ManageEngine 2026: Still the Best IT Suite?

Is ManageEngine Worth It?

★★★★★ 4.2/5

Quick Verdict: ManageEngine is the IT management division of Zoho Corporation. It gives you over 90 products for one price. You get eindpuntbeheer, service desk software, network monitoring, and security tools. It’s built for IT teams that need everything in one place. The learning curve is steep. But once you set it up, it’s a powerhouse.

✅ Best For:

IT teams that want one platform for endpoint management, security, and service desk — without paying enterprise prices.

❌ Skip If:

You need a quick, plug-and-play tool with zero setup time — or you only need basic ticketing.

📊 Products	90+ IT tools	🎯 Best For	Mid-size to enterprise IT teams
💰 Price	Neem contact op voor prijsinformatie.	✅ Top Feature	Unified endpoint management
🎁 Free Trial	30 days, free editions available	⚠️ Limitation	Een steile leercurve

How I Tested ManageEngine

Managing IT for a growing company is painful.

You juggle tickets, endpoints, patches, and security alerts.

Most tools only solve one piece of the puzzle.

Enter ManageEngine.

Dit IT-beheersoftware promises to handle it all — from your service desk to your network.

I put it to the test for 90 days. Here’s what I found.

ManageEngine

Stop juggling 10 different IT tools. ManageEngine gives you the industry’s broadest suite of IT management software — over 90 products for endpoint management, security, and operations. Used by 280,000+ companies worldwide. Try it free for 30 days.

TRY MANAGEENGINE NOW →

MANAGEENGINE ALTERNATIVES →

Wat is ManageEngine?

ManageEngine is the IT management division of Zoho Corporation.

Think of it like a Swiss Army knife for IT teams.

It gives you management solutions for almost every IT need.

Need a service desk? They have ServiceDesk Plus.

Need to manage endpoints and mobile apparaten? There’s Endpoint Central.

Need cloud security monitoring? They’ve got that too.

ManageEngine crafts comprehensive management solutions for IT teams of all sizes.

ManageEngine crafts the industry’s broadest suite of IT management software.

It covers network and device management, access management, security information and event management, and much more.

The software works both on premises and in the cloud.

Unlike tools that do one thing well, ManageEngine tries to do everything.

And honestly? It does most of it really well.

Wie heeft ManageEngine ontwikkeld?

Sridhar Vembu and his team launched ManageEngine in 2002.

It started as an IT management division inside Zoho Corp (formerly AdventNet).

The story: After the dot-com bubble burst, Zoho had idle engineers. They built ManageEngine from their network management roots.

Today, Rajesh Ganesan leads ManageEngine as CEO.

The company is part of Zoho Corporation based in Chennai, India.

ManageEngine is used by over 280,000 companies worldwide.

ManageEngine has been delivering IT management solutions for over 23 years.

That includes nine of every ten Fortune 100 companies.

They have 18 gegevens centers, 20 offices, and over 6,000 employees globally.

Zoho has been completely bootstrapped — no outside funding, ever.

De belangrijkste voordelen van ManageEngine

Here’s what you actually get when you use ManageEngine:

• One Platform for Everything: You don’t need 10 separate IT tools. ManageEngine provides a comprehensive set of features — service desk, endpoint care, security, and IT operations — in one system.
• Save Money on IT Tools: ManageEngine positions itself as an affordable alternative to major enterprise stacks like ServiceNow. You get enterprise-level features without the enterprise price tag.
• Deploy Your Way: ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions. Run it on premises or in the cloud. Mix both in hybrid ecosystems. Your choice.
• Automate Boring IT Tasks: From ticket assignment to software deployment, automatisering saves your IT teams hours each week. AI and automation make your job easier.
• Scale as You Grow: Whether you have 50 endpoints or 50,000, ManageEngine grows with your company. The enterprise version handles massive IT infrastructure.
• Better Security Posture: Built-in tools for data leak prevention, privileged access security, browser security, and security policies keep your systems safe.
• Everything Talks to Each Other: Since all ManageEngine products are homegrown, they work together naturally. No clunky third-party connections needed.

Best ManageEngine Features

Let’s look at what ManageEngine actually offers. Here are the standout features.

1. Identiteits- en toegangsbeheer

This feature handles Active Directory tasks, adaptive MFA, and privileged access security.

You can manage SSH keys, ensure compliance, and control who gets access to what.

ADManager Plus automates Active Directory tasks that used to take hours.

It’s a must-have for IT teams that deal with hundreds of user accounts.

Zeker toegang op afstand becomes simple with the right identity tools in place.

