The 7 best managed IT services software MSPs can use in 2024

Managed IT services software is used by MSPs to provide remote assistance to clients’ IT infrastructure. The need for these tools continues to rise as more and more organizations outsource their IT support services. Indeed: According to Grand View Research, the managed services market size was estimated at USD 299.01 billion in 2023. It’s expected to grow at a 13.6% annual rate until 2030.

To keep up with the growth and meet the increasing demands of clients, MSPs can utilize managed IT services tools. Here are the seven best options according to our research. 

What is managed IT services software?

Managed IT services software (often called MSP software) manages various IT services for clients. These tools allow MSPs to perform essential IT service tasks, such as remote monitoring and management of hardware and software, incident management, and remote configuration.

Types of managed IT services software

RMM, PSA, backup, and integrated IT management software are the most common managed IT services software.

Let’s look at each of these and their key features.

1. Remote monitoring and management (RMM)

RMM software is commonly used by MSPs to remotely monitor and manage clients’ IT infrastructure, including servers, workstations, networks, and endpoints. These tools often have threshold-based alerts that notify users of any looming incidents. 

The top RMM solutions include built-in automated patch management, which helps keep devices and OS up-to-date.

2. Professional services automation (PSA)

PSA software helps MSPs handle key support activities, such as helpdesk and ticketing, contract management, time tracking, billing, reporting, and analytics. These tools often have advanced IT automation to reduce manual workloads.

3. Backup and disaster recovery (BDR)

Backup and disaster recovery (BDR) software ensures data stays intact in the event of a disaster or system failure. Comprehensive IT management software often includes BDR tools. For example, Atera’s IT management solution features backup and recovery capabilities.

4. Integrated IT management tools

Integrated IT management tools combine various IT services tools—such as RMM, PSA, backup and disaster recovery, remote access, and reporting and analytics—into one. The benefit of these tools is that MSPs don’t have to invest in redundant software to meet their IT support needs.

Atera is a strong example of an integrated IT management tool.

Why do you need managed IT services software?

The key benefits of managed IT services software are 24/7 assistance, cost savings, enhanced security, scalability, and automation of routine tasks.

1. 24/7 monitoring and support to avoid downtime

Downtime is one of the major concerns for IT organizations. In an ITIC report, 57% of small and medium companies said downtime costs them a whopping $100,000 per hour.

Managed IT services software helps prevent downtime by monitoring critical systems 24/7 and identifying potential issues before they escalate into major problems.

2. Cost savings and enhanced security

An IBM Data Breach Report shares that the global average cost of a data breach is $4.88 million. The same report says organizations that use security AI and automation save an average of $2.22 million (compared to those that don’t).

Given statistics like these, it’s safe to say organizations that neglect security risk paying a high price. Managed IT service tools offer AI and automation tools to help achieve similar cost savings and enhance security.

3. Scalability

Whether an organization manages 10 or 10,000 devices, managed IT services software is fully scalable, meaning it’s flexible and can adapt to meet ongoing needs. AI capabilities and automation ensure that a user’s workload doesn’t grow alongside the organization.

4. Automation of routine tasks

Consider this Salesforce report takeaway: 74% of IT and engineering leaders report that process automation has saved their workforce at least 11-30% of their time spent on manual tasks. Another 59% report that those teams have reduced their costs by 11-30%.

Organizations using managed IT services tools can automate routine tasks—such as patch management, ticket management, and backups—to improve productivity and cost savings. 

The 7 best managed IT services software in 2024

Now that we’ve covered the basics of managed IT service software, let’s review the best options. For each solution, we have outlined the tool’s key features and pricing so you can make an informed choice.

1. Atera

Ateta is a managed IT service software for MSPs and IT departments. As an all-in-one solution, it includes all the key IT service features—including RMM, PSA, remote access, patch management, reporting, and analytics. Atera is the first IT management platform to integrate ActionAI™ into its platform and empower technicians to work 10X more efficiently.

For increased functionalities, Atera integrates with various third-party tools.

