Best Patch Management Software (2026)

12 patch management tools ranked on real review data, live pricing and feature coverage — refreshed automatically.

12 tools compared Data-driven, never pay-to-play Sourced pricing & ratings

Our verdict

The best patch management software in 2026 is Action1 — best for smb and msp teams whose. It scores 8.8/10 on our data-weighted ranking (4.8/5 (~300 G2 reviews)) and starts at $4/endpoint/mo. NinjaOne is the strongest runner-up. Full comparison table and per-tool breakdown below — all figures stamped with a data-as-of date and linked sources.

12 products

  1. 1Action1

    ★ Editor's Choice 8.8 4.8 (300) Free tier

    Best for SMB and MSP teams whose.

    • OS + third-party app patching
    • Risk-based prioritization (CVE/CVSS/CISA KEV)
    • Peer-to-peer patch distribution
    • Vulnerability scanning

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit Action1 → From $4/endpoint/mo

  2. 2NinjaOne

    8.5 4.7 (1600)

    Best for MSPs and IT teams wanting a modern, fast, all-in-one RMM.

    • RMM + patch management
    • Endpoint backup
    • Remote access
    • Software deployment

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit NinjaOne → From Custom quote

  3. 3ManageEngine Endpoint Central

    8.0 4.4 (350) Free tier

    Best for Teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console.

    • Patch + software deployment
    • MDM/UEM for mobile
    • Remote control
    • OS imaging

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit ManageEngine Endpoint Central → From Free tier available

  4. 4PDQ Deploy & Inventory

    7.9 4.7 (60)

    Best for Windows-only shops that want fast, scriptable on-prem deployment.

    • Pre-built application library
    • Custom package deployment
    • Inventory + reporting
    • Scheduling + targeting

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit PDQ Deploy & Inventory → From Custom quote

  5. 5Patch My PC

    7.8 4.7 (70)

    Best for SCCM/Intune shops needing automated third-party app updates.

    • 1
    • 000+ third-party app catalog
    • Native SCCM/Intune integration
    • Auto-packaging + publishing

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit Patch My PC → From Custom quote

  6. 6Automox

    7.7 4.5 (90)

    Best for Cloud-native cross-OS patch + config automation for lean IT teams.

    • Cross-platform patching (Windows/macOS/Linux)
    • Third-party app patching
    • Worklets automation
    • Cloud-native (no VPN/agents infra)

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit Automox → From $3/endpoint/mo

  7. 7ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

    7.7 4.3 (80) Free tier

    Best for Budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting.

    • Automated OS + 850+ third-party app patching
    • Test-and-approve workflows
    • Decline/rollback patches
    • Detailed compliance reporting

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus → From Free tier available

  8. 8PDQ Connect

    7.5 4.6 (40)

    Best for Teams that want PDQ's deployment power for remote/cloud-managed devices.

    • Agent-based cloud management
    • Patch + custom deployment
    • Works off-network
    • Inventory + reporting

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit PDQ Connect → From Custom quote

  9. 9Heimdal

    7.5 4.6 (200)

    Best for MSPs wanting patching bundled with a broader security suite.

    • Automated patch & asset management
    • DNS security
    • EDR/XDR modules
    • Privileged access management

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit Heimdal → From Custom quote

  10. 10Ninite Pro

    7.4 4.8 (30)

    Best for Small teams wanting dead-simple third-party app patching on a budget.

    • One-click app install/update
    • Web-based fleet view
    • Silent installs
    • No bundled junkware

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit Ninite Pro → From Custom quote

  11. 11Tanium

    6.9 4.3 (100)

    Best for Very large enterprises needing real-time endpoint data at massive scale.

    • Linear-chain real-time endpoint query
    • Patch at scale
    • Asset discovery
    • Threat hunting

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit Tanium → From Custom quote

  12. 12Ivanti Neurons

    6.6 4.0 (50)

    Best for Large enterprises needing risk-based patch prioritization at scale.

    • Risk-based patch prioritization
    • OS + third-party patching
    • Patch intelligence/SLA data
    • Hyperautomation

    Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives

    Visit Ivanti Neurons → From Custom quote

Affiliate links — vendors may pay us a commission. Ranking is data-driven and never pay-to-play. How we rank →

How to choose

When choosing patch management software, weigh four things against your environment: pricing model (per-endpoint vs per-technician vs per-user — it changes total cost dramatically at scale), deployment and integration fit with your existing stack, breadth of automation, and independent review scores. The table above ranks every tracked option on the data we hold; use the per-tool notes to match capabilities to your use case.

Budgeting the whole stack? Use our MSP software cost calculator to estimate monthly and annual spend for patch management alongside the rest of your tools, using real published pricing.

Buyer's guide

How we ranked the best patch management software

We score every tool on a transparent 0–10 scale weighted from third-party review data (G2/Capterra, adjusted for review volume), published pricing, and verified feature breadth — never opinion alone. All figures were last checked June 2026 and every row links its source.

Pricing models in patch management software

Across the 12 tracked tools, billing runs on per endpoint, per device, per machine, quote models — which changes total cost dramatically at scale, so compare on your endpoint or technician count, not headline price. Automox carries the lowest published entry price at $3/endpoint/mo. Action1, ManageEngine Endpoint Central, ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus offer a genuinely free tier; several others run free trials.

Who each is for

  • Action1 — SMB and MSP teams whose. 8.8/10, from $4/endpoint/mo (4.8/5 (~300 G2 reviews)).
  • NinjaOne — MSPs and IT teams wanting a modern, fast, all-in-one RMM. 8.5/10, from Custom quote (4.7/5 (~1.6k G2 reviews)).
  • ManageEngine Endpoint Central — Teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console. 8.0/10, from Free tier available (4.4/5 (~350 G2 reviews)).
  • PDQ Deploy & Inventory — Windows-only shops that want fast, scriptable on-prem deployment. 7.9/10, from Custom quote (4.7/5 (~60 G2 reviews)).
  • Patch My PC — SCCM/Intune shops needing automated third-party app updates. 7.8/10, from Custom quote (4.7/5 (~70 G2 reviews)).
  • Automox — Cloud-native cross-OS patch + config automation for lean IT teams. 7.7/10, from $3/endpoint/mo (4.5/5 (~90 G2 reviews)).

Our pick

On the data we hold, Action1 leads at 8.8/10. The most generous free tier in patch management and a serious paid product beyond 200 endpoints. Read the full Action1 review or compare it head-to-head below.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best patch management software in 2026?
Action1 ranks first in our data-weighted comparison (8.8/10, 4.8/5 (~300 G2 reviews)), starting at $4/endpoint/mo.
What is the cheapest patch management software?
Among tracked options, Automox has the lowest published starting price at $3/endpoint/mo. Pricing models differ, so compare per-endpoint vs per-technician costs for your fleet size.
Is there a free patch management software option?
Action1 offers a free tier. Several others provide free trials — see the pricing column in the table above.
Data as of June 16, 2026. Sources: action1.com, ninjaone.com, manageengine.com, pdq.com, patchmypc.com, automox.com. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.