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)
Best Patch Management Software · 2026
Action1 vs 
PDQ Connect Action1 vs PDQ Connect: on our data-weighted scoring, Action1 edges ahead (8.8 vs 7.5/10). Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and is best for SMB and MSP teams whose #1 job is patching (free up to 200 endpoints); PDQ Connect starts at Custom quote and is best for teams that want PDQ's deployment power for remote/cloud-managed devices. Choose Action1 for the stronger overall track record; consider PDQ Connect if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.
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PDQ Connect
7.5/10
MSP Compared score
- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Reviews
- 4.6/5 (~40 G2 reviews)
- Free trial
- 14 days
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Best for
- Teams that want PDQ's deployment power for remote/cloud-managed devices
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 →
| Criterion | Action1 | PDQ Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial | 8.8 | 7.5 |
| User reviews | 9.6 | 9.2 |
| Adoption | 6.6 | 4.3 |
| Affordability | 9.5 | 5.0 |
| Feature breadth | 6.0 | 4.0 |
| Ease of trial | 10.0 | 6.0 |
Action1 vs PDQ Connect: head-to-head
| Action1 | PDQ Connect | |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Teams that want PDQ's deployment power for remote/cloud-managed devices |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| G2 rating | 4.8/5 (300) | 4.6/5 (40) |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 8.8 | 7.5 |
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
Choose PDQ Connect if…
You need teams that want pdq's deployment power for remote/cloud-managed devices.
✓ Pros
- Cloud version of PDQ's strong deployment engine
- Manages remote devices
- Simple agent
✕ Cons
- Newer than Deploy
- Windows-focused
- Per-device pricing
In depth
In Depth
Pricing
| Aspect | Action1 | PDQ Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Per-endpoint/month | Per-device/month |
| Free Tier | Yes (up to 200 endpoints, all features) | No |
| Trial | 15 days full access | 14 days |
| Starting Price | $4/endpoint/mo (Growth tier) | Custom quote |
| Billing | Annual | Annual |
Action1’s pricing is a game-changer for SMBs: you get a genuinely free tier with zero feature gating up to 200 endpoints, making it cost-effective for small shops to start. Growth tier ($4/endpoint/mo) remains competitive, though support requires a separate add-on. PDQ Connect’s opaque, custom pricing and lack of a free option puts it at a disadvantage for budget-conscious teams—you’ll need to contact sales before knowing what you’ll pay.
Features & Deployment
Action1 leans heavily into patch automation with risk-based prioritization (CVE/CVSS/CISA KEV), peer-to-peer distribution, vulnerability scanning, and third-party app coverage. Remediation is automated. It’s cloud-native with no on-premises burden.
PDQ Connect positions itself as the cloud companion to PDQ Deploy, emphasizing custom deployment beyond patching. It handles off-network remote devices and includes inventory/reporting but feels narrower in scope—patch + deployment rather than patch-first intelligence.
Both are Windows-centric; neither excels at macOS management.
Ratings & Verdict
| Metric | Action1 | PDQ Connect |
|---|---|---|
| G2 Score | 4.8/5 (300 reviews) | 4.6/5 (40 reviews) |
| Our Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
Action1 wins on value and breadth. Its free tier demolishes competitors, and it’s purpose-built for patch-first workflows. The G2 score (4.8) reflects a mature, well-reviewed product. Scaling by endpoint count is predictable and fair.
PDQ Connect is best if you already own PDQ Deploy and need cloud/remote management for devices that live outside your network. Otherwise, the unclear pricing and narrower feature set make it a harder sell. The smaller review pool (40 vs. 300) also suggests less market traction.
Verdict: Action1 for patch-focused SMBs and MSPs seeking a free, scalable entry point. PDQ Connect for teams committed to PDQ’s deployment ecosystem and willing to negotiate pricing.
Frequently asked questions
- Action1 vs PDQ Connect: which is better?
- Action1 vs PDQ Connect: on our data-weighted scoring, Action1 edges ahead (8.8 vs 7.5/10). Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and is best for SMB and MSP teams whose #1 job is patching (free up to 200 endpoints); PDQ Connect starts at Custom quote and is best for teams that want PDQ's deployment power for remote/cloud-managed devices.
- Is Action1 cheaper than PDQ Connect?
- Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and PDQ Connect starts at Custom quote (see the pricing rows for models and limits).
Data as of September 17, 2026. Sources: action1.com, pdq.com. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.