Best Patch Management Software for IT & MSPs
[Q3 2024 edition]

reviewed by Stan Hunter

updated September 10, 2024

We put dozens of patch management solutions through the wringer and came up with the 11 best patch management software on the market.

NinjaOne best patch management software patching dashboard

Patch Management Software Ratings

Businesses increasingly depend on various 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. Businesses must take proactive measures to secure their IT environment, and one effective way is through the use of patch management software.

Why you need patch management

Patching minimizes security vulnerabilities in software and systems. By proactively addressing flaws, you improve the stability and performance of your IT network and maintain compliance with many regulatory and industry standards.

Poor or insufficient patch management can expose your organization to several significant risks, including:

  • Security breaches. The most recent data from IBM’s cost of data breaches report found that the global average total cost of a data breach is $4.45 million—a massive 15% increase over 3 years.
  • Non-compliance fees. In the same study, it was found that breaches cost almost $220,000 more on average when noncompliance with regulations is a factor in the event. This is why 47% of risk executives are “very concerned” about their company’s ability to mitigate compliance and regulatory risk, according to the latest PwC Pulse Survey of CROs and Risk Management Leaders.
  • Ransomware attacks. Cybercrime and security data from Statista suggests that ransomware attacks on US enterprises caused business interruptions for an average length of 24 days. Aside from noting any possible financial impact these interruptions could contribute to more dissatisfied clients, compliance fines, and privacy concerns—all of which could cause irreparable damage to your organization’s reputation.
  • Software running on previous versions. The benefits of software updates cannot be overstated. Software updates are, essentially, refinements or enhancements of a software program. These updates are designed to rectify any bugs, improve security features and functionality, and optimize performance.

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.

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

Patch Management software UI illustration

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.

What users say

Ashley Watson, IT Manager at NWF Agriculture, says that NinjaOne patch management saved her team over 30 hours per month in manual labor. She applauds that NinjaOne is an integrated platform with many out-of-box features that allow her to be more productive and efficient.

Watson writes, “NinjaOne provides 100% reporting on all patches and updates, giving us real-time visibility into our network. With our old tool, we received notifications when patches failed, but it took hours to find those out-of-date devices and software. NinjaOne gives us a detailed report with every endpoint and patch update – it makes my job so much easier.”

Read more NinjaOne customer stories.

Windows OS icon

Patch Microsoft Office on all Windows Machines

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Patch Microsoft Office on all macOS Machines

NinjaOne reviews on G2

CategoryNinjaOne RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.7 out of 5 (1,205) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?9.69.1
Quality of Support9.48.8
Ease of Admin9.38.8
Ease of Use9.38.8

NinjaOne reviews on Capterra

CategoryNinjaOne Rating
Overall4.8 out of 5 (212)
Ease of Use4.8
Customer Service4.8
Features4.5
Value for Money4.7
Likelihood to Recommend93%

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2. GoTo Resolve

GoTo Resolve offers a patch management solution designed primarily for small—to medium-sized organizations focusing on IT support and customer service. This platform consolidates remote management, help desk, and remote access functionalities to streamline IT operations.

GoTo Resolve reviews on G2

CategoryGoTo Resolve RatingAverage Rating
Overall Rating4.4 out of 5 (436) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?8.88.9
Ease of Admin8.98.9
Quality of Support8.78.6
Ease of Use9.08.6

GoTo Resolve reviews on Capterra

CategoryGoTo Resolve Rating
Overall4.4 out of 5 (198)
Ease of Use4.5
Customer Service4.1
Features4.3
Value for Money4.3
Likelihood to Recommend85%

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3. Datto

Datto, a Kaseya company, is an IT management business that offers RMM, network management, PSA, and data protection solutions. Datto allows IT departments and MSPs to manage their businesses and provide IT services from a single platform. Additionally, Datto solutions are scalable and customizable to adapt to IT environments.

Datto reviews on G2

CategoryDatto RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.5 out of 5 (537) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?9.09.1
Quality of Support8.38.8
Ease of Admin8.98.8
Ease of Use8.88.8

Datto reviews on Capterra

CategoryDatto Rating
Overall4.2 out of 5 (25)
Ease of Use4.0
Customer Service3.9
Features4.1
Value for Money3.9
Likelihood to Recommend78%

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4. Atera

Atera is an RMM platform designed to help IT teams automate and customize their workflows for greater IT efficiency. With Atera, users gain access to RMM, remote access, helpdesk and ticketing, patch management, and network discovery. The software enables IT professionals to gain insight and control over their digital environments.

