12 best patch management software and tools for 2026

Outdated IT systems are one of the biggest sources of cybersecurity risk for modern organizations. These assets often contain security weaknesses that make businesses susceptible to a wide range of attacks. Many attacks involve the exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities.

To minimize the risk of security incidents, IT teams must ensure that the software running on their managed infrastructure receives security patches and updates promptly and regularly. Patching is critical to minimize app disruptions and ensure business continuity. Additionally, patching helps ensure consistency and compatibility of systems across the environment, strengthen data governance and align IT ops with regulatory requirements.

That said, manual patch management can be a challenging endeavor. It's labor-intensive and time-consuming. It also increases the potential for errors, thus leading to system breakdowns and operational interruptions. These errors might also introduce new vulnerabilities into the organization's IT ecosystem. IT teams can mitigate these challenges by using tools that fully automate the patch management process without adding undue complexity to their endpoint and network management responsibilities.

There are many patch management products on the market today, so finding the right one can be difficult. Here are 12 patch management products chosen partly because of their popularity and because they represent diverse approaches to endpoint management. Comparing the different approaches can help organizations identify which ones align best with their unique structures and workflows. The descriptions are based on vendor documentation. This list is not a ranking; companies appear in alphabetical order.

1. Atera

Atera is a cloud-based remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform that comes in separate versions for IT departments and MSPs. The platform provides services such as IT automation, custom scripting, network discovery, ticketing, reporting, real-time alerts and patch management. Administrators can automatically identify and deploy patches on macOS and Windows servers and workstations from a centralized interface. They can also reboot remote systems if necessary.

Atera can patch OSes, apps and hardware drivers. It supports common third-party software such as Chrome, Zoom, Java, Dropbox, Microsoft Office and Adobe products. IT can create automation profiles for installing or updating patches at scale, while excluding specific patches when necessary. A single profile can also include other tasks along with patching, such as installing a software bundle, upgrading a Windows version or managing storage disks.

The Atera platform offers several comprehensive reports specific to patching. For example, IT can generate a report based on Microsoft knowledge bases and then install missing patches with a single click directly from that report. Admins can also view details about patch statuses and logged actions.

Atera offers four subscription plans for the IT department version -- Professional, Expert, Master and Enterprise -- the first three of which are available as either monthly or annual subscriptions. The Enterprise plan requires a discussion with Atera's sales department. All four plans support patch management.

Suitable for: SMBs and MSPs looking to automatically apply Windows, macOS, other OS and other software patches on an unlimited number of end-user devices.

2. Automox

Automox is a cloud-native systems management platform that automates patching, compliance and configuration of local, remote and cloud-hosted endpoints. The platform supports Windows, macOS and Linux systems and provides a single console for managing OS and third-party app patching and updates. In addition, Automox can automatically inventory hardware and software, offering full visibility into both authorized and unauthorized apps installed on managed devices.

The platform can identify missing patches in the three OSes and a wide range of applications. It provides native support for products such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Citrix Workspace, Dropbox, Inkscape, Office 365, Notepad++, Slack and more. Admins can view pending patches and then approve or reject them. They can also access details about individual patches.

Automox enables admins to create custom scripts that provide granular control over configuration and patch management processes. IT can schedule patching for specific times or configure it to occur automatically every time a device connects to the internet. Automox also includes notification and reporting capabilities, which IT can set up according to its organization's specific requirements.

Automox is available in three subscription plans: Patch, for patch management; Essentials, which adds IT automation for endpoint device configurations; and Enterprise, which augments the Essentials package with multi-organization management, plug-and-play automation scripts and other advanced features.

Suitable for: Distributed organizations looking to securely patch and manage their Windows, macOS and Linux devices on hundreds of software titles from a single pane of glass.

3. GFI LanGuard

GFI LanGuard is endpoint protection software that enables admins to assess vulnerabilities and patch software on local and remote desktops, servers and VMs. Admins can also scan their networks for missing patches and other vulnerabilities. LanGuard supports Windows, macOS and Linux devices, as well as third-party apps from over 50 vendors, including Adobe, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mozilla and Oracle.

Admins can set up LanGuard to scan their networks automatically or perform scans on demand. Other IT capabilities include the following:

• Deploy patches from the central interface or deploy agents to individual machines that carry out the patching operations, thereby distributing the processing load.
• Control which patches to install.
• Automatically download missing patches.
• Roll back patch updates if problems occur.

LanGuard also provides a web-based reporting interface that lets admins export reports to formats such as PDF, RTF or CSV. They can also schedule reports to be automatically sent by email. For large networks, IT can deploy multiple LanGuard instances and generate aggregated reports based on data from those instances.

