ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune vs Symantec Client Management Suite comparison

Why PeerSpot?

The compared ManageEngine and Microsoft solutions aren't in the same category. ManageEngine is ranked #1 in CDM , with an average rating of 8.2, and holds a 17.3% mindshare in the category. Microsoft is ranked #1 in UEM , with an average rating of 8.3, and holds a 17.8% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of ManageEngine users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

ManageEngine Endpoint Central

Read 69 ManageEngine Endpoint Central reviews

9,474 Views
853 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Microsoft Intune

Read 384 Microsoft Intune reviews

43,587 Views
15,691 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Symantec Client Management ...

Read 3 Symantec Client Management Suite reviews

868 Views
547 Comparison Views

66% willing to recommend

ManageEngine Endpoint Central

Microsoft Intune

Symantec Client Management ...

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between ManageEngine Endpoint Central, Microsoft Intune, and Symantec Client Management Suite based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about ManageEngine, Quest Software, Broadcom and others in Client Desktop Management.

To learn more, read our detailed Client Desktop Management Report (Updated: October 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Client Desktop Management

October 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

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

Mindshare comparison

Client Desktop Management Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
ManageEngine Endpoint Central	17.3%
Symantec Client Management Suite	14.2%
KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)	12.1%
Other	56.4%

Client Desktop Management

Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Intune	17.8%
IBM MaaS360	8.8%
Workspace ONE UEM	8.5%
Other	64.9%

Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)

Client Desktop Management Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Symantec Client Management Suite	14.2%
ManageEngine Endpoint Central	17.3%
KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)	12.1%
Other	56.4%

Client Desktop Management

Featured Reviews

reviewer1908987

Ict Manager at a transportation company with 201-500 employees

Centralized endpoint management has improved patching, software deployment, and asset control

ManageEngine Endpoint Central is what I am personally working with and using, along with the Service Desk, which is another tool we use. We have been working with ManageEngine Endpoint Central for four years or more. The customizable packages in software deployment are very positive; you can apply different policies for the package that you are going to deploy. This is something we are still using and working with. ManageEngine has a very large portfolio of products. There is some functionality that is not managed from ManageEngine Endpoint Central, but you can find that functionality in another module of ManageEngine's portfolio.

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Anumula Hitesh

Senior Business Development Executive at Digitaltrack

Centralized device management has automated onboarding and improves remote security compliance

One thing I feel Microsoft Intune could improve is troubleshooting visibility. In many cases, when a policy or application deployment fails, the error messages are a bit generic. So, admins still spend time checking logs manually or testing on devices one by one. Compared to the simplicity of deployment, troubleshooting sometimes feels less mature. I also think reporting and real-time monitoring could be stronger. The dashboard gives useful information, but in large environments, many teams still depend on additional tools or scripts for deeper reporting and analytics. If I had to focus on one area first, I would probably choose troubleshooting and reporting. Deployment through Microsoft Intune is generally straightforward, but when something fails, identifying the exact root cause can still take more time than expected. Error messages are sometimes too generic, and admins often have to dig through logs, sync status, or multiple portals to understand what actually happened. I think user experience and policy management could also improve further. Microsoft Intune has become much better over the years, but sometimes the admin portal still feels fragmented because certain configurations open in different sections or redirect to older interfaces. For new admins, especially, it can take time to understand where everything is located. Another thing is policy conflict handling. In larger organizations, multiple device policies, compliance rules, and configuration profiles can overlap. When conflicts happen, the visibility is not always very clear, so admins spend time figuring out which policy actually won or caused the issue.

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Sathish-Holla

IT Consultant at a real estate/law firm with 51-200 employees

Knowledgeable support, easy client management, and straightforward agent installation

Symantec Client Management Suite is used for Microsoft Windows patches and inventory management. The solution can be deployed on-premise and on the cloud Yes it helped to update systems remotely The most valuable feature of Symantec Client Management Suite is the ease of client management and…

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The initial setup is pretty straightforward."

"Everything is easily centralized and managed under this one product."

"ManageEngine's support is one of the best, I would say."

"One of the benefits of Desktop Central is it made the provisioning process simpler because now we have a provisioning package. We have around 1,500 laptops at the moment and all these PCs were provisioned by a provisioning package. In the provisioning package, we have integrated every aspect of renaming, deploying applications, patching, etc., so we simply execute the provisioning package and as soon as it's executed, it will install the management agent. Once the agent is installed, it will take care of all the tasks, so we don't have to sit in front of the computer to prepare the machine. This really helps us to provision the PC quickly with our agent."

