GFI LanGuard vs Microsoft Configuration Manager comparison

GFI and Microsoft are both solutions in the Patch Management category. GFI is ranked #12 with an average rating of 8.0, while Microsoft is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.0. GFI holds a 3.1% mindshare in PM, compared to Microsoft’s 15.0% mindshare. Additionally, 81% of GFI users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

GFI LanGuard

Read 10 GFI LanGuard reviews

1,295 Views
608 Comparison Views

81% willing to recommend

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Read 81 Microsoft Configuration Manager reviews

3,999 Views
3,140 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

GFI LanGuard

Microsoft Configuration Man...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 9, 2025

Microsoft Configuration Manager and GFI LanGuard compete in the network management and security domain. Microsoft Configuration Manager appears to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive feature set and integration capabilities, making it more suitable for larger enterprises.

Features: Microsoft Configuration Manager offers application deployment, compliance reporting, and patch management. It excels in monitoring, remote management, and inventory tracking, and is highly effective in deploying standardized operating systems across domains. GFI LanGuard focuses on vulnerability assessment, patch management, and asset tracking, providing valuable insights into endpoint vulnerabilities.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Configuration Manager could improve performance efficiency and provide better integration with non-Windows OS. Users seek enhanced application package deployment and accurate compliance reporting. The solution's complexity remains a concern. GFI LanGuard would benefit from better cloud capabilities, streamlined software removal, and improved rollback features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Configuration Manager offers on-premises and cloud deployment options, although its complexity and setup time are noted drawbacks. Its customer service is generally reliable but may require persistence. GFI LanGuard delivers simpler deployment as an on-premises solution, with users expressing satisfaction in its technical support and online resources.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Configuration Manager is sophisticated but costly, with complex licensing that may require additional purchases like SQL Server. Its robust automation justifies costs for larger enterprises. GFI LanGuard offers competitive and straightforward pricing, delivering good value with effective patch management and vulnerability assessment. While both deliver solid ROI, Microsoft Configuration Manager is ideal for environments leveraging its extensive features, whereas GFI LanGuard suits those seeking cost-effective simplicity.

To learn more, read our detailed GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager

April 2025

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Helped 849,686 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

GFI LanGuard

Ranking in Patch Management

12th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Ranking in Patch Management

1st

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Server Monitoring (6th), Configuration Management (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of GFI LanGuard is 3.1%, down from 3.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Configuration Manager is 15.0%, down from 18.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Patch Management

Featured Reviews

Ted Mbugua

Security Manager at CRAG

Improves network visibility and keeps our products up to date with the latest patches

This is a solution that I recommend. In fact, those without it are at a disadvantage when it comes to managing their network. The biggest lesson that I have learned is in terms of visibility. GFI LanGuard has given me a wakeup call in terms of what is happening on endpoint machines. However, it is more than just having visibility. It is about having control in terms of what you want to block and what you're able to block. It keeps our network stable in that there are no running applications that you don't even know you have. I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

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MikeNelson2

IT Infrastructure Coordinator at NSW Government

Deployment recovery works well but requires configuration improvements

While I do not use the product frequently, many issues were due to configuration rather than the product itself. I cannot give an exact recommendation as it is not my area of responsibility. The team that uses it finds it adequate. It is presently good enough for us not to investigate other options. Overall, I rate the product a six out of ten.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable features of GFI LanGuard are the vulnerability assessment, it provides us with substantial insight into what applications are running on the endpoint systems and what vulnerabilities are there in the running applications. The second would be the assets tracking. I'm able to see in the network whether my endpoint server is operating and if all the other IT equipment is running in the environment. Additionally, GFI LanGuard is not heavy on system resources. It gives a competitive advantage over others."

"The solution is easy to use and integrates well with other operating systems."

"I like that the solution can block users from unnecessarily putting devices on the network."

"It is helpful to patch and scan vulnerabilities."

"This product is a great solution at a great price as long as it is only going to be used for a local area network."

"The most useful features of GFI LanGuard are vulnerability assessment and patching solutions."

"The most valuable feature of GFI LanGuard is its email spam feature."

"The most valuable feature is that I am able to patch third-party solutions."

More GFI LanGuard pros

"It does the job and meets our needs. With everybody working remotely these days, we are using this solution to deploy everything. The deployment of PCs is easy."

"What's valuable is the basic management of the systems, being able to control who can access the systems."

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is the availability of being able to manage the Microsoft estate. It handles many areas, such as asset management and tracking."

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is it's incredibly simple to configure and execute changes in bulk, allowing for seamless deployment. With this solution, you can easily track the status of all modifications and send them with ease, making it a comprehensive and efficient solution for any necessary adjustments."

"It is a very well-rounded product. It is a complete package with all the features using which we are able to manage our PCs very efficiently."

"The ease of usability is the most valuable feature. It's user-friendly."

"Microsoft Configuration Manager is integrated with other Microsoft products."

"It gives us the ability to set up schedules, according to what our security requirements are, to automate the patching of our servers and desktops."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pros

Cons

"This solution is limited to the local area network only and cannot manage remote devices."

"GFI LanGuard has some technical limitations with machines."

"The version we are using only allows one person to use it at a time and does not allow multi-users."

"If GFI LanGuard had a cloud version it would be better for people that are working from home."

"GFI LanGuard can improve by adding more modules, such as asset control or asset inventory."

"GFI LanGuard could improve the rollback feature. If we have installed the wrong we have had some issues with the rollback function. Additionally, more input from GFI LanGuard for the custom software push install."

