Oyster® vs Upwork

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Two Hiring tools side by side: what each does, what it costs and who it suits.

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The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

On the data we hold, Upwork comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.

What the data says

Only Upwork has a free plan to start on.
Only Upwork has an MCP server, so an AI employee can work in it directly.
In our Hiring ranking, Upwork places 1 and Oyster® 8 of 10.

Side by side

Oyster® and Upwork compared
At a glance	OYOyster®	Upwork
Starts at	$29/mo	Not known yet
Free plan	No	Yes
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	No	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Oyster®

Global ContractorsAgencies hiring freelance talent worldwide$29/mo
Employer of RecordTeams hiring full-time international employees$699/mo

Upwork

BasicFree to join; clients pay a service fee on payments to freelancers plus a one-time contract initiation fee.Free

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Oyster® if…

We haven't written up who Oyster® suits yet.

Visit Read the review

Choose Upwork if…

Small and mid-sized businesses that need a specialist for a defined project or ongoing part-time work and want proposals, contracts and payments handled in one place.

Visit Read the review

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