Complete HRMS solution with over 13 different modules right from employee management, onboarding, leaves, to payroll, taxation, and more.
- GPL-3.0
- Python
- Docker
- Actively maintained
HR & Time Tracking comparison
Frappe HR vs OrangeHRM: which should you self-host in 2026?
Pick Frappe HR for a complete open-source HRMS that includes payroll, taxation and expense claims; pick OrangeHRM for a long-running, simpler PHP HR system covering employee records, leave, time, recruitment and performance, without payroll in the open-source edition.
Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.
Long-running open-source HR management system covering employee records, leave, time and recruitment.
- GPL-3.0
- PHP
- Docker
- Maintained
Head-to-head
Frappe HR vs OrangeHRM, side by side
Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.
| Aspect |  Frappe HR |  OrangeHRM |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 (OrangeHRM Starter); OrangeHRM also sells separate commercial editions |
| Language/stack | Python and JavaScript on the Frappe framework | PHP |
| Payroll | Built in: salary structures, income tax slabs, off-cycle payments and salary slips | Not included in the open-source edition |
| Modules | 13+ modules: employee lifecycle, onboarding, leave and attendance, expense claims and advances, performance, payroll and taxation | PIM (employee records), leave, time, attendance, recruitment, performance, claims, directory and Buzz (social feed) |
| Install options | Docker Compose from the repo, the bench CLI, or Frappe Cloud | Download from SourceForge and run the web installer on Linux or Windows; official Docker image |
| Mobile | Frappe HR mobile app for leave, check-in and employee profile | OrangeHRM mobile app on Google Play and the App Store |
| GitHub stars | 8,879 | 1,148 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 2,742 | 38 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 | Jun 28, 2026 |
| Latest release | v16.20.1Oct 1, 2026 | v5.9Jun 28, 2026 |
| Main language | Python | PHP |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| Repository | frappe/hrms | orangehrm/orangehrm |
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.
Verdict
Frappe HR is the stronger all-in-one choice: its open-source app covers the employee lifecycle, leave and attendance with geolocated check-ins, expense claims, performance and full payroll with tax slabs, and it plugs into ERPNext accounting. OrangeHRM's open-source Starter edition is easier to run on ordinary PHP hosting and covers the core HR modules (PIM, leave, time and attendance, recruitment, performance, claims and an employee directory), but it has no payroll module, so pair it with a payroll service.
Best for
Choose Frappe HR for
Companies that want HR and payroll in one open-source system.
Best for
Choose OrangeHRM for
Teams wanting a straightforward HR records, leave and recruitment system on PHP hosting.
Deploy either in minutes
Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.
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Does OrangeHRM have payroll?
Not in the open-source Starter edition on GitHub, which has no payroll module. Frappe HR and Horilla are open-source HR systems that include payroll.
Do I need ERPNext to use Frappe HR?
Yes. Frappe HR is a separate app, but it declares ERPNext as a required app, so you install it on a Frappe site that already runs ERPNext. Expense claims and payroll then post to ERPNext accounting.
Is either a BambooHR alternative?
Both cover BambooHR's core of employee records, time off, hiring and onboarding. Frappe HR also includes payroll in the open-source app.
Which is more popular on GitHub, Frappe HR or OrangeHRM?
Frappe HR has 8,879 GitHub stars against 1,148 for OrangeHRM. Over the last twelve months Frappe HR received 2,742 commits and OrangeHRM received 38, so Frappe HR is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.