10 Best Patch Management Softwares in 2025

Patch management software has become an inevitable part of the security framework of every successful business organization. If you’re wondering why, the answer is clear. This software is responsible for identifying vulnerabilities in your systems, detecting missing patches in operating systems and third-party applications, testing them before deployment across every device in your network, and finally implementing the patches to close identified software defects.

Nowadays, many business owners, especially those managing small businesses, still underestimate the massive impact patch management software has on their organization’s overall security posture. A single vulnerability, if exploited, can lead to devastating consequences both for the business itself and for their clients’ sensitive information.

Cybercriminals use these known vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the company’s database, allowing an attacker with a standard user account to escalate privileges. They then use that access for widespread deployment and detonation of ransomware within your business environment.

Data breaches also give hackers access to sensitive data from your company and clients. What is even more disturbing is that a single successful cyberattack can wipe out years of hard work building and growing your business, leading to financial losses, downtime, potential regulatory penalties, and, most importantly, weeks or months of recovery time.

The solution to preventing such a scenario is to equip your organization with reliable patch management software that can fix security vulnerabilities as quickly as possible. The question is not whether you need such software, but which one fits your business needs.

In this article, we will help you select the best patch management software for your organization; we will examine the top 10 patch management solutions in 2025, discuss the most important features to look for in a patching tool, and answer other important questions. If you have not equipped your company with a patch management solution, 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.

1. Action1 – Autonomous Patch Management Software

Action1 is an autonomous endpoint management platform that is cloud-native, infinitely scalable, highly secure, and configurable in 5 minutes. By pioneering autonomous operating systems and third-party patching—AEM’s foundational use case—through peer-to-peer patch distribution and real-time vulnerability assessment without needing a VPN, it eliminates costly, time-consuming patch management processes, preempts ransomware and security risks, and protects the digital employee experience. The platform is trusted by thousands of enterprises managing millions of endpoints around the world.

Pros

• Start patching endpoints in under 5 minutes and easily scale to as many devices as needed

• #1 easiest-to-use patch management solution as ranked by independently verified customers on G2

• Cloud-native architecture with infinite scalability

• No VPN, appliances, or sophisticated network configuration required

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

• Works equally well for office-based and remote employee endpoints, servers, and cloud workloads

• Intuitive interface

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Linux support not yet available

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

Main Features

• Third-party patching: Automated patching with real-time progress status

• Cross-platform OS support: Automated patching of Windows and macOS with granular filters

• Vulnerability management: Real-time identification with built-in remediation

• Risk-based patch management: Prioritize and apply software patches and updates based on the level of risk they pose to your organization’s IT infrastructure and critical assets.

• IT asset inventory: Complete visibility into every endpoint in real-time

• Software deployment: Streamlined deployment of prepackaged and custom apps

• Software uninstall: Bulk uninstallation of unauthorized or legacy software

• Scripting automation: Built-in scripts and custom PowerShell, CMD, or Bash support

• Real-time reporting: 100+ built-in reports with summary and drill-down options

• Role-based access control (RBAC): Granular levels of access for user accounts

• Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Unique Features

• Update rings is a remarkable feature designed to make automated patch management processes more intelligent, staged, and risk-free. With sequential update rollouts, updates move outward in controlled phases, ensuring only reliable patches reach your entire IT environment while enabling autonomous remediation

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

• Privately maintained a secure software repository with 99% coverage, avoiding community repos

• Real-time vulnerability data with CVE numbers, CVSS scores, and exploitation indicators

• Auto repair of Windows update agent for 99% patch compliance rates

• Custom endpoint attributes (up to 5) for tailored management

• Remote access: Control endpoints anywhere without VPN directly in the browser

• Public roadmap with customer voting for feature prioritization

• Full REST API access with OAuth 2.0 at no extra charge

• Windows Feature Updates: Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11

Free 200 endpoints

• Fully featured, with no functional limits, never expires for the first 200 endpoints

• Free one-time vulnerability assessment for an unlimited number of endpoints

OS support

• Windows

• macOS

• Linux support coming soon

2. NinjaOne Patch Management

NinjaOne is a cloud-based patch management software that has earned a solid reputation as one of the best patch management solutions on the market.

