Patch My PC Alternatives (2026)
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- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Free trial
- 30 days
- Deployment
- Cloud + on-prem
- Best for
- SCCM/Intune shops needing automated third-party app updates
Our verdict
The top alternatives to Patch My PC 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 Patch My PC over pricing model, complexity, or a missing capability — the table compares each alternative on exactly those axes.
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Best 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
Visit ManageEngine Endpoint Central → Free tier available Patch My PC vs 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 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 -
Best for Small teams wanting dead-simple third-party app patching on a budget.
- One-click app install/update
- Web-based fleet view
- Silent installs
Free trial Free version
More alternatives detail
Patch My PC Alternatives
Patch My PC excels at SCCM/Intune third-party patching, but several tools offer compelling reasons to switch—especially if you need broader OS coverage, cloud-native architecture, or a free tier.
Why Teams Switch
| Pain Point | Better Alternative |
|---|---|
| Need cross-OS (Windows/macOS/Linux) patching | Automox — true parity across platforms |
| Want genuinely free tier | Action1 (200 endpoints) or ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus (20 computers) |
| No SCCM/Intune — prefer pure cloud | Action1 or Automox — no on-prem infra required |
| Windows only, want agentless LAN speed | PDQ Deploy — faster, sysadmin favorite |
| Need UEM + patch in one console | ManageEngine Endpoint Central — MDM included |
| Budget-tight, small team | Ninite Pro — dead simple, cheap third-party app updates |
Top Alternatives Ranked
🥇 Action1
Best for: SMB/MSP teams whose primary job is patching
Score: 8.8/10 | G2: 4.8★ (300 reviews)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Tier | 200 endpoints, all features (forever) |
| Paid | $4/endpoint/mo (201–1k); custom Enterprise |
| OS Coverage | Windows + macOS (limited depth) |
| Standout | Risk-based CVE/CVSS/CISA KEV prioritization; P2P distribution |
| Deployment | Cloud-only (no servers to run) |
Why switch: Most generous free tier in patch management. Zero feature gating up to 200 endpoints. If you’re moving away from on-prem SCCM complexity, Action1 is the fastest path.
🥈 Automox
Best for: Cloud-native cross-OS patch + config automation
Score: 7.7/10 | G2: 4.5★ (90 reviews)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Tier | None (14-day trial) |
| Paid | $3–$5/endpoint/mo (Manage/Secure tiers) |
| OS Coverage | Windows, macOS, Linux (parity) |
| Standout | Worklets for flexible automation; no VPN/agent infra |
| Deployment | Cloud-only |
Why switch: If you manage mixed OS fleets (especially Linux) and want cloud-native simplicity, Automox eliminates on-prem overhead. Per-endpoint cost is low but scales.
🥉 ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Best for: Unified UEM + patch in one console
Score: 8.0/10 | G2: 4.4★ (350 reviews)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Tier | 25 endpoints (forever) |
| Paid | ~$795/yr (50 endpoints); custom Enterprise |
| OS Coverage | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Standout | One console: patch + MDM + remote control + imaging |
| Deployment | Cloud + on-prem |
Why switch: If you’re managing endpoints beyond Windows (mobile, multiple OSes), bundling patch + UEM saves licensing complexity. On-prem or cloud option.
Also Strong
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus (7.7/10)
Free tier (20 computers), 850+ third-party apps, on-prem option for regulated environments. UI feels dated but deep compliance reporting.
PDQ Deploy (7.9/10)
Windows-only, but fast and agentless on LAN. Sysadmin favorite. Quote pricing. Ideal if you’re staying on-prem and Windows-exclusive.
PDQ Connect (7.5/10)
Cloud version of PDQ—agent-based, per-device pricing. Newer product; consider if you need PDQ’s deployment muscle off-network.
Ninite Pro (7.4/10)
Ultra-simple third-party app updates only. Cheap ($35+/mo). Skip if you need OS patching or compliance reporting.
Decision Tree
- Need free tier? → Action1 or ManageEngine
- Cross-OS (esp. Linux)? → Automox
- Windows-only, on-prem, fast? → PDQ Deploy
- Need MDM too? → ManageEngine Endpoint Central
- SCCM/Intune locked in? → Stay with Patch My PC (it’s best-in-class there)
- Small team, app-updates only? → Ninite Pro
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best alternative to Patch My PC?
- Action1 is the top-rated alternative in our data-weighted ranking (from $4/endpoint/mo).
- Why do people switch from Patch My PC?
- Usually pricing model, complexity, or a missing capability. The table compares each alternative on exactly those axes.