The best RMM software in 2024 to manage your corporate network

Remote monitoring and management packages (RMM software) provide IT support teams with the tools they need to administer an entire system. Find out which RMM tools are the best.

Thanks to networks and advancements in remote access, it is no longer necessary for a technician to walk around the building with a caddy of disks to set up a new computer or reassign an existing workstation. Support operatives don’t even need to visit a computer to find out what’s wrong with it. Computers can be turned on remotely, accessed for investigations, scanned automatically for problems, and fixed without anyone actually touching them. Help Desk staff can also take control of a company endpoint while the user sits at it and watches the actions of the technician on the screen. 

Here is our list of the best RMM software packages:

1. NinjaOne RMM (FREE TRIAL): A SaaS platform that manages workstations and servers running Windows, macOS, and Linux and mobile devices running iOS and Android. Access a 14-day free trial.
2. Syncro (FREE TRIAL): This cloud platform offers a bundle of PSA, RMM, and remote access tools for use by managed service providers with unlimited endpoints. Start a 14-day free trial.
3. Barracuda RMM (FREE TRIAL): Designed for MSPs, this cloud-based system focuses on security monitoring for client endpoints and networks. Start a 21-day free trial.
4. N-able N-sight RMM (FREE TRIAL): This SaaS package includes a ticketing system and a user self-service portal and offers a suite of automated monitoring tools, patching, and remote access. Start a 30-day free trial.
5. ManageEngine RMM Central (FREE TRIAL): This software package provides system discovery and documentation, automated monitoring, patch management, remote control, and mobile device management for use by managed service providers. Available for installation on Windows Server, AWS, and Azure. Get a 30-day free trial.
6. Site24x7 MSP Edition (FREE TRIAL): This cloud-based SaaS package includes full-stack observability and system management tools that covers cloud platforms as well as on-premises systems. Start a 30-day free trial.

Centralizing IT support

RMM software makes a huge difference in the field of system support. Not only do the Service Desk team not need to walk around the building anymore, they don’t even have to be in the same building. This innovation has enabled large, multi-site companies to centralize IT support in one office, from where all sites in the world can be managed. 

Taking the RMM revolution one step further, support technicians don’t even need to be working for the company that owns all of the IT assets under management. This has launched an entire industry of managed service providers (MSPs). By serving multiple clients simultaneously with one team, an MSP can cut costs and bid for contracts at a price that is lower than any business’s in-house support staff can compete with. 

Alerts and automation

Getting all of the traditional tasks of running an IT system performed as an outsourced service that looks after many sites requires a change in working practices. Automation in RMM packages removes much of the time-consuming work that technicians used to rack up billing hours. Monitoring systems that raise alerts if they encounter system problems can be left alone. It can be assumed that everything is running well unless a notification arises. Thus, time and money are saved and the MSP using that automated package can cut its prices and win more business.

Many system maintenance tasks can also be automated, cutting costs further. RMM packages often provide schedulers that will automatically update software, clear out temporary files, and remove unauthorized software packages without any human intervention. 

RMM software quickly repays its cost, so if you don’t already use this type of package, maybe you should get on board with the technology. Let’s take a look at this type of software and examine which of the leading packages are worth shortlisting.

The best RMM software

There are many RMM platforms available but not all of them are any good. So, we first drew up a list of criteria to decide which RMM systems are worth considering.

Our methodology for selecting RMM software and tools

We reviewed the market for RMM software and assessed the contenders with the following selection criteria:

• A single console that provides access to all of the tools in the RMM package
• A system discovery routine that sets up hardware and software inventories
• A full stack observability module that automatically monitors all IT assets
• Automated monitoring with alerts for system problems
• A task scheduler that will run patching and system maintenance scripts
• Nice to have an automated ticketing system that will allocate tasks to each technician
• A free trial or demo that enables a tool to be assessed before paying
• A reasonable price that represents good value for money considering the services that the package provides

We made sure to identify a range of service options, given that our readership includes administrators working for businesses of all sizes. We also made sure to include both cloud-based SaaS platforms and on-premises software packages. 

You can read details on each of these packages in the following sections.

1. NinjaOne RMM (FREE TRIAL)

NinjaOne RMM is a SaaS platform that provides a ticketing system in addition to a technician console of administration tools. This package provides an automated discovery routine, continuous performance scanning, patch management, and optional data backup. The discovery service begins by installing an agent on the enrolled network. The scan creates hardware and software inventories and it rescans repeatedly, keeping the inventories up to date.

Key features:

• Autodiscovery: Creates hardware and software inventories
• Automated monitoring: Full stack observability
• Alerts for system problems: Identifies device faults, performance drops, and resource shortages
• Task automation: Includes device onboarding and software installation

Why do we recommend it?

NinjaOne RMM is a package of tools with variations that are designed to suit IT departments and managed service providers. The core package can be enhanced by a series of add-ons, which include a choice of third-party remote access tools, a data backup service, and endpoint security. 

