The Best Preventive Maintenance Software for Manufacturing Companies: A complete comparison guide

We analyzed thousands of words from hundreds of maintenance leaders in manufacturing to find the best preventive maintenance software. This article gives you an in-depth look at the main features, capabilities, strengths, and downsides of each maintenance management software using direct feedback from the people with experience using each platform. You’ll learn:

• Which preventive maintenance features were praised most by customers of each computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
• What users thought could be improved for each vendor
• How to evaluate preventive maintenance software to find the one that can help you reduce downtime, manage maintenance costs, and improve asset reliability.

Key takeaways

• This guide compares seven top preventive maintenance software vendors using first-hand reviews from maintenance teams that have worked with each platform.‍
• MaintainX ranks as the top overall computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) in the manufacturing sector for its intuitive and powerful preventive maintenance scheduling capabilities, seamless communication between departments for maintenance requests, and its mobile application that drives efficiency for manufacturing teams.
• Finding the best preventive maintenance software requires buy-in from all stakeholders and identifying the platform that best fits their workflows and goals.

Who is this guide for?

This guide was made for you if you’re:

• In a maintenance or reliability leadership role, including maintenance manager, director, supervisor, or facilities manager.

• Working in an asset-intensive manufacturing industry, such as automotive, plastics, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, chemicals, or a similar industry.

• Part of a maintenance team of 10 or more people across a single site or multiple sites.

• Evaluating cloud-based maintenance software for asset tracking, planning preventive maintenance, maintenance scheduling, inventory management, and tracking maintenance KPIs.

How we assessed manufacturing maintenance software

We compared the strengths, gaps, and features for each CMMS based on customer reviews from:

1. Gartner Peer Insights
2. Capterra
3. G2
4. Software Advice

Each CMMS was required to have a minimum number of reviews to qualify for the guide so the analysis could be well-rounded and balanced.

The best preventive maintenance software for manufacturing: MaintainX

What makes MaintainX the best preventive maintenance software for manufacturing

• Preventive maintenance scheduling that runs itself: Customers praise the system’s automated recurring work orders and auto-generation of new work orders, saying that it keeps PM cycles on time without them having to babysit their calendars.

• A frontline-first UX: Reviews highlighted the mobile, intuitive interface and work request portal that allow admins to schedule work easily and technicians to complete it in less time.

• One system for procedures, history, and evidence: Teams love that MaintainX centralizes SOPs, vendor info, asset histories, and rich media (photos, videos, PDFs) right on the work order, making preventive maintenance consistent, auditable, and paperless.

• Data for better maintenance decisions: KPI dashboards and reporting give quick visibility into PM compliance and asset performance. Multiple reviewers say the system yields “better quality data” that improves decisions on plant assets.

• Condition-based planning with asset metering: Asset metering turns PM inspection data into action. Reviewers use it to “forecast and schedule large repairs,” moving maintenance from reactive to proactive.

How the top preventive maintenance software compare: Key features, fit, and feedback

MaintainX

What customers like

• PMs that generate and recur automatically: Auto-generation after completion and easy recurring schedules keep preventive tasks flowing without manual effort.
  
  
• Meter-based PMs and forecasting: Using PM inspection data and counters to trigger maintenance helps teams prevent failures without inefficient resource allocation.
  
  
• Procedure-driven inspections with evidence: Step-by-step procedures and the ability to attach photos, videos, and PDFs make PMs standardized, verifiable, and easy to audit.
  
  
• Clear PM visibility with KPIs and dashboards: Quick access to PM status, history, and performance metrics helps planners communicate, analyze trends, and fine-tune schedules.
  
  
• Operator requests that feed the PM program: A request portal with QR code compatibility helps non-maintenance staff surface equipment issues and facilitate an effective PM program.

What to watch out for

• PM reporting and exports may need tweaks: A few users mention occasional confusion with certain automated reports or export limits.
  
  
• Inventory depth for PM parts can vary: Multi-site inventory and cycle count features are still maturing for some users, which can affect spare-parts planning tied to PMs.
  
  
• Plan-gated features: Certain advanced preventive maintenance capabilities appear on higher tiers with limited or no access to organizations not on those plans.

What customers think of MaintainX

“MaintainX's asset metering has proved to be a huge benefit to our company. It has allowed me to utilize my maintenance team's PM inspection data to forecast and schedule large repairs.” — Nick, Technical Manager, Automotive

“The end user experience was the largest benefit so far from MaintainX generating better quality data. This will lead to better data to make more informed decisions on plant assets.” — Scott, Engineering Lead, Food Production

“It was very easy to load all of our equipment, and PMs into the system. The system has been great for tracking PMs, safety reports and spare parts.” — Michael, Production Engineer, Machinery

“The work order comments we capture in MaintainX are indispensable in repairing and maintaining equipment. Being able to add photos, notes, and voice memos helps keep track of issues and requirements. The request portal is also very useful for operators to quickly report problems.” — Oscar, Maintenance coordinator, Food Production

“We have been able to completely eliminate paper work orders and streamline our inspection processes.” — Cody, Plant Superintendent, Machinery

Fiix

Key features

• PM scheduling tools: Reviewers call out nested preventive maintenance, calendars, reminders, and event triggers that keep recurring work organized with less overlap.
  
