Automox vs. HCL BigFix

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Automox
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Automox is an endpoint management platform built for the era of autonomous operations. It provides a cloud-native foundation that unifies automation, speed, visibility, and trust.
$1
per month per endpoint
HCL BigFix
Score 7.1 out of 10
N/A
BigFix, now supported by HCL Technologies since the acquisition of BigFix from IBM in 2018, is an endpoint management solution providing endpoint visibility and IT asset discovery, automated endpoint patching (BigFix Lifecycle and BigFix Patch) policy enforcement (BigFix Compliance), and software asset discovery for licensed and unlicensed software (BigFix Inventory).N/A
Pricing
AutomoxHCL BigFix
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AutomoxHCL BigFix
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsAutomox can patch macOS, Windows, and Linux endpoints with PatchOS, an offering at $1 per endpoint/ month with an annual commitment. The Automate Essentials or Automate Enterprise packages are for scaling IT automation, endpoint configuration, and software updates. Modules are available with Automox Assist, a one-on-one remote endpoint control and assistance for helpdesk technicians.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
AutomoxHCL BigFix
Considered Both Products
Automox
Chose Automox
I've used a number of other patching products at previous employers. Automox, while it does not have all the bells and whistles of SCCM, Tanium, or BigFix such as software self service or automated deployment through network scanning, software catalogs, or warranty check …
Chose Automox
Automox has a larger list of 3rd party software that is available. In my experience, Automox does not allow you to browse software looking for updates to apply. In my opinion, the reporting of automox sucks comparatively.
Chose Automox
Automox was at the top of the group - it was a light client, a SAAS offering and did not have some of the bells and whistles that the tools have but was not something that we would use. Also, the learning curve for the support staff was easy enough and we did not need SMEs that …
Chose Automox
A lightweight agent that is SaaS-based. We didn't want to have to install another big agent that uses up a lot of resources on our machines
HCL BigFix
Chose HCL BigFix
We have significantly enhanced our ability to patch desktops, including laptops, desktop, cloud, virtual machines and other mobile devices used by end-users. BigFix's endpoint management functionality allows us to seamlessly patch a wide range of operating systems, such as …
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User Ratings
AutomoxHCL BigFix
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
(150 ratings)
9.0
(5 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.2
(7 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(116 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Availability
5.5
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
1.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.7
(9 ratings)
6.0
(3 ratings)
Implementation Rating
9.1
(4 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
6.4
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
AutomoxHCL BigFix
Likelihood to Recommend
Automox
Smaller organisations such as ourselves, who have outgrown their MSP but still need to retain control of their system and have visibility of the estate. The tool enables us to have real-time visibility and deploy or remediate as needed. We have also purchased Rapid7, which integrates natively into the product, making it a more powerful tool moving forward.
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HCLSoftware
HCL BigFix is well-suited:
  1. Patch Management for Diverse Devices: HCL BigFix is ideal for organizations with a diverse range of devices, including laptops, desktops, cloud, virtual machines, and mobile devices. Its endpoint management functionality enables seamless patching across various operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, and Linux.
  2. Comprehensive Patch Management: With HCL BigFix, organizations can achieve comprehensive patch management across their IT infrastructures. It ensures that all endpoints, regardless of the operating system, receive timely and secure patches, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing overall security.
  3. Troubleshooting and Monitoring: HCL BigFix excels in providing a dashboard that effectively displays problematic and functional machines. This feature allows IT teams to quickly identify and address issues, improving overall troubleshooting efficiency.
    However, there are some scenarios where HCL BigFix may be less appropriate or areas for improvement: 1. Coverage Expansion: It is important for HCL BigFix to continue expanding its coverage to include all possible resources installed within the IT infrastructure. Ensuring comprehensive coverage can enhance its effectiveness. 2.On-Site and OS Upgrades: Optimizing the process of on-site and operating system upgrades can help streamline the deployment process further. Improvements in this area would contribute to a smoother and more efficient upgrade experience. 3.Communication Speed: Enhancing the speed of communication between the HCL BigFix agent and the server can help improve the overall responsiveness and efficiency of the solution.