Atera reviews on G2

CategoryAtera RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.6 out of 5 (583) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?9.39.1
Quality of Support9.18.8
Ease of Admin9.08.8
Ease of Use9.38.8

Atera reviews on Capterra

CategoryAtera Rating
Overall4.6 out of 5 (373)
Ease of Use4.6
Customer Service4.5
Features4.3
Value for Money4.6
Likelihood to Recommend78%

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5. N-able N-central

N-able N-central is an IT management solution by N-able that allows organizations to manage, monitor, and secure their endpoints. N-central provides RMM, patch management, data backup, and IT automation features that enable IT professionals to streamline processes and gain control over their entire IT infrastructures. From the N-central platform, users can integrate their PSA solutions in order to manage both their businesses and IT environments.

N-able N-central reviews on G2

CategoryN-able N-central RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.3 out of 5 (328) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?8.48.9
Quality of Support7.68.6
Ease of Admin7.88.9
Ease of Use7.88.6

N-able N-central reviews on Capterra

CategoryN-able N-central Rating
Overall3.9 out of 5 (48)
Ease of Use3.5
Customer Service3.2
Features4.0
Value for Money3.6
Likelihood to Recommend70%

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6. Kaseya VSA

Kaseya Virtual System Administrator (VSA) is a cloud-based remote monitoring and management software (RMM) designed with technicians in mind. VSA helps IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs) manage endpoint devices from anywhere and protect them from security threats with threat detection. Automation capabilities allow users to set up repeatable IT processes, auto-remediation of issues, and software patches.

Kaseya VSA reviews on G2

CategoryKaseya VSA RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.0 out of 5 (290) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?7.58.9
Quality of Support7.28.6
Ease of Admin7.78.9
Ease of Use7.58.6

Kaseya VSA reviews on Capterra

CategoryKaseya VSA Rating
Overall4.1 out of 5 (199)
Ease of Use3.6
Customer Service3.6
Features4.2
Value for Money3.7
Likelihood to Recommend89%

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Comparison of patch management software solutions for MSPs (G2)

CategoryNinjaOneGoTo ResolveDattoAteraN-able N-centralKaseya VSA
Overall4.7 out of 5 (1,205)4.4 out of 5 (436)4.5 out of 5 (537)4.6 out of 5 (583)4.3 out of 5 (328)4.0 out of 5 (290)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?9.68.89.09.38.47.5
Quality of Support9.48.78.39.17.67.2
Ease of Admin9.38.98.99.07.87.7
Ease of Use9.39.08.89.37.87.5

Comparison of patch management software solutions for MSPs (Capterra)

CategoryNinjaOneGoTo ResolveDattoAteraN-able N-centralKaseya VSA
Overall4.8 out of 5 (212)4.4 out of 5 (198)4.2 out of 5 (25)4.6 out of 5 (373)3.9 out of 5 (48)4.1 out of 5 (199)
Ease of Use4.84.54.04.63.53.6
Customer Service4.84.13.94.53.23.6
Features4.54.34.14.34.04.2
Value for Money4.74.33.94.63.63.7
Likelihood to Recommend93%85%78%78%70%89%
 

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

CategoryNinjaOne RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.7 out of 5 (1,205) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?9.69.1
Quality of Support9.48.8
Ease of Admin9.38.8
Ease of Use9.38.8

NinjaOne reviews on Capterra

CategoryNinjaOne Rating
Overall4.8 out of 5 (212)
Ease of Use4.8
Customer Service4.8
Features4.5
Value for Money4.7
Likelihood to Recommend93%

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2. Microsoft Intune

Microsoft InTune offers cloud-based endpoint management with comprehensive support for Microsoft product integration. Intune allows managed service providers (MSPs) and IT teams to set up laptops and mobile devices, manage corporate devices, and enforce security policies. It offers features such as app management, data protection, device configuration, and software updates, all from a single cloud-based platform. With Intune, customers can remotely secure their data and ensure device compliance with company security policies.

Microsoft Intune reviews on G2

CategoryIntune RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.5 out of 5 (198) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?8.98.7
Quality of Support8.48.6
Ease of Setup8.68.6
Ease of Use8.68.7

Microsoft Intune reviews on Capterra

CategoryIntune Rating
Overall4.6 out of 5 (33)
Ease of Use4.4
Customer Service3.8
Features4.5
Value for Money4.2
Likelihood to Recommend87%

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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

CategoryManageEngine RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.4 out of 5 (155) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?8.88.9
Quality of Support8.38.6
Ease of Admin8.78.9
Ease of Use8.68.6

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus reviews on Capterra

CategoryManageEngine Patch Manager Plus Rating
Overall4.6 out of 5 (307)
Ease of Use4.4
Customer Service4.5
Features4.5
Value for Money4.6
Likelihood to Recommend86%

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4. Pulseway

Pulseway is a remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform that provides IT Teams and MSPs with real-time data on devices, servers, VMs, and networks. Technicians can utilize Pulseway’s automation to push out regular patch updates, multi-level auto-remediation workflows, and generate custom reports. Remote control and remediation make it easy to resolve any issues.

