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RMM software is an IT management tool that helps MSPs remotely and proactively monitor and manage clients’ IT infrastructures to provide insight into client devices, address threats, and simplify operations. The best RMM software typically offers tools for remote monitoring, patch management, alerts and notifications, security, and automation and scripting. We’ve reviewed the best RMM software tools to help you select the right one for your MSP.
Here are the six best RMM software for MSPs:
- Atera: Best overall software for features and pricing (free trial)
- Pulseway: Best software for RMM via a mobile app (free trial)
- NinjaOne: Best platform for a user-friendly interface (free trial)
- Central: Best RMM tool for automation and scripting (free trial)
- Datto: Best RMM software option for data protection (free trial)
- ConnectWise: Best software for integrated security (free trial)
Although some RMM tools scored impressively across multiple categories, the RMM software we found to be the best overall for MSPs is Atera. Atera got great scores across all our criteria, notably having the most impressive features and pricing. Read more to see how each reviewed software performed in terms of pricing, key features, and use cases, or skip down to see how we evaluated each option.
Note: All per-user prices are with a one-year commitment unless noted otherwise.
Atera: Best Overall RMM Software
Offers a comprehensive solution that’s easy to use and well-priced, and has great features.
Price Range: $99 to $169 per technician, per month (30-day free trial)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
- Core Features: 5/5
- Cost: 5/5
- Security: 3.7/5
- Automation: 5/5
- Customer Support: 4/5
- Ease of Use: 3.9/5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Transparent pricing | Few integrations |
| Easy to use | Limited mobile app functionality |
| Robust remote access | UI could be more intuitive |
Atera, our top-rated overall RMM software, is an all-in-one cloud-based solution that delivers visibility and control over your MSP’s IT management. The platform offers a range of tools, including remote access, patch management, and IT automation, all within an intuitive interface. Atera’s pricing is also transparent and competitive. It also offers backup and recovery features, though they are only available to the subscribers of its two highest pricing tiers.
Although Atera is the top RMM pick, its integration options aren’t extensive. If you prioritize integrations, consider ConnectWise as an alternative.
Atera Pricing
- Pro: $99 per user, per month
- Growth: $129 per user, per month
- Power: $169 per user, per month
- Superpower: Contact for quote
- Free Trial: 30 days
Atera Key Features
- Remote Access & Support: Remotely access and manage devices.
- Patch Management: Automate the process of updating software patches.
- IT Automation: Set rules and streamline repetitive tasks and processes.
- Reporting: Get insights into IT infrastructure health and performance.
Pulseway: Best for RMM via Mobile
Provides a dedicated mobile app to manage IT systems on the go in real time.
Price Range: Starts at $22 per month for up to 20 devices + $149 onboarding (free trial)
Overall Rating: 4.1/5
- Core Features: 4.9/5
- Cost: 3.7/5
- Security: 3.5/5
- Automation: 5/5
- Customer Support: 2.7/5
- Ease of Use: 3.9/5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quality mobile app | Customer support could improve |
| Real-time alerting | Only basic security training |
| Easy to deploy | Has additional costs |
Pulseway is RMM software that stands out in the market with its mobile-first approach, allowing MSPs to manage and monitor IT systems from their mobile devices. This real-time monitoring tool sends customizable alerts directly to your phone, ensuring you’re always on top of things. It also allows you to auto-remediate issues instead of having to find a computer to deal with IT issues. Pulseway also offers easy deployment features to get up and running quickly.
However, though clearly outlined, its additional costs can make the product expensive. Should you need a solution without extra costs, Atera would be a better fit.
Pulseway Pricing
- Single Tier: $22 per month for up to 20 devices
- Free Trial: Contact for length
- Mandatory one-time Advanced Onboarding and Best Practices session for $149
Pulseway Key Features
- Mobile RMM: Manage and monitor IT systems directly from a mobile device.
- Real-Time Alerts: Get instant notifications about system and endpoint issues.
- Pulseway Automation Workflows: Execute automated tasks from your phone.
- Discovery & Deployment: See all your IT endpoints to mass deploy Pulseway.
NinjaOne: Best for a User-Friendly Interface
Offers robust automated patching and remediation via a user-friendly interface.