GFI licenses LanGuard on an annual, per-node basis, with pricing dependent on the number of nodes and whether the product is purchased with other GFI products. The per-node price drops substantially at the 50- and 250-node thresholds.

Suitable for: SMBs with on-premises or hybrid infrastructure looking for a user-friendly patch management and network auditing tool that provides deep visibility into the entire IT network and its vulnerabilities.

4. ITarian

ITarian is a cloud-based IT management platform for MSPs. It offers four primary services: RMM, IT service management, service desk and patch management. Admins can also use it for IT automation and scripting, remote access and control, and asset and inventory management. The patch management feature supports both the Windows and Linux OSes, as well as over 400 third-party apps. IT can scan devices for missing patches and automate each stage of the patch management process, including patch downloads.

ITarian makes it possible to identify which endpoints contain vulnerabilities, tag those endpoints and create policies for automatically deploying patches at scheduled times to specific endpoint groups. Admins have the following capabilities:

• Create custom tags to organize endpoints according to business requirements.
• Deploy patches based on severity, vendor or type.
• Schedule deployments by time, group, computer or other criteria.
• Test patches before approving them for deployment.

ITarian provides in-depth reports on the hardware, software and patch update history of managed devices. The central interface offers a single-pane view of endpoint statistics and patch statuses and identifies which endpoints contain vulnerabilities so they can be quickly patched. ITarian tracks and manages patches on endpoint systems in real time and provides reports about applied or missing patches, as well as failed deployments.

Organizations can use ITarian for up to 50 endpoints for free. After that, subscription fees are on a per-device basis.

Suitable for: SMBs and MSPs looking for a cloud-based, policy-driven patch management platform for Windows and Linux endpoints, bundled with other IT management capabilities.

5. Kaseya VSA

Kaseya VSA is RMM software with features such as alerting, discovery, automation and patch management. Admins can use the platform to deploy, update and patch Windows, macOS and Linux computers and third-party apps. VSA provides fully automated patch management. Its approach is configurable, policy-driven, location-independent and optimized for bandwidth. VSA uses agent-executed scripts to automate patching operations and other processes.

The policy-based approach helps standardize software maintenance through profiles, which enable IT to manage patch approvals, scheduling and installation. Admins also can do the following:

• Use scripts to automate software and patch deployment across all endpoints, whether on or off the network.
• Override patches.
• View patch histories.
• Prevent patches from being applied during certain time windows.
• Deny specific patches to a subset of machines.

As part of the patch update process, admins can schedule regular network scans and analyses to identify software vulnerabilities. VSA supports over 100 third-party applications out of the box, such as Citrix Workspace, FileZilla Client, Inkscape, TeamViewer and many others. IT can patch endpoints across multiple locations and domains, including home-based user devices. Potential customers should contact Kaseya for licensing information.

Suitable for: MSPs and medium to large organizations looking to remotely and continuously monitor and patch distributed endpoints with policy-driven automation and rapid auto-remediation.

6. ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is a comprehensive patch management platform available as a cloud service or on-premises. It provides automated patch deployment on Windows, macOS and Linux endpoints, with support for both server and desktop systems, including VMs and roaming devices. Patch Manager Plus supports over 1,100 third-party applications. Although most of these are Windows software, the platform can also handle many macOS and Linux apps.

IT can use the centralized web interface to scan endpoints to detect missing patches, as well as test patches before deploying them. ManageEngine also provides prebuilt, tested and ready-to-deploy packages to help simplify patching of third-party apps. In addition, admins can customize deployment policies to meet their specific business requirements. They can specify which installation and reboot options to perform on an endpoint when deploying a patch, software update or service pack.

Patch Manager Plus includes auditing and dynamic reporting capabilities to help analyze and fix vulnerabilities. The platform provides real-time metrics that IT can view through patch status dashboards and patch management reports.

Patch Manager Plus is available in two editions: Professional and Enterprise. The cost for both depends on the number of devices and whether it is the on-premises or cloud edition. For the most part, the two deployment options offer similar functionality. Specifically, the Enterprise edition includes everything provided with the Professional edition, plus features like scheduled remote shutdowns, automated patch testing and updates for drivers, BIOS and antivirus. A free 30-day trial for both editions is also available.

Suitable for: Organizations looking to scalably and automatically patch multiple servers, OSes, laptops, workstations and apps with flexibility for cloud or on-premises deployment.

