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Best Free Alternatives to PDQ Deploy & Inventory / PDQ Connect

Stop paying $1,650/yr per Admin (Local) | ~$12/device per yr (Connect). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.

Category: Endpoint Management & PatchingVerified for 2025

Top Recommended Replacements

Action1

FREE

Top Free Alternative for 2026

Why we like it

Unmatched free tier (first 200 endpoints are free forever); cloud-native with no local server needed; incredible for patching third-party apps remotely.

Keep in mind

Lacks the 'agentless' charm of classic PDQ; reporting for non-security metrics is less detailed than PDQ Inventory.

WAPT (by Tranquil IT)

FREE

Best for Python-based Control

Why we like it

Open-core model; uses Python for package recipes, allowing for complex logic; handles Windows, Linux, and macOS; exceptional security with signed packages.

Keep in mind

Higher learning curve than PDQ; smaller pre-made package library (requires more manual packaging).

NinjaOne

Best Professional RMM

Why we like it

Unified endpoint management with RMM, backup, and patching; extremely polished UI; handles Windows, Mac, and Linux from a single pane of glass.

Keep in mind

No permanent free tier; pricing requires a sales quote and is generally higher for small fleets than PDQ.

Microsoft winget (Package Manager)

FREE

Best for CLI Automation

Why we like it

Built into modern Windows; zero infrastructure needed; massive community-curated repository; perfect for developers using scripts or n8n to provision machines.

Keep in mind

Strictly a command-line tool; no built-in GUI for scheduling or remote reporting without 3rd-party wrappers.

Chocolatey

FREE

The Sysadmin's Swiss Army Knife

Why we like it

The most mature Windows package manager; massive community; easy to integrate into any script or automation tool.

Keep in mind

The free version lacks the visual 'Deployment' scheduling found in PDQ; managing business-wide versions requires the expensive 'Business' tier.

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