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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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
1.0
GFI LanGuard enhances security, compliance, and ROI by streamlining patch management, identifying vulnerabilities, and providing actionable insights.
Sentiment score
3.8
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services offers cost-effective automation and patch management, centralizing updates to reduce crashes and download traffic.
If they have some bundle options to pay less for more, we will get it and use it.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
4.0
GFI LanGuard's customer service is responsive and helpful, though some regions experience inconsistent technical support quality.
Sentiment score
4.5
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services support is mixed, with praise for premium help but concerns over wait times and organization.
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
6.7
GFI LanGuard offers scalable flexibility for diverse setups, integrating seamlessly and effectively supporting environments up to 400 users.
Sentiment score
5.7
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is praised for scalability and flexibility, though some note performance issues in large-scale environments.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.3
GFI LanGuard is stable and insightful, though remote client challenges on MPLS networks can arise but are manageable.
Sentiment score
4.9
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is highly reliable with minimal bugs, supporting various setups effectively and requiring low maintenance.
When we schedule our updates, it works, and that's it—nothing irregular or different than what was expected.
 

Room For Improvement

GFI LanGuard needs improved network management, better Linux documentation, remote work support, cloud options, and enhanced third-party integrations.
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services needs UI improvements, enhanced integration, better client support, and efficient updates to reduce disruptions.
The speed of it is quite painfully slow, so there's not a lot you can do to get Microsoft Windows Server Update Services to work under stress.
I would like the updates to be less often and more rarely because they have a high impact on our team.
 

Setup Cost

Enterprise buyers find GFI LanGuard pricing competitive, with annual costs between $1,000-$2,500 and initial licenses at $21,000.
Windows Server Update Services is included with Windows Server, offering varied pricing, with differing costs based on licensing models.
It's a free service.
It's free.
 

Valuable Features

GFI LanGuard provides comprehensive vulnerability assessment, patch management, and reporting, with user-friendly interface and resource efficiency, improving network security.
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services offers efficient, centralized update management with scalability, AD integration, cost-effectiveness, and selective patch downloads.
The ease of use and efficient reporting contribute significantly to my overall productivity.
The most valuable feature of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is the update for Microsoft Windows Server.
Patch management is indeed valuable, however, the process to achieve it could be improved.
 

Categories and Ranking

GFI LanGuard
Ranking in Patch Management
15th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
5.6
Number of Reviews
11
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Microsoft Windows Server Up...
Ranking in Patch Management
3rd
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.0
Number of Reviews
52
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of GFI LanGuard is 2.1%, down from 3.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is 5.0%, down from 8.2% 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%
GFI LanGuard2.1%
Other92.9%
Patch Management
 

Featured Reviews

Ashish-Gautam - PeerSpot reviewer
Stable and reasonably priced but has some technical limitations
I use GFI LanGuard to save bandwidth and provide protection from attacks GFI LanGuard has some technical limitations with machines. I've been using GFI LanGuard for six months. GFI LanGuard is stable. GFI LanGuard is scalable. GFI's technical support is good. The initial setup was easy. GFI…
Mladen Vidic - PeerSpot reviewer
Has supported routine update requests and maintained reliable system operations
I think that the most valuable feature of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is the update for Microsoft Windows Server, as we do not use any other tools, but I don't know if Office 365 is under Windows update services regulation; it is not in our domain because we use it, but other teams are responsible for this task. The key features or benefits of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services that have been most valuable in my IT administration processes are just the services for updating my Windows and Windows Servers, and as I mentioned, we don't use many applications; we just use it for Windows updates. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services supports our regular requests for reliable systems, and updates are part of the process of keeping those systems stable, reliable, and confidential.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Photography Company
17%
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
11%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business10
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise1
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business23
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise23
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for GFI LanGuard?
I have not encountered the pricing aspect since I am from the technical side; only the sales team handles the pricing part.
What needs improvement with GFI LanGuard?
The product is currently on-premise, and I think the cloud option is still yet to come. If a customer has their own cloud, we can host it there, but the SaaS model is not available, and most compan...
What is your primary use case for GFI LanGuard?
My experience with GFI LanGuard involves patch management where, whenever we visit customers, they request patches for both third-party applications and OS systems. When it is on-premise, we can pr...
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

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: September 2025.
872,922 professionals have used our research since 2012.