Google Cloud VM Manager vs Kudu
Google Cloud VM Manager
cloud.google.com
Kudu
usekudu.comSide by side
| Figure | Google Cloud VM Manager | Kudu |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Spec score · Patch Management Software | 8.8 (#4) | 8.8 (#5) |
| Compliance | 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. | Kudu Cloud continuously checks SOC 2, CIS, and NIST controls and offers hardening assessments and audit-ready reports. |
| Integrations | VM Manager works with the Google Cloud console, Google Cloud CLI, direct OS Config API calls, and Terraform resources. | Kudu Cloud can route alerts to Slack, email, or webhooks; PagerDuty notifications are listed as a Pro feature. |
| Support | 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. | Pro includes priority support, and custom plans offer dedicated support. |
Plans
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.
Kudu
Kudu is a system maintenance suite with a free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux, alongside cloud tools for managing device fleets. Its desktop app handles junk cleanup, performance monitoring, security and privacy tools, software updates, and scheduled maintenance. Cleanup Receipts record which items were selected, removed, skipped, or failed; Storage History tracks folder growth and compares snapshots. Recovery Centre lets users inspect supported recovery records and restore eligible settings. Desktop maintenance runs locally, and the app does not collect, transmit, or store personal data by default.
Kudu Cloud adds a browser dashboard for device health, telemetry, remote commands, and maintenance automation. It checks SOC 2, CIS, and NIST controls and provides hardening assessments and audit-ready reports. Connected-device telemetry excludes file paths, contents, browsing history, passwords, and personally identifiable information; process-name sharing is opt-in. The desktop app is free. Cloud Basic costs $5/device/mo and Pro costs $9/device/mo, each starting at one device.