Remote and distributed teams need patch management tools that work outside the corporate network — cloud-native management, zero-trust device posture checks, built-in remote access, and policy enforcement that doesn't depend on VPN connectivity. These tools handle the operational reality of managing endpoints you can't physically reach.
9 built for remote teams highlighted below, plus 1 more in this category.
Per-technician · Cloud · Free trial
Atera earns its place on MSP shortlists 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 significan
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 who
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 wh
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, fie
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
These tools are part of the patch management category but may not match the for remote teams filter above. Worth reviewing if the primary options don't 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 (no VPN needed), built-in remote access and troubleshooting, zero-trust device compliance checks, automated patching that works over any internet connection, and asset visibility across home networks and coworking spaces.
Cloud-native tools like NinjaOne, JumpCloud, and Action1 communicate over HTTPS without VPN dependency. On-premises platforms (SCCM, BigFix) require VPN or cloud management gateways for remote endpoints.
The best approach combines device posture checks (OS version, encryption status, antivirus state) with conditional access policies. Cloud-native tools enforce compliance at every check-in, not just when the device connects to the corporate network.
