6 best patch management tools

There’s no shortage of tools that claim to “do patch management.” What’s harder to find is one you trust enough to stop thinking about it.

The best patch management software isn’t the one with the longest feature list or the widest OS matrix. It’s the one that consistently gets patches deployed quickly, reports accurately, and doesn’t demand constant babysitting from already-busy IT teams.

This comparison looks at some of the most common patch management options on the market today — what they’re good at, where they struggle, and who they’re actually best for.

1. PDQ Connect

PDQ Connect is a patch-focused endpoint management tool designed for Windows-first IT teams that want fast, predictable deployments without RMM complexity.

Best for:

Small to midsize IT teams managing Windows-dominant environments that value speed, accuracy, and clarity over breadth.

PDQ Connect is an agent-based endpoint management platform with strong Windows roots and growing macOS support, built around patching, software deployment, vulnerability remediation, remote desktop, and inventory. It’s not as overly engineered as a full RMM or a compliance platform. Instead, it focuses on making core endpoint tasks predictable and fast.

Where PDQ Connect stands out is not novelty but reliability. Patches deploy when you expect them to. Deployment history is clear. Reports reflect reality. And most teams can be productive without weeks of configuration.

Strengths

• Automated patch management for Windows OS and common third-party apps

• Prebuilt, ready-to-deploy packages plus support for multistep custom packages

• Environment-based vulnerability prioritization and one-click remediation

• Accurate, exportable reporting with real deployment visibility

• Lightweight agent that works well for remote and hybrid fleets

• Transparent, per-device pricing

Considerations

• Some advanced workflows may still feel more mature on Windows today, as macOS support continues to evolve toward full feature parity.

• Teams looking for equally deep, policy-driven management across every OS may prefer a broader UEM

2. NinjaOne

NinjaOne is a full-featured RMM platform that includes patch management alongside monitoring, backup, and broader IT operations tooling.

Good for:

Teams that want a wide range of endpoint and IT operations tools in an RMM platform.

NinjaOne offers patch management alongside monitoring, backup, MDM, broad OS support, and more. Its breadth can be appealing, especially for teams already looking for an RMM.

The tradeoff is complexity. With more modules, integrations, and tiers comes a steeper learning curve and more variability in how patching behaves across environments.

Strengths

• Broad endpoint management capabilities

• Cross-platform support

• RMM features beyond patching

Considerations

• Pricing requires custom quotes

• Patch reporting and reliability can vary by configuration

• More setup and ongoing management compared to focused tools

3. Automox

Automox is a cloud-native patch management platform designed for teams managing Windows, macOS, and Linux through policy-based automation.

Good for:

Teams managing Windows, macOS, and Linux who are comfortable with scripting and policy configuration.

Automox is often chosen for its cross-platform reach and automation model. Its Worklets and policies offer flexibility, especially for teams that want to codify configuration and patch behavior. That flexibility comes at a cost: setup time, scripting overhead, and higher pricing as environments scale.

Strengths

• Strong cross-OS patching support

• Policy-based automation model

• Cloud-native design

Considerations

• Requires more upfront configuration

• Performance issues are a common user concern

• Pricing escalates with advanced use

4. ManageEngine

ManageEngine provides enterprise patch management as part of a larger endpoint and IT management ecosystem.

Good for:

Larger organizations already invested in the ManageEngine ecosystem.

ManageEngine offers patching and endpoint capabilities across multiple products. For teams that need that depth — and can dedicate time to learning and maintaining it — the platform can be powerful.

For lean IT teams, the experience is often heavier than necessary.

Strengths

• Broad OS and third-party app support

• Deep configuration options

• On-prem and cloud deployment choices

Considerations

• Steep learning curve

• Performance and UX complaints are common

• Pricing becomes complicated as add-ons grow

5. Atera

Atera is an RMM platform with built-in patch management aimed at smaller IT teams and MSPs looking for an encompassing tool.

Good for:

Smaller teams or MSPs who want an RMM with built-in patching.

Atera’s per-technician pricing and bundled features make it approachable, especially for teams just getting started. Patching is included, but it’s not the platform’s primary focus.

As environments grow, limitations around reporting depth, patch reliability, and performance may become more noticeable.

Strengths

• Simple onboarding

• Transparent pricing model

• Broad IT feature set

Considerations

• Key features gated by higher tiers

• Patch management is less configurable

• Reporting and performance can lag at scale

6. Action1

Action1 is a lightweight, cloud-based patch management tool geared toward very small environments and budget-conscious teams.

Good for:

Very small environments with limited budgets.

Action1’s free tier (up to 200 endpoints) makes it attractive for cost-constrained teams. It covers basic patching and vulnerability management, but the platform is still maturing.

For larger fleets or teams that rely heavily on remote access and reporting, limitations surface quickly.

Strengths

• Free for small environments

• Simple, cloud-native approach

• Easy initial setup

• OS breadth

• Broad compliance posture

Considerations

• Day-to-day admin support is not the platforms strongest area

• Limited remote desktop functionality

• Pricing beyond the free tier requires quotes

• Fewer advanced management features

So, which is the best patch management tool?

There is no single best patch management tool for every environment. The right choice depends on scope, reliability, operational overhead, how diverse your OS mix is, how much confidence you need in day-to-day patching results, and how much feature breadth your team has the time to manage.

If you want:

• A focused, reliable patching experience for Windows and macOS → PDQ Connect

• Maximum breadth across OSes → tools like Automox or ManageEngine

• Full RMM functionality → NinjaOne or Atera

The teams that call PDQ Connect the best patch management solution usually aren’t chasing features. They’re chasing predictability: patches that deploy promptly when scheduled, reports they trust, and a tool that stays out of the way once it's working.

That’s not the right answer for everyone. But for Windows-first IT teams who value speed, clarity, and operational focus, PDQ Connect is often the right one. Try PDQ Connect for free today.