ConnectWise Automate and Datto RMM are both built for MSPs, but they serve different operating models. The single most important factor in choosing between them is which PSA you already run.
ConnectWise Automate integrates natively with ConnectWise Manage. Datto RMM integrates natively with Autotask PSA. If you are already committed to one of those PSAs, the RMM decision is largely made for you.
If you are PSA-agnostic, the real question is whether you need deep scripting and on-premises deployment (Automate) or faster onboarding and a modern cloud UI (Datto RMM).
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ConnectWise Automate is the dominant choice for large MSPs running ConnectWise Manage as their PSA. It has the deepest scripting engine in the RMM market, supports on-premises deployment, and scales comfortably to 10,000+ endpoints. The tradeoff is a 2-4 month onboarding period, high implementation costs ($10,000-$40,000+), and a dated interface that requires dedicated admin time to maintain.
Datto RMM (owned by Kaseya since 2022) is a cloud-native platform built for MSPs that want faster time-to-value. Setup takes 1-3 weeks rather than months. The UI is modern, macOS and Linux support is more balanced than Automate, and the natural PSA pairing is Autotask. The scripting engine is capable but does not match Automate's depth.
Both are quote-only products. ConnectWise Automate typically runs $1.50-$6/endpoint/month depending on scale; Datto RMM typically runs $2-$4/endpoint/month. At large endpoint counts (2,000+), Automate's negotiated rates often make it cheaper. At smaller deployments, Datto RMM usually wins on total first-year cost when implementation fees are factored in.
ConnectWise Automate gives teams a way to evaluate RMM software fit, deployment tradeoffs, and day-to-day operational usability.
Custom quote pricing, Cloud / On-prem deployment, Windows, macOS operating-system support, and no clearly listed trial path.
ConnectWise Automate is usually a better fit when cloud / on-prem, custom quote, and Windows, macOS line up more closely with the environment your team actually needs to support.
Datto RMM gives teams a way to evaluate RMM software fit, deployment tradeoffs, and day-to-day operational usability.
Custom quote pricing, Cloud deployment, Windows, macOS operating-system support, and no clearly listed trial path.
Datto RMM is usually a better fit when cloud, custom quote, and Windows, macOS line up more closely with the environment your team actually needs to support.
Use the matrix as the fastest way to isolate hard differences in pricing, deployment, platform coverage, and trial access before you go deeper into rollout and workflow questions.
| Criteria | ProductConnectWise Automate | ProductDatto RMM |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| Deployment model | Cloud / On-prem | Cloud |
| Supported OS | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS |
| Free trial | Not listed | Not listed |
ConnectWise Automate vs Datto RMM is a shortlist-stage decision page meant to help IT buyers move from general research into a clearer vendor choice.
ConnectWise Automate and Datto RMM usually stay on the shortlist for different reasons. Use this page to see where one product fits the current environment more cleanly, where the tradeoffs start to matter, and which differences deserve more pressure-testing before the team treats either option as the default choice.
The better fit depends on deployment preferences, automation needs, and how much operational complexity your team can absorb.
Before booking demos, answer these against your environment. If most resolve cleanly, you are ready to move forward — a smoother sales process is not the same as a better product fit.
Which product matches the team’s current operating model without requiring unnecessary process change?
Which option offers the cleaner path for rollout, onboarding, and long-term operational ownership?
Where do pricing mechanics, integrations, and platform scope create meaningful differences?
If neither option is a perfect fit, which tradeoff is easier to absorb over the next 12 months?
Neither publishes pricing. ConnectWise Automate typically runs $1.50-$6/endpoint/month depending on volume — small deployments pay more per endpoint, large deployments negotiate lower rates. Datto RMM typically runs $2-$4/endpoint/month. At 200 endpoints, Datto is usually cheaper. At 2,000+ endpoints, Automate's negotiated rates often make it less expensive. Year-one costs also depend heavily on implementation fees: Automate costs $10,000-$40,000+ to implement; Datto RMM typically costs $2,000-$5,000.
It depends on your PSA and scale. ConnectWise Automate is better if you run ConnectWise Manage PSA, need on-premises deployment, or manage 5,000+ endpoints with a dedicated admin. Datto RMM is better if you run Autotask PSA, need faster deployment, have significant macOS or Linux endpoints, or do not have a dedicated Automate administrator. There is no universal winner — PSA alignment is the primary deciding factor.
