Automox vs SolarWinds Patch Manager compares fit, tradeoffs, and operational strengths for IT buyers.
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This comparison template is designed for shortlist evaluation with a practical, operator-focused lens rather than vendor-led positioning.
Automox and SolarWinds Patch Manager should be separated by the conditions that matter after rollout, not by whoever tells the smoother story in a demo. Use this page to see which option handles your deployment model, operating constraints, and commercial tradeoffs with less friction.
Automox gives teams a way to evaluate endpoint management software fit, deployment tradeoffs, and day-to-day operational usability.
Endpoint-based pricing, Cloud deployment, Windows, macOS, Linux operating-system support, and a trial path for early validation.
Automox is usually a better fit when cloud, endpoint-based, and Windows, macOS, Linux line up more closely with the environment your team actually needs to support.
SolarWinds Patch Manager gives teams a way to evaluate IT operations software fit, deployment tradeoffs, and day-to-day operational usability.
Custom quote pricing, On-prem deployment, Windows operating-system support, and no clearly listed trial path.
SolarWinds Patch Manager is usually a better fit when on-prem, custom quote, and Windows line up more closely with the environment your team actually needs to support.
Use the matrix as the fastest way to isolate hard differences in pricing, deployment, platform coverage, and trial access before you go deeper into rollout and workflow questions.
| Criteria | ProductAutomox | ProductSolarWinds Patch Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Endpoint-based | Custom quote |
| Deployment model | Cloud | On-prem |
| Supported OS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Free trial | Available | Not listed |
Side-by-side breakdown across 16 features — pricing, deployment, integrations, and the capabilities that separate them in practice.
| Feature | Automox | SolarWinds Patch Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment model | Cloud-native, agentless infrastructure | On-premises (WSUS/SCCM extension) |
| Free plan | No (14-day trial) | No (30-day trial) |
| Starting price | $3/endpoint/mo (Patch) | ~$12–$25/node/year (quote) |
| Windows patching | Yes | Yes |
| macOS patching | Yes | No |
| Linux patching | Yes | No |
| Third-party app patching | Yes (800+ apps) | Yes (limited catalog) |
| WSUS required | No (replaces WSUS) | Yes (requires WSUS) |
| Remote worker patching | Yes (no VPN needed) | Requires VPN |
| Worklets automation | Yes ($5/endpoint tier) | No |
| HIPAA compliance report | Yes | Yes |
| PCI DSS reporting | No (CIS Benchmarks) | Yes |
| MSP / multi-tenant | Yes | No |
| Server infrastructure required | None | Windows Server + SQL required |
| Setup complexity | Low (agent deploy only) | High (WSUS infra required) |
| G2 rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
Automox vs SolarWinds Patch Manager is a shortlist-stage decision page meant to help IT buyers move from general research into a clearer vendor choice.
Automox and SolarWinds Patch Manager usually stay on the shortlist for different reasons. Use this page to see where one product fits the current environment more cleanly, where the tradeoffs start to matter, and which differences deserve more pressure-testing before the team treats either option as the default choice.
The better fit depends on deployment preferences, automation needs, and how much operational complexity your team can absorb.
Before booking demos, answer these against your environment. If most resolve cleanly, you are ready to move forward — a smoother sales process is not the same as a better product fit.
Which product matches the team’s current operating model without requiring unnecessary process change?
Which option offers the cleaner path for rollout, onboarding, and long-term operational ownership?
Where do pricing mechanics, integrations, and platform scope create meaningful differences?
If neither option is a perfect fit, which tradeoff is easier to absorb over the next 12 months?
Yes. Automox is a cloud-native patch management platform designed to replace WSUS entirely. Agents communicate directly with Automox's cloud infrastructure — no WSUS server, Windows Server, or SQL Server required. Organizations typically run Automox and WSUS in parallel during a migration period, then decommission WSUS once Automox coverage is validated.
No. SolarWinds Patch Manager is an on-premises extension of WSUS and SCCM. It requires existing Microsoft server infrastructure and does not manage endpoints without network or VPN access. For cloud-based patch management, Automox or Action1 are the appropriate alternatives.
Yes. Automox agents communicate over HTTPS directly with Automox's cloud — no VPN required. Remote workers, contractors, and distributed employees patch automatically based on policy without needing to connect to the corporate network. SolarWinds Patch Manager requires WSUS connectivity, which typically mandates VPN for off-premises endpoints.
No. SolarWinds Patch Manager extends WSUS and SCCM, both Windows-only systems. macOS and Linux endpoints require separate patch management tools. Automox patches all three operating systems from a single cloud console.
Both include NIST and HIPAA compliance reporting. SolarWinds Patch Manager adds PCI DSS reporting, which Automox does not offer. For organizations in cardholder data environments or retail/payment processing, Patch Manager's PCI DSS reports are a meaningful advantage. For most environments, Automox's NIST, CIS, and HIPAA reports cover the required frameworks.
SolarWinds Patch Manager is priced per node on a quote basis — typically $12–$25/node/year at common contract sizes. At 500 nodes, annual cost is roughly $6,000–$12,500/yr, excluding Windows Server and SQL Server infrastructure costs. Automox Patch at $3/endpoint/mo is $18,000/yr for 500 endpoints — but includes zero infrastructure overhead.
Automox is deployed at enterprise scale by organizations with thousands of endpoints. Its cloud-native architecture scales without infrastructure investment, and the Worklets automation library enables enterprise-grade configuration management. For enterprises already running WSUS/SCCM with dedicated infrastructure teams, SolarWinds Patch Manager may create less disruption. For enterprises looking to modernize patch management, Automox is a proven cloud alternative.
SolarWinds Patch Manager per-node pricing appears cheaper, but excludes infrastructure costs: Windows Server licensing ($400–$1,200/year), SQL Server (if not Standard Edition), server hardware or VM, and admin time for WSUS maintenance. When infrastructure costs are included, Automox's total cost of ownership is typically comparable or lower, with the additional benefit of eliminating infrastructure management overhead.
No. Automox does not have a permanent free plan — only a 14-day free trial. Action1 offers a free plan for up to 100 endpoints if budget is the primary constraint. SolarWinds Patch Manager also has no free plan, offering a 30-day trial.
Automox Worklets are modular automation scripts (PowerShell, bash, Python) that run on endpoints based on schedules or policy triggers. They extend Automox beyond patching into configuration management, security hardening, and software deployment. Worklets are available on the Patch + Worklets tier at $5/endpoint/mo. The community Worklet library contains hundreds of pre-built routines for common IT tasks.
Use the software profiles to go deeper on pricing details, integrations, rollout fit, and editorial review before the team commits to a final vendor path.
Automox gives teams a way to evaluate endpoint management software fit, deployment tradeoffs, and day-to-day operational usability.
SolarWinds Patch Manager gives teams a way to evaluate IT operations software fit, deployment tradeoffs, and day-to-day operational usability.
Go deeper on product profiles, pricing, category context, and glossary terms before committing to a vendor path.
Return to the category hub when the shortlist still needs broader market context before the final vendor decision.
Check which tools in this category offer free tiers, trials, or community editions.
Open the full product profile for deeper pricing, deployment, review, and shortlist context.
Check commercial fit and pricing mechanics directly before treating the comparison as settled.
Open the full product profile for deeper pricing, deployment, review, and shortlist context.
Check commercial fit and pricing mechanics directly before treating the comparison as settled.
Use glossary terms when the comparison raises category language that still needs a clearer definition.
