Best Patch Management Software · 2026
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus vs 
PDQ Deploy & Inventory ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus vs PDQ Deploy & Inventory: on our data-weighted scoring, PDQ Deploy & Inventory edges ahead (7.9 vs 7.7/10). 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; PDQ Deploy & Inventory starts at Custom quote and is best for windows-only shops that want fast, scriptable on-prem deployment. Choose PDQ Deploy & Inventory 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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Six criteria, each scored 0–10 on the same scale from real review data, public pricing and feature coverage. See our methodology →
| Criterion | ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus | PDQ Deploy & Inventory |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| User reviews | 8.6 | 9.4 |
| Adoption | 5.1 | 4.7 |
| Affordability | 9.5 | 5.0 |
| Feature breadth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of trial | 10.0 | 6.0 |
| ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free tier available | Custom quote |
| Pricing model | per endpoint | per machine |
| Free trial / tier | Free tier + 30 days | 14 days |
| Best for | Budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting | Windows-only shops that want fast, scriptable on-prem deployment |
| Deployment | Cloud + on-prem | On-prem |
| G2 rating | 4.3/5 (80) | 4.7/5 (60) |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 7.7 | 7.9 |
You need budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting.
You need windows-only shops that want fast, scriptable on-prem deployment.
| Aspect | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Per-machine annual license | Per-endpoint annual subscription |
| Free Tier | None | Yes (up to 20 computers) |
| Free Trial | 14 days | 30 days |
| Transparency | Quote-based; not publicly listed | Partially public (~$245/yr for 50 computers LAN edition) |
| Deployment Options | On-prem only (agentless on LAN) | Cloud or on-prem |
PDQ doesn’t publicize per-machine costs, making budget planning difficult. ManageEngine offers a true free tier and clearer entry pricing, though enterprise deployments still require quotes. For small teams under 20 machines, ManageEngine is essentially free; PDQ requires paid licensing from day one.
PDQ Deploy & Inventory excels at Windows software delivery:
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus focuses on patch automation and compliance:
Key difference: PDQ is broader (deploy anything custom); ManageEngine is deeper in patching workflows with governance controls. PDQ’s strength is speed and ease; ManageEngine’s is compliance auditing and risk mitigation.
| Platform | G2 Score | Review Count | Our Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDQ Deploy & Inventory | 4.7/5 | 60 reviews | 7.9/10 |
| ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus | 4.3/5 | 80 reviews | 7.7/10 |
PDQ Deploy & Inventory wins for Windows-first shops prioritizing speed, simplicity, and pre-packaged deployments. Sysadmins consistently praise its reliability and vast application library. The trade-off: locked to Windows, on-prem only, and opaque pricing.
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is the better fit for budget-conscious teams, compliance-heavy environments, or multi-platform needs. The free tier removes barrier to entry, and its approval workflows suit risk-averse organizations. The dated UI and quote-heavy pricing are drawbacks.
Verdict: Choose PDQ if you’re all-in on Windows and want fast, predictable deployments. Choose ManageEngine if patching compliance, cost control, and a free tier matter more than UI polish.
