The Top 10 Patch Management Solutions For Windows

Heimdal’s Patch and Asset Management solution offers comprehensive, cloud-based patch managing that permits centralized oversight of system and application updates. This solution preserves comprehensive compliance and generates audit trail records, thus acting as a double assurance of security and transparency.

Who its for: Heimdal’s Patch and Asset Management solution is a prime choice for businesses seeking a streamlined approach to patch and asset management systems.

What we like: While useful across multiple sectors, organizations with high compliance needs will particularly benefit from this solution.

• Heimdal supports operating systems and third-party patching for Windows, macOS, and Linux, covering over 350 applications.
• It allows businesses to customize patching and update schedules to suit their operational timetable.
• It enables IT professionals to install, deploy, and apply security and non-security updates on any system promptly, irrespective of location.
• They offer patch sandboxing, wherein new patches from vendors are checked by Heimdal and made available within a tight 4-hour window. This ensures the quick and secure deployment of updates.

 The bottom line: Considering its features and adaptability, Heimdal’s Patch and Asset Management solution is highly applicable for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) who need an efficient, customizable, and prompt patch management system.

• Heimdal Security, which was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a growing cybersecurity company with solutions deployed in over 45 countries.

NinjaOne Patch Management is a comprehensive cloud-based solution for patch management, encompassing various endpoints through a deployed agent.

Who it’s for: NinjaOne’s platform is an ideal choice for organizations that are in pursuit of an all-in-one endpoint management solution. Its seamless operation and comprehensive feature list make it an excellent choice for robust and efficient patch management.

What we like: This is a cloud-native platform that stands out for the versatility it offers, allowing compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux systems without necessitating a company network, domain, or VPN.

• The NinjaOne solution boasts an array of tools such as a built-in remote terminal, registry editor, and remote access aid designed to remediate patching and device dilemmas.
• Its easy-to-navigate dashboard facilitates swift visualization of patch status across all endpoints.
• NinjaOne provides full reins over aspects such as scanning and updating schedules, reboot options, and more.
• The automatic patch approval settings for each patch type and criticality to streamline the process.

The bottom line: IT teams can more effectively automate their patch management workflows with NinjaOne, making it easier to protect endpoints and maintain security. The generated reports on failed patch deployments, acknowledged endpoint vulnerabilities, and overall patch compliance status help to ensure optimal functionality.

• NinjaOne, formally NinjaRMM, was founded in 2012 with the aim of addressing the growing need for more simplified remote monitoring and management.

ESET Vulnerability & Patch Management is a specialized segment of ESET Protect, designed to improve IT processes by offering superior patch management features through one centralized console.

Who its for: ESET Vulnerability & Patch Management is recommended for businesses seeking to boost their cybersecurity posture while simplifying their IT operations, as well as those that value flexibility.

What we like: This solution is particularly valuable to organizations grappling with complex IT processes and patch management challenges. This product excels in its broad compatibility, covering Windows, Linux, and MacOS.

• It is adept at identifying over 35,000 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), allowing prioritization of vulnerabilities based on severity
• Lets users choose between automatic or manual patching thanks to ESET’s comprehensive patch inventory
• Offers a unified view across all endpoints and the flexibility to configure maintenance windows and manage patching to fit your specific expectations
• Allows users to set up maintenance windows and manage patching according to their specific needs.

The bottom line: ESET Vulnerability & Patch Management is ideal for businesses keen on streamlining complicated IT processes and ensuring strict vulnerability management. Its wide range of features accommodates various operating environments and satisfies a broad spectrum of patching requirements, making it a versatile tool for many organizations.

• ESET is a leading endpoint security and management provider, founded in 1992, that supports millions of customers and hundreds of thousands or enterprises worldwide.

Action1 is a cloud-based endpoint management solution offering both patch and vulnerability management. The platform also allows customization of the patching schedule to comply with specific patching policy requirements.

Who it’s for: Due to its robustness and scalability, Action1 is especially suited for larger enterprises. This flexible platform is compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems and supports a wide selection of third-party applications.

