iVentoy vs Serva
iVentoy
iventoy.comServa
vercot.comSide by side
| Figure | iVentoy | Serva |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $7.67/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · OS Deployment Software | 8.2 (#7) | 7.6 (#15) |
| Spec score · Bare Metal Provisioning Software | 8.1 (#8) | 7.6 (#16) |
| Purpose | iVentoy is a PXE/HTTPBoot server for booting and installing operating systems on multiple machines over a network. | Serva is an automated PXE server solution for network booting and installing operating systems. |
| Support | The maker directs users to the forums for general issues or to longpanda at [email protected]. | The contact page asks support requests to include the Serva type and version, and Professional users to include their license ID. |
Plans
In their own words
iVentoy
iVentoy is a PXE/HTTPBoot server for booting and installing operating systems on multiple machines over a network. It runs on Windows and Linux, with Linux server builds for x86_64 and ARM64. The maker lists more than 110 supported operating system types, including Windows, WinPE, Linux, Unix, and VMware. Client boot modes include x86 Legacy BIOS and IA32, x86_64, ARM64, and LoongArch64 UEFI. iVentoy boots ISO files directly without extracting them and retains their native boot menu style. It can install different operating systems on multiple clients simultaneously, filter clients by MAC address or architecture, and assign unattended installation scripts to ISO files. Its HTTP server can serve files inside ISOs without unpacking them. The server includes DHCP and can also use third-party DHCP servers, but DHCP Proxy is not supported. Secure Boot is supported, though client Secure Boot currently works only on x86_64. The Free Edition costs nothing, has no usage time limit, and allows up to 20 clients with no commercial use. Pro costs $49, paid once.
Serva
Serva is a Windows application for automated PXE network booting and operating-system installation. Its portable package bundles HTTP, FTP, TFTP, DHCP, proxyDHCP, BINL, DNS, SNTP, and SYSLOG services, plus a TFTP client. It delivers Windows and non-Windows assets to BIOS and UEFI systems, including ARM 32-bit and 64-bit UEFI. ProxyDHCP is intended to provide PXE service without changing existing DHCP infrastructure settings. For Windows deployment, Serva offers a WAIK/ADK-independent alternative to RIS and WDS and includes a Task Sequence Manager for capturing and deploying PC images. It requires no installation and does not save keys in the Windows registry. The free Community edition is for personal, non-commercial use, limits PXE/BINL service to 50 minutes and two PXE clients, and excludes WinPE booting and Task Sequence Manager. Professional costs $92 a year, permits commercial use, supports 50 PXE/BINL clients, and provides unlimited PXE/BINL service time.