How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- KACE, now Quest KACE Unified Endpoint Manager, scores 4.1 out of 5 on G2, with reviewers calling costs reasonable for features but high for small organizations.
- ManageEngine Endpoint Central rates stronger on value than KACE, while NinjaOne rates highest for ease of use at 4.7 out of 5 across more than 5,000 reviews.
- Jamf leads for Apple device management with same-day macOS compatibility, while Hexnode covers unified management across platforms at low per-device prices.
- Most endpoint tools here use quote-based pricing, so the two priced picks, NinjaOne and Atera, anchor any budget comparison.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 NinjaOne | Ease of use and automation | $1.50 per device per month | No |
 ManageEngine Endpoint Central | Value for large fleets | See website | No |
 Ivanti Endpoint Manager | Comprehensive enterprise management | See website | No |
 Jamf | Apple device management | See website | No |
 Hexnode UEM | Unified management across platforms | $2.20 per device per month | No |
 Atera | Per-technician RMM plus ticketing | $129 per technician per month | No |
 Action1 | Free patching up to 200 endpoints | $0 | Yes |
 Microsoft Intune | Microsoft 365 endpoint management | See website | No |
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The best alternatives to kace
#1NinjaOne
Best for: Ease of use and automation4.7/5 on
G2 (5,037 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit ninjaone.com
Starting price$1.50 per device per month
Free planNo
NinjaOne is the top alternative to KACE by reviewer satisfaction, with a 4.7 out of 5 rating across more than 5,000 G2 reviews and praise for ease of use and automation. Per-device pricing runs from about $1.50 per device per month at very large volumes to $3.75 at 50 or fewer endpoints, with no long-term contract required. Patch management, automation, remote access, and cross-platform support cover the core UEM job in a modern interface.
Per-device pricing grows expensive for large fleets compared with per-technician models, and the PSA is sold separately. For mid-market teams that want the easiest UEM to run, NinjaOne is the leading pick.
What we like- Highest ease-of-use ratings
- Strong automation and patching
- Cross-platform management
Watch out for- Per-device pricing adds up at scale
- PSA sold separately
- Quote needed for exact rates
#2ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Best for: Value for large fleets4.5/5 on
G2 (1,149 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit manageengine.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ManageEngine Endpoint Central rates as the stronger value against KACE, with higher reviewer satisfaction on price and a 4.5 out of 5 rating across more than 1,100 G2 reviews. Ease of use draws 472 reviewer mentions, and comprehensive endpoint management covers patching, software deployment, asset management, and compliance across Windows, macOS, and Linux. For organizations managing large numbers of endpoints, reviewers highlight reasonable pricing for the feature set.
Pricing sits behind a quote, and the interface feels dense at scale. For large fleets that want value plus breadth, Endpoint Central is the strongest KACE rival.
What we like- Stronger value ratings than KACE
- Ease of use praised in 472 reviews
- Comprehensive endpoint management
Watch out for- Quote-based pricing
- Interface density at scale
- Enterprise modules add cost
#3
Ivanti Endpoint Manager
Best for: Comprehensive enterprise management
Visit ivanti.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Ivanti Endpoint Manager suits enterprises that need comprehensive endpoint management with deep automation, security, and compliance features. The 4.2 out of 5 rating across 143 G2 reviews reflects enterprise deployments, and the platform covers the full device lifecycle from provisioning to retirement. For large organizations with complex endpoint estates, Ivanti offers depth that simpler tools lack.
Pricing is quote-based and enterprise-scale, and implementation takes planning. For enterprise endpoint management, Ivanti is a proven pick.
What we like- Comprehensive endpoint management
- Enterprise scale
- Strong automation and security features
Watch out for- Quote-based enterprise pricing
- Complexity for small teams
- Implementation takes planning
#4Jamf
Best for: Apple device management4.7/5 on
G2 (2,443 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit jamf.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Jamf is the Apple management standard, with same-day macOS compatibility, a 4.7 out of 5 rating across more than 2,300 G2 reviews, and higher value ratings than KACE. Ease of setup scores 8.4 against KACE 7.6, and support scores 9.0 against 8.1. For education and enterprise teams running Apple fleets, Jamf is the clear leader.
Reviewers call Jamf expensive, though worth it for Apple environments, and its Apple-only focus means Windows and Android need another tool. For Apple-first organizations, Jamf is the top KACE alternative.
What we like- Best Apple device management
- Same-day macOS compatibility
- 4.7 out of 5 across 2,300-plus reviews
Watch out for- Expensive but valued for Apple environments
- Apple-only focus
- Pricing behind a quote
#5Hexnode UEM
Best for: Unified management across platforms4.6/5 on
G2 (283 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hexnode.com
Starting price$2.20 per device per month
Free planNo
Hexnode UEM covers unified endpoint management across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating across 274 G2 reviews. Pro starts at $2.20 per device per month billed annually, with Enterprise at $3.20 and Ultimate at $4.70, making Hexnode one of the few UEM tools with transparent per-device pricing. For mid-market teams that need cross-platform management at a published price, Hexnode is the transparent pick.
Desktop patching and AI features need the quote-only Ultra plan, and Windows and macOS management trail its mobile features. For unified cross-platform management on a budget, Hexnode is a strong pick.
What we like- Unified endpoint management across platforms
- Low per-device entry price
- 4.5 out of 5 across 274 reviews
Watch out for- Pro at $2.20 billed annually, $2.40 monthly
- Desktop patching needs higher tiers
- Smaller ecosystem than Jamf
#6Atera
Best for: Per-technician RMM plus ticketing4.6/5 on
G2 (1,123 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit atera.com
Starting price$129 per technician per month
Free planNo
Atera combines RMM with ticketing at $129 per technician per month billed annually, covering unlimited endpoints per technician. The 4.6 out of 5 rating across 1,247 G2 reviews reflects small-business satisfaction, and patch management, remote access, and automation cover the core endpoint job. For small MSPs and IT teams that want per-technician pricing rather than per-device, Atera flips the cost model in their favor once each technician manages many endpoints.
