Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Deel · 🧑💼 hr
Deel vs Horilla HR
Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups. Here is how Horilla HR ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Deel ($49/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Horilla HR
$0.00/mo · LGPL-2.1
Deel vs Horilla HR Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-11
| Dimension | Deel (Paid) | Horilla HR (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $49 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $588 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $588) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $2,940 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $2,940) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $5,880 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $5,880) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source LGPL-2.1 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 1.4k (active jul 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Deel to Horilla HR
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It has no employer-of-record, country compliance or money-movement service, and the HR server is yours to run.
How to deploy Horilla HR
Clone the stable 2.0 branch and run docker-compose up -d; a manual Django setup is also documented
What it takes to run
Docker and production configuration: database credentials, secret key, allowed hosts, HTTPS, backups and mail remain the operator's job
Where your data lives
HR records in PostgreSQL by default, with uploaded media on server storage or optional Google Cloud Storage
Why fork Horilla HR instead of vibe-coding a Deel clone?
A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Deel, track contractor documents and approvals without employment, payroll, or payment services. The hard boundary is global employment entities, contracts, payroll, compliance, payments, and immigration, plus compliance, payroll, and regulated integrations.
Deel vs Horilla HR FAQ
Is Horilla HR a good free alternative to Deel?+
Yes. Horilla HR is a verified open-source (LGPL-2.1) replacement for Deel. Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
What is the catch when switching from Deel to Horilla HR?+
It has no employer-of-record, country compliance or money-movement service, and the HR server is yours to run.
How much do you save switching from Deel to Horilla HR?+
Deel costs $49/mo ($588/yr) per seat, whereas Horilla HR is $0/mo. Switching saves $588/yr for a solo user, $2,940/yr for a 5-person team, and $5,880/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Horilla HR instead of Deel?+
Install: Clone the stable 2.0 branch and run docker-compose up -d; a manual Django setup is also documented. Setup: Docker and production configuration: database credentials, secret key, allowed hosts, HTTPS, backups and mail remain the operator's job
