Heimdal Security Blog

Best Patch Management Software & Tools 2024

  • Livia Gyongyoși

    • best patch management software (4)

    Choosing the best patch management software boils down to what your organization needs. Consider how complex your IT setup is and how much you’re willing to spend.

    For instance, large companies with diverse operating systems and applications will need a more powerful and scalable patch management solution.

    Take a moment to really think about your organization’s unique needs before diving into a purchase. To kickstart your search, here are the nine best patch management software & tools and software you can check out.

    1. Heimdal®

    Heimdal®’s Patch and Asset Management makes meeting Compliance goals, closing known vulnerabilities, deploying updates, and installing software an easy task.

    This patch management solution is also scalable and fully customizable.

    You can deploy patches, cover patching from anywhere in the world, according to your own schedule, and update automatically any Microsoft and Linux OS, 3rd-party, and proprietary software.

    Heimdal’s Top Patch Management Features

    Heimdal’s Pros

    Heimdal’s Cons

    For a while, Heimdal did not provide support for MacOS patching. However, things changed starting October 2023, we also covers this area.

    Heimdal Pricing

    Heimdal offers pricing models that suit businesses both big and small. Whether you’re an emerging startup or an established corporation, we provide budget-friendly options tailored for you.

    Our pricing tiers cover a broad range from seat counts of 1 to over 20,000 and servers from 1 to more than 100.

    The cost of the license varies based on subscription duration: monthly, annually, for 3 years, or for 5 years.

    If you want to see our product at work, check out the 30-day free trial.

    2. Ivanti

    Ivanti`s patch management solution is an add-on for their Endpoint Management platform. The product manages devices running Windows, macOS, and Linux and runs on Windows Server.

    It integrates and automates prevention, detection, and response methods while focusing on the most significant areas of vulnerability.

    Ivanti Patch for Endpoint Manager finds vulnerabilities in Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and third-party apps like Acrobat Flash/Reader, Java, Web browsers, etc.

    Ivanti`s Main Features

    Ivanti Pros

    Ivanti Cons

    Ivanti Pricing 

    3. Atera

    Atera offers patching for operating systems, software, and hardware drivers. It’s compatible with third-party applications like Chrome, Zoom, Java, Dropbox, Microsoft Office, and various Adobe tools.

    System Administrators can establish automated routines for patch installations or updates on a large scale. Choosing not to apply certain patches is also available.

    Atera`s Main Features

    Atera Pros

    Atera Cons

    Atera Pricing

    4. ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

    ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is available both in the cloud and on-premises. It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux devices, and offers support for server and desktop systems, virtual machines, and roaming devices.

    Patch Manager Plus supports about 850 third-party applications most of which are Windows software.

    The software is available in three versions: Free, Professional, and Enterprise. The Free one can support up to 20 devices and 5 servers.

    ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus`s Main Features

    ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus Pros

    ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus Cons

    ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus Pricing

    5. Kaseya VSA

    Kaseya VSA covers patch management for devices and infrastructure. The solution works on Windows, Mac, and 3rd Party Software.

    Kaseya patch management software enables security teams to keep servers, workstations, and remote computers updated. It provides a unified way to manage an organization`s software. Additionally, it allows denying a certain patch or blocking an update for a subset of machines.

    Kaseya VSA`s Main Features

    Kaseya VSA Pros

    Kaseya VSA Cons

    Kaseya VSA Pricing

    6. ITarian

    ITarian provides various IT management and security solutions, including a patch management tool. The solution allows you to monitor vulnerabilities, and prioritize and automate the patching process. ITarian also allows remote updating for operating systems.

    ITarian`s Main Features

    ITarian Pros

    ITarian Cons

    ITarian Pricing

    7. Automox

    Automox is a cloud-native platform for endpoint management. It offers a unified solution for IT administrators to automate the hardening and patching of their devices on-prem, in the cloud, or remote.

    It is one of the patch management solutions that works for automating OS patching on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices.

    Automox`s Main Features

    Automox Pros

    Automox Cons

    Automox Pricing

    8. NinjaOne Patch Management

    NinjaOne is a cloud platform designed for remote management and monitoring. Its Patch Management solution allows administrators to handle patching for various OSs and about 135 third-party Windows applications.

    Administrators can use the platform to control patch deployments, set schedules, and establish patching policies for endpoints. It provides real-time data on patch statuses, helping to identify vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the system enables the creation and sharing of detailed endpoint compliance reports.

    NinjaOne Patch Management`s Main Features

    NinjaOne Patch Management Pros

    NinjaOne Patch Management Cons

    NinjaOne Patch Management Pricing

    9. Avira Software Updater

    Avira Software Updater is a patch management solution that covers updates for over 150 frequently used applications. They monitor updates for Chrome, Firefox, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, and CCleaner, among others.

