OCS Inventory

OCS Inventory is an open-source asset management system for IT teams that need to track machines and network equipment. Its broad free package is a strong starting point, but tailoring it to an organization’s infrastructure can call for advanced development and systems or network administration skills.

Overview

Agents send hardware and software inventory from managed machines to an OCS server, where administrators review it in a web console. IP discovery and SNMP scans add visibility into devices such as switches, routers, copiers, and computers that lack an agent. That hybrid approach suits enterprise networks with both managed endpoints and shared infrastructure; teams seeking a low-maintenance inventory service may find the server and agent operations burdensome.

The console also lets administrators create deployment packages. Agents download and launch them over HTTP or HTTPS, while status feedback and statistics help track deployments. A REST API and compatibility with ITSM-NG, GLPI, CMDBuild, and iTop support integration with other management tools. Plugin examples add VMware vCenter inventory, installed driver details, and user-installed application details.

Key features

• Hardware and software inventory: Agent-collected data gives IT teams a central view of assets on managed machines.
• Network discovery: IP discovery and SNMP scans can identify network devices without an agent, extending coverage beyond enrolled computers.
• Remote deployment: Package creation, agent-based execution, and deployment statistics make OCS useful for teams that want inventory and software rollout in one system.
• Vulnerability identification: CVE Search cross-references fleet inventory with the CVE-Mitre register to identify machines exposed to software vulnerabilities.
• Extensibility: The REST API, compatible ITSM and asset tools, and plugin examples let organizations connect or expand inventory workflows.

Pricing

OCS Inventory has a freemium model, with a free package and paid offers. OCS Free costs nothing (billed 0 € / month) and includes unlimited agents, the complete software, community support, and plugin access. It is the broadest entry point for technically capable teams, though the work of adapting it to local infrastructure can require advanced skills.

CVE Search costs €189 a month (billed 189 € / month). It includes plugin installation, standard setup, daily CVE scans, and unlimited plugin support, making it the focused option for teams prioritizing vulnerability identification and setup help. OCS Cloud costs €250 a month (billed 250 € / month) and adds SaaS hosting, outsourcing, updates, and unlimited support; it fits organizations that prefer a hosted service over operating the server themselves.

OCS Pro for up to 10,000 agents has custom pricing, billed 0,9 € / agent + 2500 € / an, and includes unlimited support, advanced documentation, and project expertise. OCS Pro for more than 10,000 agents uses custom pricing and is for larger fleets. Green IT has custom pricing, billed 8 9 € / month, with plugin installation, standard setup, a choice of electricity supplier, and unlimited plugin support. These offers have distinct support and setup provisions, but the published plan terms do not state additional quotas or renewal conditions.

Platforms

OCS Inventory supports API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows. The maker describes both SaaS/cloud and on-premise offers, with agents compatible with all types of operating systems.

Who it's for

OCS Inventory is a good fit for enterprise IT teams that can manage an agent-and-server architecture and want inventory, network discovery, deployment, and vulnerability identification in one system. Its free package is particularly appealing when a team has the technical capacity to adapt the software. Organizations that need a hosted service or publisher support can consider OCS Cloud or a professional offer instead; teams wanting minimal setup work should weigh those options against the free package’s operational demands.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Unlimited agents and plugin access in OCS Free make it possible to cover a large fleet without a per-agent cap in that plan.
• Pro: Agent inventory plus IP and SNMP discovery can bring managed machines and agentless network equipment into the same view.
• Pro: Deployment and CVE Search extend the system beyond inventory, helping teams handle software rollout and vulnerability identification together.
• Con: Adapting the free solution to an organization’s infrastructure can require advanced development, systems, and network administration skills.
• Con: Community support is the support included with OCS Free; publisher or unlimited support requires a paid offer.

Alternatives

Network Discovery Software is a useful category comparison for readers who want to explore network-discovery tools more broadly.

Choose Fing Security if a freemium tool with Android and iOS support and a free tier capped at three scans per day better suits a smaller, scan-focused need. Consider Lansweeper if its free trial, which continues free for up to 100 assets with unlimited user seats, fits your evaluation or smaller deployment. LOGINventory may suit teams seeking a forever-free tier capped at 20 devices, while ManageEngine OpUtils offers a free tier limited to one Class C subnet, one switch, and basic IP and network scanning.

NetworkTonic is another freemium alternative. runZero may be a better match for teams whose needs fit its Community Edition limits of 100 assets, one organization, 10 recurring tasks, and 30 days of data retention. Vistumbler is a free alternative, and Gluware offers a renewable one-year Community Edition for up to 20 devices, with its full application suite except Topology.

Verdict

Choose OCS Inventory if your IT team can operate agents and a server and wants asset inventory, network discovery, deployment, and vulnerability identification in one open-source system. The unlimited-agent free package is its clearest draw; look elsewhere, or consider a paid hosted offer, if adapting and operating the system would stretch your team’s technical capacity.