9 Best NinjaOne Alternatives for Patch Management

TL;DR – Best NinjaOne Alternatives for Patch Management:

• ✅ Action1 – Cloud-native, scalable, ideal for remote-first teams.

• 🛠 ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus – Strong OS/app coverage, good for enterprises.

• 🧩 Microsoft Intune – Best for organizations already in the Microsoft ecosystem.

• ⚙️ Atera – All-in-one RMM with built-in patching, great for MSPs.

• 🔐 Ivanti Neurons – AI-powered patch intelligence with enterprise-grade capabilities.

• ☀️ SolarWinds Patch Manager – On-prem patching with WSUS/SCCM integration.

• 📦 PDQ Deploy & Inventory – Windows-focused, scripting-friendly, ideal for sysadmins.

• 🛡 GFI LanGuard – Combines patching with network security auditing.

• ☁️ Automox – Lightweight, cross-platform, designed for cloud-native IT ops.

 

Patch management platforms are a critical pillar in every company’s cybersecurity strategy. They offer automated patching, remote control, flexibility, scalability, and the confidence that your endpoints are up-to-date, secure, and compliant with regulatory standards.

Yet, every company is different, and that’s why you need a patch management platform that offers a specific set of features and capabilities to meet your needs while solving the biggest pain points across your IT environment.

If you’re currently searching for such software and have already started doing research, then a few solutions have probably grabbed your attention. Without any doubt, NinjaOne is one of them, since it offers a unified platform for managing and securing endpoints, applications, and networks. It simplifies IT operations by equipping businesses with tools for remote monitoring and management (RMM), patch management, and remote control.

But no software is perfect, and each has its drawbacks, often pushing business leaders and IT teams to look for better alternatives. Some of the most notable and frequently mentioned limitations of the platform include limited reporting capabilities, a mobile app that needs improvement, an interface that’s not as user-friendly as it should be, and pricing that’s higher compared to other alternatives.

In this blog, we’ll talk in detail about why you should look for NinjaOne alternatives by exploring its strengths and weaknesses and then provide you with the best 9 alternatives for patch management. So if you’re on your way to equipping your company with patching software or are currently using NinjaOne and want to switch to software that better fits your needs and budget, then you’re in the right place. We’ll help you make an informed decision so you don’t have to spend hours researching.

Why Look for NinjaOne Alternatives?

NinjaOne is one of the leaders on the market since it offers an automated endpoint management platform that equips businesses with a unified, cloud-based platform capable of managing, monitoring, and securing their endpoints. NinjaOne delivers features such as remote monitoring and management, patch management, software deployment, remote control, and advanced automation that save you time, boost productivity, and reduce security risks. However, every piece of software has its specific limitations, and NinjaOne isn’t exempt.

Now let’s take a closer look at the issues reported by users that often push them toward alternatives:

• Limited macOS and Third-Party Support: Although NinjaOne offers cross-platform support, users report limitations with macOS and third-party application support.

• Reporting Lacks Depth & Customization: While basic reports are built-in, deeper, more flexible customization is limited, particularly for patch metrics.
• Interface Has a Steep Learning Curve: NinjaOne offers a powerful feature set, but navigating the interface can be challenging for new users.

• Mobile App Doesn’t Match Desktop Functionality: The mobile experience is too limited for real control outside the office.
• Higher Cost Than Many Alternatives: NinjaOne users note that the per-endpoint pricing is more expensive than other patch management alternatives, especially for small setups or growing teams.

What Are the Top NinjaOne Alternatives for Patch Management?

The top NinjaOne alternatives for patch management are: Action1, ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, Microsoft Intune, Atera, Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management, SolarWinds Patch Manager, PDQ Deploy & Inventory, GFI LanGuard and Automox.

To help you compare, here’s an overview of the features, pros, cons , and ratings of each tool.

