The Uniformation GK3 Ultra has been a much-anticipated printer and follows on from the hugely popular GK2, just on a larger scale. Rather than an update to their other model, the GK3 is larger, boosts the screen resolution and adds features that help to improve workflows, something that will be of special interest to anyone wanting to use this machine professionally. 

Rather than just hitting us with one headline feature, the GK3 boasts three major updates, the first and most obvious being the scale, with this machine overshadowing many other resin printers out there and offering a print build area that is close to that of a standard filament printer. However, it also offers outstanding 16K resolution, and it's only once you start printing that you can see just what this means in reality with prints that show finer detail than anything we've so far seen at this price. While the resolution is impressive, when that resolution is coupled with a build area of up to 300 x 160 x 300 mm, you can start to see the potential for modellers as well as product design.

Then there's the auto-resin refill system, which is simple in design but helps to ensure that you don't run out of resin during some of those huge prints. What's more, the chamber is now heated to help to ensure that the resin is at the best temperature for printing, again ensuring the best possible quality,

Considering the price of the GK3 Ultra, this is one of the best 3D printers I've tested, appealing to hobbyists as well as professionals who need a machine that offers precision and reliability. 

Uniformation GK3 Ultra: Design

At 30 kg and measuring 455 x 400 x 575mm, there's nothing small or lightweight about the GK3 Ultra, and while that may seem big, you also have to factor in the flip-up lid, further increasing the height of the machine. However, if you're investing in the GK3, then the size really should be familiar, and neither should the weight. This is a machine that, once positioned, should have a permanent home, especially when you consider that much the same space is needed for the wash and cure machines.

When it comes to the construction of the GK3, the main frame is sleek and industrial, with a large hinged lid that provides easy access to the print area and helps prevent unwanted exposure to UV light. Our test review unit has gone through something of a transformation during the duration of the test, with slight tweaks having been made to the lid, which has transformed with several iterations arriving that have refined the design and function. All of the changes have been based on user feedback, and they make a huge difference.

The flip-over lid is a great idea and gives you access to the build area, which is substantial, as is the tank at the base that can hold up to 1.2 kg of resin. Uniformation has really looked at the mechanics of the build area, which is a point of the design that can so often be a weak point for resin 3D printers. 

While they haven't done anything groundbreaking, there are several points here that do improve the usability, such as the quick release for the resin tank and build platform. This means that both can be quickly removed, cleaned, and replaced as needed. 

The resin tank features the usual transparent film at the base, and this is held in place by a selection of screws. As is common, the procedure for changing films involves unscrewing two layers of screws in order to remove and replace the film, and as ever, this isn't a quick process, taking between 15 and 30 minutes from start to finish.

While the tank is huge, with one of the largest capacities for resin that we have seen, it also features an auto-fill option. The design of this is simple with a refillable resin cartridge, which can be dropped into the back of the machine, and then, as the resin label drops, the machine releases more resin. Through the test, this worked incredibly well, with some prints taking a good kg of resin to complete, and the fact that you can have that quantity of resin in the system is a huge benefit.

On the front of the machine is the 5-inch capacitive touch display, which once again offers a nicely designed and intuitive interface that enables you to select prints as well as run through general maintenance tasks.

One other point about the design is that the build chamber is heated, which just helps to ensure that the resin is kept at the optimum temperature for printing—this is especially important if the machine is kept in a workshop where the ambient temperature can't always be maintained.

Uniformation GK3 Ultra: Features

The Uniformation GK3 Ultra is packed with features that set it apart from other resin 3D printers as, really, at present, there's nothing else in this price range or size that can compete. At the core of the machine is the high-resolution 16K LCD screen; we've seen this high resolution recently, including, but most top out at 14K, so instantly, the GK3 takes the possible quality of prints up a notch. This screen offers a resolution of 15120x6230 pixels and an XY layer height of between 0.03mm-0.05mm. 

When we looked at the GK2, we were impressed by the size, but when printing at a larger scale, having to fill the resin tank manually feels a little primitive. With the new GK3, this resin tank is auto-filled fill, and you place the resin cartridge, which holds 1 kg of resin each, into the back of the machine. Then, a sensor on the tank activates the release of the resin once needed. It's a very slick and neat system. When it comes to the actual size of the print area, it measures 300 x 160 x 300 mm, which should give you plenty of space for larger projects or bulk printing for small commercial print runs. 

With any printer FFF or resin, one of the biggest issues as the scale of the printers increases is the rigidity of the machine, a factor that can have a massive impact on the quality of the prints. It's good to see that Uniformation has addressed this with one of the most solidly built resin 3D printers out there with a weight of 30 kg, confirming that this is not lightweight. It also measures 455x400x575, so it is considerably larger than most. One other feature of the quality of the mechanical design is that the Z-axis features both dual linear rails and ball screws to offer smooth and accurate precision as the build plate rises through the height of the machine. 

