10 Best Patch Management Software in 2026

In this article we’ll talk about the 10 best automated patch management software in 2026, explore their key features, pros, and cons, and provide you with valuable insights from real users who have firsthand experience with these platforms. If you have not equipped your company with a patch management platform, or you already have one but want to change vendors, you are in the right place, as this article will answer most of your questions.

Software vulnerabilities accounted for 32% of ransomware attacks and 20% of data breaches in 2025. That means a single unpatched flaw can make even the most expensive security tools ineffective and blind to the threat. Being brutally honest, it doesn’t matter if you’ve invested in EDR, MDR, SIEM, or next-gen firewalls if attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities.

That one vulnerability becomes the entry point hackers use to gain unauthorized access to your systems, deploy ransomware, and leave you no other choice but to pay the 7-figure ransom, face massive regulatory fines, and deal with all the other devastating consequences that follow. In worst-case scenarios, that’s the end of the line for some businesses. Sounds scary and unfair, right? Watching years of hard work disappear in front of your eyes because of one security gap.

Fortunately, with the right patch management software, you can catch and close security weaknesses before cybercriminals can weaponize them. These platforms automate the patching process completely. They identify vulnerabilities across your OSes and third-party applications, list the patches that remediate the flaws, allow you to deploy them immediately or on schedule, and then generate audit-ready reports in just a few clicks.

On top of that, they reduce your hardware and workforce expenses, since a single administrator can take care of thousands of endpoints, making sure they are updated, secure, and protected. However, it is important to note that choosing the right patch management software is not as simple as picking the highest-rated option, since they are hardly “one-size-fits-all.”

Quick Summary Table of Best Patch Management Solutions:

Software	OS Support	Key Strengths	Typical Drawbacks
Action1	Win, macOS, Linux	Cloud-native, risk-based patching, third-party patches, P2P distribution, real-time visibility	Limited data center locations; new user learning curve
NinjaOne	Win, macOS, Linux	Strong automation, easy UI, centralized RMM & patching	Higher cost; complex pricing; pending patch indicators sometimes unclear
Ivanti Neurons	Win, macOS, Linux	Advanced risk rating & vulnerability context	Learning curve; scheduling alignment challenges
HCL BigFix Enterprise+	Win, Linux, UNIX	Good for distributed environments; compliance reporting	Resource intensive for endpoints
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus	Win, macOS, Linux	Broad platform & app support; test before deploy	Initial setup complexity; occasional deployment issues
Patch My PC	Windows, macOS	Quick third-party updates; simple UI	No cross-platform support; limited reporting
Tanium	Win, macOS, Linux	High patch efficacy; unified endpoint control	Scaling & cloud transition challenges
Atera	Win, macOS, Linux	Integrates with broader IT/RMM tools	Less customizable; mobile app gaps
Automox	Win, macOS, Linux	Cloud architecture; automation scripting	Smaller third-party patch catalog; occasional status issues
Ninite Pro	Win	Simple third-party patching	Limited feature set; Windows only

 

Action1 – Autonomous Patch Management Software

Action1 is a cloud-native autonomous endpoint management platform that automates each step of the patching process. It identifies known vulnerabilities across your Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints and their third-party applications, lists the missing patches, and automates their testing, scheduled deployment, and audit-ready reporting. Action1 helps SMBs and large enterprises keep their systems secure, compliant, and smoothly performing without needing on-premises servers or VPNs to deploy patches and updates at scale. The platform offers centralized management, real-time visibility, a rich feature set, and advanced reporting capabilities.

It takes up to 5 minutes to create an account, deploy the agent, and start patching your on-premises and remote endpoints. The software is highly secure and infinitely scalable, allowing you to go from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of endpoints at a gradually lowering per-endpoint price. Last, but not least, Action1 is free for your first 200 endpoints, with no functional limits, forever.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

• Third-Party Application Patching – Action1’s constantly enriched private repository currently delivers patches for 600+ third-party applications.

• Autonomous Patching – Identifying vulnerabilities across your endpoints, listing missing patches, testing, and deployment are fully automated. You need to set up the automation cycle once according to your needs, and it starts working by installing patches through a staged, risk-free autonomous technology (update rings).

• Flexible Policy Management – You decide when updates should be deployed, for all of your departments or only for specific ones, creating rings (groups of endpoints) for extensive testing, choosing when to reboot, and using many more policy customization options, turning patching into a set-it-and-forget-it process.

• Built-In Vulnerability Management & Risk-Based Prioritization – The software automatically identifies known vulnerabilities across your endpoints’ OS and third-party applications in real time and prioritizes them based on CVE numbers, CVSS scores, and active exploitation information. In this way, you can prioritize remediation based on actual risks to your company instead of patch volume.

• Peer-to-Peer Patch Distribution – The P2P patch distribution successfully reduces external bandwidth consumption and accelerates large deployments. It works by downloading an update only once and then sharing it across all endpoints connected to the same network.

• Compliance Management – Action1 equips you with 100+ fully customizable report templates that allow you to generate audit-ready documentation according to your needs with a few clicks of your mouse, helping you maintain clear compliance records and complete audit trails.

• Cloud-Native Architecture – The platform is cloud-native and agent-based. It uses lightweight software to monitor each and every one of your endpoints and report on vulnerabilities, missing updates, and patch and compliance status. It needs no VPN or other extra hardware and works equally well for office-based and remote employee endpoints, servers, virtual machines, and cloud workloads.

• Seamless Scalability – Action1 is infinitely scalable, meaning that you can go from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of endpoints instantly at a gradually lowering per-endpoint cost.

• Free Tier with No Functional Limits – You can use Action1 on up to 200 endpoints for free, with no limited functionality, forever. That’s not a marketing trick, but a gesture to nonprofit organizations and SMBs to protect their systems and help them grow, while MSPs and large enterprises can test the software for as long as they want before scaling.

Pros:

• It takes up to 5 minutes to create an account, deploy the agent, and start patching your endpoints.

