Automox
7.7/10
MSP Compared score
- Starting price
- $3/endpoint/mo
- Reviews
- 4.5/5 (~90 G2 reviews)
- Free trial
- 14 days
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Best for
- Cloud-native cross-OS patch + config automation for lean IT teams
Best Patch Management Software · 2026
Automox vs 
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus Automox vs ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus: on our data-weighted scoring, Automox edges ahead (7.7 vs 7.7/10). Automox starts at $3/endpoint/mo and is best for cloud-native cross-OS patch + config automation for lean IT teams; ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus starts at Free tier available and is best for budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting. Choose Automox for the stronger overall track record; consider ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.
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ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus
7.7/10
MSP Compared score
- Starting price
- Free tier available
- Reviews
- 4.3/5 (~80 G2 reviews)
- Free trial
- Free tier + 30 days
- Deployment
- Cloud + on-prem
- Best for
- Budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting
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 | Automox | ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| User reviews | 9.0 | 8.6 |
| Adoption | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Affordability | 7.6 | 9.5 |
| Feature breadth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of trial | 6.0 | 10.0 |
Automox vs ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus: head-to-head
| Automox | ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $3/endpoint/mo | Free tier available |
| Pricing model | per endpoint | per endpoint |
| Free trial / tier | 14 days | Free tier + 30 days |
| Best for | Cloud-native cross-OS patch + config automation for lean IT teams | Budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud + on-prem |
| G2 rating | 4.5/5 (90) | 4.3/5 (80) |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 7.7 | 7.7 |
Choose Automox if…
You need cloud-native cross-os patch + config automation for lean it teams.
✓ Pros
- True cross-OS parity
- No on-prem infrastructure
- Flexible automation via Worklets
✕ Cons
- No free tier
- Per-endpoint cost adds up
- Reporting depth trails enterprise suites
Choose ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus if…
You need budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting.
✓ Pros
- Free for up to 20 computers
- Very large third-party catalog
- On-prem option for regulated environments
✕ Cons
- Dated UI
- Pricing is bundle/quote-based
- On-prem needs maintenance
In depth
Pricing
Automox uses a straightforward per-endpoint pricing model with two tiers: Manage at $3/endpoint/month (patch + basic management) and Secure at $5/endpoint/month (+ vulnerability remediation). Both require annual commitment. There’s no free tier, but a 14-day trial is available.
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus offers more flexibility: a Free tier supporting up to 20 computers indefinitely, a Professional tier starting around $245/year for 50 computers (LAN edition), and an Enterprise tier with custom pricing for WAN + advanced features. Annual billing applies to paid tiers, with a 30-day trial.
For small teams (≤20 endpoints), ManageEngine wins decisively on cost. Beyond that, Automox’s clarity and simplicity become attractive—you know the per-seat cost upfront. ManageEngine’s bundled pricing requires quotes, making budget forecasting harder.
| Feature | Automox | ManageEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | No | Yes (20 computers) |
| Trial | 14 days | 30 days |
| Starting Cost | $3/endpoint/mo | ~$245/yr (50 computers) |
| Pricing Model | Per-endpoint, transparent | Bundle-based, quote-driven |
Features & Deployment
Automox is cloud-only and emphasizes simplicity: cross-platform patching (Windows/macOS/Linux), third-party app patching, configuration management, and extensible Worklets automation. No on-prem infrastructure or VPN requirements—ideal for distributed teams.
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus supports both cloud and on-prem deployment, offering broader operational choices. It covers OS + 850+ third-party apps with test-and-approve workflows, decline/rollback capabilities, and detailed compliance reporting. The on-prem option suits regulated industries but requires ongoing maintenance.
Automox shines for true cross-OS parity and zero infrastructure overhead. ManageEngine offers deeper control (test workflows, rollbacks) and a larger third-party patch catalog—valuable for complex environments but at the cost of UI age and deployment complexity.
| Capability | Automox | ManageEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Cloud-only | Cloud + on-prem |
| Cross-platform patching | Windows/macOS/Linux | Windows/macOS/Linux |
| Third-party apps | Yes | 850+ catalog |
| Test-before-deploy | Worklets-based | Native workflows |
| Rollback | Limited | Full support |
| On-prem option | No | Yes |
Ratings & Verdict
Both tools score 7.7/10 in our assessment, reflecting their complementary strengths.
Automox (G2: 4.5★ / 90 reviews): Praised for cloud-native simplicity and cross-OS consistency. The per-endpoint cost model penalizes large deployments but rewards lean, modern IT teams avoiding on-prem sprawl.
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus (G2: 4.3★ / 80 reviews): Valued for affordability and feature depth, particularly compliance reporting. The dated UI and quote-based pricing frustrate buyers seeking transparency.
Verdict:
- Choose Automox if you prioritize cloud-native operations, cross-platform consistency, and predictable pricing for lean teams.
- Choose ManageEngine if you’re budget-constrained, need on-prem flexibility, value deep compliance workflows, or operate a small lab (free tier). Tolerate the dated UI and pricing opacity.
Both prevent patch debt effectively; the choice hinges on deployment philosophy and team size.
Frequently asked questions
- Automox vs ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus: which is better?
- Automox vs ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus: on our data-weighted scoring, Automox edges ahead (7.7 vs 7.7/10). Automox starts at $3/endpoint/mo and is best for cloud-native cross-OS patch + config automation for lean IT teams; ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus starts at Free tier available and is best for budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting.
- Is Automox cheaper than ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus?
- Automox starts at $3/endpoint/mo and ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus starts at Free tier available (see the pricing rows for models and limits).
Data as of September 17, 2026. Sources: automox.com, manageengine.com. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.