Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance

Microsoft Configuration Manager8.9Visit QKQuest KACE Systems Management Appliance8.6Visit

Higher score Microsoft Configuration Manager #5 in Desktop Management Software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Microsoft

vs

QK Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance #8 in Desktop Management Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Quest Software

• Microsoft Configuration Manager fits best

  Windows-centric organizations using Microsoft infrastructure

• Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance fits best

  Mid-market and enterprise teams wanting integrated ITAM

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Side by side

Feature	Microsoft Configuration Manager 8.9/10 Visit ↗	QKQuest KACE Systems Management Appliance 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.6
Ranking	#5 in Desktop Management Software	#8 in Desktop Management Software
Best for	Windows-centric organizations using Microsoft infrastructure	Mid-market and enterprise teams wanting integrated ITAM
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$1,455 usage-based	Pricing on request
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Docs, Tickets
Integrations	17 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Configuration Manager 1/5 · Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance 5/5
Endpoint inventory	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Patch management	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Remote support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Compliance policies	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Third-party patching	✓	✓
Specs
Supported desktop OS	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Included endpoints	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Deploys applications, operating systems, and software updates Combines inventory, compliance, endpoint protection, and remote control Co-manages devices with Microsoft Intune	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.
Cons	Self-hosted deployment keeps it focused on on-premises or hybrid environments System Center licensing is server-based rather than a standalone per-device price Existing macOS client support is documented only through December 31, 2022	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.
Our verdict	Microsoft Configuration Manager gives IT teams a central console for deploying applications, operating systems, and software updates across managed devices. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise organizations that manage Windows… 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

• Microsoft Configuration Manager — where it wins

  • Deploys applications, operating systems, and software updates
  • Combines inventory, compliance, endpoint protection, and remote control
  • Co-manages devices with Microsoft Intune

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosted deployment keeps it focused on on-premises or hybrid environments
  • System Center licensing is server-based rather than a standalone per-device price
  • Existing macOS client support is documented only through December 31, 2022

• 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.

• Microsoft Configuration Manager8.9/10 · Paid

  A broad Windows management suite for organizations invested in Microsoft infrastructure.

  Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
• QKQuest 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 →