Atera Review 2023: Is Atera RMM Software Worth the Pricing?

Need a robust RMM software and have your sights set on Atera? 

Perhaps you've been searching the web but can't find many comprehensive reviews that delve into the strengths and shortcomings of the software. 

Well, look no further! 

Our Atera review is here to fill that void. We'll analyze Atera RMM, looking deep into its advantages and potential pitfalls to equip you with the information you need to determine if it's the best choice for your business. 

Get ready to make an informed decision as we dive deep into our evaluation of Atera.

Atera review 2023: Is Atera RMM any good?

Our Atera RMM review found it to be a robust, flexible, and highly accessible platform, certainly one of the best RMM software available today. Despite minor drawbacks, it stands as a reliable option for IT departments and MSPs looking to streamline their IT management processes. It comes loaded with essential features such as remote access, automation, analytics, and ticketing, providing everything you'd expect from one of the best RMM software on the market. 

Atera truly excels in its pricing model and scalability. Businesses of all sizes can monitor and manage numerous devices without breaking the bank. The flexibility offered here is an absolute game-changer for many organizations.

Moreover, its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process make it suitable for users at all skill levels. There is minimal need for extensive training, as the platform is quite intuitive and easy to navigate.

The web-based platform can be accessed from any device – be it a laptop, tablet, or mobile – ensuring seamless operation regardless of the operating system, whether it's Windows, mac OS, or Linux.

Atera even offers a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android, perfect for IT professionals on the go. Thanks to Atera's cloud-based system, all your data and tasks are automatically saved, which eliminates the need for frequent manual saves.

Atera pricing plans

First of all, how much does Atera cost? Let’s first review Atera prices:

How much does Atera cost for nonprofits?

When it comes to the Atera cost for nonprofits, it's important to note that the software's pricing model (Atera MSP and Atera for IT departments) remains the same, regardless of whether you are a for-profit business or a nonprofit organization. Although Atera doesn't offer a specific discount for nonprofits, its competitive pricing model still makes it an affordable option.

Are there any Atera coupon codes or promo discount vouchers?

We did the research, and it seems there are no Atera coupon codes or discount vouchers at this time.

Atera free vs paid: what’s the difference?

Atera doesn’t offer a permanently free plan. Instead, there’s a 30-day free trial that gives you the opportunity to test the platform before committing to a paid subscription.

During this trial period, you’ll have full access to the features available in Atera's Growth plan. This includes everything from remote access and automation to analytics and ticketing, which will give you a comprehensive view of the platform's capabilities.

Once the trial period ends, you can choose to continue with a paid subscription to maintain access to the platform and its features.

Atera overview: what is Atera software & what is Atera used for?

Atera is a comprehensive all-in-one SaaS Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) and Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform designed specifically for IT departments and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). It comes packed with a range of essential features such as remote access, IT automations, patch management, scripting, ticketing, and reporting, all aimed to enhance IT efficiency and productivity.

With Atera, you can easily onboard and hit the ground running, thanks to its intuitive design and clear interface. It's a tool built for professionals who need to work smarter, faster, and handle unlimited devices without straining their budget.

The platform distinguishes itself with its disruptive, honest, and transparent pricing model that allows unlimited devices under each technician license. This takes away the hassle of renegotiating prices as device counts increase.

Atera's powerful automation capabilities, including IT automation rules, a shared script library, and exclusive patch management software, handle routine tasks and free up time. This lets IT professionals focus on strategic initiatives and shaping the future of IT.

Atera features list

The main features of Atera are:

• Remote monitoring and management

• Patch management

• Remote access 

• Professional service automation

• Helpdesk

• Network discovery

• Integrations 

• Atera app for mobile 
   

1. Remote monitoring & management 

Atera's Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) is the software’s flagship feature. It provides full visibility and control, allowing for real-time monitoring of system activity across unlimited customers, devices, and sites. You can stay ahead of potential incidents and maintain a seamless IT operation with customizable automated alerts and thresholds tailored to different device types.

Atera's RMM tool simplifies IT automation by taking over manual and repetitive tasks. Automation profiles can be assigned to different devices or end-users, freeing up time for more strategic work. The platform handles OS patches, software installation, and updates, allowing you to customize your IT environment. 

Advanced remote maintenance options include Task Manager, Service Manager, and Command Prompt Access. The platform integrates with Splashtop, AnyDesk, TeamViewer, and ConnectWise for remote access. Asset and inventory scanning provide a clear overview of your assets, and reports and analytics demonstrate your impact. Atera keeps a complete activity log for traceability of all IT system actions.

