ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

Overview

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is a patch-management service for organizations that need to find, deploy, and track updates across Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints. It is most compelling for teams that want third-party application patching alongside operating-system updates; check the edition before buying if automated testing or WAN distribution is essential.

Cloud and on-premises options make it usable across different deployment preferences, while the stated operating-system patching scope remains focused on desktop platforms. Its broad patch workflow is useful for teams that need visibility as well as deployment, but Professional has meaningful feature exclusions.

Key features

Patch workflow and application coverage

The product automates scanning, assessment, deployment, and reporting, and supports patches for more than 1,100 third-party applications, including Adobe, Java, and WinRAR. That breadth can reduce the work of managing common applications separately from operating-system updates. Scheduled deployment and scheduled reboot controls help administrators coordinate rollout timing.

Testing, reporting, and integrations

Administrators can create test groups, test patches, and automatically approve patches for production. That staged workflow is a meaningful safeguard for teams that want to validate updates before broad deployment, but automated testing and approval are not available in Professional; they are shown in Enterprise and Free.

Real-time audits and reports cover patch compliance and endpoint patch status, giving IT teams a way to monitor rollout progress. Integrations span vulnerability detection and remediation, endpoint SLA management, analytics, IT asset visibility, and SIEM audit-log forwarding, with API access for connected workflows.

Security and data control

Security controls include SAML single sign-on, two-factor authentication, role-based access control, HTTPS transport, and AES-256 encryption for sensitive database data. With on-premises deployment, customer data and the product database reside in the customer's own environment, which may suit organizations that require local data control.

Pricing

The Free edition costs 0.00 USD per free and is aimed at small businesses, with a cap of 20 workstations and 5 servers. It is a practical starting point for a small estate, but those caps make it unsuitable for larger deployments.

Cloud monthly plans cover 50 computers and 1 technician: Professional is 34.50 USD per month, while Enterprise is 44.50 USD per month. Annual cloud pricing for the same stated capacity is 345.00 USD per year for Professional and 445.00 USD per year for Enterprise. Professional on-premises costs 245.00 USD per year or 735.00 USD per once; Enterprise on-premises costs 345.00 USD per year or 1185.00 USD per once. Each paid plan is stated for 50 computers and 1 technician.

Professional is the lower-cost fit when its feature set is sufficient, but it excludes antivirus definition updates, driver and BIOS updates, and automated patch testing and approval. Enterprise includes those capabilities and adds distribution server support for bandwidth optimization, making it the stronger fit for WAN patching. A 30-day free trial requires no credit card.

Platforms

Patch management is supported for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The product is offered in cloud and self-hosted forms; the stated platform list also includes Android, iOS, API, and web.

Who it's for

Patch Manager Plus suits small businesses that fit within the Free edition caps and IT teams managing a larger mix of operating-system and third-party application updates. Enterprise is the better match when automated patch testing, driver or BIOS updates, antivirus definitions, or WAN distribution servers matter. Teams seeking only a low-cost paid tier should weigh Professional's exclusions against its lower price.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Patch coverage for more than 1,100 third-party applications can consolidate routine application updates with operating-system patching.
• Pros: Real-time compliance and endpoint-status reporting gives administrators visibility into rollout progress.
• Pros: On-premises data residency and multiple access controls support organizations with local-control and account-security requirements.
• Cons: Free edition capacity is limited to 20 workstations and 5 servers, so growing teams will need a paid plan.
• Cons: Professional excludes automated testing and approval, antivirus definitions, and driver and BIOS updates.
• Cons: WAN distribution server support is an Enterprise feature, so distributed environments may need the higher tier.

Alternatives

For a different approach to endpoint and software management, compare FileWave, Open Computer Orchestration, OPSI, EMCO Remote Installer, Fleet, Pckgr RMM, WAPT, and baramundi Management Suite.

FileWave may suit teams considering a free edition capped at 15 computers, 15 tablets, and 15 Chrome devices. Open Computer Orchestration offers a free tier for 20 managed devices. OPSI's Community edition is free with unlimited devices, core features, and one worker process. EMCO Remote Installer's Free Edition is limited to five remote PCs at a time and five packages per multi-step deployment. Fleet may appeal to readers seeking a product whose source code is public and whose free version is stated to remain free. Pckgr RMM's Pro plan starts at 10.00 USD per month, then adds 1 USD per additional device per month. WAPT Enterprise is an alternative for software and OS deployment, Windows updates, and hardware/software audits. baramundi Management Suite as a Service is a hosted SaaS option billed monthly per client.

Verdict

Choose ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus if you need one workflow for patch deployment, third-party application updates, and compliance visibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its Free edition makes small estates accessible, and Enterprise adds the testing and WAN tools larger teams may need. Look elsewhere if Professional's exclusions conflict with your rollout requirements or if your endpoint count exceeds the free cap and the paid capacity does not fit.