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11 Best Patch Management Software for MSPs and IT Departments

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In today’s digital age, businesses are increasingly dependent on a wide range of technologies, from specialized applications to complex networks. This growing reliance on technology also comes with a surge in vulnerabilities, creating numerous opportunities for errors to be exploited. It’s crucial for businesses to take proactive measures to secure their IT environment, and one effective way is through the use of patch management software. According to Microsoft’s 2022 Digital Defense Report, 68% of organizations do not have an effective patch management process in place, and a lack of automated patch management software often led to open vulnerabilities in their systems.

The risks associated with IT vulnerabilities are not to be underestimated. A report from Edgescan revealed that 20% of all discovered vulnerabilities pose a high or critical risk to business operations. Implementing a reliable patch management software solution is essential for mitigating these risks and enhancing security. Not only do patch management tools help you manage and rectify vulnerabilities, but they also ensure you meet compliance requirements, further safeguarding your organization’s IT assets.

To navigate the complex landscape of IT vulnerabilities, it’s crucial to understand what features make for the best patch management software for your specific business needs. Read on to learn how patch management software can provide robust solutions for risk management and simplify the patching process.

 


Table of Contents

Best patch management software for MSPs

  1. NinjaOne Patch Management
  2. GoTo Resolve
  3. Datto
  4. Atera
  5. N-able N-central
  6. Kaseya VSA

Best patch management software for IT departments

  1. NinjaOne Patch Management
  2. Microsoft Intune
  3. ManageEngine
  4. Pulseway
  5. Solarwinds Patch Manager
  6. Automox

 


Important features for patch management software

Modern patch management solutions supply a variety of helpful features to assist you in patching your systems, devices, and IT infrastructure. Important features of patch management software include:

Operating system support

This could potentially be considered one of the most important features to initially take into account when searching for a patch management solution. Whether your devices use Windows, macOS, or Linux operating systems, you’ll want to make sure that the patch management software you choose supports the existing systems in your IT environment. The ability to tackle all patching, whether it’s various types of OS or third-party applications, using a single solution helps to reduce complexity and costs.

Automation

IT operations teams have a high number and volume of tasks they complete each day. Patch management should be a high priority, but according to Microsoft, 68% of organizations impacted by ransomware attacks did not have an effective patch management process in place. Automation can ensure it’s a task that never gets forgotten. Let the software do the manual work required for patch management by setting up automatic scanning for vulnerabilities and automatic patch deployment. This will make the patching process less prone to human errors and result in more consistency and reliability

Customization

IT systems vary widely across businesses. Patch management software solutions that offer customization give you the opportunity to create a unique patch management system for your organization. Customization for when the software scans for vulnerabilities, responds to the scan results and deploys patches can help reduce the unique security risks your organization faces.

Rebooting

Options for rebooting systems can be another helpful feature. Depending on the level of the patch, many patches require a reboot of the system after applying a patch to the software because they cannot be modified while they are either open or in use. Patch management software can provide options for when this reboot happens. It can force a reboot, tell a system to not reboot, or postpone and schedule when the reboot should occur.

Auditing & Reporting

Assess the performance of the patch management solution and evaluate your organization’s patch management process using patch management audits and reports. This feature gives you insight into how effective the software is across the IT environment and helps you identify areas that could use improvement.

How to consider your needs for patch management software

As you navigate the process of choosing the right patch management software, it’s important to have a well-rounded understanding of your organization’s specific needs. This isn’t just a technical checklist; it’s a holistic view of your operational landscape. In the sections that follow, we’ll dive into key considerations that should be on your radar. These include the variety of devices in your network, the number of remote employees you have, how to handle third-party application patching, what to look for in terms of reliability, the quality of customer support, and finally, the software’s ease of administration and use. Each of these elements plays a vital role in ensuring you select a patch management solution that’s not just compatible but truly effective for your IT environment.

Device Mix

Does your IT environment consist of devices running exclusively on Windows OS, or does it include a mix of Windows, macOS, and Linux? Make sure that the patch management software you choose has the ability to apply patches to all devices in your organization’s IT environment.

