Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Pulseway comparison

Microsoft and Pulseway are both solutions in the Server Monitoring category. Microsoft is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.2, while Pulseway is ranked #17 with an average rating of 8.0. Microsoft holds a 5.2% mindshare in SM, compared to Pulseway’s 0.6% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Pulseway users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Read 85 Microsoft Configuration Manager reviews

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1,718 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Pulseway

Read 6 Pulseway reviews

736 Views
184 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Pulseway

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 12, 2025

Microsoft Configuration Manager and Pulseway both compete in the enterprise IT management space. Microsoft Configuration Manager seems to have the upper hand for large enterprises due to its extensive feature set and automation capabilities, while Pulseway is preferred by smaller IT teams for its simplicity and ease of use.

Features: Microsoft Configuration Manager offers extensive deployment options, robust patch management, and effective software distribution, allowing comprehensive management of enterprise environments. It is appreciated for its support of enterprise-scale operations. Pulseway is known for its real-time monitor notifications, remote control capabilities, and a versatile mobile app, ensuring device support is flexible and responsive.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Configuration Manager could enhance automation, PowerShell integration, and include support for non-Microsoft products. Users have expressed a desire for a more appliance-like setup to streamline configuration and improve cloud functionalities. Pulseway users suggest enhancements in the GUI, accelerated remote control response, and expanded customization for scripting to better serve single customers.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Configuration Manager typically requires significant resources and expertise for on-premises deployment but benefits from extensive online resources and community forums. Technical support receives mixed reviews for responsiveness. In contrast, Pulseway is noted for its straightforward deployment process across environments, including cloud, and is praised for consistently responsive customer service.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Configuration Manager is perceived as expensive due to its complex licensing models, though its extensive features and automation can provide significant ROI for large enterprises. Pulseway offers a cost-effective solution with lower licensing fees, appealing to small to medium-sized businesses with its effective functionality and good value. Both solutions present different pricing structures and ROI potentials, suited for distinct business sizes and needs.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. Pulseway Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. Pulseway

September 2025

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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:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Ranking in Server Monitoring

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Software Distribution (1st), Configuration Management (3rd), Patch Management (1st)

Pulseway

Ranking in Server Monitoring

17th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Monitoring Software (54th), Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) (12th)

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Server Monitoring category, the mindshare of Microsoft Configuration Manager is 5.2%, down from 7.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Pulseway is 0.6%, down from 0.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Server Monitoring Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Configuration Manager	5.2%
Pulseway	0.6%
Other	94.2%

Server Monitoring

Featured Reviews

JunedBedrekar

Expert at Tata Consultancy

Have effectively deployed patches and applications while integrating with cloud solutions

The features I find most valuable in Microsoft Configuration Manager are replication and scripting. If I want to get a fetch report for anything, such as hardware-related issues or group policy-related issues, I need to fetch the report by using SCCM's scripting language and remediation part. The inventory collection features of Microsoft Configuration Manager are good because we always prefer the inventory. We do it by using the script language. We use remote management capabilities in Microsoft Configuration Manager. Remote management capabilities are useful if the user is not providing access; we can use the backend users to update the group policy and sync the devices. These are the main features we require.

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Pieter Plas

Owner at Beerepoot Automatisering B.V.

A solution with a great monitoring system and ability to control access remotely

The initial setup was straightforward. Deployment depends on the size of a customer. We make the customer in the enterprise server, and there is a download per customer for the installation package. We can also roll it out very easily, and when we install it on one or two systems, it explores the network for more systems. We can then fire a deployment package on the other systems. So in one hour, we can do a lot. Most of the time, 90% of the work is very easy, and the last 10% are the business-critical systems from a customer. Also, we manually install important customer systems, like special applications where we like to monitor specific services in the server itself.

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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 solution is user-friendly and easy to learn."

"The ability to make collections and deploy to them has been great."

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is it's incredibly simple to configure and execute changes in bulk, allowing for seamless deployment. With this solution, you can easily track the status of all modifications and send them with ease, making it a comprehensive and efficient solution for any necessary adjustments."

"Provides great insight into the functionalities of the data scope."

"The most valuable features are application deployment and task-sequenced imaging."

"We are happy with the collaboration of SCCM with Patch My PC, which allows us to do patch work."

"Microsoft is being very competitive right now, and they are really investing in a lot of new features to be more competitive in the marketplace."

"Software deployment and WSUS are most valuable."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pros

"The setup is simple."

"It gives you remote control and has a mobile app."

"We like the patching of the window updates in the client's systems. You can automatically do updates with a single click."

"The solution has great workflow and server modules."

"It has been very helpful to get notifications about various issues with my servers and network to help me take action to resolve problems before they become major issues."

Cons

"The tool's deployment is difficult. Microsoft needs to improve documentation with videos."

"Microsoft should extend support for additional platforms."

"The downside of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is it's an on-premise-based solution. With the pandemic coming on board the need to support users across the globe has increased. For a while, we would use the in-built Microsoft Teams screen sharing feature but the disadvantage of that is you cannot perform privileged access. Microsoft does not give you access to that. That's where you need cloud-based tools, such as BeyondTrust or Freshservice."

"The configuration of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager could be improved, it is a bit complicated."

"Managing role-based access control within Microsoft Configuration Manager was not helpful because we had other identity management solutions specifically designated for identity management."

"There is a reboot issue with the patching. Sometimes, if patching runs into any issue whatsoever, it doesn't reboot but it doesn't tell you it errored out. It just sits there and we don't find out until the next day whether it patched or not. That was a big issue for us. We're working through that. They added some stuff in there now where you can actually tell reboot is pending. But we still need some kind of notification that if something fails or is pending, we know. We shouldn't have to go in and look. They don't have anything for that right now."

"Could do with some cosmetic improvements on the user interface."

"The deployment process is lengthy and should be quicker to complete."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager cons

"They have good technical support but it's not excellent."

"The solution does not allow you to make a script for just one customer."

"There are some bugs or glitches."

"GUI needs to be improved and the solution lacks a process for monitoring VOIP calls."

"It would be nice if it also had a desktop application, similar to the phone app, which would allow me to monitor and control computers from my desktop."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Its licensing is quite complicated because we are getting the license not only for SCCM but for the full Microsoft package. We don't need to pay for a separate license. We need to have one license that includes everything we need, such as Windows, Microsoft 365, SCCM, encryption, and so on. So, we don't have a specific price for it. Perhaps, it is good that it includes the full suite of licensing of Microsoft. It is expensive, but we are getting a lot of features."

"As far as I know, it is an annual operating expense license."

"Microsoft provides a steep price for their enterprise products, but they offer very competitive pricing for their legacy customers."

"Pricing and licensing are horrible. You have to not look at dollar value to use SCCM. It's super-duper expensive but it works. The acquisition cost is expensive, it's labor-intensive. But it works."

"It comes free with the Microsoft account. We have a yearly agreement, and all products are covered under it."

"Pricing is negotiable with Microsoft, depending upon which of their packages you choose."

"Presently, I am using a free trial version."

"The solution is expensive. Microsoft Configuration Manager would likely be considered high-priced for small businesses because they may not fully utilize all of its features and capabilities."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

12%

Government

11%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

14%

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	13
Large Enterprise	64

No data available

Questions from the Community

How does Ansible compare to Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM)?

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager takes knowledge and research to properly configure. The length of time that the set up will take depends on the kind of technical architecture that your org...

See all answers

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. What I like most about ManageEngine is that I can log on to every PC very easily a...

See all answers

What do you like most about SCCM?

One of the standout features of SCCM is its application management capabilities. It allows us to create packages efficiently and deploy them to specific groups within our network. This streamlined ...

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Comparisons

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 11% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 9% of the time

Tanium vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 8% of the time

BigFix vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 5% of the time

KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 4% of the time

More Microsoft Configuration Manager Competitors

Kaseya VSA vs Pulseway

Compared 36% of the time

Zabbix vs Pulseway

Compared 30% of the time

Datto Remote Monitoring and Management vs Pulseway

Compared 18% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Configuration Manager

October 2025

Download Microsoft Configuration Manager product report

Buyer's Guide

Pulseway

October 2025

Download Pulseway product report

Also Known As

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM ), Microsoft SMS

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Configuration Manager streamlines IT management with features such as software deployment, patch management, and automation, centralizing operations for Windows environments. Integration with Microsoft products allows efficient oversight of workstations and servers.

Microsoft Configuration Manager provides comprehensive IT management, offering software deployment, patch management, and application pushing. Automation reduces manual tasks, ensuring consistency across systems. Centralized management enables standardized OS deployments, application updates, and configuration integrity. Integration with Microsoft products facilitates seamless operations, while hardware and software inventory, compliance reporting, and remote control functions enhance IT management. Users seek improvements in application deployment for those without deep scripting knowledge and desire better WSUS control, PowerShell and Intune integration, Linux compatibility, and user interface enhancements. Performance improvements are requested for remote user management and third-party application support.

