FreeAgent
Oyster HR
| Feature | FreeAgent | Oyster HR |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $14/mo | From $29/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Best For | uk-freelancers, sole-traders, small-businesses, contractors | remote-first-companies, global-teams, startups, international-employers |
| Founded | 2007 | 2019 |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expenses | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tax Returns | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bank Reconciliation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Time Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Project Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Global Hiring | ✗ | ✓ |
| Payroll | ✗ | ✓ |
| Benefits | ✗ | ✓ |
| Compliance | ✗ | ✓ |
| Contractor Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Time Off | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ FreeAgent Pros
- Great for UK businesses
- HMRC compliant
- Easy invoicing
- Bank feeds
✗ FreeAgent Cons
- UK-focused
- Limited for larger businesses
- No inventory management
✓ Oyster HR Pros
- Hire in 180+ countries
- Handles local compliance
- Good contractor management
- Modern interface
✗ Oyster HR Cons
- Expensive EOR service
- Limited HRIS features
- Support quality varies
The Verdict
FreeAgent is built for uk freelancers and sole traders, with a focus on invoicing and expenses. Oyster HR targets remote first companies and global teams and leads with global-hiring and payroll.
On pricing, FreeAgent is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $14/mo compared to $29/mo for Oyster HR. That $15/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Neither tool offers a free plan, so factor the subscription cost into your decision from the start.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.