"The ability to run event viewer, task manager, services, command, file browser, certificate all remotely without interrupting users is the most valuable aspect. Software deployment and prohibiting, allowing us to standardize on the software that has been deployed through the environment and then prohibiting illegal software such as torrent applications has been valuable."

"ManageEngine has improved my organization because right now we can actually monitor and find out which software products are installed on each desktop, and we can then figure out which ones have to get patched and so forth."

"ManageEngine Desktop Central automatically alerts you if there are newer releases or updates. You do not have to go to their website and check."

"Patch management features are an important feature."

More ManageEngine Endpoint Central pros

"Microsoft Intune has positively impacted our organization by giving us a more centralized and consistent way to manage endpoints, especially as remote and hybrid work become more common."

"With Microsoft Intune, we set up the device within 20 to 30 minutes, reducing the provisioning time by 70 to 80%, and it has also reduced the IT workload by 40 to 60%."

"It is more efficient to have one solution rather than having security parts spread across three, four, or five solutions."

"Intune provides full visibility into all active mobile device users. If their devices are noncompliant with our security policies, I have the flexibility to update them remotely."

"Our main use is Intune's management of mobile devices, like Android or iPhone devices. The application performs quite well for both types. We successfully managed almost 3,000 endpoints."

"Our configuration profiles used to be all over the place. For example, there's a lot of legacy stuff in Active Directory. Going through Intune has helped us enforce settings, which has improved device security and functionality. When you apply something through Intune, you know it works. You don't have to worry about a legacy setting from Active Directory that was uploaded by somebody seven years ago. With Intune, you can see that a device has a setting, and you can be confident that the device is configured how you want."

"The biggest thing for us is enforcing logins only from devices that are managed by Intune."

"Microsoft Intune does help me save time in terms of management of various devices—I don't have to go to those locations to manage the devices at those locations, I can do it remotely, which is very helpful."

More Microsoft Intune pros

"We can track the incidents, we can track the changes, we can track the assets from cradle to grave and give some kind of accounting as they get older."

"The most valuable feature of Symantec Client Management Suite is the ease of client management and agent installation."

"This is a very strong solution, and the most important thing for us is that it is very easy to use, as well as the availability of it in our support centers."

Cons

"There is a slight delay in customer support, which is something that can be improved."

"It is compatible with the systems such as Windows and Mac but not with Linux systems."

"ManageEngine should support various browser features, including those that address browser limitations."

"In relation to ManageEngine Endpoint Central, ManageEngine NGAV seems to be completely useless right now."

"Desktop Central has very good information, however, you can't customize the dashboards."

"The patch management module could be simplified as it is currently a bit complicated."

"Computer imaging is powerful but breaks frequently."

"The solution should be better at integrating with other solutions."

More ManageEngine Endpoint Central cons

"While I appreciate Microsoft Intune overall, I would like to see improvements in Microsoft support, which I find lacking."

"Automation has room for improvement in Microsoft Intune for fixing some errors."

"At this time, I do not have any areas for improvement. I have heard about some downtime, but I am not in the local IT team."

"The granular support for other device types in Microsoft Intune could be improved."

"I have not been satisfied with it, and I am planning to change it soon. There are a lot of updates coming from Microsoft that suddenly affect our security policies."

"From an end-user perspective of Microsoft Intune, I haven't experienced any challenges since installation. However, some customers have reported experiencing slowness when using lower versions of the Android system."

"In terms of what can be improved, I am looking for better enhancements regarding Apple management, not only on the mobile device, but also on the laptop."

"Sometimes, the process is unsuccessful when we attempt to reset a device and wipe the data using Intune."

More Microsoft Intune cons

"Some parts are working okay, some of the other components aren't. Workflow isn't working properly."

"The technical support has been troubling for me. I would rate them a six out of ten."

"Symantec Client Management Suite can improve by adding more network devices."

"The technical support is in need of improvement."

"Some parts are working okay, some of the other components aren't. Workflow isn't working properly. Different people accepting changes and being able to close it has some issues. Putting hot fixes and installing it usually breaks the system."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is very affordable."

"We pay about $250 a year for our license."

"The pricing is very low, compared to other products. Compared to Intune or SCCM, it's much less. I can say it's a good product for less of a price."

"Compared to other products, ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a very cheap solution."

"The initial purchase was around $6,000 or $7,000. We most probably are not on an annual subscription. We bought it, and then we pay for the maintenance. I'm not 100% sure how that's working out."

"Affordable for any customer."

"We had perpetual licenses. The cost was around 36,000, and then you'd have the yearly maintenance fee of 2,000 or 3,000."

"There are multiple flavors of the app. They have a distributed version for enterprises. It depends on your size. They price it on a per machine basis. 250 or 500 is probably their least amount."

