Free Endpoint Management

Comprehensive Summary & Cheat Sheet: Free Endpoint Management Tools

This guide provides a detailed overview of free endpoint management tools, including their core features, user reviews, and compatibility with different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux/Unix, and cross-platform). It also highlights security, patch management, compliance, deployment, and remote monitoring capabilities.

1. Windows Endpoint Management Tools

ManageEngine Endpoint Central (Free Edition)

• Core Features: Asset management, software deployment, patch management, remote control, mobile device management, compliance reporting, and vulnerability management.

• User Reviews: Highly regarded for its user-friendly interface and robust feature set. Popular among IT professionals for its comprehensive management capabilities .

• Limitations: Free version may have restrictions on the number of endpoints or features compared to paid tiers.

Action1 (Free for up to 100 endpoints)

• Core Features: Automated patch management (OS and third-party apps), remote access, vulnerability scanning, scripting, automation, and reporting.

• Security & Compliance: Automated vulnerability remediation, real-time compliance reports, and secure remote connections without extra software .

• User Reviews: Praised for ease of use and comprehensive features at no cost for small environments .

OCS Inventory NG

• Core Features: Open-source inventory management, software deployment, and network monitoring.

• User Reviews: Powerful for large device inventories, but documentation and UI could be improved .

Lansweeper (Free for up to 100 devices)

• Core Features: Asset management, network scanning, software inventory.

• User Reviews: Cost-effective for SMBs, with a good balance of features and usability .

2. macOS Endpoint Management Tools

NinjaOne MDM for macOS

• Core Features: Automated endpoint management, device deployment, real-time compliance checks.

• User Reviews: Noted for seamless Mac management and automation .

Jamf (Free trial available)

• Core Features: Deep integration with Apple’s security framework, same-day support for new Apple releases, robust device management.

• User Reviews: Industry standard for Apple device management, highly recommended for macOS environments .

ESET Endpoint Security for macOS

• Core Features: Cross-platform threat detection (including Windows threats on Mac), malware protection.

• User Reviews: Valued for its security focus in mixed-OS environments .

Microsoft Intune (Free trial)

• Core Features: Unified endpoint management for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android; mobile application management; compliance controls.

• User Reviews: Praised for integration with Microsoft ecosystem and cross-platform support .

3. Linux/Unix Endpoint Management Tools

osquery

• Core Features: Query Linux systems using SQL-like syntax for real-time visibility, configuration monitoring, and anomaly detection.

• User Reviews: Highly flexible and powerful for system monitoring and security .

Infection Monkey

• Core Features: Open-source breach and attack simulation tool, tests network resilience, identifies vulnerabilities.

• User Reviews: Useful for security assessments and penetration testing .

SaltStack

• Core Features: Configuration management, remote execution, orchestration, automation for Linux endpoints.

• User Reviews: Known for scalability and flexibility in managing large Linux environments.

4. Cross-Platform Endpoint Management Tools

Bacon Unlimited

• Core Features: Unified management for Windows, macOS, and Linux; policy enforcement; performance monitoring; security management.

• User Reviews: Appreciated for its centralized dashboard and ability to manage diverse device types .

Scalefusion UEM

• Core Features: Supports Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS; zero-trust access; device security; policy enforcement.

• User Reviews: Valued for its broad OS support and unified management .

FileWave

• Core Features: Multi-OS support (macOS, Windows, iOS, Chrome OS, Android); asset management; software deployment.

• User Reviews: Versatile for organizations with mixed device environments .

5. Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM) Tools

Action1

• Core Features: Free patching, automation, reporting for up to 200 agents; remote access; asset management.

• User Reviews: Strong for SMBs, easy to use, and feature-rich .

Pandora FMS

• Core Features: Free monitoring, alerting, reporting; no trial required.

• User Reviews: Robust monitoring solution for those seeking a no-cost option.

TeamViewer RMM (Free for personal use)

• Core Features: Proactive monitoring, asset tracking, patching, secure remote support.

• User Reviews: Trusted for remote support and monitoring .

AweSun

• Core Features: Remote desktop for Windows, iOS, Android; essential management features.

• User Reviews: Good alternative to TeamViewer for small-scale use .

6. Security, Patch Management, and Compliance

• Automated Patch Management: Action1, ManageEngine Endpoint Central, and SuperOps offer automated patch deployment for OS and third-party apps, reducing vulnerability windows .

• Security Features: Most tools provide antivirus management, firewall monitoring, and intrusion detection. Some, like CrowdStrike, focus on risk-based patching and compliance .

• Compliance Tools: Real-time compliance reporting, vulnerability management, and policy enforcement are standard in leading free tools .

7. Deployment, System Requirements, and Scalability

• Deployment Methods: Most tools support cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid deployments. Blue-green, canary, and rolling deployments are common strategies for minimizing downtime .

• System Requirements: Vary by tool, but many support both vertical (hardware upgrades) and horizontal (adding more machines) scaling .

• Scalability: Tools like SaltStack and cross-platform UEMs are designed to scale with organizational growth, supporting microservices and load balancing for large environments .

8. Community Reviews & Feedback

• Ease of Use: Tools like Action1 and ManageEngine Endpoint Central are praised for their intuitive interfaces.

• Support Quality: Community feedback highlights the importance of responsive support, especially for open-source tools.

• Feature Set: Users value comprehensive features in free tiers, though some note limitations in scalability or advanced functions compared to paid versions .

Cheat Sheet: Quick Reference Table

Summary

Free endpoint management tools offer a wide range of features for organizations of all sizes and across all major operating systems. While free tiers may have limitations, they provide essential capabilities such as patch management, remote monitoring, compliance, and security. For mixed-OS environments, cross-platform tools like Bacon Unlimited, Scalefusion, and FileWave are highly recommended. For Windows, Action1 and ManageEngine Endpoint Central stand out, while Jamf and NinjaOne are top choices for macOS, and osquery and SaltStack excel on Linux/Unix. Community feedback consistently values ease of use, comprehensive features, and responsive support in these tools .

For best results, select a tool that matches your environment’s OS mix, required features, and scalability needs. Consider starting with a free tier and evaluating community feedback to ensure the tool aligns with your operational requirements.