Pros

• Cloud-based patching platform that doesn’t require VPN connection

• Proactive patching with CVE/CVSS integration reduces vulnerabilities by up to 75%

• Works across in-office, remote, and hybrid IT environments

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Devices often get stuck with red or yellow status indicators when updates are pending or failed (doesn’t explicitly indicate which)

• Device groups can’t filter based on relative dates (requires hardcoding specific dates)

• Costly for small businesses with few endpoints

Main Features

• Cross-platform OS support

• Third-party application patching

• Risk-based patch management

• Patch compliance reporting

• Agent-deployed patching

OS Support

• Windows

• macOS

• Linux

3. Ivanti Neurons Patch Management

Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management is a specialized module within the broader Ivanti Neurons platform that helps businesses of all sizes secure their endpoints through comprehensive patch management.

This solution enables organizations to identify vulnerable IT assets within their network and automatically deploy patches through pre-defined rules and policies. By automating the discovery, assessment, and remediation process, Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management ensures endpoints remain protected against known vulnerabilities, helping maintain a secure IT environment.

Pros

• Cloud-native solution

• Advanced Vulnerability Risk Rating

• Patch reliability insights leveraging crowdsourced sentiment and anonymized deployment data

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Challenges aligning continuous updates with typical monthly maintenance schedules

• A bit of a learning curve

Main Features

• Cross-platform OS support

• Third-party application patching

• Risk-based patch management

• Active Threat Context

• Patch Compliance Management

• Advanced VRR system

• Equal access to SLA tracking and risk intelligence for both IT and Security teams

OS Support

• Windows

• macOS

• Linux

4. HCL BigFix Enterprise+

HCL BigFix Enterprise+ is a comprehensive endpoint management platform that provides real-time visibility into vulnerabilities across hybrid environments. It enhances the core BigFix Enterprise offering with advanced analytics, automated patching, and streamlined remediation workflows to help organizations efficiently identify, prioritize, and address security issues across their distributed endpoint infrastructure.

Pros

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

• Real-time status reporting for all endpoints

• Extensive repository of out-of-box remediation content

• Helps maintain compliance with PCI DSS, DISA STIG, ISO, HIPAA, NIS2, and DORA standards

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Тhe software is quite resource intensive and require a high level of memory and processing power to run smoothly

Main Features

• Cross-platform OS support

• Third-party application patching

• Patch compliance management

• Automated task sequencing

• CyberFOCUS security analytics

• CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability (KEV) exposure analyzer for detecting and remediating critical vulnerabilities

• Protection Level Agreement (PLA) collaboration tool for managing remediation agreements

• Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Simulator using MITRE ATT&CK® Framework

• Intuitive interface

OS Support

• Windows

• Linux

• UNIX

5. 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.

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

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• The initial setup is not as straightforward as expected, users report that they struggle with compatibility issues, especially with older server versions

• The agent is not customizable enough for specific customer labeling

• In some cases patches fail to install without a clear reason. To solve the issues you must contact their customer support which can take time from a couple of hours to several days.

Main Features

• Cross-platform OS support

• Third-party application patching

• Flexible deployment policies

• Patch compliance management

• Ability to decline patches for legacy applications

• One-click rollback for problematic patches

• Automated patch testing and approval process

• Support for driver and BIOS patches (Enterprise Edition)

• Remote shutdown and Wake-on-LAN capabilities (Enterprise Edition)

OS Support

• Windows

• macOS

• Linux

6. 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.

