When it comes to managing people, spreadsheets eventually fall apart. Whether you’re a small startup, a non-profit, or just a tech-savvy HR manager tired of SaaS subscriptions, you’ve probably thought:

“Can I just self-host my own HR app?”

Yes, you can. And if you’re anything like me, that means Docker is non-negotiable. You want fast deployment, simple updates, container isolation, and most importantly, full control of your data.

But here’s the catch: not all open-source HR systems are Docker-ready, and many are clunky, outdated, or abandoned. So I did the dirty work: tested the top contenders, spun up containers, broke a few things, and came away with clear winners and losers.

🥇 Odoo (Community Edition): Best All-Rounder for Docker + HR

Website: https://www.odoo.com
HR Module Overview: https://www.odoo.com/page/human-resources
Official Docker Image: https://hub.docker.com/_/odoo

If you only read this far: Odoo is the one. Hands down.

Odoo is an ERP system. That usually scares people — they think it’s too big, too bloated, too enterprisey. But here’s the thing: Odoo is modular, and the Community Edition is free and completely open-source. You can start with just HR modules and ignore the rest. Later on, you can add CRM, invoicing, accounting, and more — if you need them.

✅ Why Odoo rocks:

• Clean, modern web interface
• HR features are well-built: employee records, contracts, leave, attendance, appraisals, timesheets, and basic recruitment
• Official Docker image means no hacks or 10-year-old community images
• Big ecosystem — plugins, docs, community support

⚠️ What to watch out for:

• Built-in payroll only exists in third-party modules or the paid Enterprise edition
• Requires PostgreSQL as a backend (easy with Docker Compose, though)

🛠️ Real-world Docker setup:

version: '3'

services:
  db:
    image: postgres:15
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: odoo
      POSTGRES_USER: odoo
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: odoo

  odoo:
    image: odoo:16
    ports:
      - "8069:8069"
    depends_on:
      - db
    environment:
      HOST: db
      USER: odoo
      PASSWORD: odoo
    volumes:
      - odoo-data:/var/lib/odoo

volumes:
  odoo-data:

Just docker compose up -d, go to http://localhost:8069, and you’re in business.

🥈 ERPNext: Full-Featured HR + Payroll

Website: https://erpnext.com
GitHub: https://github.com/frappe/frappe_docker

ERPNext is what you get when you take accounting seriously. It was born as an ERP, but its HR module is surprisingly deep, and it’s one of the few with built-in payroll, which Odoo lacks in its free edition.

It covers everything from:

• Recruitment & onboarding
• Employee lifecycle
• Appraisals & KPIs
• Salary slips & payroll
• Leave, attendance, and shift planning

✅ Why ERPNext is powerful:

• Built-in payroll engine with salary structures and tax calculations
• Fully open-source and active development
• Docker support via frappe_docker is well-documented

⚠️ Downsides:

• Much harder to install than Odoo
• Requires familiarity with the Frappe framework
• You’ll be dealing with a more complex Docker Compose stack (Redis, MariaDB, etc.)

This is for you if:

• You’re comfortable with complex Docker setups
• You need serious payroll functionality without paying for a SaaS

🥉 ICE Hrm: Quick, Lightweight HR in a Box

Website: https://icehrm.com
Docker Image: https://hub.docker.com/r/gamonoid/icehrm

ICE Hrm is the fastest one to get up and running. It’s a traditional LAMP stack (PHP + MySQL), but the devs provide a Docker image, and it actually works out of the box.

It’s great for:

• Small teams
• NGOs
• Freelancers with a couple of contractors

You get:

• Employee directory
• Leave tracking
• Attendance (even with GPS support)
• Time tracking
• Document uploads

🚫 Limitations:

• The free version is limited — no advanced payroll, no performance modules
• UI is clean but not as polished as Odoo
• Docker image is community-maintained (but mostly stable)

Still, if you want to spin something up in 2 minutes and track employee leave without paying a dime, this is it.

🟠 OrangeHRM: Popular, But Not Docker-First

Website: https://www.orangehrm.com
GitHub: https://github.com/orangehrm/orangehrm

OrangeHRM is the first open-source HR app many people find. And on paper, it’s solid:

• Employee management
• Leave management
• Recruitment module
• Admin roles and permissions

But here’s the problem: Docker support is missing. No official image. No easy way to containerize it. You’ll have to DIY with Apache, PHP configs, and maybe even wrestle with mod_rewrite.

If you’re already running a LAMP stack manually, you might like it. Otherwise, skip it and save yourself the pain.

🪵 Summary Table

🧠 Final Thoughts

If I had to choose just one open-source HR system to self-host in Docker, Odoo would be it — no contest.

It’s powerful, modern, Docker-ready, and backed by a massive community. Even if you only use the HR modules, you’re already ahead. And if you ever want to grow into CRM, eCommerce, or Accounting, it’s all there.