They are two separate products. ConnectWise Automate is the legacy enterprise RMM — deep scripting, on-prem option, high complexity, built for large MSPs. ConnectWise RMM is a newer, simpler product built on the ConnectWise Asio platform. ConnectWise RMM is closer to Datto RMM or NinjaOne in approach: cloud-native, faster to set up, simpler to manage. When comparing or reading reviews, confirm which product is being discussed. ConnectWise sells both and often positions them for different MSP sizes.
No. Datto RMM is cloud-only. If your business or a client has a requirement for on-premises RMM infrastructure — due to regulatory requirements, data residency rules, or security policy — ConnectWise Automate is one of the few modern RMMs that still offers an on-premises deployment option. This is a hard technical requirement that eliminates Datto RMM from the evaluation.
ConnectWise Automate has the deeper scripting engine. It supports a proprietary scripting language, SQL-backed conditional logic, nested scripts, and complex trigger-based automation that Datto RMM cannot replicate. Datto RMM supports PowerShell, batch, and Bash scripts — capable for most MSP use cases, but less flexible than Automate for teams that have built sophisticated automation libraries. If scripting depth is a primary evaluation criterion, Automate wins.
A realistic onboarding timeline for ConnectWise Automate is 2-4 months. Basic deployments with standard configuration take 4-8 weeks. Mid-market deployments with custom monitoring, scripting, and PSA integration typically take 2-3 months. Complex enterprise deployments can take 4+ months. This is significantly longer than Datto RMM (1-3 weeks) and should be factored into year-one cost planning. The onboarding period also carries indirect costs: staff time, parallel running of old and new tools, and delayed productivity.
Yes, but not natively. ConnectWise Automate can connect to Autotask PSA through a third-party integration or connector. This works, but it introduces middleware complexity, additional cost, and potential sync issues that the native Automate/ConnectWise Manage integration does not have. If you run Autotask and want a native integration, Datto RMM (also owned by Kaseya) is the intended pairing. The connector for Automate/Autotask is functional but adds ongoing maintenance overhead.
Kaseya acquired Datto in 2022. Since the acquisition, the Datto RMM product has continued to be developed and is now marketed as part of Kaseya's IT Complete suite alongside Autotask PSA, IT Glue, and Datto BCDR. MSP community concerns after the acquisition focused on potential platform consolidation, pricing changes, and Kaseya's track record with acquired products. As of 2026, Datto RMM remains a distinct product with continued investment. Some MSPs have migrated away due to vendor lock-in concerns; others have doubled down on the full Kaseya stack for bundled pricing advantages.
Datto RMM is typically easier to justify at smaller scale because it requires no on-premises infrastructure and has lower implementation overhead. ConnectWise Automate's per-endpoint pricing and high setup cost ($5k–$40k+) create a steep barrier for smaller MSPs. Datto RMM's cloud-native model and simpler onboarding make it a more practical entry point, though both tools become cost-competitive as endpoint counts grow above 1,000.
Datto RMM does not include a PSA. It integrates with Autotask PSA (also owned by Kaseya), which MSPs can license separately. ConnectWise Automate similarly requires ConnectWise Manage for PSA functionality. Neither platform bundles PSA in the base RMM price, meaning MSPs on either platform should factor PSA licensing into total cost comparisons.
Use the software profiles to go deeper on pricing details, integrations, rollout fit, and editorial review before the team commits to a final vendor path.
ConnectWise Automate gives teams a way to evaluate RMM software fit, deployment tradeoffs, and day-to-day operational usability.
Datto RMM gives teams a way to evaluate RMM software fit, deployment tradeoffs, and day-to-day operational usability.
Go deeper on product profiles, pricing, category context, and glossary terms before committing to a vendor path.
Return to the category hub when the shortlist still needs broader market context before the final vendor decision.
Check which tools in this category offer free tiers, trials, or community editions.
Open the full product profile for deeper pricing, deployment, review, and shortlist context.
Check commercial fit and pricing mechanics directly before treating the comparison as settled.
Open the full product profile for deeper pricing, deployment, review, and shortlist context.
Check commercial fit and pricing mechanics directly before treating the comparison as settled.
Use glossary terms when the comparison raises category language that still needs a clearer definition.
