18.4
OPSI is an open-source client management system for automating software distribution, operating-system installation, inventory, patch management, and configuration.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinux
Best IT Automation Software in 2026
OPSI leads this chart of 77 (8.4/10, free plan). Puppet is next (8.4/10, free plan), and ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus is the next highest-placed with a free plan (8.3/10). IT automation software helps teams manage tasks such as patching, configuration, remediation, and deployment across IT systems. Compare the features you need and the deployment model, then check whether a tool has an Android app if you need to manage it from a Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device. This chart compares free plans, starting paid prices, patch and configuration management, remediation automation, deployment…
28.4
Puppet Enterprise provides policy-driven configuration management and infrastructure automation for medium and large organizations handling complex…
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinux
38.3
Administers and protects company devices and their apps and data through one console.
Free planAndroidiOSWeb
- 4
ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus
Tracks available patches and handles rollout and status reports for managed systems.
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2From $245 a year - 5
Rudder
Automates infrastructure security and can audit or continuously correct configurations.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted8.2From $40 a year - 6
Canonical MAAS
Canonical MAAS is an open source platform for managing physical servers as cloud resources.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted8.1From $30 a year - 7
PatchMon
PatchMon is a patch-monitoring dashboard for infrastructure teams managing Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows server fleets.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted8.1From $1 a month - 8
Rundeck
Rundeck gives incident response teams a self-service way to run workflows that can prevent, diagnose, and resolve incidents.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS8.1From $125 a month - 9
CFEngine
CFEngine automates infrastructure, security and compliance by steering managed systems toward a state defined by users.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.8Free plan - 10
ActiveBatch
ActiveBatch is a workload automation and enterprise job scheduling platform for coordinating IT and business processes.
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.6$10,000 one-time - 11
Uyuni
Manages and updates Linux fleets with patching, provisioning and Salt-based configuration.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted7.4Free plan - 12
Hexnode UEM
AndroidiOSWebLinux7.3From $2.20 a month - 13
7.2Free plan - 14
KACE Systems Management Appliance
KACE Systems Management Appliance automates endpoint management tasks including application deployment, patching, asset management, reporting, and…
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.2 - 15
Google Cloud VM Manager
Google Cloud VM Manager manages operating systems across Windows and Linux VM fleets running on Compute Engine.
Free planWebAPILinuxWindows7.1Free plan - 16
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Container Registry
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Container Registry is an Oracle-managed service for storing, sharing, and managing container images.
Free planWebAPILinux7.0Free plan - 17
Salt
Runs commands across thousands of systems and supports configuration, provisioning, and orchestration.
Free planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.0Free plan - 18
Canonical Landscape
Installs and updates software, sets patch policies, and manages users on Ubuntu systems.
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.9From $6,861 a year - 19
Foreman
Manages server lifecycles, automates deployments and provisions bare-metal or cloud resources.
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.9Free plan - 20
Juju
Juju is Canonical's open-source orchestration engine for deploying, integrating and managing application lifecycles with charms.
Free planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted6.9Free plan - 21
NetBrain
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.8 - 22
PDQ Connect
WebAPImacOSWindows6.8From $12 a year - 23
Rundeck
Runs recurring operations by linking scripts and system commands into workflows.
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS6.8Free plan - 24
Symantec IT Management Suite
Symantec IT Management Suite manages, patches, and remediates application and operating system configurations across desktops, laptops, and servers…
WebAPILinuxmacOS6.8 - 25
Automox
Automox patches remote endpoints and uses scripts for configuration, compliance, and remediation.
WebAPILinuxmacOS6.7From $12 a year
Choosing well
Which IT tasks does it automate?
Start with the work you need to automate. The comparison covers patch management, configuration management, and remediation automation, so check that the tool supports the tasks your team handles.
For example, ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is listed with a free plan; compare its patch-management fit with other tools before choosing.
Which platforms does it need to run on?
Check the supported-platform details against the systems you manage. The chart includes web, Linux, API, self-hosted, Windows, and macOS as platform categories.
If you want to manage software from an Android phone or tablet, verify Android support directly. The platform categories here do not specify an Android app.
Should it be self-hosted or web-based?
Choose a deployment model that fits how you want to run the software. The comparison includes deployment model, and its platform categories distinguish web and self-hosted options.
Check the product details for the deployment choices available with the plan you are considering.
Does it have a free plan or trial?
Compare the free-plan and trial details, then check the paid starting price. These terms vary: OPSI lists a free plan, a €4.99-per-year starting price, and a 42-day trial; PatchMon lists a free plan and a 14-day trial.
A free plan and a free trial are different offers. Review the terms for the specific tool before deciding whether it fits your budget.
How many endpoints can it cover?
Check the included-endpoints detail against the systems you need to manage. Endpoint limits can affect whether a plan fits your deployment.
Review the tool’s plan details for the endpoint allowance that applies to its free or paid option.
Questions people ask
What does IT automation software do?
It helps teams automate IT work. This comparison covers patch management, configuration management, remediation automation, and deployment model.
Which IT automation tools have a free plan?
The list includes tools with free plans. Examples include ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, CFEngine, OPSI, and Salt.
Can I manage IT automation software from an Android phone?
The platform details here do not specify Android availability. Check the product’s own platform information for an Android app.
How do I compare IT automation software pricing?
Compare whether the tool has a free plan or trial, its paid starting price, and the plan terms. Prices and offers differ by product.
What should I check before choosing a self-hosted tool?
Check the deployment model and supported platforms, then confirm that the product’s plan supports the systems and endpoints you need.