  
• Work order creation and tracking: Users say it’s intuitive to generate, assign, and close work orders and preventive maintenance workflows.
  
  
• Inventory and parts: Customers like tracking spares, linking parts to assets, and using barcodes or QR codes to locate parts information.

What to watch out for

• Reporting customization takes work: Reviewers say building truly custom reports can be difficult, and some report types or analytics may require higher tiers or extra setup. “Custom reports are difficult to create and they are not fully custom. You cannot generate a report by time.” — Robert, Maintenance Manager, Automotive
  
  
• Mobile app parity and stability: Users note the mobile app lags behind desktop capabilities and occasionally has scanning or reliability issues. “The app is lacking some of the useful features that the desktop version offers.” — Ryley, Maintenance Manager, Consumer Goods
  
  
• Asset data structure at setup: Some users say Fiix allows loosely structured asset creation, which can lead to inconsistent records unless standards are enforced up front. “The open architecture allows users to create assets without much of the info needed within a PM system. Asset creation should be more structured.” — Aaron, Manufacturing Engineer, Electrical and Electronic Manufacturing
  
  
• Training and complexity for admins: Several reviewers mention a learning curve, UI elements that confuse, or gaps in user training during rollout. “There has not been any training on the software on the user end.” — Christopher, Automation Technician, Automotive

eMaint

Key features

• Configurable workflows and forms: Reviewers highlight strong customization of fields, forms, dashboards, and workflows to fit local processes.
  
  
• Preventive maintenance scheduling options: Customers mention useful PM tools like auto-generated work orders, calendar and meter scheduling, and nesting.
  
  
• Reporting and dashboards for basic KPIs: Users appreciate having built-in reports and dashboards once they are configured for their needs.

What to watch out for

• Reporting setup complexity: Reviewers say building or modifying reports can be difficult and often requires extra help or training. “The reports themselves can be quite difficult to set up.” — Michael, Plant Manager, Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
  
  
• Mobile app limitations: Users report the mobile experience can be constrained, with limited search and heavy scrolling for technicians. “With the mobile app for technicians, there are too few search options and scrolling through work orders is very tiresome.” — Joe, Supervisor, Automotive

• Navigation and UI learning curve: Customers mention that navigation is not always intuitive and some screens can be confusing. “The way navigation works is not very intuitive.” — Chee Choong, Maintenance Engineering Manager, Electronic Manufacturing
  
  
• Scheduler and PM grouping constraints: Reviewers mention friction with mass scheduling and covering multiple similar assets under one PM without creating many work orders. “We have to produce nine work orders to cover multiple assets on the same site that could be covered by one PM.” — Alison, Engineering Administrator, Chemicals
  
  
• Implementation and training burden (and inconsistent support): Users say getting started can take time, and some report uneven implementation support. “The implementation was underwhelming. It is very difficult to get help customizing forms.” — David, Reliability Manager, Food Production

UpKeep

Key features

• Streamlined work orders: Reviewers say it is simple to create, assign, and track work orders.
  
  
• Preventive maintenance scheduling and reminders: Customers report the tool helps them formalize PM programs with recurring schedules, meters, and timely notifications.
  
  
• Fast setup and quick adoption: Many mention easy onboarding for non-technical staff and rapid move from paper to digital.

What to watch out for

• Reporting simplicity and flexibility: Reviewers say creating straightforward, custom reports can take extra effort. “The reporting has numerous options, but could be more straightforward for creating simple reports.” — Richard, Fleet Administrator, Automotive
  
  
• Mobile app can lag the desktop experience: Some users find the mobile app fussier or slower than the web version. “The mobile app is a lot more fiddly to use than the desktop version.” — Eugene, 2 IC, Food Production
  
  
• Asset hierarchy and categorization limits: Users note constraints with subcategories and parent-child structures for complex sites. “We felt limited by the subcategories such as the primary location and sublocation. The way it is categorized feels limiting.” — Ana, Food Production
  
  
• Work order assignment visibility: Reviewers mention that jobs often must be assigned to a single technician, limiting broader access. “Work orders have to be assigned to one tech but other techs don't have access...” — Martine, Plant Manager, Food Production

Limble

Key features

• Straightforward PM planning and templates: Reviewers mention that creating PM templates, setting recurring schedules, and using a calendar view makes planning maintenance easier.
  