For all these reasons (and features), Atera also ranks on our list of best network monitoring tools.
 

2. Patch management 

Patch management is integral for IT professionals, and Atera's platform makes this task easier. Its reporting suite gives you insights into your patching posture, with reports on patch status, automation feedback, and search and deploy options.

Automating the patching process can potentially decrease the risk of cyberattacks and extend the lifespan of devices. However, the effectiveness of such automation can depend on the complexity of your IT environment and the expertise of your team. Atera also includes an option for one-click onboarding and automation for new devices.

One noteworthy feature is the creation of software bundles, a collection of software and updates that can be deployed across multiple endpoints simultaneously. This tool could be particularly useful for repetitive tasks such as onboarding new users or setting up users in specific departments. 
 

3. Remote access 

Atera's Remote Access feature enables swift and easy access to computers, servers, applications, and files. The tool is designed for both attended (with a user present) and unattended sessions, giving technicians control from virtually anywhere.

With the integration of platforms like AnyDesk, Splashtop, TeamViewer, or ScreenConnect, you can start a remote session directly from an alert, ticket, or device view. Another notable feature is the "Work from home with Splashtop" functionality. This feature empowers employees to securely access their office environment from home.

What’s more, the unattended remote support option lets technicians perform diagnostics, updates, installations, and troubleshooting without an end-user present. Smart scripting options further enhance device security and the tool offers multiple technicians access to the same machine simultaneously.

Atera's Remote Access tool prioritizes security by using TLS and 256-bit AES encryption to protect all sessions. It also offers features like two-step verification and multi-level credential security. Additional benefits include file transfer functionality and multi-monitor support, which can enhance the remote access experience.
 

4. Professional service automation

Atera's Professional Service Automation (PSA) tool combines helpdesk, billing, and reporting into a unified platform, simplifying the management and communication with end-users.

Atera's Helpdesk and Ticketing system offers a range of features designed to streamline IT service management. This includes functionalities such as 'email to ticket', scheduling tickets in advance, and automated generation of tickets from alerts. The system also offers a customer portal so that customers can access self-serve options and track open communications.

Atera's PSA tool also supports flexible contracts and billing, enabling MSPs to customize contracts to align directly with their clients' needs. Billing integration with platforms like QuickBooks and Xero is a valuable add-on.

The Reporting and Analytics component of Atera's PSA tool helps IT professionals make data-driven decisions. The tool generates a wide array of reports, including load analysis, technician performance, and customer profitability reports.
 

5. Helpdesk

Atera's helpdesk feature is designed specifically for the daily operations of IT departments. It’s an intuitive and user-friendly ticketing system, integrated with a live chat option.

The intelligent ticketing system allows streamlining and automation of tickets. The system synchronizes tickets between the client's Customer Portal and the Atera user interface for real-time communication. 

One highlight of Atera's helpdesk feature is the AI ticket tagging, which auto-categorizes incoming tickets based on keywords. This process ensures efficient allocation of requests to the relevant IT professional, speeding up response times and improving service quality.

What’s more, Atera's helpdesk includes a knowledge base feature, which lets you create and maintain an information repository. This includes articles, tutorials, and documentation tailored to the users' needs to help you promote a culture of self-service.
 

6. Network discovery

Atera's Network Discovery tool doesn't just watch over your network, it also automatically checks and lists every part of your IT setup. It's good at spotting opportunities for you to offer more services to your customers.

Network Discovery is also a big help when it comes to keeping your network safe. It's always on the lookout for new devices connecting to your network or changes to existing ones. Plus, it can spot devices that might be at risk, like those without antivirus software.

The tool can scan all the 'doors' (ports) on your network to make sure they're safe, and it works with Windows Active Directory and Workgroups to give you a detailed view of all devices on your network.
 

7. Integrations and add-ons 

Atera offers a flexible platform that not only comes with its own powerful tools but also integrates seamlessly with a variety of familiar applications. With a selection of add-ons, you can extend Atera's capabilities directly within the platform to meet your evolving IT needs.

Atera's integrations allow for smooth connectivity with popular applications like Xero, Quickbooks, Chocolatey, AnyDesk, and Splashtop through their robust APIs. These integrations cover an array of functions such as security network monitoring, backup, billing, and remote access, ensuring you have all the tools you need to manage your IT environment efficiently. 
 

8. Atera app for mobile 

Atera's mobile apps for iOS and Android offer a range of features to help IT professionals manage their work on the go. With these apps, you can access and control your IT environment from anywhere, making remote work more feasible and efficient.

