1. What is patch management software, and why is it important?

Patch management software is a type of management software that helps IT teams and security teams identify, acquire, test, and deploy patches and software updates across multiple operating systems, such as Windows Server, Linux devices, and macOS.An effective patch management solution provides a centralized dashboard, real-time visibility, and automated patching to close security gaps and address known vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. By automating the patching process, organizations reduce human error, ensure timely updates for critical patches and security patches, and maintain compliance status.Patch management software is essential because it safeguards sensitive information, supports network security, and improves software functionality across all devices. Whether you manage a few Windows apps in a small business or critical updates across large networks and cloud servers, using the best patch management software allows you to deploy patches efficiently, prevent missing patches, and maintain business value.

2. What are the key features to look for in patch management tools?

When comparing patch management tools, businesses should focus on how well each solution simplifies the patch management process and supports multiple operating systems. A strong solution will provide real-time visibility into patch status, update status, and compliance status, giving security teams a comprehensive view of software vulnerabilities across devices.Look for management software that combines automated patch management with flexible scheduling, allowing you to deploy patches and software updates without disrupting users. The best patch management software also makes it easy to monitor third-party applications, generate compliance reports, and maintain a single console for remote monitoring. Tools such as ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus or SolarWinds Patch Manager demonstrate how patch automation can improve network security and prevent missing patches across Windows apps, Linux devices, and cloud servers.

3. How do businesses choose the best patch management software for their needs?

Choosing the best patch management software starts with understanding the organization’s operating systems, security requirements, and patch management operations. For small businesses, a simple tool or free version that can handle software updates and critical patches may be enough. Larger enterprises or MSPs managing large networks often need a single platform with advanced patch automation, centralized dashboards, and automated deployment features to maintain complete control over devices.A good patch manager should make the patching process seamless, reducing human error and closing security gaps with timely updates. Companies should also evaluate whether the solution offers detailed reports, compliance reports, and multi-platform support so security teams can easily demonstrate compliance and respond quickly to new patches. Comparing options such as Automox, SolarWinds Patch Manager, or ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus helps IT teams select software that delivers business value, protects sensitive information, and improves software functionality across multiple operating systems.

Enterprise Software RMM

Top 12 Patch Management Software Including NinjaOne

Cem Dilmegani

updated on Jan 29, 2026

See our ethical norms

Unpatched systems are low-hanging fruit for attackers. A single outdated server or forgotten workstation becomes an entry point. Patch management software automates the process of finding, testing, and deploying updates before vulnerabilities turn into breaches.

We analyzed the leading patch management solutions based on features, user reviews, and pricing.
Additionally, we benchmarked three platforms: NinjaOne, Acronis, and ManageEngine Desktop Central by deploying them to identical test servers.

Patch Management Benchmark

We installed NinjaOne, Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, and ManageEngine Desktop Central on identical test servers to compare patch detection, deployment workflows, and management capabilities in real-world conditions.

Test Environment

We provisioned 7 EC2 instances across 6 AWS regions to represent a distributed corporate environment:

Windows Servers (3 instances):

Instance type: c5.xlarge (4 vCPU, 8GB RAM)
Storage: 100GB gp3 (3,000 IOPS, 125MB/s throughput)
OS: Windows Server 2025 Base
Regions: Ireland (eu-west-1), Ohio (us-east-2), Seoul (ap-northeast-2)

Linux Servers (3 instances):

Instance type: c5.xlarge (4 vCPU, 8GB RAM)
Storage: 100GB gp3 (3,000 IOPS, 125MB/s throughput)
OS: Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS (HVM)
Regions: São Paulo (sa-east-1), North California (us-west-1), Canada (ca-central-1)

macOS Server (1 instance):

Instance type: mac1.metal (12-core Intel Xeon, 32GB RAM)
Storage: 100GB gp3 (3,000 IOPS, 125MB/s throughput)
OS: macOS Sequoia
Region: Mumbai (ap-south-1)

We deployed across 6 AWS regions to test how geographic distance between vendor management servers and endpoints affects performance. Agent communication, patch downloads, and deployment speed all depend on network latency. A vendor with poor CDN coverage or limited regional infrastructure will show degraded performance in distant regions.