What we like: Action1 is a reliable choice for organizations looking for a comprehensive, efficient, and secure approach to endpoint and patch management.

• Provides rapid configuration, with setup achievable in just five minutes
• It automates the patching of numerous software titles, providing real-time progress status—even for offline endpoints
• Supports endpoints not on a corporate network, disconnected from a company VPN, or not joined to a domain
• Vulnerability detection capabilities that help with identifying issues in real-time in both operating systems and applications.

The bottom line: Action1 enhances endpoint security and management through its user-friendly, real-time capabilities. For remediation, it utilizes integrated tools to handle vulnerabilities swiftly and competently. For meticulous control, it offers a facility to test and approve patches before release.

• Action1 is an autonomous endpoint management platform founded in 2018 and headquartered in Huston, TX.

Atera is a comprehensive IT management solution offering patch management and IT automation features designed for efficiency. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, further enhancing its usability.

Who is it for: With its straightforward interface, Atera is an excellent choice for organizations seeking automation capabilities without compromising control over IT systems. Specifically, those with a need for efficient and effective patch management will find Atera to be particularly beneficial.

What we like: This platform enables users to streamline operations and maintain updated systems without any disturbance to business processes.

• Its reporting capabilities offer in-depth insights into the patching posture, also allowing for patch installation directly
• Regular schedules for updates can be set, ensuring complete flexibility and control, avoiding unplanned downtime
• Atera offers Software Bundles, enabling automated execution of repetitive tasks like new user onboarding

The bottom line: The platform also provides prompt notifications about available patches for managed devices, ensuring systems stay secure. IT also allows users to immediately spot if a patch was not updated as intended, facilitating quick corrections. We especially recommend Atera to those wanting to keep their systems up-to-date without business interruption.

• Atera was founded in 2011 and serves more than 12,000 users across 120 countries.

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus presents a comprehensive patch management solution that offers support for both on-premise and cloud deployment. The compatibility extends across Windows, MacOS, and Linux, offering an extensive coverage of over 950 third-party updates across a spectrum of 850+ third party applications.

Who it’s for: This product is particularly suited for organizations that require wide-ranging application support. We suggest ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus for any large-scale business in need of a comprehensive, versatile, and reliable patch management system.

What we like: This is an all-encompassing patch management solution, flexible for both on-premises and cloud deployment.

• This solution includes pre-built update packages that have been tested and readily deployed
• It automates every stage of patch management, ranging from scanning, evaluation, deployment, and reporting
• It allows for the customization of patch deployment policies, thereby tailoring a selection that meets the organization’s unique business requirements

The bottom line:  Patch Manager Plus offers greater insight into patch compliance and the patch status of endpoints, thanks to its flexible and real-time audits and reporting functionalities. Additionally, the capability to manually test and approve patches prior to deployment gives the additional assurance of their compatibility.

• ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corporation, provides comprehensive IT management software designed to support organizations on optimizing and integrating their IT processes. Founded in 1996.

Microsoft Intune is a robust endpoint security and device management solution provided directly by Microsoft. This cloud-based software can manage and secure a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, making it especially versatile in a multi-device business environment.

Who it’s for: Microsoft Intune is an excellent choice for existing Microsoft 365 customers looking to enhance their endpoint security and device management.

What we like: Microsoft Intune’s extensive features, ease of use and integration with existing Microsoft products make it a standout choice.

• Intune include an enterprise app catalog that allows users to search, deploy, and update apps directly from the console. This includes both Microsoft and non-Microsoft applications, ensuring comprehensive coverage
• If a security vulnerability is detected, Intune allows administrators to swiftly mitigate risk and deploy necessary fixes, enhancing your organization’s security posture
• The built-in automatic cyber-threat detection and remediation function provides additional layers of protection
• Intune’s endpoint analytics capability showcases app and device health scores, providing effective recommendations for improvement

The bottom line: As a Microsoft-backed offering, Intune ensures a seamless interface with existing Microsoft applications and provides strong endpoint security. Its robust features make it a solid choice for businesses seeking an efficient, integrated IT and security solution.

