7 Best Open Source HR Software 2024 (50 HRMs Ranked)

by Chris Von Wilpert, BBusMan • Last updated November 23, 2023

Expert Verified by Leandro Langeani, BBA

First-Person Perspective: We buy, test and review software products based on a 3-step rating methodology and first-hand experienceIf you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our rating methodology and how we make money.

Today there are 73 different open source HR software. We spent 87 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to optimize your HR operations.

What is the Best Open Source HR Software?

  1. OrangeHRM — best of the best
  2. Sentrifugo — best for startups and small businesses
  3. Odoo HR — best for customization
  4. Jorani — best for leave and overtime management 
  5. IceHrm — best for small and midsize enterprises
  6. ERPNext — best for ERP functionalities 
  7. Admidio — best for nonprofits

Our Verdict — Best Of The Best

Price: Custom

OrangeHRM is a comprehensive, user-friendly HR management solution for businesses seeking open-source software. We think it’s the best because of its robust employee management tools, efficient attendance tracking tool, and easy-to-use recruitment features.

The Best Part:

  • Next-level reporting and analytics. OrangeHRM's customizable reports and graphical visualizations make it a breeze to assess your organization's HR performance, and to get insights on how to improve said performance.

The Worst Part:

  • No built-in payroll module. OrangeHRM leaves you hanging when it comes to payroll, forcing you to integrate a third-party tool to fill in the gap.

Get it if you want an all-in-one HR software that can handle everything from recruitment to performance evaluations without costing you a fortune.

I recommend you book a free demo, then get OrangeHRM’s Advanced plan.

(free demo)

Best For

OrangeHRM is best for organizations that want an open-source HR platform with powerful reporting tools and comprehensive employee management features.

Top Features

  • The entire workforce, two clicks away. Keep track of every team member's details, documents, and history with OrangeHRM's centralized employee management.

  • Real-time attendance management. Keep tabs on your staff’s attendance with handy features like clock-in/clock-out, customizable pay policies and overtime rules, and easy-to-manage timesheets.

  • Get the scoop on your team. Track and evaluate each employee's performance with OrangeHRM's 360° reviews, goal tracking, and robust career development tools.

  • Self-service. Let your team handle tasks like updating personal details, asking for time off, and even checking on their performance reviews.

  • Better by the day. Organize, schedule, and manage employee training sessions with OrangeHRM's convenient training management tools.

Pricing

OrangeHRM offers two pricing plans:

  • Starter: Custom pricing, for small to midsize businesses that want an open source HR software with the essentials for people management, basic reporting, and limited talent management tools.
  • Advanced: Custom pricing, for larger organizations that want a comprehensive, open-source HR software with advanced reporting, extensive talent management options, and more.

Try OrangeHRM today with a free demo.

Our Verdict — Best For Startups And Small Businesses

Price: Free forever

Sentrifugo is a powerful open-source HR software for startups and small businesses. We think it’s the best for startups and small businesses because of its customization options, free pricing, and robust performance management tools.

The Best Part:

  • It won’t make your wallet lighter. Sentrifugo offers a full-featured open source HR solution that won't cost you a dime.

The Worst Part:

  • No payroll and attendance features. Sentrifugo doesn't cover payroll or attendance tracking, so you'll have to scout out additional apps to cover those bases.

Get it if you want an easy-to-use HR solution that grows with your startup or small business.

I recommend you sign up for a free demo.

(free demo)

Best For

Sentrifugo is best for growing startups and small businesses that want a free, open-source solution for managing HR without breaking the bank.

Top Features

  • Analytics that pack a punch. Steer your organization in the right direction with Sentrifugo's in-depth analytics for employee status, leaves, recruitment, and more.

  • Breeze through background checks. Simplify your hiring process by running detailed background checks on candidates via Sentrifugo, before signing on the dotted line.

  • Scout the top talent. Monitor and manage interviews, feedback, and candidate shortlisting with Sentrifugo's resource requisition tools.

