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GFI LanGuard vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services comparison

GFI and Microsoft are both solutions in the Patch Management category. GFI is ranked #12 with an average rating of 8.0, while Microsoft is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.3. GFI holds a 3.0% mindshare in PM, compared to Microsoft’s 6.5% mindshare. Additionally, 81% of GFI users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 87% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.
GFI LanGuard
Read 10 GFI LanGuard reviews
  • 1,238 Views
  • 578 Comparison Views
81% willing to recommend
Microsoft Windows Server Up...
Read 49 Microsoft Windows Server Update Services reviews
  • 2,376 Views
  • 1,773 Comparison Views
87% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 16, 2024

GFI LanGuard and Microsoft Windows Server Update Services are two widely-used network security solutions. Users generally are happier with the robust features and comprehensive support of GFI LanGuard, though Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is perceived to offer superior overall functionality at a competitive price point.

Features: GFI LanGuard offers extensive vulnerability assessment capabilities, broad third-party software patching, and comprehensive security measures. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services provides streamlined patch management, integration with Microsoft products, and superior overall functionality.

Room for Improvement: GFI LanGuard could enhance reporting functionalities, address performance lags, and optimize overall efficiency. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services users seek improved usability, more advanced features without additional configurations, and streamlined initial setup.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: GFI LanGuard is known for a straightforward deployment process and responsive customer service. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services requires more initial setup effort but benefits from extensive documentation and community support.

Pricing and ROI: GFI LanGuard is valued for its ROI in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities relative to its cost. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is appreciated for favorable licensing costs within the Microsoft ecosystem, delivering strong ROI through comprehensive update management despite potential higher integration costs.

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To learn more, read our detailed GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Report (Updated: April 2025).
Buyer's Guide
GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services
April 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

GFI LanGuard
Ranking in Patch Management
12th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
10
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Microsoft Windows Server Up...
Ranking in Patch Management
3rd
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
49
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of GFI LanGuard is 3.0%, down from 3.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is 6.5%, down from 12.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Patch Management
 

Featured Reviews

Ted Mbugua - PeerSpot reviewer
Improves network visibility and keeps our products up to date with the latest patches
This is a solution that I recommend. In fact, those without it are at a disadvantage when it comes to managing their network. The biggest lesson that I have learned is in terms of visibility. GFI LanGuard has given me a wakeup call in terms of what is happening on endpoint machines. However, it is more than just having visibility. It is about having control in terms of what you want to block and what you're able to block. It keeps our network stable in that there are no running applications that you don't even know you have. I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Read full review
Chuck Colby - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficient patch management, potentially scalable, and free is using Microsoft servers
Whether to use the solution or not is going to be context-sensitive. If you have a strong Microsoft team, you can probably handle this. If, like my team, you also have a dozen other vendors to consider, it's not just the operating system. The pattern I've seen over time with WSUS is that it has the potential to be a fantastic product, yet it doesn't feel finished. People try to implement WSUS, and context is important. In my context, we're a small business without teams of Microsoft-certified people. We are just trying to use what's available to achieve a goal, and WSUS is fine, however, not the best product out there. The business in America often tries to do more with less. I would not recommend it to a team of my size. If a company had half a dozen or a dozen Microsoft-certified people, I'd say, run with it. For a team of my size, no, absolutely not. I would rate the overall solution a solid eight out of ten.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"It is helpful to patch and scan vulnerabilities."
"The most valuable features in GFI LanGuard are patch management and vulnerability assessment."
"I like that the solution can block users from unnecessarily putting devices on the network."
"The solution is easy to use and integrates well with other operating systems."
"The initial setup was easy."
"The most valuable features of GFI LanGuard are the vulnerability assessment, it provides us with substantial insight into what applications are running on the endpoint systems and what vulnerabilities are there in the running applications. The second would be the assets tracking. I'm able to see in the network whether my endpoint server is operating and if all the other IT equipment is running in the environment. Additionally, GFI LanGuard is not heavy on system resources. It gives a competitive advantage over others."
"The most valuable feature is that I am able to patch third-party solutions."
"This product is a great solution at a great price as long as it is only going to be used for a local area network."
More GFI LanGuard pros
"PowerShell is a valuable feature."
"I am absolutely happy with its stability and performance. It is a stable product."
"The solution can be used to update PCs and servers."
"The noteworthy aspect is the system's capability to handle an extensive range of services and workloads, with the potential for almost unlimited scalability."
"The simplicity of the configuration is a valuable feature for me."
"It ensures we get the necessary updates and features from the servers."
"The reporting capabilities that help maintain compliance and security are good."
"The most valuable features are that it is included with Windows, and it can be driven by Group Policy Objects (GPOs)."
More Microsoft Windows Server Update Services pros
 

