The cloud-native alternative to PDQ

Deploy, patch, uninstall, and monitor applications at scale (and so much more) without the need for on-premises infrastructure, VPN, or domain.
PDQ hero
G2 Best Relationship - Fall 2024
G2 Best Usability - Fall 2024
Leader SourceForge Winter 2024
GetApp Category Leaders 2024
Capterra Shortlist 2024
Software Advice Best Customer Support 2022 badge

Do more with NinjaOne

Integrated network management icon
Deploy, patch, and manage software
IT assets icon
Discover, inventory, and manage all IT assets
Actionable reporting icon
Execute complex automations remotely
Icon feature robust
Automate device monitoring and alerting
Icon feature powerful IT automation
Support users with 1-click remote access
Icon feature automated patch management
Secure and protect critical business data
Criteria
PDQ
Overall Rating 4.8 out of 5 (1,108) 4.9 out of 5 (156)
Meets Requirements
9.1
Responses: 971
9.4
Responses: 156
Ease of Use
9.3
Responses: 979
9.5
Responses: 156
Ease of Setup
9.3
Responses: 862
9.5
Responses: 143
Ease of Admin
9.3
Responses: 883
9.5
Responses: 142
Quality of Support
9.4
Responses: 940
9.5
Responses: 136
Ease of Doing Business With
9.6
Responses: 866
9.7
Responses: 134
Product Direction (% positive)
9.8
Responses: 964
9.7
Responses: 138

Based on G2 Spring 2024

PDQ Deploy & Inventory

INFRASTRUCTURE
Requires on-premises server(s) and network Checkmark
100% Cloud-Based Checkmark
Off-network management without VPN Checkmark
Workflows Supported
Windows Checkmark Checkmark
Mac Checkmark Checkmark
(Requires MDM)
Linux Checkmark
SNMP Devices Checkmark
Virtual Machines Checkmark
Key Features
Software deployment, patching, and management Checkmark Checkmark
Remote script deployment Checkmark Checkmark
Hardware / software inventory Checkmark Checkmark
Automated asset discovery Checkmark Checkmark
Device monitoring Checkmark
Device status alerting, notifications, and ticket creation Checkmark
Remote terminal, task manager, registry editor, etc. Checkmark
One-click remote access Checkmark
Backup and disaster recovery Checkmark
IT ticketing Checkmark
IT documentation tool Checkmark
Cross-platform complex automation engine Checkmark

PDQ

PRODUCT SUMMARY

PDQ is a company that provides endpoint management tools “for sysadmins, by sysadmins.” Using PDQ, sysadmins can automate tasks, including software deployment and patching, to ensure that their IT environments remain secure and up to date. PDQ solutions are designed to reduce complexity and improve control for remote or on-premise IT teams.

Use Cases

  • Patch management:
    PDQ allows users to schedule and automate patch management tasks for all devices. In addition, they provide notifications and reports to help users acquire all the information they need.
  • Endpoint management:
    IT teams have immediate access to real-time information about their systems, devices, and IT inventory.
  • IT automation:
    The solution’s tools and features provide automation capabilities and offer scripting options for customization.

Shortcomings

  • Vague error messages:
    When deployments fail or run into issues, error messages can be vague and unclear.
  • Deployment issues with new devices:
    It has occasional deployment issues with devices that are new to a domain.
  • Slow interface speed:
    The interface can become slower when multiple columns are loaded in the tool.
  • Limited monitoring and alerting:
    IT administrators may find PDQ’s monitoring and alerting capabilities limited, making it challenging to achieve comprehensive system health awareness.

NinjaOne

Why your peers choose us over PDQ

While PDQ may excel in specific areas like Windows-based deployments, NinjaOne offers a broader spectrum of functionality across various platforms, not just Windows. NinjaOne is a unified endpoint management solution that supports major operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

PDQ excels in specific areas like software deployment, asset inventory, and patch management. In contrast, NinjaOne provides a more comprehensive solution encompassing real-time monitoring, alerts, patching, ticketing, scripting, and automation – all alongside software deployment and inventory management. It consolidates essential IT features and functionalities into one unified console. This makes NinjaOne a better choice for MSPs and IT professionals looking for an endpoint management solution that streamlines workflows, boosts IT efficiency, and strengthens overall IT security.

“A lapse in patching is a critical security threat to any organization. NinjaOne automatically patches all our endpoints, regardless of location or OS, enhancing our security. As a financial institution, some regulations require us to provide proof of our patching program to auditors. Thanks to NinjaOne, I can produce a report for auditors that shows 99.98% of patches have been installed–that of 112,000 patches, only three have failed, and that we already have a team member working to fix those. Auditors are impressed–we have received some of the highest patching scores in our industry.”

Nick Lenius, VP of IT at Great Plains Bank

quoteSimple and powerful

Managing computers and applications is simple with Ninja. NinjaOne has helped us with patch management, third-party application management, remote support, troubleshooting and alerting.

quoteImproving Cyber Security

NinjaOne’s remote tools have been vital. The ability to deploy scripts and silent install applications have also been very useful. Third party application patching has been a great success.