  • Hassle-free interviews. Sentrifugo's scheduling feature allows candidates to book interviews, making the process smoother for everyone.

  • Express expense tracking. Employees’ can upload, submit, and get the bills approved with a few clicks.

Pricing

Sentrifugo offers a single pricing plan:

  • Free: Free forever, for startups and small businesses that want a free, open-source HR management solution with comprehensive features for recruitment, staff management, and performance management.

Try Sentrifugo today with a free demo.

Our Verdict — Best For Customization

Price: Starts at $31.10/month

Odoo HR is an open-source HR solution with robust customization features for organizations of all sizes. We think it’s the best for customization because of its highly adaptable modules, user-friendly interface, and seamless integration with other Odoo apps.

The Best Part:

  • Customizable to the core. Odoo HR allows you to pick and choose what features work best for your organization, giving it a personalized touch to your HR management.

The Worst Part:

  • Pricey premium plans. Odoo HR's more advanced plans can feel a bit pricey for some organizations, starting at $31.10/month for the Standard plan.

Get it if you want an open-source HR solution with tons of customization options and smooth integration with other Odoo apps.

I recommend you get started with the One App Free plan.

(free plan)

Best For

Odoo HR is best for small to medium sized businesses that want a highly customizable HR solution.

Top Features

  • Mix and match. Pick from tons of HR modules to create a solution that’s tailored to your business.

  • It brings your data to life. See all of your HR data with Odoo HR’s customizable dashboards and analytics.

  • Time tracking made easy. Monitor employee hours, attendance, and project progress with weekly or monthly timesheets and integrated accounting.

  • Sail through leave management. Keep tabs on employee vacations and sick days with request submissions, manager approvals, and auto-updating calendars.

  • Bond with your team. Foster teamwork with a cool social hub where real-time chats and idea swapping meet awesome perks like gamified challenges, leaderboards, and rewards.

Pricing

Odoo HR offers three pricing plans:

  • One App Free: Free forever, for small businesses that want to test the waters with one HR app and unlimited users.
  • Standard: $31.10/month per user for growing businesses that want access to all Odoo Online apps for HR, as well as other modules.
  • Custom: $46.80/month per user for larger organizations that want all apps along with Odoo Studio, multi-company support, and the option to go with Odoo Online, Odoo.sh, or on-premise deployment.

Annual plans provide a 20% discount.

Try Odoo HR today with the free plan.

Our Top Three Picks

Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:

  1. OrangeHRM — best of the best
  2. Sentrifugo — best for startups and small businesses
  3. Odoo HR — best for customization

Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:

Tool

Entry Offer

Pricing

OrangeHRM

Free demo

Custom

Sentrifugo

Free demo

Free forever

Odoo HR

Free plan

Starts at $31.10/mo

Jorani

None

Free forever

IceHrm

Free plan

Starts at $9/mo

ERPNext

Free plan

Starts at $10/mo

Admidio

None

Free forever

Here are the top 50 open source HR software we considered in this review:

  1. OrangeHRM
  2. Sentrifugo
  3. Odoo HR
  4. Jorani
  5. IceHrm
  6. ERPNext
  7. Admidio
  8. Dolibarr
  9. Baraza HCM
  10. SuiteCRM (with HR modules)
  11. Zoho People
  12. WebHR
  13. Freshteam
  14. Bitrix24
  15. CiviHR
  16. BambooHR
  17. Workday
  18. Deputy
  19. TimeTrex
  20. SnapHRM
  21. Talentsoft
  22. Zenefits
  23. Gusto
  24. Paychex
  25. Namely
  26. ADP Workforce Now
  27. Ceridian Dayforce
  28. UKG Pro
  29. Rippling
  30. PeopleStrategy
  31. BerniePortal
  32. WorkBright
  33. Fingercheck
  34. PeopleGuru
  35. EddyHR
  36. Ascentis
  37. ClearCompany
  38. isolved
  39. Paylocity
  40. APS
  41. Paycom
  42. Patriot Payroll
  43. OnPay
  44. Square Payroll
  45. Justworks
  46. TriNet
  47. G&A Partners
  48. PEO Spectrum
  49. Insperity
  50. Paycor

Which is the best HR software?