Another key feature of this build area is the fact that the chamber is heated. We've already seen the difference that a heated chamber makes with other resin 3D printers, so this is an obvious step forward to ensure that the resin is at the optimum temperature required before the print process starts. The chamber also features a built-in air filtration system, which is an important addition for any resin 3D printer to stop the often strong smells of the resin leaking into the room.

On the front of the machine is once again the large, clear 5-inch capacitive touchscreen that offers access to all the print settings and controls; it also enables you to pick up any prints sent wirelessly to the machine ready for printing. This connectivity is much the same as the GK2 and enables Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB options. However, the Wi-Fi setup is far easier than it was initially for the GK2, so any problems for anyone new to device networking shouldn't have an issue here.

When it comes to slicing, Uniformation provides its slicer, or you can use Chitubox or Lychee; we tested the machine on both Mac and PC systems, with the Uniformation Slicer being used on the PC while Lychee was used on the Mac. Both provide a huge number of options and settings, and they are able to wire transfer files to the machine.

There are a few other nice features around the design, such as the new quick-release design for both the build platform and resin tank, which makes it quick and easy to remove both without needing to undo bolts. In contrast, this style of quick release is common for build platforms, but it's less common for the resin tank and is a nice addition. Another nice touch is the resin drip hanger that enables the suspension of the build platform at an angle so all excess resin drips off. There are integrated LED lights and channels for resin drainage built into the build platform that helps avoid resin spilling into other parts of the system; all of the tweaks as the size increases to the design make a big difference over the GK2 (see our full review here).

Uniformation GK3 Ultra: Print quality

Getting started with the Uniformation GK3 Ultra is relatively quick once you've manoeuvred the machine into position. It's worth noting that at 30 kg, this machine is large, and while you can lift and position it relatively easily, having an extra pair of hands is definitely beneficial. It's checking that the work surface, or especially the desk that you're placing the printer on, is able to support that amount of weight. Once in position, the rest of the setup is straightforward, with the resin tank slotting and locking into place with the quick-release mechanism, a huge improvement over the usual bolt-down approach. Then, the build platform can be secured; again, this is quick release, and finally, the resin cartridge can be inserted into the back of the machine.

Next, with the power on, you can run through the usual setup process, and as our printer had yet to have the easiest trip to use, it went through a full calibration. When the box arrived damaged and the printer had quite obviously taken more than a knock or two, it was surprising that it had initially started at all. Still, the mechanics all seemed fine, and the machine was soon levelled, calibrated, and ready for action. 

Once the model was sent over from the Lychee slicer to the machine, the print process was started, with the tank filling automatically to the required level for the first print. The print process then started, and it's apparent that while the machine is large, it runs quietly. Also, the filter and heated chamber both appeared to do their jobs as the print started to rise from the resin. 

Print speeds for the first set of models were excellent and, again, surprising considering the size. Check over the first few character prints from the machine, and the quality really grasps you—while resin printers are good, the GK3 Ultra feels like a step up, and as the prints are washed and cured, the details that come through are outstanding. 

As we started with the printer, a few small prints were produced, slowly increasing the size and scale until we almost reached the print height of the machine. Again, when printing with this volume of resin, there is always the fear of running out; however, here, with over a kilo of resin used on a single print, that wasn't an issue, with the resin tank filled and with a full resin bottle loaded. This is one of only a few resin printers that you can happily leave to print at this scale over a 15-24 hour print. 

That was really one of the other surprising factors for the machine. While the scale of the prints is large, the print speeds are excellent, with full-sized and scaled prints developing in a relatively fast 24 hours. While this might not sound quick, the fact that it was able to print a model at this scale reliably and several times really marks this out as something different in the world of resin printing, especially at this price. 

When it came to the quality of the finish of the models, the resolution was superb, and the printer was able to handle fine details well. Checking over the prints that have been produced using some of the higher print settings and there are hardly any signs of layering and checking the dimension accuracy of the prints further highlights just how good this printer is. 

As a test, a production line of GoPro handlebar mounts was printed, and the quality across the board was excellent with no missed prints after five runs using the ABS-like resin. After each print, a tank cleaning exposure was run and peeled away to ensure that no debris had fallen into the tank; this cleaning process was carried out to help streamline the workflow, as changing a damaged sheet takes around 30 minutes. 