• Strong multi-OS and third-party application support.

• Automated patch deployment that reduces manual effort and saves time.

• Ensures and eases compliance with industry regulations, bolstering security and trust.

• Easiest to use patch management solution as ranked by independently verified customers on G2.

• Minimizes unexpected downtime with tailored scheduling and risk-free, autonomous, staged deployments.

• No VPN, appliances, or sophisticated network configuration required.

• SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and TX-RAMP certified.

• Customer support known for fast response times and technical expertise.

Cons:

• No one-click rollback capability.

• A stable internet connection is needed for optimal operation.

• Limited data center locations (North America, Europe, Australia with the UK and UAE coming soon).

Best for: Small, mid-sized, and large organizations and MSPs managing mixed Windows, macOS, and Linux environments across remote and hybrid workforces.

• G2 rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 (830+ reviews)

• Capterra rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 (235+ reviews)

What users say on G2 for Action1

Andre I. (G2 reviewer): “It does what it says on the tin. The software is very straightforward to install on endpoints, and it can also be easily deployed via Intune, so it’s a real no-brainer. Once it’s in place, there are plenty of actions you can take through the portal, which I find easy and straightforward to use. Overall, it feels clean and simple.

The biggest bonus, if I may say so is the GitHub repository, with plenty of script samples in PowerShell and other options you can use. And don’t forget the API access if you need to tailor small apps for the IT department. Lastly, you can really use the product to its full potential before committing yourself or your business to it, which is pretty rare these days.”

John S. (G2 reviewer): “I love the ease of use and how easy it is to get started with Action1. The automation features are robust and the system effectively flags a wide variety of vulnerabilities. I find the centralization and automation of updates and asset inventory extremely helpful, as it significantly simplifies our workload.

The remote access capabilities are easier and quicker to roll out compared to our previous solutions, such as TeamViewer. Additionally, the automated patching and updates feature works very well allowing us to efficiently manage software updates. Overall, Action1 has been instrumental in helping us clear our backlog, providing a comprehensive solution for our needs.”

NinjaOne Patch Management

NinjaOne Patch Management is part of the NinjaOne platform, one of the most recognizable names in cloud-based remote monitoring and management. With the software you can update your Windows, macOS, and Linux devices plus a wide range of third-party applications. Its cloud-native architecture enables it to patch both on-premises and remote endpoints, of course, as long as they are connected to the internet.

With it, you can successfully automate each step of the patching process from vulnerability identification to remediation and report generation. NinjaOne also comes with multiple policy customization options, granting you complete control over the process, where you can easily schedule, test, and deploy updates at scale.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Third-Party Application Patching – The software supports multiple third-party applications.
• Risk-Based Patch Management – NinjaOne uses risk-based patch prioritization for patch and vulnerability management, allowing you or your IT team to adequately prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities based on their severity using CVE and CVSS context.
• Patch Automation – It reduces the time needed to patch your endpoints by nearly 90% compared to manual patching through its zero-touch patch automation.
• Patch Compliance Reporting – You get real-time visibility into your endpoints’ patch status, outlining clearly which systems are up to date and which are currently vulnerable. After successful remediation, you can generate detailed reports and prepare audit-ready documentation to prove compliance with security standards.
• Cloud-Native Architecture – NinjaOne is an agent-based platform, allowing you to skip VPNs and purchasing additional hardware to be able to patch both your on-premises and remote endpoints.

Pros:

• Automates patch deployments across Windows, macOS, Linux, and third-party applications from a single centralized platform.
• Proactive patching with CVE/CVSS integration reduces vulnerabilities by up to 75%.
• Works across in-office, remote, and hybrid IT environments.
• Responsive customer support.
• Offers a wide range of tools for RMM, PSA, backup and disaster recovery, ticketing, and helpdesk capabilities in a single interface.

Cons:

• Reporting capabilities lack depth and need improvement.
• Problematic mobile device management, particularly with Mac devices.
• Costly for small businesses with few endpoints.
• The NinjaOne remote control does not always connect, and there is no explanation of what the exact reasons are.
• Reboot management can be unreliable in some scenarios.

Best for: Large enterprises and MSPs that need an all-in-one RMM with strong ease of use.

• G2 rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (3240+ reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (270+ reviews)

What users say on G2 for NinjaOne

Lennard S. (G2 reviewer): “NinjaOne shines when it comes to managing workstations. The remote management, patching, and automation tools are straightforward and save a ton of time. For an enterprise environment with lots of endpoints, it makes keeping systems up-to-date and secure far less of a headache. The lightweight agent and intuitive dashboard are also nice touches, making it easy to roll out changes or troubleshoot user issues quickly.

When it comes to server administration, NinjaOne doesn’t quite measure up. The feature set feels shallow. Basic monitoring works, but anything beyond that is clunky or missing. Scripting and automation don’t integrate as smoothly on servers, and I find myself falling back on other tools for server management tasks. If you need deep visibility, advanced alerting, or serious configuration management on servers, you’ll likely be disappointed.”

Benjamin G. (G2 reviewer): “NinjaOne RMM allows us to easily and quickly develop new integrations between all other applications that we employ to best support our clients.

What I dislike is the vagueness of the patching failures. Example: We want to allow the new Chrome update to all the computers we have in NinjaOne, but some of them fail… a lot of them fail, and we have no idea why. It doesn’t give us a reason for the failure, just that it failed. Another issue we frequently run into is we run a script we don’t intend to, and we cannot stop it from running. Only after about a day does it finally allow us to run another script. (This issue is expected to be fixed in a future patch, though, so this may not be an issue later.)”

Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management

Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management is a specialized module which is part of the broader Ivanti Neurons platform. It replaces manual patching with advanced automation that identifies known software vulnerabilities across your Windows, macOS, Linux, and third-party applications, allowing you to test and deploy patches immediately or on schedule to avoid unexpected downtime. The software not only simplifies patching but also makes sure your endpoints remain protected against vulnerability exploitation, updated, and compliant.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Third-Party Application Patching – Simplifies and automates the process of updating a wide range of third-party apps.
• Risk-Based Patch Management – Prioritizes the identified vulnerabilities according to their severity, thus allowing you to remediate the critical ones first and minimize exploitation risks.
• Policy Customization – With the software, you can easily configure policies that fit your business needs, like patch tests and deployments, endpoint reboots, and more.
• Patch Compliance Management – You can easily generate reports after each successful patch deployment to prove regulatory compliance during audits.
• Phased Rollout – The platform uses ring deployments that allow you to deploy patches in stages, by testing them first in small batches before reaching each and every endpoint in your company.

Pros:

• Cloud-native architecture that works equally well for on-premises and remote endpoints.
• Offers cross-OS support.
• Patches a wide range of third-party applications.
• The platform uses vulnerability risk rating, which prioritizes patches based on active risk exposure, patch reliability, and device compliance.
• Automates the patch management process completely.

Cons:

• No arbitrary custom patch packages, and the Sideload option is limited to uploading vendor-sourced patches, which can be hard to learn for infrequent users.
• The user interface is not as intuitive as advertised, and users need some time to get used to it.

Best for: Mid-sized and large enterprises.

• G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 (1 review)
• Capterra rating: 0.0 out of 5.0 (0 review)

What users say on G2 for Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management:

Jesse M. (G2 reviewer): “Patch intelligence does all the filtering and research for your environment for you! You are provided with details on each patch that applies to you and any issues you may face. You also have the ability to provide feedback to help others and make notes on your experience with the patches you are using. The addition of RiskSense Data is an absolute killer and the next evolution of risk-based patch management.

However, you can’t upload your own patch. You can only use the Sideload option for patches that Ivanti has in their system. The Sideload option is a bit wonky the first time you use it, and it’s hard for people who don’t use the system all the time to get the hang of the process.”

HCL BigFix Enterprise+

HCL BigFix Enterprise+ is an enterprise-grade unified endpoint management software that automates patch management, security compliance, and software deployment across different IT environments. The platform provides pre-built and tested patch content for nearly 100 operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, UNIX, AIX, Solaris, and HP-UX, plus numerous third-party applications.

The software works by using lightweight agents to gather information about each of your endpoints, such as system configuration and security status. It automatically identifies software vulnerabilities and missing patches, then allows you to deploy updates either immediately or during scheduled maintenance windows with flexible policy options that minimize unexpected downtime risks.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows, macOS, Linux, UNIX, AIX, Solaris, and HP-UX.

• Third-Party Application Patching – Simplifies and automates the process of updating a wide range of third-party apps.

• Policy Customization – With the software, you can easily manage configurations and policies that fit your business needs, like patch tests and deployments, endpoint reboots, and more.

• Vulnerability Management Using CyberFOCUS Security Analytics – This feature helps your IT or security team discover, prioritize, and remediate vulnerabilities in real time, faster and more efficiently, to reduce cybersecurity risks.

• Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Simulator – Uses the latest threat data published through the MITRE ATT&CK® Framework.

Pros:

• Automates each step of the patching process.

• Effective patching even over low-bandwidth and globally distributed networks.

• Extensive repository of out-of-the-box remediation content.

Cons:

• The software is quite resource-intensive and requires a high level of memory and processing power to run smoothly.

• Higher pricing compared to similar tools.

• Reporting capabilities are not as strong as advertised and need improvement.

Best for: Large enterprises that need a unified endpoint management solution with advanced automation and real-time remediation capabilities.

• G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 (80 + reviews)

• Capterra rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 (3 reviews)

What users say on G2 for HCL BigFix Enterprise + :

Ankit J. (G2 reviewer): “BigFix is capable of managing on-premise endpoints along with cloud-hosted workloads. It helps to define priority and patching for critical vulnerability. It is easy to use and implement. Also help to maintain continuous compliance. But reporting must be improved, so it will be easier for the IT team to showcase a ready report to management.”

Evgeni K. (G2 reviewer): “The best thing about HCL BigFix is that I like its scalability and real-time visibility, as well as its comprehensive endpoint management and security. What I dislike is that integrating with other third-party systems may be challenging; the cost might be considered high.”

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

Patch Manager Plus is an automated patch management solution, providing organizations of all sizes with a single interface to handle all their patch management tasks. With ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, your IT team can set up updates for Windows, macOS, Linux, and third-party software.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Third-Party Application Patching – Simplifies and automates the process of updating a wide range of third-party apps.
• Flexible Deployment Policies – With the software, you can easily configure policies that fit your business needs, like patch tests and deployments, endpoint reboots, and more.
• Patch Compliance Management – Strong reporting capabilities allowing you to easily generate audit-ready documentation.
• One-Click Rollback for Problematic Patches – If a problematic patch causes unexpected operational disruption, you can easily reverse the system to its stable state before the deployment.
• Remote Shutdown and Wake-on-LAN Capabilities (Enterprise Edition) – You can remotely wake up, shut down, or restart your endpoints whenever needed.

Pros:

• Automates end-to-end patch management from detection to remediation.
• Supports patching for Windows, macOS, Linux, and 850+ third-party applications.
• Patches systems across LAN, WAN, DMZ, and remote work-from-home systems without VPN.
• Improves patch reliability through automated testing before deployment.

Cons:

• The initial setup is not as straightforward as expected. Users report that they struggle with compatibility issues when integrating with existing systems, especially with older server versions.
• In some cases, patches fail to install without a clear reason. To solve the issues, you must contact their customer support, which can take anywhere from a couple of hours to several days.

Best for: Large enterprises and MSPs requiring broad coverage, flexible deployment options, and capability for managing remote and on-premises endpoints.

• G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (180 + reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (345+ reviews)

What users say on G2 for ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus :

Michael H. (G2 reviewer): “It makes it easy to deploy patches to our fleet of 450+ machines. However, when patches fail to install, it doesn’t always give very detailed information as to why it failed.”

