10 Best MSP Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
A managed service provider (MSP) offers outsourced IT services to businesses. This helps them access professional IT services without the high cost of hiring a full-time IT employee.
They offer services like monitoring network performance, managing software updates, and resolving IT issues promptly. By outsourcing IT management to an MSP provider, you can benefit from proactive support and expertise in emerging technologies. Their experienced staff can handle complex IT challenges and provide strategic guidance to align technology with your business objectives.
MSPs also provide data backup and disaster recovery solutions, ensuring that valuable information is protected. Additionally, they offer scalability options, allowing businesses to easily adjust their IT resources as needed.
Therefore, choosing the right MSP software provider is essential for you. You’ll find my top 12 selections with their features, pricing, and integrations to help you decide which one’s the perfect solution for you.
What Is MSP Software?
MSP software helps companies remotely manage a customer's IT infrastructure, software, and end-user systems. MSP services include network monitoring, backup and recovery, cybersecurity, cloud services, help desk support, and software deployment and management.
The 10 Best MSP Software Reviews
Here’s a review of the best MSP software solutions on the market, including their features, integrations, and pricing.
NinjaOne is a remote monitoring and management software that tracks devices in real-time to handle client endpoints at scale.
Why I picked NinjaOne: I put NinjaOne on this list for its unified device management — you can monitor and control all your clients’ virtual machines, servers, and devices. There’s also patch management for Windows, Mac, and Linux endpoints. You can also automatically detect and resolve endpoint issues like missed reboots and open ports.
NinjaOne Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I want to highlight are that NinjaOne can automatically send alerts to technicians when an issue arises. All endpoint tasks like device setup, maintenance, app installs, and even patching can be automated.
Integrations are available natively for SentinelOne, TeamViewer, Slack, Splashtop, and Okta.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Native IT documentation
- Self-service portal
- Mobile app for endpoint management
Cons:
- Can be complex to use and navigate
- Limited third-party integrations compared to other endpoint management solutions
Scalefusion is a unified mobile device and endpoint management solution that offers a range of features for managing devices and users,
Why I picked Scalefusion: I like that Scalefusion supports multi-OS environments, including Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. It enables MSPs to manage and secure a wide range of devices from a single dashboard, facilitating tasks such as device enrollment, location tracking, application management, geofencing, and remote control.
Scalefusion Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include content management that enables administrators to distribute and manage content on enrolled devices, pitstops that provide reports on the distance traveled by devices, and role-based access control.
Integrations include Okta, Azure AD, Office 365 AD, Google Workspace, Jira, Freshservice, Google Maps, Google Drive, Samsung Knox, Lenovo, Zebra, Kyocera, Janam, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- API for customization
- Easy deployment and configuration
- Granular device lockdown capabilities
Cons:
- No messaging when dashboard is offline
- Occasional lag when remote locking and unlocking
LogicMonitor provides comprehensive monitoring capabilities for IT infrastructures, with automation and AI-driven predictive insights that help MSPs identify problems before they impact their clients.
Why I picked LogicMonitor: I appreciate that LogicMonitor supports both public and private cloud infrastructure and on-premises and hybrid environments. It offers multi-tenant support, allowing MSPs to manage and monitor multiple clients from a single dashboard. You can create custom dashboards with pre-built templates for each client for a more visual and personal experience.
LogicMonitor Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I liked during my evaluation are that it provides comprehensive monitoring capabilities for IT infrastructures, including servers, containers, databases, synthetic websites, virtual machines, networks, storage, and applications. The platform sends alerts and notifications to MSPs when issues arise, ensuring they can quickly address any problems.
Integrations include 2,000+ native options like PagerDuty, Redis, BigPanda, ServiceNow, ConnectWise, Citrix, and Juniper Mist.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can monitor productivity tools like Zoom and Slack
- Logs and metrics to track performance
- Comprehensive support and training resources
Cons:
- Some users report issues with customer support response times
- Can be complex to set up and configure for specific environments
With Pulseway, you can monitor all your systems and applications in real-time, allowing for enhanced visibility and control over your IT infrastructure.
Why I picked Pulseway: I like that Pulseway's real-time monitoring allows for constant tracking of the performance and status of devices, including CPU usage, memory usage, disk space, network usage, and more. Pulseway's monitoring capabilities extend to web applications, cloud services, and network devices.