    Although Avira doesn’t specify all supported applications, it streamlines the update process by scanning your system for outdated software.

    The tool can scan for outdated drivers too, but I advise you to avoid this feature. Driver updates rarely bring substantial security benefits that are not already covered by Windows. On the other hand, incorrect driver updates can destabilize the way your PC works. As a rule, it`s better to let Windows handle driver updates.

    Avira Software Updater`s Main Features

    Avira Software Updater Pros

    Avira Software Updater Cons

    Avira Software Updater Pricing

    But after discussing the best patch management solutions, it’s essential to step back and understand the foundational concept.

    What Is Patch Management Software?

    Patch management software keeps all software on all devices up to date. Patch management solutions are designed to identify, deploy, and manage software updates.

    Keeping software up to date helps protect against security threats, like known vulnerabilities. It also ensures compliance with regulations and improves functionality across the organization.

    Benefits of Using Dedicated Patch Management Tools

    In a nutshell, a good patch management software should:

    Patching keeps you safe from known vulnerabilities that threat actors can exploit to launch a cyberattack. They use flaws to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or compromise system integrity.

    Patches often include bug fixes that improve software stability. Apply updates regularly to minimize crashes, errors, and performance issues.

    Many industries and regulations require organizations to maintain software up to date to protect sensitive information. Patch management helps maintain compliance with these standards.

    Automated patch management is much faster and more efficient than manual updates. It reduces the window of exposure to threats because the devices are consistently and swiftly patched.

    The Ultimate List for Patch Management Software Features

    Each patch management tool comes with its own set of features, pros and cons. After going over hundreds of reviews for various patch management software, here`s what I`ve learned:

    In addition, there is a set of essential features that top patch management software should have:

    The software should support various OSs, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux while covering all devices in an organization.

    The tool should offer automatized detecting, downloading, and installing updates without requiring any manual intervention.

    Administrators should be able to schedule patch deployments for specific times. Peak usage hours can vary depending on the organization`s activity field, geolocation, and so on. A top patch management tool should be flexible enough so that patching does not disrupt business operations.

    The software should provide real-time insights into the patch status of all devices. Most reviews show an increased interest in detailed reports highlighting vulnerabilities, patch success rates, and compliance levels.

    Both cybersecurity threats and tools get more complex every day, so a unified interface that eases asset management and monitoring is mandatory. Having your whole system and toolkit on the same page is gold.

    In a centralized dashboard, admins can see and manage the whole patching process on a single screen. They can also detect faster what system vulnerabilities pose higher risks, and act on time.

    Sometimes, despite testing, patches can cause downtimes. So, the patch management software you choose should have the ability to revert to a previous state. This ensures system stability and minimizes downtime.

    The tool should seamlessly integrate with existing IT infrastructure and tools. Compatibility with third-party applications and systems is also a must.

    How can companies benefit from Heimdal® Patch & Asset Management?

    Heimdal’s Patch & Asset Management makes sure all your software is always fresh and updated. It`s also on the lookout for newly disclosed vulnerabilities, so it can swiftly close security gaps. Beyond the must-have patch management perks, there`s also an amazing support team ready to help you out.

    This top patch management tool offers businesses several advantages:

    Using Heimdal® Patch & Asset Management is a proactive step to simplify IT operations and bolster security. With Heimdal`s solution, your business will stay agile, compliant, resilient, and, most importantly, safe from cyberattacks.

    Automate your patch management routine.

    Heimdal® Patch & Asset Management Software

    Remotely and automatically install Windows, Linux and 3rd party application updates and manage your software inventory.
    • Schedule updates at your convenience;
    • See any software assets in inventory;
    • Global deployment and LAN P2P;
    • And much more than we can fit in here...
    Try it for FREE today 30-day Free Trial. Offer valid only for companies.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    1. What is the best patch management software?

    Heimdal`s Patch and Asset Management exceptional capabilities make it the best patch management software. The solution was endorsed by its winning the Risk Management Award at the prestigious Security Excellence Awards. Heimdal Patch & Asset Management provides all the key features that you might expect from a top patch management product. Users also praised Heimdal`s fast and effective technical support service.

    2. How does patch management software prioritize updates?

    Most patch management tools use systems that categorize updates based on the vulnerability`s severity: critical, high, medium, or low. This ranking system considers the urgency and impact of the vulnerability being addressed.

    Administrators can then prioritize and deploy the most urgent updates to make sure they apply critical patches first.

    3. What is the best practice for patch management?

    Patch management best practices include:

    4. Which company produces comprehensive patch management software?

    Heimdal produces comprehensive patch management software to ensure that systems are consistently updated against vulnerabilities and to streamline the process of deploying patches across various applications.

    5. What are three types of patch management?

    The three predominant patch categories include security patches, patches for bugs, and updates for features:

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