Technical Review by
Laura Iannini
Remote management tools for Windows give IT administrators centralized control over patching, remote access, and endpoint visibility across Windows device fleets — without requiring physical access. Effective Windows remote management reduces routine endpoint overhead and the configuration drift that creates security risk over time. We reviewed the top platforms and found NinjaOne, Atera, and ConnectWise RMM to be the strongest on patch automation and scripting depth.
Remote management tools, or remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools, are a type of software that enable managed service providers (MSPs) to more easily keep track of their clients’ networks without having to be on-site at the client’s premises. The most popular of these tools allow MSPs to manage desktops, laptops, servers, and smartphones remotely by installing agents on each endpoint, which send real-time data back to a central console.
With almost half of the world’s businesses relying on the Office 365 suite every day, it’s critical that any MSP has the ability to monitor that software for vulnerabilities and ensure that it’s running smoothly at all times. This includes monitoring for issues with mail flow, security compliance, license usage, and configuration drift.
However, no two remote management tools are the same, and one of the key differentiators that MSPs looking to manage a client’s Office 365 suite should look for is the integrations and patching capabilities that each tool has to offer for Office 365 and its suite of products.
1. NinjaOne – Best for growing MSPs needing a single pane of glass for endpoint and patch management
2. Atera – Best for MSPs wanting per-technician pricing with unlimited endpoints
3. ConnectWise RMM – Best for MSPs already invested in the ConnectWise ecosystem
4. Datto RMM – Best for MSPs whose clients rely heavily on Microsoft 365 and need active monitoring
5. LogicMonitor – Best for enterprises and MSPs managing complex hybrid infrastructure
6. ManageEngine RMM Central – Best for MSPs and IT teams managing diverse device fleets including mobile
7. Microsoft 365 Lighthouse – Best for CSP partners wanting zero-cost multi-tenant Microsoft 365 visibility
8. N-able N-sight RMM – Best for MSPs wanting security tools integrated directly into their RMM
9. Pulseway – Best for MSPs and IT teams whose technicians work remotely or travel frequently
NinjaOne is a cloud-based IT operations platform built for MSPs managing diverse endpoint environments. It unifies remote monitoring, patching, backup, and device management in a single console with strong automation capabilities. We were impressed by the depth of visibility; the Overview dashboard uses a traffic light color-coded graph to highlight critical actions, with clickable device icons for device-level detail.
The scripting engine stands out. PowerShell deployments run consistently across hundreds of endpoints, and hundreds of out-of-the-box scripts cover common remediation tasks. Conditional policies automate detection and response at scale. Automated patching covers Windows, macOS, Linux, and third-party applications with Patch Intelligence AI for CVE/CVSS-based prioritization. The Activities dashboard provides detailed audit logs with granular filtering, and data can be ingested into a SIEM via RESTful API. Remote control integrates with Splashtop, TeamViewer, and ScreenConnect for full screen viewing.
We think NinjaOne works best for growing MSPs who need a single pane of glass that junior techs can navigate alongside senior engineers. The per-device monthly pricing includes free unlimited onboarding support and training, and full deployment typically takes two weeks to a month. The multi-tenant interface gives MSPs per-client dashboards with drill-down visibility. Something to be aware of is that NinjaOne doesn’t offer software configuration management, and client-facing reports may need extra effort to polish for presentation.
Atera is a cybersecurity provider that offers remote access, management, professional services automation (PSA), and reporting via one platform. It helps both IT teams and MSPs respond more quickly and efficiently to issues. We think the pricing model is the real differentiator here; you pay per technician rather than per device, so you pay the same whether you manage 50 endpoints or 5,000.
The AI capabilities have expanded significantly. Atera’s Copilot handles ticketing triage and routine tasks, and Robin, their AI agent, fixes device and cloud issues autonomously. Patch management covers Microsoft Office 365 updates alongside operating systems and third-party apps. Atera’s Chocolatey and Homebrew integrations, as well as their own API, enable real-time monitoring of client systems and third-party apps for updates and vulnerabilities. IT admins can automate updates and patches remotely, as well as access detailed reports of all software assets and versions. The Office 365 integration links calendar events directly to support tickets. Atera is available via three packages: Pro ($89/technician/month), Growth, and Power, with each tier adding more RMM functionality and concurrent remote sessions.
Customers highlight the add-on ecosystem as a strength; you can layer antivirus, backup, and security tools into one management view without juggling separate consoles. Setup is straightforward even for teams without deep IT experience. Users praise the platform’s clean interface and the ability to remotely update third-party apps, as well as Atera’s excellent customer support. Something to be aware of is that macOS clients are more difficult to manage, and client portal access requires additional licensing for customer self-service.
