Auvik’s Guide to Choosing the Best MSP Software

The right tech stack can have a significant impact not only on MSP profitability in network monitoring and management, but in overall efficiency by resolving issues that would otherwise require hours of troubleshooting. Likewise, network performance is crucial for enhancing uptime and minimizing the risk of cash flow disruptions, ultimately leading to even greater client satisfaction.

Unfortunately, tools designed for in-house IT often don’t address the unique challenges MSPs face in multi-site management and operational efficiency. Selecting the wrong tool can leave MSPs struggling with workarounds and manual processes to address shortcomings these tools weren’t intended to handle. That’s why choosing the right network management software for MSPs is so important.

In this article, we’ll review the 10 best network management systems for MSPs and provide you with the right questions to ask as you evaluate different solutions. Whether you’re choosing MSP software for a greenfield deployment or switching network management solutions, this article can help you make informed decisions.

Types of MSP platforms

One of the challenging parts of listing the best network management system for MSPs is that the lines between different types of MSP tools are becoming blurrier and blurrier. In many cases, software that is marketed as an RMM will have features you’d expect to find in an NMS (and vice versa). The overlap can make apples-to-apples comparisons tricky, but not impossible.

Let’s take a look at three of the most common types of MSP platforms you might encounter in your search for MSP tools.

Network management system (NMS)

A network management system (NMS) is primarily focused on enabling the monitoring and management of networks and network devices. MSPs will use these tools to track network health, maintain network documentation, and troubleshoot networks remotely.

Remote monitoring and management (RMM)

A remote monitoring and management (RMM) system has been a staple of MSP tech stacks for years. In addition to alerting and monitoring, RMMs typically offer a variety of capabilities to support remote troubleshooting, patching, and updates. In general, an RMM has more of an endpoint focus than an NMS for MSPs.

Professional services automation (PSA)

Professional services automation (PSA) software is the flip side of the RMM coin in MSP software. PSA software automates back-office workflows such as payroll and billing. Essentially, this is the system through which all of your tickets flow, ensuring that you can accurately track your technician’s time, gauge their efficiency, and monitor the profitability of your agreements. Many products marketed as all-in-one MSP software are a combination of RMM and PSA.

10 best network management systems for MSPs

Auvik Network Management (ANM) is a cloud-based network monitoring and management software trusted by over 80,000 IT pros and MSPs. Auvik is known for simplifying network management without skimping on capabilities. Its multi-site management capabilities and customizable branding allow MSPs to streamline network management on their side while presenting a clean and professional look and feel to their clients.

In addition to the SNMP-based visibility you’d expect from a vendor-agnostic network management tool, Auvik’s TrafficInsights differentiates the platform with robust flow protocol support and machine learning capabilities to provide detailed network traffic analysis even if traffic is encrypted. Additionally, Auvik’s network documentation, automation, and troubleshooting capabilities save MSPs time and reduce truck rolls by eliminating stale network docs, alerting when it matters, and providing a way for technicians to troubleshoot and resolve issues from their desk.

And, it’s easy to quantify the real-world evidence supporting Auvik’s position as a leader in network management:

• Auvik can reduce Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR) by up to 75%
• The independently-validated ROI of Auvik Network management is over 170%
• ANM has a 98% “willing to recommend” ranking on PeerSpot
• ANM was  named 2025 MSP Today Product of the Year
  

Some of our favorite quotes from real-world MSPs using Auvik as their network management software include:

“Auvik blasts the other [solutions] out of the water. In addition to the topology and the user interfaces, there is nothing like Auvik from a display or user experience perspective.”
– CEO of a Canadian MSP

“Auvik has a very short learning curve, so you can jump in and start using it.”
– Mike Volfman, Operations Manager, Amoeba Networks

“The network map and dashboard provide a straightforward approach to gaining real-time visibility into our network.”
– Kirk Phillips, President, Intuitive Technologies

Key features of Auvik’s Network Management Software

• Automated network topology mapping
• Centralized network monitoring and alerting
• Machine learning for industry-leading network traffic analysis 
• Remote troubleshooting tools, including remote CLI and remote browsers 
• Comprehensive virtual private network (VPN) monitoring 
• Distributed site management for large networks and MSPs
• Network backups and configuration management
• Support for SSO and MFA
• Flexible, role-based access control (RBAC)
• IT asset management
• APIs and webhooks
• Syslog support

The LogicMonitor cloud-based observability and infrastructure monitoring platform can provide MSPs with deep visibility into client networks. It covers network devices, servers, applications, and cloud resources.

LogicMonitor supports multiple sites, enabling MSPs to logically segment clients. AI-powered alerts help reduce alert fatigue and support automated issue remediation. Additionally, agentless monitoring can help MSPs reduce the deployment overhead and maintenance burden. With support for over 3,000 integrations, LogicMonitor can integrate with a wide variety of MSP tools to help teams further automate workflows and eliminate data silos.