Pulseway Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that stand out for me are that you can get real-time notifications about IT issues via SMS, email, or push notifications on your mobile devices. You can also get detailed reports on system performance, usage, and health. You can automate multi-step tasks and workflows using Pulseway's advanced automation feature.
Integrations are available natively for Autotask, Zendesk, PowerShell, PagerDuty, Slack, IT Glue, and ConnectWise. APIs are available.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Remote access and control capabilities
- Multi-platform support
- Mobile-first design
Cons:
- No built-in backup and recovery options
- Limited integrations with third-party applications
ConnectWise is known for its automation capabilities that enhance MSP workflows and help maximize efficiency.
Why I picked ConnectWise: I appreciate that ConnectWise has tools for time tracking, CRM, and billing and invoicing to automate billing processes. It also has a ticketing system to manage client issues. It consolidates issues from email, phone, and live chat and offers automated escalations.
ConnectWise Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I found helpful are that it offers project management functionalities so MSPs can track progress on client tasks. There’s also real-time visibility into business metrics, remote monitoring and management, inventory management, and contract management.
Integrations are available natively for Bitdefender, Acronis, Veeam, Connect Booster, AlertOps, Auvik, LogMeIn, Slack, and IT Glue. APIs and SDKs are available.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Mobile app available
- Can automate repetitive workflows
- Can create and maintain a knowledge base
Cons:
- Setup can be complex
- Certain customization options are limited
SolarWinds offers IT management tools for MSPs and IT professionals. Its solutions are designed to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and protect against cybersecurity threats.
Why I picked SolarWinds: I picked SolarWinds because of its rich set of MSP-related offerings. It allows remote monitoring and management and provides backup and recovery solutions in case of disasters. SolarWinds also has a service desk which is a centralized platform for managing client tickets and requests.
SolarWinds Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that impressed me are its automatic patch updates to devices to ensure they are up-to-date and secure. With network monitoring, you can troubleshoot network issues to keep clients connected and productive. With its reporting and analytics, you get insights into key metrics such as network availability, resource consumption, and service performance.
Integrations are available natively for Dameware, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Orion, Slack, and Zendesk. Zapier connections are available.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides automation capabilities to increase efficiency
- Provides advanced security features to protect against cyber threats
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
Cons:
- Offers limited customization options for workflows and processes
- Limited mobile functionality
IBM's Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) program is designed to address the evolving threat landscape and help organizations build a strong security posture.
Why I picked IBM: I chose IBM’s MSSP program because it offers robust capabilities for threat detection, investigation, and response. You can use its suite of technologies for security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR), security information and event management (SIEM), and network detection and response (NDR) to speed up incident response processes.
IBM Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I particularly liked are its ability to monitor network activity in real time where it profiles your assets constantly to spot hidden threats and compromised devices. It also uncovers unusual lateral movements and can query historical network activity to help you take proactive steps. Security operations center (SOC) teams can receive critical alerts, use AI to automate case investigation, and leverage its threat timeline and contextual threat intelligence to create root-cause analysis.
Integrations are available natively for Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Red Hat, and ServiceNow. APIs and software development kits (SDKs) are available.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong focus on compliance and regulations
- In-depth analytics on incidents, attacks, and breaches
- Identity and access management solutions available
Cons:
- Sheer number of solutions offered by IBM can make it difficult for businesses to choose the best ones for their needs
- May require advanced technical expertise to implement
N-able is a cloud-based software that helps MSPs monitor, manage, and secure their customers' IT infrastructure from a centralized platform.
Why I picked N-able: As businesses scale, they require IT resources for handling networks, security, and backups — all of which N-able provides. I put N-able on this list because it offers a complete suite of IT services. You can automatically discover and map customer networks, perform patch management, and reduce the risk of data loss with backup and recovery tools.
N-able Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I found valuable are efficient ticket organization, where you can design workflows and routing rules, create agent queues so the right technician handles the ticket, and email customers from the ticket itself. You can also remotely monitor and manage customer IT infrastructure, reducing the need for on-site visits.
Integrations are available natively for Able Ninja, Acronis, Auvik, Barracuda, Cisco Meraki, Datto RMM, and Kaspersky.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable reports
- Protect networks with DNS filtering
- Identify and combat advanced endpoint threats with AI
Cons:
- Workflow automation can be clunky
- Limited support for non-Microsoft environments
SuperOps is a PSA (professional services automation) platform designed for MSPs to help them easily manage clients, projects, and resources all in one place.