Eric O. (G2 reviewer): “It does not interfere with the built-in patching capabilities. The manual installation process was clunky at best, and we had a number of issues getting the GPO deployment script to work.”

Liam O. (G2 reviewer): “The automatic deployment of patches for a wide range of Microsoft and Third Party apps, as well as the test & approve option that lets you deploy new patches to test machines before deploying to production. However, some of our team found it difficult to get to grips with the granularity of control over the different deployment policy options. Personally, I found it ideal for me, but this could be a problem for those who want to use a product that you can ‘set and forget’ right out of the box.”

Patch My PC

Patch My PC is another impressive patch management platform that eliminates manual, time-consuming processes for companies of all sizes, helping them save time and increase their security posture by automating end-to-end patch management from detection to remediation.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows and macOS.
• Third-Party Application Patching – Simplifies and automates the process of updating a wide range of third-party apps.
• Intune & SCCM Integration – It integrates flawlessly with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager and Intune, allowing you to automate patch deployments.
• Advanced Reporting – With the software, you can generate detailed reports on your application and hardware inventory, patch, and compliance status.
• Customizable Update Rings – Enables staged, risk-free patch deployments, where you can create numerous rings (groups of endpoints) starting with a testing ring, then pilot ring, and finally broad ring. In this way, you can test updates and ensure only reliable updates reach your business-critical endpoints.

Pros:

• Automates packaging, testing, and installing patches for hundreds of third-party updates.
• Delivers tested updates within 24 hours of release.
• Includes in-house worldwide support via email, live chat, phone, and forum at no extra cost.

Cons:

• Inability to patch Linux systems.

• Lack of detailed reporting in the SaaS console.
• The desktop version is a little clunky.
• The cloud version has a few missing features compared to the on-premises version.

Best for: Organizations standardized on the Microsoft ecosystem, including SMBs and enterprises using Intune or Configuration Manager.

• G2 rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (710+ reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 (210+ reviews)

What users say on G2 for Patch My PC:

Shaun S. (G2 reviewer): “I really value the level of customization — things like pre/post-scripts, custom install options, and the ability to exclude specific apps from auto-updates make it highly flexible for different environments. Plus, the support team is responsive and proactive, which really sets them apart.

While the new SaaS platform is a great step forward — especially for cloud-native environments — it still lacks some of the key features available in the on-prem Publisher app. As a result, I often find myself jumping between both platforms to get the full picture, which adds unnecessary overhead. The biggest gap for me is the lack of detailed reporting in the SaaS console, and I’d also love to see bulk edit capabilities for deployments to save time when managing large app lists. These are quality-of-life features that would really elevate the platform.”

Matthew W. (G2 reviewer): “Its integration with SCCM and processes we have in place allows our IT dept to push software patches that otherwise would not be monitored and would require the desk support team to manually visit each end user device to update. Last month was our first big deployment, and it went very smoothly along with our normal Windows updates we do monthly.

It does take some initial setup and customization to get the applications and settings you want in your environment, but once set, it can be left alone till changes are needed once more.”

Tanium

Tanium is an endpoint management platform that provides real-time visibility and control over networks that rely on both on-premises and remote endpoints such as laptops, desktops, servers, virtual machines, and cloud assets from a single platform with an intuitive interface. In terms of patching, the software helps you automate the process of keeping your Windows, Linux, and macOS systems plus numerous third-party applications up-to-date, secure, and compliant.

It identifies existing vulnerabilities, then finds and lists the missing patches, and allows you to create and customize deployment plans according to your needs. Last but not least, once the patching process is complete, you can easily generate audit-ready reports for proving regulatory compliance.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Third-Party Application Patching – Simplifies and automates the process of updating a wide range of third-party apps.
• Risk-Based Patch Management – Prioritizes the identified vulnerabilities according to their severity, thus allowing you to remediate the critical ones first and minimize exploitation risks.
• Creates, repurpuses, and refreshes devices through bare-metal imaging.
• Automated Deployment Scheduling – Gives you the flexibility to decide when updates should be deployed, on which endpoints, and whether reboots should be processed immediately or not.
• Advanced Reporting – Through the platform, you can generate audit-ready reports in minutes.

Pros:

• Real-time visibility and control over every endpoint in the network.
• Increases patch success rates from average ~80% to ~95% at first pass, and 99%+ with additional adjustments.
• Unified platform managing Windows, Linux, and macOS from a single console.
• The advanced automation it provides saves you time, money, and manual effort.

Cons:

• Tanium exhibits issues with accuracy in detection, producing false positives and performance degradation, particularly within specialized web infrastructure.
• The platform presents scaling limitations, with notable constraints appearing during class session operations.
• The software is not as user-friendly and intuitive as advertised. It takes some time to get used to the platform and learn how to use all of its features.

Best for: SMBs and large enterprises that need cross-platform and third-party application support.

• G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 (15+ reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 (5 reviews)

What users say on G2 for Tanium:

Cedariah M. (G2 reviewer): “I find the learning curve of the Tanium Platform to be quite steep. Despite its power and capability, the lack of clear onboarding resources can make the initial experience overwhelming. I often spend additional time navigating through menus to locate the data I need, which slows down my workflow. The platform provides a lot of raw visibility, but it doesn’t necessarily translate into customer-friendly language.

This means I have to invest extra effort to convert technical insights into ready-to-share guides, owing to its comprehensive nature. Additionally, Tanium can be resource-intensive, which isn’t always suitable for environments with limited bandwidth or older hardware. While the platform is robust, learning to navigate it effectively takes time. Furthermore, although Tanium offers excellent technical visibility, transforming this into operational language for my team requires additional steps, which can slow down processes.”

