How to Build Your Own Oyster HR
Replace Oyster HR with a custom build. Global HR platform for distributed teams
Build Difficulty: 4/5
A few focused days to build a solid replacement
Estimated Timeline
Based on 40 features at Few Days difficulty, expect about 3-5 days with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Type-safe ORM for complex relational data models
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 40 features
Compliance(6 features)
Complete audit trail of all system changes and user actions for compliance.
Automated compliance monitoring and reporting for labor laws in 180+ countries.
Secure storage and digital signing of employment contracts and HR documents.
Digital employee handbook with acknowledgment tracking and version control.
Automatic tax withholding, deduction calculations, and filing for multiple jurisdictions.
+1 more in this category
Employee Experience(5 features)
Internal communication tools for company-wide announcements and team messaging.
Surveys, pulse checks, and engagement analytics to measure team satisfaction.
Self-service access to payslips, benefits, leave requests, and personal information updates.
Mental health resources, wellness challenges, and health tracking integration.
iOS and Android apps for employees to manage time, leave, and personal HR information.
Employee Management(4 features)
Centralized employee profiles with contact information, roles, and organizational hierarchy.
Advanced search and filtering across employee directory with saved searches.
Visual representation of company structure with real-time hierarchy updates.
Structured offboarding workflows with final pay calculation and document collection.
Time Management(4 features)
Customizable holiday calendars for multiple countries and locations.
Configurable leave policies with accrual, approval workflows, and calendar integration.
Schedule creation and management with shift swapping and coverage optimization.
Digital timesheets and attendance management with automatic overtime calculations.
Benefits(3 features)
Centralized management of health insurance, retirement plans, and employee benefits across jurisdictions.
Guided benefits enrollment process with decision support and plan comparison.
Curated benefits marketplace allowing employees to select personalized benefits packages.
Employee Development(3 features)
Training course management and employee skill development tracking.
Goal setting, review cycles, and feedback tools for employee development.
Identify and develop future leaders with talent pipeline and succession tracking.
Payroll(3 features)
Multi-country payroll processing with automatic tax and compliance calculations.
Automatic currency conversion and multi-currency payroll processing.
Automated payroll reports including payslips, tax reports, and statutory filings.
Recruitment(3 features)
Integrated background check and verification services for new hires.
End-to-end hiring workflow with job posting, candidate tracking, and automated onboarding.
Track and manage employee referrals with incentive tracking.
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Oyster HR
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 40 features at easy complexity.