Patch management software discovers missing OS and third-party application updates, tests and deploys them on a schedule, and reports compliance. It closes the vulnerability window that attackers exploit and is a baseline control for most security frameworks.
Compare the top 6 Patch Management Software options
Ranked by our editorial score. User rating is a consensus we calculate across multiple public review sites (Capterra, G2, Trustpilot and more), weighted by review volume — captured Jul 2026. Our score is a transparent 100-point rubric — see how we score.
Action1
Best for small IT teams wanting a free tier up to 200 endpoints
90/100Our score
★★★★★
4.9
1,252 reviews · 2 sources
A cloud-native patch tool that is genuinely free up to 200 endpoints and fast to set up.
- 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
Best for Windows-centric shops wanting affordable, powerful deployment
87/100Our score
★★★★★
4.8
615 reviews · 2 sources
A well-loved, affordable deployment and inventory tool for Windows environments.
- 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
NinjaOne
Best for MSPs and IT teams wanting patching in a unified endpoint platform
86/100Our score
★★★★★
4.7
4,682 reviews · 2 sources
A clean, unified endpoint platform with reliable patching and fast remote access.
- Clean, intuitive dashboard with reliable automated patching
- Fast built-in remote access plus strong automation and support
- – Pricing can be costly and can escalate without monitoring
- – Reporting customization is limited; initial setup takes effort
Automox
Best for cloud-first teams patching cross-OS without on-prem
85/100Our score
★★★★★
4.6
434 reviews · 2 sources
A cloud-native, cross-OS patcher with reusable automation and no on-prem infrastructure.
- Cloud-native cross-platform patching with reusable automation
- Lightweight agent, fast setup and responsive support
- – No solution for on-prem/air-gapped devices; no MDM
- – Limited reporting/integrations and occasional patch-status issues
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus
Best for budget-conscious teams wanting broad OS and app coverage
84/100Our score
★★★★★
4.6
598 reviews · 2 sources
A budget-friendly, broad-coverage patcher (Windows/Linux/macOS + third-party) with a dated UI.
- Broad OS + third-party coverage from one budget-friendly console
- Cost-effective with reliable deployment and responsive support
- – Interface feels dated and navigation could be streamlined
- – Policy/report setup has a learning curve; reporting is weak
Ivanti Neurons for Patch
Best for enterprises wanting risk-based patch prioritization
78/100Our score
★★★★★
4.0
1 reviews · 1 source
An enterprise, risk-based patch platform with broad coverage — and a steep learning curve.
- Enterprise risk-based patch prioritization with device risk visibility
- Broad platform coverage and SCCM/endpoint-manager integration
- – Complex UI with a steep learning curve
- – Occasional stability and performance issues reported
Feature comparison
| Feature | Action1 | PDQ | NinjaOne | Automox | ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus | Ivanti Neurons for Patch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-OS (Win/Mac/Linux) | – | |||||
| Third-party app patching | ||||||
| Cloud / no-VPN remote | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | |||
| Automation & scripting | ||||||
| Compliance reporting | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | |
| Free tier or trial | – | – | – | – |
Head-to-head comparisons
Compare any two Patch Management Software options side by side — or pick your own matchup.
What Patch Management Software is & who it’s for
Who this is for
IT and security teams, MSPs and sysadmins responsible for keeping Windows, macOS, Linux and third-party apps patched across distributed endpoints and servers.
- Detect missing OS and third-party patches automatically
- Deploy patches on schedules with rings and maintenance windows
- Test/stage updates to avoid breaking production
- Report patch compliance for audits and frameworks
- Remediate vulnerabilities quickly across remote endpoints
Features to look for
Must-have
- OS and broad third-party application patching
- Automated scheduling with rings/phased rollout
- Compliance reporting and dashboards
- Remote endpoints without VPN (cloud/agent)
- Rollback and approval workflows
Nice-to-have
- Vulnerability prioritization by risk/CVE
- Integration with RMM/MDM and ticketing
- Custom app packaging
- Reboot management and user notifications
- Role-based access and multi-tenant (MSP)
Pricing & what it costs
Usually priced per endpoint per month, often a few dollars each, with tiers for servers vs. workstations and volume discounts. Given the very high CPC, watch for vendors that gate third-party app coverage or reporting behind higher tiers.
| Typical tier | Ballpark | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Small team | ~$1–$3/endpoint/mo | OS + common third-party |
| Mid-market | Tiered/endpoint | Broader apps, compliance reports |
| MSP / enterprise | Custom | Multi-tenant, integrations |
Ballparks are general market ranges, not quotes. Confirm current pricing with each vendor.
Evaluation & demo checklist
- Confirm the third-party app catalog covers your real software
- Test a phased rollout with rollback on a pilot group
- Verify remote patching without VPN for off-network devices
- Check compliance reports map to your framework (CIS, etc.)
- Model per-endpoint cost at your true device count
Risks & hidden costs
- Third-party coverage gaps forcing manual patching
- Bad patches without a tested ring/rollback process
- Per-endpoint pricing rising sharply with device growth
Frequently asked questions
Is patch management part of RMM?
Many RMM tools include patching, but dedicated patch tools often have broader third-party catalogs and stronger compliance reporting. Which fits depends on whether you already run an RMM.
How fast should I patch?
Critical vulnerabilities warrant expedited rings; routine updates fit a weekly/monthly cadence with testing. The software should let you tier by severity.
How we research. Rankings use a transparent 100-point rubric plus a consensus user rating aggregated across public review sites — never paid placement. We may earn a commission if you choose a provider through our links, at no cost to you; it never affects our assessments. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Read our full methodology →