Atera

Atera is a reliable and efficient patch management system within its cloud-based all-in-one IT management platform. It automates the entire patch management process by identifying, testing, and deploying updates across Windows, macOS, and Linux environments, along with hundreds of third-party applications. With it, you can keep your endpoints updated, secure, and compliant with almost no manual work or unexpected downtime.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Third-Party Application Patching – Covers plenty of third-party applications used across typical enterprise environments.
• Risk-Based Patch Management – Prioritizes the identified vulnerabilities according to their severity, thus allowing you to remediate the critical ones first and minimize exploitation risks.
• Software Bundles – Used to create groups of applications that you can deploy through one-click installs and updates, which simplifies and accelerates vulnerability remediation.
• Patch Compliance Management – Strong reporting capabilities allowing you to easily generate audit-ready documentation.
• Integration with Chocolatey, Winget, and Homebrew – Atera uses these repositories to automate software installation, patching, and updates.

Pros:

• Automates end-to-end patch management processes.
• Saves you time, hardware, and manpower resources.
• Integration within broader IT management ecosystem.
• It lets you automate tasks across endpoints using prebuilt or custom packages.
• Comprehensive reporting suite.
• Software bundling for simplified deployment.

Cons:

• Depends on public Chocolatey, Winget, and Homebrew repositories for software updates.
• Automation can fail silently and require manual checks.
• Disparity in mobile app functionality.

Best for: SMBs, large enterprises, and MSPs.

• G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (1000+ reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (440+ reviews)

What users say on G2 for Atera:

Verified User in Legal Services (G2 reviewer): “What I really like about Atera is how simple it is to get started. The dashboard makes sense right away, and I don’t have to spend hours figuring things out. The automation is a big win for me. But some of the features feel a little basic. For example, the ticketing system could use more flexibility, and patch management doesn’t always work perfectly—I sometimes still have to step in manually. I also wish feature requests were rolled out a bit faster.”

Automox

Automox is a cloud-native endpoint management platform that successfully automates patching, endpoint configuration, device monitoring, and reporting from a single console. In terms of patching, it enables you to quickly address security vulnerabilities through automated update deployments across Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, as well as numerous third-party applications.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform OS Support – Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Third-Party Application Patching – Simplifies and automates the process of updating a wide range of third-party apps.
• Risk-Based Patch Management – Prioritizes the identified vulnerabilities according to their severity, thus allowing you to remediate the critical ones first and minimize exploitation risks.
• Role-Based Access Control – Allows you to control precisely the empowerment of your employees and avoid unnecessary security or compliance risks.
• Device Targeting with Filters – You can easily target your endpoints for patching, deployments, and automation tasks based on hostname, IP address, or operating system, making it simple to manage configurations across different device groups.
• AI-Assisted Automation – This feature proves extremely useful for generating and optimizing automation workflows and scripts.

Pros:

• Cloud-native architecture.
• Lightweight agent minimizes system resource consumption with negligible end-user impact.
• Single console for managing diverse endpoints regardless of physical or virtual status.
• Easy to use and easy to deploy.
• Extensive catalog of 368+ automation scripts (Worklets) for endpoint tasks.
• Community-driven resource sharing with AI-assisted custom script creation.

Cons:

• Agent reliability issues with occasional inaccurate device status reporting.
• Reporting needs improvement.
• Higher pricing compared to similar tools.

Best for: Large enterprises and MSPs.

• G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (275+ reviews)
• Capterra rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (150+ reviews)

What users say on G2 for Automox:

Miguel M. (G2 reviewer): “I’ve been using Automox as part of our organization’s MSSP services, and it’s become a key component of our vulnerability management offering. What stands out most is how straightforward and user friendly the platform is. Getting it up and running was a breeze. The product is always improving, with regular updates that show the team is serious about keeping it up to date and responsive to needs.

On the other hand, one area where Automox could improve is in reporting. Making it a bit more robust would really enhance the experience, especially for those of us digging into the details for MSSP work. Additionally, improving how third party application versions are displayed would make it easier for engineers to search for software deployed across their tenant.”

Verified User in Education Management (G2 reviewer): “Automox strikes a great balance between power and usability. The two standout features for me are Worklets and Patch Schedules. Worklets make it incredibly easy to automate complex configurations and remediations across platforms, while Patch Schedules allow precise control over when and how updates are applied—critical for minimizing business disruption.

However, my main concern is with some of the reporting metrics—specifically around CVE exposure and time-to-remediate (TTR). For example, a critical vulnerability might show as “80 days exposed” in the dashboard, but that figure reflects the public discovery date, not when it was actually detected on the device. This can make it harder to evaluate internal performance and compliance. I’d also like to see more clarity or filters in vulnerability timelines. Lastly, while not entirely Automox’s fault, getting Apple M-Series devices into a patch-ready state takes extra manual steps, which adds to deployment friction.”

Ninite Pro

Ninite Pro is another great cloud-based patch management platform that is specifically designed for patching and updating third-party applications. Despite its inability to deliver OS support, it’s very effective in automating the installing, updating, and uninstalling of software across your endpoints directly from the browser with no VPN required.

It gives you the needed flexibility for creating your own patching policy in order to keep each of your endpoints secure and compliant with minimal administrative overhead and unexpected downtime risks.

Key Features:

• Lightweight Agent – Consumes a small amount of system resources during operation.

• Third-Party Application Patching – Automates updates for 190+ Windows applications.

• Real-Time Remote Monitoring and Control – Live web dashboard that shows all your machines and the installed apps.

• App Locking for Specific Versions – Prevents changes to apps requiring specific versions.

• Tagging, sorting, and filtering capabilities – Allows you to organize your endpoints by custom tags and status.

• Overview Dashboard for Patching Status – Provides you with a current view of your endpoints’ patch status.

• Multiple deployment options – Deploy via MSI, EXE, or network-wide installer.

• Command-line interface for scripting and integration – Automate Ninite through CLI for RMM integration.

Pros:

• Centralized management console for software installations and updates.

• Silent installation feature for background updates without user interruption.

• Remote management capabilities for device management from anywhere.

• Streamlined automation of software installations across multiple devices.

• Strong reporting capabilities.

Cons:

• Limited selection of applications available in the catalog.

• When patch installation fails, there is not enough information regarding the problem itself.

