Best Free and Open-Source Workforce Management Software (2025)

For organizations needing workforce management capabilities without licensing costs, these open-source and free solutions provide robust alternatives to commercial platforms.

Top Open-Source Workforce Management Solutions

1. Odoo Community Edition (HR & Timesheets)

• Core Features:

  • Employee scheduling and shift planning

  • Time tracking with geolocation

  • Leave management and approvals

  • Basic reporting and analytics

• Strengths:

  • Modular design (add other business apps)

  • Active developer community

  • Mobile app available

• Limitations:

  • Advanced WFM requires paid modules

  • Steeper learning curve

2. Kimai - Time Tracking

• Best For: Simple time and attendance

• Key Capabilities:

  • Project/time tracking

  • Exportable timesheets

  • User-specific rates

• Deployment Options:

  • Self-hosted (PHP/MySQL)

  • Docker container available

• Extensions:

  • Plugins for invoicing and exports

3. TimeTrex

• Complete Workforce Management:

  • Scheduling and shift planning

  • Time and attendance

  • Payroll integration

  • Mobile app

• Deployment Models:

  • Open-source version (self-hosted)

  • Community and enterprise editions

• Unique Feature:

  • Biometric time clock support

4. Dolibarr HR Module

• ERP with Workforce Tools:

  • Leave management

  • Skills tracking

  • Basic scheduling

  • Document management

• Integration:

  • Works with other Dolibarr modules

  • REST API available

5. Sentrifugo (HRMS)

• Workforce Features:

  • Employee database

  • Leave management

  • Timesheet tracking

  • Performance management

• Special Consideration:

  • More HR-focused than pure WFM

Free Cloud-Based Options (Limited Free Tiers)

6. Homebase (Free Plan)

• Features Included:

  • Basic employee scheduling

  • Time clock (mobile app)

  • Messaging

• Limitations:

  • Max 20 employees

  • 1 location only

7. When I Work (Free Tier)

• What's Free:

  • Scheduling for up to 75 users

  • Shift swapping

  • Basic reporting

• Missing in Free Version:

  • Payroll integration

  • Advanced analytics

8. Shiftboard (Free for Small Teams)

• Free Offering:

  • Basic shift scheduling

  • Employee self-service

  • Mobile access

• Restrictions:

  • Limited to 5 employees

  • No API access

Key Considerations for Open-Source WFM

1. Implementation Requirements:

   • Server infrastructure needed

   • IT expertise for setup/maintenance

   • Regular updates required

2. Customization Potential:

   • Modify source code as needed

   • Create custom integrations

   • Tailor to specific workflows

3. Community Support:

   • Active forums (Odoo, TimeTrex)

   • GitHub issue tracking

   • Varying documentation quality

4. Hidden Costs:

   • Hosting expenses

   • Development resources

   • Potential paid plugins/extensions

Implementation Roadmap

1. Assess Needs:

   • Identify must-have features

   • Determine technical capabilities

   • Estimate user count growth

2. Test Options:

   • Try demo instances

   • Evaluate mobile experience

   • Check integration possibilities

3. Pilot Deployment:

   • Start with small team

   • Test core workflows

   • Gather user feedback

4. Full Rollout:

   • Migrate data

   • Train administrators

   • Document processes

When to Consider Paid Solutions

While open-source options provide cost savings, commercial solutions may be better if you need:

• Advanced scheduling algorithms

• Native payroll integration

• Dedicated support

• Enterprise-grade security

• Regulatory compliance features

Pro Tip: Many commercial vendors like SHIFTON offer free tiers that bridge the gap between open-source and enterprise solutions, providing cloud convenience with basic functionality at no cost.

For organizations with technical resources, open-source WFM software can deliver significant value while maintaining control over data and customization. However, carefully evaluate the total cost of ownership, including maintenance and potential productivity impacts from missing features.