Pros

• Automates packaging, testing, and installing patches of 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

• Team includes Microsoft MVPs with extensive experience in ConfigMgr and Intune

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Lacks advanced reporting

• Supports only Windows environments

Main Features

• Windows OS support

• Third-party application patching

• Rigorous testing to ensure compatibility and minimize deployment risks

• Details on CVEs associated with updates for prioritizing critical patches

• Customizable updates

• Automatically detects new apps in the environment and updates them immediately

• MEM patching optimizer

• Intuitive interface

OS Support

• Windows environments using ConfigMgr, WSUS, and Intune

7. Tanium

Tanium is another great choice that offers a patch management solution that provides real-time visibility, control, and remediation for all of your devices on a single platform.

Pros

• Real-time visibility and control over every endpoint in the network

• Increases patch efficacy from average ~80% to ~95% at first pass, and 99%+ with additional adjustments

• Unified platform managing Windows, Linux, and macOS from a single console

• 24/7 customer support

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.

• Migration to cloud-based SaaS deployment proves challenging as workflow processes and data pathways remain poorly defined, necessitating concurrent development work.

Main Features

• Cross-platform OS support

• Third-party application patching

• Risk-based patch management

• Creates, repurposes, and refreshes devices through bare-metal imaging

• Automated Deployment Scheduling

• Software Gallery

• Creates detailed reports on endpoint status across multiple platforms

OS Support

• Windows

• Linux

• macOS

8. Atera

Atera is a reliable and efficient patch management system within its 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 numerous third-party applications.

Pros

• Integration within broader IT management ecosystem

• Comprehensive reporting suite

• Software bundling for simplified deployment

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Limited Platform Customization

• Disparity in Mobile App Functionality

Main Features

• Cross-platform OS support

• Third-party application patching

• Patch compliance management

• Software bundles

• Patch Status summary

• Integration with Chocolatey and HomeBrew

• Intuitive interface

OS Support

• Windows

• macOS

• Linux

9. Automox

Automox delivers a comprehensive cloud-native automation platform that efficiently manages patching, endpoint configuration, device monitoring, and reporting from a single console. This powerful solution enables IT teams to proactively eliminate security vulnerabilities through automated updates across Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, as well as numerous third-party applications.

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

• Extensive catalog of 368+ automation scripts (Worklets) for endpoint tasks

• Community-driven resource sharing with AI-assisted custom script creation

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Agent reliability issues with occasional inaccurate device status reporting

• Relatively limited catalog of third-party application patches compared to competitors

• Higher cost structure compared to its competitors

Main Features

• Cross-platform OS support

• Third-party application patching

• Patch compliance management

• Risk-based patch management

• Role-Based Access Control

• Integration with Tenable, Crowdstrike Spotlight, Qualys, and similar platforms

• Endpoint selection based on hostname, IP address, OS, or Active Directory

• AI-Assisted Automation

OS Support

• Windows

• macOS

• Linux

10. Ninite Pro

Ninite Pro is a streamlined patch management solution that successfully simplifies third-party application updates across organization’s environments. This tool automates the deployment and maintenance of popular software applications while eliminating bundleware and unnecessary toolbars. Ninite Pro helps IT teams maintain consistent software environments and reduce vulnerability windows with minimal administrative overhead.

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

• Patch Compliance Management

• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Limited selection of applications available in the catalog

• Challenges with integrating programs not supported by Ninite

Main Features

• Lightweight agent for Windows machines

• Third-party application patching

• Real-time monitoring and control

• Remote/roaming device support

• Automatic update policies

• App locking for specific versions

• Tagging, sorting, and filtering capabilities

• Overview dashboard for patching status

• Multiple deployment options (MSI, EXE, network-wide installer)

• Command-line interface for scripting and integration

OS Support

• Windows only (third-party applications, not OS updates)

FAQ

What Is the Best Way to Automate Patch Management?

The best way to automate patch management is by equipping your organization with an effective and reliable patching tool. The best patch management software combines automation with flexibility, so look for solutions that offer you centralized management across Windows, macOS, and Linux environments.