Why NinjaOne?

Installing and managing software is a key task for any IT team – regardless of size. Keeping track of which endpoints have which software on which version can quickly get out of hand. NinjOne gives you full visibility into your software ecosystem and tools to manage it effectively.

Network- and domain-agnostic management

NinjaOne lets you inventory, monitor, and manage software on any internet-connected endpoint. You won’t need to rely on end-users to be on the company network or domain-joined to install, remove, or patch vulnerable applications.

Automate deployment

NinjaOne leverages a policy system that enables you to automate tailored application deployment profiles at scale across managed environments and user roles, so endpoints can be setup and deployed to end-users 100% automatically.

Manage at Scale

Every application management action in NinjaOne can be done ad-hoc on individual devices, automated based on system condition, or en-masse, helping you save time and improve technician efficiency.

Key Features

Manage all your endpoints with one tool

+
NinjaOne is a true single-pane endpoint management solution, enabling you to monitor and manage your Windows, MacOS, and Linux servers, workstations, and laptops as well as virtual machines, cloud infrastructure, and networking devices in a single centralized console.

The ease of access to all information in a single pane of glass is phenomenal and key to efficiency and operational success!

Start Your Trial

OS and third-party application patch management

+
NinjaOne helps you save time and reduce vulnerabilities by automating your Windows, Mac, and Linux OS patching. Ninja also patches over 100 third party Windows applications to ensure your endpoints are secure and users have the most up-to-date functionality.

Our primary purpose for it was for patch management which was a breeze to configure and is working far better than SCCM, which we're transitioning away from.

Learn More

Fast, secure remote access

+
Quickly, easily, and securely take control of endpoints using one of Ninja’s fully integrated, one click remote access tools. Perform maintenance, verify issues, and provide quick support using TeamViewer, Splashtop, RDP, or Connectwise Control with lightning-fast connection speeds.

We love the ability to provide comprehensive and instant support from a single pane of access - chiefly supported by useful integrations like Teamviewer and Splashtop.

Learn More

Powerful, easy to use automation

+
The primary benefit of an endpoint management platform is efficiency. NinjaOne makes it easy to automate many IT tasks so your technicians can focus on more complex and value-adding tasks. NinjaOne enables automation in standard scripting languages like Powershell, ShellScript, Batch, and more.

Hands-off automation has been a great time saver for our business. NinjaOne is the right choice.

Service Manager

Silent remote management tools

+
Remote control is a powerful tool, but is often inefficient for small changes as it interrupts the end-user and requires a scheduled window for remediation. NinjaOne provides a suite of remote tools that operate entirely in the background so you can remediate issues and update configurations without interrupting end users.

I use NinjaOne every day. Being able to jump into Ninja and fix something without logging onto a user's desktop is priceless. The remote file explorer , command line and other tools make my job much easier.

Start Your Trial

Automated software management

+
Deploy and manage software via ad-hoc deployments or automated installation at scale. Deploy Windows third party application patches across all your endpoints, alert on blacklist application installations, and remove applications with ease to improve endpoint security.

Being able to remotely remove and/or install software without taking remote control of the PC is completely transparent to the end user - the way it should be.

Start Your Trial

NinjaOne Endpoint Management vs PDQ Deploy & Inventory

NinjaOne vs. PDQ FAQs

PDQ and NinjaOne streamline IT administration by automating tasks, but their strengths differ. PDQ excels at simplifying software deployment, updates, and asset management, specifically for Windows environments. NinjaOne, on the other hand, offers a broader solution. It is a complete endpoint management tool that allows IT teams and MSPs to manage endpoints across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it a stronger choice for IT professionals and MSPs needing multi-platform support.

Yes. PDQ offers API through PDQ Connect integration. You can use the API with your own scripts and other tools to streamline your device management processes. NinjaOne also provides a powerful API but with a wider range of functionalities, allowing for deeper control, including configuration management and security automation.

No. PDQ doesn’t offer built-in server monitoring for services, which may require users to integrate with third-party network monitoring systems. In contrast, NinjaOne’s robust server monitoring is a built-in feature, allowing for real-time performance analysis and proactive issue identification.

PDQ focuses only on Windows deployment and inventory. At the moment, it doesn’t offer support for Mac and Linux. Meanwhile, NinjaOne offers support for major operating systems, which makes it a more versatile option for managing a mixed-environment IT infrastructure.

While PDQ offers support similar to what other endpoint management solutions provide, NinjaOne takes it a step further. NinjaOne is rated #1 for support and service with a 98% customer satisfaction score based on a third-party survey of 380+ MSPs. It also boasts a 65-minute first response time, ensuring IT issues are addressed quickly and efficiently.

Ready to become an IT Ninja?

Learn how NinjaOne can help you simplify IT operations.

×

See NinjaOne in action!

By submitting this form, I accept NinjaOne's privacy policy.