Features and capabilities

Atera’s key managed IT services tools can be divided into:

• RMM: Monitor client devices in real time and receive alerts of any looming incidents. Turn alerts directly into tickets.
• PSA: Streamline helpdesk and ticketing, contract management, billing, and reporting.
• Remote access: Remotely access client devices for troubleshooting and support without interrupting the user.
• Patch management: Identify, test, and deploy software patches and updates to ensure devices are secure and up to date.
• IT automation: Automate routine tasks like system cleanups, software updates, and maintenance tasks for improved efficiency.
• Network discovery: Automatically scan and identify devices on a client’s network.
• Backup and recovery: Back up critical data from a client’s devices and systems.

Atera powers its platform with ActionAI™ through Atera Copilot, which revolutionizes the way MSPs manage their clients’ IT infrastructures. Atera Copilot’s AI capabilities include automatic remote session summaries, real-time device troubleshooting, instant ticket summaries, and script and command line generation.

User interface and usability

Start your IT management journey with Atera’s free 30-day trial. Upon signing up for the platform, users can immediately onboard client devices and monitor their networks. 

Atera’s admin dashboard

For those who need assistance with the onboarding process, Atera offers 24/7 customer support to all its users. It also provides an extensive knowledge base and active IT community where IT professionals can share best practices and troubleshoot common problems.Using Atera’s IT automation tools is just as easy. Simply set up an IT automation profile and configure the settings to your liking.

Atera IT automation profile

Pricing and value for money

Atera offers transparent per-technician pricing plans tailored for MSPs and IT departments. The MSP pricing plans range from $129 to $209 per month, and the IT department pricing plans range from $149 to $219 per month.

All of Atera’s plans grant users access to its essential IT management tools—including PSA, RMM, remote access, patch management, and IT automation. The pay-per-technician pricing model ensures IT management stays affordable. Most RMM pricing plans are priced per endpoint, which can quickly add up.

Atera G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (640+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on G2:

A G2 user appreciates Atera’s pay-per-technician pricing because they no longer worry about how many endpoints they want to monitor. The reviewer also appreciates Atera’s feature board: Users can upvote and share features they would like to see being implemented. Atera’s 24/7 customer service also receives high praise.

Atera Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (380+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on Capterra:

One Capterra user runs a small MSP that provides IT services to small businesses. In the 15 years he’s been in business, he’s tried several software solutions. They all suffer from the same problem: a steep learning curve. By contrast, Atera’s interface is clean, simple, and effective. The reviewer can perform all the IT service tasks without digging for the tools. From his perspective, “there is no better product on the market.” 

Atera pricing:

 Atera’s pricing plans for IT departments:

• Professional: $149 per month, per technician
• Expert: $169 per month, per technician
• Master: $219 per month, per technician
• Enterprise: Custom quotation. Contact sales for pricing.

Atera’s pricing plans for MSPs:

• Pro: $129 per month, per technician
• Growth: $179 per month, per technician
• Power: $209 per month, per technician
• Superpower (Enterprise): Custom quotation. Contact sales for pricing.

Get started with Atera on a 30-day free trial, no credit card required.2.

Syncro

Syncro is a managed IT services software for small businesses. It includes RMM, MSP, remote access, helpdesk and ticketing, and reporting tools. The main draw for most MSPs is the RMM, which monitors client devices in real time and alerts them to any issues. This product is mostly well received by customers. However, one G2 user complains about the lack of a network scan feature, which makes it difficult to deploy agents on client sites.

Like Atera, Syncro uses transparent pay-per-technician pricing—one of its strong points. Syncro has a mobile app available.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (150+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars (70+ reviews)

Syncro pricing:

• Core: $139 per month, per user
• Team: $189 per month, per user

3. Datto Autotask PSA

Autotask PSA is one of Datto’s products. It’s a managed IT services tool for MSPs and IT departments. It includes a service desk tool to help automate the incident management process. Datto users on G2 use Autotask PSA with Datto RMM and IT Glue to receive notifications on issues and create tickets directly from the alerts.

