Side by side
Macrium SiteDeploy vs xCAT
Both stand on os imaging & deployment software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free trial Self-hostedWebWindows
SiteDeploy combines centralized imaging with hardware adaptation, remote monitoring, and multiple deployment methods. Check its client VPN limitation and plan terms against your deployment setup.
Visit Macrium SiteDeploy Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted
Choose xCAT if you need open-source automation for provisioning and managing large server or VM environments. Consider the consortium's stated recommendation of Confluent if you are planning a long-term successor or migration path.
Visit xCATThe facts
| Macrium SiteDeploy | xCAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | Core: $20 per endpoint a year | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | macrium.com | xcat.org |
| On os imaging & deployment software | #13 of 24 | #9 of 24 |
Macrium SiteDeploy: what it does well
- Runs up to 60 deployments per golden image store.
- Adapts images to different hardware and resizes partitions.
- Supports offline Windows PE deployment and PXE.
- Imports Site Manager backups as golden images.
- Core plan includes unlimited deployments per endpoint per year.
What to know first
- No free plan is listed.
- Client VPN deployment is unavailable from booted deployment media.
- Core requires $20 a year per endpoint.
xCAT: what it does well
- Open-source toolkit with a free plan at no cost.
- Provisions physical and virtual machines using three installation methods.
- Supports remote power control, console access, and node queries.
- Runs shell commands and file copies in parallel.
- REST API and listed cloud integrations.
What to know first
- The consortium recommends Confluent as a long-term successor and migration path.
- Security notices include vulnerability notices dated March 8, 2023, and earlier TLS notices.
- Support is directed to GitHub issues or an older user email list.
Alternatives to Macrium SiteDeploy Alternatives to xCAT The whole list