  4. Pricing Optimization: Adjusting the pricing of HCL BigFix to be more cost-effective would make it more accessible and attractive to organizations of different sizes and budgets.
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Pros
Automox
  • Shows applications installed on a specific asset
  • Able to push policies and updates remotely , creating policies is easy.
  • Keep track of compliant devices and when is the last time they have connected to the servers
  • All the great information provided within one single device
Read full review
HCLSoftware
  • Software inventory.
  • Patch deployment.
  • Patch review.
Read full review
Cons
Automox
  • Server patching orchestration. There is no way to patch and reboot systems in order of importance, such as database servers before application servers.
  • Worklets for patching .net core and similar.
  • Worklets for removing unwanted Java installs or other unwanted software.
  • Integration with Tenable Vulnerability Management.
  • AI script development should be included at no additional cost; GPT or Gemini can be used instead for free and pasted into Automox. Why charge when others are free?
  • Official worklets are slow to be added or updated.
Read full review
HCLSoftware
  • The patching function is difficult for RedHat Linux servers, and can be improved.
  • The site configuration and access control appears to be cumbersome.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Automox
This is a software that just works. Once configured its a set and forget kind of tool that keeps things up to date and alerts me if something is wrong. I was able to work through an expansion project to deploy an additional 500 devices in almost no time and create a robust self-patching environment.
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HCLSoftware
No answers on this topic
Usability
Automox
It truly functions like a single pane of glass. While our use case is for EC2 instances in AWS, it can manage endpoints across all clouds, or even deployed hardware (laptops). We do manage instances in multiple AWS accounts and there is no set up required between orgs. This accomplishes our needs for real time tracking, and historical reporting for all of our in scope resources.
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HCLSoftware
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Automox
1. Simplicity and Ease of Use 2. Cross-Platform Support 3. Powerful Automation with Worklets 4. Real-Time Visibility and Control 5. Fast and Reliable Cloud-Based Updates 6. Strong Security Focus
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HCLSoftware
Recently we noticed the customer service on the support has dropped compared to when we first deployed the software.
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Implementation Rating
Automox
Implementing Automox successfully starts with a clear strategy for organizing and grouping devices based on operating systems, environments, or business criticality. This ensures that patching and configuration policies can be applied with precision. A phased rollout approach is essential—beginning with a pilot group allows teams to test patching schedules, reboot behaviors, and custom Worklets before scaling across the organization. Leveraging Worklets from the start can significantly boost automation by enforcing security baselines and performing routine system tasks. Integration with existing SOC tools, such as SIEMs, enhances visibility and response time by correlating patch compliance with threat intelligence. Additionally, aligning patching schedules with operational downtimes minimizes disruptions, and consistent monitoring and reporting helps maintain compliance and prepare for audits. Overall, Automox offers a streamlined and effective solution, but its true value is unlocked through thoughtful planning, testing, and integration with existing IT and security workflows.
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HCLSoftware
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Automox
All of these other products are overly complicated with user interfaces that are not very friendly.. too technical, even for IT pros. They are also expensive for smaller companies or those with limited IT budgets. I've found that these other solutions are really geared for larger enterprises more than small to midsized companies, which is fine... but then they tend to market themselves as good for everyone, when they are really not.
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HCLSoftware
We have significantly enhanced our ability to patch desktops, including laptops, desktop, cloud, virtual machines and other mobile devices used by end-users. BigFix's endpoint management functionality allows us to seamlessly patch a wide range of operating systems, such as Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, and Linux systems, ensuring comprehensive patch management across IT infrastructures. We have established a track record of delivering secure and hassle-free patching solutions to our clients
Read full review
Return on Investment
Automox
  • Patches are now fully up to date and we have no longer been dinged for it from our pen testing partners.
  • Reduced man hours spent on maintaining an update server and the hours spent looking at each machine to ensure it patched all software both windows and third party.
  • Allows for us to provide a vendor with a means to connect to our systems without the use of a VPN.
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HCLSoftware
  • When there is a need to patch a Windows System it has worked
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ScreenShots