Top 6 SysAdmin Tools to Boost IT Productivity

For system administrators, it’s crucial that your IT environment runs smoothly, limiting downtime and boosting the productivity of your whole team. That is where sysadmin tools come into play. These tools often involve automation and streamlining capabilities that make it easier to fully understand and monitor your inventory of IT assets. 

However, with different categories of sysadmin tools, it can be challenging to figure out which tool best suits your company’s needs. Are you looking for an all-in-one solution or a tool focused on one particular goal? And how do you know which tools are reliable and cost-effective? In this article, we will cover the best sysadmin tools of 2024 to help you make an informed decision. 

What are sysadmin tools? 

Sysadmin is a shortened version of “system administrator.” System administrator tools cover a number of different functions, including endpoint monitoring and management, software and patch management, IT asset management, service desk, remote access, cloud backup, network monitoring, and endpoint detection. In combination, these tools make it easier for IT administrators to manage their environment and ensure everything is running smoothly.

Common types of sysadmin tools

Under the wider umbrella of IT administrator tools, there are a variety of different subcategories of tools that serve different purposes. Most highly-rated IT tools (i.e. software) today offer solutions to more than one of these IT needs. The most common types of system admin tools include; 

• Remote monitoring
• Configuration management
• Backup and recovery
• Log management 
• Remote management and access
• Security Tools
• Virtualization and containerization 
• Automation and scripting 
• Patch management
• Network management 
• Data management
• User and identify management

Benefits of effective sysadmin tools

But in reality, why should you bother investing in effective system admin tools? Well, it’s really simple. An IT environment is only as effective as their IT tools allow them to be. So if IT efficiency is important to you and your organization, here are a few of the reasons you’ll want to make sure you’re using the right sysadmin tools.

• Proactive issue response
• Upgraded network security
• Easier system management
• Cost savings

The 6 best sysadmin tools of 2024

Now that you have a better understanding of the different categories and benefits of sysadmin tools, let’s take a look at some of the top contenders on the market in 2024… 

1. Atera

Image via Atera

Atera is a one-of-a-kind tool for IT admins to maximize functionality while minimizing product purchases and your IT budget. Our all-in-one IT management platform allows for endpoint monitoring (think router, server, workstation, device, and printer monitoring), automated patch management, comprehensive help desk solutions, and more. 

Atera is also the first IT management solution to integrate AI into its platform. With AI-powered capabilities, we have been able to improve virtually all aspects of IT system management. Our ticketing platform can even resolve some tickets on its own, and AI helps boost security with real-time monitoring and insights that prevent issues before they occur. 

We even have a variety of third-party integrations to further add to our functionality without forcing users to purchase numerous other software platforms. For instance, AnyDesk, Splashtop, Cynet, and so many more integrations are included with our base plan. 

We also integrate seamlessly with fantastic IT tools that elevate Atera’s RMM capabilities, like backup and recovery tools that help in disaster prevention and management. 

Features and capabilities

Atera offers PSA, patch management, RMM, network discovery, security solutions, and so much more. Plus, our advanced AI capabilities streamline operations, helping you keep your network safer, more efficient, and more effective than ever. 

For example, our expansive scripting capabilities and PowerShell scripting suggestions allow you to automate mundane and repetitive tasks like software updates, which enhances your network security. 

Our best-in-class network discovery solutions enable you to gain a complete picture of your digital and physical IT assets. Our PSA tools are robust, including items like help desk, ticketing, and countless integrations. And as we mentioned before, our ticketing system is better than ever with those same AI enhancements that allow you to work smarter, not harder. 

And through Atera’s many security-based integrations, you can make sure that your IT network (or your clients’ networks) remain secure 24/7. For example, you can seamlessly use Atera with Emsisoft to efficiently protect devices under your control from viruses and malware. Our security integrations are also constantly growing as we discover new ways to help you shield your IT environment from intruders.

User interface and usability

For anyone seeking a standout product in terms of user interface and usability, Atera cannot be topped. Across the board, our users find Atera easy to use, quick to learn, and intuitive. For example, take a look at our comprehensive dashboard, pictured below. It is easy to find at-a-glance overviews of all kinds of information.

Atera’s all-in-one dashboard

(Image via Atera)

Pricing and value for money

At Atera, we are committed to transparent pricing. We want all of our users to fully understand the value you are getting for your dollar – plus, as you complete due diligence and vet different sysadmin software options, we want to give you the full picture upfront. It makes your life easier… and that is ultimately our goal. 

Our pay-per-technician pricing structure is unique in the IT software market. Plans for managed service providers (MSPs) start at $129 per month per technician. For in-house IT teams, plans start at $149 per month per technician. Plus, you don’t need to stress about constant upcharges to achieve full functionality. Key integrations like Splashtop and Azure are included in that price. 

User feedback and reviews

See what users from trusted feedback platforms like G2 and Capterra are saying about Atera. 

Atera’s G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (620 reviews)

What G2 users are saying: Atera users on G2 love the platform’s streamlined infrastructure and have complemented the ticketing capabilities, AI integrations, and comprehensive RMM features. Many users have also commented on the pricing, with one person saying “LOVE that Atera is per technician pricing. No need to worry about how many endpoints or nodes you want to monitor or maintain! Add everything, monitor everything!”

Atera’s Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (380 reviews)

What Capterra users are saying: Capterra users reviewing Atera love the automated patch management, the cloud-based platform, our transparent pricing, and the high levels of customer support. Here is one user’s take: “Atera is overall a productive tool which has saved a lot of time for my business by providing on-time resolution.”

Get started using Atera with a 30-day free trial – no credit card required.