Pulseway reviews on G2

CategoryPulseway RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.5 out of 5 (57) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?9.08.9
Quality of Support8.58.6
Ease of Admin9.08.9
Ease of Use9.28.6

Pulseway reviews on Capterra

CategoryPulseway Rating
Overall4.7 out of 5 (182)
Ease of Use4.7
Customer Service4.7
Features4.5
Value for Money4.7
Likelihood to Recommend90%

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5. Automox

Automox is a cloud-native endpoint management solution that offers automated patch management and configuration of endpoints across multiple OS. Automox provides managed service providers (MSPs) and IT teams visibility of all endpoints. It allows organizations to automate software patch deployment, create custom scripts for Windows, MacOS, and Linux endpoints, and support third-party software.

Automox reviews on G2

CategoryAutomox RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.5 out of 5 (77) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?9.48.9
Quality of Support9.08.6
Ease of Admin9.08.9
Ease of Use9.18.6

Automox reviews on Capterra

CategoryAutomox Rating
Overall4.8 out of 5 (74)
Ease of Use4.8
Customer Service4.8
Features4.5
Value for Money4.8
Likelihood to Recommend93%

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6. Solarwinds Patch Manager

Solarwinds patch operating systems and software on Windows servers.

Solarwinds Patch Manager reviews on G2

CategorySolarwinds RatingAverage Rating
Overall4.0 out of 5 (54) 
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?7.98.9
Quality of Support7.88.6
Ease of Admin8.28.6
Ease of Use7.68.9

Solarwinds Patch Manager reviews on Capterra

CategorySolarwinds Rating
Overall4.3 out of 5 (18)
Ease of Use3.7
Customer Service4.4
Features4.3
Value for Money4.2
Likelihood to Recommend71%
 

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

CategoryNinjaOneMicrosoft IntuneManageEnginePulsewaySolarwindsAutomox
Overall4.7 out of 5 (1,205)4.5 out of 5 (198)4.4 out of 5 (155)4.5 out of 5 (57)4.0 out of 5 (54)4.5 out of 5 (77)
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?9.68.98.89.07.99.4
Quality of Support9.48.48.38.57.89.0
Ease of Admin9.38.68.79.08.29.0
Ease of Use9.38.68.69.27.69.1

Data from G2 published in Summer 2024.

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

CategoryNinjaOneMicrosoft IntuneManageEnginePulsewaySolarwindsAutomox
Overall4.8 out of 5 (212)4.6 out of 5 (33)4.6 out of 5 (307)4.7 out of 5 (182)4.3 out of 5 (18)4.8 out of 5 (71)
Ease of Use4.84.44.64.73.74.8
Customer Service4.83.84.54.74.44.8
Features4.54.54.54.54.34.5
Value for Money4.74.24.64.74.24.8
Likelihood to Recommend93%87%86%90%71%93%

Data from Capterra published in Summer 2024.

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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 the likelihood of a 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.

VendorFinal ScoreSummary
NinjaOne2.174A 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.
Atera1.666Performs 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.
GoTo Resolve1.312Offers a balanced performance across most metrics, and its high number of reviews indicates a fairly reliable solution.
Datto1.243Offers a moderate overall rating but needs improvement in ease of use. A decent number of reviews adds some credibility.
ManageEngine1.133A robust solution known for its ease of admin and overall value. The high number of reviews adds weight to its already strong performance.
Kaseya VSA1.124Lower 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-central1.004Similar to Kaseya VSA, this vendor falls short in overall ratings and likelihood to recommend.
Pulseway0.968A 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.
Microsoft Intune0.940Known for its features but falls short in ease of use and support. A moderate number of reviews adds some weight to its score.
Automox0.897Scores 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.
Solarwinds0.696Ranks 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

Building an efficient and effective IT team requires a centralized solution that acts as your core service deliver tool. NinjaOne enables IT teams to monitor, manage, secure, and support all their devices, wherever they are, without the need for complex on-premises infrastructure.

Learn more about NinjaOne Endpoint Management, check out a live tour, or start your free trial of the NinjaOne platform.

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