Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to hCaptcha · 🤖 automation
hCaptcha vs Friendly Captcha
Privacy-compliant CAPTCHA alternative using proof-of-work technology. Protects websites from bots and spam without user interaction or data tracking. Here is how Friendly Captcha ($0/mo open source) stacks up against hCaptcha ($15/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Friendly Captcha is a verified Open Source-licensed open-source replacement for hCaptcha. Switching from hCaptcha ($15/mo) saves $180/yr per solo seat, or $900/yr for a 5-person team. Deployment: Runs on Local.
The catch: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Friendly Captcha
$0.00/mo · Open Source
hCaptcha vs Friendly Captcha Specifications
facts verified 2026-11-07
| Dimension | hCaptcha (Paid) | Friendly Captcha (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $15 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $180 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $180) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $900 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $900) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,800 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,800) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Open Source |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local (on your machine) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | desktopcross-platformone-click install |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 37 (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from hCaptcha to Friendly Captcha
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
How to deploy Friendly Captcha
Clone https://github.com/FriendlyCaptcha/friendly-captcha-sdk or deploy with Docker Compose
What it takes to run
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
Where your data lives
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
Why fork Friendly Captcha instead of vibe-coding a hCaptcha clone?
Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for hCaptcha or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 6 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Cap.
hCaptcha vs Friendly Captcha FAQ
Is Friendly Captcha a good free alternative to hCaptcha?+
Yes. Friendly Captcha is a verified open-source (Open Source) replacement for hCaptcha. Privacy-compliant CAPTCHA alternative using proof-of-work technology. Protects websites from bots and spam without user interaction or data tracking.
What is the catch when switching from hCaptcha to Friendly Captcha?+
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
How much do you save switching from hCaptcha to Friendly Captcha?+
hCaptcha costs $15/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas Friendly Captcha is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $900/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,800/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Friendly Captcha instead of hCaptcha?+
Install: Clone https://github.com/FriendlyCaptcha/friendly-captcha-sdk or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
