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Head-to-head · IT Automation Software

Puppet vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Puppet #1 in IT Automation Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Puppet
ManageEngine Endpoint Central #2 in IT Automation Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit site

Puppet leads on 0 checks, ManageEngine Endpoint Central on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePuppet · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly ManageEngine Endpoint Central
  • Most featuresManageEngine Endpoint Central · 3 of 3

Puppet scores higher on our rubric for it automation software: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

On deployment model, ManageEngine Endpoint Central gives you Hybrid where Puppet offers Self_hosted.

Puppet is the better fit for infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation. ManageEngine Endpoint Central is the better fit for mature endpoint and mobile-device management.

  • Puppet fits best

    Infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation

  • ManageEngine Endpoint Central fits best

    Mature endpoint and mobile-device management

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 Puppet 9.4/10 Visit ↗ ManageEngine Endpoint Central 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in IT Automation Software #2 in IT Automation Software
Best for Infrastructure configuration and policy-as-code automation Mature endpoint and mobile-device management
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $795/device/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web
Support Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 11 integrations 14 integrations
Built for Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Puppet 1/3 · ManageEngine Endpoint Central 3/3
Patch management ✓ ✓
Configuration management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Remediation automation Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment model Self_hosted Hybrid
Included endpoints Not checked yet 50 endpoints
Supported platforms Debian, Fedora, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Amazon Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Alma Linux, Rocky Linux, Oracle Linux, Ubuntu Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, iPadOS, ChromeOS, tvOS
Our review
Pros
  • Enforces desired state and automatically remediates configuration drift
  • Combines patching, vulnerability remediation, and compliance enforcement
  • Supports agent-based and agentless automation across Linux, Windows, and macOS
  • Covers Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android endpoints
  • Combines patching, deployment, inventory, remediation, and remote control
  • Offers a free edition for up to 25 devices in perpetuity
Cons
  • Commercial plans use custom pricing rather than published rates
  • Advanced capabilities require higher-tier Puppet Enterprise plans
  • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of smaller automation projects
  • Paid plans start at $104 per month
  • Advanced editions cost more as security and UEM needs grow
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrowly focused teams
Our verdict

Puppet is an infrastructure automation and configuration management platform for platform, infrastructure, and DevOps teams. It manages configurations across on-premises, cloud, hybrid, server, network, and edge environments. Its core…

Read the review →

ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a unified endpoint management and security platform for IT teams managing laptops, desktops, servers, smartphones, and tablets. It brings patch management, software deployment, configuration enforcement,…

Read the review →
  1. PuppetIT Automation Software 9.4Free plan
  2. ManageEngine Endpoint CentralIT Automation Software 9.3Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Puppet — where it wins

    • Enforces desired state and automatically remediates configuration drift
    • Combines patching, vulnerability remediation, and compliance enforcement
    • Supports agent-based and agentless automation across Linux, Windows, and macOS

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial plans use custom pricing rather than published rates
    • Advanced capabilities require higher-tier Puppet Enterprise plans
    • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of smaller automation projects

  • ManageEngine Endpoint Central — where it wins

    • Covers Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android endpoints
    • Combines patching, deployment, inventory, remediation, and remote control
    • Offers a free edition for up to 25 devices in perpetuity

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid plans start at $104 per month
    • Advanced editions cost more as security and UEM needs grow
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrowly focused teams
  • Puppet9.4/10 · Free plan

    Puppet combines policy-as-code, drift remediation, patching, and compliance across hybrid infrastructure.

    Visit PuppetFull verdict →
  • ManageEngine Endpoint Central9.3/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A mature platform for patching, endpoint control, mobile management, and remediation.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All IT automation software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update