Price Range: Contact for quote (free trial)
Overall Rating: 4.1/5
- Core Features: 5/5
- Cost: 1.7/5
- Security: 4.7/5
- Automation: 5/5
- Customer Support: 4/5
- Ease of Use: 3.9/5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User-friendly design | No public pricing information |
| Robust automation features | Limited customization |
| Quick setup | Basic reporting system |
NinjaOne is intuitive RMM software that manages client endpoints at scale with a standout user-friendly interface, making it popular among MSPs that prioritize ease of use. It has a single interface that centralizes actions and unifies device management. Since it’s easy to navigate, NinjaOne is quick to set up with a straightforward onboarding process. Its automation features, like automated patching, automated tasks, and auto-remediation, make it even more intuitive.
While NinjaOne has great automation features, you have to contact them for a custom pricing quote. If you want an estimate of a pay-per-device pricing model without having to request a quote, consider Pulseway as an alternative.
NinjaOne Pricing
- Contact for Quote: Pay-per-device pricing available
- Free Trial: Contact for length
NinjaOne Key Features
- Auto-Remediation: Automate the detection and resolution of endpoint issues.
- One-Click Device Actions: Carry out tasks without interrupting end users.
- Task & Software Automation: Automate your complex software installations.
- Self-Service Portal: Manage remote access and ticket management tasks.
Central: Best for Automation & Scripting
Features automated tasks, software installation, file distribution, and script execution.
Price Range: $80 per month for 25 computers to $290 per month for 250 computers (14-day trial)
Overall Rating: 4/5
- Core Features: 4.5/5
- Cost: 3.6/5
- Security: 3.3/5
- Automation: 5/5
- Customer Support: 4/5
- Ease of Use: 3.3/5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great remote access | UI could be more intuitive |
| Automated updates & patches | Limited customization |
| High reliability | Has add-on costs |
Central by LogMeIn is an RMM solution that uses its advanced automation and scripting capabilities to automate your environment. It offers critical IT control and automation, secure remote access, and customizable reporting for RMM. Central’s robust scripting capabilities empower MSPs to automate repetitive tasks and increase efficiency. Its self-healing alerts allow you to execute scripts to automatically resolve issues when alerts come up.
Though Central’s pricing is transparent, its higher price point — especially due to automation add-on costs — is a deterrent for some. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with automation included in its base plan, Atera will be a better fit.
Central Pricing
- Base Plan for 25 Computers: $80 per month
- Base Plan for 50 Computers: $103 per month
- Base Plan for 100 Computers: $139 per month
- Base Plan for 250 Computers: $290 per month
- Add Security: $47 to $206 per month
- Add Automation: $47 to $206 per month
- Add Insight: $45 to $180 per month
- Free Trial: 14 days
Central Key Features
- Advanced Automation: Automate repetitive tasks and manage your endpoints.
- Insight: Customize reports on critical statistics, audit inventory, and manage assets.
- Remote Access: Manage your devices remotely with a reliable connection.
- Patch Management: Automatically ensure software is up-to-date and secure.
Datto: Best for Data Protection
Enables MSPs to support complex networks and remotely secure and manage endpoints.
Price Range: Contact for quote (14-day free trial)
Overall Rating: 4/5
- Core Features: 4.7/5
- Cost: 3.1/5
- Security: 3.9/5
- Automation: 4.7/5
- Customer Support: 4/5
- Ease of Use: 3.3/5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Integration with Datto BCDR | Unintuitive UI setup |
| Good customer support | Not the easiest to use |
| Cloud-based solution | No upfront pricing |
Datto is a cloud-based RMM platform that prioritizes data protection through a blend of flexible patch management, monitoring, ransomware detection, and rapid remote access and support. Datto provides reliable backups, ensuring that MSPs never lose crucial data. Its cloud nature makes it flexible and scalable as there’s no hardware to maintain, proving suitable for MSPs of all sizes. Datto also has monthly feature releases and offers 24/7 consultation and assistance.
Although Datto’s UI is feature-rich, it is not intuitive to set up. For an intuitive UI that’s easy to set up and use, check out NinjaOne.
Datto Pricing
- Contact for Quote: Customizable pricing plans available
- Free Trial: 14 days
Datto Key Features
- Data Protection: Use tools like ransomware detection to protect crucial data.