Action1

Action1 is a cloud-native autonomous endpoint management platform that automates each step of the OS and third-party patching process from vulnerability identification and remediation to detailed report generation. The software is infinitely scalable, highly secure, and configurable in just 5 minutes, equipping you with a patch management solution that just works. It offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface and, of course, a variety of useful features and capabilities that successfully eliminate manual processes and reduce hardware and workforce expenses.

With it, you can manage your on-premises and remote endpoints from any location, directly from your browser, without VPN connectivity. A private repository and P2P patch distribution ensure that only reliable and tested patches reach your endpoints, while minimizing external bandwidth usage even during large update deployments. Action1 helps you keep your endpoints up-to-date, secure, and compliant with strict regulatory standards.

Pros

• Easy to deploy—in just five minutes.
• Automates patch and update deployments on operating systems and third-party applications.
• Reduces downtime through staged, intelligent, risk-free deployments.
• #1 easiest-to-use patch management solution as ranked by independently verified customers on G2.
• Infinite scalability allowing you to expand from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of endpoints instantly.
• Action1 is a cloud-native platform that does not require a VPN to manage both on-premises and remote endpoints.
• Highly secure—certified for SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and TX-RAMP.
• User-friendly interface.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform Support: Windows and macOS systems (Linux support coming soon).
• Third-Party Patching: Supports automated deployment of a wide range of third-party applications on Windows and macOS, with filtering options by severity, vendor, and other criteria. Provides real-time progress status and 99% coverage for typical enterprise environments such as Adobe, Chrome, Zoom, and more.
• Patching Offline Devices: Endpoints that are offline during scheduled deployment will be updated automatically the moment they become online.
• Vulnerability Management: Action1 detects vulnerabilities in real-time and equips you with built-in remediation capabilities.
• Risk-Based Patch Management: Patches are being deployed based on their severity, actual threat level to your organization, CVE numbers, and CVSS scores.
• IT Asset Management Inventory: Gives you actual insights into each endpoint’s system health, patch status, and hardware details.
• Software Deployment: Enables automated deployment of prepackaged and custom applications.
• Software Removal: Equips you with the ability to remotely uninstall outdated or unauthorized programs across your endpoints.
• Script Automation: Provides built-in scripts and supports custom PowerShell, CMD, and Bash scripting.
• Real-Time Reporting: Generate detailed reports with 100+ built-in templates, all of which can be customized according to your organization’s or customers’ requirements.
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Set permissions for user accounts, allowing specific employees to manage endpoints and configure automations, while others can only view reports. Action1’s RBAC is fully customizable, letting you define permissions by scope (e.g., organizations, groups, scripts) and function (e.g., reports, automations, dashboards).
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Integrates with your existing identity provider for Single Sign-On (SSO), including Entra ID (Azure AD), Okta, Google, or Duo.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Strengthens account security by requiring a second verification step via email or apps such as Google Authenticator or Duo.
• Update Rings: Allows you to roll out patches and updates in controlled stages, moving from pilot groups to wider deployment only when predefined success criteria are met, thus minimizing the risk of unexpected downtime caused by problematic deployments.
• Update Approval per Organization: Confidently approve, defer, or decline software updates at the organization level, which is invaluable for managed service providers (MSPs) and large enterprises with multiple departments.
• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Patch Distribution: Downloads updates and patches once and shares them across your endpoints, reducing external bandwidth usage and speeding up large update deployments without needing on-premise local cache servers.
• Secure Private Software Repository: Ensures that only tested and verified updates/patches reach your endpoints.
• Custom Endpoint Attributes: Define up to 30 custom attributes per endpoint, set them manually or via scripts, and include them in reports. Examples include registry keys, installed or missing software, device type, warranty date, BitLocker status, free disk space, environment variables, and BIOS version.
• Real-time Alerts: Notifies you of changes in installed software and hardware.
• Remote Access: Manage with ease both your on-site and remote devices from any location, directly through your browser, without a VPN.
• Public Roadmap: Feedback-driven development prioritized by customer votes in Action1’s public roadmap.
• Full REST API Access: With OAuth 2.0 at no additional price.
• Windows Feature Updates: Automatically upgrade your endpoints from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
• Windows on ARM Patching: Keeps ARM-based Windows devices up-to-date with the latest security fixes and feature upgrades, ensuring newer laptops and tablets running on ARM chips stay secure, compliant, and ready for work.
• Free for up to 200 Endpoints: Fully featured, with no functional limits, forever. You can use it for free in your SMB or thoroughly test it in your large enterprise before purchasing.
• Technical Support: Via phone or email.