Number of field/remote employees

Does your workforce only work at a single location, or are they spread out and work remotely? If you only have an on-prem patching solution, it’s not as ideal for remote and distributed employees compared to a remote patching solution. Enable patching to all devices, no matter their location, by choosing a remote patch management software solution that’s agent-based and doesn’t require a VPN.

Third-party application patching

What third-party applications are you running on your devices? Unfortunately, bugs or vulnerabilities aren’t limited to the operating system and original manufacturer apps. They can also occur in third-party applications that are installed on your endpoints, which is why it’s essential to find patch management software that has third-party patching capabilities.

Reliability

It’s important that the chosen patch management vendor is viewed as a reliable business partner. The vendor’s capability to provide timely and effective software updates is a key factor to consider. Additionally, the vendor’s reputation, their commitment to customer service, and their ability to adapt to the changing technological landscape should not be overlooked. This approach will ensure that the selected vendor is not just a provider, but a partner in maintaining the security and efficiency of one’s IT infrastructure.

Quality of support

The selection of a patch management vendor ought to be approached with a comprehensive evaluation of the support offered. Research has highlighted that the capability of a vendor to distribute software updates promptly and efficiently is of paramount importance (FDIC). The degree of responsiveness and communication concerning vulnerabilities from the vendor also plays a significant role in risk management comprehension (NIST). In addition, it’s recommended that the depth of the vendor’s understanding of the organization’s IT environment be assessed meticulously. Vendors who have shown progress in the quality of their patches ought to be considered favorably.

Ease of administration and use

When evaluating patch management software, it’s important to weigh the ease of administration against your specific operational requirements. Software with a user-friendly interface, automation capabilities, and strong support can streamline the task of maintaining system security. Since patch management is an ongoing, often urgent activity, a straightforward administrative process can accelerate the deployment of patches across various systems, minimizing vulnerabilities. Make sure to assess how the software’s management features fit with your team’s skill level, the intricacy of your IT landscape, and the resources available for patch management.

 


Best patch management software solutions for MSPs

1. NinjaOne Patch Management

NinjaOne Patch Management has patch reporting and activity tracking and provides remote patching for Windows, macOS, and Linux. allowing you to effectively secure all types of operating systems within your IT environment.. The intuitive patching dashboard also gives you full visibility over all your devices and lets you know each device’s patching status at a glance across all types of OS.

With patching automation capabilities that let you designate which groups or devices are patched and when they’re patched, you can patch vulnerabilities up to 90% faster. Automated patching also enables more accurate patching since it essentially eliminates human error in the patching process.

NinjaOne also provides actionable, comprehensive patch compliance reports that enable you to identify vulnerable devices and systems or show off your patching successes.

NinjaOne reviews on G2

Category NinjaOne Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (579)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 9.6 9.1
Quality of Support 9.5 8.8
Ease of Admin 9.3 8.8
Ease of Use 9.3 8.8

 

NinjaOne reviews on Capterra

Category NinjaOne Rating
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (188)
Ease of Use 4.8
Customer Service 4.8
Features 4.6
Value for Money 4.7
Likelihood to Recommend 94%

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2. GoTo Resolve

GoTo Resolve offers a patch management solution designed to help organizations patch their Windows and macOS systems.

GoTo Resolve reviews on G2

Category GoTo Resolve Rating Average Rating
Overall Rating 4.4 out of 5 (408)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 8.8 8.9
Ease of Admin 8.9 8.9
Quality of Support 8.7 8.6
Ease of Use 9.0 8.6

 

GoTo Resolve reviews on Capterra

Category GoTo Resolve Rating
Overall 4.4 out of 5 (195)
Ease of Use 4.5
Customer Service 4.2
Features 4.3
Value for Money 4.3
Likelihood to Recommend 85%

 

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3. Datto

Datto patch management software monitors and applies patches to Windows devices at the device or policy level.

Datto reviews on G2

Category Datto Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.6 out of 5 (64)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 8.8 9.1
Quality of Support 8.3 8.8
Ease of Admin 8.2 8.8
Ease of Use 8.2 8.8

 

Datto reviews on Capterra

Category Datto Rating
Overall 4.4 out of 5 (20)
Ease of Use 4.0
Customer Service 4.0
Features 4.1
Value for Money 3.9
Likelihood to Recommend 78%

 

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4. Atera

Atera provides automation and reporting for patching of OS, hardware, and software in your IT environment.

