7 Best ConnectWise Alternatives – Better Options Revealed

ConnectWise has long been a popular choice for managed service providers (MSPs) seeking comprehensive business management solutions. However, many MSPs find themselves searching for alternatives due to high costs, complex implementations, or feature limitations that don’t align with their specific needs.

Whether you’re a growing MSP looking for more affordable options or an established provider seeking better functionality, this guide explores seven powerful ConnectWise alternatives. Each solution offers unique strengths that could better serve your business operations, from streamlined ticketing systems to integrated financial management tools.

We’ll examine the key features, pricing models, and ideal use cases for each alternative, helping you make an informed decision that supports your MSP’s growth and efficiency goals.

What to Look for in ConnectWise Alternatives

Before diving into specific alternatives, it’s important to understand the core features that make a business management platform effective for MSPs. The right solution should offer robust ticketing and service management capabilities, allowing your team to track, prioritize, and resolve client issues efficiently.

Integration capabilities are equally crucial. Your chosen platform should seamlessly connect with existing tools like remote monitoring software, billing systems, and communication platforms. This integration reduces manual data entry and ensures consistent information flow across your operations.

Consider scalability as well. The best ConnectWise alternative for your business should grow with you, offering flexible pricing tiers and feature sets that accommodate expansion without requiring a complete system overhaul.

Autotask by Datto

Autotask stands out as one of the most comprehensive ConnectWise alternatives, offering a complete professional services automation (PSA) solution specifically designed for MSPs. The platform combines ticketing, project management, and business intelligence tools in a user-friendly interface.

The ticketing system allows for advanced workflow automation, enabling your team to handle routine tasks automatically while focusing on complex client needs. Custom dashboards provide real-time visibility into key performance metrics, helping you identify bottlenecks and optimize operations.

Autotask’s strength lies in its native integration with Datto’s backup and business continuity solutions, making it particularly attractive for MSPs already using Datto services. The platform also offers robust financial management features, including time tracking, invoicing, and profitability analysis.

Pricing varies based on technician count and required features, but many users find Autotask more cost-effective than ConnectWise for mid-sized MSPs.

Syncro

Syncro positions itself as an all-in-one MSP platform that combines PSA and remote monitoring and management (RMM) capabilities. This integration eliminates the need for separate systems and reduces overall software costs for growing MSPs.

The platform’s ticketing system is intuitive and includes features like automatic ticket creation from monitored alerts, client portal access, and mobile app support. Syncro’s project management tools help track long-term initiatives while maintaining visibility into daily operations.

One of Syncro’s key advantages is its straightforward pricing model. The per-endpoint pricing includes both PSA and RMM features, making it easier to predict costs as your client base grows. The platform also offers excellent customer support and regular feature updates based on user feedback.

For MSPs seeking simplicity without sacrificing functionality, Syncro provides a compelling alternative to more complex enterprise solutions.

ServiceNow

ServiceNow offers enterprise-grade IT service management capabilities that extend well beyond traditional MSP requirements. While it may be overkill for smaller providers, large MSPs and enterprise IT departments often find ServiceNow’s advanced workflow automation and reporting capabilities invaluable.

The platform excels in complex environment management, offering sophisticated asset tracking, change management, and compliance reporting features. ServiceNow’s AI-powered virtual agent can handle routine requests automatically, freeing up technicians for higher-value activities.

However, ServiceNow requires significant implementation time and resources. The platform’s extensive customization options can be both a blessing and a curse, offering tremendous flexibility at the cost of complexity.

Pricing reflects ServiceNow’s enterprise focus, making it most suitable for large MSPs with substantial budgets and dedicated system administrators.

Freshservice

Freshservice brings a modern, intuitive approach to IT service management with a focus on user experience and ease of deployment. The platform’s clean interface reduces training time for new team members while providing powerful automation capabilities.

The ticketing system includes advanced features like multi-level approval workflows, SLA management, and automated escalations. Freshservice’s asset management module helps track hardware and software inventory across client environments, supporting both procurement and maintenance planning.

Integration capabilities are strong, with pre-built connectors for popular business applications and a robust API for custom integrations. The platform’s reporting and analytics tools provide insights into team performance and client satisfaction metrics.

Freshservice offers flexible pricing tiers, making it accessible for MSPs of various sizes. The vendor provides excellent onboarding support and maintains active user communities for knowledge sharing.

Atera

Atera takes a unique approach by offering unlimited technician licensing, making it particularly attractive for MSPs with large technical teams or those planning rapid expansion. The platform combines PSA and RMM capabilities with AI-powered automation features.

The integrated approach means alerts from monitoring systems automatically generate tickets, complete with relevant system information and suggested remediation steps. This automation reduces response times and helps junior technicians handle complex issues more effectively.

Atera’s reporting dashboard provides comprehensive visibility into both technical metrics and business performance indicators. The platform’s mobile app ensures technicians can access critical information and update tickets regardless of location.

The unlimited technician model can result in significant cost savings for larger teams, though smaller MSPs might find per-technician alternatives more economical.

Kaseya BMS

Kaseya Business Management Solution (BMS) offers deep integration with the broader Kaseya ecosystem, including VSA for RMM and other specialized tools. This integration provides seamless data flow and reduces the need for duplicate data entry across systems.

The platform’s strength lies in its comprehensive business management features, including detailed financial reporting, project profitability analysis, and resource planning tools. Advanced automation capabilities help streamline routine processes while maintaining audit trails for compliance requirements.

Kaseya BMS includes robust client portal functionality, allowing customers to submit tickets, view project status, and access knowledge base articles. The platform’s workflow engine supports complex approval processes and custom business rules.

For MSPs already invested in the Kaseya ecosystem, BMS provides natural integration benefits, though standalone implementations are equally viable.

Zoho Desk

Zoho Desk offers a cost-effective alternative focused primarily on helpdesk and customer service functionality. While it may lack some advanced MSP-specific features found in dedicated PSA solutions, its simplicity and affordability make it attractive for smaller providers or those with straightforward service delivery models.

The platform includes essential ticketing features like automated routing, escalation management, and basic reporting capabilities. Integration with other Zoho applications can extend functionality for MSPs already using Zoho’s business suite.

Zoho Desk’s strength lies in its multichannel support capabilities, allowing clients to submit requests via email, web portal, phone, or social media channels. The unified interface helps technicians manage all communication types efficiently.

The platform’s pricing remains competitive across all tiers, and the vendor frequently adds new features without additional cost to existing subscribers.

Making the Right Choice for Your MSP

Selecting the ideal ConnectWise alternative requires careful consideration of your specific business needs, technical requirements, and growth plans. Start by evaluating your current pain points with ConnectWise and prioritizing the features that would have the most significant impact on your operations.

Consider conducting pilot programs with your top two or three candidates. Most vendors offer trial periods that allow you to test real-world scenarios with your team. This hands-on experience often reveals usability issues or workflow benefits that aren’t apparent from feature comparisons alone.

Don’t overlook the importance of vendor support and community resources. Even the most feature-rich platform can become frustrating without adequate help when you need it. Research user forums, support response times, and training resources before making your final decision.

The best ConnectWise alternative is ultimately the one that enhances your team’s productivity while supporting your business growth objectives at a sustainable cost.