The SolarWinds Alternatives IT Pros are Switching to in 2024

The IT management market is saturated with different options, making it challenging for customers to find a suitable software solution. Some tools focus on specific aspects of IT management, while others cover all IT organizations’ needs in one package.

SolarWinds is a trusted IT service management solution for IT teams, but it doesn’t fit the bill for all users. To help you make the best decision for you and your organization, here’s an overview of SolarWinds’ strengths and limitations, as well as the top 11 alternatives for an IT management solution.

What is SolarWinds?

SolarWinds offers a suite of tools for IT professionals to manage their IT environments. One of its main products, SolarWinds Service Desk, includes a service desk for handling and resolving service requests, an asset management solution for managing IT assets, and an incident management tool for resolving problems.

Why look for a SolarWinds alternative?

We deep-dived into customer review platforms such as G2, Capterra, and Gartner. Our search taught us that SolarWinds’s limitations include its lack of advanced features, a steep learning curve, and mixed reporting capabilities. Let’s look into each of these in more detail.

1. Lacks more advanced features

One Gartner user reports that SolarWinds is a suitable entry-level IT service management solution, but doesn’t offer the advanced features many IT teams may need. If you’re an MSP or work in an IT department with more complex workflows, this lack of advanced features can seriously disrupt your workflow.

2. Steep learning curve

SolarWinds lacks an intuitive user interface, causing several Capterra users to complain that it’s difficult to learn. A clunky user interface can also make it hard to find specific features quickly, reducing an IT staff’s effectiveness. This steep learning curve can be a major disadvantage, especially for new users to ITSM platforms.

3. Reporting capabilities are lacking

SolarWinds users on G2 report subpar reporting capabilities; they cite a long wait time to get useful data. Another G2 user points out the reporting they do receive is so complex that they require third-party software. These complications can be a major deal breaker for IT departments and MSPs who rely on reports to demonstrate value to clients or stakeholders.

What are SolarWinds’ strengths?

SolarWinds has several advantages, including its service desk system and reliable customer service. Let’s look into those strengths in more detail.

1. Effective service desk system

While this isn’t a standout feature per se—most alternatives offer similar functionality— SolarWinds users on Capterra appreciate the available service desk system. It assists users in addressing and resolving issues, and IT staff can generate detailed user-specific support tickets.

2. Reliable customer support

SolarWinds offers a 24/7 live chat option that allows customers to get help whenever they need it. (NB: Atera and other competitors also share this capability.) SolarWinds also offers self-help documentation, such as an academy and webinars, for customers who want it.

SolarWinds pros and cons: Takeaways

According to customer reviews, the pros and cons of SolarWinds are as follows.

The pros:

• Good helpdesk and ticketing capabilities for addressing and resolving issues
• Reliable 24/7 live chat customer support

The cons:

• SolarWinds lacks the more advanced features many IT teams may require
• Has a steep learning curve due to the complicated user interface
• The available reporting capabilities are lacking

11 best SolarWinds alternatives for IT management in 2024

Let’s now review the best SolarWinds alternatives for IT management. We’ll explore each

alternatives key features, pros and cons, and pricing so you can make a more informed decision on the solution that’s right for you.

1. Atera

Atera vs. SolarWinds: Key differences

Atera’s all-in-one IT management platform includes remote monitoring and management (RMM), patch management, IT ticketing, PSA, Network discovery, and integrations with third-party software. SolarWinds focuses on features such as IT service management, service desk, asset management, incident management, and IT security.

Atera and SolarWinds both provide industry-leading customer support through 24/7 live chat, extensive knowledge bases, webinars, and customer communities. SolarWinds offers a broad community that covers all its products, while Atera offers a dedicated forum for IT professionals to discuss best practices and troubleshoot issues.

Atera is commonly known as one of the most user-friendly IT management solutions. SolarWinds doesn’t share in that strength, as many customers cite complications with the user interface.

Features and capabilities

Atera provides all-in-one IT management features for IT departments and MSPs. SolarWinds caters to small businesses and enterprise clients through IT asset management and service desk capabilities. SolarWinds’ diversity may appeal to some users; however, the majority of users prefer a streamlined toolset like Atera’s.

Atera’s AI capabilities are one of its core features, improving almost every aspect of an IT organization’s workflow. For example, Atera’s AI script generator corrects script issues such as poor device performance or application crashes. Users simply need to write instructions for the tool to automatically generate the script.

Atera’s AI script generator

SolarWinds also has built-in AI capabilities, but these are limited to AI-generated responses from the service desk. Atera’s AI capabilities include this and more, such as the AI script generator, command generator, AI ticketing, and real-time AI suggestions for troubleshooting IT issues.

