# PDQ Deploy & Inventory vs SolarWinds Service Desk Comparison --- ## AI Generated Summary - **G2 reviewers report** that SolarWinds Service Desk excels in user experience, highlighting its **intuitive interface** and **easy navigation**. Users appreciate the straightforward design, which makes it accessible for all team members, while also noting the effectiveness of its automated ticketing system. - **Users say** that PDQ Deploy & Inventory shines in its **automation capabilities** , allowing IT teams to keep software up to date with minimal effort. Reviewers mention that the ability to deploy applications using IP addresses and manage credentials efficiently streamlines their workflow. - **According to verified reviews** , SolarWinds Service Desk offers strong **customer support** , with users praising the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team. This aspect, combined with its quick implementation process, makes it a reliable choice for organizations looking for effective IT asset management. - **Reviewers mention** that while PDQ Deploy & Inventory has a clean interface, it can sometimes feel overwhelming due to its advanced options. However, users appreciate the straightforward paths for deployment, which helps mitigate this complexity. - **G2 reviewers highlight** that SolarWinds Service Desk provides a comprehensive solution for IT asset management, integrating various features that enhance workflow efficiency. Users specifically note the approval steps in processes and workflows as a valuable addition to their operations. - **Users report** that PDQ Deploy & Inventory is particularly effective for organizations with limited IT personnel, as its automation features significantly reduce the workload. This makes it a strong contender for teams looking to optimize their software management without increasing staff size. | | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.8 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 274 | 778 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (75.3% of reviews) | Mid-Market (68.3% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | Contact Us | $39.00 Per Month | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### PDQ Deploy & Inventory Pros: - Ease of Use (3 reviews) - Automation (2 reviews) Cons: - Integration Issues (2 reviews) - Remote Access Issues (2 reviews) ### SolarWinds Service Desk Pros: - Asset Management (4 reviews) - Ticketing System (4 reviews) Cons: - Insufficient Information (3 reviews) - Expensive (2 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 9.4 (166 reviews) | 8.6 (693 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 9.4 (168 reviews) | 9.0 (706 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 9.5 (153 reviews) | 8.6 (571 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 9.5 (151 reviews) | 8.9 (580 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 9.5 (144 reviews) | 8.9 (676 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.7 (142 reviews) | 9.0 (560 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.6 (148 reviews) | 9.0 (677 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### PDQ Deploy & Inventory #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Enterprise pricing Price: Contact Us Key Features: - Per admin per year - 15 or more licenses - Billed annually [Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/pdq-deploy-inventory/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes ### SolarWinds Service Desk #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: ESSENTIALS Price: $39.00 Per Month Description: Includes: Key Features: - Incident Management - Knowledge Base - Service Portal [Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-service-desk/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### IT Service Management (ITSM) Tools | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **PDQ Deploy & Inventory** | N/A | N/A | | **SolarWinds Service Desk** | 8.5/10 | 140 | #### Administration | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Change Management** | Not enough data | 8.7 (106 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Asset Management** | Not enough data | 8.5 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Reports & Analytics** | Not enough data | 8.4 (120 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Service Desk | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Help Desk** | Not enough data | 9.3 (127 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Incident Reports** | Not enough data | 9.2 (126 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Process Workflow** | Not enough data | 8.7 (121 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Management | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.2 (67 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Administration Console** | Not enough data | 8.8 (66 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Access Management** | Not enough data | 8.5 (65 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Asset Management** | Not enough data | 8.2 (59 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Policy Dictation** | Not enough data | 7.5 (48 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Functionality | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Ticketing System** | Not enough data | 9.2 (73 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Performance Logging** | Not enough data | 8.2 (55 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Alerting** | Not enough data | 8.7 (62 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Automation** | Not enough data | 8.1 (67 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Agentic AI - IT Service Management (ITSM) Tools | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | ### Incident Management | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **PDQ Deploy & Inventory** | N/A | N/A | | **SolarWinds Service Desk** | 7.6/10 | 108 | #### Monitoring | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Constant Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.4 (76 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Timely Alerts** | Not enough data | 8.5 (85 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **TIcket Accuracy** | Not enough data | 8.8 (90 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **AI Monitoring** | Not enough data | 4.3 (9 reviews) | #### Management Tools | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Ticket Assignment** | Not enough data | 9.0 (96 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Standardization** | Not enough data | 8.7 (99 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Lifecycle Visualization** | Not enough data | 8.4 (85 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Generative AI | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | 5.9 (24 reviews) | | **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | 6.5 (24 reviews) | #### Agentic AI - Incident Management | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | ### IT Asset Management | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **PDQ Deploy & Inventory** | 7.0/10 | 58 | | **SolarWinds Service Desk** | 8.2/10 | 75 | #### Asset Inventory | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Hardware Asset Inventory** | 9.2 (54 reviews) | 8.6 (66 reviews) | | **Software Asset Inventory** | 9.3 (56 reviews) | 8.4 (63 reviews) | | **Cloud Asset Inventory** | 5.9 (41 reviews) | 8.1 (50 reviews) | | **Mobile Asset Inventory** | 4.6 (40 reviews) | 8.0 (50 reviews) | | **Asset Discovery** | 8.9 (52 reviews) | 8.0 (60 reviews) | #### Generative AI | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | 4.6 (32 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **AI Text Generation** | 4.6 (32 reviews) | Feature Not Available | #### Agentic AI - IT Asset Management | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | #### Management | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Central Dashboard** | 8.5 (53 reviews) | 8.6 (65 reviews) | | **Asset Policy Management** | 7.7 (47 reviews) | 8.0 (9 reviews) | | **Risk Management** | 6.7 (44 reviews) | 8.0 (9 reviews) | | **Integrations** | 6.6 (44 reviews) | 8.2 (56 reviews) | ### Software Asset Management Tools | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **PDQ Deploy & Inventory** | N/A | N/A | | **SolarWinds Service Desk** | N/A | N/A | #### Functionality | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Software inventory and lifecycle management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **License entitlement and usage management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Vendor management and compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Automated end user license provisioning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Approved app catalogue** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Customized alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Agentic AI - Software Asset Management Tools | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | #### Risk assessment | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Shadow IT detection** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Software vulnerability assessment** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Redundant software functionality identification** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | ### Service Desk | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **PDQ Deploy & Inventory** | N/A | N/A | | **SolarWinds Service Desk** | 8.3/10 | 485 | #### Incident Management | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Automate Ticket Routing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (430 reviews) | | **Ticket Prioritization** | Not enough data | 8.6 (423 reviews) | | **Ticket Notifications** | Not enough data | 8.8 (458 reviews) | | **Knowledge Base** | Not enough data | 8.3 (412 reviews) | | **Knowledge Base/Ticket Integration** | Not enough data | 8.5 (396 reviews) | #### Reporting | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Dashboards** | Not enough data | 8.3 (454 reviews) | | **Time Tracking** | Not enough data | 8.2 (356 reviews) | | **Surveys** | Not enough data | 8.0 (329 reviews) | #### Access & Usability | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Mobile** | Not enough data | 7.2 (359 reviews) | | **Self Service** | Not enough data | 8.5 (400 reviews) | | **Active Directory** | Not enough data | 8.3 (340 reviews) | | **Multi-Channel Access** | Not enough data | 8.5 (276 reviews) | #### Agentic AI - Service Desk | Feature | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [IT Asset Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/it-asset-management) **Unique to PDQ Deploy & Inventory (1):** [Patch Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/patch-management) **Unique to SolarWinds Service Desk (4):** [IT Service Management Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/it-service-management-itsm-tools), [Incident Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/incident-management), [Service Desk Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/service-desk), [Software Asset Management (SAM) Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/software-asset-management-tools) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | PDQ Deploy & Inventory | SolarWinds Service Desk | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 7.9% | 7.9% | | **Mid-Market** | 75.3% | 