Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · IT Asset Management Software

ManageEngine AssetExplorer vs Reftab

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score ManageEngine AssetExplorer #5 in IT Asset Management Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit AssetExplorer
Reftab #17 in IT Asset Management Software 7.6/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Reftab

ManageEngine AssetExplorer leads on 0 checks, Reftab on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 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 · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

ManageEngine AssetExplorer scores higher on our rubric for it asset management software: 9.0 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #17.

On deployment, ManageEngine AssetExplorer gives you Hybrid where Reftab offers Cloud.

ManageEngine AssetExplorer is the better fit for established teams needing deep ITAM. Reftab is the better fit for small teams tracking hardware and SaaS.

  • ManageEngine AssetExplorer fits best

    Established teams needing deep ITAM

  • Reftab fits best

    Small teams tracking hardware and SaaS

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 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Reftab 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.6
Ranking #5 in IT Asset Management Software #17 in IT Asset Management Software
Best for Established teams needing deep ITAM Small teams tracking hardware and SaaS
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $955/yr $9/user/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days 14 days
Free trial length 30 days 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 6 integrations 15 integrations
Features ManageEngine AssetExplorer 4/4 · Reftab 4/4
Software license tracking ✓ ✓
Contract tracking ✓ ✓
Barcode scanning ✓ ✓
Employee self-service ✓ ✓
Specs
Asset limit 50 assets 50 assets
Deployment Hybrid Cloud
Our review
Pros
  • Agent-based and agentless discovery with hardware and software inventory
  • License, contract, purchase order, and vendor management
  • Cloud or on-premises deployment with CMDB and self-service features
  • Free plan supports up to 50 assets with mobile and barcode tools
  • Tracks assignments, licenses, usage, spend, renewals, and access reviews
  • Supports requests, reservations, audits, maintenance, and approval workflows
Cons
  • Free edition is limited to 50 cloud nodes or 25 on-premises nodes
  • Paid plans are priced by managed assets, starting at $115 monthly
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of simpler asset tracking teams
  • The Free plan is limited to 50 assets
  • Hardware Asset Management costs $125 per month
  • Contract tracking is less detailed than dedicated SaaS-management tools
Our verdict

ManageEngine AssetExplorer is an IT asset management platform for teams overseeing hardware and software across multiple sites. It combines agent-based and agentless discovery with inventory management, software license tracking, contract…

Read the review →

Reftab is a cloud-based IT asset management platform for teams tracking hardware, software, users, and IT spend. It fits organizations that need one system for asset assignment, check-in and checkout, barcode and QR-code scanning, software…

Read the review →
  1. ManageEngine AssetExplorerIT Asset Management Software 9.0Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. ReftabIT Asset Management Software 7.6Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ManageEngine AssetExplorer — where it wins

    • Agent-based and agentless discovery with hardware and software inventory
    • License, contract, purchase order, and vendor management
    • Cloud or on-premises deployment with CMDB and self-service features

    Where it doesn't

    • Free edition is limited to 50 cloud nodes or 25 on-premises nodes
    • Paid plans are priced by managed assets, starting at $115 monthly
    • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of simpler asset tracking teams

  • Reftab — where it wins

    • Free plan supports up to 50 assets with mobile and barcode tools
    • Tracks assignments, licenses, usage, spend, renewals, and access reviews
    • Supports requests, reservations, audits, maintenance, and approval workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan is limited to 50 assets
    • Hardware Asset Management costs $125 per month
    • Contract tracking is less detailed than dedicated SaaS-management tools
  • ManageEngine AssetExplorer9.0/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A broad ITAM platform for established teams managing assets across cloud and on-premises environments.

    Visit AssetExplorerFull verdict →
  • Reftab7.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    Flexible ITAM for small teams managing hardware, SaaS, licenses, and assignments.

    Visit ReftabFull verdict →

More comparisons

All IT asset management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update