Papaya Global vs Oyster: Which Is Better for Contractors in 2025?
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Papaya Global | Oyster | Better Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (10 contractors) | $490/mo | $499/mo | $99/mo (Kontrable) |
| Payment flow | Through platform | Through platform | Direct (you control) |
| Best for | Employees + contractors | Employees + contractors | Contractors only |
Papaya Global Overview
Papaya Global is a comprehensive global workforce management platform that specializes in Employer of Record (EOR) services, payroll, and compliance. The platform is designed for companies hiring full-time employees internationally and offers contractor management as an additional feature.
Key strengths include enterprise-grade compliance infrastructure, multi-country payroll consolidation, and strong reporting capabilities. Papaya Global charges per-contractor fees (typically $49/month per contractor) plus payment processing fees.
Oyster Overview
Oyster is a global employment platform focused on distributed teams, offering EOR services, contractor management, and benefits administration. The platform emphasizes ease of use and provides tools for hiring, onboarding, and managing international team members.
Oyster's contractor management includes contract templates, payment processing, and compliance guidance. Pricing starts at $29/month per contractor, with additional fees for payments and currency conversion.
The Problem Both Platforms Share
Both Papaya Global 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 and health insurance
- • Employment law coverage and HR support
But if you're working with independent contractors who handle their own taxes and already have Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer accounts, you're paying for infrastructure you don't need. Both platforms charge per-contractor fees and take a cut of every payment—even though contractors aren't employees and don't require payroll processing.
A Different Approach: Kontrable
We built Kontrable specifically for businesses working with contractors (not employees):
- Direct payments: Pay via your Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer account—no middleman, no payment processing fees
- $99/month flat: Up to 25 contractors (vs $290-$499+ on EOR platforms)
- Contractor-focused: Contracts, milestones, payment tracking, and audit trails—built for independent contractor workflows
- No EOR fees: Because you're hiring true independent contractors who manage their own taxes and benefits
Kontrable gives you the structure and audit trail you need without the overhead of an EOR platform. You keep control of payments, avoid per-contractor fees, and maintain direct relationships with your contractors.
Who Should Choose What
Choose Papaya Global if:
You need to hire full-time employees in multiple countries and require comprehensive payroll, benefits, and compliance infrastructure. Papaya Global excels at enterprise-scale EOR services with strong reporting and multi-country consolidation.
Choose Oyster if:
You're building a distributed team of employees and need an easy-to-use platform for EOR services, onboarding, and benefits administration. Oyster's interface and employee experience are particularly strong.
Choose Kontrable if:
You're working with 5-25 independent contractors who handle their own taxes and benefits. You want to pay them directly (via Wise/PayPal/Payoneer), avoid per-contractor fees, and maintain a clean audit trail without EOR overhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Kontrable if I have both employees and contractors?
Yes. Use an EOR platform (like Papaya Global or Oyster) for your employees, and Kontrable for your contractors. This gives you the right tool for each type of worker without overpaying.
How does Kontrable handle compliance?
Kontrable helps you maintain proper contractor relationships through clear contracts, scopes of work, and documentation. We provide templates and guidance, but contractors remain independent—they handle their own taxes and aren't on your payroll.
What if I'm not sure if my workers are contractors or employees?
This is an important question. Review worker classification tests for your jurisdictions, and consult with legal counsel if you're unsure. If they're true independent contractors (control their own work, use their own tools, work for multiple clients), Kontrable is the right fit.