Services in the platform include a mobile device management package that will patch device OSs and apps and implement automated device tracking. The MDM manages devices running iOS and Android. The endpoint monitoring and management package can reach out to workstations and servers running Windows, macOS, and Linux. Computer management features include endpoint task automation, such as patching for operating systems and third-party software.

Optional services include a choice of remote access tools that give you remote operating system access, remote desktop, and remote control. The technician can also start up, reboot, and shut down unattended devices.

A user portal lets end users raise support requests. The interface also provides a knowledge base template. The assistance request mechanism generates a ticket that automatically flows through the team management system to get allocated to a particular technician. Tickets get queued on a technician console, allowing each team member to have multiple issues open simultaneously. The team manager console provides timings and warnings for tasks that take too long to resolve. The manager can manually reroute tickets and also merge or split them. 

Who is it recommended for?

This SaaS package is suitable for use by managed service providers and IT departments. The full bundle offers automated security scanning as well as performance monitoring. The system enhances technician productivity through task automation. The ticketing system in the package creates an automated team management service. Web-based consoles can unify a geographically dispersed support team.

This system automates the monitoring and management of on-premises systems, including virtualizations, such as Hyper-V and VMware. Its ticketing system is a useful team management tool and provides an efficient communication channel between users and technicians. Get a 30-day free trial.

2. Syncro (FREE TRIAL)

 

Syncro is a bundle of systems for managed service providers. The modules in the package include a self-service portal for users and a ticketing system for service requests and team management. The RMM tools offer automated system discovery, full-stack monitoring, a billing unit, and task automation scripts. 

Key features:

• Full stack observability: Monitoring for network devices, workstations, servers, and software
• Software management: Software deployment, license management, and patching
• Brandable interfaces: All the parts of the system that clients can see can have your MSP logo added to them

Why do we recommend it?

Syncro provides a convenient combination of RMM tools with PSA systems. “PSA” stands for "professional services automation” and it refers to the software that MSPs need to run their operations. Features in the PSA system include contract and SLA management plus a billing unit and even a payment processing service. The Syncro bundle also includes a license for the Splashtop remote desktop package. 

This package will monitor endpoints running Windows and macOS and it will patch computers running Windows – it patches the software running on those computers as well. A weakness in the bundle is that it doesn’t provide monitoring or management routines for computers running Linux.

Who is it recommended for?

This is a great package for any size of MSP thanks to its per-technician pricing. Even independent contractors would find Syncro accessible. The platform is hosted in the cloud and allows the creation of sub-accounts for each MSP client. Communication with the client’s users is eased by a self-service portal, which can be branded.

Assess the Syncro package with a 14-day free trial.

3. Barracuda RMM (FREE TRIAL)

The Barracuda RMM package is a little different from the other bundles on this list because it focuses on system security rather than performance. When you enroll a client, the system downloads an agent onto the site and scans it to compile an asset inventory. The service manages security for networks and endpoints. It includes maintenance task automation scripts to enhance performance.  

Key features:

• Asset discovery: Creates and manages hardware and software
• Designed for MSPs: Multi-tenanted, brandable interfaces and reports
• Security scanning: Check the systems of new and prospective clients to build security improvement recommendations

Why do we recommend it?

Barracuda RMM is a package that provides security scanning for the systems of the clients of MSPs. The bundle includes a vulnerability scanner that identifies misconfigurations and out-of-date software. Automation scripts fix system settings and patching makes software secure. The package includes service plan templates that help you build proposals for new business.

While security services are the core attraction of this platform, it will provide continuous performance tracking as well – mainly looking for system failures. The scans will raise alerts if they discover issues and that removes the need for technicians to watch the monitoring console – improving productivity.

Who is it recommended for?

This package is suitable for any MSP that wants to branch out into becoming a managed security service provider. The automated monitoring services also provide performance monitoring, although that isn’t the main focus of the platform’s purpose. Task automation scripts enable technicians to efficiently maintain the security of MSP clients. 

The Barracuda platform is built up of many units. You can experience the Barracuda RMM unit with a 21-day free trial.

4. N-able N-sight RMM (FREE TRIAL)

 

N-able N-sight RMM is a package of tools that are designed for use by managed service providers. The bundle includes a user self-service portal, ticketing and billing systems, automated discovery and inventory tracking, plus monitoring and management functions.

Key features:

• System discovery: Creates and maintains hardware and software inventories
• Automated monitoring: Watches over endpoints running Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS
• Software management: Provisioning and patching

Why do we recommend it?

N-able N-sight RMM is a comprehensive cloud-based package that monitors workstations, servers, mobile devices, and cloud platforms. The system automates software management and that extends to the SaaS packages of Microsoft 365, Intune, and Azure. Ticketing and billing help with MSP management functions and remote access, remote desktop, and remote desktop services that include test and voice chat features.  