Cons:

• Missing Linux support, although it will be available soon.
• No rollback capability

G2 rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 (603+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 (217+ reviews)

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is a web-based software application that automates patch management for Windows, macOS, Linux, and third-party applications. The platform helps organizations remediate software vulnerabilities in a timely manner by automatically detecting, testing, and deploying patches across on-premises and remote endpoints to ensure they are secure, compliant, and running smoothly.

Pros:

• Automates end-to-end patch management from detection to remediation.
• Supports patching for Windows, macOS, Linux, and a wide variety of third-party applications.
• Reduces downtime risks by allowing you to schedule, test, and deploy patches outside business hours.
• Patches systems across LANs, WANs, DMZs, and remote work-from-home systems without a VPN.
• Improves patch reliability through automated testing before deployment.

Key Features:

• Offers cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Patches third-party applications alongside OS updates.
• Allows tailored deployment policies for different groups.
• Maintains full visibility over patch compliance metrics.
• Supports patch exclusions for legacy applications.
• Provides instant rollback for problematic patches.
• Automates patch testing and approval sequences.
• Enterprise Edition features Wake-on-LAN and remote shutdown options.
• 30-day free trial available for testing the platform.
• Offers technical support via phone, email, and web portal.

Cons:

• The initial setup is not as straightforward as expected. Customers report that they struggle with compatibility issues, especially with older server versions.
• Limited flexibility for custom patching and user-based applications, as it cannot deploy fully custom patches (e.g., uploaded files) and often struggles with apps like Zoom.
• 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.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (180+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (330+ reviews)

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune is a powerful cloud-based endpoint management solution. It equips you with the ability to manage user access to organizational resources and simplifies application and device management across a variety of endpoints (mobile devices, desktop computers, and virtual machines). With Intune, you can successfully implement zero trust security principles to protect access and data on your organization-owned and users’ personal endpoints.

Pros:

• Unified Endpoint Management—Mobile Device Management and Mobile Application Management.
• Scalable cloud-based infrastructure.
• BYOD Support.
• Remote Troubleshooting Capabilities.
• Flawless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices
• Enables advanced device management to easily enroll devices, configure settings, and deploy updates and policies
• Allows you to deploy, update, and control access to applications and the data within them.
• With Intune, you can create and enforce compliance policies, ensuring your devices meet security standards.
• Features conditional access, helping you strictly control corporate resources based on specific criteria, including device state and user identity.
• Secures corporate data within applications without full device management.
• Equips you with zero-touch device deployment and configuration, eliminating the need to manually install applications on new devices.
• Integrates with Microsoft Defender and improves its capabilities by enabling advanced threat protection and remediation.
• With Intune, you can lock, wipe, reset passwords, and perform other remote management tasks across on-site and remote endpoints with policy enforcement.
• Includes a 30-day free trial to test the product before purchase.
• Offers technical support via phone, live chat, and directly from the Intune admin center’s “Help and Support” pane.

Cons:

• Higher price compared to other relevant solutions.
• No built-in third-party patching capabilities, except for Windows products.
• Basic reporting capabilities that lack advanced customization.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (220+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (35+ reviews)

Atera

Atera is a cloud-based platform that combines endpoint monitoring, remote management, professional service automation, and patch management capabilities. The software automates OS and third-party application patch deployment, offers remote endpoint access, and includes integrated ticketing and billing systems. This makes it a reasonable choice for SMBs with smaller teams needing patch management and broader IT service automation capabilities.

