Choosing the right Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) platform can significantly impact the efficiency and scalability of your Managed Service Provider (MSP) or IT department. NinjaRMM and ConnectWise Automate are two popular RMM solutions, but they cater to different audiences and offer distinct features and capabilities. If you’re deciding between NinjaRMM and ConnectWise Automate, understanding their differences, strengths, and weaknesses will help you make the best choice for your organization.
NinjaRMM vs. ConnectWise Automate: Comprehensive Comparison
1. Target Audience and Use Cases
NinjaRMM:
NinjaRMM is designed for MSPs and IT departments looking for a simple, intuitive, and reliable RMM solution. It is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized MSPs that want an easy-to-deploy platform with a minimal learning curve. NinjaRMM emphasizes ease of use, modern design, and efficient monitoring, patch management, and remote support. It’s ideal for teams that value a user-friendly interface and quick deployment over deep customization and complexity.
ConnectWise Automate:
ConnectWise Automate (formerly LabTech) is a more advanced and customizable RMM platform that targets larger MSPs and IT teams who need granular control, deep automation, and scripting capabilities. Automate is known for its powerful automation engine, which allows for extensive customization and scripting to manage large, complex environments. However, this power comes with a steeper learning curve, making it more suitable for experienced MSPs or those willing to invest the time to master its features.
2. Ease of Use and User Interface
NinjaRMM:
NinjaRMM is widely praised for its clean, modern, and user-friendly interface. The dashboard is intuitive, making it easy for new users to get up to speed quickly. The platform focuses on simplicity and efficiency, allowing technicians to perform tasks like remote access, patch management, and monitoring with minimal clicks. For MSPs that want to minimize training time and simplify daily operations, NinjaRMM is a strong choice.
ConnectWise Automate:
ConnectWise Automate offers a more complex interface with a steep learning curve. It’s highly customizable, but the complexity can be daunting for new users. The platform’s interface is dated and can be overwhelming with its numerous menus, options, and customization capabilities. However, for advanced users who want fine-grained control and the ability to automate virtually any task, Automate’s interface provides unparalleled flexibility.
3. Features and Capabilities
Both platforms offer comprehensive RMM functionalities, but their feature sets cater to different needs:
| Feature | NinjaRMM | ConnectWise Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Patch Management | Streamlined and user-friendly with straightforward scheduling options. | Highly customizable with granular control over patching policies and deployment. |
| Remote Access | Integrated with TeamViewer or Splashtop for fast and easy remote access. | Built-in ScreenConnect (ConnectWise Control) for remote support, with deep integration. |
| Monitoring and Alerts | Advanced monitoring with customizable alerts and notifications. | Extremely detailed monitoring with the ability to create custom scripts and alerts. |
| Automation and Scripting | Basic to advanced automation capabilities with a library of pre-built scripts. | Advanced automation and scripting with deep PowerShell and VBScript support. |
| Integration with PSA | Integrates with third-party PSA tools like ConnectWise Manage, Autotask, etc. | Fully integrated with the ConnectWise ecosystem, including Manage and Sell. |
| Reporting and Analytics | Offers a range of customizable, easy-to-understand reports. | Extensive and customizable reporting capabilities with deep data insights. |
4. Automation and Scripting
NinjaRMM:
While NinjaRMM offers good automation capabilities, it is more focused on ease of use. It provides a library of pre-built scripts that can handle common tasks, as well as the ability to create custom scripts. However, its automation is more geared towards MSPs looking for straightforward, out-of-the-box solutions rather than highly customized workflows.
ConnectWise Automate:
This is where ConnectWise Automate shines. It offers extremely powerful automation and scripting capabilities, allowing users to automate virtually any task using PowerShell, VBScript, and custom scripts. The platform also features Automate Scripting Engine and Automated Workflows, enabling MSPs to build complex automated processes tailored to specific needs. For those who want deep automation and control, Automate is unmatched.
