The invention discloses an oil hybrid system for an excavator with energy differential recovery, belonging to the technical field of energy-saving control of a hydraulic excavator, including: a controller, a transfer case, a variable pump, a variable motor, a reversing valve, a one-way valve and an accumulator, so that the energy differential recovery function and the oil hybrid function can be combined hydraulically. The accumulator is used as the energy storage unit, the variable pump and the variable motor are used as the auxiliary power unit, and power coupling is completed by the transfer case and the engine. The controller solves the matching problem of master and auxiliary power sources according to control rules, to stabilize the engine to work in the high-efficiency fuel zone. In the invention, energy from the hydraulic system and power system of the excavator can be maximally recovered, distributed and reused, the working efficiency of the engine can be optimized, the fuel economy of the excavator can be improved, and the system exhaust can be reduced.