Pros:

• It’s easy to use and deploy.
• All-in-one – RMM, patch management, and PSA platform.
• Reduces downtime risks by allowing you to schedule, test, and deploy patches outside business hours.
• Mobile app for on-the-go management.
• Detailed reporting and analytics.
• Remote support.

Key Features:

• Cross-platform OS support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Patches third-party applications alongside system updates.
• RMM and PSA features.
• Maintains patch compliance management and tracking.
• Deploys software bundles for streamlined application management.
• Provides detailed patch status summaries across your on-premise and remote endpoints.
• Integrates with Chocolatey and HomeBrew for package management.
• Features an intuitive, user-friendly web-based interface.

Cons:

• Misleading patch reporting status showing that a particular application is being patched successfully, while in reality the deployment fails.
• Limited third-party application patching capabilities.
• High cost with premium charges for essential reporting and features.

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (850+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (445+ reviews)

Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management

Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management is a cloud-based solution that automates patching across different operating systems and third-party applications by using AI-driven risk assessment and remediation workflows. With the software, you can effortlessly manage patch lifecycles across your on-premises and remote endpoints, gain detailed insight into vulnerability exposure, and benefit from data-driven decisions and phased rollouts that balance security requirements with business operational needs.

Pros:

• Risk-based patching and prioritization.
• Reduces downtime risks by allowing you to schedule, test, and deploy patches outside business hours.
• SLA tracking and compliance reporting.
• Cloud-native architecture.
• Real-time threat intelligence.
• Automated offline device handling.

Key Features:

• Automated patch deployment across Windows, macOS, and third-party applications.
• Comprehensive asset discovery and inventory management.
• Automated vulnerability scanning and assessment.
• Vulnerability Risk Rating (VRR) for risk-based patch prioritization.
• Detailed report generation after each patch lifecycle.

Cons:

• Notable learning curve.
• Higher price compared to other competitors from our list.
• Slow response times from customer support.

SolarWinds Patch Manager

SolarWinds Patch Manager automates the process of patching Windows systems and third-party applications to remediate software vulnerabilities in a timely manner. The software helps your organization adhere to regulatory compliance frameworks by generating reports after each update lifecycle, thus keeping your Windows-based endpoints secure and compliant.

Pros:

• Centralized control that saves you time by managing and automating patching from a single interface.
• Extended coverage beyond Microsoft, enabling you to keep your business-critical third-party applications up-to-date and secure by remediating existing vulnerabilities.
• Reduces downtime risks by allowing you to schedule, test, and deploy patches outside business hours.
• Eases regulatory compliance by equipping you with built-in reports that you can use after each patch lifecycle to help you adhere to regulatory standards.
• Offers enterprise scalability, making it suitable for large and distributed IT environments.

Key Features:

• Integrates with WSUS and SCCM to improve Microsoft’s patching capabilities with automation and broader control.
• Supports third-party application patching with prebuilt packages for apps like Adobe, Java, and Chrome.
• Enables custom patch creation through a wizard-driven tool for specific software that is not covered by default catalogs.
• Automates patch deployment scheduling, including approvals, installations, and reboot management for greater flexibility and to help you avoid unexpected downtime.
• Provides detailed patch compliance reporting to simplify audits and ease regulatory adherence.
• Equips you with real-time monitoring dashboards showing patch status, existing vulnerabilities, and update progress across your endpoints.
• Endpoint management tools such as remote reboot, Wake-on-LAN, and task scheduling.
• Offers you role-based access control (RBAC) to properly assign permissions for patching tasks and user roles.
• Patch testing and approval workflows for staged rollouts before broad deployment.

Cons:

• Not cloud native.
• Does not support macOS and Linux.
• Complex setup and configuration.