5. Integration and Ecosystem
Both platforms integrate well with other tools, but they have different approaches and ecosystems:
- NinjaRMM:
Integrates with a variety of popular third-party tools such as ConnectWise Manage, Autotask PSA, IT Glue, Webroot, Bitdefender, and Splashtop. This makes it a flexible choice for MSPs that prefer a mix-and-match approach to their IT stack. The integrations are generally easy to configure and provide seamless workflows. - ConnectWise Automate:
ConnectWise Automate is deeply integrated into the ConnectWise ecosystem, including Manage (PSA), Sell (quoting), Control (remote support), and ITBoost (documentation). This makes it a compelling choice for MSPs already invested in ConnectWise products or those looking for a tightly integrated, all-in-one IT management suite. However, Automate can also integrate with third-party tools, but the emphasis is on creating a unified ConnectWise environment.
6. Support and Community
Support and community resources can greatly impact your experience with an RMM tool.
- NinjaRMM:
NinjaRMM is known for its responsive and helpful support team. They offer 24/7 support, a comprehensive knowledge base, and an active community forum. NinjaRMM is also praised for its customer-centric approach, with frequent updates based on user feedback and needs. The onboarding process is straightforward, and training resources are readily available. - ConnectWise Automate:
Support for Automate is often considered less consistent, with some users reporting long response times or challenges in resolving complex issues. However, ConnectWise has a vast community, detailed documentation, and extensive online resources. For users who are comfortable diving deep into forums, webinars, and user groups, there is a wealth of knowledge available.
7. Pricing and Licensing
Pricing models can be a key factor in choosing between NinjaRMM and ConnectWise Automate.
- NinjaRMM:
Pricing is typically device-based and is known for being transparent and straightforward. This model is more predictable and scales as your business grows. NinjaRMM offers flexible pricing that allows you to add or remove features based on your needs, which can help manage costs effectively. - ConnectWise Automate:
The pricing model is generally per-user or per-agent, and it can be more complex and costly, particularly when you factor in the need for professional services, extensive training, or add-ons to unlock full capabilities. Automate is typically seen as a higher upfront investment but may offer greater value for MSPs that leverage its full potential through deep automation and customization.
8. Pros and Cons Recap
NinjaRMM Pros:
- Clean, modern, and intuitive interface with quick deployment.
- Strong third-party integrations with popular tools.
- User-friendly automation and scripting capabilities.
- Transparent pricing model with flexible options.
NinjaRMM Cons:
- Less powerful automation compared to ConnectWise Automate.
- Limited deep customization for larger, more complex environments.
ConnectWise Automate Pros:
- Extremely powerful automation, scripting, and customization options.
- Deep integration with the ConnectWise ecosystem.
- Extensive monitoring, alerting, and reporting capabilities.
- Highly scalable for large, complex MSP environments.
ConnectWise Automate Cons:
- Steep learning curve and more challenging to set up.
- Dated interface that can feel overwhelming for new users.
- Potentially higher costs due to complexity and required add-ons.
9. Conclusion: Which RMM Platform Should You Choose?
Choosing between NinjaRMM and ConnectWise Automate depends largely on your business size, technical expertise, and specific needs for automation and customization:
- Choose NinjaRMM if you need a simple, user-friendly RMM solution that is easy to deploy and manage. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized MSPs looking for an intuitive platform with strong support, reliable monitoring, and effective automation without extensive customization needs.
- Opt for ConnectWise Automate if you require a highly customizable RMM platform with deep automation and scripting capabilities. It’s perfect for larger MSPs or IT departments that want to leverage extensive automation, integrate deeply with the ConnectWise ecosystem, and have the expertise to manage a complex platform.
Both NinjaRMM and ConnectWise Automate are powerful tools in their own right, catering to different audiences and needs. Your choice should align with your operational goals, technical capabilities, and long-term vision for your MSP or IT department.