• Higher pricing compared to similar tools.

Best for: Small-to-mid-sized businesses that rely on Windows devices only.

• G2 rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (40+ reviews)

• Capterra rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 (5 reviews)

What users say on Capterra for Ninite Pro:

Josh P.(Capterra reviewer): “Saves us a ton of time. If a user is complaining about an app not working, we can instantly find out if they are on the most up to date version. We can also uninstall and reinstall the app to fix any issues. However, there are some categories like Acrobat where you can’t remotely install, but you can deploy updates. It would be nice if they had it marked in a way to let you know that you can only update the app and not install.”

Best Patch Management Software per Use Case:

Best for	Top Pick	Why
Best overall patch management	Action1	Cloud-native, fast
Best for remote / hybrid teams	Action1	No VPN
Best free entry option	Action1	200 endpoints
Best enterprise RMM suite	NinjaOne	Full RMM
Best advanced risk context	Ivanti	Risk scoring

FAQ

What Is the Best Way to Automate Patch Management?

The best way to automate patch management is by using a top patch management software like Action1. This reliable patching platform monitors your endpoints 24/7 for software vulnerabilities, prioritizes them based on their criticality, lists the missing OS and third-party patches, and allows you to test and deploy them immediately or on a schedule. Of course, it also provides you with fully customizable templates for generating audit-ready reports in minutes. Using such a solution not only ensures your devices are updated, secure, and compliant but also minimizes unexpected downtime risks as much as possible.

How Often Should Patches Be Applied to Ensure Efficiency?

Critical patches that address vulnerabilities with a risk score between 8-10 must be applied as soon as possible, or within 24 to 48 hours. Those with a risk score between 2-7, and considered not actively exploited, can be installed weekly. When using patch management software, you have the flexibility to create your own schedule based on the specific needs of your company.

Keep in mind that most organizations use a dual approach method, or in other words, have a regular maintenance window and an emergency one that allows them to deploy patches immediately when needed to minimize exploitation risks.

Can Patch Management Prevent All Cyber Threats?

No. Using a reliable patch management solution will significantly reduce the risk of vulnerability exploitation, but it can’t prevent.. or make you immune to all cyber threats. Patching addresses known software vulnerabilities but won’t protect your company against zero-day exploits, social engineering, viruses, or insider threats.

What Are the Risks of Delaying Critical Patches?

You increase the chance of experiencing a cyberattack because when you delay deploying critical patches, you give hackers time to compromise your systems by exploiting a known unpatched software vulnerability. We do not recommend postponing the installation of critical patches because such a delay exposes your company to variety of risks like ransomware, data breaches, downtime, regulatory penalties, and months of recovery efforts.

How Do Organizations Benefit from Automated Patching?

Organizations benefit from automated patching in many ways. First of all, it strengthens their security posture through timely vulnerability remediation. Second, they get improved patch success rates and up to 80% fewer security incidents. Third, their internal IT teams won’t need to manually patch each system one by one, which boosts their productivity by allowing them to focus on other tasks.

Fourth, unexpected downtime risks are minimized as much as possible, since the testing features like update rings enable scheduled, risk-free, staged, autonomous deployments. Fifth, audit-ready reports can be generated in minutes instead of the previously needed hours or even days. Last, but not least, organizations get 360-degree visibility through centralized dashboards showing patch and compliance status across their networks, translating into no blind spots and fewer cyber risks coming from unpatched systems.

What Is the Best Patch Management Software in 2026?

There is no universal answer to this question, as software that works for one organization may not work for another. But Action1’s automated patch management software is capable of meeting the requirements, needs and expectations of businesses operating in different industries by massively improving the organization’s security posture. The cloud-native platform takes only 5 minutes to be installed and start deploying OS and third-party updates across your on-premises and remote endpoints.

Action1 automatically identifies all known vulnerabilities, and then it provides you with a list of the missing patches prioritized based on their severity score. From there on, you can schedule the deployment process at a convenient time (off-hours) to avoid any operational disruptions. Furthermore, the “update rings” feature allows you to install updates through a staged risk-free, autonomous process that helps you avoid unexpected downtime.

It enables you to create custom patch policies by organizing separate rings (groups of endpoints), starting with a testing ring, then expanding to a ring with a wider range of devices, and finally completing the organization-wide rollout.

Moreover, Action1 offers you P2P patch distribution, which minimizes external bandwidth consumption. It is agent-based and needs no VPN to update your remote endpoints. It’s infinitely scalable and highly secure. Perhaps most remarkably, Action1 offers a free tier for up to 200 endpoints with no time or feature limitations. Last, but not least, as the first patch management vendor certified for SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and TX-RAMP, the AEM platform helps you meet regulatory requirements and avoid costly compliance fines.

Which Patch Management Software Offers Support for Windows, macOS and Linux in 2026?

We’ve researched and confirmed that the following patch management platforms offer Windows, macOS, and Linux support:

• Action1

• ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

• Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management

• Automox

• Atera

• NinjaOne

Are There Any Free Patch Management Tools Worth Using in 2026?

Yes, Action1 offers a superior patching software that’s always free for the first 200 endpoints, with no functional limits. Currently, this is the one and only vendor in the world that fully automates the patch management process at no cost forever. While most of the tools on the market offer a 15 or 30-day free trial period, Action1 has no such limits. You can use it as long as you want to close software vulnerabilities on time, eliminating the costly, time-consuming routine labor.

Action1 takes just 5 minutes to set up and works without requiring a VPN, any additional hardware investments, or spending hours on complex configuration. You can test it as long as you want in your enterprise or use it perpetually in your small business. Action1 is used by thousands of SMBs and enterprises, helping them secure their endpoints, automate the patch management process entirely, avoid unexpected downtime, and most importantly, preempt ransomware and other security risks by providing you the following benefits:

• Unified OS and Third-Party Patching: Action1 is cloud-native platform that lets you automate the entire patching process for remote and onsite endpoints, from identifying and deploying missing updates to compliance reporting.