More ManageEngine Endpoint Central pricing and cost advice

"It is not a cheap solution. The price for a device when you start using it at a large scale can be improved. It is covered under our enterprise agreement. We pay once a year. I am not aware of any additional costs."

"Based on the features that it gives, it is cost-efficient. It is not necessarily on the expensive side of the scale. It provides a hefty number of features that any organization would want. It is in a good price range."

"I recently got to know that the AD P1 license is compulsory to use Intune Autopilot, which was surprising for me. Earlier, this was not the case. It is the wrong thing to do. We now need to purchase AD P1 licenses for us and for our customers. I would rate it a seven out of ten for pricing."

"The tool is cheaper than our company's other MDM tools."

"While I can't provide insights from a business perspective, it's worth noting that the pricing may differ significantly, and the discount we received might not be reflective of standard business rates."

"Intune is linked with Microsoft. We can deploy the Microsoft E365 license to users by Intune. There are different types of licenses, such as device administrator licenses, E5 licenses for device enrollment manually, and P1 and p2 licenses for device enrollment automatically. These are the licenses required for the administration."

"Its pricing seems reasonable."

"The price is very reasonable."

More Microsoft Intune pricing and cost advice

"The price of the solution is competitive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Outsourcing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Outsourcing Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Outsourcing Company

11%

Government

University

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	26
Midsize Enterprise	15
Large Enterprise	35

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	195
Midsize Enterprise	64
Large Enterprise	190

No data available

Questions from the Community

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. Wh...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ManageEngine Endpoint Central?

I would rate the pricing as seven; it is quite expensive from my point of view for ManageEngine Endpoint Central.

See all answers

What needs improvement with ManageEngine Endpoint Central?

It would be great to see some additional options within ManageEngine Endpoint Central. A better monitoring tool to an...

See all answers

How does Microsoft Intune compare with VMware Workspace One?

Microsoft Intune is a great tool for managing a mobile device fleet while keeping access control. The solution makes ...

See all answers

What are the pros and cons of Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune is a great configuration management tool and has a lot of good things going for it. Here are some of...

See all answers

How does Google Cloud Identity compare with Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune offers not only an easy-to-deploy data protection and productivity management solution, but also ...

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Comparisons

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central

Compared 6% of the time

BlackBerry Enterprise Mobility Suite vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central

Compared 6% of the time

Tanium vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central

Compared 4% of the time

Jamf Pro vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central

Compared 4% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs ManageEngine Endpoint Central

Compared 3% of the time

More ManageEngine Endpoint Central Competitors

IBM MaaS360 vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 13% of the time

Jamf Pro vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 10% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 5% of the time

Microsoft Entra ID vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 3% of the time

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 2% of the time

More Microsoft Intune Competitors

Faronics Core vs Symantec Client Management Suite

Compared 13% of the time

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Symantec Client Management Suite

Compared 12% of the time

Clarity CA vs Symantec Client Management Suite

Compared 11% of the time

KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Symantec Client Management Suite

Compared 10% of the time

More Symantec Client Management Suite Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

ManageEngine Endpoint Central

October 2026

Download ManageEngine Endpoint Central product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Intune

October 2026

Download Microsoft Intune product report

Buyer's Guide

Client Desktop Management

October 2026

Download Symantec Client Management Suite product report

Also Known As

ManageEngine Desktop Central, Desktop Central, ManageEngine Desktop Management MSP

Intune, MS Intune, Microsoft Endpoint Manager

Symantec Altiris Client Management Suite

Overview

ManageEngine Endpoint Central focuses on patch management, remote control, and asset management. It offers centralized management to facilitate software deployment and mobile device administration across various operating systems, consolidating functionalities for improved usability and streamlined processes.

ManageEngine Endpoint Central integrates multiple capabilities like remote troubleshooting and cross-platform updates, supporting Windows, Linux, and macOS. Its seamless integration with ManageEngine tools enhances usability while users appreciate its remote access, configuration management, and reporting instruments. The intuitive interface promotes easy training and adaptation in different environments. Though welcomed for its capabilities, users suggest improvements in software QA, interface intuitiveness, and customizable reporting. Desires also include better Linux patch management, quicker deployment times, enhanced security, and simpler support channels. Managing macOS effectively and comparing its management with Windows shows some disparity.

What are the most essential features?

Patch Management: Efficient patching for OS and applications, ensuring system security.
Remote Control: Easy access and support for troubleshooting and maintenance.
Asset Management: Comprehensive tracking and management of IT assets.
Software Deployment: Streamlined deployment across diverse platforms.
Cross-platform Updates: Simplifies updates across Windows, Linux, and macOS.

What should be considered for ROI and benefits?