We think Atera fits MSPs and IT teams who want cost predictability while growing their client base. If your model depends on managing many endpoints per technician, the per-technician pricing works in your favor. Because of its tiered pricing and strong feature set, we would recommend Atera as a strong tool for any IT team or MSP looking to remotely manage a Microsoft Office 365 environment.
ConnectWise is a market-leading provider of software for technology solution providers (TSPs). ConnectWise RMM is their cloud-based monitoring platform, built on the Asio platform, which combines the power of their legacy RMM solution with an improved interface and a broader set of features. We think it fits MSPs already invested in the ConnectWise ecosystem who want tighter integration across PSA, ticketing, and documentation workflows.
The platform scales to support over 100,000 devices in a single tenant, which is strong for larger MSPs. Alert consolidation bundles related events into single tickets, cutting down on noise. Third-party patching now covers over 7,000 applications with pre-deployment testing to ensure only viable patches are rolled out. ConnectWise RMM enables admins to automate vulnerability patching across their clients’ endpoints. The deep ConnectWise ecosystem integration connects RMM directly to PSA and billing workflows. Pricing is available on request from the ConnectWise sales team, with tier-based cost per agent and the option to add on services and support.
Customers praise the real-time dashboards and visibility into system health. The browser-based access means no client installation needed for remote management. Something to be aware of is that some users flag the interface as clunky and difficult to navigate for newer users, and initial setup requires a significant time investment.
We think ConnectWise RMM fits MSPs already running ConnectWise tools who want unified workflows from monitoring through to billing. The ecosystem benefits outweigh the learning curve if you’re already in the ConnectWise world. We recommend it for small to mid-sized MSPs looking for lots of out-of-the-box functionality and an easy path to managing Office 365.
Datto is a cybersecurity provider that produces cloud-based tech solutions and software for MSPs to distribute to small to mid-sized businesses. Now part of the Kaseya family following the 2022 acquisition, Datto RMM integrates tightly with the broader Datto and Kaseya ecosystem, including Autotask PSA, Datto Networking, and IT Glue. We think it fits MSPs whose clients rely heavily on Microsoft 365 and need active monitoring beyond basic endpoint management.
The Office 365 components, developed with CyberDrain, are the standout. You get alerts when O365 sync fails, admin passwords change, users lack MFA, audit logs are disabled, or when mailboxes and OneDrive hit threshold limits. These scripts are available in the ComStore at no extra charge for Datto RMM customers. In addition to the usual RMM features, Datto added 16 components for Microsoft 365 support, enabling admins to run scripts and monitoring policies across their clients’ Office 365 environments, including alerts for license usage and configuration drift. The platform supports Windows, macOS, and Linux devices with integrations with over 200 third-party tools. Pricing is available on contacting the Datto sales team, with a free trial available.
Customers highlight the interface improvements over time; navigation has become more user-friendly. Support responsiveness gets consistently positive marks. Integration with Autotask helps operations run smoothly for day-to-day tasks. The regularly updated script library and the ease of deploying third-party apps such as Office 365 are praised, along with the partner community. Something to be aware of is that reporting features require extra time to configure, and the feature depth can overwhelm new users during initial onboarding.
We think Datto RMM fits MSPs whose clients rely heavily on Microsoft 365 and need active monitoring beyond basic endpoint management. The CyberDrain O365 scripts are available in the ComStore at no extra charge, which is good to see. Cloud-based, with support for Windows, macOS, and Linux devices, Datto RMM is a flexible solution that we recommend for any MSP looking to remotely manage their clients’ Office 365 suites.
LogicMonitor is a fully cloud-based, automated platform that enables enterprises and MSPs to monitor both infrastructures and their application stacks. With support for data centers, on-prem, and cloud-based systems, it covers multiple infrastructure types from a single console. We think the extensibility is the real strength here; if you can pull a metric from it, LogicMonitor can monitor it.
Edwin AI, LogicMonitor’s AIOps engine, predicts, prevents, and resolves issues by analyzing real-time data, filtering out noise, and automating incident response. AI Investigations 2.0 correlates logs, metrics, and topology data for root cause detection. LogicMonitor’s Application Performance Monitoring feature is what makes it stand out for MSPs looking to manage their clients’ Office 365 environments; it gives MSPs the ability to monitor the health and performance of their client’s Microsoft 365 tools in real time. Over 2,000 pre-built integrations cover cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments, with topology mapping providing full visibility across applications and infrastructure. LogicMonitor is available via three packages: Core, Pro, and Enterprise, each adding more AIOps and automation capabilities.
Customers praise the advanced out-of-the-box monitoring and simple alert configuration. Deploying custom datasources is straightforward, and implementation across client environments runs smoothly with solid documentation. The ease of implementation and configuration are highlighted alongside the 24/7 support offering. Something to be aware of is that the agentless architecture makes server monitoring more laborious to configure, and firewall rules and permissions require significant effort in environments with frequent changes.
