Best Patch Management Software · 2026

Action1 logoAction1 vs NinjaOne logoNinjaOne

Action1 vs NinjaOne: on our data-weighted scoring, Action1 edges ahead (8.8 vs 8.5/10). Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and is best for SMB and MSP teams whose #1 job is patching (free up to 200 endpoints); NinjaOne starts at Custom quote and is best for MSPs and IT teams wanting a modern, fast, all-in-one RMM. Choose Action1 for the stronger overall track record; consider NinjaOne if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.

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Our pick

Action1

8.8/10
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 #1 job is patching (free up to 200 endpoints)
Visit Action1 →

NinjaOne

8.5/10
MSP Compared score
Starting price
Custom quote
Reviews
4.7/5 (~1.6k G2 reviews)
Free trial
14 days
Deployment
Cloud
Best for
MSPs and IT teams wanting a modern, fast, all-in-one RMM
Visit NinjaOne →

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
Action1NinjaOne
CriterionAction1NinjaOne
Editorial 8.8 8.5
User reviews 9.6 9.4
Adoption 6.6 8.5
Affordability 9.5 5.0
Feature breadth 6.0 6.0
Ease of trial 10.0 6.0

Action1 vs NinjaOne: head-to-head

Action1 vs NinjaOne — specs and pricing
Action1NinjaOne
Starting price $4/endpoint/mo Custom quote
Pricing model per endpoint per device
Free trial / tier Free tier + 15-day full trial 14 days
Best for SMB and MSP teams whose #1 job is patching (free up to 200 endpoints) MSPs and IT teams wanting a modern, fast, all-in-one RMM
Deployment Cloud Cloud
G2 rating 4.8/5 (300) 4.7/5 (1600)
Capterra rating 4.8/5 (230)
Our score 8.8 8.5

Choose Action1 if…

You need smb and msp teams whose #1 job is patching (free up to 200 endpoints).

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 NinjaOne if…

You need msps and it teams wanting a modern, fast, all-in-one rmm.

Pros

  • Modern fast UI
  • Excellent patching built in
  • Top-rated support

Cons

  • No public pricing (quote only)
  • Per-device cost
  • Some advanced features cost extra

NinjaOne pricing · review

In depth

Pricing

FeatureAction1NinjaOne
ModelPer-endpointPer-device
Free tier✓ Up to 200 endpoints, all features✗ Quote-based only
Free trial15 days14 days
Starting price$4/endpoint/mo (annual)~$3–5/device/mo (not public)

Action1’s pricing is transparent and aggressive—the free tier is genuinely ungated, making it a no-brainer for small shops. NinjaOne requires a sales call even to see prices, which is frustrating if you’re evaluating; however, the per-device cost typically falls in the same ballpark as Action1’s Growth tier once you factor in support add-ons at Action1.

Features & Deployment

Both are cloud-native with no on-premises infrastructure required.

Action1 laser-focuses on patching:

  • OS + third-party app patching with risk-based prioritization (CVE/CVSS/CISA KEV lists)
  • Peer-to-peer patch distribution to reduce bandwidth
  • Vulnerability scanning, remote access, and automated remediation

NinjaOne is a full-stack RMM that includes patching:

  • RMM, endpoint backup, software deployment, IT asset management, and ticketing
  • Fast, modern UI praised across reviews
  • Excellent native patching capabilities

Verdict on scope: Action1 wins if patching is 90% of your need. NinjaOne wins if you want one vendor for RMM, backup, and asset tracking—paying one bill instead of three.

Ratings & Trust

PlatformAction1NinjaOne
G2 score4.8/5 (300 reviews)4.7/5 (1,600 reviews)
Capterra4.8/5 (230 reviews)
Our score8.8/108.5/10

NinjaOne has far more review volume, signaling wider adoption among MSPs. Action1’s smaller but highly satisfied cohort reflects its niche dominance in patch-first workflows. Both earn strong marks for support quality.

Verdict

Choose Action1 if you’re an SMB or MSP where patching is the bottleneck, your budget is tight, and you want zero vendor lock-in risk—the free tier is unmatched, and third-party app patching is best-in-class.

Choose NinjaOne if you need a modern, integrated RMM where patching is one of many tools, you have 14+ endpoints, and you value speed and UX over price transparency. It’s the safer choice for large MSPs already sold on an all-in-one platform.

Frequently asked questions

Action1 vs NinjaOne: which is better?
Action1 vs NinjaOne: on our data-weighted scoring, Action1 edges ahead (8.8 vs 8.5/10). Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and is best for SMB and MSP teams whose #1 job is patching (free up to 200 endpoints); NinjaOne starts at Custom quote and is best for MSPs and IT teams wanting a modern, fast, all-in-one RMM.
Is Action1 cheaper than NinjaOne?
Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and NinjaOne starts at Custom quote (see the pricing rows for models and limits).
Data as of September 17, 2026. Sources: action1.com, ninjaone.com. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.