N‑able N‑central is a popular RMM platform with a strong MSP focus. It supports centralized network and endpoint monitoring and management from a single console that supports segmentation and customization across different clients. It can discover devices and systems using multiple protocols (e.g., SNMP and SSH) and supports monitoring of cloud resources, helping MSPs increase assets under management.

N-able helps MSPs address complex use cases with automation capabilities, such as template-based monitoring and a rules engine that enables standardization across clients. The platform provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities to help identify trends and demonstrate value.

Some MSPs may find that N-able’s ability to address complex use cases comes with a trade-off in complexity that can make the platform difficult to use and steepen the learning curve. Additionally, the per-device pricing model can become expensive at scale.

Domotz is a popular tool for many basic MSP use cases. It uses agent-based monitoring to capture data from monitored devices and centralized management in a single dashboard. Its remote troubleshooting capabilities can save MSPs time and reduce truck rolls. Additionally, support for integrations with third-party platforms such as RMM and professional services automation (PSA) can help MSPs automate their network management workflows.

Domotz can be a good choice for MSPs on a tight budget, as it offers a free monitoring tier with the option to pay for management capabilities. Its “Organization” and “Sites” features can even support multi-site monitoring and management. However, MSPs with requirements beyond basic monitoring and management may find Domotz lacking in features and time-consuming to configure and maintain. In fact, that’s one of the reasons Progression IT Business Solutions switched from Domotz to Auvik.

Atera’s all-in-one cloud-based platform provides RMM, PSA, and NMS capabilities in a single solution. It allows MSPs to manage their network devices from a single centralized dashboard and automatically remediate issues without deploying a technician.

Atera’s features include strong multi-tenant management capabilities, patch management, and script execution. Additionally, the per-technician pricing model can be attractive to MSPs that don’t want to be penalized for increasing their assets under management.

While the “all-in-one” approach can be useful for MSPs looking to eliminate tool sprawl, Atera’s RMM, NMS, and PSA features don’t always stack up well when compared to specialized solutions. For example, MSPs may need to invest meaningful time in tuning alerts and IT asset lifecycle management features may feel limited.

If you’re an MSP already using tools in the ManageEngine suite like ADManager, SupportCenter, or ServiceDesk Plus, then OpManager MSP may be an attractive network management solution.

ManageEngine OpManager MSP can be deployed on a Windows or Linux server and can discover and manage a large variety of devices using multiple network management protocols (e.g., SNMP and WMI). The “MSP” version of OpManager supports multiple tenants, customer-based grouping, and customer dashboards to simplify MSP network management. Additionally, it offers business views to organize client networks based on business needs and comes with over 100 reporting profiles.

Like with the standard version of ManageEngine OpManager, tradeoffs with the platform include significant maintenance overhead for self-hosted deployments, licensing cost, and the need to purchase additional add-ons. For example, Automated Network Configuration and Change Management (NCCM) is a separate ManageEngine product focused on network configuration management.

NinjaOne is a cloud-based RMM with a strong MSP focus. It provides support for Windows, macOS, Linux, network, and mobile devices, as well as cloud resources. Key NinjaOne features that help MSPs automate and streamline workflows include on-demand remote support, backups, vulnerability remediation, and patching.

Additionally, NinjaOne is known for ease of use and fast onboarding to help reduce overall maintenance burden. The NinjaOne Academy also offers a free certification program for technicians that want to familiarize themselves with the platform.

While NinjaOne’s RMM features are strong, it may be limited for MSPs looking for a network-focused solution. Additionally, the need for add-ons for use cases such as the documentation module, and the lack of clear pricing upfront, can make it difficult for MSPs to understand the platform’s potential ROI.

Kaseya VSA is a popular RMM platform that includes network monitoring and management capabilities. It allows MSPs to discover their client’s networks and monitor multiple devices at scale using a multi-tenant model.

Kaseya’s automation capabilities and variety of products (e.g, PSA, IT documentation, etc.) can help MSPs simplify their tech stake by reducing tool sprawl. However, Kaseya’s breadth and modular approach also make it complex for many MSPs and can meaningfully increase total cost of ownership (TCO).

Nagios is one of the most popular open-source network monitoring and management platforms for good reason. MSPs can use Nagios and its extensive plugin library to discover, inventory, monitor, and manage various types of network devices.  The platform has been around for over two decades and can address many network management use cases, if you’re willing to put in the work.