68.3% | | **Enterprise** | 16.9% | 23.8% | ### By Industry #### PDQ Deploy & Inventory - **Primary/Secondary Education:** 9.0% - **Government Administration:** 7.1% - **Hospital & Health Care:** 6.0% - **Education Management:** 4.9% - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 4.5% - **Financial Services:** 4.1% - **Information Technology and Services:** 4.1% - **Construction:** 4.1% - **Higher Education:** 3.0% - **Retail:** 3.0% - **Other:** 50.2% #### SolarWinds Service Desk - **Information Technology and Services:** 12.6% - **Hospital & Health Care:** 7.6% - **Higher Education:** 4.8% - **Education Management:** 4.7% - **Financial Services:** 4.3% - **Computer Software:** 4.0% - **Construction:** 3.3% - **Retail:** 3.1% - **Insurance:** 3.1% - **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 2.7% - **Other:** 49.7% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to PDQ Deploy & Inventory - [NinjaOne](https://www.g2.com/products/ninjaone/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (4306 reviews) - [Atera](https://www.g2.com/products/atera/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1145 reviews) - [ManageEngine Endpoint Central](https://www.g2.com/products/manageengine-endpoint-central/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1097 reviews) - [Patch My PC](https://www.g2.com/products/patch-my-pc/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (734 reviews) - [Automox](https://www.g2.com/products/automox/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (289 reviews) - [Datto RMM](https://www.g2.com/products/datto-rmm/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (759 reviews) - [TeamViewer](https://www.g2.com/products/teamviewer/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (3959 reviews) - [Action1](https://www.g2.com/products/action1/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (1040 reviews) - [LogMeIn Central](https://www.g2.com/products/logmein-central/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (213 reviews) - [Kaseya VSA](https://www.g2.com/products/kaseya-vsa/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (324 reviews) ### Alternatives to SolarWinds Service Desk - [Freshservice](https://www.g2.com/products/freshservice/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1335 reviews) - [ServiceNow IT Service Management](https://www.g2.com/products/servicenow-it-service-management/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1866 reviews) - [Jira Service Management](https://www.g2.com/products/jira-service-management/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (977 reviews) - [ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus](https://www.g2.com/products/manageengine-servicedesk-plus/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (249 reviews) - [Atera](https://www.g2.com/products/atera/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1145 reviews) - [SysAid](https://www.g2.com/products/sysaid/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (747 reviews) - [BMC Helix ITSM](https://www.g2.com/products/bmc-software-bmc-helix-itsm/reviews) — 3.7/5 stars (294 reviews) - [NinjaOne](https://www.g2.com/products/ninjaone/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (4306 reviews) - [Vivantio](https://www.g2.com/products/vivantio/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (295 reviews) - [Spiceworks Cloud Help Desk](https://www.g2.com/products/spiceworks-cloud-help-desk/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (311 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### PDQ Deploy & Inventory - Title: [What is PDQ Deploys solution for remote staff?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-pdq-deploys-solution-for-remote-staff) — 3 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Hey Scott! Micaela from PDQ here. Check out this blog on managing remote computers with..." - Title: [Can PDQ deploy images?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-pdq-deploy-images) — 1 comment *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Great question! The short answer is that's not what it's built for. If you for some reason you have no other recourse, you're welcome to submit a support..." - Title: [What does PDQ stand for deploy?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-does-pdq-stand-for-deploy) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Pretty Damn Quick" - Title: [How does PDQ inventory scan?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-does-pdq-inventory-scan) — 1 comment *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Thanks for your question! Take a look at this knowledge base article: https://help.pdq.com/hc/en-us/articles/220536307-How-It-Works-PDQ-Inventory " - Title: [How does PDQ deploy work?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-does-pdq-deploy-work) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "It works amazing! Makes deploying and installing softwares at ease and automated. Very customizable." ### SolarWinds Service Desk - Title: [How do I upload a solution article using tablets or phones?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32754-how-do-i-upload-a-solution-article-using-tablets-or-phones) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Unfortunately, we can’t create Solutions from the mobile app. " - Title: [Windows Installer](https://www.g2.com/discussions/windows-installer-8d44379e-0179-4f26-9745-c6a388d84665) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "This one is easy. When Samanage became Solarwinds we quit using the product and went elsewhere. Samanage had an EXE and an ISO. I'm none to interested in..." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/pdq-deploy-inventory-vs-solarwinds-service-desk)