Oyster HR vs Countingup
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Oyster HR
Oyster HR is a global employment platform that makes it easy for companies to hire, pay, and care for employees in 180+ countries. It handles employer of record services, global payroll, and locally compliant benefits. Oyster is known for its transparent pricing and user-friendly experience for both employers and employees.
Countingup
Countingup is a UK business current account with built-in accounting software. It combines banking and bookkeeping in one app, automatically categorizing transactions and generating tax estimates in real time.
Pros
- ✓Transparent, published pricing with no surprise fees
- ✓Easy-to-use platform for both HR teams and employees
- ✓Strong compliance coverage across 180+ countries
- ✓Equity and stock option management for global teams
Cons
- ✗HR features beyond global employment are limited
- ✗Not ideal for companies that only hire domestically
- ✗Support response times can vary for less common countries
Pros
- ✓Business banking and accounting in one app
- ✓Automatic transaction categorization
- ✓Real-time tax estimates
- ✓Simple flat monthly pricing
- ✓Great for sole traders
Cons
- ✗UK only
- ✗Limited accounting features for complex businesses
- ✗Not a replacement for full accounting software at scale
- ✗No multi-user access
Oyster HR vs Countingup: Side by Side
| Factor | Oyster HR | Countingup |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $29/contractor/mo | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Remote-first companies hiring internationally | UK sole traders and freelancers wanting a combined business bank account and simple accounting tool in one app |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Oyster HR Features
- ✓EOR services
- ✓global payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓compliance
- ✓contractor management
Countingup Features
- ✓Receipt scanning
- ✓expense categorization
- ✓VAT tracking
- ✓supplier management
- ✓bank feed integration
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Countingup if...
- →UK sole traders and freelancers wanting a combined business bank account and simple accounting tool in one app
Our Take
Choose Oyster HR if remote-first companies hiring internationally. Choose Countingup if uk sole traders and freelancers wanting a combined business bank account and simple accounting tool in one app.
Best For
Remote-first companies hiring internationally
Best For
UK sole traders and freelancers wanting a combined business bank account and simple accounting tool in one app
Also Consider
If neither Oyster HR nor Countingup is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Oyster HR and Countingup?
Oyster HR is best for remote-first companies hiring internationally. Countingup is best for uk sole traders and freelancers wanting a combined business bank account and simple accounting tool in one app.
Which is better, Oyster HR or Countingup?
Choose Oyster HR if remote-first companies hiring internationally. Choose Countingup if uk sole traders and freelancers wanting a combined business bank account and simple accounting tool in one app.
How much does Oyster HR cost?
Oyster HR starts at $29/contractor/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Countingup cost?
Visit Countingup website for current pricing.
Who should use Oyster HR?
Remote-first companies hiring internationally
Who should use Countingup?
UK sole traders and freelancers wanting a combined business bank account and simple accounting tool in one app