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Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Tanium comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 18, 2026

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Configuration Man...
Ranking in Server Monitoring
6th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
85
Ranking in other categories
Software Distribution (1st), Configuration Management (3rd), Patch Management (2nd)
Tanium
Ranking in Server Monitoring
3rd
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
20
Ranking in other categories
Vulnerability Management (24th), Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) (20th), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) (21st), Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) (5th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Server Monitoring category, the mindshare of Microsoft Configuration Manager is 4.2%, down from 6.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Tanium is 4.5%, down from 7.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Server Monitoring Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Tanium4.5%
Microsoft Configuration Manager4.2%
Other91.3%
Server Monitoring
 

Q&A Highlights

it_user460248 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Technology Architect - Cloud & Infrastructure Services at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
May 23, 2017
 

Featured Reviews

JunedBedrekar - PeerSpot reviewer
Expert at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Have effectively deployed patches and applications while integrating with cloud solutions
The features I find most valuable in Microsoft Configuration Manager are replication and scripting. If I want to get a fetch report for anything, such as hardware-related issues or group policy-related issues, I need to fetch the report by using SCCM's scripting language and remediation part. The inventory collection features of Microsoft Configuration Manager are good because we always prefer the inventory. We do it by using the script language. We use remote management capabilities in Microsoft Configuration Manager. Remote management capabilities are useful if the user is not providing access; we can use the backend users to update the group policy and sync the devices. These are the main features we require.
VK
Infra Vulnarability Manager at Rezilyens
Immediate results in patching promptly address vulnerabilities
When working with Tanium, there are some older devices that haven't been patched for a long time, and certain patches are not included in Tanium. I have to search outside to download patches, create bundles, and then perform the task. It would be easier if Tanium provided the patches directly. Some other brands provide the patch with a direct download link, which facilitates the process. Also, I feel that if there were more detailed documents and remediations readily available online for troubleshooting, especially more up-to-date information, it would be beneficial. Currently, some resources online are very out-of-date.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"It gives us the ability to set up schedules, according to what our security requirements are, to automate the patching of our servers and desktops."
"We have found the scalability to be quite good."
"The solution is stable."
"Valuable features include configurations enforcement, compliance data gathering, and deployment of a standardized OS."
"It is a very good solution. It has a good interface and is easy to use. On top of that, it is very reliable in terms of distribution as well as getting the report."
"It has the ability to perform mass distribution."
"Overall, I believe Microsoft Configuration Manager is definitely a good product."
"The cloud account management is a valuable feature."
"I like the fact that you can create patching campaigns depending on the area of your network that you want to address first. I like the ability it has to make several campaigns that work in parallel."
"The product is granular and can build complex roles compared to other EDR vendors."
"For incident response tasks, all these tasks can get done in minutes with minimal disruption to the end-user."
"The most valuable features of this solution are the consolidation of all historical data on device endpoints, security drivers, firmware, and Software version gaps."
"I find the inventory and compliance features of Tanium to be the most impressive."
"The solution's technical support is very responsive."
"Tanium’s best features include support for any Windows, Linux, or Mac endpoint, regardless of where it is, and the ability to do IT operations and security operations."
"I'm not so familiar with the tool but I like the interaction of the console to the picture. Patching is the primary model I have been focusing on for the last couple of weeks. So I have created a proof of concept environment and have been checking the available features."
 

Cons

"The solution could improve the functionality for automating, license management. Additionally, more and better-looking reports are needed."
"I currently need to increase my compliance level in the patching processes which this solution could improve on."
"They should improve their anti-malware policies like the SCEP policies. For instance, you can't have different policies for different servers, there is only one policy in all the servers, and everything is covered under that. For example, say you want to scan one group of servers on Saturday, and then you want to scan another group of servers on Sunday, you can't do that. You have to scan all your servers, a regular scan or a full scan, on the same day and at the same time. That's definitely one thing they need to resolve. In the next release, it would actually be nice if they included Apple products. It will also help if you can use Intune again. Their compliance reporting feature could also be better. They can maybe work a bit on that for patching now. It would be better if SCCM came with the functions of Right Click Tools built-in. If SCCM would have all those functions already built-in, we won't have to go and spend $5,000, just as an add-in from another company to get those functions."
"Initial setup was complex. There's a lot that goes into it."
"Servers are still not getting it properly, so we could add the servers in Microsoft Configuration Manager for things such as OS deployment and Autopilot as well."
"The tool's deployment is complex and depends on the architecture you want to implement."
"As far as load balancing across, they don't have that support yet, so that you can actually build multiple primaries and have it load balance across. They don't have any of that functionality yet. That would be a nice feature, to scale that way."
"The solution is on-premises. The cloud version of the product, if a person needs to be on the cloud, would be InTune, which already exists as an option. SCCM doesn't need to offer cloud features for this reason."
"Tanium required local admin or root rights on Mac devices, which did not comply with our security policies. This made the solution less suitable for our restrictive environment."
"They could improve the UI."
"Any movement into a SaaS solution has challenges since the processes and data flows are not well defined. Hence, you need to build it at the same time."
"When working with Tanium, there are some older devices that haven't been patched for a long time, and certain patches are not included in Tanium. I have to search outside to download patches, create bundles, and then perform the task."
"I would like to have more integrations and custom plugins to input. Integration is always a big deal in a lot of different environments."
"Most of the time, agent-relative issues have to be more equipped with self-healing features. At times, the agent is there, but for some reason, it doesn't report a status. It gives certain problems that are obviously agent-based."
"The most painful thing is the interface. It's a bit unclear sometimes."
"The solution needs to improve the reporting and tracking capabilities."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is expensive. Microsoft Configuration Manager would likely be considered high-priced for small businesses because they may not fully utilize all of its features and capabilities."
"The licensing is good because they have various options, depending on what you are looking for."
"We have to pay for a license."
"The price is competitive and reasonable."
"Microsoft provides a steep price for their enterprise products, but they offer very competitive pricing for their legacy customers."
"SCCM comes with its own version of SQL Server. If you use that SQL Server with SCCM and don't use it for another applications than you get an SQL Server for free."
"The price model is different for every client."
"For enterprises, there is an annual license required to use this solution. The price of the solution could be cheaper. However, this is mostly because of the exchange rate from the dollar to the Nigerian currency."
"It's an expensive solution. It would be nice if the cost were lower."
"It is higher than some competitors in the market."
"There is an annual license required to use this solution."
"The solution offers value for money."
"The product's pricing differs from region to region depending on negotiations and the number of endpoints."
"The solution is expensive but it's a good investment."
"Tanium is a more expensive solution in Latin America than some of the competitors, such as BigFix."
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Answers from the Community

