Remote and distributed teams need patch management software that works outside the corporate network: cloud-native management, device posture checks, built-in remote access, and policy enforcement that does not depend on VPN connectivity.
9 of 10 products in this category match the remote team filter and are highlighted below.
Per-technician · Cloud · Free trial
Atera is a common pick for MSPs primarily through pricing model and PSA consolidation, not feature depth.
Best for: Atera is best for MSPs and internal IT teams where per-technician economics make sense (typically teams managing more than 100 endpoints per technician where per-device alternatives become significant
Usage-based pricing · Cloud · Free trial
NinjaOne is the clearest choice when a team needs cross-OS RMM with fast deployment, strong patch automation, and reliable support without the learning curve of ConnectWise Automate or Kaseya VSA.
Best for: NinjaOne is best for MSPs and internal IT teams that need cross-OS RMM with fast deployment, strong patch automation, and a support organization that holds up under daily use, and whose PSA needs are
Endpoint-based · Cloud · Free trial
Action1 is one of the strongest cloud-native patch management platforms for SMBs and mid-market IT teams that need to close patching gaps fast without deploying on-premises infrastructure.
Best for: Action1 is best for SMB and mid-market IT teams that need cloud-native patch management across Windows, macOS, and Linux without deploying on-premises infrastructure. It is particularly strong for org
Endpoint-based · Cloud · Free trial
Automox is the clearest choice when a team needs cloud-native, cross-OS patch management that deploys in hours rather than weeks and does not require standing up on-premises patch infrastructure.
Best for: Automox is best for internal IT teams and security operations groups managing a distributed, cross-OS workforce that need automated patching without building on-premises patch infrastructure, and whos
Custom quote · Cloud / On-prem · Free trial
ManageEngine Endpoint Central is the strongest option when a team needs on-premises deployment, published pricing, or broad platform coverage that includes MDM for mobile and ChromeOS alongside traditional desktop management.
Best for: ManageEngine Endpoint Central is best for IT teams that need a single platform covering desktops, servers, and mobile devices across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS, particularly whe
Custom quote · Cloud / On-prem
N-central is the right choice when an MSP or enterprise IT team needs an RMM platform that scales to thousands of endpoints with deep policy-based automation, flexible deployment options, and multi-tenant architecture that handles complex client environments.
Best for: N-central is best for large MSPs managing 500+ endpoints across multiple client organizations and enterprise IT departments that need deep policy-based automation, on-premises deployment options, and
Endpoint-based · Cloud · Free trial
PDQ Connect is the clearest choice when a team needs fast, simple cloud-based patching for Windows and macOS endpoints without the overhead of a full RMM platform.
Best for: PDQ Connect is best for internal IT teams managing primarily Windows environments that want cloud-based patching, software deployment, and device inventory without the complexity, cost, or learning cu
Endpoint-based · Cloud · Free trial
Pulseway occupies a specific and defensible position in the RMM market: it is the strongest mobile-first option for IT teams and MSPs that genuinely need to manage infrastructure from a phone or tablet.
Best for: Pulseway is best for MSPs and IT departments where mobile-first management is a genuine operational requirement. On-call technicians who need to respond to alerts and resolve issues from a phone, fiel
Custom quote · On-prem
SolarWinds Patch Manager is the right tool when a team has already invested in WSUS or SCCM, needs third-party application patching on Windows endpoints, and wants to stay inside the Microsoft patching infrastructure rather than migrate to a cloud-native alternative.
Best for: SolarWinds Patch Manager is best for Windows-focused IT teams that already operate WSUS or SCCM infrastructure and need to add third-party application patching, compliance reporting, and advanced sche
The rest of the patch management software category, listed because the remote team filter above did not select them. Worth reading when the highlighted options do not fit.
Custom quote · Cloud / On-prem
ConnectWise Automate is the strongest choice when a team needs deep, customizable automation with on-premises deployment and native PSA integration through ConnectWise Manage.
Cloud-native agent management that needs no VPN, built-in remote access for troubleshooting, device compliance checks at every check-in, and automated updates that work over any internet connection.
Cloud-hosted products in this category generally reach managed devices over HTTPS, so no VPN is required. On-premises platforms need either a VPN or a cloud management gateway before they can reach endpoints off the corporate network.
Pair device posture checks covering OS version, disk encryption, and security agent state with conditional access policies. Cloud-native products enforce that at every check-in rather than only when a device reaches the corporate network.
