Best Azure Update Manager Alternatives in 2026
The top Azure Update Manager alternatives are ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, Action1 and Automox: 15 patch management software our editors would look at instead of Azure Update Manager, in our ranking order.
Azure Update Manager: A strong fit for Azure and Arc teams managing scheduled, policy-based server patching. Where it falls short: azure arc resources can cost up to $5 per server monthly.
Switching from Azure Update Manager? For most patch management software buyers the best Azure Update Manager alternative is ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, built for cost-conscious teams needing deep patch controls. On a budget, Ninite Pro starts at $0.25/device/mo. Patch My PC offers the most device limit (1000).
Why People Look for an Azure Update Manager Alternative
- Azure Arc resources can cost up to $5 per server monthly
- Non-Azure machines require Azure Arc connectivity
- Offline device support is not available
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallManageEngine Patch Manager Plus9.4
Cost-conscious teams needing deep patch controls
Visit ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus - Lowest priceNinite Pro7.3
Paid plans from $0.25/device/mo
Visit Ninite Pro - Best free optionManageEngine Patch Manager Plus9.4
Has a free plan
Visit ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus - Most device limitPatch My PC8.2
1000
Visit Patch My PC
All 15 Azure Update Manager Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forCost-conscious teams needing deep patch controls
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.5
A broad patching toolkit with free coverage and detailed deployment controls.
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
9.4/10★★★★★Visit ManageEngine -
Best forMixed-OS teams wanting broad patch automation
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.5
Broad OS and third-party patch automation with a free first-200-endpoint plan.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Action1 -
Best forTeams wanting inexpensive cloud patch automation
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.5
Affordable cloud patching with broader automation available on higher tiers.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Automox -
Best forLarge enterprises needing mature endpoint patching
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.5
A mature enterprise patching platform for controlled, multi-system update operations.
- Offline device support
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit HCL BigFix -
Best forMixed-OS fleets needing deep integrations
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.5
A broad patching platform for mixed-OS infrastructure, offline servers and integrated workflows.
- Offline device support
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit JetPatch -
Best forRisk-led security teams
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.5
A risk-led patching platform for teams managing mixed operating systems and applications.
- Offline device support
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Ivanti -
Best forMixed-device organizations needing broad coverage
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.5
A broad patching service for teams managing desktop, mobile, and private-network devices.
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Syxsense -
Best forMicrosoft-centric teams patching applications
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.5
A strong fit for Microsoft environments that need curated patching across Windows and macOS.
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Patch My PC -
Best forIvanti Endpoint Manager customers
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.5
A broad patching and remediation tool for organizations already using Ivanti endpoint management.
- Offline device support
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Ivanti -
Best forOrganizations already using ZENworks
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.5
A strong fit for ZENworks organizations needing automated patching and CVE remediation.
- Offline device support
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit OpenText -
Best forEnterprise endpoint operations teams
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.5
Automated, policy-driven patching with visibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Tanium -
Best forStraightforward multi-OS patch operations
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.5
A practical multi-OS patching module with scheduled deployment, approvals, and compliance reporting.
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Infronest -
Best forLinux and FreeBSD operators wanting flexible tooling
- Better than Azure Update Manager:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.5
Flexible open-source patch management for Linux and FreeBSD, with Windows monitoring.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit PatchMon -
Best forWindows teams built around WSUS or SCCM
A focused Windows patching tool for teams using WSUS or SCCM.
- Offline device support
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit SolarWinds -
Best forSimple Windows application updating at scale
A focused Windows patching tool with bulk updates, policies, reporting, and RMM integrations.
- Offline device support
- Third-party patching
- Scheduled deployment
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Ninite Pro
Azure Update Manager Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Azure Update Manager?
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus: #1 in our Patch Management Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad patching toolkit with free coverage and detailed deployment controls.
Is there a free alternative to Azure Update Manager?
Yes. ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, Action1 and PatchMon have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Azure Update Manager?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Ninite Pro starts lowest, at $0.25/device/mo.
Why do people look for Azure Update Manager alternatives?
Azure Arc resources can cost up to $5 per server monthly; Non-Azure machines require Azure Arc connectivity; Offline device support is not available.
Which Azure Update Manager alternative has the most device limit?
Patch My PC, with 1000.
How do I switch from Azure Update Manager?
Export your data from Azure Update Manager (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Azure Update Manager.
How to Switch from Azure Update Manager
- Export your data from Azure Update Manager (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Azure Update Manager.
Azure Update Manager vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Third-party patching | Reboot controls | Scheduled deployment | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Azure Update Manager | Yes | Windows, Linux | Yes | Force | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 1 | ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus | Yes | $245/yr | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Schedule | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Action1 | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux | 9.1 | ||||
| 3 | Automox | No | $1/device/mo | Windows, macOS, Linux | 8.9 | |||
| 4 | HCL BigFix Patch | No | Windows, Linux, macOS, UNIX, iOS, Android | Yes | Force | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 5 | JetPatch | No | $2.86/device/yr | Windows, Linux, Solaris, AIX; macOS connector/task support only | Yes | Schedule | Yes | 8.5 |
| 6 | Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Defer | Yes | 8.4 | ||
| 7 | Syxsense Patch Management | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Yes | Schedule | Yes | 8.3 | ||
| 8 | Patch My PC | No | $3,500/yr | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 9 | Ivanti Patch for Endpoint Manager | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Force | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 10 | OpenText ZENworks Patch Management | Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | Defer | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 11 | Tanium Patch | Windows, Linux, macOS | Yes | Defer | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 12 | Infronest Patch Management | No | ₹850/user/mo | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Schedule | Yes | 7.7 |
| 13 | PatchMon | Yes | $1/device/mo | Linux, FreeBSD, Windows | 7.6 | |||
| 14 | SolarWinds Patch Manager | No | Windows | Yes | Schedule | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 15 | Ninite Pro | No | $0.25/device/mo | Windows 11, 10, 8.x, 7, and equivalent Server versions | Yes | None | Yes | 7.3 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update