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IBM Control Desk vs Ivanti Service Manager Comparison

Last updated:

IBM Control Desk

4.6(20 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

IBM Control Desk is a complete, network-based help desk and service desk software with integrated asset management capabilities. Control Desk will identify and manage assets at the time they are acquired, provide a singl…

Ivanti Service Manager

3.8(386 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Ivanti Service Manager is a cloud-based ITIL-ready service desk solution that delivers what IT organizations most want out of their service desk—the ability to increase the effectiveness of IT service management teams. I…

IBM Control Desk leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 20 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

IBM Control DeskIvanti Service Manager

The core difference between IBM Control Desk and Ivanti Service Manager lies in IBM's focus on integrated IT service and asset management specifically designed for complex environments, making it ideal for medium to large enterprises. In contrast, Ivanti Service Manager is a versatile solution suitable for organizations seeking flexible service management capabilities, though it lacks specific size and use case details.

- Best for integrated IT service and asset management - Ideal for medium businesses and large enterprises - Designed for complex multivendor multicloud environments - Offers unified IT service management and asset control - Robust oversight capabilities - Notable for its comprehensive feature set

- Versatile service management solution - Suitable for various organizational needs - Flexible deployment options - Emphasizes user-friendly interface - Integrates with other Ivanti products - Lacks specific information on company size and pricing

IBM Control Desk vs Ivanti Service Manager — at a glance

FeatureIBM Control DeskIvanti Service Manager
Rating4.6 / 53.8 / 5
Reviews20386
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryService Desk SoftwareService Desk Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between IBM Control Desk and Ivanti Service Manager

  • User satisfaction: IBM Control Desk scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
  • Deployment: IBM Control Desk supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Ivanti Service Manager supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

IBM Control Desk vs Ivanti Service Manager — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Service Desk Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

IBM Control Desk - Service Desk Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

IBM Control Desk

Best for integrated IT service and asset management in complex environments.

Choose if
  • You need unified IT service management and asset control in one platform.
  • Your organization manages multivendor multicloud environments requiring robust oversight.
  • You want powerful workflow automation with strong customer support and onboarding.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small team or business needing a simple, lightweight service desk tool.
  • Your organization requires extensive third-party app marketplace integrations.

Ivanti Service Manager

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

IBM Control Desk typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Ivanti Service Manager tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

IBM Control Desk is a complete, network-based help desk and service desk software with integrated asset management capabilities. Control Desk will identify and manage assets at the time ... Read More about IBM Control Desk

Ivanti Service Manager is a cloud-based ITIL-ready service desk solution that delivers what IT organizations most want out of their service desk—the ability to increase the effectiveness of ... Read More about Ivanti Service Manager

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available
  • Free Trial available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.6

(20)

Best Company Size

Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

No software demo available

IBM Control Desk has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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Compare IBM Control Desk and Ivanti Service Manager on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      IBM Control Desk User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      7

      7

      0

      0

      1

      65

      75

      22

      4

      5

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment with praise for comprehensive IT service and asset management features, user-friendly interface, and strong customer support, tempered by concerns about complexity and limited app integrations.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Workflow automation
      • Customer support

      Common complaints

      • Complexity for new users
      • Limited app marketplace

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is mixed to positive across 171 reviews, with clear strengths and a few common watchouts.

      What buyers like

      • ITIL-ready solution
      • Cloud-based flexibility
      • End-to-end service management

      Common complaints

      • Complex setup process
      • Can be overwhelming for small teams
      • Limited customization options

      Pros and Cons

      • Robust IT service management and asset control features that enhance efficiency

      • User-friendly interface combined with powerful workflow automation

      • Excellent customer service and smooth onboarding support

      • Complexity due to rich features and customizations can be intimidating for new users

      • Limited marketplace selection for additional apps and connectors

      • Seamlessly integrates with existing IT processes and tools.

      • Provides a robust framework for ITIL compliance.

      • Initial setup may require significant time investment.

      • Customization options may be limited for some users.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      No Customers information available.

      Total Wine and More

      Total Wine and More

      SinClair Community College

      SinClair Community College

      AdventistHealth

      AdventistHealth

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Ivanti Service Manager screenshot

      2 Screenshots

      Videos

      No videos available.

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to IBM Control Desk and Ivanti Service Manager in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, IBM Control Desk or Ivanti Service Manager?
      IBM Control Desk edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 3.8). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do IBM Control Desk and Ivanti Service Manager offer a free trial?
      Yes, both IBM Control Desk and Ivanti Service Manager offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of IBM Control Desk vs Ivanti Service Manager?
      IBM Control Desk starts at Contact for pricing. Ivanti Service Manager starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to IBM Control Desk?
      Top alternatives to IBM Control Desk include Freshservice, ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, SolarWinds Service Desk, Ivanti Service Manager, Jira Service Desk.
      What are the top alternatives to Ivanti Service Manager?
      Top alternatives to Ivanti Service Manager include Freshservice, ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, SolarWinds Service Desk, Jira Service Desk, Vivantio.

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