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Contractor includes:
  • Onboard contractors quickly and efficiently in just minutes.
  • Pay invoices seamlessly in 140+ currencies worldwide.
  • Manage expenses, time off, and more with comprehensive tools.
Global Payroll
For Large Enterprises
USD25

per employee/month

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Global Payroll includes:
  • Ensure accurate and compliant employee payments globally.
  • Receive expert support from dedicated payroll specialists.
  • Generate detailed payslips and comprehensive reports.
Employer of Record
For Global Enterprises
USD599

per employee/month

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Employer of Record includes:
  • Onboard talent swiftly, often within 48 hours.
  • Run payroll in 140+ currencies with ease.
  • Access employment intelligence and expert support.
Scale
For Growing Enterprises
Contact sales
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Includes Employer of Record, plus:
  • Reuse seats at no extra cost for flexibility.
  • Benefit from speedy bulk onboarding processes.
  • Access dedicated support managers for assistance.

Our Rating Methodology

We thoroughly evaluate each payroll and global employment platform, assessing key features like functionality, scalability, and security. We also analyze user reviews to ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each of the seven evaluation factors is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you avoid poor-quality tools and make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

QuickBooks Payroll or Oyster: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose QuickBooks Payroll If You Need ...

  • Comprehensive payroll management

    If you are a business owner looking for a comprehensive payroll management solution, QuickBooks Payroll is an excellent choice. Its robust features, including automated tax calculations and direct deposit, streamline payroll processes and reduce administrative workload.

  • Seamless QuickBooks integration

    If you are already using QuickBooks accounting software, QuickBooks Payroll offers seamless integration, allowing for easy data transfer and synchronization. This integration ensures accurate financial records and simplifies bookkeeping tasks.

Choose Oyster If You Need ...

  • Global workforce management

    If you are a company looking to manage a global workforce, Oyster is the ideal choice. Its global compliance capabilities and seamless remote hiring make it easy to expand your talent pool and build a diverse team.

  • Advanced global compliance

    If you need advanced global compliance features, Oyster excels in ensuring adherence to local labor laws and regulations worldwide. This capability is invaluable for companies with international employees, providing peace of mind and reducing compliance risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.