OrangeHRM Starter replaces 8 paid apps
One open-source tool, 8 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.
licenseGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installUse the free hosted Starter signup, or upload the release to an Apache/PHP/MySQL server and complete the web installer
dataHosted Starter keeps employee records in OrangeHRM's cloud; self-hosted Starter stores them in MySQL/MariaDB with uploaded files in application storage
setupSelf-hosting requires Apache, PHP and MySQL/MariaDB plus security and backups; the hosted path starts with a 30-day trial before conversion to lifetime-free Starter
facts verified 2026-08-11
The old-school HR suite: records, leave, attendance and approvals, with a real server and no fashion budget.
the catchIt tracks people and leave but does not replace Deel's legal entities, compliant contracts, payroll or international payments.
the verdict →all Deel alternatives →
The old-school HR suite: records, leave, attendance and approvals, with a real server and no fashion budget.
the catchIt is an HR database, not a US payroll engine, so tax filing and employee payments remain entirely outside the product.
the verdict →all Gusto alternatives →
Employee records, leave, time tracking and mobile clock-in, free in its cloud or on your own server; scheduling and team comms are not the point.
the verdict →all Connecteam alternatives →
The old-school HR suite: records, leave, attendance and approvals, with a real server and no fashion budget.
the catchIt is an HR system, not an employer-of-record or international payroll service.
the verdict →all Remote alternatives →
The old-school HR suite: records, leave, attendance and approvals, with a real server and no fashion budget.
the catchIts older interface and smaller integration/reporting ecosystem are a step down from BambooHR, especially when self-hosted.
the verdict →all BambooHR alternatives →
The old-school HR suite: records, leave, attendance and approvals, with a real server and no fashion budget.
the catchIts interface, analytics and integration ecosystem are less modern and cohesive than HiBob's.
the verdict →all HiBob alternatives →
The old-school HR suite: records, leave, attendance and approvals, with a real server and no fashion budget.
the catchIt covers records and leave but has a weaker recruiting, automation and integration experience than Personio.
the verdict →all Personio alternatives →
The old-school HR suite: records, leave, attendance and approvals, with a real server and no fashion budget.
the catchIt manages HR records but not Rippling's device fleet, identity, app access or payroll automation.
the verdict →all Rippling alternatives →last updated 2026-08-11 · up to $1,872/yr replaced · no votes, no pay-to-list