User interface and usability

Among all IT management platforms, Atera is well known for its intuitive user interface. (It even won a G2 award for ease of use and implementation.) From the ground up, Atera’s dashboard and interfaces are designed to be intuitive and easy to use. New users can be up and running within minutes of signing up.

Reviews for SolarWinds’ user interface tend to be more skewed. Customers report that the platform’s complex user interface makes it difficult to use on a daily basis.

Screenshot of SolarWinds

While Atera and SolarWinds offer similar features, they have entirely different dashboards and user interfaces. (See the images above.)

Atera and SolarWinds both offer 24/7 live chat support, as well as self-help documentation including knowledge bases, webinars, and blog posts. Atera also hosts an active IT community that allows users to discuss common problems and best practices with other IT professionals.

Pricing plans and value for money

Unlike most RMM pricing plans, both Atera and SolarWinds use a pay-per-technician pricing model. Users pay a fixed price no matter how many endpoints/devices they manage. Atera’s monthly subscription includes all-in-one IT management functionality, whereas SolarWinds users may need to combine different products to get the necessary features.

Atera offers tailored pricing plans for MSPs and IT departments to better suit their needs. For MSPs, the plans range from $129/month to $209/month, whereas for IT departments, they range from $149/month to $199/month. Enterprise customers who want a more tailored offering can request a custom quotation.

Atera’s G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (550+ reviews)

SolarWinds’s G2 Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (700+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on G2:

One MSP owner shares that Atera helps him manage all of his IT needs under one platform. He can use Atera’s mobile app or the cloud-based app to submit tickets, and schedules automatic weekly patches using automated patch management. That’s because Atera has built-in billing functionality and integration with QuickBooks.

Atera’s Capterra Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (300+ reviews)

SolarWinds’s Capterra Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (500+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on Capterra:

One Capterra user mentions that the two best things about Atera are the ease of use and the 24/7 live chat feature. The same reviewer adds that he enjoys the frequent webinars Atera hosts to show end users roadmaps for new implementations and tips for using the current features. This feedback supports Atera’s reputation as one of the most user-friendly IT management platforms available.

Atera Pricing:

Pricing plans for IT departments:

• Professional: $149 per month, per technician
• Expert: $169 per month, per technician
• Master: $199 per month, per technician
• Enterprise: Custom quotation; contact sales for pricing

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 required2. Jira Service Management

2. Jira Service Management

Jira Service Management is an ITSM platform for IT, HR, and enterprise teams. Like SolarWinds, it offers IT asset management, incident management, request management, and knowledge management capabilities. As part of the Jira product family, it integrates with other Jira products, including Jira Product Management.

Jira Service Management caters to many different industries and does not tailor its solutions to IT management as Atera does. For this reason, IT professionals may find its features are too broad and general.

G2 Rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 (760+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (600+ reviews)

Jira Service Management Pricing:

• Free: Free for up to 3 technicians
• Standard: $22 per month per technician
• Premium: $49 per month per technician
• Enterprise: Pricing is based on custom quotation; visit their website to learn more.

3. ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus belongs to the ManageEngine family and is a suitable alternative to SolarWinds for small businesses, IT departments, and enterprises that need service desk capabilities. The platform includes incident management, asset management, project management, and service catalogue features.

Users requiring more all-in-one IT management functionality can integrate it with another ManageEngine product—ManageEngine RMM Central—for remote monitoring and management capabilities. Customers with a flexible budget who can pay for multiple subscriptions might appreciate this highly customizable option.

G2 Rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 stars (200+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 stars (200+ reviews)

ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus Pricing:

• Custom quotation. Contact ManageEngine’s sales team on their website for more details.

4. ConnectWise

ConnectWise offers a suite of tools for MSPs and IT departments to manage their IT environments. The closest alternative to SolarWinds is ConnectWise PSA, which has helpdesk and ticketing, time tracking and billing, account management, and analytics and reporting features.

ConnectWise also has a mobile app for their service desk, allowing you to manage and resolve issues on the go. ConnectWise PSA is known for its robust capabilities, but numerous users on G2 report that it’s complicated to use. This drawback translates into users pouring considerable resources into learning to use the software, which is especially problematic for smaller businesses.

G2 Rating: 4.1 out of 5.0 (120+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.1 out of 5.0 (125+ reviews)

ConnectWise Automate Pricing:

• Custom quotation: quotes available from their team upon request.

