Deel vs Oyster: Which Is Better for Contractors in 2025?
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Deel | Oyster | Better Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (10 contractors) | $490/mo | $599/mo | $99/mo (Kontrable) |
| Payment flow | Through platform | Through platform | Direct (you control) |
| Best for | Employees + contractors | Employees + contractors | Contractors only |
Deel Overview
Deel is a comprehensive global employment platform that offers both EOR (Employer of Record) services for hiring employees and contractor management tools. With coverage in 150+ countries, Deel provides payroll, compliance, and benefits administration for full-time employees, plus invoicing and payment tools for contractors.
Strengths: Extensive country coverage, integrated compliance tools, strong brand recognition, and a unified platform for both employees and contractors.
Pricing: Contractor management starts at $49/contractor/month. For 10 contractors, that's $490/month, plus payment processing fees.
Oyster Overview
Oyster is a global employment platform focused on distributed teams, offering EOR services, contractor management, and benefits administration. Oyster emphasizes employee experience with features like equity management, time off tracking, and global benefits packages.
Strengths: Strong focus on employee experience, equity management tools, comprehensive benefits packages, and a modern, user-friendly interface.
Pricing: Contractor management starts at $29/contractor/month, with additional fees for payments and compliance. For 10 contractors with full features, expect around $599/month.
The Problem Both Platforms Share
Both Deel and Oyster are built primarily for Employer of Record (EOR) services—hiring full-time employees internationally. This makes sense if you need:
- Local payroll compliance and tax withholding
- Benefits administration (health insurance, retirement, etc.)
- Employment law coverage and HR support
- Entity setup in foreign countries
But if you're working with independent contractors who handle their own taxes and already have Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer accounts? You're paying $490-$599/month for infrastructure you don't need. Contractors don't require payroll, benefits, or employment law coverage—they're running their own businesses.
A Different Approach: Kontrable
We built Kontrable specifically for businesses working with contractors (not employees):
- Direct payments: Pay contractors via your existing Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer accounts—no middleman, no custody of funds
- $99/month flat: Manage up to 25 contractors for one predictable price (vs $490-$599 on EOR platforms)
- Contractor-focused tools: Contracts, scopes of work, milestones, invoice approvals, and payment tracking
- Clean audit trail: Every contract, milestone, approval, payment proof, and contractor confirmation in one place
- No EOR fees: Because you're hiring true independent contractors who manage their own compliance
Kontrable doesn't try to be an EOR platform. We focus exclusively on making contractor management clean, compliant, and cost-effective—without the overhead of employee infrastructure.
Who Should Choose What
Choose Deel if:
You need to hire full-time employees in countries where you don't have a legal entity, require local payroll and benefits administration, or want a unified platform for both employees and contractors with extensive compliance support.
Choose Oyster if:
You're building a distributed team of full-time employees and want strong employee experience features like equity management, comprehensive benefits packages, and a modern interface focused on team engagement and retention.
Choose Kontrable if:
You're working with 5-25 independent contractors who handle their own taxes and compliance. You want to pay them directly via Wise/PayPal/Payoneer, keep a clean audit trail, and avoid paying $490-$599/month for employee infrastructure you don't need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Deel or Oyster for contractors only?
Yes, both platforms offer contractor management features. However, you'll pay per-contractor fees ($29-$49/month per contractor) plus payment processing fees, which adds up quickly. Their platforms are optimized for employee management, so contractor-only users pay for features they don't need.
How does Kontrable handle payments differently?
Kontrable doesn't process payments or hold funds. You pay contractors directly via your existing Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer accounts, then attach proof of payment to the milestone in Kontrable. This gives you full control, lower fees, and a clean audit trail without a middleman.
What if I have both employees and contractors?
Use Deel or Oyster for your employees (they're excellent for EOR services), and use Kontrable for your contractors. This gives you the right tool for each type of worker without overpaying for contractor management on an employee-focused platform.
Is Kontrable compliant for international contractors?
Kontrable helps you maintain proper documentation (contracts, scopes, milestones, payment records) for independent contractors. Contractors handle their own tax compliance in their jurisdictions. We provide tools to keep clean records, but we're not a law firm—consult legal counsel for classification questions.