Atera reviews on G2

Category Atera Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.6 out of 5 (318)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 9.4 9.1
Quality of Support 9.1 8.8
Ease of Admin 9.1 8.8
Ease of Use 9.3 8.8

 

Atera reviews on Capterra

Category Atera Rating
Overall 4.6 out of 5 (306)
Ease of Use 4.6
Customer Service 4.3
Features 4.4
Value for Money 4.1
Likelihood to Recommend 79%

 

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5. N-able N-central

N-able N-central Patch Management allows you to manage patches on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

N-able N-central reviews on G2

Category N-able N-central Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.3 out of 5 (156)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 8.3 8.9
Quality of Support 7.7 8.6
Ease of Admin 7.5 8.9
Ease of Use 7.6 8.6

 

N-able N-central reviews on Capterra

Category N-able N-central Rating
Overall 3.9 out of 5 (46)
Ease of Use 3.4
Customer Service 3.2
Features 4.0
Value for Money 3.5
Likelihood to Recommend 70%

 

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6. Kaseya VSA

Kaseya VSA patch management software automates many patching tasks.

Kaseya VSA reviews on G2

Category Kaseya VSA Rating Average Rating
Overall 3.8 out of 5 (258)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 7.0 8.9
Quality of Support 6.7 8.6
Ease of Admin 7.3 8.9
Ease of Use 7.1 8.6

 

Kaseya VSA reviews on Capterra

Category Kaseya VSA Rating
Overall 4.1 out of 5 (200)
Ease of Use 3.6
Customer Service 3.5
Features 4.1
Value for Money 3.8
Likelihood to Recommend 74%

 

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Comparison of patch management software solutions for MSPs (G2)

Category NinjaOne GoTo Resolve Datto Atera N-able N-central Kaseya VSA
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (579) 4.4 out of 5 (408) 4.6 out of 5 (64) 4.6 out of 5 (318) 4.3 out of 5 (156) 3.8 out of 5 (258)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 9.6 8.8 8.8 9.4 8.3 7.0
Quality of Support 9.5 8.7 8.3 9.1 7.7 6.7
Ease of Admin 9.3 8.9 8.2 9.1 7.5 7.3
Ease of Use 9.3 9.0 8.2 9.3 7.6 7.1

 

Comparison of patch management software solutions for MSPs (Capterra)

Category NinjaOne GoTo Resolve Datto Atera N-able N-central Kaseya VSA
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (188) 4.4 out of 5 (195) 4.4 out of 5 (20) 4.6 out of 5 (306) 3.9 out of 5 (46) 4.1 out of 5 (199)
Ease of Use 4.8 4.5 4.0 4.6 3.4 3.6
Customer Service 4.8 4.2 4.0 4.3 3.2 3.5
Features 4.6 4.3 4.1 4.4 4.0 4.1
Value for Money 4.7 4.3 3.9 4.1 3.5 3.8
Likelihood to Recommend 94% 85% 78% 79% 70% 74%

Best patch management software solutions for IT departments

1. NinjaOne Patch Management

NinjaOne Patch Management is a completely cloud-based patch management solution that offers full automation for patching functions. You can remotely patch any endpoint with an internet connection, whether employees are in the office, working remotely, or in the field.

The software also offers robust third-party patching to minimize vulnerabilities from business software. Using NinjaOne you can automatically install and patch over 135 common business applications.

Detailed patch compliance reports also provide actionable information about unmanaged devices, vulnerable systems, and failed patches so you can know what needs to be secured.

NinjaOne reviews on G2

Category NinjaOne Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (579)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 9.6 9.1
Quality of Support 9.5 8.8
Ease of Admin 9.3 8.8
Ease of Use 9.3 8.8

 

NinjaOne reviews on Capterra

Category NinjaOne Rating
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (189)
Ease of Use 4.8
Customer Service 4.8
Features 4.6
Value for Money 4.7
Likelihood to Recommend 94%

 

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2. Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune provides patch management capabilities as part of its overall mobile device management offering.