One of the first prints through the print process did drop support, and this fell into the resin tank. While that print was fine, we missed the fact that anything had dropped into the tank, which resulted in the film being pierced at the start of the next print. When the machine was stopped, the damage was apparent, and a new screen and tank film were installed. The screen protector was quick to install, with the old one peeling away so the new one could be stuck in place. The changing of the resin tank film, on the other hand, does take time, with a huge selection of screws needing to be removed before the new film can be put in place and tightened. So, using the cleaning function is a quick way to avoid any damage to the film or screen.

Overall, for a resin printer of this size, features such as the temperature-controlled chamber, quick-release build plate, and tank, along with the filter and touch screen, make using the GK3 Ultra incredibly easy. While there are other high-resolution and featured resin printers out there, the GK3 Ultra is easily the best at present in this size and price. If you want an accurate, fully featured resin printer for your business, then this is definitely the best value for money and quality at present. 

Uniformation GK3 Ultra: Final verdict

The Uniformation GK3 Ultra offers outstanding print quality and features that are designed to meet the needs of professionals and equally serious hobbyists. With its 16K resolution, auto-refill system, and large build area, it's a significant improvement over the already impressive GKTwo. 

The review of the GK3 Ultra has taken some time due to a few last minute tweaks and changes from the company, with each change improving the build quality, especially for the visor along with some of the other features. This is a substantial machine, and considering the price, it's a solid investment for anyone looking for a high quality machine for modelling, jewellery, or any other use where high precision and absolute quality are needed.

While the machine is able to print at huge sizes for a resin 3D printer—the ultimate test came when we printed the excellent Heracles and the Nemean Lion (https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-heracles-and-the-nemean-lion-presupported-395096) model courtesy of Nerikson (https://www.patreon.com/nerikson)—there is a version of this at full scale that can be printed in one, and while that would be beyond the capabilities of most resin 3D printers, the GK3 Ultra has the capacity to handle that with ease. However, printing it in parts highlights the accuracy, as high precision is needed so that each part slots together easily. While the detail of many resin printers is superb, accuracy isn't always carried across. So, not only were we able to print more parts of the model in a single print run, but those parts all slotted together easily.

Overall, this is an outstanding resin 3D printer, and considering the features, scale and price there really is nothing else on the market that can compete. 

Should You Buy the Uniformation GK3 Ultra?

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Ivanti Neurons is a platform that helps businesses and MSPs secure their IT devices and infrastructure through remote management and patching tools. Founded in 1985, the company has an experience of almost 40 years and now caters to 40k+ customers worldwide. 

It offers diverse tools to identify various IT assets within a network and then patch them automatically through pre-set rules. Unlike other RMMs, it prioritizes the most vulnerable security issue, ensuring you have a safe environment. Plus, it can secure a vast range of devices, from Windows and Mac to Android and iOS. The onboarding, implementation, and integrations are also simple to execute.

However, Ivanti may be a slightly complex tool for new users and may require a degree of training to get the hang of its functions. Plus, Ivanti does not reveal its pricing, meaning you’ll have to contact their sales team to get a quote.

Ivanti Neurons: Plans and pricing

Similar to RMMs like Datto and NinjaOne, Ivanti Neurons also doesn’t reveal its pricing. You’ll have to fill out a form with your requirements to get a custom quote from the sales team.

This is certainly a time-taking process, as you’ll have to lay down everything you need. However, with Ivanti offering a lot of products for different IT functions, this gives you a chance to customize the entire product and only pay for the features you actually need.

Ivanti Neurons: Features

Ivanti Neurons' Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) gives IT teams single-pane visibility on all the endpoints and helps automate the entire lifecycle management of every single device, from onboarding to retirement.

Unlike other RMM solutions, Ivanti follows a risk-based patch management approach, which ensures you can patch the most vulnerable risks as soon as possible. While most RMM platforms follow the human validation of exploits from penetration testing, Ivanti employs a more comprehensive Vulnerability Risk Rating (VRR) method. 

Besides CVSS, the VRR method considers Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) data, open-source threat intelligence, OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project), subject matter expertise, and trending information. 

All of this data is correlated to arrive at a VRR score between 0 and 10 –  the higher the score, the higher the risk. This allows technicians to prioritize patches that are more critical.

Mobile device management is as important as monitoring desktops. This is exactly what Ivanti is good at. In addition to Windows, you can also access other operating systems, such as iOS, iPadOS, Android, and macOS. 

Irrespective of the device of the end user, you can use apps like Ivanti AppStation, Ivanti Sentry, and Ivanti Email+ to establish and monitor various safeguards on the devices. However, you’ll have to contact the sales team to get the exact quote for this feature.

What's more, Ivanti also has a dedicated BYOD portal, which allows end-users to bring their own devices into the company infrastructure without compromising the organization's security.