"The documentation on how to use this solution in a Linux environment is not clear, which is something that should be improved because it is complicated."

"When you want to uninstall software from an endpoint, sometimes it becomes very problematic."

More GFI LanGuard cons

"Marketing: Our management doesn't understand that there is a piece of software which helps them automate and manage the entire network, as far as operating systems on computers."

"The main thing is that SCCM has to become an appliance instead of a server. When I say appliance, it has to come preconfigured so that it is drop-shipped into the enterprise and then you activate the feature sets that you want. It should pull down all the latest binaries. Once that is all there, it should have a discovery tool which goes out and discovers the assets within an enterprise. If the server, workstation, and applications are all coming from the same vendor, why not have the vendor do this work for us and automate it as much as it possibly can?"

"The solution is a bit heavy on the sources such as RAM or CPU and the software needs to be a bit lighter."

"It should provide the ability to remotely connect to mobile devices. There are some solutions that are doing that, but with Microsoft Intune, the only way to remotely connect to devices outside the organization and mobile devices is by using TeamViewer. It is pretty strange for a big company like Microsoft to not have something for that."

"The solution could improve the functionality for automating, license management. Additionally, more and better-looking reports are needed."

"The solution should incorporate AI. It should also incorporate real-time capabilities. If we could get real-time information about challenges or issues, it would allow us to take immediate action. For example, with the recent outage caused by the Windows issue, having a real-time warning system could have helped us avoid or reduce the downtime we experienced."

"The solution does not support remote devices so the CMG is still required."

"Our company would prefer not rebooting computers while people are using them. There seems to be no strategy behind it."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"GFI LanGuard has very fair pricing compared to other similar solutions out there."

"I rate the pricing of GFI LanGuard a four out of five."

"GFI LanGuard cost approximately $1,000 annually to use the solution."

"We are a gold partner and we receive favorable discounts. The price of GFI LanGuard is competitive. When you evaluate other solutions, such as ManageEngine."

"GFI LanGuard isn't expensive."

"On a scale of one to five, with one being expensive and five being competitive, I would rate the price as a four."

"The license price could be reduced for Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager They should make the price more affordable for smaller companies, most companies would be able to use the solution if it was priced better. There are more people on this cloud because you don't have to have either a server room or an on-premise server. You can have one IT person handle this without any local infrastructure."

"We use the tool's free license. It is expensive."

"We have to pay for a license."

"I rate the price of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager an eight out of ten."

"SCCM comes with its own version of SQL Server. If you use that SQL Server with SCCM and don't use it for another applications than you get an SQL Server for free."

"As far as I know, it is an annual operating expense license."

"I would rate the cost as eight out of ten."

"Pricing is negotiable with Microsoft, depending upon which of their packages you choose."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Photography Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

11%

Government

11%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about GFI LanGuard?

The most valuable feature of GFI LanGuard is its email spam feature.

See all answers

What needs improvement with GFI LanGuard?

The only drawback with GFI LanGuard is that you cannot directly integrate it from the Outlook email; instead, you have to first log in to the site to make changes. Instead of directly white listing...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for GFI LanGuard?

Internally, as a user, I use GFI LanGuard for email and web monitoring.

See all answers

How does Ansible compare to Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM)?

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager takes knowledge and research to properly configure. The length of time that the set up will take depends on the kind of technical architecture that your org...

See all answers

How to choose between ManageEngine Desktop Central and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly SCCM)?

ManageEngine Desktop Central is very easy to set up, is scalable, stable, and also has very good patch management. What I like most about ManageEngine is that I can log on to every PC very easily a...

See all answers

What do you like most about SCCM?

One of the standout features of SCCM is its application management capabilities. It allows us to create packages efficiently and deploy them to specific groups within our network. This streamlined ...

See all answers

Comparisons

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus vs GFI LanGuard

Compared 36% of the time

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services vs GFI LanGuard

Compared 23% of the time

Ivanti Patch for Endpoint Manager vs GFI LanGuard

Compared 15% of the time

NinjaOne vs GFI LanGuard

Compared 12% of the time

More GFI LanGuard Competitors

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 13% of the time

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 13% of the time

Tanium vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 8% of the time

BigFix vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 5% of the time

AWS Systems Manager vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 5% of the time

More Microsoft Configuration Manager Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

GFI LanGuard

April 2025

Download GFI LanGuard product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Configuration Manager

April 2025

Download Microsoft Configuration Manager product report

Also Known As

LanGuard

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM )

Overview

GFI LanGuard enables complete patch management of security and non-security patches to Microsoft operating systems, Mac OS X, major Linux distributions and third-party applications. It can also automate patching for all major web browsers too.

GFI

Microsoft Configuration Manager helps IT manage PCs and servers, keeping software up-to-date, setting configuration and security policies, and monitoring system status while giving employees access to corporate applications on the devices that they choose. When Configuration Manager is integrated with Microsoft Intune, you can manage corporate-connected PCs and Macs along with cloud-based mobile devices running Windows, iOS, and Android, all from a single management console.

New features of Configuration Manager, such as the support of Windows 10 in-place upgrade, co-management with Microsoft Intune, Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise Servicing Dashboard, integration with Windows Update for Business, and more make deploying and managing Windows easier than ever before.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

BayView Medical Clinic, FrugalBrothers Software, Zaw, National Theatre, American Red Cross

Bank Alfalah Ltd., Wªrth Handelsges.m.b.H, Dimension Data, Japan Business Systems, St. Lucie County Public Schools, MISC Berhad

Buyer's Guide

GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager

April 2025

Free Report: GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager

Find out what your peers are saying about GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.

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