We think LogicMonitor fits MSPs and enterprises with diverse infrastructure who need deep customization and hybrid cloud visibility. The AIOps capabilities are a strong addition, with LogicMonitor claiming a 90% reduction in alert noise through AI-powered event correlation. LogicMonitor is fully cloud-based, making it easy to deploy and giving it the flexibility to handle any environment.
ManageEngine is a division of Zoho Corporation that provides IT management software solutions designed to help businesses integrate and optimize their IT processes. RMM Central is ManageEngine’s remote monitoring and management platform that consolidates endpoint management, patch deployment, and IT asset tracking into a single console. We think it is a strong value option for MSPs and IT teams managing diverse device fleets including mobile endpoints.
The device discovery runs deep. Layer 2 mapping and subnet scanning automatically identify servers, routers, VMs, laptops, and mobile devices across client networks. Patch management covers Windows, macOS, Linux, and 1,000+ third-party applications, including Microsoft Office 365 updates. IT asset management tracks hardware, software licenses, and unauthorized applications. ManageEngine’s software asset management enables admins to automatically discover all software, including third-party tools such as the Office 365 suite, and log details such as the number of installations, license compliance, and usage data. A free edition is available for smaller deployments with core functionality included, and paid editions are billed annually.
Customers praise the consolidated approach; having patch management, endpoint monitoring, and asset tracking in one platform reduces tool sprawl. High levels of customization and the ease with which it syncs with Office 365 are highlighted. Something to be aware of is that some users flag the initial setup as time-consuming, and patch failure messages lack detail for effective troubleshooting.
We think RMM Central fits MSPs and IT teams whose environments include mobile devices and network infrastructure alongside standard endpoints. The unified console adds real value for teams managing diverse device fleets. Because the platform is available in 29 languages, we also recommend it to MSPs with a global client base, or whose own employees are based in multiple countries.
Microsoft 365 Lighthouse is Microsoft’s own solution designed to help MSPs manage the devices, data, and users of their SMB clients that are using Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Microsoft 365 E3. We think the zero-cost entry point is the real selling point for MSPs already managing Microsoft tenants. It doesn’t offer all of the RMM functionality that third-party vendors on this list provide, but the benefit of being a Microsoft product means deep native integration with the 365 ecosystem.
Configuration baselines help standardize tenant onboarding, and you get multi-tenant visibility into device compliance, service incidents, and secure score status across your client base. Risky user alerts and Defender insights surface security issues across tenants quickly. Delivered as a user-friendly admin portal, Lighthouse makes it easy for MSPs to onboard 365 tenants by recommending configuration baselines to help ensure all SMBs are onboarded securely. Custom baseline policies standardize security configurations across multiple tenants. Automatic tenant discovery through existing GDAP relationships works without additional deployment. Lighthouse is available at no additional cost for all MSPs enrolled in Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, who are serving SMB customers.
Customers value the smooth Microsoft integration and familiar admin console experience. Service health, MFA status, and secure scores are accessible without switching tools. Something to be aware of is that you cannot roll out tenant settings, Conditional Access, or Intune configurations in bulk, and management capabilities are limited compared to third-party alternatives.
We think Lighthouse fits MSPs who want quick visibility into Microsoft 365 environments without added cost or complexity. It is a strong starting point for CSP partners already working in Microsoft 365 admin centers. If your needs extend beyond Microsoft 365 management into broader endpoint and network monitoring, you will likely need to pair it with a third-party RMM.
N-able is a cybersecurity provider that specializes in solutions for MSPs. N-sight RMM is their remote monitoring and management platform designed to help MSPs secure and maintain their clients’ systems. We think the security integrations are what set this apart; DNS web filtering, EDR, and password management connect directly into the RMM rather than running as separate products.
Patch automation handles on-demand scans, scheduled deployments, and continuous updates for Exchange and Office 365, with third-party application support covering common business software. The built-in EDR provides layered threat detection alongside the monitoring workflow. N-able RMM offers a strong remote management feature set, including device and network monitoring, troubleshooting with remote access controls, end-to-end ticket management, and integrations with third-party tools. DNS filtering, EDR, and password management are all bundled in, reducing the need for separate security products. N-able offers a free trial, and pricing is available on request.
Customers praise the straightforward setup and clean interface. Implementation and client rollout run smoothly, and the daily workflow feels manageable even across multiple sites and device types. Partner Success Managers are highlighted as responsive and knowledgeable. Users praise N-able RMM for its ease of use, both during setup and ongoing use. Something to be aware of is that UI inconsistencies across different platform sections affect navigation, and scripting support could be stronger for complex automation.
