GUIDE TO

MSP
SOFTWARE
2021
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
R EAD T HIS F IR ST 3

PROD U CT R AT INGS 4

RMM 4

PS A 5

R M M & P SA CO M B O 6

R E M OT E D ESKTO P 7

B AC KU P 8

H E L P D E SK / T I C KE T I N G 9

CRM 10

D O CUM ENTAT I O N 11

Q UOTING & B I L L I N G 12

M O N I TO RI N G 13

S ECURI TY 14

O PE N SO U R C E 15

A B OUT NINJAO NE 16

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 2
 READ THIS FIRST
BEFORE WE DIVE IN, A FEW QUICK NOTES
REGARDING OUR METHODOLOGY AND THE
PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE.

SOURCES
THE FOLLOWING RATINGS WERE COLLECTED
FROM THIRD-PARTY REVIEW SITES G2 AND
CAPTERRA IN AUGUST 2021.

WHAT N/A INDICATES

THE PARTICULAR DATA POINT WAS EITHER
UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF OUR COLLECTION,
OR THE PRODUCT DID NOT MEET OUR CUTOFF OF
HAVING THREE OR MORE REVIEWS.

THESE LISTS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT

COMPREHENSIVE
THE MSP SOFTWARE MARKET CONTAINS MANY
TOOLS NOT SEEN HERE. CREATING A TRULY
EXHAUSTIVE LIST IS AN UNDERTAKING LEFT TO
MORE ADVENTUROUS SOULS. WE HAVE SIMPLY
DONE OUR BEST TO INCLUDE THE MAJOR
PLAYERS IN EACH CATEGORY THAT ARE GEARED
SPECIFICALLY TOWARD MSPS AND THAT HAVE
ADEQUATE REVIEW DATA AVAILABLE (AT LEAST 5
REVIEWS).

HOW TO BEST USE THIS GUIDE

THIS GUIDE IS NOT MEANT TO BE THE FINAL
WORD ON THE VALUE OF THESE SOLUTIONS.
MANY FACTORS GO INTO CHOOSING THE RIGHT
SOFTWARE. USER RATINGS ARE JUST ONE.
THEREFORE, THIS GUIDE PRIMARILY SERVES AS A
JUMPING-OFF POINT FOR ADDITIONAL
RESEARCH

NO CHANGE IN RANK 1 UP IN RANK WITH 1 PLACE

NEW ENTRY 2 DOWN IN RANK WITH 2 PLACES

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 3
 PRODUCT
RATINGS

RMM
Remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions represent one of the two central pillars of
MSP software. They power many aspects of client service and support, including proactive
monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting. RMMs allow MSPs to streamline and automate
these tasks, and in turn provide more efficient, scalable services. Many RMMs also integrate with
backup, security, remote desktop, and other solutions in order to provide MSPs with the ability to
manage everything from a single pane of glass.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

1 NINJAONE 4.8 9.3 9.6 9.5 9.7 4.9 4.8 4.9

N-ABLE 4.3 8.6 7.3 8.0 8.0 3.9 3.4 3.1

2 N-CENTRAL

DATTO RMM 4.3 9.3 7.2 7.6 8.4 3.0 5.0 0.0
2 3 formerly AEM

LOGMEIN 4.2 9.0 8.9 8.9 8.3 4.5 4.4 4.2

4 CENTRAL

N-ABLE 4.2 8.5 8.3 8.5 8.1 4.4 4.2 4.2

2 5 RMM

CONNECTWISE
6 AUTOMATE 4.0 8.8 7.0 7.8 7.9 4.2 3.6 3.7
formerly LabTech

7 KASEYA VSA 4.0 8.6 7.1 7.8 7.5 4.0 3.6 3.5

MANAGEENGINE
8 DESKTOP 3.5 - - - - 4.6 4.6 4.2
CENTRAL MSP

ITARIAN RMM
9 formerly 3.3 - - - - 4.8 - -
Comodo One

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 4
PSA
Professional Services Automation (PSA) solutions represent the other central pillar of MSP software.
Whereas RMMs power the technical side of service delivery, PSAs power things on the business
side — helping with client management, billing, reporting, and more. One of the big benefits of a
PSA is it can bring aspects of a variety of systems (ticketing, invoicing, etc.) under one roof.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

