Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

ConnectWise RMM vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
7.3
ConnectWise RMM enhances efficiency and IT management by automating tasks, reducing downtime, and enabling easy software deployment and remote access.
Sentiment score
3.3
Windows Server Update Services automates updates, reducing costs and crashes, while requiring minimal management due to its cloud-native design.
It saves probably more than 50% of the time that would have been required, likely around 75%.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
8.3
ConnectWise RMM's support is praised for its 24/7 availability and expertise, though some experience remote communication issues.
Sentiment score
4.5
Windows Server Update Services support varies, with some praising it and others citing delays and complex processes.
I rate their support and customer service with ConnectWise as good, as their support team is quick to answer chat requests.
When you pay for the support, you are guaranteed resolution, and I don't think anybody else does that.
Premium support does not have any benefits.
There was a time when contacting the support agency was more straightforward.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.2
ConnectWise RMM offers scalable SaaS solutions, efficiently managing diverse environments and thousands of endpoints for flexible client requirements.
Sentiment score
5.6
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is scalable and integrates well, but faces performance issues in large deployments.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
9.1
ConnectWise RMM is highly praised for stability, with reliable agents and minimal maintenance, often rated ten out of ten.
Sentiment score
4.5
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is highly stable and reliable, with occasional minor issues but generally trusted by users.
 

Room For Improvement

ConnectWise RMM needs better automation, customizable dashboards, and improved query flexibility, with reasonable pricing but room for enhancement.
Users seek enhancements in WSUS's GUI, reporting, patch management, integration, stability, automation, documentation, and performance for better usability.
The pricing for ConnectWise RMM is reasonable.
The inventory tool and the entire backend of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is poorly coded. It's not very reliable, so you can tell when dealing with bad code, and it may work one day but may not work another.
 

Setup Cost

ConnectWise RMM provides flexible pricing, with costs starting at $2.50 per endpoint, including valuable NOC and help desk services.
Windows Server Update Services is free but additional server licensing and deployment costs may impact budgeting for smaller enterprises.
It's a free service.
It's free.
 

Valuable Features

ConnectWise RMM enhances efficiency with robust patch management, remote access, automation, and intuitive integration for comprehensive network visibility.
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services simplifies update management with AD integration, centralized deployment, policy control, automation, and scalability.
The ability to do deployments through ConnectWise RMM's scripting features allows us to deploy new software or monitor the status of antivirus or system protection software, presenting another measurable benefit for us regarding ROI.
The ease of use and efficient reporting contribute significantly to my overall productivity.
Patch management is indeed valuable, however, the process to achieve it could be improved.
 

Categories and Ranking

ConnectWise RMM
Ranking in Patch Management
25th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
8.2
Number of Reviews
6
Ranking in other categories
Network Monitoring Software (66th), Server Monitoring (21st), IT Infrastructure Monitoring (49th), Cloud Monitoring Software (36th), IT Alerting and Incident Management (15th), Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) (7th), Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) (17th)
Microsoft Windows Server Up...
Ranking in Patch Management
3rd
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.0
Number of Reviews
51
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of ConnectWise RMM is 2.3%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is 5.0%, down from 9.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Patch Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services5.0%
ConnectWise RMM2.3%
Other92.7%
Patch Management
 

Featured Reviews

JonMcWilliams - PeerSpot reviewer
An agent-based solution that monitors and manages various networks but lacks support
Once you've established the client in the RMM tool, you create the site. Setting up the site can be a bit onerous because of the recent changes, which we need to learn. However, once it's set up, deploying the agent is extremely simple and straightforward. It's as easy as using a URL that people can visit, which will automatically determine the environment and download the necessary components. The initial setup can be somewhat challenging. If it's a new site, it'll probably take me about an hour to set it up. It's a matter of getting familiar with the process. As far as deploying the agents to the individual endpoints is concerned, that's literally minutes. Customers can do that themselves. A few of us can do set up the initial site. Anyone can handle the agents deployment. In our case, it's quite doable even by sending the URL to the customer.
DilipMishra - PeerSpot reviewer
Manages security and compliance effectively for small to medium organizations
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services should improve its patching solution by providing offline patches because most customers are not willing to provide direct internet access to Microsoft cloud and don't want to expose their workstations through the internet. In those situations, Microsoft has limitations; most patches are totally dependent on internet access and they are not providing offline patches. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is lacking detailed information such as different patch information, CVSS values, and an approval mechanism; some are giving classification wise, and some are giving product wise. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services does not provide detailed patching information. Individual machine-wise details are available, but for any centralized deployment, that is not available. It is only available on the WSUS server which has its limitations.
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Patch Management solutions are best for your needs.
869,566 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Performing Arts
13%
Computer Software Company
11%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Educational Organization
8%
Computer Software Company
13%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business22
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise23
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Continuum Command?
There are different subscriptions available for ConnectWise RMM that you can choose from. Essentially, our endpoint costs around two dollars and fifty cents per endpoint per month. If we opt for a ...
What needs improvement with Continuum Command?
The pricing for ConnectWise RMM is reasonable, and I feel that we're getting good value for the dollars that we're spending even though I don't have anything to compare it against.
What is your primary use case for Continuum Command?
As an MSP, we utilize ConnectWise RMM for the management of our client environment.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
Regarding the cost, Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is reasonable.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
I wouldn't say any of the update services have great features. The only real advantage I have for having Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is if I know or have been informed of a bad update ...
 

Also Known As

Continuum Command, Continuum RMM
Windows Server Update Services, Microsoft WSUS, WSUS, Microsoft Software Update Services, Software Update Services, Microsoft SUS, SUS, MS Windows Server Update Services
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Frontier Business Products, Itek Systems Management, ZLan, Karpel, MySherpa, Arvig, CCSI, Leap Managed IT, eProsper, Pensar, Gordon Flesch, LeadingEdge, NSI, Server Sentry, Computer Consultants, Keystone IT Consulting, Ekaru, Epic Technologies, Rouse Consulting, Empower Information Systems, Computer Solutions Group, The Critical Update, Voice Smart Networks, CMIT Solutions, Preferred Communication Systems, G2 Tech Group, Pulse Business Solutions, Greystone Technology Group, Clare Computer Solutions, Evolve IT Australia
Information Not Available
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, Qualys, HCLSoftware and others in Patch Management. Updated: September 2025.
869,566 professionals have used our research since 2012.