In short, Nagios is one of the best examples of the cost-versus-complexity trade-off MSPs face when choosing software. While Nagios Core is “free” from a licensing cost perspective, you may need to spend time finding plugins and customizing your deployment to meet requirements such as multi-client support. Additionally, make sure to think about support if you’re considering the open-source version of Nagios. While there is plenty of documentation and even a dedicated Nagios Community forum, it isn’t the same as the SLA-backed commercial support that comes with other tools in the list. If you like Nagios Core, but the operational complexity or lack of formal support are a blocker, Nagios also offers enterprise-grade commercial monitoring software like Nagios XI.

NetXMS is an open-source network management tool that has a strong set of MSP-focused capabilities. It can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud and supports many network protocols, including MQTT, MODBUS-TCP, EtherNet/IP, and OPC UA, which traditional monitoring solutions may lack.

What makes NetXMS unique as an open-source platform is the focus on specific use cases such as industrial monitoring (hence the MODBUS and EtherNet/IP support), banking, and fintech. For example, NetXMS offers ATM and payment infrastructure monitoring that can help MSPs solve a unique monitoring use case that other tools may struggle with.

Like other open-source monitoring solutions, NetXMS comes with complexity and a steep learning curve that may be difficult for MSPs to overcome. Like with Nagios Core, choosing NetXMS without a support package means dealing with the tradeoffs that come with depending on community support and documentation. To help overcome the complexity, MSPs can opt to pay for commercial support packages that cost several thousand dollars a year and range from basic (2-business day response times and up to 10 tickets per year) to premium (4-hour response times with unlimited cases).

Best network management software for MSPs summary chart

If you’re looking for a crash course in MSP network management software options, the table below has you covered, summarizing the 10 tools we’ve covered above.

MSP software	Type	Differentiator	What might surprise you	Elevator pitch
Auvik	Cloud-based network monitoring and management.	Best-in-class network performance management and troubleshooting features with a proven ability to deliver MSPs high ROI.	Deploy Auvik in minutes and see value in under an hour.	Robust cloud-based network management and monitoring you can deploy in minutes.
LogicMonitor	Cloud-based observability platform	Analytics with a focus on observability.	Location insights to detect network performance issues based on geographic location.	Modern observability platform with strong analytics.
N‑able N‑central	Remote monitoring and management	Endpoint management that supports multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, *nix, network devices, etc.)	Vulnerabilities view to support patch management workflows.	Flexible RMM with strong endpoint management capabilities.
Domotz	Cloud-based network monitoring and management	Focus on simplicity and common use cases.	Power management features for UPSes, PDUs, and smart plugs	Simple remote network management that addresses many basic use cases.
Atera	IT management software	Per technician pricing.	Ticketing that integrates with PSA and billing.	Integrates multiple types of MSP software in one platform.
ManageEngine OpManager MSP	On-premises network monitoring	Tight integrations with other ManageEngine tools.	Dedicated Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) monitoring.	An MSP-focused version of ManageEngine’s popular OpManager platform.
NinjaOne	Remote monitoring and management software	Endpoint management focus.	Mobile device management (MDM) that can support BYOD use cases.	RMM capabilities with basic NMS features in a single platform.
Kaseya VSA	Remote monitoring and management software	Scripting engine to support automated responses.	Mobile app that has feature parity with the web application.	Cloud-based RMM from a vendor with 20+ years in the industry.
Nagios Core	Self-hosted network monitoring	Highly flexible and customizable	Plugins  that address a wide variety of use cases	Flexible open-source solution with commercial options.
NetXMS	Network infrastructure monitoring and management	Large protocol support including EtherNet/IP and MODBUS-TCP.	Specialized ATM monitoring.	Open-source platform with solid out-of-the-box capabilities

Features to look for in MSP software

MSP use cases come with several unique demands that standard IT-focused tools don’t necessarily address. In addition to the fundamental requirements for any quality network monitoring solution (e..g., effective alerting, device and protocol support, discovery, etc.), MSPs have to ensure they can address the needs of multiple clients while also turning a profit and maintaining security.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five features that should be top of mind as you compare MSP software tools.

1. Multi-site management

MSPs need to logically isolate their client networks and devices to ensure secure and efficient operations. An MSP network management software should make it easy for admins to separate individual clients and sites into logical groups for reporting, alerting, monitoring, ticketing, and billing purposes.

2. Network automation

Manual work and truck rolls are two of the fastest ways to erode MSP profitability. Network automation can eliminate the need for a human to perform tasks like updating documentation, streamline your alerting process, and even help automatically resolve problems before a client raises a ticket. Ensure your network management software includes automation that reduces MTTR and keeps your technicians focused on high-value work.

3. Reporting and dashboards

There’s two key use cases for network monitoring and management reporting and dashboarding for MSPs should consider:

• Network performance management– This covers all the network optimization and fault management technical pros know and love. Your NMS should make it easy to identify bottlenecks, report on key network metrics, and make informed technical decisions when planning and troubleshooting. 
• Business management– This is about demonstrating the value you deliver and ensuring your focus on client outcomes. For example, quarterly business review (QBR), inventory, and SLA reports can help you uncover opportunities and ensure your clients can quantify the value you’re delivering.