Improved Efficiency: Speeds up troubleshooting and maintenance tasks.
Cost-effectiveness: Reduces labor costs with centralized management.
Scalability: Adapts as organizational needs grow and change.
Security Enhancement: Ensures robust protection against threats.
Integration: Works seamlessly with existing ManageEngine tools.

ManageEngine Endpoint Central finds application across diverse sectors, particularly for IT operations that require managing patches, software deployment, and asset oversight. It supports IT teams in maintaining compliance and security policies. By easing software deployment and enabling effective remote troubleshooting, it enhances IT support workflows without impacting productivity.

ManageEngine

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service designed for device management, security, and compliance. It supports automation and facilitates endpoint management for Windows, iOS, and Android devices, ensuring data protection and efficient policy enforcement.

Microsoft Intune offers seamless integration with tools like Windows Autopilot to automate device setup and deployment. Integrated with Azure Active Directory, it enhances policy management while providing robust reporting and analytics tools for compliance tracking. Despite its intuitive interface aimed at simplifying navigation and device security management, there are challenges such as compatibility issues with Linux and Mac, limited policy support for Android, and demands for better third-party integration. It's widely used for both corporate-owned devices and BYOD scenarios in dynamic IT environments.

What are the key features of Microsoft Intune?

Windows Autopilot: Automates device setup for rapid deployment.
Azure Active Directory Integration: Enhances user policy management.
Reporting and Analytics: Improves compliance visibility.
Mobile Application Management: Ensures app security without compromising personal data.
Cloud-Based Management: Allows management from any location.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Time Efficiency: Automation reduces time in policy enforcement and configuration updates.
Enhanced Security: Ensures data protection across corporate-owned and BYOD devices.
Improved Compliance: Advanced reporting tools enhance compliance visibility.
Flexible Management: Cloud-based nature supports management from any location.

In industries such as finance and healthcare, Microsoft Intune is implemented to ensure data protection and compliance with regulatory standards. Manufacturing sectors utilize Intune for managing a distributed workforce across global locations, while educational institutions employ it to secure and manage devices in learning environments supporting both students and faculty.

Microsoft

Symantec Client Management Suite provides organizations with comprehensive tools to securely and efficiently manage client devices. This solution is ideal for enterprises seeking robust device management, inventory, and deployment capabilities.

Symantec Client Management Suite simplifies device management through a range of features that address core IT needs. Users benefit from integrated asset management, application deployment, and comprehensive security tools. With centralized control, IT departments can enhance operational efficiency and support compliance requirements. Symantec Client Management Suite is designed for scalability, making it suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises.

What are the key features of Symantec Client Management Suite?

Asset Management: Offers detailed visibility into hardware and software assets.
Application Deployment: Facilitates easy and effective software installations across devices.
Patch Management: Ensures systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Remote Control: Provides IT teams with the ability to troubleshoot devices remotely.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

Increased Efficiency: Streamlines repetitive IT tasks for better productivity.
Cost Reduction: Lowers overall IT maintenance costs with automated management tools.
Improved Security: Enhances device security through frequent updates and patches.
Scalability: Adapts to growing IT infrastructure needs without compromising performance.

Industries such as healthcare, finance, and education implement Symantec Client Management Suite due to its reliability and comprehensive security benefits. These sectors prioritize safeguarding sensitive information while maintaining operational efficiency, making Symantec Client Management Suite an ideal choice.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Strathallan School, BMI Healthcare, Comercial Kywi, First Priority Federal Credit Union, Gerab National Enterprises

Mitchells and Buzzers, Callaway

Alghanim Industries, Asia Pacific Telecom Co. Ltd, Barnabas Health, Berry Plastics Corporation, BNY Mellon, Borealis, British American Tobacco Italia S.p.A, Cabela's Inc., Carrington Holding Company, College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), Comparex, Cybercom Plenware Oy, DHL Hub Leipzig GmbH, Dickinson Dees LLP, Farmington Area Public Schools, Fazer Group, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, ForceTEC Co. Ltd., Frucor Beverages Ltd, Hadassah University Hospital, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hutchison Whampoa (China) Commerce Limited, Indian River School District, Johnson County Community College, JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, Kier Group plc, Kwizda Holdings GmbH, Lake Health, Lansky Ganzger & Partner, Mobilezone, Molina Healthcare Inc., Nanyang Technological University, NASDAQ OMX Group Inc., Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pima Community College, Regional council of Franche-Comt_, Shanghai Pudong International Container Terminals Co. Ltd., Siemens Professional Education, Symantec Corporation (Endpoint Security 12.1), TIVIT, Travelport, University of Oxford

Buyer's Guide

Client Desktop Management

October 2026

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