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

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
3.3
Windows Server Update Services automates updates, reducing costs and crashes, while requiring minimal management due to its cloud-native design.
 

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
Windows Server Update Services support varies, with some praising it and others citing delays and complex processes.
Microsoft Update provides one of the worst support experiences among all tech companies that I have experienced.
When you pay for the support, you are guaranteed resolution, and I don't think anybody else does that.
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
5.6
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is scalable and integrates well, but faces performance issues in large deployments.
Though there are options to use Microsoft MS SQL, it does not support more than 3,000 clients.
 

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
4.5
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is highly stable and reliable, with occasional minor issues but generally trusted by users.
 

Room For Improvement

GFI LanGuard needs improved network management, better Linux documentation, remote work support, cloud options, and enhanced third-party integrations.
Users seek enhancements in WSUS's GUI, reporting, patch management, integration, stability, automation, documentation, and performance for better usability.
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.
 

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 free but additional server licensing and deployment costs may impact budgeting for smaller enterprises.
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 simplifies update management with AD integration, centralized deployment, policy control, automation, and scalability.
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

GFI LanGuard
Ranking in Patch Management
14th
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
51
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of GFI LanGuard is 2.2%, down from 3.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is 5.4%, down from 10.2% 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 Services5.4%
GFI LanGuard2.2%
Other92.4%
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…
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.
867,445 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Photography Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Computer Software Company
13%
Government
11%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
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 Business22
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: July 2025.
867,445 professionals have used our research since 2012.