Make sure that your network monitoring tool provides insights for both of these use cases. After all, if you can’t demonstrate value to your clients, your technical excellence won’t matter much.

4. Integrations and APIs

As much as we’d like one tool that does everything, that simply isn’t practical for modern MSPs. Even if you maintain a well-managed tech stack, to effectively solve your clients’ problems and run efficient back-office operations, you’ll likely need to integrate your network management solution with other tools, such as ticketing and billing systems.

Do your research on the integrations the tools you’re evaluating support and take a deep dive on the management API if you plan to build any custom integrations. While some vendors offer a robust management API, others may only expose a subset of data and capabilities via API.

5. Troubleshooting capabilities

When there is a network incident, it’s your job as an MSP to ensure it gets resolved within your SLAs. And if an incident requires human intervention, you’ll need to pay a technician to address it. The faster the technician can solve the problem, the less likely you are to suffer an SLA breach, the happier your client will be, and the lower your overall labor costs will be. At scale, this increased efficiency leads to lower client burn rates for clients with predefined service credit caps, higher perceived service quality, and lower risk of technician burnout. That’s a pretty clear win/win/win.

The tricky part is ensuring your network management platform supports effective remote network troubleshooting. Here are three key capabilities to look for:

• Intelligent alerting that makes you aware of problems before your client complains
• Clear network visualizations and maps that allow technicians to rapidly zoom out and drill down as needed to identify the exact scope and cause of an issue
• Remote access to network device consoles to troubleshoot without rolling a truck

What you should consider when choosing MSP tools

While features influence what makes the best network management system for MSPs list, they aren’t the only consideration. When you’re deciding on the best MSP software for your business, it’s important to ask questions that focus the process on meeting requirements and providing necessary support while also delivering business value. 

The questions below can help you avoid common pitfalls that can negatively impact MSP network monitoring.

1. What is the pricing model?

Ultimately, purchasing MSP software is a business decision, and one of the biggest inputs to that decision is the dollar cost of the license. There are a few common models you may come across, with two of the most common being per-device and per-technician pricing. Each model comes with its pros and cons, but the most crucial concept to grasp is that Auvik’s pricing is built to scale with your team. While per-technician pricing can be useful if you have a small, dedicated team of technicians and no need for additional users to access the software, its structure does not lend itself to team growth. Per device pricing, conversely, allows you to understand how your costs will increase and scale based on your growth as an MSP as well as your clients’ expansion.

As you evaluate pricing models, be sure to also consider the potential cost of add-on modules, support contracts, and overages that could lead to surprises down the line.

2. What is the management overhead?

Ease-of-use isn’t just about making your technicians happier with their tools. It can also meaningfully impact your cost of labor and time spent on maintaining the tool. Dig into reviews on platforms like G2 and PeerInsights to understand what other MSPs are saying about time to deploy and overall maintenance overhead.

3. Does it support your devices and protocols?

If your devices support SNMP, just about any network management software for MSPs can probably discover and monitor it. But, in many cases (e.g., MSPs servicing the industrial industry,) you may run into devices and protocols that aren’t universally supported. Make sure to check the supported protocols and device vendors to ensure that the software is viable for your business.

4. What do users say about the support?

Your clients depend on you when something goes wrong, and you’ll likely want a partner you can rely on if you need help with the tools you use to support them. In addition to checking the standard boxes when it comes to support SLAs, check what users are saying about the vendor’s support on platforms like Reddit (e.g., r/msp), Spiceworks, and Capettera.

If you opt for an open-source tool that doesn’t have dedicated support, check out the responsiveness and depth of community support resources or consider purchasing commercial support contracts.

5. Can it meet your security and compliance requirements?

If a tool can’t meet your, and your clients’,  security and compliance requirements, that’s likely a non-starter for production use. Dig into the details on security controls, certifications, and compliance early in the process to make sure there aren’t any red flags. This step is particularly important for cloud-based tools where the vendor is responsible for security in the cloud. In many cases, you can review the vendor’s security program details online (e.g., Auvik has a public-facing Trust Center).

Discover if Auvik is the right MSP software for your business

Auvik Network Management (ANM) has proven to be a profitable choice for MSPs that want to simplify network management without compromising on capabilities.

With robust network performance monitoring, remote troubleshooting, reporting, and multi-site management capabilities, Auvik is purpose-built to help MSPs solve real-world problems and demonstrate value to their clients.

If you’d like to see how switching to ANM can help you run a more profitable and operationally efficient MSP business, sign up for a free (no credit card required) 14-day trial today. Typically, MSPs can deploy ANM monitoring in minutes and begin seeing real value in less than an hour.