HR & HRMS

For payroll specifically see Payroll. For applicant tracking see Recruiting & ATS. For time tracking see Time Tracking. For OKRs and performance reviews see OKRs & Goal Tracking.

Open source / self-host

• ★ OrangeHRM Open Source — long-running, GPLv2; employee directory, leave, time, performance. The most-deployed OSS HRMS for SMBs. The Enterprise edition adds payroll / advanced modules.
• ★ Frappe HR (formerly HRMS) — modern, Frappe-ecosystem; pairs cleanly with ERPNext. GPLv3. Default if you're already on Frappe.
• Sentrifugo — free / open source; comprehensive (recruitment, leave, expense, performance); maintenance has been intermittent — vet recent activity.
• IceHrm — PHP, Apache 2.0; clean UI; lighter than OrangeHRM.
• Jorani — leave + overtime management only; AGPLv3; small but focused.
• Vacation Rover / Calamari-style OSS — niche leave-only tools.

Inside an ERP

• ★ ERPNext HR — full directory, leave, attendance, payroll, performance, recruitment. Free with ERPNext.
• Odoo HR — directory + leaves + attendance free in Community; Appraisal / Recruitment / Payroll in Enterprise (paid in many regions).
• Dolibarr HR — basic; passable for very small teams.

Hosted (free tiers)

• ★ Zoho People Free — up to 5 users; full HRMS including leave / attendance / shift scheduling. The most usable genuinely-free hosted HRMS.
• Bitrix24 Free — bundles HR alongside CRM / tasks; up to 5 users.
• Connecteam Free — small free tier; deskless / shift workers.

Modern / startup-flavored (paid, free trials)

• Rippling — HR + IT + payroll + finance; the modern incumbent; paid.
• Deel — global hiring + payroll + EOR; paid.
• Gusto — US-focused HR + payroll; paid.
• BambooHR — SMB favorite; paid.
• HiBob — mid-market modern HRIS; paid.
• Personio — Europe-focused; paid.
• Lattice — performance + engagement-focused; see OKRs & Goal Tracking.

Global / EOR (Employer of Record)

• Deel, Remote.com, Oyster, Velocity Global, Globalization Partners — hire internationally without setting up entities. All paid; free quotes.
• Multiplier, Plane (the payroll one, not the PM tool) — newer EORs.

Specific niches worth knowing

• Time off / leave only: Vacation Tracker, Calamari, AbsenceIO; ERPNext / Frappe HR cover this for free.
• Org chart only: OrgCharts.io, Pingboard.
• Engagement surveys: Officevibe, Culture Amp; see Surveys & Feedback.
• People analytics: Charthop, ChartHop's free tier; or roll your own on the HRIS DB.

License watch-outs

• OrangeHRM Open Source is GPLv2; you cannot mix with proprietary modules without complying.
• Frappe HR / ERPNext HR are GPLv3.
• Sentrifugo is OSL — check the specific terms before commercial use.

Pick this if…

• Default OSS HRMS, mature: OrangeHRM Open Source.
• Already on Frappe / ERPNext: Frappe HR (or ERPNext HR).
• Free hosted, small team: Zoho People Free.
• Global hiring, can't set up entities: Deel or Remote.com.
• US startup, want HR + payroll + benefits in one: Gusto or Rippling.
• Mid-market, real HRIS: BambooHR or HiBob.