G2 rating: –

Capterra rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 (15+ reviews)

PDQ Deploy & Inventory

PDQ Deploy & Inventory is a device management solution that automates patching across Windows operating systems and third-party applications, helping you save time and keep systems secure and up-to-date. As its name suggests, the tool is built on two components:

• PDQ Deploy helps you update third-party software, deploy custom scripts, and handle configuration management changes.
• PDQ Inventory scans your network, collects detailed information on your on-prem Windows machines, and organizes them so deployments reach exactly the right endpoints.

Pros:

• Simplifies patch management by automating updates for Windows and third-party applications.
• Reduces downtime risks by allowing you to schedule, test, and deploy patches outside business hours.
• Saves IT teams time through powerful automation that eliminates manual patching work.
• Improves security by keeping endpoints consistently updated and less vulnerable.
• Ensures precise deployment by providing detailed device insights from PDQ Inventory.

Key Features:

• Supports Windows OS (for on-premises or VPN-connected devices).
• Third-Party Patching (for on-premises or VPN-connected devices).
• Enables custom device groupings to organize endpoints for testing, security purposes, and targeted deployment strategies.
• Automates scheduled update deployments with flexible timing controls to avoid unexpected downtime.
• Provides custom script deployment and management capabilities for Windows devices.
• Delivers automatic asset discovery through PDQ Inventory to identify and catalog all on-premises devices across your network infrastructure.
• Integrates with Active Directory for automatic synchronization and the import of computer records to streamline device management workflows.
• Offers a prebuilt collection library for quick environment organization and insights into device status and compliance metrics.
• Provides a comprehensive package library with popular application updates and tools for creating custom deployment packages.
• Delivers secure Windows device management with a complete tool suite designed for IT professionals and enterprise environments.
• Technical support.
• 14-day free trial.

Cons:

• Does not provide cross-platform OS support.
• It is not a cloud-native solution, meaning that it can manage on-premise endpoints but needs VPN connectivity for remote ones.
• Basic reporting capabilities.

G2 rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (290+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (340+ reviews)

GFI LanGuard

GFI LanGuard helps protect your network with patch management, auditing, and security scanning. It provides cross-platform and third-party application support, in-depth vulnerability scans, and full visibility into all endpoints, enabling you to identify potential risks and remediate them with timely patches.

Pros:

• Strengthens your network security by quickly identifying and remediating vulnerabilities to minimize the attack surface across your endpoints.
• Saves you time with its centralized patching and automated vulnerability scanning capabilities.
• Reduces downtime risks by allowing you to schedule, test, and deploy patches outside business hours.
• The software uses GenAI-powered insights to simplify security configuration and optimize endpoint protection.
• Allows you to group endpoints for better management.

Key Features:

• Cross-platform OS patching for Windows, macOS, and Linux-based endpoints.
• Supports third-party application updates alongside system patches.
• Network monitoring and vulnerability scanning to identify risks across your servers, routers, switches, and endpoints.
• Compliance reporting with automated, audit-ready documentation for standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and SOX.
• Flexible patch scheduling and automation to streamline deployments, reduce downtime, and boost business continuity.

Cons:

• The catalog of third-party applications is limited when compared to other patch management platforms.
• GFI LanGuard can deploy updates to remote endpoints, but with significant limitations compared to truly cloud-native solutions.
• The software can be resource-intensive, especially during scans or patch deployments.

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 (10 reviews)

Capterra rating: 3.8 out of 5.0 (10 reviews)

Automox

Automox is a cloud-based IT automation platform that equips organizations with centralized patch management and endpoint control across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. The software successfully automates patching for operating systems and third-party applications from a single user-friendly console. With it, you don’t need VPNs or on-premise servers for remote endpoint management.

Pros:

• Efficient scalable automation with Worklets that allow scripted remediation and configuration for consistent deployments.
• The software is easy to set up and use with a straightforward interface that requires minimal learning time.
• Equips you with real-time dashboards showing each endpoint’s device health, patch status, vulnerabilities, and compliance data.
• Reduces downtime risks by allowing you to schedule, test, and deploy patches outside business hours.
• Saves your company time and money by automating patch management while improving your overall security posture through up-to-date and compliant endpoints.