7. Microsoft Configuration Manager

Microsoft Configuration Manager -- formerly System Center Configuration Manager -- is now part of the Microsoft Intune brand, which also includes Intune, Endpoint Analytics and Autopilot. Configuration Manager is an on-premises system for managing desktops, laptops and servers on the local network or connected through the internet. Among its other capabilities, Configuration Manager can perform software updates.

Configuration Manager contains tools and resources for tracking and applying software updates to client computers. It integrates with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to manage updates, and it connects to Microsoft Update to retrieve update metadata. Admins can schedule or manually start synchronizations with Microsoft Update. They can also scan for update compliance on client computers before deploying any updates. Configuration Manager provides a wizard for easily implementing deployment packages that contain the software updates.

The updating capabilities in Configuration Manager are geared primarily to Microsoft software. However, admins can use the Third-Party Software Update Catalogs feature in the Configuration Manager console to subscribe to third-party catalogs, publish their updates to a software update point and then deploy the software to client computers.

Configuration Manager licensing can be somewhat confusing, and organizations should carefully review Microsoft's licensing requirements or talk to a Microsoft representative before deciding how to proceed.

Suitable for: Medium to large Windows-centric organizations looking for on-premises patch management and update deployment for corporate-connected PCs, Macs and mobile devices, including cloud-based endpoints.

8. NinjaOne Patch Management

NinjaOne Patch Management is part of the NinjaOne IT ops platform, which includes a suite of cloud-based services that support remote management and monitoring. With NinjaOne Patch Management, admins can patch Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems, as well as over 135 third-party Windows apps. Managed endpoints can be on or off the corporate network, as long as they have an internet connection.

NinjaOne Patch Management automates patch ID, approval, deployment and reporting. Admins have complete control over how each endpoint is patched. They can approve and schedule patch deployments to meet their specific needs. They can also define patch policies that help to optimize and automate endpoint patching at scale. Additionally, IT can perform ad hoc deployments when needed. The platform offers a single pane of glass for identifying and remediating software vulnerabilities.

With NinjaOne Patch Management, admins get real-time visibility into patch statuses so they can quickly determine which devices are vulnerable. They can also generate and share reports with detailed information about endpoint compliance.

NinjaOne subscription fees are monthly, per-device, with subscribers charged only for what they need. Prospective customers should contact the company directly for a customized quote.

Suitable for: SMBs and MSPs looking for a cloud-based patch management tool with real-time reporting and automated workflows for multi-platform patching.

9. SecPod Saner Patch Management

SecPod Saner Patch Management is one of the components included in the Saner endpoint security platform, a suite of cloud-based tools that provide vulnerability and compliance management, asset exposure, endpoint controls, patch management and other services. Saner Patch Management makes it possible to automatically patch Windows, macOS and Linux servers and workstations, as well as update over 550 third-party apps. Admins access these capabilities from a centralized, cloud-based console with role-based access control.

With Saner Patch Management, IT can automate end-to-end patch-related tasks such as scanning endpoints, prioritizing patches, downloading patches and scheduling deployments. The service provides new patches from supported vendors within 24 hours after release, helping minimize security risks. The patches are pretested and ready for deployment. Admins can also test new patches or roll back deployments if there are problems with a patch.

Saner Patch Management can perform continuous scans to verify real-time patch compliance. Admins can customize the scans to meet the needs of their specific environments. The centralized console provides a unified view of the managed endpoints, making it easier to identify noncompliant systems. The console also offers auto-generated reports and an integrated audit log. For information about subscription rates and plans, interested parties should contact SecPod directly.

Suitable for: SMBs looking for continuous, automated and precise Windows patch management, plus patching for Linux, macOS and third-party apps from a single console.

10. SolarWinds Patch Manager

SolarWinds Patch Manager is patch management software that targets Microsoft products and third-party apps. It works with and extends Microsoft WSUS and Configuration Manager to patch both physical and virtual servers and workstations, including offline machines. The tool provides prebuilt and pretested packages for applications, including third-party apps. This enables IT to automate patching operations, which helps simplify patch management processes, from researching updates to deploying them in endpoint environments.

Patch Manager gives admins extensive control over the patching process. Using the software, IT can perform the following actions:

• Specify which servers and workstations need patches, targeting endpoint systems based on criteria such as OSes or IP ranges.
• Control which patches to deploy and when to deploy them.
• Create different patching schedules for different endpoint groups.
• Create packages that define specific actions to take before or after patch deployment.

Patch Manager offers a centralized web interface for all patch management tasks. The interface includes a patch status dashboard and built-in reports. For example, admins can view details about patch compliance, the latest available patches, the top missing patches or a general health overview. They can also build custom reports to meet specific business needs. SolarWinds does not publicly list the pricing for Patch Manager. However, organizations can contact a sales representative to receive a customized quote.

