OpenText SMAX vs ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus

OSOpenText SMAX9.1Visit ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus8.9Visit

Higher score OS OpenText SMAX #3 in Enterprise IT Management Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit OpenText

vs

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus #5 in Enterprise IT Management Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit ManageEngine

• OpenText SMAX fits best

  Enterprises needing configurable ITIL service management

• ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus fits best

  IT teams needing affordable service-desk foundations

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Side by side

Feature	OSOpenText SMAX 9.1/10 Visit ↗	ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.9
Ranking	#3 in Enterprise IT Management Software	#5 in Enterprise IT Management Software
Best for	Enterprises needing configurable ITIL service management	IT teams needing affordable service-desk foundations
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$13/user/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	14 days	30 days
Free trial length	14 days	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Phone, Email
Integrations	5 integrations	15 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenText SMAX 0/6 · ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus 0/6
Endpoint management	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Patch management	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Asset discovery	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Service desk	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Identity and access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Automation workflows	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Covers core ITIL processes, including incident, change, problem, and release management Codeless workflow configuration, automation, and native CMDB support Cloud or self-hosted deployment with Android and iOS apps	Free Standard edition supports up to five technicians. Incident handling, self-service, knowledge base, SLAs, and approvals. Professional and Enterprise add asset management and broader service features.
Cons	Pricing requires contacting sales No permanent free plan; the hosted trial lasts 14 days The documented support channel is limited to documentation	Asset management starts with Professional at $27 per technician monthly. Change management and projects require Enterprise at $67 per technician monthly. No 24/7 support; support channels are phone and email.
Our verdict	OpenText SMAX, now presented as OpenText Service Management, brings IT service workflows, configuration management, and related enterprise service processes into one suite. Its ITIL-aligned scope includes incident, problem, change,… Read the review →	ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus brings incident and request management, self-service, knowledge base, SLA handling, approvals, and reporting into a service desk for IT teams and departments such as HR, facilities, and finance. It is aimed at… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenText SMAX — where it wins

  • Covers core ITIL processes, including incident, change, problem, and release management
  • Codeless workflow configuration, automation, and native CMDB support
  • Cloud or self-hosted deployment with Android and iOS apps

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • No permanent free plan; the hosted trial lasts 14 days
  • The documented support channel is limited to documentation

• ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus — where it wins

  • Free Standard edition supports up to five technicians.
  • Incident handling, self-service, knowledge base, SLAs, and approvals.
  • Professional and Enterprise add asset management and broader service features.

  Where it doesn't

  • Asset management starts with Professional at $27 per technician monthly.
  • Change management and projects require Enterprise at $67 per technician monthly.
  • No 24/7 support; support channels are phone and email.

• OSOpenText SMAX9.1/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

  A configurable ITIL-aligned suite for teams managing service, change, and asset workflows.

  Visit OpenTextFull verdict →
• ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus8.9/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  An affordable service desk with a free edition and paid tiers that add asset and change management.

  Visit ManageEngineFull verdict →