N-able calculates that its N-sight RMM package empowers each technician to manage 100 nodes. A subscription is calculated per technician as well as one support team member account, each unit includes a license for the remote access system and a three-user license for the ticketing and billing system. The bundle also provides a library of task automation scripts.  

Who is it recommended for?

Per-technician pricing makes this system scalable and suitable for MSPs of all sizes even down to independent technicians operating on a support contract. The account is multi-tenanted, which keeps the data of MSP clients separate. A Web-based user self-service portal is included in the package.

N-able N-sight is available for a 30-day free trial.

5. ManageEngine RMM Central (FREE TRIAL)

ManageEngine RMM Central is a large package of tools that extends beyond the functions offered by most remote monitoring and management bundles. Notably, this system offers a mobile device management module that includes onboarding automation and company asset security. 

Key features:

• A software package: Can be installed on Windows Server or accessed on AWS or Azure Marketplace
• Asset discovery: Generates hardware and software inventories
• Automated monitoring: Tracks the performance of networks, servers, virtualizations, and software
• Alerts for performance problems: Forwarded as notification by email, SMS, or Slack
• Software management: License management and automated patching 

Why do we recommend it?

ManageEngine RMM Central is a good choice for businesses that have workstations, servers, and mobile devices to look after. The package protects content and applications as they are sent out to mobile devices so that they can not be intercepted in transit and are kept apart from the device’s operating system. This also facilitates the safety of user-owned devices used for business purposes. 

The package is specifically aimed at managed service providers. In-house tech support teams are offered Endpoint Central by ManageEngine instead. This system is the only downloadable software package on this list – all the rest are SaaS platforms. If you want a cloud-based system, you can run this package on AWS or Azure. That option still isn’t a SaaS package, however, because you are responsible for maintaining the software and need to pay for the virtual server separately. 

The console for this package provides tools for use by technicians, with a feature that enables the user to switch between tasks without having to shut down one process to start another. Thus, a technician can be working on a remote endpoint, receive an alert about the network, switch to the network monitoring screen, and keep the endpoint remote session open.

The remote access system enables operating system access, desktop access, and remote control. The remote access and remote desktop features are intended for unattended access and the package allows the technician to start up, reboot, and shut down the endpoint. In the remote control scenario, the endpoint’s user can watch the actions of the technician. This is a useful option for educating users on how to use a software package or feature on the workstation.   

ManageEngine RMM Central provides monitoring and management features for mobile devices as well as workstations and servers. This package will create hardware and software inventories through a system scan. This discovery process repeats continuously, keeping the inventories up to date. The services of the package extend to automated monitoring for networks, virtualizations, endpoints, and software. The tool includes task automation that squeezes extra value from expensive technician staff. The bundle provides efficiency and cost savings, enabling an MSP to competitively price its bids for contracts. 

Who is it recommended for?

This package is marketed to managed service providers. There is a Free edition that allows the management of up to 25 workstations and five servers. So, the system is suitable for a single freelance technician, working on a contract to support one or two small businesses. The paid version is called the Enterprise edition and it is suitable for mid-sized to very large MSPs.

The Endpoint Central software runs on Windows Server, AWS, and Azure but it will monitor office endpoints running Windows, macOS, and Linux and mobile devices running iOS and Android. ManageEngine offers a 30-day free trial of the Enterprise edition.

6. Site24x7 MSP Edition (FREE TRIAL)

The Site24x7 cloud platform hosts a menu of system monitoring and management modules and these are marketed in packages that include just about all modules. The Site24x7 MSP Edition is one of those packages. The services of Site24x7 are much stronger at system monitoring than management functions. For example, this package doesn’t provide a patch manager.  

Key features:

• Network monitoring: Device health checks and traffic analysis
• Server and application monitoring: Physical, virtual, and cloud servers plus the software that runs on them 
• Automated monitoring: Alerts for system performance problems

Why do we recommend it?

Site24x7 MSP Edition is a cloud-based system that provides extensive monitoring services and some management functions, such as log management. The Site24x7 platform has a Network Configuration Manager unit but this isn’t included with the MSP Edition and it isn’t available as an add-on. Subscribers to the edition get a multi-tenanted architecture that keeps the data of clients separate on the Site24x7 cloud server. 

Site24x7 was created by the team behind ManageEngine. When monitoring tools were being moved to the cloud, Zoho, the ManageEngine parent company, decided to implement its cloud version as a separate brand. This is why few ManageEngine tools have a SaaS version and no on-premises hosting version of Site24x7 systems. 

Who is it recommended for?

The MSP Edition is specifically designed for use by managed service providers. Site24x7 produces a large number of bundles that are all almost the same but the distinctive feature of this edition is its multi-tenanted architecture – an architecture that in-house IT support teams don’t need. 

The Site24x7 platform provides autodiscovery, inventory management, and automated monitoring services. The only management service in the package is its Log Management module, so this is more of an RM than an RMM. However, the platform implements system monitoring very competently. The package is available for a 30-day free trial.