The PSA is light, and backup sits only on the two highest tiers. For per-technician endpoint management with ticketing, Atera is the value pick.
What we like- Per-technician pricing with unlimited endpoints
- RMM plus ticketing
- 4.6 out of 5 across 1,247 reviews
Watch out for- $129 per technician per month entry
- PSA is light
- Backup only on two highest tiers
#7Action1
Best for: Free patching up to 200 endpoints4.9/5 on
G2 (1,206 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit action1.com
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Action1 is free up to 200 endpoints with no time limit, covering patching, remote access, and basic endpoint management for small fleets. For a small business replacing KACE on a tight budget, Action1 costs nothing up to 200 devices. Setup stays simple, and the platform covers the most common endpoint tasks.
UEM depth sits below full platforms like NinjaOne or Endpoint Central, and enterprise features sit behind paid tiers. For free endpoint management at small scale, Action1 is unmatched.
What we like- Free up to 200 endpoints with no time limit
- Patching and remote access
- Simple setup
Watch out for- UEM depth below full platforms
- Enterprise features gated
- Smaller feature set
#8Microsoft Intune
Best for: Microsoft 365 endpoint management4.5/5 on
G2 (272 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit microsoft.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Microsoft Intune suits organizations already committed to Microsoft 365, with deep Entra ID integration and cloud-native endpoint management for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Many Microsoft bundles include Intune, which makes it effectively free for teams already paying for E3 or E5 licensing. For Microsoft shops, Intune keeps endpoint management inside the existing stack without a separate vendor.
Pricing varies by bundle, Windows management depth exceeds Mac management, and policy configuration takes learning. For Microsoft 365 organizations, Intune is the natural KACE alternative.
What we like- Deep Microsoft 365 and Entra integration
- Cloud-native management
- Included in many Microsoft bundles
Watch out for- Pricing varies by bundle
- Windows depth exceeds Mac management
- Learning curve for policies
How we chose
We compared per-device prices, patching depth, Apple support, PSA bundling, and reviewer ratings for each tool, then checked them against recent UEM comparisons with G2 data verified in 2026. Tools made the list only if IT teams can manage endpoints today with a published price or a widely reported pricing model. Where pricing sits behind a quote, we used See website rather than printing a contested figure. We also weighed reviewer satisfaction separately, since a tool teams like using costs less in training and turnover than a cheaper tool they fight.
Fleet mix decides most KACE replacements. Apple-heavy fleets point to Jamf, Windows-heavy fleets point to Intune or Endpoint Central, mixed fleets point to Hexnode or NinjaOne, and MSP fleets point to Atera or NinjaOne depending on pricing model. KACE itself supports multi-system environments including Android, so a replacement must match that breadth or the team ends up running two tools.
Also check patching depth before committing. Third-party patching coverage varies widely: some tools patch thousands of applications natively, while others rely on Chocolatey or Winget catalogs. Test patching against your actual application list during the trial, since a tool that patches the OS but not your line-of-business apps leaves the biggest risk unpatched. Confirm remote access, asset tracking, and compliance reporting in the same trial, since those features decide daily usability more than any datasheet. Also confirm mobile device management coverage if your fleet includes phones and tablets, since some endpoint tools manage desktops well but treat mobile as an afterthought. Test enrollment, app deployment, and remote wipe on real devices during the trial, not just on the vendor demo fleet. Ask each vendor for a written quote covering your full fleet size before deciding anything final today.
Frequently asked questions
What is KACE and who makes it now?
KACE Unified Endpoint Manager, formerly KACE Systems Management Appliance, is now a Quest product for IT asset tracking, endpoint management, patching, compliance, and software deployment. It supports small and midsize businesses through cloud deployment, with an appliance option for virtual environments. Reviewers rate it 4.1 out of 5 on G2, praising automated software deployment and patching while noting costs can be high for small organizations.
Which KACE alternative is best for Apple devices?
Jamf leads for Apple device management with same-day macOS compatibility and a 4.7 out of 5 rating across more than 2,300 reviews. Hexnode UEM also covers Apple devices within a cross-platform console at lower per-device prices. For Apple-only fleets, Jamf wins. For mixed fleets with Apple devices, Hexnode or NinjaOne fit better.
Which KACE alternative is cheapest?
Action1 is free up to 200 endpoints, while Hexnode Pro starts at $2.20 per device per month billed annually and NinjaOne from about $1.50 per device per month at large volumes. Atera at $129 per technician per month wins once each technician manages many endpoints. Compare at your actual fleet size and technician count.
Should I pick per-device or per-technician pricing?
Per-device pricing suits small fleets or fluctuating counts, while per-technician pricing wins when each technician manages roughly 50 or more endpoints. Model both at your two-year endpoint projection, since switching endpoint platforms later requires agent redeployment and policy rebuilding.
Can I migrate from KACE without losing asset history?
Export asset inventory, license data, and patch history before migration, then import into the new platform during a pilot with one site or department. Keep KACE live during transition so compliance reporting never gaps, and validate that software deployment and patch policies behave identically in the new tool before full rollout.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.ninjaone.com
- https://www.manageengine.com
- https://www.ivanti.com
- https://www.jamf.com
- https://www.hexnode.com
- https://www.atera.com
- https://www.action1.com
- https://www.microsoft.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.