OrangeHRM vs Personio (2026): which should you pick?

Pick OrangeHRM if

• Fits if you have someone who can run a server and want free HR software
• Works for small firms that need leave, records and recruiting without a subscription

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you can't host software, as Starter runs on your own server
• Tight if you want support, as Starter has only a user forum
• Tight if you want onboarding, rosters, training or surveys, which are Advanced only
• Watch out: Advanced has no published price, only a quote form

Pick Personio if

• Fits if you're a European company that wants HR, payroll and hiring together
• Works for teams that already use a separate shift planner

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to see a price before talking to sales
• Not for you if you want to plan shifts inside your HR tool, as that needs a partner app
• Tight if managers mostly work from their phones, as setup and most workflows need the web
• Watch out: the pages we read don't list the countries where its payroll works
• Watch out: the listing shows no performance reviews or onboarding, so ask before you buy

OrangeHRM

• Starter has no support from the vendor beyond a user forum, and you host it yourself.
• Advanced prices are not published; a quote is requested through a form.
• Onboarding, roster, training, surveys, request desk and Citra AI are Advanced only.

Personio

• Prices could not be confirmed: personio.com and its help center answered with a bot check, so plans, prices and any trial are not recorded.
• It presents itself as built for Europe; the pages read do not list the countries where its payroll works.
• The mobile app covers absences, time, approvals and documents; other workflows and set-up need the web app.
• Shift planning comes through partner apps that sync with Personio, where shifts are created and changed.

OrangeHRM

Employee records

Both editions hold employee profiles and databases, work schedules, an organization chart, a corporate directory and document templates.

Leave and time tracking

Leave management and time tracking are in the free Starter edition, and Advanced adds a roster for scheduling.

Performance and recruitment

Starter includes performance management and recruitment; Advanced adds 360-degree reviews and individual development plans.

Advanced HR modules

Advanced adds onboarding, a request desk, career development, training, surveys, employee voice, discipline and an AI assistant called Citra AI.

Hosting choice

The vendor says Advanced is available as a cloud service or on premises with the same capabilities, and Starter can be hosted as you prefer.

Personio

Employee records and documents

One place for employee data and HR documents, which staff can open, download or share from the mobile app.

Absences and time off

Employees request time off and see their balance, and can check upcoming absences and team availability where the company allows it.

Working-time tracking

Staff record and review their hours on the web or phone, and approved times from partner apps can be sent back into Personio.

Inbox for approvals

Managers see open requests and tasks in one inbox and approve or decline them, including from the mobile app.

Recruiting

Applicants can be passed into Personio's recruiting module through its Recruiting API, alongside core HR and payroll.

API, webhooks and marketplace

Custom integrations read employees, attendance, absences and documents through the API, and webhooks push changes in real time.

OrangeHRM

• Starter$0

  Open-source edition you host yourself, with core HR, leave, performance, recruitment and time tracking.

• AdvancedCustom

  Per employee per month, by quote. Pick and mix modules including onboarding, roster, training and surveys.

Personio

Pricing could not be confirmed. See personio.com.