Head-to-head · Desktop Management Software
ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance
ManageEngine Endpoint Central leads on 1 check, Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance on 0, and 5 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 Endpoint Central · 9.3/10
- Free planonly ManageEngine Endpoint Central
- Free trialonly ManageEngine Endpoint Central
- Most featuresQuest KACE Systems Management Appliance · 5 of 5
ManageEngine Endpoint Central scores higher on our rubric for desktop management software: 9.3 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central offers free plan; Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance doesn't.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central is the better fit for teams managing endpoints across multiple platforms. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise teams wanting integrated ITAM.
- ManageEngine Endpoint Central fits best
Teams managing endpoints across multiple platforms
- Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance fits best
Mid-market and enterprise teams wanting integrated ITAM
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Side by side
| Feature | ManageEngine Endpoint Central 9.3/10 Visit ↗ | Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance 8.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.3 | 8.6 |
| Ranking | #1 in Desktop Management Software | #8 in Desktop Management Software |
| Best for | Teams managing endpoints across multiple platforms | Mid-market and enterprise teams wanting integrated ITAM |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $795/device/yr | Pricing on request |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | 30 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 | Docs, Tickets |
| Integrations | 14 integrations | 2 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features ManageEngine Endpoint Central 1/5 · Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance 5/5 | ||
| Endpoint inventory | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Patch management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote support | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Compliance policies | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Third-party patching | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Supported desktop OS | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Included endpoints | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | ManageEngine Endpoint Central brings endpoint management and security into a central console for IT teams overseeing servers, desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and other endpoints. Its coverage spans operating systems and third-party… Read the review → |
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance brings endpoint discovery, inventory, patching, software distribution, asset and license management, policy controls, reporting and service desk capabilities into one appliance. It is aimed at… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
ManageEngine Endpoint Central — where it wins
- Combines patching, deployment, inventory, configuration, and remote support
- Offers cloud and on-premises deployment
- Free Edition covers up to 25 devices
Where it doesn't
- Paid pricing starts at 50 endpoints, above the Free Edition limit
- Enterprise Edition adds self-service, USB, and license management at higher prices
- 24/7 support is presented as a premium service
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance — where it wins
- Combines endpoint inventory, patching, software distribution and IT asset management.
- Connects service desk capabilities with endpoint and asset management.
- Offers cloud and self-hosted deployment for Windows, Mac and Linux environments.
Where it doesn't
- Pricing is available by request rather than through published plan prices.
- Listed integrations are limited to Active Directory and LDAP.
- There is no free plan.
- ManageEngine Endpoint Central9.3/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
Broad endpoint management with cloud and on-premises options and pricing by endpoint count.
Visit ManageEngineFull verdict → - Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance8.6/10 · Pricing on request
Endpoint inventory, patching, asset management and service desk in cloud or self-hosted deployments.
Visit Quest SoftwareFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update