We think N-sight RMM fits MSPs who want security tools baked into their RMM rather than managing separate products. The bundled approach of RMM, remote access, ticketing, and billing in one platform reduces tool sprawl. We recommend N-able as a strong solution for any-sized MSP looking to easily manage their clients’ Office 365 environments with integrated security.
Pulseway is a remote IT and asset management tool that allows MSPs to more easily manage their clients’ digital environments. It is built around mobile-first access and quick deployment, offering a lot of out-of-the-box functionality on deployment alongside its customizable monitoring, patching, and issue management features. We think the mobile apps are the real differentiator here; remote control, troubleshooting, and system oversight work from iOS and Android devices with no compromise on functionality.
The out-of-the-box functionality means you start managing clients immediately rather than spending days on configuration. Patch automation covers operating systems and over 200 third-party applications on scheduled or on-demand runs with compliance reporting. Mobile apps provide full remote control from smartphones and tablets, with push notifications for real-time alerting. The Kaseya partnership, following their acquisition, has extended integration options across the broader ecosystem. The platform can be deployed on-premises or via cloud. Pulseway is priced on a per-user basis.
Customers highlight the patch management as a strong point. Daily operations run smoothly, and support responds quickly when issues arise. The ability to access assets from anywhere without a laptop appeals to technicians who work on the move. Users praise how reliable and customizable the solution is, as well as the communication from the customer support team. Something to be aware of is that the remote control agent feels clunky compared to dedicated tools, and reporting features are dated and need improvement.
We think Pulseway fits MSPs and IT teams whose technicians work remotely or travel frequently. If your workflow depends on managing systems from mobile devices, the app experience justifies the investment. The out-of-the-box functionality and quick deployment make it a practical choice for teams wanting to start managing Office 365 environments fast.
We assessed each platform across Office 365 integration depth, patch management capabilities, third-party application coverage, multi-tenant management, reporting and analytics, security features, deployment flexibility, pricing models, and real-world customer feedback. Products were evaluated on how effectively they help MSPs monitor, manage, and secure their clients’ Microsoft 365 environments alongside broader endpoint management.
When selecting an RMM tool for managing Office 365 environments, prioritize integration depth with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Look for features such as license monitoring, MFA compliance checks, mail flow alerts, and configuration drift detection. Patch management should cover Office 365 apps alongside operating systems and third-party software. Consider whether the platform supports multi-tenant management for MSPs with multiple client environments, and evaluate the reporting capabilities for compliance and client-facing documentation. Pricing models vary significantly; per-technician, per-device, and per-agent pricing each suit different business models. Finally, consider whether you need a standalone RMM or one that integrates with your existing PSA, ticketing, and documentation tools.
Managing Office 365 environments at scale requires more than basic endpoint monitoring. The best RMM tools on this list provide specialized Microsoft 365 integration, from license compliance to security configuration monitoring to automated patching. MSPs already committed to a specific ecosystem like ConnectWise, Datto, or N-able will find the most value in solutions that extend those investments. For those evaluating RMM tools for the first time, the key decision is whether you need a full-featured RMM with Office 365 support built in, or whether Microsoft 365 Lighthouse provides enough visibility as a starting point alongside a broader management platform.
Remote management software, or remote management and monitoring (RMM) software, enables managed service providers (MSPs) to ensure the security and operational effectiveness of their clients’ networks without having to visit those clients in person.
RMM tools allow MSPs to widen their client base geographically without increasing travel costs, which can increase revenue for the MSP. It also enables them to respond to incidents immediately, which improves customer security and satisfaction.
As well as the Windows-specific features we’ve outlined in this guide, RMM tools offer further features to help MSPs monitor and manage their clients’ entire digital environment more generally. These include:
Caitlin Harris is the Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. As an experienced content writer and editor, Caitlin helps cybersecurity leaders to cut through the noise in the cybersecurity space with expert analysis and insightful recommendations.
Prior to Expert Insights, Caitlin worked at QA Ltd, where she produced award-winning technical training materials, and she has also produced journalistic content over the course of her career.
Caitlin has 8 years of experience in the cybersecurity and technology space, helping technical teams, CISOs, and security professionals find clarity on complex, mission critical topics like security awareness training, backup and recovery, and endpoint protection.
Caitlin also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted.
Laura Iannini is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Expert Insights. With deep cybersecurity knowledge and strong research skills, she leads Expert Insights’ product testing team, conducting thorough tests of product features and in-depth industry analysis to ensure that Expert Insights’ product reviews are definitive and insightful.
Laura also carries out wider analysis of vendor landscapes and industry trends to inform Expert Insights’ enterprise cybersecurity buyers’ guides, covering topics such as security awareness training, cloud backup and recovery, email security, and network monitoring. Prior to working at Expert Insights, Laura worked as a Senior Information Security Engineer at Constant Edge, where she tested cybersecurity solutions, carried out product demos, and provided high-quality ongoing technical support.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida.