Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Symantec Client Management Suite comparison

The compared Microsoft and Broadcom solutions aren't in the same category. Microsoft is ranked #6 in SM , with an average rating of 8.1, and holds a 5.3% mindshare in the category. Broadcom is ranked #2 in CDM , with an average rating of 9.0, and holds a 17.0% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 66% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Read 84 Microsoft Configuration Manager reviews

10,784 Views
1,833 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Symantec Client Management ...

Read 3 Symantec Client Management Suite reviews

504 Views
166 Comparison Views

66% willing to recommend

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Symantec Client Management ...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Microsoft Configuration Manager and Symantec Client Management Suite based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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To learn more, read our detailed Server Monitoring Report (Updated: August 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Server Monitoring

August 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...

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Software Distribution (1st), Server Monitoring (6th), Configuration Management (3rd), Patch Management (1st)

Symantec Client Management ...

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Client Desktop Management (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

While both are Systems Management solutions, they serve different purposes. Microsoft Configuration Manager is designed for Server Monitoring and holds a mindshare of 5.3%, down 7.2% compared to last year.
Symantec Client Management Suite, on the other hand, focuses on Client Desktop Management, holds 17.0% mindshare, down 23.1% since last year.

Server Monitoring Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Configuration Manager	5.3%
Zabbix	25.9%
Checkmk	10.5%
Other	58.3%

Server Monitoring

Client Desktop Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Symantec Client Management Suite	17.0%
ManageEngine Endpoint Central	31.6%
RemoteExec	11.7%
Other	39.7%

Client Desktop Management

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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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

"Microsoft Configuration Manager gives different tools in one solution."

"SCCM does everything from A to Z for a Windows operating system."

"We're a Microsoft-centric organization, so we are happy with the integration between products."

"It has the ability to perform mass distribution."

"The cloud account management is a valuable feature."

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

"The tool's most valuable features are easy patch management and software deployment."

"Automation of operating system, application, and update deployments massively reduces IT operations effort."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager 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 important thing for us is that it is very easy to use, as well as the availability of it in our support centers."

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

Cons

"The tool's deployment is complex and depends on the architecture you want to implement."

"The database should be made to be more stable and robust, but not so much the configuration."

"Its client interface should be more accessible, and the notifications should be more customizable from the console. It should be more user friendly and have some kind of customized notifications so that we can use it on the client side. These are the reasons why we restricted its use only for the server environment and didn't use it on the client side."

"Our company would prefer not rebooting computers while people are using them. There seems to be no strategy behind it."

"SCCM should strive to enhance the accuracy of its reporting functions in order to avoid any issues with incorrect or inaccurate data."

"The solution could improve the functionality for automating, license management. Additionally, more and better-looking reports are needed."

"The time the solution takes for updating systems could be quicker. For example, the system information status is not updating as it should. Additionally, the database synchronization querying is slow and could be improved."

"Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager could improve the integration."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager cons

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

"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."

"The technical support is in need of improvement."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Pricing and licensing are a downside of SCCM. It's expensive. I'd have to confirm this, but I think they changed the licensing to core-based instead of socket-based. It's not cheap, because you have to buy the software, you have to buy SQL. Another thing we learned from talking to Microsoft is that they provide you a license for SQL if you run it on the same box as the primary server. If you run it outside that box, you have to buy SQL. Microsoft does recommend you running it on the same box because of performance. But then, in order to run SQL, SCCM, and everything on the same box, you better have some resources. It's an expensive solution. There's no doubt about it."

"The price of SCCM depends on the size of the organization. The price is competitive."

"I would rate the cost as eight out of ten."

"I rate the price of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager an eight out of ten."

"The price model is different for every client."

"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."

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

"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."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

"The price of the solution is competitive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

12%

Government

11%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

University

11%

Government

11%

Computer Software Company

11%

Non Profit

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	13
Large Enterprise	63

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 ...

See all answers

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Comparisons

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 13% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 10% of the time

Tanium vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 8% of the time

BigFix vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 5% of the time

ServiceNow Discovery vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 2% of the time

More Microsoft Configuration Manager Competitors

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Symantec Client Management Suite

Compared 33% of the time

Microsoft Intune vs Symantec Client Management Suite

Compared 26% of the time

Clarity CA vs Symantec Client Management Suite

Compared 8% of the time

More Symantec Client Management Suite Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Configuration Manager

August 2025

Download Microsoft Configuration Manager product report

Buyer's Guide

Client Desktop Management

September 2025

Download Symantec Client Management Suite product report

Also Known As

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

Symantec Altiris Client Management Suite

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

Symantec Client Management Suite automates time-consuming and redundant tasks for deploying, managing, patching, and securing desktops and laptops so organizations can reduce the cost and effort of managing Windows, Mac, Linux, and virtual desktop environments. Client Management Suite 8.0 brings significant new functionality and enhancements to this already feature rich solution. Before covering what’s new in version 8.0, here’s a quick overview of some of the key capabilities of Client Management Suite.

Symantec Client Management Suite helps reduce the cost of deploying and managing desktops and laptops from a centralized location in your environment. The solution offers OS deployment, configuration, PC “personality” migration, and software deployment across hardware platforms and OS types to reduce end-user downtime and increase IT efficiency through automated, repeatable deployment processes.

Symantec Client Management Suite centralizes and simplifies patch management. With this solution you can detect and repair security vulnerabilities for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems as well as Microsoft and over 50 non-Microsoft applications. Patch automation can further streamline the process to ensure patches are applied as quickly as possible. Real- time compliance and detailed reports help ensure smart, fast decisions can be made to keep endpoints protected and maximize productivity.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

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

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

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