Horilla HR replaces 9 paid apps
One open-source tool, 9 subscriptions it can stand in for. Each pairing below is curated and verified by hand, with the honest catch spelled out. No votes, no pay-to-list.
licenseLGPL-2.1
runsyour server
installClone the stable 2.0 branch and run docker-compose up -d; a manual Django setup is also documented
dataHR records in PostgreSQL by default, with uploaded media on server storage or optional Google Cloud Storage
setupDocker and production configuration: database credentials, secret key, allowed hosts, HTTPS, backups and mail remain the operator's job
facts verified 2026-08-11
Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
the catchIt has no employer-of-record, country compliance or money-movement service, and the HR server is yours to run.
the verdict →all Deel alternatives →
Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
the catchIt cannot replace Gusto's payroll calculations, filings or money movement, and it adds self-hosting work.
the verdict →all Gusto alternatives →
Schedules, rotating shifts and leave in Docker; a whole HR suite comes along for the ride.
the catchA whole self-hosted HR system is substantially harder to administer and less friendly to frontline schedulers than Homebase.
the verdict →all Homebase alternatives →
Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
the catchIt cannot assume employment liability, run localized payroll or provide Remote's global compliance network.
the verdict →all Remote alternatives →
Documents, onboarding, leave and rotating shifts in Docker; administration is the free-plan limit.
the catchIts administration, integrations and polish lag Factorial, and deployment, security, backups and upgrades are yours.
the verdict →all Factorial alternatives →
Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
the catchIt is younger and less polished than BambooHR, with server operations and upgrades shifted to the user.
the verdict →all BambooHR alternatives →
Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
the catchIt is less proven and polished than HiBob, with infrastructure, backups and upgrades shifted to the customer.
the verdict →all HiBob alternatives →
Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
the catchIt is less polished and integrated than Personio, and the operational burden moves to the user.
the verdict →all Personio alternatives →
Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
the catchIt has no equivalent device or SaaS-account control plane, and its own infrastructure must be administered.
the verdict →all Rippling alternatives →last updated 2026-08-11 · up to $1,980/yr replaced · no votes, no pay-to-list