Key Features:

• Automated patching for Windows, macOS, and Linux-based endpoints.
• Automated third-party patching.
• Allows you to create and enforce custom patches and configuration policies.
• Lets you automate tasks including patch management, configuration, deployment, and Worklet tasks, targeting particular endpoints by hostname, IP address, OS, or Active Directory Organizational Unit.
• Provides detailed endpoint visibility into their current status.
• Role-based access controls for better control over user access to the platform.
• Fully featured API for third-party integrations with other tools and systems.
• Offers pre-built reports for monitoring and analysis.
• Since the software is cloud-based, it offers remote access to your endpoints from anywhere.

Cons:

• Patch reporting lacks depth.
• Lacks built-in rollback capabilities.
• Slow remote control performance compared to other remote desktop solutions.
• The interface is not as intuitive as advertised.

Comparison Table of NinjaOne Alternatives

Tool	Platform Support	Cloud/On-Prem	Patch Automation	Best For
Action1	Windows/macOS	Cloud	Yes	Remote-first & Compliance
ManageEngine	Win/macOS/Linux	Both	Yes	Hybrid & compliance
Intune	Win/macOS/iOS/Android	Cloud	Yes	Microsoft-centric
Atera	Windows/macOS/Linux	Cloud	Yes	MSPs/small IT
Ivanti	Multi-platform	Cloud	Yes	Security-focused
SolarWinds	Windows	Hybrid	Yes	WSUS/SCCM users
PDQ Deploy	Windows	On-Prem	Yes	SMB on-prem
GFI LanGuard	Win/macOS/Linux	On-Prem	Yes	Compliance
Automox	Win/macOS/Linux	Cloud	Yes	SaaS patching

How to Choose the Right NinjaOne Alternative?

To choose the best alternative to NinjaOne, you must be aware of your organization’s needs and expectations. The choice directly depends on factors such as infrastructure, OS diversity, data protection requirements, security needs, budget, and whether you prefer cloud-native or on-premise patch deployment. For instance, MSPs need multi-tenant support, remote access, rapid deployment, and automation depth. On the other hand, large enterprises, aside from patch automation, need effortless generation of audit-ready reports and flawless integration capabilities.

Does NinjaOne Require More infrastructure than Action1?

Yes. NinjaOne requires installing and maintaining its agent-based RMM platform framework. On the flip side, Action1 is entirely cloud-native and needs no on-premise server infrastructure. This way, you just need to install agents once on the endpoints you want to manage, and then you can start immediately patching your Windows, macOS, and third-party applications.

Which Platform is Easier to Deploy—NinjaOne or Action1?

Action1 is easier to deploy. It takes only 5 minutes to create your account, install the software, and start addressing vulnerabilities across your endpoints by patching your Windows, macOS, or third-party applications. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, so you won’t find any difficulties when navigating it. NinjaOne may require more onboarding steps, policy setup, and integration work before it’s fully operational.

Does NinjaOne Match Action1’s Peer-to-Peer Update Delivery?

No, Action1 offers peer-to-peer (P2P) patch distribution to reduce external bandwidth usage and ensure rapid deployments even for large updates. This means that patches and updates will be downloaded once and then shared across your endpoints, instead of the same update being downloaded on each of your devices. NinjaOne lacks this feature, and it does not offer P2P update delivery.

Is NinjaOne as Flexible in Licensing as Action1?

Not entirely. Although NinjaOne has tiered pricing, Action1’s pricing model is often considered simpler and more predictable, especially for growing teams.

Action1 is infinitely scalable, and you can go from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of endpoints at a gradually lowering per-endpoint cost. On top of that, the software is free for your first 200 endpoints, fully featured, forever. This allows small businesses to use it for free as long as they want, while large enterprises can thoroughly test it before purchasing.