- Cloud-Based Platform: Manage your infrastructure with no hardware requirement.
- Remote Monitoring: Monitor all your devices from a centralized dashboard.
- Flexible Patch Management: Keep software secure with automated updates.
ConnectWise: Best for Integrated Security
Delivers integrated data protection and restoration features and thorough access control.
Price Range: Contact for quote (free trial)
Overall Rating: 3.6/5
- Core Features: 3.8/5
- Cost: 1.7/5
- Security: 5/5
- Automation: 5/5
- Customer Support: 3.5/5
- Ease of Use: 2.5/5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very scalable | No public pricing info |
| Integrated SaaS backup | Steep learning curve |
| Thorough security training | Complex setup |
ConnectWise is an IT management technology that offers an RMM platform with a variety of integrated security features and out-of-the-box remote management automations for alerts. It also provides data protection and restoration capabilities, script automation, data insights, plus an exhaustive approach to cybersecurity training. ConnectWise’s scalability makes it attractive to MSPs as its all-in-one, modular approach allows users to pay only for what they need.
Even though ConnectWise is a highly customizable RMM platform, some users may find it to have a steep learning curve. If you’re looking for a more straightforward setup, NinjaOne would be a better choice.
ConnectWise Pricing
- Contact for Quote: Three premium packages available
- Free Trial: Contact for length
ConnectWise Key Features
- Integrated Security: Automate security testing to ensure your devices are secure.
- Intelligent Monitoring: Use intelligent alerting to monitor all managed devices.
- Automation: Intelligently automate tasks like asset discovery and IT support.
- Simplified Patch Management: Easily ensure software is always up-to-date.
Top 5 RMM Software Features
The top RMM software for MSPs have the following features:
- Remote Monitoring: Comprehensively monitor your devices remotely and get insights into device health and performance.
- Automated Patch Management: Automatically update software to make sure your devices run the latest and most secure versions.
- Alerts and Notifications: Gain real-time alerts and notifications based on predefined criteria and respond to issues in a timely manner.
- Security Management: Leverage effective security features to protect your devices and data from ever-evolving threats.
- Automation and Scripting: Automate repetitive tasks and policies, and use scripts to manage your devices efficiently.
How We Evaluated the Best RMM Software
To determine the best RMM tools, we scored 10 options based on six weighted criteria that RMM software users value. We then assigned weighted subcriteria to each criterion to score each product’s performance in each category. After that, we assigned primary use cases to the six software that scored highly enough to make our list. The crown for our overall winner went to the RMM software with the highest collective score.
Evaluation Criteria
As the features of software are always a huge decision factor, we placed the greatest weight on the core features of RMM software. Next, we placed equal emphasis on cost and security as users want a well-priced, secure platform. We also evaluated the automation, customer support, and ease of use of each RMM software to round out our review.
- Core Features (25%): We assessed each tool’s core capabilities, including remote monitoring, patch management, automation and scripting, and remote access.
- Criteria Winner: Multiple winners
- Cost (20%): Our cost evaluation was based on whether the software offers free trials, transparent pricing, or flexible pricing models, plus whether they contain additional costs.
- Criteria Winner: Atera
- Security (20%): We looked at how each software approached data protection and restoration, integrated security, access control, and security training.
- Criteria Winner: ConnectWise
- Automation (15%): Here, we considered automation capabilities like discovery and inventory, updates and patches, and monitoring and alerting.
- Criteria Winner: Multiple winners
- Customer Support (10%): Our assessment entailed noting the range of support options like live chat, phone support, and email alongside real user reviews on G2 and Capterra.
- Criteria Winner: Multiple winners
- Ease of Use (10%): Here, we looked at whether the software had knowledge bases and how verified users rated each software’s ease of use on G2, TrustRadius, and Capterra.
- Criteria Winner: Multiple winners
Bottom Line: Best RMM Software
Our picks for the top RMM software for MSPs each offer key RMM features like remote monitoring, patch management, and automation and scripting. We’ve highlighted how each software approaches these must-have RMM features to ease your assessment and choice of RMM software. However, should you be in the market for more general MSP software, check out our top MSP software article.
