View all HR Alternatives
Best Free Alternatives to BambooHR
Stop paying $10-$22/user/mo. Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: HRVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
Freshteam
FREEBest Direct Competitor (Free)
Why we like it
Includes a robust free tier for up to 50 employees; excellent applicant tracking (ATS), employee directory, and basic time-off management.
Keep in mind
Advanced features like performance management and custom roles are locked behind paid tiers; support is limited on the free plan.
OrangeHRM Open Source
Best for Enterprise Complexity
Why we like it
The most widely used open-source HRIS; modular design allows for deep customization of leave, recruitment, and attendance tracking; zero licensing fees.
Keep in mind
The UI feels more industrial/corporate than BambooHR's sleek design; requires self-hosting or technical setup for the open-source version.
Odoo Employees
Best Integrated UX
Why we like it
Features a dashboard that looks like a smartphone; free if you use only one app (e.g., Employees); highly modular for adding payroll or CRM later.
Keep in mind
The 'One App Free' rule ends as soon as you add a second app; official mobile apps require an Enterprise subscription.
Connecteam (Small Business Plan)
FREEBest for Deskless/Field Teams
Why we like it
Perfect for non-office workers; includes a mobile time clock, scheduling, and task management for free for up to 10 users.
Keep in mind
Limited features for office-centric HR tasks like benefits administration or performance reviews on the free plan.
Zoho People
FREEBest for Automation
Why we like it
Free for up to 5 users; includes core HR features like onboarding and attendance; integrates perfectly with the Zoho suite (Mail, CRM).
Keep in mind
Once you pass the 5-user limit, pricing becomes per-user similar to BambooHR.
TalentHR
FREEBest for Startup Simplicity
Why we like it
Free for up to 10 users; designed for rapid setup; includes basic applicant tracking and employee self-service in a modern interface.
Keep in mind
Very new platform; lacks the deep history and large integration library of veterans like OrangeHRM.
HR.my
FREEBest for 'Unlimited' Users
Why we like it
Completely free with unlimited user access and storage; includes payroll, attendance, and expense tracking; no per-head costs ever.
Keep in mind
Interface is utilitarian and lacks the 'polish' of commercial competitors; funded via donations and minimal ads on the backend.
IceHrm
Best Lightweight Tool
Why we like it
Fast and responsive; includes a strong document management system and employee information management in the open-source edition.
Keep in mind
The community edition lacks the advanced 'Pro' modules like payroll processing and training management.
Sentrifugo
Best for Employee Self-Service
Why we like it
100% free with no premium 'traps'; features modules for background checks and disciplinary tracking that are often paid add-ons elsewhere.
Keep in mind
Development cycle is slower than Odoo or Freshteam; documentation can be sparse for beginners.
Bitrix24 (HR)
FREEBest Social Intranet
Why we like it
Includes an org chart, company newsfeed, and workflow automation for free; excellent for building company culture remotely.
Keep in mind
Proprietary; the free version has storage limits and focuses more on collaboration than strict HR compliance.
HHRM
Best for Privacy/Control
Why we like it
Truly open-source and modern; designed for developers to host their own private HR records; no third-party data access.
Keep in mind
Requires a high level of technical knowledge to deploy; no commercial support team available.
Dolibarr (HR Module)
Best for Micro-Businesses
Why we like it
Very easy to install on any PHP/MySQL server; handles holiday requests and expenses with minimal bloat; keeps data private.
Keep in mind
Lacks 'Human Capital' depth like performance appraisals or applicant tracking; strictly for administrative HR.