Ivanti also boasts comprehensive application control for Windows, Windows Server, and Linux systems. For example, it allows IT teams to manage user privileges and application access across your asset estate. 

Technicians can even use Trusted Ownership checking to mitigate zero-day malware by checking the NTFS owner of an application. If the owner is non-trusted, the application will not be able to run on the system.

Similarly, Windows privilege management allows you to give end users access to only the apps or tasks that they need and not the entire endpoint. This reduces endpoint vulnerability and helps manage security costs. Technicians can also enforce device-based software license control to set usage and access limits on various applications.

Ivanti Neurons: Interface and performance

The Ivanti Neurons dashboard is clean and defined by user roles. You’ll only (and easily) be able to view the elements critical to your functions. 

A few useful dashboard widgets include Asset Manager (it shows all your assets in different locations) and Asset Manager Analyst (it displays your open tasks, requests, and unassigned tasks). Similarly, the Asset Manager Management dashboard shows you all active asset requests from your team.

The dashboards are filled with color-coded charts, such as bar charts, pie graphs, pivot tables, and grouped lines. This helps you get a quick overview of the data instead of skimming through complex data records. You can add, modify, or delete a chart (as well as other elements on the dashboard) as per your user role.

Overall, the interface may come across as a bit old at first glance, but it gets the job done. It’s laced with information and can be customized by the admins as per user needs. This is ideal for large organizations with clear-cut role-defined employees.

Ivanti Neurons: Security

Ivanti Neurons offers airtight security, which is evident from the wide range of certifications it has received. For instance, the platform complies with Service Organization Control 2 (SOC2), which requires companies to adhere to certain security standards for data storage, and ISO/IEC 27001, which helps protect it from data breaches and security threats. 

Ivanti is also in active compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and has a designated data privacy team that oversees its processes, policies, and standards. The platform also conducts periodic penetration testing to ensure its systems are free of any possible vulnerabilities.

Ivanti Neurons: Support

We were quite impressed by the assortment of support options on Ivanti. For starters, there are dedicated phone numbers for various locations, such as the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. 

The platform also offers a dedicated success portal where, along with viewing other details, you can raise a ticket and request a callback from the support team. If your problem is ‘Severity 1 - Critical,” the team will call you back even outside of business hours, ensuring prompt support. Severity 1 - Critical problems are those where the product isn’t working and cannot be restarted or there’s an unstable third-party, mission-critical application.

Ivanti also has a very active community forum where you can ask questions and expect quick resolutions. What we liked the most is that there are several groups within these communities based on the product type. 

So, there’s a separate group for automation, IT asset management, service management, and so on. These communities also have MVP members along with their LinkedIn IDs to help you reach out to experts.

Ivanti Neurons: Final verdict

Ivanti Neurons is a diverse RMM platform that goes beyond vanilla remote management functions. It offers a lot of products that can be mixed and matched and customized into a unique plan for your  business needs. In addition to automating patch management, its Discovery feature lets you maintain a real-time inventory of your company's digital assets, ensuring no endpoint is missed. 

Ivanti supports Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and macOS, so businesses can manage almost every type of device. The platform has also recently introduced AI-powered automations, which allow teams to manage endpoint patching and technical issues through behavioral analysis. 

Overall, Ivanti is a feature-rich and multi-dimensional RMM platform, ideal for large teams. However, one drawback is that you may have to spend a bit of time learning the ropes around the software since there are a lot of features to work with.

Ivanti Neurons: FAQs

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TeamViewer is a widely popular remote access and device monitoring tool. It was founded in 2005 and currently has more than 640,000 customers worldwide. The platform’s ease of use makes it a popular choice among IT professionals and MSPs.

With easy remote endpoint access, it offers features like endpoint threat protection, mobile device management, automated alerts, and patching. Its pricing structure also caters to a wide market – from single users to large-scale enterprises, there’s something or everyone. Plus, thanks to its robust cybersecurity structures, you can rest assured that your data will remain private. 

However, it's worth noting that TeamViewer can be a slightly costly pick for small teams with less than 100 managed endpoints. Let’s dive deeper into TeamViewer to find out its best features, pricing, support, and security structure to find out if it's the best choice for you.

TeamViewer: Plans and pricing

TeamViewer offers a lot of plans for single users, teams, and enterprise-level businesses. 

As you can see, TeamViewer offers a lot of options for businesses of all sizes – from individuals and small teams to full-blown enterprises. All of the plans allow connection to Windows, macOS, and Linux systems from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS devices.

However, the number of concurrent connections can vary depending on the plan. For instance, both the plans for single users as well as the TeamViewer Premium subscription support only one concurrent connection, whereas the TeamViewer Corporate plan supports three.

