Best Patch Management Software · 2026

Action1 logoAction1 vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central logoManageEngine Endpoint Central

Action1 vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central: on our data-weighted scoring, Action1 edges ahead (8.8 vs 8.0/10). Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and is best for smb and msp teams whose; ManageEngine Endpoint Central starts at Free tier available and is best for teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console. Choose Action1 for the stronger overall track record; consider ManageEngine Endpoint Central if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.

Our pick

Action1

9.0/10
MSP Compared score
Starting price
$4/endpoint/mo
Reviews
4.8/5 (~300 G2 reviews)
Free trial
Free tier + 15-day full trial
Deployment
Cloud
Best for
SMB and MSP teams whose
Visit Action1 →

ManageEngine Endpoint Central

8.1/10
MSP Compared score
Starting price
Free tier available
Reviews
4.4/5 (~350 G2 reviews)
Free trial
Free tier + 30 days
Deployment
Cloud + on-prem
Best for
Teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console
Visit ManageEngine Endpoint Central →

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Strengths at a glance

Six criteria, each scored 0–10 on the same scale from real review data, public pricing and feature coverage. See our methodology →

EditorialUser reviewsAdoptionAffordabilityFeature breadthEase of trial
Action1ManageEngine Endpoint Central
CriterionAction1ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Editorial 8.8 8.0
User reviews 9.6 8.8
Adoption 6.6 6.7
Affordability 9.5 9.5
Feature breadth 6.0 5.0
Ease of trial 10.0 10.0

Action1 vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central: head-to-head

Action1 vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central — specs and pricing
Action1ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Starting price $4/endpoint/mo Free tier available
Pricing model per endpoint per endpoint
Free trial / tier Free tier + 15-day full trial Free tier + 30 days
Best for SMB and MSP teams whose Teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console
Deployment Cloud Cloud + on-prem
G2 rating 4.8/5 (300) 4.4/5 (350)
Capterra rating
Our score 8.8 8.0

Choose Action1 if…

You need smb and msp teams whose.

Pros

  • Genuinely free up to 200 endpoints with no feature gating
  • Cloud-native — no on-prem servers
  • Strong third-party app catalog

Cons

  • Windows-first (limited macOS depth)
  • Support is a separate paid add-on on Growth
  • Scales by endpoint count

Action1 pricing · review

Choose ManageEngine Endpoint Central if…

You need teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console.

Pros

  • Free up to 25 endpoints
  • One console for UEM + patch
  • Broad OS + mobile coverage

Cons

  • Editions/add-ons get complex
  • Quote-based pricing
  • Heavier than patch-only tools

ManageEngine Endpoint Central pricing · review

In depth

Pricing: Action1 vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central

Action1 bills on a per endpoint model from $4/endpoint/mo (free tier available), while ManageEngine Endpoint Central uses a per endpoint model from Free tier available (free tier available). Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.

Features & deployment

Action1 ships 6 headline capabilities (OS + third-party app patching, Risk-based prioritization (CVE/CVSS/CISA KEV), Peer-to-peer patch distribution, Vulnerability scanning) and deploys Cloud. ManageEngine Endpoint Central ships 5 (Patch + software deployment, MDM/UEM for mobile, Remote control, OS imaging), deploying Cloud + on-prem.

Ratings & verdict

Action1 holds 4.8/5 (~300 G2 reviews); ManageEngine Endpoint Central holds 4.4/5 (~350 G2 reviews). On our data-weighted score, Action1 edges ahead (8.8 vs 8.0/10). Pick ManageEngine Endpoint Central instead when teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console. See Action1 alternatives or ManageEngine Endpoint Central alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

Action1 vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central: which is better?
Action1 vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central: on our data-weighted scoring, Action1 edges ahead (8.8 vs 8.0/10). Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and is best for smb and msp teams whose; ManageEngine Endpoint Central starts at Free tier available and is best for teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console.
Is Action1 cheaper than ManageEngine Endpoint Central?
Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and ManageEngine Endpoint Central starts at Free tier available (see the pricing rows for models and limits).
Data as of June 16, 2026. Sources: action1.com, manageengine.com. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.