• Vulnerability Discovery and Remediation: Prevent security breaches and ransomware attacks. Detect vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications in real-time and enforce remediation.

• Secure and Trusted: Action1 is the first vendor focusing on patch management certified for SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and TX-RAMP.

• Enterprise Integrations: Integrate Action1 with Active Directory, Entra ID, Okta, Duo, and Google. More integrations are available via REST API or PowerShell scripting.

• P2P Distribution: Minimize external bandwidth usage and ensure rapid deployment of large updates without any on-prem cache servers.

• Vulnerability Remediation: Identify all vulnerable software and OS installed on endpoints in real-time. Leverage built-in vulnerability remediation in a single solution.

• Real-Time Visibility: Continuous visibility with live dashboard for monitoring SLA-based patch compliance.

• Enterprise Scalability: You can go from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of endpoints at a gradually lowering per-endpoint cost. No VPN needed.

What Features Should I Look for in the Best Patch Management Software in 2026?

To choose the best patch management software for your company that provides you with automation, security risk reduction, and coverage that keeps all your endpoints updated, look for the following features:

• Multi-Platform Support – If your organization relies on endpoints running different operating systems, then you must make sure the patch management software offers support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

• Third-Party Application Patching – Look for a patching platform that comes with a deep catalog of third-party applications, and particularly double-check if it covers those used across your endpoints.

• Risk-Based Prioritization – You need a platform that prioritizes patches based on their actual risk to your business, not just using generic severity ratings. This way, you can rest assured that the most critical vulnerabilities in your system(s) will be addressed first before proceeding with secondary ones that pose a lower risk.

• End-to-End Automation – Vulnerability identification, remediation, testing, deployment, and report generation all must be automated. This will save your IT team countless hours and help them escape the vicious cycle of manually patching endpoints one at a time.

• Patch Testing (Staged Rollouts) – Testing features like “update rings” make sure OS and third-party patches are deployed through a staged, risk-free, autonomous process. They minimize risk by only promoting updates to subsequent, wider-reaching rings if they pass specific, configurable success metrics (e.g., a 70% success rate or a minimum number of successful, error-free installations in earlier stages), where only reliable patches move from initial test rings to production, reducing downtime risks.

• Advanced Reporting Capabilities – Select a platform that equips you with customizable templates that allow you to generate audit-ready reports with just a few clicks after each update deployment. You don’t want to set yourself up for a nasty surprise when regulatory bodies come knocking. So you need to be audit-ready at all times.

• Free Version – Having the option to test the full functionality of the software gives you clarity on whether it solves the biggest pain points across your network and meets your expectations before making a purchase.

Is Cloud-Based Patch Management Better Than On-Premise Solutions in 2026?

Yes. Cloud-based patch management platforms are better than on-premise ones because they allow you to monitor, update, and manage all your endpoints remotely, directly from your browser with no VPN needed.

On the other hand, on-premises patching software requires VPNs, additional hardware, and frequently complex configuration to be able to update remote endpoints. These limitations increase security risks, investments, and manual effort when managing hybrid environments. So, we can definitely say that cloud-based patch management platforms are better for businesses prioritizing end-to-end automation, minimal setup time, cost efficiency, real-time visibility, and reliable remote monitoring and management.

What Industries Benefit Most From Patch Management?

Nowadays, many organizations operating in different industries are obligated to strictly follow regulatory requirements by keeping the software on their endpoints up-to-date in order to avoid potential financial penalties. An outdated operating system or third-party application could potentially lead to a successful cyberattack, exposing the sensitive information of hundreds or even thousands of people. This is why all organizations operating in the following industries must be equipped with patch management solutions to prevent such catastrophic scenarios:

Financial and Banking Sector

Effective and reliable patch management is a must for all financial institutions, because they are frequently targeted by cybercriminals who try to get unauthorized access to customers’ sensitive data. Exploiting unpatched software vulnerabilities is one of the ways to start a ransomware attack or cause data breaches.

That’s why patch managers are the solution to this problem, since they help organizations operating in the financial and banking sector maintain patch compliance and keep every single endpoint up-to-date by addressing security vulnerabilities as quickly as possible, which minimizes their attack surface and cyberattack risks.

Healthcare and Medical Services

Healthcare organizations make no exception. They manage vast networks of medical devices containing sensitive health information. Advanced patch management software equips hospitals with the tools to identify missing patches across their cross-platform systems while, at the same time, meeting strict regulations and ensuring critical patches reach all endpoints without disrupting patient care. Maintaining these devices up to date greatly reduces the likelihood of falling prey to cybercriminals.

Since 2018, US healthcare organizations have faced 654 successful ransomware attacks due to exploited vulnerabilities in outdated software. These attacks compromised nearly 89 million patient records and had a massive impact on hospitals, clinics, and healthcare companies. This is why hospitals, clinics, and healthcare companies require reliable and efficient patch management software to prevent such attacks and their far-reaching consequences.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing companies are well-known prime targets for hackers, as they utilize hundreds or thousands of endpoints for their critical operational technology and manufacturing processes. These organizations require robust patch management software that provides centralized management of factory floor systems, effectively preventing production downtime while keeping cybercriminals away through strategically scheduled patch deployments.

Technology and Software Development

The technology sector gains major benefits from patch management and vulnerability management platforms, as software companies must maintain current patch status across diverse operating systems. By automating the patching process, these organizations enable their IT and development teams to concentrate on innovation rather than repetitive maintenance tasks.

This software efficiently handles the installation of updates that address vulnerabilities, fix bugs, enhance endpoint performance, introduce new features, and generate comprehensive reports on the patch status of all network-connected devices.

Government and Public Administration

Government agencies rely on networks with hundreds, if not thousands, of endpoints connected to their networks, handling sensitive and classified citizen information. They cannot take any risks and operate with outdated software. This is why they need patch management solutions that offer granular control over security patches, while compliance reporting helps them demonstrate adherence to federal security mandates.

