PDQ: The flexible alternative to Automox
PDQ is a flexible, affordable Automox alternative built for sysadmins who want hands-on control over their endpoints — not just policy enforcement. If you've been working around Automox's limited reporting and customization, PDQ gives you a faster, more direct way to patch, deploy, inventory, and remediate vulnerabilities. No policy configuration rabbit holes. Just the tools you actually use, at a price you can see up front.
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. Automox
Automox
Automox is a cloud-based IT operations platform built for patching, endpoint hardening, and policy-based automation across multiple operating systems. Its broad approach may appeal to teams that want centralized policy enforcement, but some sysadmins may want more flexibility when it comes to custom deployments, reporting, scripting, and hands-on endpoint control.
Considerations:
Limited reporting flexibility
Less customizable deployment workflows
Limited scripting control
Can feel slow or inconsistent
Higher cost for broader functionality
PDQ
PDQ is an endpoint management solution built for sysadmins, by sysadmins. This easy-to-use platform gives IT teams the core tools they need without unnecessary complexity driving up the price. Quickly inventory your fleet, generate reports, deploy applications, scan and remediate vulnerabilities, and automate IT tasks — no matter where your devices are located.
PDQ vs. Automox: Feature breakdown
Feature | PDQ | Automox |
|---|---|---|
Product Category | Cloud-based endpoint management | Cloud-based endpoint management |
Best for | In-house IT teams and MSPs that want flexible patching, software deployments, inventory, vulnerability remediation, and remote access | IT teams that want policy-based patching and endpoint hardening across multiple operating systems |
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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Transparent pricing |
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Starts at $12 per device per year, billed annually | $1 per device per month for basic patching only | |
Focused feature set | Built for core endpoint management without unnecessary complexity | Broader IT operations platform with more policy-based controls |
Live device inventory with custom scanners and prebuilt reports | Cross-platform device inventory with built-in reports | |
Custom scan profiles |
| Limited |
Reporting | Prebuilt and customizable reporting for inventory, software deployment, and vulnerabilities | Reporting available, with less customization |
Prebuilt packages | PDQ-curated, ready-to-deploy packages | Third-party software catalog |
Custom packages |
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Custom and dynamic device groups |
| Groups and filter-based targeting |
Silent deployments |
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Vulnerability scanning |
| Native CVE and severity data; external scanner required for broader findings |
Vulnerability prioritization based on your environment | Automatic CVE prioritization based on third-party scanner report uploads | |
Vulnerability remediation | Find, prioritize, remediate, and verify in one workflow | Patch or mitigate vulnerabilities using policies, Worklets, and imported scanner findings |
Public API |
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PDQ vs. Automox FAQs
What’s the difference between PDQ and Automox?
PDQ and Automox are both cloud-based, agent-based tools for managing and securing endpoints. PDQ is built for focused endpoint management across Windows and macOS devices, including patching, software deployment, inventory, vulnerability remediation, remote desktop, and automation. Automox is built around policy-based patching and endpoint hardening across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Is PDQ a good alternative to Automox?
Yes. PDQ is a strong Automox alternative for IT teams that want straightforward patching, software deployment, inventory, vulnerability remediation, and remote device management in one easy-to-use platform. It’s especially useful for teams managing Windows and macOS devices that want flexibility without complex policy configuration.
What does PDQ do better than Automox?
PDQ gives sysadmins more hands-on control over endpoint management workflows. Teams can deploy prebuilt or custom packages, run custom scanners, automate tasks, view live inventory, remediate vulnerabilities, and verify deployment results from one console.
What are the biggest drawbacks of Automox?
Automox may be a better fit for teams that want policy-based patching and endpoint hardening across Windows, macOS, and Linux. But teams that want more customizable reporting, flexible deployments, or hands-on scripting options may prefer PDQ.
Which is easier to use: PDQ or Automox?
PDQ is designed for sysadmins who want to patch, deploy, scan, remediate, and automate without unnecessary complexity. Automox can be powerful for policy-based endpoint management, but PDQ may feel more direct for teams that want fast endpoint execution and clear deployment results.
Which tool is better for patch management: PDQ or Automox?
It depends on your environment. PDQ is a strong fit for Windows and macOS teams that want flexible app patching, prebuilt packages, custom packages, automation, and deployment history in one workflow. Automox may be a better fit for teams that need policy-based patching across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Does PDQ offer more transparent pricing than Automox?
PDQ publishes clear per-device pricing, with plans starting at $12 per device per year, billed annually. Automox publishes pricing for its Patch OS plan, but broader Automate plans require contacting sales for a quote.
Is PDQ better for managing remote devices than Automox?
Both solutions work well for managing remote devices without VPN. PDQ uses an agent-based approach to manage remote Windows and macOS devices. IT teams can deploy software, patch apps, scan for vulnerabilities, run automations, access devices remotely, and view results from the cloud.
Can PDQ replace Automox for software deployment and inventory tracking?
Yes, for many Windows and macOS environments. PDQ supports software deployment, custom packages, live device inventory, custom scanners, reporting, vulnerability remediation, and automation. Teams that need Linux support or broader policy-based endpoint hardening may still consider Automox.
Sound too good to be true? Try it for yourself.
PDQ is not affiliated with or endorsed by Automox. The use of Automox on this page is for comparison purposes only.
Information last updated: 07/22/2026