Does NinjaOne Support as Fast a Patch Rollout as Action1 for Remote Endpoints?

In user reviews across G2 and Capterra, Action1 is often praised for its rapid patch rollout to remote devices without VPN, while NinjaOne can be slower if endpoints are not consistently connected. Action1’s peer-to-peer (P2P) patch distribution significantly reduces not only bandwidth usage but also the deployment time, so that is one of the reasons for faster rollouts.

How Do NinjaOne and Action1 Compare for Fully Remote Teams?

Action1’s cloud-native architecture delivers superior advantages for fully remote teams compared to NinjaOne’s hybrid-focused design. Action1 enables remote endpoint management without requiring VPN connections, allowing IT teams to manage traveling employees and distributed workforces seamlessly. The platform automatically catches up on scheduled updates as soon as offline endpoints come back online.

While NinjaOne is designed more for mixed on-site/remote environments rather than purely distributed teams. Action1’s peer-to-peer patch distribution optimizes bandwidth usage and scales equally fast whether managing 100 or 100,000 endpoints. IT teams can manage endpoints from any browser, and the built-in remote desktop provides office-quality support without additional platforms. This makes Action1 the more compelling choice for fully remote workforce management.

Does NinjaOne Offer Built-in Compliance Reporting Like Action1?

NinjaOne offers built-in compliance reporting capabilities. However, Action1 delivers more than 100 built-in report templates, covering patching, vulnerabilities, software inventory, and security configurations. This means you can generate audit-ready reports with just a few clicks. Moreover, you can customize these reports and create new ones based on your organization’s or clients’ needs. This makes Action1 more suitable for organizations requiring the generation of detailed compliance documentation and regulatory adherence compared to NinjaOne’s more limited reporting options.

Which Tool Better Handles Offline Devices During Patching?

Action1 handles offline devices more effectively than NinjaOne. When an endpoint is shut down or not connected to the internet during a scheduled deployment, the software automatically queues and retries patches as soon as the device comes back online, requiring no manual intervention and ensuring predictable patch delivery.

NinjaOne also applies missed patches once systems come back online, but the problem is that the timing can be inconsistent and sometimes requires extra admin oversight.

Does NinjaOne Offer the Same Zero-Infrastructure Model as Action1?

No, NinjaOne does not provide the same zero-infrastructure model as Action1. With Action1, you can manage and patch every endpoint without setting up servers, VPNs, or extra hardware. NinjaOne relies on a more traditional RMM design, which often needs local components and extra tools that add overhead to your IT operations. If your goal is to simplify patching across remote devices while avoiding infrastructure costs, Action1 gives you that capability out of the box.

Summary and Key Takeaways for Your Best Alternative to NinjaOne

Patch management is a critical pillar in cybersecurity. With it, you can eliminate manual patching and keep your endpoints up-to-date, secure, and compliant with strict regulatory standards. It saves your organization time and resources. NinjaOne, without any doubt, is one of the leading solutions on the market, equipping you with a unified IT management platform and reliable patch management automation.

Yet, NinjaOne users often highlight its limitations, such as restricted reporting capabilities, an underdeveloped mobile app, a less user-friendly interface, limited macOS and third-party support, and higher pricing compared to alternatives. That’s why many business leaders look for other patch management platforms that can better address these shortcomings.

Fortunately, you have a choice, and there are vendors that can equip you with everything needed to keep your endpoints secure, compliant, and smoothly performing. The main alternatives to consider are Action1, ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, Microsoft Intune, Atera, Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management, SolarWinds Patch Manager, PDQ Deploy & Inventory, GFI LanGuard, and Automox.

However, keep in mind that choosing the right software that meets your business’s specific needs and expectations is easier said than done, because patch management solutions aren’t “one-size-fits-all” propositions. To make an informed decision, you must understand your IT environment. Consider whether it’s built on endpoints with different operating systems, which third-party applications are most critical, what your budget allows, and which features address your biggest network pain points.