5. NinjaOne

NinjaOne is an IT management solution with remote monitoring and management (RMM), helpdesk and ticketing, patch management, and mobile device management (MDM) capabilities. It also has different third-party integrations for more functionality. If you need an all-in-one IT management alternative to SolarWinds, NinjaOne may be a suitable option.

NinjaOne’s main drawback is its pricing model, which is structured pay-per-endpoint. This means that the more endpoints you manage, the higher the price. NinjaOne alternatives that are priced pay-per-technician, such as Atera, are better suited for users who value cost-effectiveness.

G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (1,000+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (200+ reviews)

NinjaOne Pricing:

• Pricing is based on custom quotation; to learn more, visit their website.

6. ServiceNow

ServiceNow is an IT service management solution for IT departments and MSPs. Their ITSM features include IT asset management, incident and problem management, contract management, and user request fulfillment with a self-service portal.

ServiceNow is a respectable alternative for basic IT service management. However, it doesn’t provide some core features of other solutions such as RMM, patch management, and advanced remote access.

G2 Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 (800+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (200+ reviews)

ServiceNow ITSM Pricing:

• Based on custom quotation; contact the ServiceNow team to find out more.

7. Freshservice

Freshservice is an ITSM solution with service desk, knowledge management, incident management, and change management features. It integrates seamlessly with other Freshworks products and third-party software. For MSPs, Freshservice has an MSP Mode that allows them to create multiple customer portals for different customers.

Freshservice is a popular option for basic IT service management. But IT teams who need more advanced capabilities—such as RMM and patch management—may find it lacking.

G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (1,000+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (500+ reviews)

Freshservice Pricing:

• ITSM plans start at $115 per month per technician

8. SysAid

SysAid is an AI-powered IT service management platform for MSPs, IT departments, and small businesses. With features such as help desk and ticketing, asset management, remote control, reporting and analytics, and workflow automation, SysAid aims to help IT staff work more efficiently.

SysAid uses an AI-powered IT ticketing tool. Technicians can access AI ticket summarization, categorization, and insights. Note that while SysAid’s AI capabilities relate mostly to its help desk feature, Atera’s AI extends to other areas, including RMM and patch management.

G2 Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (600+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (400+ reviews)

SysAid Pricing:

• Based on custom quotation. Book a demo call with SysAid to receive pricing.

9. GoTo Resolve

GoTo Resolve is an all-in-one IT management solution for MSPs and IT managers. Its capabilities include real-time device monitoring and management, IT automation, help desk, asset management, and remote access.

GoTo Resolve is known for its intuitive user interface and is popular among small businesses who seek simplicity. While it’s a cost-effective option, it’s not the most customizable.

G2 Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 (400+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (190+ reviews)

GoTo Resolve Pricing:

• Standard: Starting at $57 per month, billed annually
• Premium: Custom pricing. Visit their website to get pricing.

10. Lansweeper

Lansweeper provides IT asset management and service desk solutions for IT departments, MSPs, system administrators, and cybersecurity teams. Some of its key features include unified asset inventory, cross-platform asset discovery, risk insights, reporting, and analytics.

Lansweeper is focused on the IT asset discovery portion of IT management, arguably at the expense of other features. Examples include RMM, patch management, and advanced PSA features.

G2 Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 stars (50+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (60+ reviews)

Lansweeper Pricing:

• Starter: Starting at $219 per month, for 2000 assets
• Pro: Starting at $399 per month, for 2000 assets
• Enterprise: Custom pricing. Starts from 10,000 assets

11. SuperOps

SuperOps is a PSA-RMM platform specifically designed for MSPs who want to manage their IT environment within one platform. The platform’s key features are service desk, remote monitoring and management, patch management, remote access, IT documentation, and project management.

SuperOps uses pay-per-technician pricing. It also charges extra if you exceed the maximum number of endpoints per plan. This is a slight disadvantage compared to solutions that allow unlimited endpoints, such as Atera.

G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars

Capterra Rating: N/A

SuperOps Pricing:

• Starting at $119, per month for the unified PSA and RMM package

Future-proof your IT with Atera

Hopefully, you now feel equipped to confidently explore the best SolarWinds alternatives. Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention how Atera stands out from the crowd. Our product’s all-in-one functionality, accompanied by its disruptive pay-per-technician pricing and AI-powered capabilities, makes it a singular option.

Indeed, Atera Copilot features such as an automated script generator, auto ticket summaries, and solution suggestions give IT professionals an edge over competitors by enabling 10X efficiency.

If you’d like to future-proof your IT and try Atera for yourself, we offer a 30-day free trial. You can also contact our sales team for a demo.