Microsoft Intune reviews on G2

Category Intune Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.5 out of 5 (167)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 8.8 8.7
Quality of Support 8.3 8.6
Ease of Setup 8.3 8.6
Ease of Use 8.6 8.7

 

Microsoft Intune reviews on Capterra

Category Intune Rating
Overall 4.5 out of 5 (24)
Ease of Use 4.4
Customer Service 3.8
Features 4.5
Value for Money 4.1
Likelihood to Recommend 86%

 

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3. ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus offers vulnerability assessment as well as OS and third-party patch management.

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus reviews on G2

Category ManageEngine Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.4 out of 5 (131)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 8.8 8.9
Quality of Support 8.3 8.6
Ease of Admin 9.1 8.9
Ease of Use 8.8 8.6

 

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus reviews on Capterra

Category ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus Rating
Overall 4.5 out of 5 (265)
Ease of Use 4.3
Customer Service 4.5
Features 4.5
Value for Money 4.7
Likelihood to Recommend 87%

 

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4. Pulseway

Pulseway offers automation and customizability for your organization’s patch management strategy.

Pulseway reviews on G2

Category Pulseway Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.5 out of 5 (54)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 8.9 8.9
Quality of Support 8.6 8.6
Ease of Admin 9.0 8.9
Ease of Use 9.1 8.6

 

Pulseway reviews on Capterra

Category Pulseway Rating
Overall 4.7 out of 5 (180)
Ease of Use 4.7
Customer Service 4.7
Features 4.5
Value for Money 4.7
Likelihood to Recommend 90%

 

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5. Solarwinds Patch Manager

Solarwinds patches operating systems and software on Windows servers.

Solarwinds Patch Manager reviews on G2

Category Solarwinds Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.0 out of 5 (54)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 7.9 8.9
Quality of Support 7.8 8.6
Ease of Admin 7.6 8.6
Ease of Use 8.2 8.9

 

Solarwinds Patch Manager reviews on Capterra

Category Solarwinds Rating
Overall 4.3 out of 5 (18)
Ease of Use 3.7
Customer Service 4.5
Features 4.3
Value for Money 4.2
Likelihood to Recommend 71%

 

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6. Automox

Automox is a cloud-based patching solution for Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints.

Automox reviews on G2

Category Automox Rating Average Rating
Overall 4.5 out of 5 (60)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 9.3 8.9
Quality of Support 9.2 8.6
Ease of Admin 9.0 8.9
Ease of Use 9.3 8.6

 

Automox reviews on Capterra

Category Automox Rating
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (70)
Ease of Use 4.8
Customer Service 4.8
Features 4.5
Value for Money 4.8
Likelihood to Recommend 93%

 

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Comparison of patch management software solutions for IT departments (G2)

Category NinjaOne Microsoft Intune ManageEngine Pulseway Solarwinds Automox
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (579) 4.5 out of 5 (167) 4.6 out of 5 (131) 4.5 out of 5 (54) 4.0 out of 5 (54) 4.5 out of 5 (60)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business? 9.6 8.8 8.8 8.9 7.9 9.3
Quality of Support 9.5 8.3 8.3 8.6 7.8 9.2
Ease of Admin 9.3 8.3 9.1 9.0 7.6 9.0
Ease of Use 9.3 8.6 8.8 9.1 8.2 9.3

 

Comparison of patch management software solutions for IT departments (Capterra)

Category NinjaOne Microsoft Intune ManageEngine Pulseway Solarwinds Automox
Overall 4.8 out of 5 (188) 4.4 out of 5 (24) 4.5 out of 5 (265) 4.7 out of 5 (180) 4.3 out of 5 (18) 4.8 out of 5 (70)
Ease of Use 4.8 4.4 4.3 4.7 3.7 4.8
Customer Service 4.8 3.8 4.5 4.7 4.5 4.8
Features 4.6 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.3 4.5
Value for Money 4.7 4.1 4.7 4.7 4.2 4.8
Likelihood to Recommend 94% 86% 87% 90% 71% 93%

Data from G2 Grid for Patch Management published Summer 2023.

