Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Remote · 🧑💼 hr
Remote 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 Remote ($29/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Horilla HR
$0.00/mo · LGPL-2.1
Remote vs Horilla HR Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-11
| Dimension | Remote (Paid) | Horilla HR (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $29 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $348 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $348) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,740 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,740) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,480 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,480) |
| 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 Remote to Horilla HR
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It cannot assume employment liability, run localized payroll or provide Remote's global compliance network.
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 Remote clone?
A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Remote, maintain employee records and leave approvals without payroll or employer-of-record services. The hard boundary is global entities, payroll, benefits, compliance, payments, and employment expertise, plus compliance, payroll, and regulated integrations.
Remote vs Horilla HR FAQ
Is Horilla HR a good free alternative to Remote?+
Yes. Horilla HR is a verified open-source (LGPL-2.1) replacement for Remote. Hire-to-leave HR in Docker; free forever means you own the updates and backups.
What is the catch when switching from Remote to Horilla HR?+
It cannot assume employment liability, run localized payroll or provide Remote's global compliance network.
How much do you save switching from Remote to Horilla HR?+
Remote costs $29/mo ($348/yr) per seat, whereas Horilla HR is $0/mo. Switching saves $348/yr for a solo user, $1,740/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,480/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Horilla HR instead of Remote?+
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
