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Quick Summary
Best Overall: Zoho People Free - 5 employees, leave tracking, time sheets
Best Open Source: OrangeHRM - unlimited employees, self-hosted
Best All-in-One: Bitrix24 Free - HR + CRM + project management
1. Zoho People Free
Best Overall- Up to 5 employees
- Employee database
- Leave management
- Time and attendance
- Employee self-service
2. OrangeHRM (Open Source)
- Unlimited employees
- PIM (Personnel Info Management)
- Leave management
- Time tracking
- Performance reviews
3. Bitrix24 Free
- Unlimited users
- Employee directory
- Time tracking
- Absence management
- Built-in CRM and PM
4. Freshteam Free
- Up to 50 employees
- Job posting (3 active)
- Applicant tracking
- Basic onboarding
5. Homebase Free
- 1 location, unlimited employees
- Scheduling
- Time clock
- Team messaging
6. When I Work Free
- Up to 75 employees
- Scheduling
- Time tracking
- Team communication
7. Connecteam Free
- Up to 10 users
- Time clock with GPS
- Scheduling
- Employee engagement tools
| Tool | Free Employees | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho People | 5 | Core HR | Small teams, Zoho users |
| OrangeHRM | Unlimited | Full HRIS | Self-hosted, full control |
| Bitrix24 | Unlimited | HR + CRM + PM | All-in-one workspace |
| Freshteam | 50 | Recruiting | Hiring-focused teams |
| Homebase | Unlimited | Scheduling | Retail and restaurants |
| When I Work | 75 | Scheduling | Shift-based teams |
| Connecteam | 10 | Field workers | Deskless workforce |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free HR software for small businesses?
Zoho People Free is the best for core HR (employee records, leave, time tracking) for up to 5 employees. For hiring, Freshteam Free handles up to 50 employees with applicant tracking. For scheduling, Homebase covers unlimited employees at one location.
Can free HR software handle payroll?
Most free HR tools do not include payroll. Payroll is typically a paid add-on or separate service. Gusto, ADP, and Paychex offer payroll starting at $40-79/month. Some free HR tools integrate with payroll providers but do not process payroll themselves.
Is open source HR software reliable?
OrangeHRM is mature and used by organizations worldwide. It is reliable for core HR functions. The trade-off is you need technical skills for installation, updates, and maintenance. For non-technical teams, cloud-based free plans like Zoho People are simpler.