Cons

"The version we are using only allows one person to use it at a time and does not allow multi-users."
"The documentation on how to use this solution in a Linux environment is not clear, which is something that should be improved because it is complicated."
"GFI LanGuard can improve by adding more modules, such as asset control or asset inventory."
"This solution is limited to the local area network only and cannot manage remote devices."
"If GFI LanGuard had a cloud version it would be better for people that are working from home."
"GFI LanGuard has some technical limitations with machines."
"GFI LanGuard can improve by adding asset tracking."
"The only drawback with GFI LanGuard is that you cannot directly integrate it from the Outlook email; instead, you have to first log in to the site to make changes."
More GFI LanGuard cons
"Microsoft should improve their support for the product. A lot of guys are installing their products, especially Xero. If you have a real problem, though, it's quite difficult to find someone who you can support you."
"While the product is generally effective, I believe the integration with other applications could be enhanced."
"Microsoft Windows Server Update Services needs to improve its reporting feature. The tool's competitor has better reporting capabilities."
"There are some bugs in IIS."
"Having the ability to group updates by the operating systems would be very helpful."
"It would be good if it could deploy third-party patches or applications."
"The solution must provide the issue description of the patches."
"A few bugs need to be figured out for the security side."
More Microsoft Windows Server Update Services cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I rate the pricing of GFI LanGuard a four out of five."
"GFI LanGuard isn't expensive."
"On a scale of one to five, with one being expensive and five being competitive, I would rate the price as a four."
"We are a gold partner and we receive favorable discounts. The price of GFI LanGuard is competitive. When you evaluate other solutions, such as ManageEngine."
"GFI LanGuard has very fair pricing compared to other similar solutions out there."
"GFI LanGuard cost approximately $1,000 annually to use the solution."
"The tool could be cheaper."
"While it might be relatively more expensive for smaller companies, larger enterprises can find it robust and capable of delivering significant value."
"The product is expensive."
"We need one single key for Windows deployments, which is a better option. Buying a license with the same key for all systems, like Windows and Windows Desktop, makes configuring easier. Otherwise, it isn't easy to manage multiple keys for different systems."
"The licensing of WSUS is free of charge because it comes with the Windows Server operating system, included as a feature of the operating system itself. It's simply a role that you enable within Windows Server."
"It doesn't need a license. It's offered for free with Microsoft."
"The product is not expensive."
"Microsoft's operating model determines the solution's pricing, and we use it based on our enterprise agreement, which incurs an annual cost."
More Microsoft Windows Server Update Services pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Photography Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
14%
Government
13%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about GFI LanGuard?
The most valuable feature of GFI LanGuard is its email spam feature.
See all answers
What needs improvement with GFI LanGuard?
The only drawback with GFI LanGuard is that you cannot directly integrate it from the Outlook email; instead, you have to first log in to the site to make changes. Instead of directly white listing...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for GFI LanGuard?
Internally, as a user, I use GFI LanGuard for email and web monitoring.
See all answers
What do you like most about Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
We can track the updates of the PC and servers.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
It's a free service. You just buy the Windows Server operating system, and it is an internal feature.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services?
Sometimes, I encounter issues with the Windows internal database, which occasionally does not load, leading to the Pandit console stopping. I have to repair the database and perform export and impo...
See all answers
 

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Compared 15% of the time
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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
GFI LanGuard
May 2025
GFI LanGuard reportDownload GFI LanGuard product report
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services
March 2025
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services reportDownload Microsoft Windows Server Update Services product report
 

Also Known As

LanGuard
Windows Server Update Services, Microsoft WSUS, WSUS, Microsoft Software Update Services, Software Update Services, Microsoft SUS, SUS, MS Windows Server Update Services
 

Overview

GFI LanGuard enables complete patch management of security and non-security patches to Microsoft operating systems, Mac OS X, major Linux distributions and third-party applications. It can also automate patching for all major web browsers too.

GFI

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a patch management tool that simplifies the administrator’s task of deploying the latest Microsoft updates. Administrators use WSUS to manage the distribution of updates released through Microsoft Update to computers in their network.

WSUS has features you can use to manage and distribute updates from a management console. The WSUS server can also be a source of updates to other servers within the organization, acting as an upstream server.

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Use Cases

The four main use cases that WSUS adds value to businesses are:

  • Centralizes update management.
  • Automates update management.
  • Performs general patch management to ensure compliance and protect against vulnerabilities.
  • Downloads all endpoint updates from data centers to a central location and then distribute them across the organization’s network.

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Features

This built-in server includes the following features:

  • Includes Windows PowerShell cmdlets.
  • Features client and server separation, which means you can deliver versions of the Windows Update Agent (WUA) separately from WSUS.
  • Automatic download of updates.
  • Deploy a targeted download of updates to a specific group of computers.
  • Multiple language support.
  • Advanced reporting capabilities.
  • Centralized management of network resources.

Requirements

In order to be able to use WSUS to manage and deploy updates, it is important to use a supported WSUS version, such as:

  • WSUS 10.0.14393
  • WSUS 10.0.17763
  • WSUS 6.2 and 6.3 with installed KB 3095113 and KB 3159706

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Benefits

  • Stable.
  • Ensures servers are always patched and prevents vulnerabilities.
  • Works great for internal updating.
  • Enforces automated updates and patching for applications.
  • Because the solution is used in the cloud, clients are always using the latest version.
  • Highly scalable and configurable regardless of the organization’s layout.

Different Types of WSUS Deployments

  • Simple WSUS deployment: A server inside the corporate firewall serves clients via a private intranet. The WSUS server downloads updates by connecting to Microsoft Update. Using this model, you can configure multiple WSUS servers with a parent WSUS server.

  • Computer groups: You can use computer groups to deliver updates to specific computers. There are two basic computer groups: All Computers or Unassigned Computers. When a client first contacts the WSUS server, it is added to both. You can then create a group from the Unassigned Computers group to the new group.

  • WSUS server hierarchies: The flexibility of WSUS enables the creation of complex hierarchies of servers. To do this, you need only a single WSUS server connected to Microsoft Update. This will serve as an “upstream server,” and the connected servers as “downstream servers.”

    • You can link WSUS servers in two modes: autonomous or replica. In the autonomous mode, the upstream server shares the updates with the downstream servers but doesn’t update status or group information.

    • The upstream server shares updates, status, and group information in replica mode. You cannot administer replica servers apart from the upstream WSUS server.
Microsoft
 

Sample Customers

BayView Medical Clinic, FrugalBrothers Software, Zaw, National Theatre, American Red Cross
Information Not Available
Buyer's Guide
GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services
April 2025
Free Report: GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services
Find out what your peers are saying about GFI LanGuard vs. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
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