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Qualys Patch Management vs Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) comparison

Qualys and Quest Software are both solutions in the Patch Management category. Qualys is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.9, while Quest Software is ranked #12. Qualys holds a 4.5% mindshare in PM, compared to Quest Software’s 5.0% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of Qualys users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of Quest Software users who would recommend it.
Qualys Patch Management
Read 34 Qualys Patch Management reviews
  • 984 Views
  • 209 Comparison Views
97% willing to recommend
Quest KACE Systems Manageme...
Read 38 Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) reviews
  • 1,632 Views
  • 327 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 9, 2025

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) and Qualys Patch Management both compete in the endpoint management and patch management category. Quest KACE offers robust endpoint management, while Qualys excels in vulnerability identification and automated patch deployment, giving it an edge in security-focused environments.

Features: Quest KACE SMA provides robust endpoint management with integration into popular software like Bomgar and ServiceNow, mass software deployment, and single-pane-of-glass operations. It simplifies scripting and patch management, leading to significant time savings. Qualys Patch Management focuses on vulnerability identification and automated patch deployment, providing comprehensive real-time reporting and allowing security enhancements through script-driven registry modifications.

Room for Improvement: Quest KACE SMA users highlight challenges with scalability and suggest enhanced scripting integration and easier updates and management processes. Qualys Patch Management may benefit from built-in driver updates and more robust support for non-core software updates. Users also call for better system integration and enhanced reporting features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Quest KACE SMA is known for excellent technical support and responsive customer service, with deployment options focusing on on-premises setups. Qualys Patch Management offers flexible cloud deployment over public and hybrid environments, catering to diverse client needs. Some Qualys users, however, desire extended support hours.

Pricing and ROI: Quest KACE is considered fairly priced and offers quick ROI through operational efficiencies, benefiting larger setups particularly. Its flexible licensing is another asset. Qualys, while seen as expensive by some, provides a compelling value proposition due to its comprehensive feature set and scalable pricing model, which improve cost-effectiveness when managing more assets.

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To learn more, read our detailed Qualys Patch Management vs. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) Report (Updated: April 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Qualys Patch Management vs. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)
April 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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
8.3
Qualys Patch Management boosts security, reduces vulnerabilities by 80%, saves 90% time, and improves efficiency and resource allocation.
Sentiment score
7.1
Quest KACE streamlines operations, saving time and resources, offering quick ROI and enhancing productivity through efficient patch management and automation.
With Qualys, we can save around 70 percent of time and between 30 to 40 percent of money.
We have a 50 percent return on investment due to reduced operational complexity and increased efficiency in patching and detection.
We have achieved significant time savings of 90 percent, primarily due to comprehensive oversight and visibility of security issues.
For more quotes and insights, download the Qualys Patch Management report
The return on investment is seen in the quick access to information, good inventory management, and efficient systems management.
For more quotes and insights, download the Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) report
ZS
Revathi VeeraRaghavan - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2593263 - PeerSpot reviewer
RG
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.4
Qualys Patch Management provides efficient support with quick resolutions, though users occasionally report delays or inconsistency in assistance.
Sentiment score
7.8
Quest KACE support is praised for responsiveness, knowledgeable staff, and effective problem-solving, with minor ticket resolution time issues.
The support team is experienced and responsive.
The support team is responsive and provides detailed information.
Whenever we raise a request and mention the priority of the ticket, they respond immediately via email or call.
For more quotes and insights, download the Qualys Patch Management report
The customer service is very good, providing quick customer support in Spanish.
For more quotes and insights, download the Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) report
Arshad Nr - PeerSpot reviewerGokulM - PeerSpot reviewer
PJ
RG
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.5
Qualys Patch Management excels in scalability with high user ratings but may face challenges in cost and usability.
Sentiment score
7.2
Quest KACE scales efficiently, managing up to 10,000 endpoints, and adapts to expansions with simple resource additions and licensing.
It scales efficiently across different machines globally, ensuring patches are deployed smoothly.
Qualys Patch Management is a globally scalable product, easily handling increasing workloads and users.
They introduce new modules as needed, making Patch Management highly scalable.
For more quotes and insights, download the Qualys Patch Management report
The product is very scalable as it supports 10,000 thousand endpoints with just one appliance.
For more quotes and insights, download the Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) report
reviewer2589096 - PeerSpot reviewer
ZS
SP
RG
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.1
Qualys Patch Management is highly stable and reliable, with minimal downtime and effective management of rare technical issues.
Sentiment score
7.9
Quest KACE SMA is reliable with minimal downtime, regular updates improve functionality, but frequent updates may need attention.
I would rate the stability of Qualys Patch Management nine point five out of ten.
The stability of Qualys Patch Management is impeccable.
Overall, it is reliable.
For more quotes and insights, download the Qualys Patch Management report
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) report
reviewer2590236 - PeerSpot reviewer
SP
Karan Bhateja - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Room For Improvement