  
• QR codes and asset-linked requests: Customers note that QR codes let anyone submit work against the right asset and speed up response time.
  
  
• Mobile and cross-platform usability: Reviewers highlight that technicians can work from phones, tablets, or desktop and log work in the field.

What to watch out for

• Dashboard and KPI customization feels limited: Reviewers mention feature limits, unintuitive UX, and KPI setup options that do not always fit what they want. “KPI setup options are a little limited.” — Scott, Director of Capital Assets, Oil and Energy
  
  
• PM setup can be confusing or time-consuming: Some customers say configuring PM frequencies or building templates takes more effort than expected. “Setting up some monthly, quarterly, and yearly PMs can be confusing. — Timothy, Maintenance Engineer, Machinery
  
  
• Search can be too literal: Users say if you do not know the exact naming, finding items quickly is hard. “The search engine can be very specific. If you don't know exactly how something is listed in the database, it can be hard to find.” — Duane, Maintenance Tech, Automotive
  
  
• Reporting and exports need more flexibility: Reviewers want easier ways to create readable exports and tweak report text and layouts. “I have not found a great way to export reports that are easy to read.” — Mike, President, Construction

Brightly (Asset Essentials)

Key features

• Straightforward PM setup and scheduling: Reviewers say it is simple to create preventive maintenance tasks, attach them to equipment, and schedule them to recur as needed.
  
  
• Easy to deploy and use day to day: Users highlight an intuitive interface for technicians and requestors, with quick navigation and a gentle learning curve for core tasks.
  
  
• Asset and inventory tracking that keeps teams organized: Customers mention that keeping track of assets, work orders, and needed parts is practical and helps daily planning.

What to watch out for

• Mobile app limitations and parity gaps with web: Users say the mobile experience can lag behind the browser version or be awkward for certain tasks. “Most menus or screens take a second or so at minimum to fully load and populate with data, but up to 10-15 seconds in some cases.” — Brenden, Maintenance Assistant, Plastics
  
  
• Reporting and dashboard flexibility could go further: Customers mention that some reports are hard to build or adjust, and some dashboard options feel constrained. “I would like the report section to be more user friendly. Some of the reports are a bit difficult to create.” — Franciso, Maintenance Manager, Food Production
  
  
• Customization limits create workarounds: Reviewers note that forms, fields, and terminology can feel generic, with limited tailoring in places. “I would like to tailor the software to my specific needs, but there’s an inability to have a level of customization.” — Nathan, Engineering Mgr, Automotive

• Notification and alerting gaps: Customers point to missing or rigid email alerts for completions and other events. “There is no email notification once the work is completed.” — John Morgan, Production Manager, Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing

Maximo

Key features

• Highly configurable workflows and fields: Reviewers describe Maximo as extremely customizable and flexible for different industries and processes.
  
  
• Structured preventive maintenance tools: Users call out routes, PM tracking, and reusable job plans that make it easier to plan recurring inspections and maintenance.
  
  
• Enterprise asset and inventory management at scale: Customers note strong multi-site asset tracking, detailed asset hierarchies, and robust inventory control.

What to watch out for

• Steep learning curve and non-intuitive UX: Reviewers say becoming proficient takes meaningful training and time. “The learning curve for the system is massive and will take some time to get used to and be proficient.” — Steve, Engineer, Pharmaceuticals

• Slower performance and timeouts for some deployments: Users report lag, slow loads, or timeouts, especially with heavy use. “It sometimes takes time to load, causing lagging. Also, I don't like how quickly it times out.” — OreOluwa, Guest Services Assistant, Facilities Services
  
  
• Cumbersome navigation with too many steps: Customers describe multi-step flows and click-heavy tasks that slow users down. “I have to navigate through multiple steps to get to one description.” — Mark, Product Tech 1, Utilities
  
  
• Customization and configuration can be heavy lifts: Users note that deeper tailoring often requires significant effort or specialist support. “The customizations and configurations are difficult to implement.” — Owen, Maximo Administrator, Automotive

How to evaluate preventive maintenance software

The following is a four-step template for evaluating preventive maintenance software so you can find the best platform for your team.