When considering the best HR software, factors such as human resource management, user interface, integration options, and range of features must be taken into account. OrangeHRM, as an open-source HR software, excels in providing comprehensive employee management tools, attendance management, and user-friendly recruitment features. Its advanced features and attractive option of an open-source version make it suitable for organizations with limited budgets, while still offering a wide range of core HR functions.

OrangeHRM also provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy for both HR professionals and employees to navigate the system. The platform's employee self-service options empower employees to manage their personal data, leave requests, and performance appraisals. Additionally, OrangeHRM's integration options allow seamless connection with payroll software, document management functionalities, and other HR tools, providing a complete Human Resources Management System (HRMS) experience.

What HR tool does Google use?

The specific HR tool that Google uses isn’t known. However, larger companies like Google typically rely on advanced features, such as applicant tracking, talent acquisition, and compliance management to streamline their HR processes. In addition, they may use custom workflows, employee directory, and user roles to effectively manage their large workforce. It is plausible that Google has developed its in-house software or uses a combination of proprietary and external software solutions to manage their HR processes.

Is Orange HRM free?

OrangeHRM offers a free, open-source version of its HR software, which provides basic HR functions. However, for more advanced features, such as performance appraisals, expense management, and payroll management, the software offers paid plans, such as the Starter and Advanced plans, with custom pricing depending on your organization's needs. These additional features make the paid version of OrangeHRM an attractive option for businesses that want a more comprehensive HR solution.

Is Sentrifugo really free?

Yes, Sentrifugo is an open-source HR software that is completely free for startups and small businesses. It offers a wide range of features, such as project management, task management, and document management. The software also includes an employee database, making it easy for businesses to maintain their personnel information management. However, Sentrifugo does not offer payroll or attendance features, so users will need to find alternative solutions for these specific HR functions.

Is Sage HR app free?

The Sage HR app is not entirely free, but it offers a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to manage their HR processes. The pricing for Sage HR starts at $5.5 per employee per month, which provides access to a range of features such as absence management, calendar management, and employee information management. This makes Sage HR an affordable option for organizations seeking a comprehensive HR solution without breaking the bank. Remember to review the specific pricing plans and features available on Sage HR's website to determine if it suits your organization's needs and budget.

Is Bright HR app free?

The Bright HR app is not free, but it offers a pricing plan tailored for small businesses. For three employees, the cost of Bright HR is 21 GBP per month. This plan provides access to a variety of features such as absence management, employee data management, and holiday management. This makes Bright HR a reasonably priced option for small organizations looking for a comprehensive HR solution to manage their workforce effectively. It is essential to explore Bright HR's website to gain a deeper understanding of the available pricing plans and features to determine if it is the right fit for your organization's needs and budget.

Which HR software is largest?

The largest HR software depends on factors such as market share, user base, and the range of features provided. It is essential to research and compare different HR software solutions to determine which one is the largest in terms of usage and functionality. Some popular HR software solutions include OrangeHRM, Sentrifugo, and Odoo HR, which cater to various organization sizes and requirements. These software solutions offer features such as time management, time tracking tools, vacation tracking, and other essential HR functions, making them attractive options for businesses seeking comprehensive HR management.

The Bottom Line

To recap, here are the best open source HR software to try this year:

  1. OrangeHRM — best of the best
  2. Sentrifugo — best for startups and small businesses
  3. Odoo HR — best for customization
  4. Jorani — best for leave and overtime management 
  5. IceHrm — best for small and midsize enterprises
  6. ERPNext — best for ERP functionalities
  7. Admidio — best for nonprofits

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