2. Uniform servicebeheer

ServiceDesk Plus is ManageEngine’s IT service management tool.

It handles incident management, change management, and problem management.

Your team can manage tickets from email, phone, or a self-service portal.

Zia, ManageEngine’s built-in AI assistent, automates tasks inside ServiceDesk Plus.

It also includes a knowledge base so users can solve basic issues on their own.

The built in billing feature helps track costs tied to each ticket.

3. IT-operationsmanagement (ITOM)

This is where ManageEngine handles operations management for your entire network.

OpManager gives you real time status of your network, servers, and applications.

You can see what’s up, what’s down, and what needs attention.

Integrating OpManager with ServiceDesk Plus creates a closed-loop incident process.

When a problem pops up, a ticket is created automatically. That’s your IT operations running on autopilot.

4. Low-code app-ontwikkelaar

Not every IT need comes with a ready-made product.

ManageEngine’s low-code bouwer lets you create custom apps fast.

Your IT teams can build forms, workflows, and dashboards without deep coding skills.

This is perfect for tracking hardware and software assets in your own way.

It fills gaps that off-the-shelf management software can’t cover.

5. Beveiligingsinformatie- en gebeurtenisbeheer (SIEM)

Cloud security monitoring is critical today.

ManageEngine’s SIEM tool watches your entire IT infrastructure for threats.

It tracks file audit, data loss prevention, and security events in real time.

You get alerts when something looks wrong. That means faster response times.

It helps prevent data leaks before they become a disaster.

For companies that must ensure compliance, this feature is a lifesaver.

6. Geavanceerde IT-analyse

Analytics Plus turns raw IT data into visual reports and dashboards.

You can see trends, spot problems, and make data-driven choices.

It pulls data from other ManageEngine products automatically.

No more building reports from scratch in Excel.

Your application performance data becomes easy to understand at a glance.

7. Bewaking en beheer op afstand (RMM)

Endpoint Central offers unified endpoint management for desktops, mobile devices, and servers.

You can push software deployment, patches, and security policies from one console.

Desktop Central (now Endpoint Central) has been a fan favorite for years.

It handles device management for Windows, Mac, and Linux machines.

Remote access to any endpoint takes just a few clicks.

8. MSP Centraal

If you run a managed services bedrijf, this feature is for you.

MSP Central brings all your client management into one dashboard.

You can handle multiple client environments from a single pane of glass.

It includes built-in billing, asset management, and remote monitoring.

This makes your overarching approach to client IT much simpler.

9. 365 Management

ManageEngine gives you tools for exchange management, exchange backup, and SharePoint rapportage.

If your company uses Microsoft 365, this keeps everything organized.

You can manage hybrid exchange environments with ease.

Backup, audit, and monitor your 365 data from one place.

It’s a big deal for companies running cloud solutions powering their daily work.

ManageEngine Pricing

ManageEngine’s pricing is flexible and product-specific.

You’ll need to contact them for detailed pricing.

Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

Gratis proefperiode: Yes — 30-day free trials for most products. Some offer limited free editions.

Geld-terug-garantie: Contact sales for details.

📌 Opmerking: ManageEngine offers many license models. You can choose yearly plans or one-time licenses for on-premises software. A one-time license means you pay once, plus an optional yearly fee for updates and support.

Is ManageEngine Worth the Price?

Here’s my honest take on ManageEngine pricing.

The detailed pricing model is flexible but needs careful planning.

You might spend $3,600 to $26,000 per year depending on your needs.

The average company pays about $9,300 annually.

That’s a great deal for feature rich software with 90+ products.

You’ll save money if: You’re currently paying for 5+ separate IT tools. ManageEngine replaces them all.

You might overpay if: You only need a basic ticketing system. A simpler tool like Freshservice may be cheaper.

ManageEngine Pros and Cons

✅ What I Liked

❌ What Could Be Better

Is ManageEngine Right for You?

✅ ManageEngine is PERFECT for you if:

• You run a mid-size or enterprise IT team that needs endpoint management, ITSM, and security in one system.
• You want to replace multiple IT tools with one vendor.
• You need both on premises and cloud solutions for your IT infrastructure.
• You want strong automation for patching, ticketing, and software deployment.

❌ Skip ManageEngine if:

• You only need simple ticketing software and don’t want 90+ products to navigate.
• Your team is tiny (under 5 people) and doesn’t need an enterprise IT management platform.
• You prefer a modern, sleek UI over powerful but dated interfaces.

My recommendation:

If you’re spending more than $500/month on separate IT tools, ManageEngine will likely save you money.