Why I picked SuperOps: I like SuperOps’s comprehensiveness. Remote monitoring and management, service catalog, asset management, customizable dashboards, and integrated security solutions — SuperOps has it all. It also has a modern service desk to manage issues and tickets.
SuperOps Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I want to spotlight are its CRM which helps you streamline client management, contract management to simplify invoicing, automated patch management, and rule-based alerts. You can also use its IT documentation features to organize knowledge.
Integrations are available natively for TeamViewer, QuickBooks, Stripe, Hudu, SentinelOne, and Acronis.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Time tracking available
- Runbooks for quicker technician onboarding
- Can do project management and collaboration
Cons:
- Limited mobile app functionality
- Limited integrations
Datto's disaster recovery solutions provide rapid restoration of critical business systems, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuity of operations.
Why I picked Datto RMM: I chose Datto because it provides an all-in-one business continuity solution that simplifies IT resilience. You can choose features like ransomware protection, agentless backup technology, autoverify, and server image backup.
Datto RMM Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I liked are that it takes screenshots to verify backups. It also offers rapid rollbacks, backup insights, endpoint protection, and backup solutions for Windows 7,10, and 11 devices. Its offering, “Datto Workplace,” is a secure enterprise file sync and share solution.
Integrations are native options like ConnectWise, Microsoft 365, Splashtop, Webroot, IT Glue, OpsGenie, and BrightGauge. APIs are available.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can scale to fit any business size
- User-friendly interface
- Offers hybrid cloud options for additional security
Cons:
- Can be difficult to set up initially
- Minimal support for macOS and Linux
The 10 Best MSP Software Summary
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
NinjaOne | Pricing upon request | Website |
Scalefusion | From $2/device/month (billed annually) | Website |
LogicMonitor | Pricing upon request | Website |
Pulseway | From $22/month (for 20 endpoints) | Website |
ConnectWise | From $24/user/month | Website |
Solarwinds | From $19/user/month | Website |
IBM | Pricing upon request | Website |
N-able | Pricing upon request | Website |
SuperOps | From $89/user/month | Website |
Datto | Pricing upon request | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareSelection Criteria For MSP Software
Upon thoughtful evaluation, I have concluded that the following are the most crucial factors to consider when choosing the optimal MSP software.
Core Functionalities
MSP software have to provide the following core functionalities to make it onto my list:
- Allow you to remotely manage your clients' IT infrastructure from a central location
- Enable you to create, track, and manage service requests
- Allow you to track your clients’ hardware and software assets
- Provide you with reporting and analytics capabilities to track KPIs
Key Features
I examined these key features for my best MSP software shortlist:
- Patch management: Involves keeping up with the latest updates for clients' systems, installing them, monitoring their effectiveness, and testing patches before deployment.
- Automatic software updates: Ensures that all devices on a network are running the latest versions of software.
- Network discovery and mapping: Involves identifying devices connected to a network and creating a visual representation of the network.
- Reporting and analytics: Involves tracking the overall system health and performance for improved decision-making.
- Integration with other tools and platforms: Improves productivity and team collaboration.
- Backup and disaster recovery solutions: Keeps your clients’ data secure and available.
Usability
The purpose of MSP software is to ease your IT processes. If it’s too difficult to use its interface, it’s going to be a hassle. That’s why, for this list, I checked for usability factors like customizable workflows and easy-to-navigate interfaces. I validated that it’s easy to find the tools and features you want to use. I also checked if software options that involve complex navigation have extensive documentation, video tutorials, guides, and free demos.
People Also Ask
Here are some FAQs I get asked about MSPs:
What services and benefits do MSPs provide?
What is the difference between an MSP and a regular IT company?
What size businesses benefit from MSPs?
How does MSP software handle data backups and disaster recovery?
Conclusion
MSP software can help you manage your clients more efficiently by automating many daily tasks. This includes everything from monitoring network performance to tracking software licenses and managing requests.
With an MSP solution, you can also reduce the risk of downtime and data loss, as the software can detect and remediate issues automatically. I hope my list of the best MSP software help you find the right solution for your company.
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