Furthermore, every single tier comes with its own set of features. For example, you do not get asset management and device monitoring functions in the TeamViewer Remote Access plan. 

That said, we found the Teams plans more value for money since they come with almost all the features the platform has to offer. For example, the Premium plan, which can support up to 300 devices, boils down to a rate of $0.38 per endpoint, making it one of the most affordable RMMs around. 

However, this is only true if you have 300 endpoints to manage in the first place. If you don't, it will only increase your per-endpoint management cost.

TeamViewer: Features

TeamViewer has an impressive list of remote management features. You can get a complete view of all IoT assets in your environment with detailed metrics like asset type, disk space, and network monitoring details. 

The platform’s device monitoring features help IT teams keep an eye on various IT aspects, such as S.M.A.R.T. errors, software installations, and bad log-in attempts. You can even set various thresholds for CPU and memory usage.

TeamViewer will send you an alert when there’s a new OS update available for download. What's more, you can even automate patch management through pre-defined policies – for either a particular end user or an entire set of assets. The platform also supports third-party application patching.

Integrated ThreatDown Endpoint Protection, powered by Malwarebytes, helps you protect your endpoints from malicious actors such as malware, ransomware, spyware, and even zero-day threats. 

With both signature-based and signatureless detection methods, combined with behavioral analysis with the help of modern machine-learning algorithms, ThreatDown ensures your endpoints are not compromised. 

You also get Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) features, which monitor suspicious activity in real time and isolate files that are infected. Endpoints can also be protected from accessing malicious websites over the internet, suspicious links, and malvertising attempts.

The best part is that you do not need to install any app or extension to deploy ThreatDown. It comes fully integrated with TeamViewer and deployment is as easy as pressing a button.

TeamViewer has also partnered with Ivanti to offer robust mobile device management. This includes onboarding, roll-out, and troubleshooting devices from a single dashboard. IT teams can deploy security enhancements, manage in-app controls and permissions, and enforce policies and standards. 

It’s also possible to remotely lock and wipe devices in case of emergencies and also monitor a device's location in real time.

TeamViewer: Interface and performance

TeamViewer's main dashboard is intuitive and has a modern touch to it. You can quickly look at information like total devices managed, active devices, and devices missing patches. 

There’s a sleek panel on the left that helps you navigate through various functions and settings on the platform. These options are divided into functions like asset management, endpoint protection, backup, and mobile device management. Under each of these options, you’ll find several other drop-down clickable paths, which simplifies using the entire platform. 

Moreover, every single function has a separate ‘overview’ tab, which helps you quickly drill down on important issues. This also ensures the main dashboard isn’t too cluttered and is easily skimmable.

TeamViewer: Security

TeamViewer pulls no punches when it comes to security. It has designed various policies and internal procedures and set up proper information governance structures according to the GDPR rules. 

It goes a step ahead of other RMMs around and complies with the Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGDP), which regulates the use of personal data by businesses in Brazil, and the California Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (CCPA), which establishes data privacy rights for customers in California.

To protect your accounts on TeamViewer, you can set up various security checks, such as two-factor authentication. In case you forget your password and have trouble logging in, you can rely on the platform’s zero-knowledge account recovery process, where you’ll need to enter a unique 64-character Zero-knowledge Account Recovery Code. All of this happens without any intervention from TeamViewer’s internal team.

We were also impressed by TeamViewer’s brute force protection. After every unsuccessful password entry, the time you need to wait for the next attempt increases. It can take as long as 17 hours to enter 24 passwords. This will come in clutch when a malicious threat actor is trying brute-force algorithms to compromise your TeamViewer account.

TeamViewer: Support

There are several ways you can reach out to the TeamViewer support team: live chat, phone, and email support tickets. Chat support is available from Monday to Friday between 8am to 6pm EST, whereas phone support can be accessed from Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm EST.

The only downside is that you do not get 24/7 support. Yes, you can indeed submit support tickets anytime you want, but the response may not be instant. However, there’s a special Service Level Agreement (SLA) option, where you get access to the phone number and email address of a dedicated TeamViewer expert, who will then promptly help you with any issues you might have. 

Although not necessary for small teams, the SLA is essential for large enterprises with a lot of managed endpoints. That said, even SLA’s premium support is only available on weekdays.

TeamViewer: Final verdict

TeamViewer is a global remote management and access software that allows IT teams to manage and resolve IT issues remotely from any part of the world. Along with regular RMM features like device management and automated patching, TeamViewer has also teamed up with Malwarebytes to offer endpoint protection on all connected devices. 

Additionally, you can also manage mobile devices in your IT infrastructure, thanks to its collaboration with Ivanti. This makes TeamViewer more than just a regular RMM platform.