Qualys Patch Management needs better integration, accuracy, and support, faster deployments, and improvements in interface, reporting, and pricing.
Quest KACE struggles with scalability, automation, usability, imaging, customization, and support, while needing improved licensing, reporting, and integration.
There is a limitation where Qualys may not always offer solutions for remediation, particularly for end-of-life or end-of-service applications.
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.
For critical options, they could make them red, green for medium, and blue for less significant options.
For more quotes and insights, download the Qualys Patch Management report
The user interface needs improvement as customers have mentioned they do not like the interface since it is not an SMA-based interface.
For more quotes and insights, download the Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) report
Karan Bhateja - PeerSpot reviewer
AL
AN
RG
 

Setup Cost

Qualys Patch Management is seen as cost-effective for its robust features and scalable pricing, despite varying opinions on support.
Quest KACE SMA offers competitive pricing with per-device licensing, valued for comprehensive features and ROI for large organizations.
We get many more features at the same price as other solutions such as Microsoft SCCM.
The pricing is reasonable and less expensive than the previous tool.
We found it costly compared to other vendors.
For more quotes and insights, download the Qualys Patch Management report
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
For more quotes and insights, download the Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) report
Arshad Nr - PeerSpot reviewerChaitanya Kajjam - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2591694 - PeerSpot reviewer
RG
 

Valuable Features

Qualys Patch Management offers automated patching, comprehensive reporting, and seamless integration, enhancing efficiency and asset management for multi-OS environments.
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance streamlines asset management, deployment, and IT tracking, enhancing productivity with automation and integration tools.
We leverage this functionality to deploy scripts that adjust registry values, effectively patching vulnerabilities and enhancing the security of our machines.
We have been able to apply workarounds for zero-day vulnerabilities efficiently.
It provides insight into the organization's security posture and keeps databases updated with new CVEs.
For more quotes and insights, download the Qualys Patch Management report
The most valuable features include simplicity, which makes systems management easier and faster, especially for device management.
For more quotes and insights, download the Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) report
reviewer2589096 - PeerSpot reviewerArshad Nr - PeerSpot reviewerMubashir K - PeerSpot reviewer
RG
 

Categories and Ranking

Qualys Patch Management
Ranking in Patch Management
4th
Average Rating
9.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
34
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Quest KACE Systems Manageme...
Ranking in Patch Management
12th
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
38
Ranking in other categories
Client Desktop Management (12th), Endpoint Compliance (8th), Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) (17th), Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) (18th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of Qualys Patch Management is 4.5%, up from 0.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is 5.0%, down from 6.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Patch Management
 

