Automox Vs. Ivanti: A Comparison Of Patch Management Solutions

Patch management is a critical aspect of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. With new vulnerabilities constantly emerging, keeping systems and software up-to-date is essential. Automox and Ivanti are two leading patch management solutions that aim to automate and streamline this process.

This article provides an in-depth comparison of Automox and Ivanti, analyzing the key features, strengths and weaknesses of each platform.

A Brief Overview Table

Feature	Automox	Ivanti
Deployment	Agent-based	Agent-based or agentless
Patch sources	Linux repositories, Microsoft WSUS/SCCM	Broad range of vendors
Reporting	Customizable dashboards and reports	Customizable dashboards and reports
Scalability	Up to 25,000 endpoints	Enterprise-scale
Remote control	No	Yes
Endpoint security	No	Yes
Cost	Per endpoint pricing	$20,000+ for enterprise pricing

Overview Of Automox And Ivanti

Automox is a cloud-native patch management and endpoint configuration solution designed for modern IT teams. It utilizes an agent-based approach, with a lightweight agent installed on each endpoint.

Key features of Automox include:

• Automatic patching for Windows, Mac and Linux environments.
• Integration with software repositories like Microsoft WSUS and SCCM.
• Granular scheduling and targeting of patches.
• Customizable dashboards and reports.
• Role-based access control.

Pricing is per endpoint starting at $2 per month.

Ivanti provides a broad IT asset and endpoint management platform, with patch management being one of its key capabilities. It offers both agent-based and agentless patching options.

Key features of Ivanti’s patch management include:

• Support for patching over 150 vendors, including Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Google and more.
• Integration with distribution tools like SCCM and endpoint management solutions.
• Automated patch approval workflows.
• Vulnerability scanning and assessment.
• Customizable dashboards and reports.

Ivanti is priced for the enterprise, starting at around $20,000.

Comparing Patch Management Capabilities

When it comes to core patch management functionality, Automox and Ivanti have some key similarities and differences:

• Ease of deployment – Automox provides a pure cloud-based solution with lightweight agents, while Ivanti allows for both cloud and on-premise deployment. Automox is generally quicker and easier to roll out.
• Patch sources – Ivanti supports patching for a very broad range of software vendors and covers both OS and third-party apps. Automox focuses on OS patching, with more limited third-party app support.
• Scheduling and targeting – Both platforms allow for granular control over patch scheduling and targeting specific groups of endpoints. Automox has slightly more flexibility for targeting.
• Reporting – Automox and Ivanti both provide customizable dashboards and comprehensive reporting on patch status across endpoints. Ivanti offers more out-of-the-box reports.
• Remote control – Ivanti provides remote control capabilities to access endpoints, whereas Automox does not have this feature.
• Speed – Automox’s lightweight agent and cloud architecture generally allows for faster patch deployment compared to Ivanti.

Comparing Platforms And Pricing

Beyond just patch management, there are some wider differences between Automox and Ivanti as IT management platforms:

• Solution breadth – Ivanti offers a very broad set of IT asset management, endpoint security and automation capabilities within its platform. Automox is focused specifically on patch management.
• Scalability – Ivanti is built to scale to the largest enterprise IT environments. Automox tops out at around 25,000 endpoints.
• Ease of use – The Automox console provides greater ease of use and simplicity compared to Ivanti’s more complex interface. However, Ivanti offers more customization and flexibility for power users.
• Pricing – Ivanti is prohibitively expensive for small to medium businesses, with enterprise pricing starting at $20,000+. Automox is affordably priced at $2 per endpoint monthly.

Overall, Automox provides a purpose-built patch management solution focused on simplicity and ease of use. Ivanti is a feature-rich enterprise platform covering many IT management functions.

Also watch the video about Ivanti!

Pros And Cons Of Automox And Ivanti

Automox Pros:

• Simple and intuitive interface
• Quick and easy deployment
• Competitively priced
• Great for small/medium businesses
• Powerful remote execution capabilities

Automox Cons:

• Limited third-party app support
• Less flexibility and customization
• Maximum of 25,000 endpoints
• No endpoint security features

Ivanti Pros:

• Broad patch support for 150+ vendors
• Scales to large enterprise environments
• Very customizable and flexible
• Integrates with SCCM and other solutions
• Provides wider endpoint management capabilities

Ivanti Cons:

• Complex and less user-friendly
• Slower deployment and patching
• Very expensive, prohibitive for SMBs
• On-premise deployment is complex
• Training required to fully leverage capabilities

FAQs

Also Read: Choose Between Netgate And SonicWall.

Conclusion

In summary, Automox and Ivanti take different approaches to patch management and endpoint security.

Automox provides a purpose-built patch management solution that is easy to use, affordable, and well-suited to small and medium businesses. It focuses on simplicity and ease of deployment.

Ivanti is a broad endpoint management platform scaled for the enterprise level. It offers extensive capabilities for patch management across 150+ vendors along with wider endpoint security and IT automation features. However, it is complex and expensive.

Organizations should consider their scale, budget and overall needs when choosing between these two options. Automox excels at streamlined OS patching for SMBs, while Ivanti is ideal for large companies needing an integrated suite covering many endpoint functions.

Both platforms offer benefits, so evaluating core requirements and use cases is recommended when deciding between Automox and Ivanti. With effective patch management being so crucial, either solution can provide robust capabilities to keep endpoints secure and up-to-date.