The platform’s pricing structure is meant for both individual users and businesses with large teams. With the ability to manage 200-500 endpoints across its plans, TeamViewer is ideal for mid-sized and large businesses. However, small IT teams and MSPs handling less than 100 endpoints may find TeamViewer slightly on the expensive side.

TeamViewer: FAQs

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Datto is a cloud-based RMM software provider founded in 2007. Built for MSPs, the platform has more than 1 million users in 20+ locations. Datto was acquired by Kaseya in April 2022 for a whopping $6.2 billion. However, to this day, Datto RMM exists as an independent RMM product, catering to MSPs all around the world.

Datto aims to simplify remote endpoint management. You can automate patch management through pre-made and customizable scripts. The platform is also well-known for its integrations, especially Microsoft 365 Management, which allows MSPs to monitor the endpoint’s Microsoft suite from a single dashboard. Plus, it’s the only RMM platform that comes with native ransomware detection tools.

With that said, there are a few downsides as well. For starters, it’s very secretive about its pricing – you’ll have to get a custom quote if you want to purchase a plan. What's more, patch management only works on Windows endpoints, meaning you’ll have to employ a workaround for macOS. Read on to find out everything about Datto, including whether it's ideal for your requirements.

Datto: Plans and pricing

Datto RMM offers custom pricing, which means you’ll have to contact their sales team with your requirements for a customized quote. This means you’ll be able to get a highly tailored deal ideal for your needs. 

However, this can be a time-consuming process – you’ll first have to explain your requirements and then negotiate with them to arrive at a workable deal. Plus, even after spending so much time, it's hard to guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with the pricing you get. 

For this reason, we believe that it's better to know upfront how much you’d be paying so that you can make a quick decision. However, this is indeed a subjective matter, and companies may just as well like Datto’s custom pricing.

Datto: Features

One of the standouts about Datto is that it’s the only RMM where you get native Microsoft 365 Management, which helps you administer your Microsoft 365 tasks through a single-user management platform. 

Once you connect an endpoint, you get a dedicated Microsoft 365 menu and a comprehensive overview for each client. Plus, you can seamlessly navigate to the various Microsoft client portals for each endpoint.

Like other RMM software, Datto also supports automated patch management for operating systems and third-party applications, such as Google Chrome, Oracle Java, and Adobe Acrobat.

Its advanced Software Management gives technicians access to more than 200 additional applications, ensuring a wide range of third-party patching. Furthermore, you can set flexible parameters to deliver patches to all your endpoints.

Datto also allows technicians to set up policy-based patch approvals along with device-level compliance reporting. We liked that there’s an extensive library of pre-designed scripts and policies so that you don’t have to build one from scratch.

One downside is that Datto does not inherently support macOS patch management. For that, you’ll have to download “Install Updates with SUPER [MAC]” – a ComStore component. ComStore is a page with data scripts, installers, and device monitors, which are collectively called components.

With that said, however, Datto RMM goes a step ahead of traditional patch management and offers native ransomware detection. In fact, Datto is one of the few RMM software to do so.

Sure, patched antivirus helps you detect all kinds of digital threats. However, it’s always good to have an extra layer of protection, which is exactly what Datto RMM does. The platform uses behavioral analysis to detect ransomware on connected endpoints and send alerts to MSPs so that they can take preventive steps in time.

Datto also isolates the infected device from the network so that the ransomware does not spread through other client devices. This helps businesses reduce downtime and losses from ransomware.

MSPs often use dedicated network scanning platforms to configure all points and devices in a particular client site. However, Datto comes with built-in network topology mapping that gives technicians a detailed tree-style map of all discovered components. This ensures that no device is accidentally left unmonitored.

Datto: Interface and performance

Datto RMM offers a graphics-oriented dashboard that helps you grasp the status of all your endpoints at a single glance. You get a total of 3 dashboard options: blank dashboard, default dashboard, and Datto EDR & Security dashboard. 

The blank dashboard, as the name suggests, is just like a blank piece of paper, where you can add as many widgets as you want from Datto’s widget library. You get 28 widget options to choose from, with various graphs such as line, doughnut, table, and tree map.

The default dashboard comes with widgets like antivirus status, Windows patch status, open alerts, offline devices, and recent alerts. Needless to say, you can customize the board the way you want.

Lastly, the Datto EDR & Security dashboard focuses on the security aspect of connected endpoints. You get information about security threats, ransomware status, and Windows Defender status of all the devices.

Overall, we like the information-oriented approach by Datto, and unlike other RMM software, you get a lot more control with the dashboards.

