Oyster HR vs Wave Payroll
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.
Wave Payroll
Wave Payroll is a simple payroll solution built into the Wave accounting ecosystem. It is designed for very small businesses that already use Wave for accounting and want an integrated payroll solution. Wave Payroll handles direct deposit, tax payments, and W-2s, making it a natural choice for businesses already in the Wave ecosystem.
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
- ✓Seamlessly integrates with Wave accounting — no manual data transfer needed
- ✓Very affordable pricing for micro-businesses
- ✓Simple interface with minimal setup required
- ✓Free Wave accounting included with subscription
Cons
- ✗Limited features compared to dedicated payroll platforms
- ✗Tax filing is only automatic in select states — manual filing required in others
- ✗No mobile payroll app
- ✗Not suitable for businesses with complex payroll needs
Oyster HR vs Wave Payroll: Side by Side
| Factor | Oyster HR | Wave Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $29/contractor/mo | $20/mo + $6/person |
| Best For | Remote-first companies hiring internationally | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Oyster HR Features
- ✓EOR services
- ✓global payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓compliance
- ✓contractor management
Wave Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓tax payments and filings
- ✓W-2 and 1099 preparation
- ✓Wave accounting integration
- ✓employee self-service
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Oyster HR if remote-first companies hiring internationally. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Best For
Remote-first companies hiring internationally
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Also Consider
If neither Oyster HR nor Wave Payroll 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 Wave Payroll?
Oyster HR is best for remote-first companies hiring internationally. Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Which is better, Oyster HR or Wave Payroll?
Choose Oyster HR if remote-first companies hiring internationally. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
How much does Oyster HR cost?
Oyster HR starts at $29/contractor/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Oyster HR?
Remote-first companies hiring internationally
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll