ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus Alternatives (2026)
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- Starting price
- Free tier available
- Free trial
- Free tier + 30 days
- Deployment
- Cloud + on-prem
- Best for
- Budget-conscious teams wanting on-prem or cloud patching with deep reporting
Our verdict
The top alternatives to ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus are Action1, NinjaOne, ManageEngine Endpoint Central. Action1 is the closest like-for-like option (4.8/5 (~300 G2 reviews), from $4/endpoint/mo). People typically switch from ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus over pricing model, complexity, or a missing capability — the table compares each alternative on exactly those axes.
- 1
Action1
★ Editor's ChoiceBest for SMB and MSP teams whose #1 job is patching (free up to 200 endpoints).
- OS + third-party app patching
- Risk-based prioritization (CVE/CVSS/CISA KEV)
- Peer-to-peer patch distribution
Free trial Free version -
Best for MSPs and IT teams wanting a modern, fast, all-in-one RMM.
- RMM + patch management
- Endpoint backup
- Remote access
Free trial Free version - 3
ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Best for Teams wanting unified endpoint management + patching in one console.
- Patch + software deployment
- MDM/UEM for mobile
- Remote control
Free trial Free version - 4
PDQ Deploy & Inventory
Best for Windows-only shops that want fast, scriptable on-prem deployment.
- Pre-built application library
- Custom package deployment
- Inventory + reporting
Free trial Free version -
Best for SCCM/Intune shops needing automated third-party app updates.
- 1
- 000+ third-party app catalog
- Native SCCM/Intune integration
Free trial Free version -
Best for Cloud-native cross-OS patch + config automation for lean IT teams.
- Cross-platform patching (Windows/macOS/Linux)
- Third-party app patching
- Worklets automation
Free trial Free version -
Best for MSPs wanting patching bundled with a broader security suite.
- Automated patch & asset management
- DNS security
- EDR/XDR modules
Free trial Free version
More alternatives detail
Best Alternatives to ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus
Why Teams Switch
Teams typically leave ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus because of its dated UI, opaque quote-based pricing, and the maintenance burden of on-prem deployments. They often want either a genuinely free tier (not just 20 endpoints), cloud-native simplicity, or unified endpoint management beyond patching alone.
Ranked Alternatives
| Tool | Best For | Free Tier | Key Advantage | Our Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action1 | SMB/MSP patching focus | ✅ 200 endpoints | Most generous free tier; risk-based prioritization | 8.8 |
| ManageEngine Endpoint Central | Unified UEM + patch | ✅ 25 endpoints | All-in-one console; mobile MDM included | 8.0 |
| PDQ Deploy & Inventory | Windows on-prem shops | ❌ | Fastest, most reliable Windows deployment | 7.9 |
| Patch My PC | SCCM/Intune users | ❌ | Native ConfigMgr/Intune integration; 1,000+ apps | 7.8 |
| Automox | Cross-OS cloud teams | ❌ | True Windows/macOS/Linux parity; no infrastructure | 7.7 |
| PDQ Connect | Remote/cloud-managed Windows | ❌ | PDQ’s engine for cloud devices | 7.5 |
| Ninite Pro | Budget small teams | ❌ | Dead-simple third-party app updates | 7.4 |
Top 3 Picks by Use Case
🏆 Best Overall Alternative: Action1
- Free for 200 endpoints (vs. PMP’s 20)
- Includes CVE/CVSS risk prioritization and peer-to-peer distribution
- Cloud-native; no on-prem servers
- G2: 4.8★ (300 reviews)
- Caveat: Windows-first; support is paid add-on
🎯 Best for Unified Management: ManageEngine Endpoint Central
- Single console for patch + MDM + remote control + imaging
- Same vendor (easier migration from PMP)
- Free up to 25 endpoints
- G2: 4.4★ (350 reviews)
- Caveat: More complex pricing; heavier than patch-only
⚡ Best for Windows Shops: PDQ Deploy & Inventory
- Legendary among sysadmins for speed and reliability
- Huge pre-built app library
- On-prem agentless on LAN
- G2: 4.7★ (60 reviews)
- Caveat: Windows-only; pricing not public
Why Each Stands Out
Action1 wins on generosity and transparency—its free tier actually lets you patch 10× more endpoints than PMP, and the cloud architecture eliminates server maintenance.
Endpoint Central appeals if you’re already in the ManageEngine ecosystem or need mobile device management bundled in.
PDQ Deploy dominates Windows-only environments where speed and admin control matter more than fancy reporting.
Automox is for cross-OS shops tired of managing on-prem servers.
Patch My PC is the only real choice if your workflow is SCCM/Intune-centric.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best alternative to ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus?
- Action1 is the top-rated alternative in our data-weighted ranking (from $4/endpoint/mo).
- Why do people switch from ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus?
- Usually pricing model, complexity, or a missing capability. The table compares each alternative on exactly those axes.