Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Pulseway comparison

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Read 6 Pulseway reviews

736 Views
184 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

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).

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. Pulseway

Download the complete report

Helped 869,952 peers since 2012

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

4th

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 5.3%, down from 7.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Pulseway is 0.6%, up 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	5.3%
Pulseway	0.6%
Other	94.1%

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.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is valuable in keeping our systems updated. We are able to send updates to all the systems. Additionally, the Intune integration is helpful."

"Patching is the main feature because SCCM is made to control the entire environment without manually interpreting. So it is good to use for patching."

"It gives us the ability to set up schedules, according to what our security requirements are, to automate the patching of our servers and desktops."

"The major features of this product are the reporting tools. The most valuable features are package deployment and application deployment. Security management is also good because any vulnerability will be identified, and you can fix it. It's the best tool because you never know what kind of client you will have. For example, you may have your offices in low bandwidth remote areas. But it's achievable because it accommodates the bandwidth that you have available. Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is an excellent reporting tool for your environment. If you want to know the details about the hardware configuration, software configuration, what is causing a problem, or when a new feature update comes in for Windows, even that goes on SCCM itself. A lot of deployment stuff."

"SCCM is a stable solution."

"I like Mircosoft's technical support. Microsoft has a few updates, like some of the critical KBs. They are published within the interval time, and in case of an escalation on the client missions, we will raise a ticket with the Microsoft team. They will create a hotfix or a critical update. They will chat with us, and that is one thing I like about Microsoft. Whenever any issues occur at my organization, they will help you out soon as possible within the SLA."

"It is a very well-rounded product. It is a complete package with all the features using which we are able to manage our PCs very efficiently."

"Technical support is very helpful and very responsive."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pros

"The setup is simple."

"The solution has great workflow and server modules."

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

"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."

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

Cons

"In spite of us being a premier customer we find the support unsatisfactory."

"Regarding this, I'd like to mention the agent situation. When the agent on an end-user device is not functioning correctly, it can be quite problematic. It would be highly beneficial if there were a self-healing mechanism in place. Essentially, if the agent becomes corrupted or encounters issues, it should be able to rectify itself autonomously. This is particularly critical because, in order to utilize a tool like MECM (assuming you're referring to Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager), we need to deploy agents, known as AsMs, on all the devices we use, such as Windows 10 or Windows Server. Sometimes, when we deploy configurations or updates, they don't apply properly due to agent issues. This issue has been present since we began using MECM around 23 years ago. Unfortunately, there is currently no built-in mechanism for the agent to detect its own problems and initiate self-repair. Microsoft doesn’t have any feature to scan vulnerabilities and hence, they could include those."

"Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager can improve by allowing us to schedule the scripts, we don't have a script scheduling option and have to do it manually."

"It should provide the ability to remotely connect to mobile devices. There are some solutions that are doing that, but with Microsoft Intune, the only way to remotely connect to devices outside the organization and mobile devices is by using TeamViewer. It is pretty strange for a big company like Microsoft to not have something for that."

"I want the system to provide some dependency relations. I would also like to see the relationship between different machines."

"The main room for improvement is the on-screen display. I think it would be good if some improvements were made."

"This solution needs to be supported on all Operating systems."

"It needs to be able to load faster during deployment."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager cons

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

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

"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."

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

"There are some bugs or glitches."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There is an annual license needed to use the solution."

"We use the tool's free license. It is expensive."

"The licensing is good because they have various options, depending on what you are looking for."

"We have to pay for a license."

"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."

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

"Its price is okay because it is part of our licensing."

"The price of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is expensive."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

Information not available

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Server Monitoring solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

869,952 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

12%

Government

11%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

13%

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 ...

See all answers

Ask a question

Earn 20 points

Comparisons

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 12% 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 39% of the time

Zabbix vs Pulseway

Compared 27% of the time

Datto Remote Monitoring and Management vs Pulseway

Compared 18% of the time

More Pulseway Competitors

Product Reports

Microsoft Configuration Manager

Download Microsoft Configuration Manager product report

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

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

Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. Pulseway