Datto: Security

Datto RMM employs several security protocols to ensure all its users and their data are safe. For instance, it uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption to encrypt all the data on its platform. Users are required to set strong 9-character passwords, which expire every 30, 60, or 90 days (optional), for added security.

Besides this, you can also enable two-factor authentication and use one-time passwords to add an extra layer of protection.

The good news keeps coming as the platform is hosted on a separate AWS Account with no shared access, which is housed in nondescript facilities. AWS also complies with several certifications and attestations, such as SAS70 Type II, PCI DSS Level 1, ISO 27001, and FISMA.

Apart from this, Datto conducts regular penetration testing in partnership with approved authorities to ensure that there are no exploitable vulnerabilities in their systems.

Overall, Datto takes online security as seriously as a top-notch company should and leaves no stone unturned to ensure its users and partners have a safe experience.

Datto: Support

Datto RMM offers 24/7/365 support through various channels such as live chat, call, and email tickets. What we liked the most is that it has dedicated phone numbers for various regions and countries with more than 500 support team members worldwide. This ensures that users get priority support with quick response times. 

The platform also authenticates every single user and ensures that the information submitted in the ticket is private and protected.

Additionally, we found a lot of documentation, help articles, official YouTube videos, and troubleshooting guides from Datto that will sort out common queries. Plus, Kaseya’s active peer-to-peer community ensures that there’s always someone to help you out immediately.

Datto: Final verdict

Datto is a well-known remote management solution crafted specifically for MSPs. Founded in 2007, Datto is super secure and is the only RMM solution that offers native ransomware detection. It alerts the technicians if it finds traces of ransomware on any system and even isolates it from the rest of the network. 

Much like other RMMs around, it allows you to automate patch management for your client. However, what we liked the most is that it gives technicians access to more than 200 third-party applications, making it one of the best RMMs for third-party patching. 

Overall, it’s a top-notch RMM solution, especially if you’re a MSP. However, there are also a few downsides worth factoring in before you commit. For instance, it cannot patch macOS systems, meaning you’ll have to download a custom component from its store – a workaround that may not work as well as inherent macOS patch management. Plus, Datto's doesn't reveal its pricing publicly, so you’ll reach out to their sales teams for a quote.

Datto: FAQs

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ConnectWise was founded in 1982 as an IT solutions provider, making it one of the most experienced players in the industry right now. Over the years, it has continued to introduce and improve its products that have helped IT professionals worldwide. 

It recently won the 2024 Channel Futures MSP 501 Gala Award in the ‘Preferred vendor’ category for its RMM product. Additionally, it has also won 25 other awards in 2024 across various categories. This speaks volumes abouts its reputation, reliability, and effectiveness.

ConnectWise RMM offers excellent value for money for teams of all sizes. From automated patch management to AI scripting, there’s a lot you can do with ConnectWise. Plus, its informative dashboards, coupled with unified UIs, make it an easy-to-navigate tool, even if you use multiple ConnectWise products. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into ConnectWise, explaining what makes it such a sought-after RMM solution.

ConnectWise: Plans and pricing

ConnectWise offers three plans: Essential, Pro, and Premium. As the name suggests, Essential is the entry-level plan, with features like automated OS and third-party patching, AI scripting, intelligent monitoring, and several third-party integrations. We found this plan sufficient for most small and medium-sized businesses and MSPs.

However, should you decide to upgrade to the Pro plan, you’ll get additional features like advanced intelligent monitoring​, network monitoring, and backup monitoring.

The Premium plan is meant for cloud and SaaS management, as it comes with features like unlimited ScreenConnect Remote, remote camera sharing, and Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 SaaS backup.

However, to find out the exact pricing of each of these plans, you’ll have to contact ConnectWise’s sales team. It's worth noting, however, that most RMM platforms maintain an on-request pricing structure because they offer customized plans, which isn’t the case with ConnectWise. The plans are all well laid out in advance with pre-determined features. So, keeping an on-request pricing seems a little odd in this case.

ConnectWise: Features

ConnectWise offers a lot of handy features that make remote management a breeze. For instance, it’s one of the few RMM platforms to come with integrated ScreenConnect – its proprietary remote desktop access management software. The best thing is that you get this right from the most basic plan. 

This brings in functions like seamless and quick endpoint connections, a shared toolbox, and universal compatibility. IT teams can solve problems remotely via the user’s camera without any additional downloads. With other RMMs, however, you have to integrate a third-party access software, which doesn’t work as seamlessly as an out-of-the-box solution like ConnectWise.

Speaking of integrations, BrightGauge is another addition we liked. It’s basically a reporting tool that consolidates all your information in one place, giving you access to insightful business intelligence (BI) dashboards. It can capture data to convert it into skimmable charts, which helps you analyze trends and patterns quickly. Just like ScreenConnect, BrightGauge is also available on the Essential plan.

