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Head-to-head · Software Asset Management (SAM) Tools

ManageEngine AssetExplorer vs LICENSEWARE

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score ManageEngine AssetExplorer #6 in Software Asset Management (SAM) Tools 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit ManageEngine
LICENSEWARE #7 in Software Asset Management (SAM) Tools 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit LICENSEWARE

ManageEngine AssetExplorer leads on 0 checks, LICENSEWARE on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreManageEngine AssetExplorer · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly ManageEngine AssetExplorer
  • Most featuresLICENSEWARE · 1 of 2

ManageEngine AssetExplorer scores higher on our rubric for software asset management (sam) tools: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

ManageEngine AssetExplorer is the better fit for teams managing hardware, software, and contracts. LICENSEWARE is the better fit for cost-conscious teams needing dedicated license analysis.

  • ManageEngine AssetExplorer fits best

    Teams managing hardware, software, and contracts

  • LICENSEWARE fits best

    Cost-conscious teams needing dedicated license analysis

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ManageEngine AssetExplorer 8.5/10 Visit ↗ LICENSEWARE 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.4
Ranking #6 in Software Asset Management (SAM) Tools #7 in Software Asset Management (SAM) Tools
Best for Teams managing hardware, software, and contracts Cost-conscious teams needing dedicated license analysis
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $955/yr —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Phone, Email Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 58+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ManageEngine AssetExplorer 0/2 · LICENSEWARE 1/2
License compliance Not checked yet ✓ (best)
SaaS coverage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Software discovery Not checked yet Not checked yet
License types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Managed devices Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Tracks software licenses, compliance, contracts, and purchase orders.
  • Supports barcode, QR code, and RFID scanning for asset workflows.
  • Offers cloud and on-premises deployment, plus mobile asset management.
  • Analyzes licenses for Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat, and Adobe
  • Combines contract, entitlement, renewal, and license-position management
  • Offers a free plan and consumption-based PAYG pricing
Cons
  • The cloud free edition is limited to 50 nodes.
  • Support is not available 24/7.
  • The displayed cloud prices cover the 250-asset plan.
  • Free-plan reports are limited to 10 rows per table
  • Advanced vendor analysis is reserved for the Advanced plan
  • The plans use several different pricing structures
Our verdict

ManageEngine AssetExplorer gives IT teams a place to discover and inventory hardware and software, track licenses and compliance, manage asset life cycles, and relate configuration items in a CMDB. Its scope suits organizations that want…

Read the review →

LICENSEWARE is a modular software asset management platform for IT, procurement, compliance, SAM, and consulting teams managing software estates. It brings inventory recognition and normalization together with license analysis, contract…

Read the review →
  1. ManageEngine AssetExplorerSoftware Asset Management (SAM) Tools 8.5Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. LICENSEWARESoftware Asset Management (SAM) Tools 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ManageEngine AssetExplorer — where it wins

    • Tracks software licenses, compliance, contracts, and purchase orders.
    • Supports barcode, QR code, and RFID scanning for asset workflows.
    • Offers cloud and on-premises deployment, plus mobile asset management.

    Where it doesn't

    • The cloud free edition is limited to 50 nodes.
    • Support is not available 24/7.
    • The displayed cloud prices cover the 250-asset plan.

  • LICENSEWARE — where it wins

    • Analyzes licenses for Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat, and Adobe
    • Combines contract, entitlement, renewal, and license-position management
    • Offers a free plan and consumption-based PAYG pricing

    Where it doesn't

    • Free-plan reports are limited to 10 rows per table
    • Advanced vendor analysis is reserved for the Advanced plan
    • The plans use several different pricing structures

More comparisons

All software asset management (SAM) tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update