Featured Reviews

Revathi VeeraRaghavan - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides a centralized platform for managing assets and vulnerabilities, enabling assessment, prioritization, and remediation
Qualys Patch Management system requires several improvements. Firstly, the inability to download asset patches and the lack of third-party application integration limit patch accessibility. Additionally, rollback options are unreliable, and pre-deployment patch testing is crucial. Reporting needs enhancement, particularly with group-based compliance percentages and clearer, VMDR-like reporting in the Patch Management module. Furthermore, detection speed should be improved, as patches are released 24 hours after QIDs are published. The user interface could be more functional, with dashboards for patch compliance visualization and simplified error code language. Finally, the Mac patch catalogue needs expansion, and automated workflows, policy enforcement, and testing procedures should be streamlined for seamless, user-independent operation.
Read full review
Scott Tweed - PeerSpot reviewer
Low maintenance, reliable, and easy to create packages
I like how when you click on the device, it shows you everything that has changed as well as the software versioning. I am really enjoying the inventory aspect of it. The deployment process for both deploying and creating a package is straightforward. I believe the inventory in KACE is superior to SCCM's. I know with SCCM I could do things like remote console into machines via the agent's remote console, but that is not a feature that is provided in KACE. I know that at least in the Systems Management Appliance, I can't get to it. I'm not sure how distribution works, with distribution points. I'm not sure if KACE has that feature. You could use an SCCM to set up distribution points at remote sites so that they don't have to download patches or software from across the country. If you have a DP or something similar, they could pull it down.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Government
12%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Government
11%
Computer Software Company
10%
University
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Qualys Patch Management?
Qualys Patch Management comes as part of a bundled package with several modules, making it a cost-effective deal for us. I cannot speak to the separate cost, as we have always used it as part of th...
See all answers
What needs improvement with Qualys Patch Management?
I deploy patches to endpoints and servers every month. However, despite a job showing as successful, I need to examine the job in detail. For instance, if I have deployed patches to 100 endpoints, ...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Qualys Patch Management?
I use Qualys Patch Management as a single platform for patch management. We have Microsoft, Adobe, and various other apps. I create a scheduled task to push all the required patches to the laptops ...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Quest KACE Systems Management?
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Quest KACE Systems Management?
The user interface needs improvement as customers have mentioned they do not like the interface since it is not an SMA-based interface and lacks a manual configuration option.
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Quest KACE Systems Management?
The main use cases for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance are touch management, software and hardware inventory, and software delivery.
See all answers
 

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Qualys Patch Management
May 2025
Qualys Patch Management reportDownload Qualys Patch Management product report
Buyer's Guide
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)
May 2025
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) reportDownload Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
Dell KACE Systems Management
 

Overview

Qualys Patch Management optimizes patching and vulnerability remediation through automation and intelligence insights, accelerating the process by 43% and improving patch rates by 90%. Its integration with CMDB and ITSM tools speeds up ticket closures by 60%, effectively reducing the attack surface while freeing IT and security resources. This cloud-based solution bridges the IT-security gap, making it essential for cybersecurity.

Qualys

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is a comprehensive tool for managing IT endpoints. It facilitates asset management, software distribution, and endpoint tracking while offering remote access capabilities and a centralized help desk.

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is designed for organizations that need efficient endpoint management. It offers a range of features like inventory tracking, automated patch management, and ticketing. By integrating with remote access tools such as Bomgar, Quest KACE helps reduce manual tasks involved in managing software updates and system deployments. Although it faces challenges in scalability and requires improvements in integration and reporting, it remains a versatile choice for asset tracking and endpoint administration.

What are Quest KACE SMA's key features?

  • Asset Management: Streamline the organization and tracking of physical and virtual assets.
  • Remote Access: Integrates with Bomgar for secure, remote troubleshooting and management.
  • Software Distribution: Deploy applications across devices efficiently without physical intervention.
  • Centralized Endpoint Management: Manage endpoints from a centralized console to ensure compliance and optimization.
  • Automated Patch Management: Schedule and deploy patches to maintain system security and performance.
  • Help Desk: Integrated ticketing system for tracking and resolving user issues.
  • Scripting and Reporting: Enhance administrative tasks through automated scripts and detailed reports.

What benefits should users consider?

  • Improved Productivity: Reduces manual interference with automated deployments and updates.
  • Labor Savings: Minimizes labor requirements with efficient remote management tools.
  • Integrated Reporting: Provides actionable insights through comprehensive reports to optimize IT operation.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Boosts effectiveness due to its intuitive, easy-to-navigate design.

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is implemented across industries for managing IT assets and endpoints, particularly where remote management and compliance are critical. It's employed in healthcare, education, and government sectors for efficient patch management, inventory control, and software deployment, aiding organizations in managing security accreditations and centralizing help desk operations.

Quest Software
 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Waypoint, Mattos Filho, Meetic, Gems Education, Green Clinic HealthSystem, Service King
Buyer's Guide
Qualys Patch Management vs. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)
April 2025
Free Report: Qualys Patch Management vs. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)
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