In addition to integrating with other Datto products, Autotask PSA integrates with 250+ third-party applications. A mobile app is available for managing IT environments on the go.

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 (350+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 (100+ reviews)

Datto Autotask PSA pricing:

• Datto’s pricing is based on a custom quotation. To determine the exact price, schedule a demo.

4. SuperOps

SuperOps integrates various IT service tools into one platform, including RMM, project management, service desk, remote configuration, and IT automation. SuperOps speeds up IT ticketing by automatically identifying, testing, and assigning tickets to the right technicians. Users can also set up scripts to automatically perform tasks such as clearing up storage.

One of SuperOps’ unique points is its pay-per-technician pricing model, which differs from most RMM pricing plans. However, SuperOps also charges extra if a user exceeds their plan’s endpoint limit. This is a drawback compared to competitors like Atera which allow users to add unlimited endpoints.

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (100+ reviews)

Capterra rating: N/A

SuperOps Pricing:

• Standard PSA: $89 per month, per user
• Standard RMM: $109 per month, per user
• Pro: $149 per month, per user
• Super: $179 per month, per user

5. ConnectWise PSA

ConnectWise PSA is a managed IT service software for MSPs. Its key capabilities include a service desk, time tracking and billing automation, project management, and reporting. Users on G2 especially appreciate the service desk tool which helps to respond and keep records of customer support requests.

For more capabilities, ConnectWise PSA can integrate with other ConnectWise products (like ConnectWise Automate for RMM). The downside of this approach is the increased cost. Investing in an all-in-one solution is generally more affordable.

G2 rating: 3.9 out of 5.0 (450+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.1 out of 5.0 (200+ reviews)

ConnectWise PSA pricing:

• ConnectWise doesn’t make its pricing public. To know ConnectWise pricing, request a quote from their team. 

6. ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus is a managed IT service solution primarily used for incident management. The incident management tool includes a service desk that helps to manage and reply to end-user support requests. Users can assign tickets based on technician expertise and use email templates to communicate with end users automatically.

For RMM capabilities, ServiceDesk Plus integrates with ManageEngine RMM Central. But don’t expect much help: G2 users report that ManageEngine lacks adequate technical support.

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 (200+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 (200+ reviews)

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus pricing:

• Standard: Starts from $13 per month, per technician
• Professional: Starts from $27 per month, per technician
• Enterprise: Starts from $67 per month, per technician

7. HaloPSA

HaloPSA is a PSA software for MSPs. Its key capabilities are a service desk, a simple CRM, a customer portal, and billing and contracts. The service desk allows users to manage incidents; it works hand-in-hand with the CRM tool to centralize communication. HaloPSA also offers a problem management feature that performs root cause analysis.

HaloPSA integrates with different RMM solutions, although this comes at an additional cost. When compared to solutions that have both PSA and RMM built-in, the lack of RMM is a considerable disadvantage.

G2 rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars (20+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 stars (20+ reviews)

HaloPSA pricing:

• Starting at $109 per month, per user

Choosing a managed IT services software

Choosing a managed IT services tool takes careful research and attention to detail. To help you with this undertaking, here’s a checklist of questions to ask yourself when exploring solutions.

• What features are critical (e.g., RMM, PSA, and a backup system)?
• What level of automation and AI capabilities does the vendor provide?
• What integrations are available (does it work with your existing tools)?
• What kind of support and training is offered by the company?
• What is a reasonable budget for the managed IT services software?

Gaining insight into these considerations will bring you one step closer to selecting the right tool.
If you’re still unsure where to begin, consider trying Atera. It offers a free 30-day trial that will have you up and running in no time. The all-in-one platform combines all the key IT service tools: RMM, PSA, remote access, and more. Atera provides 24/7 customer support and has many standout features, including its ActionAI™. Finally, its transparent pay-per-technician pricing makes it easy and affordable to continue using the product if you’re happy at the end of your trial.