Automotive Industry

Vehicle manufacturers confront many cybersecurity challenges across their sprawling digital ecosystem. Beyond the traditional factory operations, they must protect their vehicles containing dozens of embedded systems and connectivity features. Without reliable and efficient patch management software, the vulnerabilities in vehicle software could potentially lead to remote exploitation, threatening not just data but also their employees’ and customers’ safety.

One of the greatest benefits of using such solutions is that they enable manufacturers to deploy critical security patches to production lines without disrupting tightly scheduled manufacturing processes. The risks are real and could be devastating in case of a successful cybersecurity attack, since security gaps can impact brand reputation, trigger regulatory penalties, and most critically, endanger human lives.

Utilities and Energy Distribution

Energy distribution companies operate society’s most important infrastructure: power grids, water systems, and resource delivery networks that we as individuals depend on daily. Unfortunately, these critical systems have become prime targets for hackers who aim to disrupt essential services. This is why patch management has a critical role in keeping cybercriminals away and ensuring that updates do not inadvertently trigger outages or system instabilities, where downtime can affect millions of people, compromise public safety, and potentially trigger serious infrastructure failures.

Oil, Gas, and Green Energy

The oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors operate specialized industrial control systems across remote environments, from offshore platforms to solar farms. These companies rely on industry-specific applications controlling critical processes that often receive less security attention than mainstream software, which is a huge mistake.

This is why patch management solutions are essential for tightening security across these vulnerable systems, particularly third-party apps with irregular update cycles. With operations spanning multiple locations and regulatory jurisdictions, these energy producers must maintain rigorous patch compliance to protect both digital assets and physical infrastructure that, if compromised, could lead to environmental disasters, production halts, or energy supply disruptions affecting entire economies.

Educational Institutions

Schools and universities manage hundreds, if not thousands, of endpoints containing sensitive student records, research data, and financial information while typically operating under severe budget constraints with limited IT resources. Free and affordable patch management tools offer these organizations a critical capability to automatically detect missing patches across diverse environments spanning multiple operating systems.

Beyond protecting student information, effective patch management helps educational institutions prevent their computing resources from being hijacked for malicious purposes. The ability to deploy patches efficiently allows them to maintain security without diverting precious resources away from their primary educational mission.

Which Industries Are Required by Law to Use a Compliance Based Patch Management Software?

We already discussed which sectors benefit the most from using patch management software, but now we will specifically name the industries that are obligated by law to use such tools.

• Healthcare sector – Every healthcare organization operated under HIPAA regulations, and to be compliant, they must keep all of the devices connected to the network with the latest security patches to protect patients’ sensitive health information and minimize the chances of potential data breaches. It is absolutely mandatory to have patch management software helping them automate keeping their endpoints’ operating systems and third-party applications up-to-date, secure, and compliant. Or else, they risk facing severe financial penalties reaching millions of dollars for preventable breaches.

• Financial institutions – Here the focus is mostly on complying with frameworks such as PCI DSS, SOX, GLBA, and GDPR. It’s impossible to follow them strictly without centralized control over patch management policies that document every single vulnerability remediation. These organizations need advanced automation, cross-OS and third-party application support, and last but not least, reporting capabilities for patch windows and patch updates, with potential consequences including loss of processing privileges for non-compliance.

• Critical infrastructure sectors – Including utilities, energy, and transportation, they all fall under NERC CIP or TSA cybersecurity directives requiring systematic patch management processes in order to keep their endpoints up-to-date.

• Government contractors – All government contractors that have access to federal information must adhere to CMMC or NIST 800-171 frameworks, which establish specific requirements for managing patches.

• Public companies – Public organizations have implicit obligations under SEC regulations, which require disclosure of material cybersecurity risks. IT service providers and managed service providers are obligated to protect their clients’ sensitive information by keeping each endpoint updated, secure, and compliant to minimize their attack surface and the possibility of facing a successful cyberattack.

Conclusion

If you want to protect your organization from cyberattacks, security breaches, and data leaks, and save thousands of dollars by avoiding regulatory fines, then you need a strong cybersecurity strategy. To create one, you must start by implementing the right patch management software that fits your environment’s needs, meets your expectations, and fully automates the patching process from the first to the last step. It will keep your endpoints updated, secure, and compliant by remediating software vulnerabilities on time.

In 2026, the best patch management tools are Action1, NinjaOne, Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management, HCL BigFix Enterprise+, ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, Patch My PC, Tanium, Atera, Automox, and Ninite Pro. They all can deliver end-to-end automation that strengthens your endpoints’ overall security posture, minimizes your attack surface, mean time to remediation, and manual interventions, and eases regulatory compliance.

However, keep in mind that each platform has its own key features, pros, and cons, which are decisive in whether it will deliver the expected results or leave you disappointed by failing to fully automate the patching process for all your systems, operating systems, and third-party applications. If you are looking for a universal solution, Action1 is definitely the one, as it is suitable for small, medium, and large enterprises.

It is cloud-native, easy to deploy and use, offers cross-platform OS support, comes with a deep third-party application catalog, eases report generation, and most importantly allows just a single administrator to update thousands of endpoints with plenty of customization options that give the needed flexibility every IT team and business owner needs. The cherry on top is that it is free for your first 200 endpoints, with no feature limitations, forever, making it the best choice for SMBs, enterprises, and MSPs.

About Action1

Action1 is an autonomous endpoint management platform trusted by many Fortune 500 companies. Cloud-native, infinitely scalable, highly secure, and configurable in 5 minutes—it just works and is always free for the first 200 endpoints, with no functional limits. By pioneering autonomous OS and third-party patching with peer-to-peer patch distribution and real-time vulnerability assessment without needing a VPN, it eliminates routine labor, preempts ransomware and security risks, and protects the digital employee experience.

In 2025, Action1 was recognized by Inc. 5000 as the fastest-growing private software company in America. The company is founder-led by Alex Vovk and Mike Walters, American entrepreneurs who previously founded Netwrix, a multi-billion-dollar cybersecurity company.