1 HALO PSA 4.8 9.1 7.7 8.9 9.7 4.8 4.2 4.9

1 2 ACCELO 4.4 9.2 8.7 9.1 9.5 4.5 4.1 4.4

1 3 SHERPADESK 4.3 8.9 8.3 8.7 8.6 4.8 4.7 4.8

KASEYA BMS 4.3 8.7 8.6 8.7 7.9 4.1 4.0 3.8
1 4 formerly Vortex

MANAGEENGINE
1 5 SERVICEDESK 4.2 8.5 8.0 8.4 8.0 4.3 4.2 4.2
PLUS

CONNECTWISE 3.9 8.4 6.0 7.2 7.5 4.1 3.6 3.8

1 6 MANAGE

N-ABLE 3.8 7.7 6.9 7.9 7.8 3.9 3.3 4.0

1 7
MSP MANAGER

AUTOTASK 3.7 8.0 6.4 7.1 7.5 4.2 3.9 4.1

1 8
PSA Datto

1 9 TIGERPAW 3.3 7.2 5.6 6.2 7.0 3.8 3.6 3.7

ONE

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 5
RMM + PSA COMBO
There are some solutions available that provide both RMM and PSA functionality. These have found
traction with small/new MSPs in particular, who see value in having just one tool to manage until
they become large enough to warrant migrating to more specialized solutions.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

1 SYNCRO 4.9 9.0 9.2 9.3 9.3 5.0 4.8 4.7

2 ATERA 4.7 9.1 9.4 9.5 9.3 4.5 4.6 4.5

1 3 PULSEWAY 4.4 8.5 8.2 8.9 8.2 4.7 4.7 4.7

Owned by Kaseya

1 4 NAVERISK 4.1 8.0 - 7.7 8.3 4.7 4.5 4.8

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 6
REMOTE DESKTOP
Remote desktop solutions play a critical role in managing multiple client networks, offering
MSPs the ability to gain quick and reliable remote access to machines for hands-on
troubleshooting and more.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

1 SPLASHTOP 4.9 9.7 9.4 9.8 9.6 4.8 4.8 4.8

CONNECTWISE
2 CONTROL 4.7 9.3 9.0 9.4 8.9 4.7 4.6 4.4
formerly
ScreenConnect

BEYOND TRUST
3 REMOTE SUPPORT 4.7 9.5 8.7 9.3 9.4 4.6 4.5 4.5
formerly Bomgar

VNC 4.7 9.3 9.0 9.5 9.1 4.4 4.5 4.3

4
CONNECT

5 ZOHO ASSIST 4.6 9.3 9.5 9.5 9.1 4.6 4.6 4.5

1 6 ANYDESK 4.5 9.2 9.5 9.2 8.8 4.6 4.6 4.2

1 7 TEAMVIEWER 4.5 9.1 9.0 9.1 8.6 4.6 4.6 4.3

N-ABLE
8 4.5 9.3 9.0 9.1 8.7 4.3 4.1 4.3
TAKE CONTROL

9 LOGMEIN 4.4 9.2 9.3 9.2 8.2 4.4 4.2 4.0

PRO

MSP 360
10 REMOTE 4.3 9.0 9.2 9.0 9.1 4.4 4.4 4.6
DESKTOP

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 7
BACKUP
Backup and disaster recovery services have become a core offering for MSPs, especially with the rise
of ransomware and other destructive online threats.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

1 1 VEEAM 4.6 9.3 8.7 9.3 8.8 4.9 4.7 4.8

MSP360
1 2 former 4.6 9.2 8.9 9.2 8.5 4.6 4.4 4.5
CloudBerry

BARRACUDA 4.4 8.8 8.6 8.8 9.0 4.7 4.3 4.3

1 3
BACKUP

1 4 N-ABLE 4.3 8.6 8.8 8.7 8.0 4.6 4.6 4.8

BACKUP

ACRONIS
4 5 CYBER BACKUP 4.3 8.7 8.5 9.0 8.3 4.5 4.3 4.1
CLOUD

DATTO 4.2 9.0 9.1 9.3 8.4 4.6 4.5 4.5

6
SIRIS

STORAGECRAFT
1 7 FT SHADOW 4.1 8.3 7.7 7.7 7.1 4.4 4 4
PROTECT

UNITRENDS 3.8 6.7 7.5 7.8 7.8 4.6 4.4 5.0

1 8
Owned by Kaseya

M365 BAC K U P

ALTARO
1 OFFICE 365 4.9 9.5 9.9 9.9 9.6 - - -
BACKUP

2 DROPSUIT 4.8 9.7 9.7 9.4 8.6 4.9 4.7 4.5

VEEAM
3 BACKUP FOR 4.6 9.1 8.5 9.3 9.0 - - -
O365

ACRONIS
2 4 4.3 8.7 8.5 8.6 8.3 4.5 4.3 4.1
CYBER BACKUP

SPANNING
5 BACKUP FOR 4.3 8.9 9.3 9.1 8.2 4 4 3.7
OFFICE 365

DATTO 4.1 8.9 9.1 8.5 8.4 4.1 3.9 3.8

6 BACKUPIFY

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 8
HELPDESK / TICKETING
While many MSPs turn to PSAs to bring service desk, ticketing, and other aspects of their client
management under one roof, others find that having separate solutions is the best move for their
business for a variety of reasons.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