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Final scores and summaries of patch management solutions

Understanding the final vendor rankings: Our metrics

As we conclude this comprehensive guide on the best patch management software solutions, let’s take a moment to delve into the metrics that shaped the final vendor rankings you’re about to see. These aren’t just arbitrary numbers; they’re calculated based on a variety of factors that matter most to IT professionals and MSPs. We’ve sourced data from trusted platforms like G2 and Capterra, focusing on key aspects such as overall star ratings, ease of use, and likelihood of recommendation. To add another layer of reliability, we’ve also factored in the total number of reviews each vendor has received. After all, a high rating coupled with a high review count often signifies a tried-and-true solution.

Vendor Final Score Summary
NinjaOne 2.074 A market leader that shines across all metrics. Its high number of reviews adds substantial credibility to its already excellent ratings. A solid choice for those who want a tried-and-true solution.
Atera 1.969 Performs exceptionally well in ease of use and customer support. Though it has fewer reviews, its high scores make it a strong contender in the market.
ManageEngine 1.902 A robust solution known for its ease of admin and overall value. The high number of reviews adds weight to its already strong performance.
Pulseway 1.887 A new entrant on review sites like G2 and Capterra but, already ranks highly in key metrics. While it has fewer reviews, its strong ratings indicate it’s a solution to watch.
GoTo Resolve 1.885 Offers a balanced performance across most metrics, and its high number of reviews indicates a fairly reliable solution.
Automox 1.881 Scores high in ease of use and overall ratings, though a lower number of reviews slightly dampens its score. Still, a strong option for those prioritizing user-friendly solutions.
Microsoft Intune 1.794 Known for its features but falls short in ease of use and support. A moderate number of reviews adds some weight to its score.
Datto 1.766 Offers a moderate overall rating but needs improvement in ease of use. A decent number of reviews adds some credibility.
Kaseya VSA 1.647 Lower ratings in key metrics and a moderate number of reviews make this a less favorable option compared to others on the list.
N-able N-central 1.637 Similar to Kaseya VSA, this vendor falls short in overall ratings and likelihood to recommend.
Solarwinds 1.623 Ranks lowest due to its lower scores in ease of admin and customer service. Its lower review count also pulls down its overall score.

 

Our rankings formula

To derive the final score for each vendor, we employed a weighted formula that takes into account various metrics. Here’s how it breaks down:

Final Score = w1 * G2 Overall Star Rating + w2 * Capterra Overall Star Rating + w3 * G2 Likelihood to Recommend + w4 * Capterra Likelihood to Recommend + w5 * G2 Total Number of Reviews (Scaled) + w6 * Capterra Total Number of Reviews (Scaled) + Other Factors

Where:

    • w1 = 0.15 (Weight for G2 Overall Star Rating)
    • w2 = 0.15 (Weight for Capterra Overall Star Rating)
    • w3 = 0.2 (Weight for G2 Likelihood to Recommend)
    • w4 = 0.2 (Weight for Capterra Likelihood to Recommend)
    • w5 = 0.1 (Weight for G2 Total Number of Reviews, Scaled)
  • w6 = 0.1 (Weight for Capterra Total Number of Reviews, Scaled)

Other Factors include additional metrics like ease of use, each multiplied by their corresponding weights:

  • w7 = 0.05 (Weight for G2 Ease of Use)
  • w8 = 0.05 (Weight for Capterra Ease of Use)

Patch vulnerabilities in your IT environment

With the right tools, your business can take the proper actions to secure your business’s software and systems. Patch management software actively monitors and enhances the security of your organization’s IT environment. Consider the unique needs of your IT environment to select which patch management software is right for you.

NinjaOne Patch Management software offers 100% cloud-based Windows, Max, and Linux OS patching. The remote patch management system provides full automation with identification, approval, and deployment, which gives peace of mind knowing the software is actively working to protect your IT environment around the clock. Sign up for a free trial or free demo to find out if NinjaOne is right for you.

Next Steps

Empower your IT infrastructure with NinjaOne Patch Management to ensure a fortified defense against vulnerabilities and keep your systems running at their best.

Learn more about NinjaOne Patch Management, check out a live tour, download our Patch Management Buyer’s Guide, or start your free trial of the NinjaOne platform

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