What features enhance Microsoft Configuration Manager?

Software Deployment: Efficiently distribute software across large networks.
Patch Management: Automate and streamline update processes for security and functionality.
Automation Capabilities: Reduce manual effort and enhance consistency in IT tasks.
Centralized Management: Standardize OS deployments and application updates.
Integration with Microsoft Products: Seamless operation with existing Microsoft infrastructure.
Hardware and Software Inventory: Comprehensive tracking for assets and resources.
Compliance Reporting: Ensure compliance with internal and external standards.
Remote Control Functions: Enhance support and troubleshooting capabilities.

What benefits should users expect when evaluating Microsoft Configuration Manager?

Decreased Manual Work: Automation reduces time spent on repetitive tasks.
Enhanced Security: Automated patch management keeps systems secure.
Consistent Configurations: Centralized updates ensure uniformity across systems.
Improved Integration: Seamless operation within Microsoft ecosystems boosts productivity.
Comprehensive Oversight: Detailed inventory and reporting tools aid in strategic planning.
Streamlined Support: Remote capabilities improve IT support and user satisfaction.

Microsoft Configuration Manager is widely implemented in organizations to manage Windows workstations and servers. It is essential for deploying operating systems and applications, managing software updates, and conducting hardware and software inventories. The tool is crucial for endpoint and configuration management, ensuring compliance, and automating processes like patching and vulnerability management. Industries such as finance, healthcare, and education rely on Microsoft Configuration Manager to keep systems secure and operational, adapting it to address their specific needs and challenges in maintaining diversified IT environments.

Microsoft

Pulseway is a remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform designed to help MSPs and IT teams manage modern IT networks, reduce downtime, and achieve efficiency through automation, while increasing end-user satisfaction.

Pulseway’s intuitive interface provides real-time actionable detailed information on servers, workstations, and network devices. Using Pulseway’s customizable alerts, you can quickly identify problems, communicate with users, and automatically resolve issues with built-in commands and scripts.

Some of Pulseway’s benefits and features include:

Comprehensive monitoring: Pulseway’s remote monitoring feature provides a complete view of your entire network. Gain visibility into operational data for workstations, servers, virtual machines, network devices, and more. If necessary, resolve issues directly from the same interface.

Remote access: Get a real-time view across your network, receive alerts, and remedy problems from anywhere with any mobile device using Pulseway’s full feature mobile app.

Automation: Automate repetitive tasks and design auto-remediation workflows, ensuring that critical patches are automatically applied.

Quick setup: Get your team up and running in minutes with Pulseway’s simplified deployment and auto-discovery engine. See all the IT endpoints and then rapidly mass deploy Pulseway with pre-configured built-in policies and out-of-the-box scripts.

Patch management: Pulseway automates the discovery and application of operating systems and third-party patches to ensure all your applications are kept up to date.

Reporting: Use custom or ready-made templates to create reports on system status and events. Reports can be sent manually or emailed automatically on schedule.

Backup and recovery: Protect your users’ data wherever it is stored and restore it to anywhere. Pulseway Cloud Backup’s intuitive interface enables you to easily schedule and deploy backups, recover data, and check up on backup status from both the Pulseway web application and the Pulseway mobile application. Quickly deploy backup agents.

Vulnerability scanning: Pulseway’s vulnerability scanner is easy to use and alerts for vulnerabilities in real time. With Pulseway’s vulnerability scanner, organizations can easily perform standard vulnerability scans that are regarded as international best practice.

Eliminate data loss: Prevent data loss and downtime from ransomware attacks with built-in detection and safeguards that allow for fast recovery after an attack.

Service ticket management: Pulseway’s complete help desk and ticketing solution allows you to respond quickly and professionally to user issues.

CRM: Get the information and resources you need to focus on your customers and increase opportunities.

Project management: Receive real-time project status with details on resource usage and tasks.

Finance and billing: Automatically create and post invoices imported from timesheets and expense reports.

Time tracking: Log precise information on time and expenses by company, project, tasks, and employees. Automatically record how much time is spent on a ticket for accurate billing.

Integrations: Integrate with leading solutions, including:

Pulseway PSA
ConnectWise Manage
Autotask
Zendesk
Slack
IT Glue
Kasepersky
Bitdefender
WarrantyMaster

Pulseway

Sample Customers

Bank Alfalah Ltd., Wªrth Handelsges.m.b.H, Dimension Data, Japan Business Systems, St. Lucie County Public Schools, MISC Berhad

Dell, Canon, Siemens, Harvard University, Northwestern University

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. Pulseway

September 2025

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