It takes effort to set up. But once it’s running, it makes your entire IT team’s job easier.

Start with ServiceDesk Plus and Endpoint Central. Add more products as you grow.

ManageEngine vs Alternatives

How does ManageEngine stack up? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Quick picks:

• Best overall value: ManageEngine — the most features per dollar across IT management.
• Best for MSPs: Atera — all-in-one RMM plus built-in billing for managed service providers.
• Best for beginners: NinjaOne — easiest to set up with the fastest learning curve.
• Best for enterprises: ServiceNow — if budget is no concern and you need massive scale.

🎯 Alternatieven voor ManageEngine

Looking for ManageEngine alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 💰 Atera: Affordable all-in-one platform with RMM, PSA, and remote access. Great for MSPs and small IT departments on a budget.
• 👶 NinjaOne: The easiest RMM to learn. Perfect for small IT teams that want patching and endpoint management without a steep setup.
• 🏢 ServiceNow: Enterprise-grade ITSM with deep automation and broad integrations. Best for large companies with big budgets.
• ⚡ Verse service: Fast to deploy and easy to use. Ideal for mid-market IT teams that want quick wins without months of setup.

⚔️ ManageEngine Compared

Here’s how ManageEngine stacks up against each competitor:

• ManageEngine vs Atera: ManageEngine has far more products and features. Atera wins on simplicity and MSP-friendly pricing.
• ManageEngine vs NinjaOne: NinjaOne is easier to use. ManageEngine covers more IT needs beyond just RMM and patching.
• ManageEngine vs ServiceNow: ServiceNow is more powerful for enterprise workflows. ManageEngine is much more affordable for similar features.
• ManageEngine vs Freshservice: Freshservice is faster to set up. ManageEngine offers deeper features and on-premises deployment options.

My Experience with ManageEngine

Here’s what actually happened when I used ManageEngine:

The project: I set up ServiceDesk Plus and Endpoint Central for a 45-person company. They were using email for tickets and manual scripts for patching.

Tijdlijn: 90 days of hands-on testing.

Resultaten:

What surprised me: The ticket automation was better than I expected. Once I set up the rules, the system routed tickets to the right tech every time. The Incident Management module saved us so much time.

What frustrated me: Setup took about 2 weeks of solid work. The UI felt dated compared to Freshservice. I had to read a lot of documentation.

Would I use it again? Yes — for any team with 20+ endpoints. The initial pain pays off in the long run.

Slotgedachten

Get ManageEngine if: You need one vendor to handle your entire IT stack — ITSM, endpoint management, security, and monitoring.

Skip ManageEngine if: You want a simple, quick-start tool with a pretty interface and don’t need 90+ products.

My verdict: ManageEngine is a strong and good choice for firms that want deep functions and good value. After 90 days, I’m a believer.

It’s not the prettiest tool. It’s not the easiest to learn.

But it might be the most powerful IT management suite you can buy at this price point.

Rating: 4.2/5

Veelgestelde vragen

What is ManageEngine software used for?

ManageEngine software is used for IT management. It covers service desk, endpoint management, network monitoring, security, and Active Directory management. IT teams use it to manage hardware and software assets, handle tickets, automate patching, and ensure compliance. It has over 90 ManageEngine products for different IT needs.

Is ManageEngine free to use?

ManageEngine offers 30-day free trials and limited free editions for several products. ServiceDesk Plus has a free edition for up to 5 technicians. Mobile Device Manager Plus is free for up to 25 devices. The paid plans start at $13/month per technician for cloud deployment. ManageEngine also offers many free tools for Windows management and troubleshooting.

Is ManageEngine a Zoho product?

Yes, ManageEngine is the IT management division of Zoho Corporation. Zoho Corp was founded in 1996 as AdventNet. ManageEngine was created in 2002 as the enterprise IT management arm. Rajesh Ganesan currently leads ManageEngine as CEO. It operates as a separate brand within Zoho Corp.

Is ManageEngine better than ServiceNow?

It depends on your budget and needs. ManageEngine is much cheaper and covers more IT areas (RMM, endpoint management, security). ServiceNow is better for very large enterprises that need deep workflow automation. For most mid-size companies, ManageEngine gives better value. ServiceNow requires bigger budgets and longer setup times.

Is ManageEngine safe to use?

Yes, ManageEngine is safe to use. The company provides secure application practices including HTTPS, two-factor authentication, and regular updates. ManageEngine provides both on-premises and cloud solutions, so you can keep data in your own data centers if needed. They serve nine of every ten Fortune 100 companies, which shows strong security trust. They also offer data leak prevention and privileged access security tools.