ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus

Overview

ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus brings vulnerability assessment and remediation into a single platform for security and IT teams. It is a strong fit for organizations managing Windows and Linux endpoints that want prioritization, patching, and compliance tools together. Its breadth is useful, but macOS support stops at patch management, and managing network devices requires an on-premises deployment and extra licenses.

Key features

Assessment and remediation

Authenticated scanning and agent-based assessment give teams two ways to evaluate systems, while remediation tracking helps carry findings through to action. The product ranks vulnerabilities using AI-based risk scores, CVSS severity, EPSS, and active attack trends. This combination helps teams weigh both severity and signs of active exploitation when deciding what to address first.

Patching and zero-day response

Teams can download, test, and deploy patches across operating systems and more than 1,500 third-party applications. Pre-built, tested scripts can mitigate zero-day vulnerabilities, giving teams a remediation path beyond standard patch cycles. The range makes the product appealing to teams that want assessment tied to operational fixes, though its platform coverage still matters: vulnerability scanning is for Windows and Linux, while macOS is supported for patch management only.

Compliance and integrations

Out-of-the-box policies cover more than 130 CIS benchmarks, a practical starting point for organizations aligning endpoint management with common configuration standards. Integrations include Splunk and ServiceDesk Plus, alongside syslog forwarding for audit logs. Syslog-compatible SIEM tools such as QRadar, Splunk, LogRhythm, and Elastic Security can receive logs using RFC 5424.

Network devices

The product can discover network devices, scan for firmware vulnerabilities, and help remediate identified threats. This extends its scope beyond endpoints, but network-device management is on-premises only and needs additional licenses. Organizations seeking a cloud-only approach to this work should look elsewhere.

Pricing

The Free edition costs 0.00 USD per free. Paid annual subscriptions start at 695.00 USD per year, and a 30-day trial includes unlimited endpoints.

The published paid tiers share a 100-workstation and single-technician allowance; the cloud tiers cost more and require a subscription. Email technical support is available to on-premises and cloud customers, with regional support phone numbers as well.

Platforms

Deployment is hybrid, with web and self-hosted options, and the platform list includes Windows, Linux, and macOS. In practice, vulnerability management coverage is focused on Windows and Linux; macOS support applies to patch management only. Network-device management is restricted to on-premises deployments.

Who it's for

Vulnerability Manager Plus suits organizations that want vulnerability assessment, risk-based prioritization, remediation tracking, patch deployment, and CIS benchmark policies in one product. It is particularly relevant to teams responsible for Windows and Linux endpoints and large third-party application estates. It is a less natural fit for macOS-heavy vulnerability programs or teams that need cloud-based network-device management.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Risk ranking uses multiple signals: AI-based scores, CVSS, EPSS, and active attack trends help teams distinguish urgent findings.
• Assessment connects to remediation: patch workflows, zero-day scripts, and remediation tracking keep fixes within the same product.
• Broad application patching: support for more than 1,500 third-party applications can help teams manage patch work beyond operating-system updates.
• Compliance policies are built in: coverage for more than 130 CIS benchmarks gives compliance teams a ready policy base.

Cons

• Uneven platform coverage: macOS gets patch management, not vulnerability scanning.
• Network-device work adds constraints: it is on-premises only and requires extra licenses.
• Paid tiers have a defined allowance: each listed paid plan covers 100 workstations and one technician.

Alternatives

For a different approach to vulnerability discovery, compare Vulnerability Scanning Software, Network Vulnerability Scanners, and Vulnerability Management Software.

• Intruder is worth considering if its free plan's five infrastructure targets, weekly external scans, and single connected cloud account suit a smaller scope; web apps are excluded from that free plan.
• Nmap is a free alternative for end users who can work within its license, which does not permit redistribution in commercial software or hardware products.
• NSAuditor AI is another freemium option for teams comparing network vulnerability scanners.
• Nuclei is a free, MIT-licensed CLI primarily intended as a standalone tool, making it a different fit from an integrated assessment and patching product.
• OpenVAS may suit teams considering a free virtual appliance, with a community feed, limited enterprise features, and no default support.
• OWASP Nettacker is a free, Apache License 2.0 open-source option.
• Qualys External Attack Surface Management offers a 30-day no-cost period for CyberSecurity Asset Management 3.0 with External Attack Surface Management.
• Pentest-Tools Port Scanner includes open-port and service discovery in its free plan; its NetSec plan starts at 95.00 USD per month.

Verdict

Choose ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus if your team needs Windows and Linux vulnerability assessment linked to patching, remediation tracking, and CIS-oriented compliance policies. Its strongest case is the breadth of remediation in one product; look elsewhere if macOS vulnerability scanning or cloud-based network-device management is essential.