Ninite Updater vs Ubuntu Update Manager
Ninite Updater
ninite.comUbuntu Update Manager
manpages.ubuntu.comSide by side
| Figure | Ninite Updater | Ubuntu Update Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Software Update Tools | 7.6 (#12) | 7.8 (#9) |
| Maker | The site identifies Secure By Design Inc. as the company and lists an address in New York, NY. | Canonical's company page says it has nurtured the Ubuntu community since 2004. |
| Purpose | Ninite Updater checks installed software for outdated versions and helps install updates. | Update Manager is a graphical frontend for apt that performs some apt-get actions and is especially designed for system upgrades or migrations to a newer version. |
Plans
In their own words
Ninite Updater
Ninite Updater checks Windows PCs for outdated software and lets users install selected updates together. It covers 150 Ninite-supported applications, including programs installed without Ninite, and detects supported apps added later. Checking runs in the background, while a one-click action installs chosen updates in bulk. Users can skip an individual application and update the rest. Ninite says installations require no installer prompts and add no browser toolbars or junkware. The download needs no account or login. Its Free plan costs nothing and includes one-click updates on a Windows PC. Ninite says executables are company-signed and downloads are checked against SHA-256 hashes or publisher signatures; an update fails when validation does not pass. Programs come from publishers’ official mirrors, with Ninite’s mirror as fallback. It is presented for friends-and-family support and small businesses, while more complex networks are directed toward Pro. Custom applications are not supported.
Ubuntu Update Manager
Ubuntu Update Manager is a free graphical frontend for apt that installs available updates and supports routine Ubuntu system upgrades. In the desktop menu it appears as Software Updater, and Ubuntu describes the package as a GNOME application for managing apt updates. It is intended for daily system upgrading as well as migration to a newer Ubuntu release.
The tool can check whether a new distribution release is available. Its development-release option can upgrade from the latest supported release to the development release. During an upgrade, it may reinstall ubuntu-desktop, change sources.list entries to updated ones, and add the default user to new groups when needed. Ubuntu says its bundled installation tools validate packages during installation to check for manipulation during download. Update Manager runs on Linux and integrates with apt. The manpage credits Michael Vogt and various contributors with its development; it also states that redistribution is permitted under the GNU General Public License and provides no warranty.