Overview

Frappe HR is open-source software for HR and payroll operations, combining recruitment, employee administration, workforce tracking and pay in one system. It suits teams that want control over deployment and workflows, especially those using ERPNext accounting; organizations seeking a turnkey service with minimal setup should look elsewhere.

Its broad scope can reduce the need to split routine HR work across separate tools, but self-hosting and customization shift more responsibility to the organization. Frappe HR is licensed under AGPL-3.0, and a free software license does not make hosting, implementation or maintenance free. Browse HR Software for more options.

Key features

Hiring and employee lifecycle

Recruitment tools cover staffing plans, job listings, applicant tracking, interview scheduling, feedback, offers and analytics. That gives HR teams a path from workforce planning through candidate evaluation, while employee records and onboarding carry the system into ongoing staff administration.

Workforce administration

Shifts, attendance, leave, expenses, time tracking and performance management cover recurring processes beyond personnel records. Bringing those workflows together can help organizations seeking a broad HR platform, though the range may require deliberate configuration to match existing practices.

Payroll and integrations

Payroll supports rule-based salary structures, bulk assignments, regular runs, off-cycle payments, multi-currency payroll, employee loans and timesheet-based pay. This flexibility is useful for teams with varied payroll needs; it also makes implementation and accurate configuration important. Integration with ERPNext accounting is a particular advantage for organizations already using that system. Connections to biometric tools, banks and third-party software extend its place in a wider stack.

Customization, security and deployment

Using the Frappe Framework, teams can create custom forms, fields, workflows, reports and dashboards. That openness is valuable when standard processes do not fit, but it favors organizations able to manage configuration or obtain implementation help. Frappe HR can be installed using scripts or hosted on Frappe Cloud. The product describes role-based permissions, audit logs and activity trails; Frappe Cloud provides regular backups and encrypted communication.

Android and iOS apps provide smartphone access to HR functions alongside the web platform. The specific division of features between mobile and web is not defined.

Pricing

Frappe HR itself is free open-source software: the Frappe HR (open-source software) plan costs 0.00 USD per free under AGPL-3.0. Hosting and implementation cost extra, so this is most attractive to organizations prepared to operate the system themselves or arrange support.

Frappe Cloud Sites: 5.00 USD per month, billed onwards /mo; 1 site.
Frappe Cloud Servers: 20.00 USD per month, billed onwards /mo; multiple sites and benches.
Frappe Cloud Servers - Dedicated: 125.00 USD per month, billed onwards /mo; multiple sites and benches.

Separate hosting plans are also offered: Frappe Cloud Sites hosting is 5.00 USD per month, billed onwards /mo, for a single site on shared servers with multiple apps. Frappe Cloud Servers hosting is 125.00 USD per month, billed onwards /mo, and includes superior dedicated server isolation, snapshots, autoscaling and global data centre locations. These prices distinguish a single shared site from server hosting with stronger isolation and operational features.

For self-hosting, a VPS starts around $40/month; email, security, backups, setup and maintenance add costs. Teams can implement the product themselves or seek certified Frappe partner support. Product Warranty covers bug fixes, not functional support, so organizations needing help with day-to-day use should account for that gap.

Platforms

Frappe HR supports web, Android, iOS, API access and self-hosted deployment. That combination gives technical teams options to connect it with other software or retain control of where it runs.

Who it's for

Frappe says its modular product suits small businesses as well as enterprises with thousands of employees. In practice, the stronger fit is a team that values broad HR and payroll coverage, ERPNext integration, or the ability to adapt workflows—and has the technical capacity or partner support to deploy and maintain it. Teams prioritizing a ready-made service and minimal operational work should compare hosted alternatives.

Pros and cons

Pros: Broad hiring, employee lifecycle, attendance, leave, performance and payroll workflows can consolidate many HR operations.
Pros: AGPL-3.0 licensing, self-hosting and extensive customization give teams control over deployment and process design.
Pros: ERPNext accounting integration is useful for organizations already in that ecosystem.
Cons: Free software still carries hosting, setup, security, backup and maintenance costs, and self-hosting adds operational responsibility.
Cons: Product Warranty excludes functional support, making partner help or internal expertise important for implementation and ongoing use.

Alternatives

TalentHR is worth considering for teams looking for a freemium HR option with web and mobile platforms; its free plan covers up to 10 active users and core HR tools.

IceHrm is another freemium option with self-hosted support; its open-source plan covers employee profiles, attendance, payroll, documents, projects and timesheets, and reports.

Ramco HCM is a paid alternative for teams comparing another HR platform.

CatalystOne is a paid alternative with web and API platforms.

Horilla is an open-source freemium alternative for teams seeking a web-based, self-hosted option; its free plan supports unlimited users and companies.

Infor Workforce Management is a paid alternative for teams comparing workforce management software across mobile, desktop and web platforms.

Zoho People may suit smaller teams seeking a freemium HR option; its free plan is limited to 5 users.

Runtime HRMS is a freemium alternative with Android and iOS support; its free plan is limited to 5 employees.

Verdict

Choose Frappe HR if your team needs broad HR and payroll workflows, values customization or self-hosting, and can handle deployment and ongoing operations. Its main advantage is combining that functional breadth with control over the system; its main reason to look elsewhere is the hosting, implementation and support burden.

	ELMO Software	Frappe HR
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	—	$5/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Android, api, iOS, self-hosted, Web
Employee records	Yes	Yes
Time-off management	Yes	Yes
Employee onboarding	Yes	Yes
Performance management	Yes	Yes
Time tracking	Yes	Yes
Mobile apps	Yes	Yes
Free plan	—	Yes

ELMO Software vs Frappe HR

ELMO Software

Frappe HR