Using such software will automatically detect all of the missing patches (OS and third-party application patching) across your endpoints, prioritize them by risk, and deploy them based on a pre-defined schedule with minimal disruption and manual efforts. Always choose patch management tools that provide you with clear compliance reporting and testing capabilities before deployment.

How Often Should Patches Be Applied to Ensure Efficiency?

A good practice is to deploy critical patches addressing active exploits within 24 to 48 hours after testing. You must install high-priority patches weekly and follow a monthly schedule for low-risk updates. Keep in mind that patch management software provides you with the flexibility to create your own schedule based on the specific needs of your company. Most organizations establish regular maintenance windows with a separate emergency process for critical updates.

Your third-party applications have to be patched more frequently than your operating systems, so finding the right balance is key—which is easier said than done, but automated solutions help by scheduling deployments during off-hours to avoid operational disruptions while giving you clear visibility into patch status across your network.

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 and 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 you postpone the installation of critical patches because such delay exposes your company to ransomware, data breaches, business disruptions and downtime, regulatory penalties, and months of recovery efforts.

How Do Organizations Benefit from Automated Patching?

Automated patch management strengthens your security posture through timely vulnerability remediation. You’ll likely see up to 80% fewer security incidents related to unpatched systems. Your IT team will spend less time manually managing patches, improving operational efficiency. Compliance reporting becomes streamlined, helping you satisfy regulatory requirements with detailed documentation.

Third-party application patching becomes consistent with automation. You gain improved visibility through centralized dashboards showing patch compliance across your environment. Automated solutions can test patches before deployment, reducing compatibility risks and ensuring critical systems receive necessary updates without relying on manual processes that can introduce human error.

What is the Best Patch Management Software in 2025?

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 every single endpoint connected to the company’s network.

After installing the software, Action1 will automatically identify all of your devices, and then it will provide you with a list of the missing patches prioritized based on their severity score. You can schedule the deployment process at a convenient time (off-hours) to avoid any operational disruptions. Furthermore, the update ring structure allows your IT team to create a testing environment where patches will be installed on a small group of endpoints to verify that they successfully close the identified software vulnerabilities without causing any issues. This methodical approach—expanding from test groups to your full production environment—ensures only proven, reliable updates ever reach your mission-critical systems.

Action1 has its own private repository, meaning you will be provided only with pre-tested patches with 99% patching coverage. The system tracks real-time progress even offline. Through peer-to-peer patch distribution and real-time vulnerability assessment without needing a VPN, it successfully eliminates costly, time-consuming routine labor, preventing ransomware and other security risks. The cloud-native platform is infinitely scalable and highly secure.

Perhaps most remarkably, Action1 offers its complete functionality free for your first 200 endpoints with no time limitations or feature restrictions. This allows enterprises to thoroughly test the platform or enables small businesses to implement enterprise-grade protection permanently without budget constraints. As the first patch management vendor certified for SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and TX-RAMP, Action1 helps you effortlessly meet regulatory requirements while avoiding compliance penalties.

How do I Choose the Right Patch Management Tool for My Business in 2025?

Choosing the right patch management tool for your organization is not as simple as picking the highest-rated option. You must carefully consider specific key factors that align with your company’s needs and requirements. Start by assessing your IT environment’s complexity—how many endpoints does your organization have, which operating systems are in use (Windows, macOS, and Linux), and what third-party applications are critical to your operations? The right patch management solution must offer coverage for all these components.

Keep in mind that third-party application patching is of utmost importance, as these software vulnerabilities often lead to successful cyberattacks if not updated in a timely manner. Look for a tool that automatically detects missing patches, prioritizes them correctly based on their risk severity, enables testing them in a lab environment before rolling them out across your production environment, and offers flexible scheduling to avoid operational disruptions or unexpected downtime. Furthermore, it is mandatory to look for a solution that provides you with real-time patch status reporting across your network.