1 FRESHSERVICE 4.6 8.8 8.9 9.2 9.3 4.5 4.6 4.6

2 SYSAID 4.5 9.0 8.5 9.0 9.3 4.5 4.4 4.5

SOLARWINDS
3 SERVICE DESK 4.4 8.6 8.7 9.0 9.1 4.6 4.6 4.7
formerly Samanage

ZOHO 4.4 8.7 8.2 8.5 8.2 4.5 4.4 4.3

4
DESK

5 ZENDESK 4.3 8.7 8.2 8.5 8.2 4.4 4.3 4.2

MANAGEENGINE
6 SERVICE DESK 4.2 8.5 8.0 8.4 8.0 4.3 4.2 4.2
PLUS

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 9
CRM
MSPs use customer relationship management (CRM) solutions to manage and track their business
relationships, from the initial stages of sales outreach to ongoing client engagement.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

LESS
1 ANNOYING 4.9 9.3 9.6 9.7 9.9 4.8 4.9 4.9
CRM

2 FRESHSALES 4.6 8.8 8.9 9.1 9.0 4.6 4.5 4.5

3 REPAIRSHOPR 4.5 9.1 8.3 8.7 8.8 4.7 4.5 4.5

4 PIPEDRIVE 4.3 8.4 8.7 8.9 8.4 4.5 4.6 4.4

1 5 HUBSPOT 4.3 8.5 8.3 8.6 8.5 4.5 4.4 4.4

1 6 ZENDESKSELL 4.3 8.3 8.9 8.7 8.7 4.3 4.4 4.1

7 SALESFORCE 4.2 8.7 7.1 7.8 7.9 4.4 3.9 4.1

CRM

8 ZOHO CRM 4 8.2 7.6 8.0 7.4 4.2 4.1 4.0

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 10
ENDPOINT PROTECTION
Endpoint security has gone through a massive shake-up over the past five years. The fact that we’re
not referring to it as “antivirus” is exhibit A. The rise of EDR fundamentally changed the vendor
landscape, and we continue to see more complex solutions migrating downstream from the enter-
prise space into the stacks of MSPs and their customers. To keep things simple, we’ve restricted this
list to endpoint protection suites that have dedicated partner programs and/or RMM integrations.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ER RA

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

SENTINEL 4.8 9.6 8.8 9.1 9.3 4.7 4.2 4.4

1
ONE

WEBROOT
1 2 ENDPOINT 4.7 9.4 9.5 9.3 9.1 4.6 4.6 4.5
PROTECTION

1 3 MALWAREBYTES 4.6 9.3 9.3 9.4 8.8 4.7 4.7 4.4

4 ESET 4.6 9.4 8.6 9.0 9.0 4.7 4.5 4.4

5 EMSISOFT 4.4 8.8 - 9.0 9.1 4.7 4.8 4.8

2 6 SOPHOS 4.3 9.0 8.6 8.7 8.0 4.5 4.3 4.2

INTERCEPT X

BLACKBERY
1 7 4.2 8.9 8.8 8.6 8.5 4.6 4.5 4.4
PROTECT
(FORMERLY CYLANCE)

BITDEFENDER
1 8 GRAVITY 4.1 8.4 8.5 8.7 8.6 4.7 4.5 4.3
ZONE

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 11
MONITORING
Many MSPs utilize their RMMs to conduct basic proactive monitoring, but there are cases were
additional network monitoring solutions may be appropriate.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ER RA

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

2 1 DOMOTZ 4.9 9.1 9.0 9.2 9.4 5.0 4.9 5.0

1 2 NINJAONE 4.8 9.3 9.5 9.3 9.6 4.7 4.5 4.7

1 3 AUVIK 4.7 8.8 9.2 9.3 9.2 4.9 4.9 5.0

4 PRTG 4.6 9.0 8.2 8.4 8.2 4.6 4.4 4.3

5 LOGICMONITOR 4.5 9.0 8.7 8.7 9.1 4.7 4.5 4.6

SOLARWINDS
6 NETWORK 4.5 9.1 8.3 8.5 8.5 4.6 4.4 4.3
PERFORMANCE
MONITOR

MANAGE
7 ENGINE 4.3 9.2 8.1 8.1 8.7 4.6 4.4 4.5
OP MANAGER

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 12
DOCUMENTATION
Good documentation is the key to less time consuming, higher quality, and repeatable service.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ER RA