1. Build a cross-functional team to evaluate software

Every group that will be using the CMMS should be represented in the evaluation process. This gives you the best chance of successful adoption of the software. The roles included on this team differs by company, but the most common stakeholders include:

• Maintenance managers and supervisors
• Technicians
• Plant managers and operators
• IT
• An executive or senior leader (as a sponsor for the project)

2. Create and prioritize a list of requirements

The next step is to build a list of requirements for the software together with your evaluation team. Don’t start with a list of features—those flow from higher-level goals, challenges, and processes you need to address. For example, your initial rundown of requirements might include:

• Better communication between departments, and between maintenance management and technicians
• Visibility into maintenance performance and data that can be used to reduce downtime
• A shift from mostly reactive maintenance to mostly planned maintenance to minimize downtime
• Building a better proactive maintenance strategy while working towards predictive maintenance
• Reduce the time to complete routine maintenance on critical equipment
• Create uniform standard operating procedures to increase productivity and for better regulatory compliance

Connect features and capabilities of software to these requirements. For instance, if your primary goal is to standardize preventive maintenance at your manufacturing facility, the features you would prioritize might include easy work order creation, custom fields in work orders, auto-creation of work orders, and a work request portal.

Once you have a list of requirements, number them by priority. At the top of the list are your must-haves and at the bottom are the nice to haves.

3. Test software to establish a short list of vendors

When it comes to preventive maintenance software, the best research is a hands-on trial. After narrowing your initial list of vendors to 3-5 options, make sure to test each choice. Use your daily workflows and list of requirements to experiment with functionality. Ensure that all stakeholder groups get a chance to trial each software.

As you test out your options, pay attention to the ease of use. A lot of CMMS software have the same features with the difference being in how easy and customizable the features are. The easier it is to use, the more likely it will be adopted by users. The more customizable it is, the more it will match your specific processes and workflows, while being designed to scale as you do.

4. Conduct a final assessment of vendors

By now, you know all about features and capabilities. That’s why this leg of the evaluation is about making sure you’re comfortable with how the vendors will help you use those features to the fullest. 

Ask about support, both for implementation and ongoing usage and optimization. Find out if vendors have worked with other companies in your industry to understand time to value and how they handle potential risks. 

This is also when you can dive into the total cost of ownership for the software to make sure that it not only fits your budget now, but will match the way your team scales in the future.

What is preventive maintenance software?

Preventive maintenance software is software used to manage all parts of a preventive maintenance program, including requesting, planning, scheduling, and completing maintenance work on manufacturing equipment. Often referred to as a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), this software helps maintenance teams in the manufacturing industry prevent unplanned downtime, improve asset reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and manage health and safety.

Preventative maintenance software can also be used to manage other areas of maintenance operations. This includes parts inventory management, asset tracking, reporting on maintenance KPIs, and accessing maintenance history. Companies often connect their CMMS software to other business systems, like ERP platforms, and IIoT systems, like SCADA, PLCs, and other data historians. This allows them to sync data with these systems, trigger work orders using condition-based monitoring, and build toward more advanced maintenance strategies, like predictive maintenance.

What are the benefits of preventive maintenance software for manufacturers?

Less reactive maintenance and unplanned downtime

Preventive maintenance software schedules tasks before failures occur, reducing surprise breakdowns. With condition-based alerts and preventive maintenance inspections, teams catch issues early and keep lines running.

Longer asset lifespan and reliability

By following preventive maintenance plans and avoiding equipment failure, assets can run at peak performance for longer. That means fewer major repairs, and more predictable production and CapEx spending.

Higher production quality and throughput

Consistently maintained machines lead to fewer defects and rework. With fewer stoppages, you also keep takt time steady and protect delivery schedules for better customer satisfaction.

Safety and compliance readiness

Digital planned maintenance procedures, permits, and audit trails make it easier to prove compliance and standardize safe work. The system centralizes preventive maintenance inspections and flags overdue tasks to reduce risk.

Parts and inventory optimization

Linking preventive maintenance work orders to parts usage reveals true consumption patterns. You can right-size min/max levels, avoid emergency orders, and ensure the right spares are on hand when PMs are due.

Greater operational efficiency

Planners can assign preventive maintenance by skill, shift, and asset criticality, while techs get mobile checklists and history at the asset. Less time is lost hunting paperwork or context, so wrench time goes up.

Data-driven decisions and continuous improvement

Having work order history, KPIs (like mean time to repair), and cost rollups available allows teams to understand which assets need more attention or to be replaced. Teams can prioritize by criticality and measure the impact of their maintenance operations over time.

Finding the best maintenance management software is all about finding the right match for your team

Maintenance management software is a tool. It can be a powerful and helpful tool. But it can only live up to its potential if your team uses it consistently and correctly. This is only possible if technicians and other users believe that the software can help solve their daily problems and frustrations, or that it helps them do their job better.

When choosing the best maintenance software, evaluate fit before everything else. Features are important, but they’re secondary to function. Can your team learn how to use the software quickly? Does it alleviate the daily obstacles they face when completing preventive maintenance tasks or routine maintenance? Does it help you optimize asset management and equipment maintenance in ways you couldn’t before? The answers to these questions will guide you to the right software for your organization.