Some key features of the mobile apps include:

• Real-time alerts and notifications: Receive instant notifications about important events, alerts, or tickets in your IT environment.

• Helpdesk and ticketing: Manage and respond to tickets directly from your phone. You can create, assign, update, and close tickets as needed.

• Remote access: Connect to client devices remotely for troubleshooting or support, regardless of where you are.

• Monitoring and reporting: Keep track of the health of your network, view reports, and monitor system performance directly from your mobile device.

Atera pros and cons

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of Atera:

Atera advantages

• Unified solution: Atera merges RMM, PSA, and remote access into one streamlined platform. This means less juggling between different tools and more time focusing on core IT management tasks. 

• Cost-effective: Adopting Atera's unique per-technician pricing model not only allows businesses to better control costs but also removes the complexities of counting endpoints. This makes it particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises on a budget.

• User-friendly: The user-friendly interface of Atera is designed with practicality and ease-of-use in mind. This reduces the learning curve and allows IT teams to quickly adapt.

• Versatile integrations: Atera gives you the flexibility to mold the platform according to your specific business requirements. This versatility allows you to tailor Atera to your unique operational needs and enhances its utility as an IT management tool.

• Mobile applications: Atera's mobile apps for iOS and Android elevate the convenience of IT management to a new level. With these apps, IT professionals are no longer desk-bound; they can monitor systems, troubleshoot issues, and manage their Atera networks from any location, anytime.
   

Atera disadvantages

• Limited customization: While Atera offers a range of features, some users might find the customization options a bit restrictive compared to other platforms.

• Interface learning curve: Although generally user-friendly, newcomers might need some time to familiarize themselves with the interface and fully understand its functionalities.

Atera complaints & praise (Atera reviews from real customers)

Customers of Atera often mention how much money they save using the platform. This is because Atera charges per technician rather than per endpoint, which means that businesses managing a lot of devices can save a lot of money.

Users also point out how Atera has helped make their IT support, remote administration, and system health monitoring much simpler and more efficient. They can now easily spot things that were only noticeable before when a computer was physically within their network.

Another feature that’s often mentioned in the Atera RMM reviews is the constant product development. Atera frequently adds new features and doesn't limit users to certain third-party integrations, providing a wide range of options. Users also say that Atera's customer support is excellent.

Atera's automation features receive a lot of praise as well in user reviews. They help save time, are easy to use, and allow users to set up custom scripts that can automatically fix problems as they come up.

Users also say that Atera makes them look good in front of their entire company. It simplifies tasks such as patch application, problem reporting, and confirming hardware inventory. The ability to easily remote control devices is a big plus for many users.

Negative Atera reviews mention concerns such as a focus on MSP-centric features that might be irrelevant to many businesses, an unintuitive knowledge base, price increases with new features, and additional charges for network discovery. Users ask for better onboarding, clearer pricing tiers, and a more user-friendly knowledge base. They say they need a product that better meets their specific IT management needs without unnecessary features or added costs.
 

Review of Atera support

Atera offers a range of customer support options to assist users, including a knowledge base, webinars, a shared script library, and a blog. Users can also access the support team through chat and email channels. In case further assistance is required, users have the option to submit a support request. These resources and support channels aim to provide users with helpful information and guidance to address their queries and concerns effectively.

Is Atera worth it? Our conclusion

After writing this detailed review, the main question still remains, is Atera worth it?

The good news is we can confidently say Atera is definitely worth it. With its all-in-one platform, affordable pricing, user-friendly interface, and extensive integrations, Atera offers immense value for businesses. 

While there are areas for improvement, the overall benefits and positive user feedback make Atera a reliable and effective solution. 

Let's simplify things and summarize when Atera would be a suitable choice and when it may not be the best fit for you.

Go with Atera if you’re:

• A small business or medium-sized company that needs an all-in-one IT management solution.

• A Managed Service Provider (MSP) that’s looking for a comprehensive platform for remote monitoring, ticketing, and automation.

• A business that cares about cost-effectiveness and transparent pricing.

When Atera may not be the best choice for you:

• If you're a business that does not align with MSP-centric features and functionalities.

• A business that needs extensive customization or specialized features beyond Atera's offerings.

It's important to carefully assess your specific needs and evaluate how well Atera aligns with your requirements before making a decision. The good news is that there are many solid Atera alternatives available on the market that you can opt for, including SolarWinds and NinjaRMM. 

If you want to see how Atera compares against other alternatives, take a look at this detailed best help desk software post that walks you through all the best options available. 

Good luck!
 

Our final Atera rating

4.7/5