Automox vs Google Cloud VM Manager
Automox
automox.com
Google Cloud VM Manager
cloud.google.comSide by side
| Figure | Automox | Google Cloud VM Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $1/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 3 |
| Spec score · Patch Management Software | 8.4 (#11) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Spec score · IT Automation Software | 8.4 (#18) | 8.7 (#13) |
| Automation | Worklets let administrators automate scripts for configuration, compliance, and remediation tasks across Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints. | Google says VM Manager uses automation to improve efficiency and reduce the operational burden of maintaining VM fleets. |
| Compliance | Automox states it holds SOC 2 and SOC 3, PCI-DSS v4, and GDPR certifications or compliance, and cites CSA STAR certification. | Google Cloud lists auditor-validated offerings including ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, PCI DSS, FedRAMP, and HIPAA-related resources. |
| Integrations | Automox documentation lists integrations for Splunk, ServiceNow, Rapid7 InsightConnect, Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR, and Canopy MDM. | VM Manager works with the Google Cloud console, Google Cloud CLI, direct OS Config API calls, and Terraform resources. |
| Support | Standard support includes 24/7 access to open up to five support tickets per month, Automox University, Patch AI Support Assistant, community access, and an onboarding webinar. | Google Cloud support packages include options such as 24/7 coverage, phone support and access to a technical support manager; VM Manager questions can also be posted to Stack Overflow. |
Plans
Automox
- Patch OS$12 a year
- Automate EnterprisePriced on request
- Automate EssentialsPriced on request
Google Cloud VM Manager
- Free tierFree
- Usage-based VM ManagerFree
- VM ManagerFree
In their own words
Google Cloud VM Manager
Google Cloud VM Manager manages operating systems across Windows and Linux VM fleets running on Compute Engine. Its tools cover patch management, OS inventory and OS policies. Patch jobs apply updates on demand or on a schedule, report compliance, and can use selected approvals and pre- or post-patching scripts. OS inventory collects hostnames, OS and kernel versions, installed packages, available updates, Windows applications and OS vulnerabilities. OS policies centralize software configuration deployment, maintenance and reporting. Teams can use the Google Cloud console, Google Cloud CLI or OS Config API; Terraform can extend scope across projects. The service supports projects inside VPC Service Controls perimeters, but patch jobs operate on VMs in one project at a time. A free tier covers 100 VMs per Cloud Billing account per month, and limited-functionality mode is available at no cost for unlimited VMs. After the free tier, the listed charge is $0.003 per hour per VM with an active OS Config agent.