FoundLyft

Deel vs. Oyster: Startup Offers for Payroll and Global Hiring

Deel and Oyster both offer startups a deal, on different things. See each side by side, read live from the deal pages, and which fits your hiring plan.

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you use these offers. Details

Side by side

Deel and Oyster startup offers compared
DeelOyster
OfferFree U.S. payroll for founders; first 5 seats free for lifeUp to $1,200 off per team member per year, for the first 12 months
In shortDeel offers free U.S. payroll for founders and the first 5 seats free for life to venture-backed startups (at least $500k raised).Oyster's startup discount takes up to $1,200 per team member off its employer of record service for the first 12 months.
Where it appliesNot stated by the vendorNot stated by the vendor
Offer endsNo end date statedNo end date stated
Affiliate relationshipYes: we may earn a commissionNo: the link goes to the vendor's own page
Last verifiedOctober 28, 2026October 28, 2026

Our verdict

Verdict: you are hiring your first full-time employee in another country

If your situation is hiring your first full-time employee in another country without a local entity, choose Oyster. Its startup discount is for employer of record hiring, you request it when you sign up, and a bootstrapped team qualifies below a headcount cap, so no funding round is required. The Deel offer listed here is for U.S. payroll for founders and the first seats for venture-backed startups, and Deel's startup page does not state a discount on employer of record hiring abroad.

If your situation is payroll for the founders and a small U.S. team, and you have raised venture funding, choose Deel: that is what its offer covers. Oyster's page describes its discount for employer of record hiring, not for U.S. payroll for founders.

If you need both, the two offers do not overlap, so you can use each for what it covers. FoundLyft has an affiliate relationship with Deel and none with Oyster. That did not change the verdict, which follows only what each company's own startup page says.

Deel logo

Deel

Deel — free U.S. payroll for founders

Free U.S. payroll for founders; first 5 seats free for life

What you get

Deel is a global people platform for hiring, managing and paying teams worldwide: payroll, HR, contractors and employer-of-record services.

This listing is Deel's own startup offer, taken from its startup page. It is not a FoundLyft-only deal, and FoundLyft adds no terms of its own.

Under "Startup pricing bundle", Deel lists:

  • Free U.S. payroll for founders, for life
  • The first 5 seats free for life for venture-backed startups

Deel's stated criteria: the startup must have raised at least $500k in funding, verifiable on Crunchbase.

Deel's startup page asks you to book a demo to get the offer, and the booking form asks for a work email. Deel decides who qualifies and can change its offers, so check its startup page for the current terms.

Eligibility

Deel's stated criteria: the company must have raised at least $500k in funding, verifiable on Crunchbase. Deel lists this criterion with the five free seats for venture-backed startups. Deel decides eligibility and can change the offer.

How to apply

  1. Use the button on this page to open Deel's page for booking a demo with its team. The form asks for a work email.
  2. Book the demo. Deel's startup page asks you to book a demo to get its Startup pricing bundle.
  3. Tell Deel you are asking about the free U.S. payroll for founders and the five free seats, and confirm with them that your startup meets their criteria (at least $500k raised, verifiable on Crunchbase).

Last verified: October 28, 2026

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Oyster logo

Oyster

Oyster — startup discount on employer of record hires

Up to $1,200 off per team member per year, for the first 12 months

What you get

Oyster is an employer of record (EOR) platform. It lets a company hire and pay full-time employees in other countries without setting up a local entity.

This listing is Oyster's own startup discount, taken from its startup page. It is not a FoundLyft-only deal, and the button links to Oyster's own page, not to an affiliate link.

  • Up to $1,200 off per team member per year, for the first 12 months
  • No minimum number of hires
  • You request the discount when you sign up
  • The discount is valid for 12 months from the date of hire
  • Oyster's page says employer of record hiring is available in 120+ countries; elsewhere on the same page it says 180+ countries, so confirm the country you need with Oyster

Oyster sets and can change these terms. Check its startup page for the current offer.

Eligibility

Oyster's page says you qualify if you have raised pre-seed, seed or Series A funding, or if you are bootstrapped with under 50 employees. It describes the program as built for pre-seed through Series A companies and bootstrapped startups under 50 employees. The discount is for Oyster's employer of record service. Oyster decides who qualifies and can change or end the offer.

How to apply

  1. Use the button on this page to open Oyster's startup page.
  2. Sign up for a free Oyster account.
  3. Request the startup discount when you sign up.

Last verified: October 28, 2026

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