Suitable for: Medium to large Windows-centric organizations looking for centralized, automated patch management with advanced scheduling and reboot control for Microsoft and third-party apps on physical and virtual servers and workstations.

11. SysAid

SysAid Patch Management is an asset manager feature integrated into SysAid's line of IT service management (ITSM) software products, which includes Help Desk, ITSM and ITSM AI. The patch management feature uses OEM technology to support Windows server and desktop computers, as well as third-party apps such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Java and 7-Zip.

The SysAid Patch Management software is a fully automated patch manager that's configurable and highly scalable. It uses a formal change management process to approve patch deployment and audit the patching process, which helps to ensure that patching operations are documented and that security patches and updates are properly applied. Admins can also customize the Patch Management policies and manually manage patches for individual assets or groups of assets.

IT teams can use Patch Management in both on-premises and cloud environments. A SysAid agent collects the scan results from the OEM agent's patch and transfers them to the SysAid server through Windows Server's Remote Desktop Services. Patch Management is an optional component in SysAid Help Desk, ITSM and ITSM AI that requires its own annual subscription license. It can only be used for assets with active licenses.

Suitable for: SMBs -- particularly those that already use or plan to use SysAid ITSM tools -- looking to keep Windows-based servers and PCs up to date and audit the patching process.

12. Syxsense

Syxsense is an endpoint management and security platform that combines IT administration, security vulnerability scanning and patch management into a single cloud-based system. Syxsense, which was acquired by Absolute Security in 2024, can patch Windows, macOS and Linux systems, whether on-premises, connected remotely or in the cloud. It supports both physical and virtual environments. Syxsense can also patch third-party software such as Java, Google Chrome or Adobe products -- all from a single console.

With the Syxsense patch management software, IT can scan and prioritize patching based on exposed security risks. Admins have full access to information about device health, enabling them to quickly address potential gaps. They can also access information about which patches have been released and their severity, then determine which devices are vulnerable and need updating. Syxsense patch deployments are fully automated. However, admins can choose which patches to deploy, when to deploy them and which devices to patch.

Syxsense records all patching activity for reviewing and auditing purposes. The platform also provides extensive reporting capabilities that range from high-level overviews to detailed reports that can be filtered and customized. For example, admins can generate reports about the security health of their third-party apps or virtualized server farms. Potential customers should contact Syxsense directly for details about its subscription plans and how the products are licensed.

Suitable for: Organizations looking for a unified endpoint security platform that can automatically identify and address risks and vulnerabilities.

How to choose a patch management tool

Many patch management products are now available, and choosing one is no small task. IT admins and decision-makers can find the most suitable tool for their organization by considering four key factors.

The first factor to consider is fleet size. Fleet size refers to the total number of endpoints to patch and maintain, including client devices, servers and VMs. More endpoints means greater patching complexity and higher potential for security exposure. To minimize complexity and risk, it's crucial to select a patch management tool that can support a diverse and growing environment without performance degradation.

The next important factor is integration with the organization's existing security ecosystem. The tool should be compatible with existing vulnerability scanners, antivirus software, endpoint detection and response and other tools. Seamless integration and compatibility across these tools can streamline patch management and other security processes.

Another crucial factor is automation capabilities. The best tools automate a major part of the patch management process, including patch discovery, testing and deployment. These capabilities simplify patching across environments and ease the burden on busy IT teams.

IT teams should also consider a tool's reporting and analytics features. The chosen tool should include dashboards and customizable reports that provide real-time visibility into patching status and pending patches. These insights can help teams identify and address issues before they can escalate. Additionally, audit trails and compliance reports are useful to highlight and remediate compliance issues.

Implementing a new patch management tool

Before introducing a tool into the broader IT ecosystem, it's a good idea to run a pilot. Running a pilot before a full-scale rollout enables IT teams and decision-makers to test the tool's functionality, drive user adoption and minimize compatibility issues across the environment.

To maximize the chances of a successful pilot, define clear objectives, create a detailed test plan and get real users to test-run the product. By adopting these practices, IT can ensure that the tool will work well in the future and deliver tangible security benefits.

Editor's note: This article was originally written by Robert Sheldon in February 2020. Rahul Awati updated this article in January 2026 to reflect technology changes.

Rahul Awati is a PMP-certified project manager with IT infrastructure experience spanning storage, compute and enterprise networking.

Robert Sheldon is a freelance technology writer. He has written numerous books, articles and training materials on a wide range of topics, including big data, generative AI, 5D memory crystals, the dark web and the 11th dimension.