As corny as it sounds, scalability is another key factor to consider. Will your solution grow with your business? Does it offer centralized management with a user-friendly interface to monitor patch compliance? Next, evaluate the reporting capabilities of the software—does it help your organization demonstrate patch compliance to auditors and leadership? Automated and comprehensive compliance reporting is essential for meeting regulatory requirements and security governance standards, protecting you from potential financial penalties.

For SMBs especially, budget considerations matter, but remember that the cheapest option will not offer the protection your business needs. Think of it that way: a potential cost of a single breach caused by an unpatched vulnerability is far bigger than making a small investment in an autonomous patch management software.

Finally, do research about the vendor’s reputation and its customer support. Read user reviews; they will provide you with valuable insights about the product. Look for a vendor that offers 24/7 customer support; if any issues occur, having the ability to contact them will help you solve the problem in a matter of hours instead of days.

By prioritizing these factors and carefully evaluating your business needs, you will make the most informed decision when selecting a solution that addresses your organization’s security requirements.

Which Patch Management Software Offers Support for Both Windows and macOS in 2025?

Many organizations now rely on both Windows and macOS environments, making cross-platform patch management essential for maintaining security and compliance. Looking ahead to 2025, several powerful solutions stand out for their ability to handle both operating systems effectively. For your convenience, we’ve researched and compiled the top patch management tools that excel at supporting both Windows and macOS environments:

• Action 1

• Jamf Pro

• ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

• Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management

• SolarWinds Patch Manager

• Automox

• Kandji

• PDQ Deploy

• Atera

• NinjaOne

Are There any Free Patch Management Tools Worth Using in 2025?

Is it really possible to find free patch management software that doesn’t compromise on features or limit your usage time? Action1 proves it is, offering a superior patch management tool that’s always free for the first 200 endpoints, with no functional limits. Currently, this is the only solution 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 in a timely manner, eliminating the costly, time-consuming routine labor.

This effective patch management software takes just 5 minutes to set up and works without requiring a VPN. You can test it as long as you want in your enterprise or use it perpetually in your small business. Action1’s solution is used by thousands of SMBs and enterprises, helping them secure their endpoints, improve their functionality, avoid unexpected downtime, and most importantly, preempt ransomware and other security risks. Equipping your company with this remarkable tool provides you the following benefits:

• Unified OS and Third-Party Patching: 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 realtime 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.

• Third-Party Patching: Automated patch deployment for macOS, Windows, and third-party software from a private repository with 99% patching coverage, tracking real-time progress even offline.

• 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: Instant visibility into endpoint vulnerabilities, without the need for periodic scans. The system provides a 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.

How much would your organization lose in a single security breach from an unpatched vulnerability? Don’t wait to find out. Implement Action1’s free patch management solution today for up to 200 endpoints and start protecting your business immediately. It takes just minutes to deploy but provides security that lasts forever.

What Features Should I Look for in the Best Patch Management Software in 2025?

As we already discussed, choosing the right patch management software is not an effortless task. Since we already mentioned the key factors to consider before making your final decision, now it is time to explore in detail the most critical features to look for in a patching solution. These essential capabilities will help you evaluate each vendor’s offering and select the tool that best aligns with your organization’s security requirements and IT infrastructure:

Risk-based patch management is one of the most important features to look for when selecting the best patch management software for your company. Since it intelligently 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.

Automated patch management saves your IT team countless hours while improving security by automatically detecting missing patches, prioritizing and deploying them, and verifying successful installation. This automation eliminates the need to manually update every single endpoint connected to your organization’s network.

Patch testing is fundamental since it allows you to test patches in a lab environment before deploying them across your production network, preventing compatibility issues that could negatively impact your business operations or even cause downtime.

