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GFI LanGuard vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 16, 2024

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
13th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
10
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Microsoft Windows Server Up...
Ranking in Patch Management
3rd
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
49
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of GFI LanGuard is 3.2%, down from 3.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is 7.1%, down from 13.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Patch Management
 

Featured Reviews

Ted Mbugua - PeerSpot reviewer
Scalable, light on resources, and useful visibility
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.
RishiPandit - PeerSpot reviewer
Improves internal database reliability and is easy to install but needs better support
Regarding Microsoft, I previously worked with Dynamics, Exchange, and Azure, however, I do not now. I am currently working on documentation and technical writing without using any application. AI may not solve any problems for the WSUS Server. There is no integration available, and AI tools are blocked for me in the organization. I use only email for communication. I am into policy creation, client engagements, audits, and providing security updates for Office 365. I have left my previous profile, and someone else is working on that now. I am not using any tool at the moment. Overall, I'd rate the product seven out of ten.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution is easy to use and integrates well with other operating systems."
"It is helpful to patch and scan vulnerabilities."
"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."
"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 features in GFI LanGuard are patch management and vulnerability assessment."
"The most valuable feature is that I am able to patch third-party solutions."
"I like that the solution can block users from unnecessarily putting devices on the network."
"The platform provides good value in terms of time and effort by eliminating the need for manual patch management."
"It is a scalable solution."
"The simplicity of the configuration is a valuable feature for me."
"I am absolutely happy with its stability and performance. It is a stable product."
"It's free. Basically, as long as you have licensed Microsoft servers, you should be good to go."
"The noteworthy aspect is the system's capability to handle an extensive range of services and workloads, with the potential for almost unlimited scalability."
"This solution is stable."
"The central points of managing product updates have been the tool's most valuable features."
 

Cons

"This solution is limited to the local area network only and cannot manage remote devices."
"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."
"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."
"If GFI LanGuard had a cloud version it would be better for people that are working from home."
"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."
"GFI LanGuard has some technical limitations with machines."
"When you want to uninstall software from an endpoint, sometimes it becomes very problematic."
"GFI LanGuard can improve by adding more modules, such as asset control or asset inventory."
"I would like to see support for other operating systems such as Linux."
"The database could be improved. In large environments, for example, we often get problems with reporting."
"Microsoft should improve their support for the product. A lot of guys are installing their products, especially Xero. If you have a real problem, though, it's quite difficult to find someone who you can support you."
"It would be good if it could deploy third-party patches or applications."
"The product should improve its third-party management."
"The ability to have more fine control within this solution is very important. It is not available for the solution in its current state."
"Having the ability to group updates by the operating systems would be very helpful."
"The main problem with WSUS is that the management console doesn't allow you to do a lot of operations. It's actually quite a primitive console, and has been since day one. In order to be more effective, you need to use another tool from Microsoft that can take advantage of WSUS and also offer you the extra features you need."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"GFI LanGuard cost approximately $1,000 annually to use the solution."
"GFI LanGuard has very fair pricing compared to other similar solutions out there."
"On a scale of one to five, with one being expensive and five being competitive, I would rate the price as a four."
"I rate the pricing of GFI LanGuard a four out of five."
"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."
"We need one single key for Windows deployments, which is a better option. Buying a license with the same key for all systems, like Windows and Windows Desktop, makes configuring easier. Otherwise, it isn't easy to manage multiple keys for different systems."
"The product is expensive."
"This product comes included with Windows and can be used free of charge."
"Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is not an expensive solution."
"The tool could be cheaper."
"While it might be relatively more expensive for smaller companies, larger enterprises can find it robust and capable of delivering significant value."
"Configuration Manager is less expensive than Microsoft Windows Server Update Services."
"The integration is included in the Windows Server system, and there are no additional fees."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Photography Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Computer Software Company
14%
Government
11%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

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.
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...
What is your primary use case for GFI LanGuard?
Internally, as a user, I use GFI LanGuard for email and web monitoring.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
Our experience with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services involves no setup cost or licensing fees, as it is included with our existing licenses.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
There are several areas needing improvement, including the management of third-party patches, better enforcement of patch deployment on user PCs, and the ability to schedule updates at specific tim...
 

Also Known As

LanGuard
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

BayView Medical Clinic, FrugalBrothers Software, Zaw, National Theatre, American Red Cross
Information Not Available
Find out what your peers are saying about GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services and other solutions. Updated: January 2025.
833,108 professionals have used our research since 2012.