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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
11th
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 July 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of GFI LanGuard is 2.4%, down from 3.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is 5.5%, down from 11.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Patch Management
 

Featured Reviews

Ted Mbugua - PeerSpot reviewer
Highly stable, quick support, and useful modules
My advice to others wanting to implement this solution is you do not have to be very technical to use it. When installing it, you only need to click next. Additionally, the support is helpful and knowledgeable. Their technical documentation is easily accessible. I rate GFI LanGuard an eight out of ten.
Chuck Colby - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficient patch management, potentially scalable, and free is using Microsoft servers
Whether to use the solution or not is going to be context-sensitive. If you have a strong Microsoft team, you can probably handle this. If, like my team, you also have a dozen other vendors to consider, it's not just the operating system. The pattern I've seen over time with WSUS is that it has the potential to be a fantastic product, yet it doesn't feel finished. People try to implement WSUS, and context is important. In my context, we're a small business without teams of Microsoft-certified people. We are just trying to use what's available to achieve a goal, and WSUS is fine, however, not the best product out there. The business in America often tries to do more with less. I would not recommend it to a team of my size. If a company had half a dozen or a dozen Microsoft-certified people, I'd say, run with it. For a team of my size, no, absolutely not. I would rate the overall solution a solid eight 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 most valuable feature of GFI LanGuard is its email spam feature."
"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 initial setup was easy."
"The solution is easy to use and integrates well with other operating systems."
"The most valuable features in GFI LanGuard are patch management and vulnerability assessment."
"It is helpful to patch and scan vulnerabilities."
"The most valuable feature is that I am able to patch third-party solutions."
"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 central points of managing product updates have been the tool's most valuable features."
"The solution can be used to update PCs and servers."
"The most valuable features are that it is included with Windows, and it can be driven by Group Policy Objects (GPOs)."
"We can easily download particular patches, and we can apply them on a group basis and policy basis."
"Provides the ability to create multiple downstream servers."
"Once we configure it and it keeps updating the patches, all I need to do is filter out which patches are required or not."
"The platform provides good value in terms of time and effort by eliminating the need for manual patch management."
"Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is highly stable. It is one of the most stable solutions from Microsoft."
 

Cons

"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."
"The version we are using only allows one person to use it at a time and does not allow multi-users."
"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."
"If GFI LanGuard had a cloud version it would be better for people that are working from home."
"GFI LanGuard has some technical limitations with machines."
"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."
"GFI LanGuard can improve by adding asset tracking."
"GFI LanGuard can improve by adding more modules, such as asset control or asset inventory."
"The product needs to improve its user interface."
"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."
"Microsoft Windows Server Update Services could improve by being less cumbersome to use. It's somewhat difficult to use, but we manage to get through it."
"Sometimes, I encounter issues with the Windows internal database."
"The approval process must be improved."
"The phone tree for Microsoft Update makes me smash my head against my desk."
"One area for potential improvement involves the administrative portal, where numerous options, including asset management and patch management, are integrated."
"While the product is generally effective, I believe the integration with other applications could be enhanced."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."
"GFI LanGuard isn't expensive."
"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."
"I rate the pricing of GFI LanGuard a four out of five."
"GFI LanGuard cost approximately $1,000 annually to use the solution."
"The WSUS cost is included in Microsoft Windows, and there are no licensing fees."
"The integration is included in the Windows Server system, and there are no additional fees."
"This product comes included with Windows and can be used free of charge."
"It doesn't need a license. It's offered for free with Microsoft."
"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."
"While it might be relatively more expensive for smaller companies, larger enterprises can find it robust and capable of delivering significant value."
"Because it is not open-source, it has to compete with open-source solutions. Relatively it is expensive to open-source."
"Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is not an expensive solution."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Photography Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
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?
It's a free service. You just buy the Windows Server operating system, and it is an internal feature.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
Sometimes, I encounter issues with the Windows internal database, which occasionally does not load, leading to the Pandit console stopping. I have to repair the database and perform export and impo...
 

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: June 2025.
859,687 professionals have used our research since 2012.