Atera
Per-technician · Cloud · Free trial
Atera earns its place on MSP shortlists primarily through pricing model and PSA consolidation, not feature depth.
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Open source patch management software to evaluate in 2026
Open-source patch management is mostly limited to configuration management tools that can push patches — Ansible, Puppet, and Chef can all handle patching workflows, but none provides the patch catalog, compliance dashboard, or automated scheduling that dedicated patch tools offer. WSUS is free (not open source) for Windows patches only.
10 tools in this category.
All patch management tools
These tools are part of the patch management category but may not match the open source filter above. Worth reviewing if the primary options don't fit.
NinjaOne
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.
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Action1
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.
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Automox
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.
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ConnectWise Automate
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.
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ManageEngine Endpoint Central
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.
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N-central
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.
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PDQ Connect
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.
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Pulseway
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.
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SolarWinds Patch Manager
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.
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Open Source FAQ for patch management
Is there a fully open-source patch management tool?
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No dedicated open-source patch management platform covers OS + third-party patching with a compliance dashboard. Ansible can automate patch deployment via playbooks. Spacewalk (now Uyuni) handles Linux patching. Neither matches commercial tool convenience.
Can Ansible replace dedicated patch management?
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Ansible can automate patch deployment, but you lose the patch catalog (knowing what patches are available), compliance dashboards, rollback automation, and pre-deployment testing workflows. For Linux-heavy environments, it's viable with significant playbook development.
What about WSUS as a free option?
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WSUS is free but Microsoft-only (Windows OS and Microsoft apps). It requires a Windows Server, has no third-party app patching, limited reporting, and scales poorly above 10,000 endpoints. It's not open source — just free to use with Windows Server licensing.