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Microsoft Windows Server Update Services vs Qualys TruRisk Eliminate comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 5, 2026

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
3.2
Windows Server Update Services provides free, efficient patch management, automates updates, centralizes downloads, and reduces crashes and internet usage.
Sentiment score
5.7
Qualys Patch Management boosts efficiency, cutting manual tasks and costs while improving security and patch rates significantly for IT teams.
If they have some bundle options to pay less for more, we will get it and use it.
Senior Oracle DBA at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
With Qualys, we can save around 70 percent of time and between 30 to 40 percent of money.
Information Security Manager at BARC India
We have a 50 percent return on investment due to reduced operational complexity and increased efficiency in patching and detection.
Information Security - Manager at Infosys
In the past, it took us seven to ten days to close critical patches, but now we manage to address them within forty-eight hours, while high-priority SLAs can often be resolved within seven days.
IS Service Technical Specialist For Qualys Patch Management at ABB
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
4.1
Users criticize Microsoft Windows Server Update Services support for slow responses and inconsistency, preferring online resources or premium support.
Sentiment score
7.0
Qualys Patch Management support is praised for problem-solving and expertise, despite some delays and reliance on articles.
Microsoft Update provides one of the worst support experiences among all tech companies that I have experienced.
Lead - Technical Services at Impetus
When you pay for the support, you are guaranteed resolution, and I don't think anybody else does that.
IT Manager at Handi Quilter, Inc.
I explain that I am unhappy because it takes too long for a reaction.
System Administrator at Waternet
The support team is experienced and responsive.
Senior Security Consultant at CyberNxt Solutions LLP
The support team is responsive and provides detailed information.
Vulnerability Management Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Whenever we raise a request and mention the priority of the ticket, they respond immediately via email or call.
Security Consultant at Onity
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
5.2
Windows Server Update Services is scalable and adaptable but may experience performance issues in large, stressed deployments.
Sentiment score
7.6
Qualys Patch Management offers scalable and efficient patch distribution, supporting diverse environments, with some challenges in affordability and macOS support.
Though there are options to use Microsoft MS SQL, it does not support more than 3,000 clients.
Lead - Technical Services at Impetus
It scales efficiently across different machines globally, ensuring patches are deployed smoothly.
Senior Information Security Engineer at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees
Qualys Patch Management is a globally scalable product, easily handling increasing workloads and users.
Information Security Manager at BARC India
If a client has purchased licensing for ten thousand assets and exceeds that, Qualys continues to scan those additional assets, which ensures the client's coverage.
Lead Product Manager ASM at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
5.3
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is stable and reliable, though minor issues may occur with specific updates or large environments.
Sentiment score
7.7
Qualys Patch Management is highly stable, with minor issues, praised for its reliable cloud-native architecture and effective support.
When we schedule our updates, it works, and that's it—nothing irregular or different than what was expected.
Senior Oracle DBA at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
I would rate the stability of Qualys Patch Management nine point five out of ten.
Information Security Lead at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees
The stability of Qualys Patch Management is impeccable.
Sr Cyber Security Manager at BARC India
Overall, it is reliable.
System Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
 

Room For Improvement

Windows Server Update Services requires UI enhancements, better integration, stability improvements, and efficient patch management for smoother operation.
Qualys Patch Management needs improvements in reliability, integration, user experience, and pricing to overcome current operational challenges.
The inventory tool and the entire backend of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is poorly coded. It's not very reliable, so you can tell when dealing with bad code, and it may work one day but may not work another.
IT Manager at Handi Quilter, Inc.
I would like the updates to be less often and more rarely because they have a high impact on our team.
Senior Oracle DBA at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
There is a limitation where Qualys may not always offer solutions for remediation, particularly for end-of-life or end-of-service applications.
System Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
It would be better if Qualys Patch Management identifies whether the process has failed at the first instance and provides a retry button or retry mechanism, allowing retries for failed patches.
Sr Security Engineer at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
For critical options, they could make them red, green for medium, and blue for less significant options.
Cyber Security Specialist at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
 

Setup Cost

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services has no licensing fees but can incur costs from storage, cloud deployment, and enterprise agreements.
Qualys Patch Management offers competitive pricing with volume discounts, justifying its cost through effective vulnerability management and robust features.
It's a free service.
Lead - Technical Services at Impetus
It's free.
Network Architect at a construction company with 51-200 employees
We get many more features at the same price as other solutions such as Microsoft SCCM.
Senior Security Consultant at CyberNxt Solutions LLP
However, it can be a bit expensive sometimes, and I think clients can be shocked when they see the price.
Lead Product Manager ASM at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees
The pricing is reasonable and less expensive than the previous tool.
Technical Lead - Security Operations at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
 

