Homebase alternatives: 3 open-source picks
Homebase costs $30/mo — $360 a year. These 3 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Frappe HR, Horilla HR and ERPNext. All 3 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
Schedules, shifts and leave in a full HR stack; running the stack is the unpaid role.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installLaunch its Docker Compose stack, or install hrms and ERPNext into an existing Frappe Bench
dataEach Frappe site has its own MariaDB database plus private/public files directories; backups are SQL dumps and file archives under the site
the catch vs HomebaseIt can model shifts and leave, but the full Frappe stack is far more operational work than Homebase's managed scheduler.
setupThe full Frappe/ERPNext stack brings Docker, MariaDB, Redis, proxy/TLS and version-compatible app upgrades
facts verified 2026-08-11
Schedules, rotating shifts and leave in Docker; a whole HR suite comes along for the ride.
licenseLGPL-2.1
runsyour server
installClone the stable 2.0 branch and run docker-compose up -d; a manual Django setup is also documented
dataHR records in PostgreSQL by default, with uploaded media on server storage or optional Google Cloud Storage
the catch vs HomebaseA whole self-hosted HR system is substantially harder to administer and less friendly to frontline schedulers than Homebase.
setupDocker and production configuration: database credentials, secret key, allowed hosts, HTTPS, backups and mail remain the operator's job
facts verified 2026-08-11
Full ERP — accounting, inventory, HR, manufacturing, CRM — that rivals systems costing six figures.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: ERPNext
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
the usual suspects · recommended everywhere, rejected here
Homebase BasicThe $0 plan builds a weekly schedule, but availability, time-off requests and shift trades start on paid tiers.
Jibble SchedulingThe free scheduling page still says Coming soon, so it cannot replace a scheduler today.
TimeTrex CommunityCommunity Edition was discontinued in October 2024 and no longer receives security updates.
how to choose a Homebase alternative
Most proven
ERPNext, with 30,000 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 3, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Needs real ops to self-host
Frappe HR and ERPNext are capable but expect someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing one.
what you give up by leaving Homebase
- time clocks, payroll, messaging, labor-law tools, hiring, and support
- payroll rails
- tax and labor-law compliance
- benefits integrations
- identity checks and global employment infrastructure
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Homebase alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frappe HR | GPL-3.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 8,500 | 2026-08 |
| Horilla HR | LGPL-2.1 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 1,400 | 2026-07 |
| ERPNext | GPL-3.0 | self-host, real ops | self-hosted, web | 30,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Homebase
People still pay for Homebase because HR platforms survive because mistakes affect pay, benefits, immigration, and legal obligations, not because forms are difficult to render. The recurring cost buys sensitive data, access, retention, audit, payroll calculations, filings, benefits, employment law, incident response, and support, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $360 a year.
questions about switching from Homebase
Is there an open-source alternative to Homebase?
Yes: Frappe HR, Horilla HR, ERPNext. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Homebase?
Our verdict is YES. ERPNext (30k stars), Frappe HR (9k stars), Horilla HR (1k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Homebase — self-host with real ops work and stop paying $30/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/homebase.
What is the most popular open-source Homebase alternative?
By GitHub stars, ERPNext (30,000). Frappe HR is next with 8,500.
