Action1 vs PDQ — 2026 comparison
A side-by-side look at how Action1 and PDQ compare on score, real user ratings, pricing and features.
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The verdict
Action1 and PDQ are both Patch Management Software options worth comparing. Action1 ranks higher in our editorial score (90 vs 87 out of 100). Action1 has the larger review base (1,252 reviews across 2 sources). Action1 is best for small IT teams wanting a free tier up to 200 endpoints; PDQ is best for Windows-centric shops wanting affordable, powerful deployment. Starting price: Action1 Free up to 200 endpoints, then ~$4/endpoint/mo, PDQ From ~$1,650/admin/yr (or $12/device/yr cloud). See the full breakdown below, then read each review before you decide.
Pick Action1 if…small IT teams wanting a free tier up to 200 endpoints
Pick PDQ if…Windows-centric shops wanting affordable, powerful deployment
Side by side
| Action1 | PDQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 90/100 | 87/100 |
| User consensus | 4.9/5 (1,252) | 4.8/5 (615) |
| Starting price | Free up to 200 endpoints, then ~$4/endpoint/mo | From ~$1,650/admin/yr (or $12/device/yr cloud) |
| Best for | small IT teams wanting a free tier up to 200 endpoints | Windows-centric shops wanting affordable, powerful deployment |
| Cross-OS (Win/Mac/Linux) | – | |
| Third-party app patching | ||
| Cloud / no-VPN remote | ◑ | |
| Automation & scripting | ||
| Compliance reporting | ◑ | ◑ |
| Free tier or trial | – |
Action1
- Genuinely free for up to 200 endpoints with full functionality
- Fast ~5-minute cloud setup with clear patch/vulnerability dashboards
- – Built-in remote desktop is limited (no file transfer)
- – Reporting depth is limited and adding custom software is tedious
PDQ
- Easy to use and affordable with a large pre-built package library
- Deploy and Inventory work tightly together with dynamic collections
- – On-prem and Windows-centric; remote/off-network devices need a VPN
- – Learning curve for advanced reporting and scan profiles