Valuable Features

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services offers centralized management, automated updates, and reporting, enhancing efficiency without extra licensing fees.
Qualys Patch Management enhances security with automation, asset visibility, risk prioritization, remote endpoint capabilities, and strategic decision-making.
The ease of use and efficient reporting contribute significantly to my overall productivity.
Lead - Technical Services at Impetus
The most valuable feature of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is the update for Microsoft Windows Server.
Senior Oracle DBA at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
I confirm that they all get downloaded and installed simultaneously, and the new security patches are applied automatically.
System Administrator at Waternet
We leverage this functionality to deploy scripts that adjust registry values, effectively patching vulnerabilities and enhancing the security of our machines.
Senior Information Security Engineer at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees
We have been able to apply workarounds for zero-day vulnerabilities efficiently.
Senior Security Consultant at CyberNxt Solutions LLP
It provides insight into the organization's security posture and keeps databases updated with new CVEs.
Security Specialist at a photography company with 11-50 employees
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Windows Server Up...
Ranking in Patch Management
6th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
5.9
Number of Reviews
53
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Qualys TruRisk Eliminate
Ranking in Patch Management
1st
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
57
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is 3.8%, down from 5.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Qualys TruRisk Eliminate is 2.8%, down from 4.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Patch Management Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Qualys Patch Management2.8%
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services3.8%
Other93.4%
Patch Management
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer2349654 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Oracle DBA at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
Has supported routine update requests and maintained reliable system operations
I think that the most valuable feature of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is the update for Microsoft Windows Server, as we do not use any other tools, but I don't know if Office 365 is under Windows update services regulation; it is not in our domain because we use it, but other teams are responsible for this task. The key features or benefits of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services that have been most valuable in my IT administration processes are just the services for updating my Windows and Windows Servers, and as I mentioned, we don't use many applications; we just use it for Windows updates. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services supports our regular requests for reliable systems, and updates are part of the process of keeping those systems stable, reliable, and confidential.
SangramGupta - PeerSpot reviewer
Security Consultant at Deloitte
Automated patching has transformed risk-based remediation and now optimizes security workflows
I can highlight two areas for improvement. The first is better reporting flexibility and dashboard customization. Qualys VMDR has a great dashboard that I can customize, but Qualys Patch Management does not have a specific dashboard associated only with patch management and patch compliance. The customization could be improved significantly. The second area is third-party application coverage. Qualys Patch Management works very effectively when patching servers, internal servers, Windows, iOS, or Linux servers. However, when doing application security with third-party applications that require patches, it sometimes fails to complete the patch. The deployment issue with third-party applications needs enhancement, as even with integration, Qualys Patch Management is not able to deploy patches for some third-party applications. These are the two main points I can highlight for improvement.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Construction Company
10%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Government
11%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Outsourcing Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business23
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise24
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business17
Midsize Enterprise9
Large Enterprise33
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
I don't know all details about pricing for Microsoft Windows Server Update Services, so I can't answer this question.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
I think nothing could be improved or enhanced in Microsoft Windows Server Update Services because it is doing precisely what it has to do. I do not see any minor enhancements or limitations to be o...
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
I use Microsoft Windows Server Update Services primarily for Windows updates, specifically for updates and security patch updates from Microsoft.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Qualys Patch Management?
Regarding the pricing aspects, I do not know the exact costs because we are not responsible for the procurement, but I can indicate around a 60% increase in revenue.
What needs improvement with Qualys Patch Management?
I think the schedules applied sometimes take longer; if the system can perform this work faster, it would be very helpful. Currently, with the latest version of Qualys Patch Management, I do not th...
What is your primary use case for Qualys Patch Management?
We are working with patch management for Ivanti, using it for patch management on workstations as well as servers. From Qualys perspective, we have performed VMDR, using PM, CA, Cloud Agent, and CA...
 

Also Known As

Windows Server Update Services, Microsoft WSUS, WSUS, Microsoft Software Update Services, Software Update Services, Microsoft SUS, SUS, MS Windows Server Update Services
No data available
 

Overview

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Windows Server Update Services vs. Qualys TruRisk Eliminate and other solutions. Updated: June 2026.
908,402 professionals have used our research since 2012.