it_user460248 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Technology Architect - Cloud & Infrastructure Services at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
May 23, 2017
May 23, 2017
I would not waste time in comparision. SCCM is best for Windows mgt.
2 out of 5 answers
JF
Principal Technology Consultant at RIO3 Consulting
Jun 14, 2016
Good morning, what specific information do you seek. I am on the consulting side so we look at Gartner, Forrester, and other sources. I have some information on SCCM and BigFix off hand. Are there specific features you are looking at to compare SCCM and Tanium?
it_user304998 - PeerSpot reviewer
Works at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Jun 14, 2016
Unfortunately we won't have an answer on this, the request is to compare Tanium patch management vs Microsoft Path management (SCCM). We don't play in this space so never bothered to dig in this area. If they are speaking with either Microsoft or Tanium, either one should be able to provide the customer with a comparison between the two vendors. Sent from my iPhone On Jun 14, 2016, at 7:04 AM, Ariel Lindenfeld - Community Manager at IT Central Station > wrote: Hi, Can you help out a colleague with the following question about Endpoint Compliance: ----- Tanium vs SCCM I'm comparing Tanium and SCCM. Has anyone done a comparison of these solutions? Any thoughts about the differences? ----- Please reply to this email with your response or post your answer here. User's background: User at a tech services company with 1000+ employees You've been a member of IT Central Station since September 2015. In a market full of vendor hype, we provide free connections between real users of Endpoint Compliance to share advice and make better buying decisions. Thanks for being part of the community, Ariel Lindenfeld Community Director, IT Central Station IT Central Station 244 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10001 (646) 328-1944 To change notifications, please visit your subscription page or unsubscribe completely from similar emails. um-nqn 101666 gitbdelUmkweEM0dFdtb2svZWFvWlFSVU1yWFdJMHloQnFyYnZSaSs1cG1TbVdMcldCU216ZDRTT0ZMTGVPbmM4SHpDRS0tOGdTTmdTM3VncVp5R0NQM1Y3K3F0QT09--21c2b4f3bf871f4c09d15549779c6a95f54ceb52gitbdel WARNING - CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: ________________________________ The information contained in the e-mail may contain confidential and privileged information and is intended solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Access for any review, re-transmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in regard and reliance upon this e-mail by persons or entities other than the intended recipient(s) is unauthorized and prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message and any attachments.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
11%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Computer Software Company
7%
Financial Services Firm
15%
Government
11%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Computer Software Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business20
Midsize Enterprise13
Large Enterprise64
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business6
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise11
 

Questions from the Community

How does Ansible compare to Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM)?
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager takes knowledge and research to properly configure. The length of time that the set up will take depends on the kind of technical architecture that your org...
How to choose between ManageEngine Desktop Central and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly SCCM)?
ManageEngine Desktop Central is very easy to set up, is scalable, stable, and also has very good patch management. What I like most about ManageEngine is that I can log on to every PC very easily a...
What do you like most about SCCM?
One of the standout features of SCCM is its application management capabilities. It allows us to create packages efficiently and deploy them to specific groups within our network. This streamlined ...
What needs improvement with Tanium?
While there is always room for improvement, I am pleased with Tanium.
What is your primary use case for Tanium?
The primary use case for Tanium ( /products/tanium-reviews ) is compliance, patching, and inventory as part of the core functions.
What advice do you have for others considering Tanium?
For smaller companies, Tanium is quite a big investment, and one needs to have a considerable setup to make it economically viable. I would recommend it to others with a similar use case. The solut...
 

Also Known As

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM ), Microsoft SMS
Tanium Inc Cloud, Tanium XEM
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Bank Alfalah Ltd., Wªrth Handelsges.m.b.H, Dimension Data, Japan Business Systems, St. Lucie County Public Schools, MISC Berhad
JPMorgan Chase, eBay, Amazon, US Bank, MetLife, pwc, Cerner, Delphi, MGM Grand, New York Life
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. Tanium and other solutions. Updated: January 2026.
882,180 professionals have used our research since 2012.