Agent Deployment

Before testing patch management, we had to install agents on all 7 servers. The deployment experience varied dramatically:

1. NinjaOne (Excellent – Very Easy)

Sub-2-second installation on Windows and Linux
Copyable download URLs (paste directly into remote servers)
Pre-authorized installer tokens (devices registered automatically)
Zero manual configuration steps
macOS registration issue on first attempt (worked on second try)

2. ManageEngine (Moderate – Some Issues)

20-second Windows installation with CAPTCHA and wizard clicks
Linux: 5-second execution but session-locked URLs forced manual SCP file transfers (added 5-10 minutes per server)
macOS: smooth installation with clear completion message
Installation instructions hidden inside the README file (not displayed on the download page)

3. Acronis (Difficult – Problematic)

Windows: 3-5 minutes per server with mandatory per-device web registration
Linux: 15-20 minutes with multiple failures:
- 1GB installer size
- Missing dependency detection failures
- Required manual installation of build tools (GCC, make, build-essential)
- Single-threaded processing at 100% CPU (one core maxed, three idle)
- Cryptic error messages
macOS: 50+ minutes in Mumbai due to slow CDN (588MB download took 45 minutes)
Generic installer requiring manual web registration for each device (no pre-authorized tokens)

The agent deployment experience foreshadowed the quality of patch management. NinjaOne’s instant deployment reflected its streamlined interface. Acronis’s problematic Linux installation suggested complexity in other areas as well. ManageEngine fell in the middlefunctional but requiring more manual steps.

Patch Management Testing Methodology

After successfully deploying agents, we tested:

Patch Detection Accuracy: Which patches did each platform identify on identical servers?
Deployment Workflows: How many clicks to install patches? Can you bulk-install, or must you approve individually?
Restart Control: What scheduling options exist for required reboots?
Patch Information: Does the platform show severity ratings, stability indicators, or just patch names?
Multi-Device Capabilities: Can you deploy patches to multiple servers simultaneously?

1. NinjaOne Patch Management

While exploring the device settings, we noticed OS patching was disabled by default. This conservative approach makes sense; automatic patching can break production systems if not configured properly. NinjaOne requires explicit enablement before touching any system updates.

Flipping the switch to enable patching added a new “Patching” tab to the device interface.

OS Patching

Clicking into the Patching tab revealed an immediate surprise: a pending OS patch was already waiting.

The patch details showed:

Update name: Update for Windows Security platform – KB5007651 (Version 10.0.29429.1000)
Category: Definition updates
Release date: 10/14/2025
Reboot required: No
Source: Windows Server Policy

Software Patching

Shortly after handling the OS patch, a software update appeared. The notification showed up in two places simultaneously: a badge on the dashboard and a new entry in the Patching section.

When we clicked the options menu, three choices appeared:

1. Approve for this device: Install only on this machine

2. Approve for policies: Deploy to all devices using this policy

3. Reject: Decline the patch

When we clicked the options menu, three choices appeared:

Approve for this device – Install only on this machine
Approve for policies – Deploy to all devices using this policy
Reject – Decline the patch

Dual-Path Approval System

This dual-path approach handles different scenarios. Testing a patch on one system first? Use device-specific approval. Rolling out a verified patch across our entire environment? Use policy-based approval to hit every machine at once.

We approved the Edge update only for the SEOUL device. The patch was applied there, but didn’t touch CALIFORNIA, MUMBAI, or any other systems. Device-specific approvals stay isolated as intended, with no unexpected deployments to other machines.

Vulnerabilities Tab

The Vulnerabilities tab displays known security issues in the operating system and installed software packages. The interface shows CVE identifiers, severity ratings (critical, high, medium, low), affected components, and available patches or remediations.

During testing, this tab showed “No vulnerabilities” because the test devices were freshly patched. In production environments, we see:

Outdated packages with known exploits
Missing security updates
Software versions with published CVEs
Recommended remediation actions

We can filter vulnerabilities by:

Severity level (show only critical and high-risk issues)
CVE ID (search for specific vulnerabilities)
Software affected (see all issues in a particular application)
Remediation status (patched vs. still vulnerable)

This centralized vulnerability view eliminates the need for separate security scanning tools. Instead of running Nessus or OpenVAS scans, we check the Vulnerabilities tab to see what needs attention. The information comes from NinjaOne’s vulnerability database, which tracks CVEs and maps them to installed software versions.

2. Acronis Patch Management

Clicking into the Patches tab immediately revealed a significant difference from NinjaOne: dozens of available patches appeared in the list.