Staged Rollouts (Update Rings) provide the ability to deploy patches to a pilot group of endpoints first, then gradually to wider groups of devices. This feature helps your IT team to identify problematic patches before they affect your entire IT infrastructure, ensuring there will be no unexpected issues causing downtime.

Multi-OS support is crucial if your company runs diverse operating systems. Before subscribing to any patch management software, ensure that it supports Windows, macOS, and Linux systems from a single centralized management console.

Third-party application patching might be categorized as the most overlooked yet critical feature. While operating system patches get attention, vulnerabilities in third-party applications are most frequently exploited. Your solution must handle both equally well to minimize the chance of experiencing a cyberattack.

Compliance reporting capabilities demonstrate your patch status to auditors and executives. It is mandatory to select a patching tool that offers automated compliance reporting with customizable dashboards showing patch compliance across your environment. Thus, saving you lots of headaches and potential financial penalties.

Vulnerability Management Integration creates a closed-loop process where vulnerabilities are identified, corresponding patches are deployed, and remediation is verified—all within a unified workflow.

Is Cloud-Based Patch Management Better Than On-Premise Solutions in 2025?

For most organizations, the answer is yes—especially for businesses that need speed and efficiency to detect and address security vulnerabilities in a timely manner. Cloud-based patch management platforms are preferred because they offer automated vulnerability identification, accurate prioritization, and centralized remote monitoring. These solutions provide automated patch deployment with testing options before organization-wide rollouts while maintaining compliance and meeting regulatory requirements—all without requiring heavy infrastructure.

On the other hand, on-premise solutions still offer granular control, but cloud tools excel in scalability, extensive reporting capabilities, and, of course, keeping systems secure with the latest security patches. So, we can definitely say that cloud-based patch management solutions are better for businesses prioritizing agility, automated patch workflows, and centralized dashboards, making them the best patch management choice in 2025.

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 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:

Financial and Banking Sector

Effective and reliable patch management is essential for all of the financial institutions that, unfortunately, face constant cybersecurity threats targeting their customers’ sensitive data. Patch management platforms help organizations operating in the financial and banking sector maintain patch compliance, keep every single endpoint up-to-date, and thus address security vulnerabilities as quickly as possible with the main goal of preventing potential cyberattacks leading to data breaches. Deploying patches in a timely manner across these endpoints significantly reduces the attack surface.

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 significantly 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 devastating 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 substantial benefits from patch management tools, 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 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

The 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 leveraging such solutions is that they enable them 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 vital 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 that aim to disrupt essential services. This is why patch management has a critical role of 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 fundamental for securing 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 heterogeneous environments spanning multiple operating systems.

Beyond protecting student information, effective patch management helps educational institutions prevent their substantial 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, which require maintaining the devices connected to the network to have the latest security patches to safeguard patients’ sensitive health information. Healthcare providers must implement patch management best practices to successfully manage multiple operating systems and third-party software to address vulnerabilities as quickly as possible. Organizations that are not following these regulations face severe penalties, with fines reaching millions of dollars for preventable breaches.

• Financial institutions—These organizations must comply with multiple regulatory frameworks such as PCI DSS, SOX, and GLBA. These regulations require centralized control over patch management policies that document every single vulnerability remediation. For instance, banks need patch management software with extensive 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—fall under NERC CIP or TSA cybersecurity directives requiring systematic patch management processes. These organizations must document their approach to evaluating patches, establishing patch windows, and implementing software updates across operational technology environments.

• Government contractors— All government contractors that are handling federal information must adhere to CMMC or NIST 800-171 frameworks, which establish specific requirements for managing patches. Organizations operating in this sector must utilize centralized dashboards to track patch deployments in real-time and maintain detailed documentation. Defense contractors face particularly stringent requirements, potentially losing contract eligibility for non-compliance.

• Public companies—Public organizations have implicit obligations under SEC regulations, which require disclosure of material cybersecurity risks. IT service providers and managed service providers serving these companies must demonstrate proper patch management capabilities for critical applications and systems.