What Is ConnectWise RMM?

ConnectWise RMM represents the latest evolution in the ConnectWise ecosystem, built from the ground up on the modern Asio platform. Launched as a direct response to MSP demands for simpler, more intelligent automation, this cloud-native solution marks a significant departure from the company's legacy LabTech/Automate product.

What sets ConnectWise RMM apart is its integration of AI throughout the platform. The ConnectWise Sidekick™ feature uses artificial intelligence to generate PowerShell, batch, and bash scripts in minutes, dramatically reducing the technical expertise required for automation. The platform's intelligent alerting consolidates related events into single tickets, claiming to eliminate up to 80% of false positives that plague traditional RMM tools.

Built for the modern MSP, ConnectWise RMM emphasizes out-of-the-box functionality over complex customization. This philosophy appeals to MSPs seeking rapid deployment and immediate value, particularly those already invested in the ConnectWise ecosystem including PSA, documentation, and quoting tools.

What Is Datto RMM?

Datto RMM emerged from the 2017 acquisition of Autotask Endpoint Management, transforming it into a cloud-first platform designed specifically for MSPs serving small and medium businesses. The platform gained significant market share by focusing on ease of use and integrated backup capabilities, becoming a favorite among SMB-focused MSPs.

The platform's defining characteristic is its deep integration with Datto's broader ecosystem, particularly its industry-leading backup and disaster recovery solutions. This integration creates a unified experience where MSPs can manage endpoints, backups, and disaster recovery from a single pane of glass. Datto RMM also pioneered native Microsoft 365 management capabilities, allowing MSPs to handle user onboarding, offboarding, and security directly from the RMM console.

However, the 2022 acquisition by Kaseya has created uncertainty in the Datto community. While Kaseya promised continued investment, many users report declining product quality, slower feature development, and concerns about long-term product direction. Despite these challenges, Datto RMM maintains its position through its proven 99.99% uptime, straightforward deployment via Group Policy, and strong partner community.

What Is N-able N-central?

N-able N-central represents one of the most mature and feature-rich RMM platforms in the market, with roots dating back to 2004. Originally developed as part of SolarWinds, N-able spun off as an independent company in 2021, allowing it to focus exclusively on MSP needs. The platform is renowned for its deep customization capabilities and powerful automation engine.

What distinguishes N-central is its "Android-like" flexibility—if you can imagine it, you can probably build it in N-central. The platform offers over 650 pre-built automation scripts and a sophisticated drag-and-drop automation manager that allows even non-programmers to create complex workflows. This flexibility extends to deployment options, with N-central being the only major RMM offering both cloud and on-premise installations.

N-central's architecture reflects its enterprise heritage, with features like granular role-based access control, multi-tenancy, and advanced reporting capabilities powered by Microsoft Power BI integration. The platform excels in complex environments where customization and control are paramount. However, this power comes with complexity—most successful N-central deployments have a dedicated "N-able expert" who masters the platform's extensive capabilities.

Recent updates in 2025 include enhanced support for Windows Server 2025, improved AlmaLinux-based architecture for better performance, and strengthened API capabilities as the platform transitions from SOAP to REST APIs. These improvements demonstrate N-able's commitment to modernization while maintaining the flexibility that enterprise MSPs demand.

ConnectWise RMM - Strengths and Weaknesses

Datto RMM - Strengths and Weaknesses

N-able N-central - Strengths and Weaknesses