This isn’t a minor discrepancy. We’re looking at the same Windows Server installation, checked on the same day, through two different RMM platforms. One platform sees no work to do. The other platform identifies significant patching needs.

For security compliance and vulnerability management, this gap matters. If your RMM tool doesn’t detect available patches, you can’t deploy them. You’re left with unpatched systems even though fixes exist in Windows Update.

The patch list includes columns we didn’t see in NinjaOne:

Severity Rating: Each patch shows its security classification – Critical, Important, Moderate, or Low. This is based on Microsoft’s severity ratings and helps prioritize deployment. Critical security updates get handled before low-priority feature additions.

Stability Indicator: This column shows whether a patch has known issues or is considered stable. Some patches ship with bugs that break functionality or cause compatibility problems. The stability rating helps prevent the deployment of problematic updates until Microsoft releases fixes.

During our review, most patches showed “Stable” status. A few displayed different indicators, suggesting Acronis tracks patch quality through telemetry or Microsoft’s patch metadata.

Patch Details: Each entry shows the KB number, release date, whether a restart is required, affected components, and installation status.

Restart Configuration – Granular Control

Clicking into the restart options opened deployment controls that exceeded what we saw in NinjaOne.

The available restart policies:

Restart immediately after installation: Apply patches and reboot right away
Restart at a specific time: Schedule the reboot for maintenance windows
Restart only if required: Skip reboots for patches that don’t need them
Never restart automatically: Apply patches but leave restart timing to manual control

We selected “Restart only if required” and clicked “Install all patches.”

This tells Acronis: install all pending patches, then restart the server only if one or more patches require it. Definition updates and minor patches that work without reboots won’t trigger unnecessary downtime.

3. ManageEngine Desktop Central Patch Management

ManageEngine Desktop Central provides a dedicated “Threats & Patches” section accessible from the main header menu. This centralized view displays patch statistics across all managed servers, allowing administrators to see the overall patch compliance status of their entire infrastructure at a glance.

Device-Level Patch Management

When accessing an individual server (such as the IRELAND server in our testing), patch management functionality is available through multiple access points:

Security Tab – Patch Visibility

The Security tab provides immediate visibility into missing patches. This feature is available in ManageEngine Desktop Central, but was absent in NinjaOne during our testing. The interface displays:

List of missing security updates
Patch severity levels
Available patches are ready for deployment

However, we found that patches could not be installed directly from the Security tab. The installation functionality is located elsewhere in the interface.

From the server detail page, the Actions button in the top-right corner provides quick access to patch operations:

Available patch-related actions include:

Patch Scan: Initiates an immediate scan for missing patches
Asset Scan: Performs a comprehensive inventory scan

We tested the Patch Scan function, which immediately initiated a scan of the server to identify missing updates.

System Manager – Patch Details

The primary patch installation interface is accessed through the System Manager menu under “Patch Details.”

Patch Installation Interface

After running a patch scan, the Patch Details menu displays all missing patches with the following capabilities:

Complete list of available patches
Patch selection (individual or bulk selection)
Installation options

Installation Configuration

When selecting patches for installation, ManageEngine Desktop Central doesn’t immediately apply them. Instead, it presents a configuration screen with deployment options:

Configuration options include:

Scheduling: When to install the patches (immediate or scheduled)
Restart behavior: How to handle required reboots
Target selection: Deploy to individual devices or multiple servers simultaneously

This configuration-first approach provides granular control over patch deployment, similar to the policy-based deployment we saw in NinjaOne.

Multi-Device Deployment

ManageEngine Desktop Central supports targeting multiple servers in a single patch deployment task. Rather than deploying patches device-by-device, administrators can:

Select multiple target servers
Define deployment schedules
Configure restart policies
Deploy patches across the entire fleet in one operation

This bulk deployment capability is essential for efficiently managing large server infrastructures.

Patch Management Comparison

Choose NinjaOne if:

You manage under 100 servers
You prefer the simplest possible interface
You test patches individually before fleet deployment
Individual patch review matters more than bulk deployment speed
Your patching workflow emphasizes control over speed

Choose Acronis if:

You need comprehensive patch detection for compliance
Severity ratings and stability indicators matter for prioritization
You manage hundreds of servers requiring bulk operations
Granular restart scheduling is critical for uptime requirements
Security-focused industries requiring audit-ready patch coverage

Choose ManageEngine if:

You want patch visibility integrated into security reviews
Configuration-first workflows match your deployment preferences
Quick access to patch scanning from device detail pages matters
Multi-device targeting for fleet-wide deployments is essential
Centralized dashboard for infrastructure-wide patch compliance

Summarize This Research

Feature comparison

See definitions for the common and differentiating features.

User ratings & Pricing

*Based on the total number of reviews and average ratings (on a 5-point scale) from leading software review platforms.

See vendor selection criteria.

Top 12 software analyzed

1. NinjaOne Patch Management

NinjaOne patches Windows, macOS, and Linux from a single console. The system scans endpoints, identifies missing patches, and deploys them automatically or on a schedule you define.

Cross-platform coverage without separate tools. Most patch managers handle Windows well but struggle with Linux and macOS. NinjaOne treats all three equally.

Automation details: Set approval rules once. Critical security patches deploy automatically. Feature updates wait for manual approval. The system generates deployment logs for compliance audits, which are helpful when regulators ask, “Show me proof you patched CVE-2024-XXXX.”

Pricing: Pay-per-endpoint model:

10,000+ endpoints: $1.50/month per device
50 or fewer endpoints: $3.75/month per device
Volume-based pricing in between

See NinjaOne’s interactive demo of autonomous patch management.

2. SolarWinds Patch Manager

SolarWinds Patch Manager integrates with the broader SolarWinds ecosystem (Network Performance Monitor, Server & Application Monitor, etc.).

Patch capabilities: Automated patching for Windows servers and workstations. WSUS integration extends Microsoft’s native patching with better reporting and control.

Enterprise focus: Handles thousands of endpoints across multiple sites. Detailed reporting shows patch compliance by department, location, or device type, useful for enterprise IT and compliance teams.

3. Atera

Atera bundles patch management with RMM, remote desktop, ticketing, and network discovery. IT teams get everything in one platform, eliminating the need to juggle multiple tools.

Patch management approach: Automated scanning identifies missing patches across Windows and third-party applications. Deploy patches individually or in batches. Schedule deployments during maintenance windows to avoid disrupting users.

4. Datto RMM

Datto combines RMM, patch management, PSA, and backup into a single platform. Acquired by Kaseya in 2022, it continues operating as a standalone product.

Patch capabilities: Automated patch deployment for Windows OS and applications. Integration with backup means you can snapshot systems before major updates, so you can roll back if patches break something.

MSP focus: Built for managed service providers. Multi-tenant architecture lets you manage multiple clients from a single console while keeping their data separate.

5. Patch My PC

Patch My PC specializes in third-party application updates for Microsoft environments (Configuration Manager and Intune). It doesn’t replace your OS patching it completes it.

What it patches: 300+ third-party applications: Adobe Reader, Chrome, Firefox, Zoom, Slack, 7-Zip, VLC, and more. These applications don’t get patched by Windows Update, creating gaps in your security posture.

How it works: Integrates directly with ConfigMgr or Intune. New application versions are automatically deployed as deployable packages. No manual downloading, packaging, or testing required.

6. N-able N-central

N-central provides RMM with built-in patch management, backup, and automation. The platform targets MSPs and internal IT teams managing distributed infrastructure.

Patch management features: Automated scanning and deployment for Windows, macOS, and over 200 third-party applications. Patch approvals can be delegated to different teams, let help desk approve Chrome updates while security reviews OS patches.

Automation engine: Create scripts that run before or after patches. For example: stop a service, apply a patch, restart the service, verify the service is running, and send a notification.

7. LogMeIn Resolve

Previously called GoTo Resolve, this platform combines patch management with remote support, ticketing, and remote access.

Patch approach: Automated patch deployment for Windows and major applications. The system prioritizes critical security updates and lets you defer feature updates.

8. Kaseya VSA

Kaseya’s Virtual System Administrator (VSA) offers cloud-based RMM with patch management, security, and automation capabilities.

Patch capabilities: Windows OS patches, third-party applications, and driver updates. The system can patch offline devices when they reconnect useful for laptops that aren’t always on the network.

Security integration: VSA includes endpoint detection and response (EDR) alongside patch management. Detect threats and patch vulnerabilities from the same console.