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

1 ITGLUE 4.7 9.3 8.7 9.5 8.5 4.7 4.5 4.4

owned by Kaseya

2 CONFLUENCE 4.0 8.4 7.8 7.8 7.8 4.4 4.1 4.2

3 PASSPORTAL 3.9 8.3 8.0 7.9 7.3 4.4 4.2 4.4

IT PORTAL - - - - - - - -
-
formerly SI Portal

- ITBOOST - - - - - - - -

- HUDU - - - - - - - -

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 13
QUOTING & INVOICING / ACCOUNTING
You can be good at IT, but in order to be a successful MSP you have to have good business
operations, too. Having software that makes invoicing and getting paid as streamlined and easy as
possible is key.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

Q UOT I NG

1 PROPOSIFY 4.7 9.1 8.7 8.6 9.4 4.5 4.3 4.5

1 PANDADOC 4.7 9.1 8.9 9.0 9.0 4.5 4.3 4.3

2 QUOTEWERKS 4.3 8.6 7.9 8.2 8.5 4.4 4.2 4.5

CONNECTWISE
3 SELL 4.0 8.2 7.0 7.9 7.6 4.1 3.8 3.8
formerly Quosal

QUOTER - - - - - 4.6 4.6 4.7

4
formerly Socket

I NVO I C I N G / ACCO U N T I N G

1 1 ZOHO BOOKS 4.6 9.3 8.8 9.4 9.0 4.4 4.3 4.2

1 2 FRESHBOOKS 4.5 8.9 9.3 9.2 9.3 4.5 4.5 4.4

3 XERO 4.3 8.6 8.1 8.7 7.6 4.3 4.2 3.9

4 QUICKBOOKS 4.0 8.3 7.9 8.1 7.5 4.3 4.1 3.9

ONLINE

- CONNECT - - - - - - - -
BOOSTER

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWA R E 202 1 14
OPEN SOURCE
There's no lack of proprietary solutions out there, but for those adventurous enough (or who are
simply short on budget), there are many free and open source options to consider, as well.

P RO D U CT G2 CROWD CAPT ERR A

RANK PRODUCT MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER

AND RANK LOGO OVERALL OVERALL
NAME REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE
CHANGE

CRM

1 VTIGER 4.3 8.6 7.9 8.2 8.6 4.3 4.2 4.3

2 ODOO 4.2 8.3 7.2 8.2 7.7 4.2 4.0 3.7

H E LP DE S K / T I C K E T I N G

1 OS TICKET 4.5 8.8 7.8 8.0 6.7 4.3 4.2 4.0

SPICEWORKS
2 4.3 8.7 8.7 8.7 8.5 4.4 4.3 4.2
HELP DESK

I NVO I C I N G

INVOICE 4.8 9.6 - 9.4 8.6 4.8 4.8 4.8

1 NINJA

H E LP DE S K / T I C K E T I N G

SPICEWORKS
1 NETWORK 4.6 9.3 9.5 9.1 8.6 4.4 4.3 4.2
MONITOR

2 ZABBIX 4.2 8.5 7.3 6.9 7.7 4.6 3.8 3.9

G U I DE TO MS P S O F TWAR E 202 1 15
 ABOUT FOUNDED
201 3
HEADQUARTERS
AUSTIN, TX

NINJAONE

G2C ROWD CA PTER R A

P RO DUCT
MEETS EASE EASE QUALITY EASE CUSTOMER
OVERALL OVERALL
REQ. OF SETUP OF ADMIN OF SUPPORT OF USE SERVICE

NINJAONE 4.8 9.4 9.6 9.5 9.7 4.9 4.9 4.9

NinjaOne gives IT teams all the tools and workflows they need to support and enable business users
– all within one beautiful unified platform. When everyday IT tasks are automated and streamline, IT
can shift from being more than just a cost center to being a growth lever for the business. And
when IT just works, your users are more productive, increasing happiness and retention. So
everyone can focus on more important things.

Find out why HIGHEST-RATED HIGHEST-RATED HIGHEST-RATED

MSPs are RMM EASE OF USE SUPPORT

switching
to NinjaOne
96% 9.4 9.7
S AT I S FACT I O N U S A B I L I TY Q UA L I TY OF
S CO R E S CO R E S U PPO RT SCORE
( G2 ) ( G2 ) ( G2 )

Easy to use. No contracts, no getting locked in

No implementation fees or hidden costs
Easy to do Free and ulimited training, support and onboarding

business with

Tired of juggling MSP software and being disappointed?

See what makes NinjaOne different?

The best RMM system currently available. It’s
beautiful and intuitive. Fully SaaS. Easy to use.
Excellent automation functionality.
Jason Danner, Aerorock
Simply the best modern RMM. I am able to roll out
agents, keep machines up-to-date and protected
with ease. NinjaOne really hit the nail on the head
with a great balance of speed, accessibility, and
features.

Matt Jeske, MNgeek

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