PxeLab vs SmartDeploy
PxeLab
pxelab.comSmartDeploy
smartdeploy.comSide by side
| Figure | PxeLab | SmartDeploy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $91.67/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 0 | 3 |
| Spec score · OS Imaging & Deployment Software | 7.4 (#14) | 7.7 (#12) |
| Spec score · OS Deployment Software | 7.4 (#17) | 7.7 (#13) |
| Purpose | PxeLab is an all-in-one PXE network boot server with DHCP, TFTP, HTTP, DNS, and NFS managed through a web UI. | SmartDeploy helps IT teams deploy Windows operating systems, drivers, apps, and updates to on-premises and remote devices, including without a VPN. |
Plans
In their own words
PxeLab
PxeLab is an open-source PXE network boot platform that combines DHCP, TFTP, HTTP, DNS, and NFS in one binary. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS in server or desktop modes, with management available through a web interface, REST API, or command line. For provisioning, it offers a catalog of more than 64 Linux distributions, ISO uploads, an image library, answer-file templates, and install-task tracking. Its templates cover unattended installation workflows including autoinstall, preseed, kickstart, and autounattend. Boot profiles can use direct kernel, chain, WDS, sanboot, or local disk options, with rollback and host or group bindings. Host management includes inventory, scheduled Wake-on-LAN, BMC/IPMI power control, and CSV import. PxeLab also provides audit logs, live log streams, Prometheus metrics, MAC-based access control, and NFS IP/CIDR allowlists with read-only exports. Secure Boot is supported for UEFI x64 and ARM64. The software is licensed under AGPL-3.0. The Getting Started guide says deb and rpm packages, Homebrew, and Docker images remain on the roadmap.
SmartDeploy
SmartDeploy has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.