• Founded in 1975, Microsoft is a multinational computer technology company known for its market-leading Windows operating systems, Microsoft 365 productivity suite, Azure cloud computing platform, and Edge web browser.

Patch My PC is a refined platform designed to manage and deploy thousands of third-party updates for Windows workstations, whether they are based on-premises or in the cloud. Its architecture is primed to blend smoothly with management platforms such as Intune and SCCM.

Who it’s for: This solution is good for organizations operating an exclusively Windows environment, particularly those with IT teams already stretched thin.

What we like: This efficient, reliable solution provides the support necessary to ensure all workstations are updated promptly and correctly.

• The solution boasts of real-time tracking for new software releases and updates
• It extends vast customization provisions to match the updates and deployment processes as per your unique requirements
• Patch My PC offers crucial information on vulnerabilities or CVEs related to the updates, helping IT teams to prioritize critical patches
• It can autonomously publish updates following a pre-set schedule and spontaneously deploy updates grounded on their severity.

The bottom line: What sets Patch My PC apart is its responsive team that rigorously tests and rolls out new updates within 24 hours of release. This is a robust, efficient and seamless update management system tailor-made for Windows-based organizations.

• Patch My PC is a Colorado-based company founded in 2011. They are a cybersecurity provider focused on application and patch management for home users and enterprises with over 7,000 organizations currently utilizing their solution.

PDQ provides a solution suite designed for Windows devices that streamlines patch management through PDQ Deploy & Inventory and PDQ Connect. The recognition of both on-premises and cloud-deployed environments ensures a flexible utilization of these resources.

Who it’s for: With its tailored design and comprehensive range of features, we recommend PDQ for organizations that need an automated patch management solution with a flexible deployment model.

What we like: Key strengths of PDQ’s solutions are the suitability for Windows devices, silent installation of ready-made applications, or option to create custom packages.

• PDQ Deploy & Inventory offers an agentless design, which automatically syncs with Active Directory, enabling seamless access to on-site device data
• This system allows for custom-built deployments and automatic updates scheduling on targeted units or machine groups, and also lets users draw from a library of ready-to-deploy applications
• PDQ Connect is an agent-based solution integrating with Microsoft Entra ID. It provides a continuously updated view of current device vulnerabilities, categorized by severity and risk to ensure threat prioritization
• In addition to automation of patches and updates to specified devices or groups, it allows real-time access to device data and customized reports scheduling

The bottom line: The PDQ Patch Management Solutions offer both on-premises and cloud-based deployment options. With these solutions, businesses can enhance their security posture by proactively managing software updates, easily deploying new applications, and monitoring devices in real time.

• PDQ was founded in 2001 and delivers management tools to more that 25,000 customers globally, offering a suite of on-prem and (more recently) cloud-based device management tools.

SuperOps is a unified PSA and RMM tool that incorporates versatile patch management capabilities. The platform facilitates both operating system patching and software management across Windows and macOS environments.

Who it’s for: Suitable for both IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs), SuperOps streamlines patch management and augments efficiency, thereby enhancing overall cybersecurity posture.

What we like: SuperOps facilitates streamlined patch management with enhanced visibility and control, making it an extremely valuable asset for IT teams and MSPs aiming to improve their service efficiency and security.

• They provide real-time deployment of vital patches, as well as management and installation of third-party software on Windows devices using the Chocolatey and Winget repositories
• users can update or eliminate pre-installed software and manage Microsoft store apps within the SuperOps platform itself
• SuperOps allows users to establish granular patch management policies from a centralized interface
• It offers an option to configure a patch installation window, manually bypass patch approval if necessary, and awaken dormant devices for critical updates

The bottom line: SuperOps can provide a snapshot of patch and reboot statuses for all assets and perform single-click actions with interactive patch reports. It also allows users to access proven scripts from the SuperOps community. This tool is well suited to both IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs).

• Since its founding in 2020, SuperOps has managed to raise $29.4m in funding, which was then invested into its SaaS, AI-powered PSA and RMM platform for MSPs.