PDQ Deploy & Inventory - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

PDQ Deploy & Inventory is a self-hosted, agentless on-prem endpoint management tool for Windows environments, combining real-time device inventory with automated software deployment and patch management under a single license. Common use cases: automated third-party patching and Windows Cumulative Update deployment, software compliance auditing, dynamic device group targeting, PowerShell/script execution across endpoint fleets, recurring maintenance automation, and Active Directory-synced asset inventory. Used by IT teams in education, government, manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. Architecture & deployment model - Agentless, client/server model: communicates with endpoints via standard Windows authentication, creating temporary services that are deleted post-use - Manages on-prem and VPN-connected Windows devices; VPN-connected devices are managed identically to on-prem devices as long as the PDQ server can resolve hostnames and communicate bi-directionally over SMB - Core functionality does not depend on internet connectivity; Package Library updates are fetched via HTTPS - Self-hosted: installed and run on your own infrastructure on Windows 11 or Server 2016 or higher; requires .NET Framework 4.7.2+ and a minimum of 4GB RAM (8GB recommended) - Two operating modes: Local mode (single admin, single machine) and Central Server mode (multi-admin teams) - Distinct from PDQ Connect, PDQ's separate cloud-native, agent-based product for remote and hybrid fleets. Unlike Connect, Deploy & Inventory requires no endpoint agent and is purpose-built for on-prem/on-network environments. Core capabilities - PDQ Inventory: Real-time scanning and asset management; collects hardware specs, installed applications, OS versions, Windows configuration data, user/group info, and custom script-defined data via PowerShell Scanner. Syncs with Active Directory for automated computer record imports. - PDQ Deploy: Automated software deployment with scheduling, retry logic, heartbeat-triggered deployments, multi-step custom packages, silent installs, and script execution (PowerShell, batch). - Package Library: 500+ pre-built, silently installing packages covering popular third-party applications (Chrome, Firefox, Notepad++, and more) and Windows Cumulative Updates for workstations and servers — maintained and tested by PDQ. - Dynamic Collections: Device groups that update automatically based on defined criteria — OS version, installed software, disk space, AD attributes, custom variables — enabling precise deployment targeting. - Central Server mode: Multiple admin consoles connect to a single PDQ server for shared package management, deployment histories, and centralized scheduling. - Custom Scanners: Run scripts on target machines to collect arbitrary inventory data for reporting and collection logic. - Reporting: Pre-built and fully custom reports; schedulable with automatic email delivery. Commonly used for compliance audits and executive reporting. - Remote code execution: PowerShell and batch script execution across targeted device groups. - Built-in tools: Wake-on-LAN, remote assistance, reboot, and fully customizable command tools. - CLI: Command Line Interface for both Deploy and Inventory for further automation and scripted workflows. Security - AES encryption for sensitive data at rest (passwords in PDQ databases), with three separate keys - SMBv3 with AES encryption for file transfers - LAPS integration for endpoint-specific credential management - Kerberos authentication support for client-console-to-server connections - SOC 2 compliant Integrations - Active Directory (native sync; read-only — PDQ never writes to AD) - PowerShell (custom scanners, scripting, CLI) - HTTPS for Package/Collection/Tools Library updates - Compatible with Windows imaging workflows for post-image software configuration Licensing & pricing - Combined license (Deploy + Inventory) - One license per admin, starting at $1,650/admin/year, unlimited devices

Benefits (additional field for GetApp)

Reduce time spent on manual, repetitive maintenance tasks PDQ Deploy & Inventory helps automate the work of keeping on-prem/on-network Windows devices patched and up to date. Scheduled deployments, heartbeat-triggered retries, and automated package updates run in the background without requiring admin intervention — freeing IT teams to focus on higher-priority work.

Gain immediate, real-time visibility into your device environment PDQ Inventory continuously scans and organizes Windows machines, surfacing hardware specs, installed software, OS versions, and custom data defined via PowerShell Scanner. Dynamic collections and the prebuilt Collection Library automatically group devices based on current state, so admins always have an accurate, up-to-date picture of their fleet without manual tracking.

Improve security posture and compliance with less effort Automated patch schedules and deployment retry logic help ensure devices stay current with third-party software updates and Windows Cumulative Updates. Scheduled reports can be configured to run automatically and deliver results by email, reducing manual effort for compliance audits and management reporting.

Deploy software and run scripts precisely where they need to go Dynamic collections feed directly into deployment targeting, so updates and scripts reach exactly the right devices. Multi-step custom packages, custom variables, and PowerShell/batch script execution give admins granular control over what gets deployed and how.

Scale IT operations without scaling headcount Central Server mode allows multiple admins to share packages, deployment histories, and schedules from a single PDQ server — eliminating the need to remote desktop into the server for routine tasks. One license per admin covers unlimited endpoints, making the tool cost-effective as device counts grow.

Get up and running quickly with minimal configuration overhead PDQ Deploy & Inventory installs directly onto existing Windows infrastructure with no endpoint agent required. Active Directory sync automatically imports computer records on setup, and the prebuilt Package Library and Collection Library provide ready-to-use starting points for deployments and device grouping without building from scratch.

PDQ Deploy & Inventory supports the following languages:
English

No, PDQ Deploy & Inventory does not have an API available.