PDQ: The well-established alternative to Action1
PDQ is a mature, full-featured Action1 alternative for IT teams that have outgrown the free tier and want more than quote-based pricing. Built for sysadmins by sysadmins, PDQ gives small and midsized teams a straightforward path to patching, software deployment, inventory, vulnerability remediation, and remote access — with transparent per-device pricing and friendly, professional support from day one.
Trusted by thousands of companies, big and small
Simplify your IT with PDQ
Easy
Manage patching, deployments, inventory, remediation, and remote access without full-RMM sprawl.
Fast
Automate deployments, trigger actions in real time, and keep work moving even when devices are offline.
Clear
See your fleet at a glance with live inventory, vulnerability context, custom scanners, and prebuilt reports.
Secure
Detect, prioritize, and patch vulnerabilities, then verify remediation — all from one easy-to-use console.
PDQ vs. Action1
Action1
Action1 is a cloud-based endpoint management platform focused on patching, vulnerability visibility, software deployment, and remote endpoint management. Its free tier may appeal to small teams, but organizations managing larger fleets may need to evaluate quote-based pricing, support options, reporting flexibility, and remote access needs as they scale.
Considerations:
Quote required for more than 200 endpoints
Community support on the free plan
Remote access may not meet every team’s needs
PDQ
PDQ is a Windows and macOS device management solution built for sysadmins, by sysadmins. Developed by an established brand with decades of experience in the IT software space, this easy-to-use platform helps teams tackle endpoint management quickly and clearly. Inventory your fleet, generate reports, deploy applications, scan and remediate vulnerabilities, automate IT tasks, and support remote devices — no matter where your devices are located.
PDQ vs. Action1: Feature breakdown
Feature | PDQ | Action1 |
|---|---|---|
Product category | Focused, cloud-based endpoint management for Windows and macOS devices | Cross-platform, cloud-based endpoint management |
Best for | Sysadmins who want fast, focused patching, deployments, inventory, vulnerability remediation, reporting, automation, and remote access | Small and midsized teams looking for cloud-based patching and vulnerability remediation |
Cloud-based, agent-based management |
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OS support | Windows and macOS | Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Works without VPN |
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Brand maturity | Established IT software company with decades of sysadmin-focused product experience | Newer endpoint management vendor |
Pricing model | Public per-device pricing | Free for the first 200 endpoints; quote required for larger fleets |
Starting price | Starts at $12 per device per year, billed annually | Free for the first 200 endpoints |
Support model | PDQ email support included | Community support on the free plan; paid support available with subscription |
Live device inventory with custom scanners and prebuilt reports | Device inventory included | |
Custom scanners / scan profiles |
| Limited |
Reporting | Prebuilt and customizable reports tied to endpoint inventory, custom scanner data, device status, deployments, and vulnerabilities | Prebuilt and customizable reports |
Prebuilt packages |
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Custom packages |
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Automated patch management |
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Custom and dynamic device groups |
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Silent deployments |
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Vulnerability scanning |
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Vulnerability prioritization | Risk-based prioritization using factors such as CVSS, business impact, exploitability, and weaponization | Vulnerability assessment with CVSS, KEV/ransomware indicators, SLAs, and vulnerability reports |
Vulnerability remediation | Detect, prioritize, remediate, and verify from one console | Detect and remediate through patching and automation workflows |
Public API |
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Included | Included | |
File transfer | Included as part of remote desktop | Not clearly documented as a core remote desktop feature |
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PDQ Connect vs. Action1 FAQs
What’s the difference between PDQ and Action1?
PDQ and Action1 overlap across patching, software deployment, inventory, vulnerability remediation, automation, reporting, and remote access. PDQ supports day-to-day endpoint administration across Windows and macOS, including remote support through a dedicated viewer with file transfer and session recording. Action1 supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, offers browser-based remote access, and provides its full platform free for the first 200 endpoints.
Is PDQ a good alternative to Action1?
Yes. PDQ is a strong Action1 alternative for IT teams that want fast, reliable endpoint management from an established IT software provider. It’s a good fit for teams managing Windows and macOS devices that need patching, software deployment, inventory, vulnerability remediation, reporting, automation, and remote access in one easy-to-use platform.
Why are IT teams switching from Action1 to PDQ?
IT teams may choose PDQ for its mature sysadmin-focused workflows, intuitive interface, customizable reporting, deployment flexibility, and responsive support. PDQ is designed to help teams move quickly without giving up visibility or control over their endpoints.
What does PDQ do better than Action1?
PDQ gives sysadmins a focused endpoint management experience with strong deployment workflows, customizable inventory and reporting, vulnerability remediation, automation, remote desktop, and file transfer. It’s built for teams that want practical endpoint tools without unnecessary complexity.
Which is easier to use: PDQ or Action1?
Both tools are cloud-based and designed to simplify endpoint management. PDQ is built around the workflows sysadmins use every day, making it easy to patch, deploy, scan, report, remediate, automate, and support remote devices from one console.
Does PDQ offer more transparent pricing than Action1?
PDQ publishes per-device pricing, with plans starting at $12 per device per year, billed annually. Action1 offers its first 200 endpoints for free, but organizations managing more than 200 endpoints need to request a quote.
What kind of reporting does PDQ offer compared to Action1?
PDQ includes prebuilt and customizable reports for inventory, deployments, vulnerabilities, and device status. Action1 also includes reporting, but teams may prefer PDQ’s reporting workflows.
Is PDQ good for managing remote devices?
Yes. PDQ uses an agent-based approach to manage Windows and macOS devices whether they’re on-prem or remote. IT teams can deploy software, patch applications, view inventory, remediate vulnerabilities, run automations, transfer files, and start remote desktop sessions without relying on a VPN.
Sound too good to be true? Try it for yourself.
PDQ is not affiliated with or endorsed by Action1. The use of Action1 on this page is for comparison purposes only.
Information last updated: 07/22/2026