Blik vs OrangeHRM: An Honest Comparison

OrangeHRM is an open-source HR suite covering leave, time, and recruitment. Blik is a focused open-source 360° feedback tool. Which fits depends on whether you need a broader HR platform or a dedicated review tool.

At a Glance

The critical differences between Blik and OrangeHRM

Feature Blik OrangeHRM
Product scope Dedicated 360° feedback and analytics Broader HR suite covering employee administration
Open Source License AGPLv3 (100% open)
All features included
GPL v2 Starter edition
Quote-based Advanced plan
Mobile Experience Responsive web design
No native mobile app
Mobile app available; confirm feature coverage for your edition
Deployment Options SaaS (€49/mo) OR
Self-hosted (Free)
Running in under 30 minutes with Docker Compose
Self-hosted (Free) OR
Cloud (Paid)
LAMP stack setup
360 Reviews Token-based reviewer access and category-aggregated reports Confirm review capabilities and confidentiality settings for your edition
Setup Complexity Docker Compose up
Running in under 30 minutes with Docker Compose
Manual LAMP stack setup
More configuration steps
Technical Skills Required Basic Docker knowledge
Clear documentation
Advanced skills help
For deeper customization

Deployment and Operations

Both products offer open-source self-hosting. Blik uses Django and PostgreSQL with Docker Compose; OrangeHRM uses a PHP-based stack. Choose an option your team can operate and maintain.

Self-hosting either product means planning updates, access control, backups, and recovery testing. An open-source license alone does not guarantee availability or prevent data loss.

Managed hosting is an alternative when your team prefers the provider to operate the service. Compare the support and service terms of the specific plan.

Compare the Workflow You Need

Blik concentrates on structured review cycles. OrangeHRM combines HR administration with performance-management workflows. Try representative tasks with reviewers, managers, and administrators before choosing.

Blik has no SSO/SAML, native HRIS connectors, or native mobile app. It offers responsive web access and a REST API plus webhooks for custom integrations, not a replacement for leave, time, or recruitment tools.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Scope & Purpose

Blik

  • Focused: 360° feedback only
  • Trends, peer benchmarks, and perception-gap insights
  • Token-based reviewer access
  • REST API and webhooks for custom integration

OrangeHRM

  • Comprehensive: Full HR suite
  • Leave, time, recruitment included
  • Confirm review features in your selected edition
  • All-in-one replacement for multiple tools

Feedback Confidentiality

Blik uses token-based access and category-aggregated reports. Invitation method, permissions, reporting thresholds, and response content affect confidentiality. Reviewer emails may be stored with invitation tokens linked to responses, so anonymity is not guaranteed against administrators.

For OrangeHRM, confirm who can see reviewer identities and individual responses, which aggregation controls apply, and how exports behave in your selected edition. Evaluate both products against your organization's confidentiality requirements.

Cost & Deployment Options

Blik

  • Self-hosted: Free forever (AGPLv3)
  • Managed SaaS: €49/month, up to 50 employees
  • Running in under 30 minutes with Docker Compose
  • All features in open source version

OrangeHRM

  • Starter: Free (GPL v2)
  • Advanced: Quote-based paid plan
  • Cloud hosting: Paid tier
  • Check edition-specific performance features with the vendor

Cost Comparison

Self-Hosted Deployment

Blik Open Source

€0

AGPLv3 - All features

OrangeHRM Starter

$0

GPL v2 — Starter edition

Managed Hosting Options

Blik SaaS

€49/month

Up to 50 employees, all features

OrangeHRM Cloud

Contact Sales

Paid cloud hosting available

Professional/Support Options

Blik

Included

Email support, community, full features

OrangeHRM Advanced

Paid Upgrade

Advanced features require paid license

OrangeHRM's Advanced plan is quote-based; pricing is available from the vendor: orangehrm.com/pricing, as of October 2026.

Which Platform Is Right for You?

Choose Blik If You:

  • Need a dedicated review tool
  • Want responsive web access
  • Value category-aggregated reports
  • Prefer open-source customization
  • Need easy deployment (running in under 30 minutes with Docker Compose)
  • Focus on 360° feedback as core need
  • Want psychological insights (Dreyfus, perception gaps)
  • Have existing HR systems for leave/time tracking
Try Blik

Choose OrangeHRM If You:

  • Need comprehensive HR suite (leave, time, recruitment)
  • Want employee administration alongside reviews
  • Have technical resources for LAMP setup
  • Want vendor support options for your HR suite
  • Need all-in-one solution to replace multiple tools
  • Want to evaluate the Advanced plan for additional HR features
Visit OrangeHRM

Not Sure Yet?

Both Blik and OrangeHRM are open source. Deploy them yourself for free and compare. OrangeHRM is a full HR suite. Blik specializes in 360° feedback. Compare the edition, support, and workflow that match your team's needs.

Only need one review round? €19 once for up to 10 employees, no subscription
  • Up to 10 employees
  • All questionnaires and reports
  • Free, unlimited reviewers
  • Hosted in EU, nothing to install
  • Reports stay available
  • Pay again only for your next round
Start a review round Learn more

Choose Focused Feedback or a Broader HR Suite

Blik is designed for teams that already have HR administration covered and want a dedicated review tool. OrangeHRM is worth evaluating when those HR workflows also need a home.

Get Started with Blik

€49/month managed hosting • Open source available on GitHub