2. Zluri

Image via Zluri

Zluri is an advanced SaaS management platform that is custom-built for IT teams. As a sysadmin product, it functions as a central control center, allowing users to optimize SaaS applications across the organization. The core objective of Zluri is to boost efficiency by eradicating things like unused licenses, redundant applications, and neglected apps. 

Unlike Atera, however, Zluri does not have a comprehensive suite of native features. While users appreciate Zluri’s ability to declutter a SaaS space, many on platforms like G2 and Capterra have commented on the platform’s limited use cases.  

Zluri’s G2 rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (145 reviews)

Zluri’s Capterra rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars (24 reviews)

Pricing: Unfortunately, Zluri is not committed to transparent pricing. In order to find out how much your organization will need to pay for Zluri, you will have to get a custom quote. This makes it difficult to make an informed choice about the right sysadmin tools for your team. 

3. Lansweeper

Image via Lansweeper

Lansweeper is an IT asset discovery software focused on helping IT teams increase visibility, improve efficiency, minimize risks, and cut costs. Lansweeper’s target focus on asset discovery has been well-received by users. However, when you compare Lansweeper vs Atera you can see that Atera offers more in terms of features, increased functionality, and a lower barrier to entry due to our short setup times and intuitive dashboards. 

Reviewers on platforms like G2 and Capterra have commented that they like the platform’s asset discovery capabilities, and some have even enjoyed their help desk offerings. One of the biggest complaints, on the other hand, is that the platform is not intuitive and takes a lot of work to get up and running. 

Lansweeper’s G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (57 reviews)

Lansweeper’s Capterra rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (62 reviews)

Pricing: Lansweeper has a free option that can work for homes or small businesses with fewer than 100 assets. However, for mid-market and larger customers, pricing begins at $219 per month and the “Pro” plan is priced at $399 per month. Enterprise users need a custom quote. 

4. ServiceNow

Image via ServiceNow

ServiceNow is an IT service management solution designed to help IT organizations facilitate collaboration, manage incidents, and boost productivity. ServiceNow has been expanding its AI offerings to build a strong AI-powered help desk suite. Features include change and release management, knowledge management, and predictive intelligence. 

Wondering what ServiceNow users are saying? Reviewers on platforms like Capterra and G2 have shared that they like the platform’s help desk tools and the integrations offered. However, many felt that ServiceNow has a steep learning curve and can be difficult to navigate. 

ServiceNow’s G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (249 reviews)

ServiceNow’s Capterra rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (2,076 reviews)

Pricing: Unfortunately, ServiceNow is not committed to transparent pricing. In order to find out how much your organization will need to pay for ServiceNow, you will have to get a custom quote. Plus, you may have to combine services to make a custom package, which can result in a hefty monthly bill. This makes it difficult to make an informed choice about the right sysadmin tools for your team. 

For more info, check out our in-depth comparison of Atera vs ServiceNow.

5. SolarWinds

SolarWinds is another sysadmin tool that mainly serves as a network management software for IT professionals. Their main features include network performance monitoring, server andevice monitoring, along with a alerting system, which allows sysadmins to get in front of potential issues and maintain system uptime within their networks.

Image via SolarWinds

While users on platforms like G2 and Capterra appreciate SolarWinds specifically for its support desk implementation, many have noted that the platform lacks in features when it comes to other IT department needs like RMM, MDM, and cybersecurity. And others have shared that their pricing model can be challenging for smaller businesses, considering the lack of features. 

SolarWinds’ G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars (725 reviews)

SolarWinds’ Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (572 reviews)

Pricing: SolarWinds pricing appears to be transparent, with plans ranging from $39-$99 per month, per technician. However, this monthly price only includes the Service Desk, and if you’re an MSP that’s looking to remotely monitor and manage endpoints within client networks, you’ll need to get a custom quote from the sales team. 

We also have a blog post comparing Atera vs SolarWinds, if you want to learn more.

6. ManageEngine

ManageEngine is a full-service IT management solution that gives sysadmins the tools they need for network monitoring, server monitoring, and performance management. ManageEngine is one of the few platforms out there that is a full-service IT management platform for everything from A to Z when it comes to IT, similar to Atera.

However, the downside is that each of their features is packaged separately, and thus can get very expensive when it’s all said and done.

Image via ManageEngine

Users on review sites like G2 and Capterra praise ManageEngine for its user-friendly interface and the breadth of features available in the platform. But some users are expressing concerns about scalability using ManageEngine and the difficulty of customization to accommodate more complex network environments.

ManageEngine OpManager’s G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (803 reviews)

ManageEngine OpManager’s Capterra rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (868 reviews)

Pricing: As mentioned, ManageEngine isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather an a la carte  IT software. They offer a series of sub-products, e.g. EndpointCentral, Site24x7, Mobile Device, OpManager, and literally dozens more. 

That’s why providing pricing information for ManageEngine can get very complicated due to the variability, depending on your needs. For this reason, many of our customers at Atera prefer our transparent pricing model starting at just $129/month. 

Check out our guide to Atera vs ManageEngine for a more detailed comparison.

Find the Best sysadmin Tools for Your IT Organization

Choosing the best sysadmin tools for your team can feel like a challenge, especially with so many options on the market. Hopefully, this guide has helped you learn more about some of the top contenders available today. 

Ultimately, Atera comes out on top of the best sysadmin tools according to most trusted review sites. With all-in-one RMM capabilities, countless features, helpful built-in integrations, and transparent pricing, our platform gives you all that you need in one intuitive place. That said, we encourage you to conduct thorough research about the sysadmin products you are considering. Reach out to sales teams and consider signing up for a trial with the tools that make the most sense. At Atera, we make it easy to fall in love with our product with a risk-free, 30-day trial – you don’t even have to give us a credit card! Talk to our sales team today.