9. Automox

Automox operates entirely in the cloud, with no on-premises servers required. Agents connect directly to Automox’s cloud platform, making it ideal for distributed workforces.

Cross-platform patching: Windows, macOS, Linux, and 100+ third-party applications. Write custom scripts in PowerShell, Bash, or Python to handle edge cases that the built-in policies don’t cover.

Policy-based management: Create patch policies once, apply to device groups. Laptops might get patches weekly, while servers patch monthly during maintenance windows. The system enforces policies automatically.

10. Microsoft Intune

Intune provides cloud-based endpoint management with built-in patch management. Organizations already using Microsoft 365 get Intune integration without additional infrastructure.

What Intune patches: Windows 10/11 updates, including feature, quality, and driver updates. Works with Windows Update for Business to control update timing and deployment rings.

Limitations: Strong for Windows, weak for third-party applications. You’ll need additional tools (like Patch My PC) to handle Adobe, Chrome, Zoom, and other non-Microsoft software.

11. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud

Acronis combines patch management with backup, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity into a single platform. The integrated approach means you can snapshot systems before patching, and roll back if updates break something.

Patch Detection: Our benchmark testing revealed that Acronis detected patches that NinjaOne missed on identical servers. When we checked the same Windows Server through both platforms on the same day, NinjaOne showed zero pending patches while Acronis found dozens.

This comprehensive detection matters for compliance. If your tool doesn’t see available patches, you can’t deploy them, leaving systems vulnerable even though fixes exist.

12. ManageEngine Desktop Central (Endpoint Central MSP)

ManageEngine provides patch management as part of its unified endpoint management platform. The solution handles Windows, macOS, Linux, and 850+ third-party applications.

Centralized Patch Dashboard: The “Threats & Patches” section in the main menu displays patch statistics across all managed servers. See overall patch compliance status for your entire infrastructure at a glance, which servers are current, which are missing critical updates, and which have pending deployments.

Common features

Automated Patch Deployment

Every solution scans endpoints for missing patches, downloads updates, and installs them automatically or on a schedule. This eliminates the manual process of checking each device individually.

Multi-OS Support

Modern IT environments run Windows servers, macOS laptops, and Linux workstations simultaneously. Most tools support all three, though coverage quality varies. Windows gets the best support across all vendors. macOS and Linux support is stronger in newer cloud-based solutions (Automox, NinjaOne) than in legacy tools.

Centralized Console

View patch status across your entire infrastructure from one dashboard. See which devices are up-to-date, which are missing critical patches, and which failed to install updates.

Scheduling & Maintenance Windows

Deploy patches during off-hours to minimize user disruption. Schedule patches for Saturday night when nobody’s working, or during designated maintenance windows when systems can safely restart.

Reporting & Compliance

Generate reports showing patch compliance status, deployment success rates, and audit trails. Regulators want proof you patched vulnerabilities within the required timeframes; these reports provide that evidence.

Differentiating features

Custom Script Deployment

Run PowerShell, Bash, or Python scripts before or after patching. Useful for stopping services, backing up configurations, verifying patch success, or performing custom post-patch cleanup.

Tools with this: Automox, N-able N-central, Kaseya VSA, NinjaOne

BIOS/Driver Patching

Update firmware and hardware drivers alongside software patches. BIOS vulnerabilities (like Spectre/Meltdown) require firmware updates, not just OS patches. Driver updates fix hardware-level security issues and improve stability.

Tools with this: NinjaOne, Dell KACE (honorable mention)

Offline Patching

Patch devices even when they’re disconnected from the internet. Useful for:

Air-gapped secure environments
Field devices with intermittent connectivity
Laptops that rarely connect to corporate networks

The system caches patches locally or on a local server. Devices pull updates from the local cache instead of the internet.

Tools with this: Kaseya VSA, N-able N-central

Mobile App

Manage patching from your phone. Deploy emergency patches, approve pending updates, or check patch status without opening a laptop.

Tools with this: Atera, NinjaOne, Datto

Vendor selection criteria

To provide an objective evaluation of vendors, we considered publicly verifiable data, such as the number of reviews and user ratings on software review platforms.

Number of reviews: We included the vendors with more than 100 total user reviews.
Average rating: Above 4/5 rating on average across all software review platforms.
Price: Patch management software products vary in price, and publicly available prices of products are added to the table. Potential users can compare products according to their price.