EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to Altisource	$ (306,106)	$ 7,165	$ (5,844)	$ (3,184)	$ (11,485)	$ 8,667	$ 1,568	$ (4,132)	$ (307,969)	$ (5,382)	$ 308,891
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	15,568	15,897	16,214	16,292	16,745	17,033	17,142	17,378	15,991	17,073	18,183
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted shares and restricted share units (in shares)									0	0	509
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	15,568	16,151	16,214	16,292	16,745	17,575	17,553	17,378	15,991	17,073	18,692
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (19.66)	$ 0.45	$ (0.36)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.69)	$ 0.51	$ 0.09	$ (0.24)	$ (19.26)	$ (0.32)	$ 16.99
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (19.66)	$ 0.44	$ (0.36)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.69)	$ 0.49	$ 0.09	$ (0.24)	$ (19.26)	$ (0.32)	$ 16.53
Anti-dilutive securities
Excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares)									1,600	1,200	800
Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Whose Impacts are Anti-Dilutive Because of Net Loss
Anti-dilutive securities
Excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares)									300	500
Options Whose Exercise Price is Greater than Average Market Price
Anti-dilutive securities
Excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares)									500	300	500
Options, Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units Issuable upon Achievement of Certain Market and Performance Criteria That Has Not Been Met
Anti-dilutive securities
Excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares)									800	500	400