Review · Last reviewed 2026-08-01
SolarWinds Patch Manager Review: Extending WSUS and SCCM
An independent look at SolarWinds Patch Manager — an on-prem tool that extends WSUS and SCCM with third-party application patching.
This review is independent and unaffiliated with SolarWinds Patch Manager. Feature sets and pricing change over time — always confirm current details on the vendor's own site before purchasing.
What is SolarWinds Patch Manager?
SolarWinds Patch Manager is an on-prem patch management tool designed to extend an existing WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) or SCCM deployment, primarily by adding third-party application patching and additional reporting capabilities that WSUS doesn't natively provide.
Unlike standalone deployment or patch management platforms, Patch Manager is explicitly positioned as an add-on — it assumes you already have WSUS and/or SCCM infrastructure in place rather than replacing that infrastructure.
How it works
Patch Manager integrates with an existing WSUS server (and optionally SCCM) to extend its catalog with third-party application updates and provide additional patch reporting and automation on top of Microsoft's native update infrastructure, rather than operating as an independent deployment console.
Who it's built for
- ＋Organizations already running WSUS or SCCM that want better third-party application patching without adopting a separate deployment platform.
- ＋Teams whose patching strategy is built around Microsoft's native update infrastructure and want to extend it rather than replace it.
- －Organizations without existing WSUS or SCCM infrastructure — Patch Manager isn't designed as a standalone starting point.
Pricing
SolarWinds Patch Manager is typically licensed by managed node count, as part of SolarWinds' broader systems management product line. Confirm current pricing and prerequisites directly with SolarWinds.
See current Patch Manager pricing →Frequently asked questions
Does Patch Manager replace WSUS?
No — it's built to extend WSUS (and/or SCCM), not replace it. You need one of those already in place as a foundation. Confirm current prerequisites directly with SolarWinds.
Can I use Patch Manager without SCCM?
Patch Manager is generally positioned around extending WSUS, with additional integration available for SCCM environments. Confirm current standalone/prerequisite requirements directly with SolarWinds.
Looking at other options? See how SolarWinds Patch Manager compares across the category or read the head-to-head with PDQ Deploy.