ConnectWise supports both OS (Windows and Mac) and third-party patching. You can even automate the patching function with customizable scripts. What’s more, you don’t have to write a script from scratch, either, thanks to the platform’s AI-generated scripting function that does it for you.

ConnectWise also offers dedicated NOC services, where, essentially, the platform takes the workload off your shoulders. This applies to regular patching activities, day-to-day BDR, routing management, and recovery backup. 

This allows your IT teams to focus on more critical client issues, ensuring a better overall customer experience. However – and it's not very surprising – that this comes at an extra cost and isn’t included in any of the pre-designed plans mentioned earlier.

ConnectWise: Interface and performance

The main ConnectWise RMM dashboard is clean and neatly showcases various widgets. You can find information in the form of charts and graphs, and a quick glance will be enough to know the status of your endpoints.

However, it is ConnectWise’s Asio dashboard that steals the deal for us. Unlike other RMMs, the Asio dashboard combines all of ConnectWise’a product functions and 20+ UIs in a single place.

You can get live endpoints, patching, and network statuses from the ‘Unified Monitoring & Management’ tab. The ‘Solutions’ tab lets you manage your PSA functions, such as assigning and resolving customer tickets. Next, the ‘Centralized Data’ tab at the bottom combines all your data across various products to avoid repetitive functions and enable hyper-automation across various functions. 

The best part is that the dashboard isn’t limited to ConnectWise products – you can also add third-party vendors to extend your data into Asio, ensuring that all your apps share only a single data portfolio. This eliminates constant back and forth and makes data management seamless and unified.

ConnectWise: Security

ConnectWise has put in a lot of effort to build a robust security architecture. It has adopted the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and complies with ISO27000 standards that focus on network security, vulnerability and threat management, and incident management, among other things.

The platform employs a formal change control process, which reviews, approves, and tests changes to network devices, information systems, and other system components. ConnectWise also maintains audit logs, with a detailed access history of various systems.

The endpoints are also secured through regular and thorough penetration tests, vulnerability, and phishing assessments. Plus, in case there’s any loss of data during a major catastrophe, ConnectWise has active disaster recovery programs running across their cloud environments.

However, it's worth mentioning that ConnectWise’s ScreenConnect was hacked in February this year when malicious actors exploited two vulnerabilities in its system. Both issues were patched in time and ConnectWise has, since then, strengthened its security infrastructure. 

Overall, the platform has put in a lot of thought into designing and enforcing its safety measures to ensure users have a safe experience.

ConnectWise: Support

The level of customer support you get from ConnectWise depends on your plan. Here’s a quick look at the support channels available. 

It’s good to see that email and live chat support are available to every single user, irrespective of their plan. However, do note that if you’re on the most basic plan, you’ll only be able to connect to the service team on weekdays between 8am and 5pm. For users of the Standard plan, support is available 24/7, and Premium users can access assistance even on holidays.

Additionally, there’s a dedicated community forum where you can discuss your queries with platform experts. We also found a good deal of product documentation on the website that will help you out with common issues or questions.

ConnectWise: Final verdict

ConnectWise is a fairly robust RMM software offering functions like intelligent monitoring, automated patching, and AI scripting. However, its unified Asio dashboard is the showstopper and easily what impressed us the most. 

Even if you have purchased a number of ConnectWise products, the Asio dashboard combines the data of all the platforms into a single panel. This saves you a lot of data duplication and gives teams a holistic view of the statuses of various endpoints. 

Next, the entry-level Essentials plan, according to our testing, is more than enough for most modern IT teams and MSPs. It comes with integrated features like ScreenConnect, which lets you remotely access and troubleshoot endpoints. Plus, its Business Intelligence reporting tool, BrightGauge, pulls out information-driven reports in no time.

However, you will have to reach out to ConnectWise’s sales team to get a quote, even though the website has well-laid-out pre-configured plans.

ConnectWise: FAQs

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Founded in 2000, Kaseya is a well-known name in the IT and security management industry. With more than 24 years of experience, it now caters to more than 45,000 customers in 21 countries. In addition to its VSA RMM platform, Kaseya also offers a lot of other IT solutions, such as PSA, BCDR, cloud backup, email security, and pen testing. This makes it a one-stop destination for all your business's security needs.

Its VSA is an award-winning RMM platform offering features like device monitoring, IT automation and patching, remote access and control, omni-network SNMP monitoring, and mobile device management. You also get native ransomware detection and 600+ out-of-the-box scripts that help achieve quick automation.

However, a slightly steep price tag and a recent cybersecurity incident may have you wondering if it's the best network monitoring tool for your business. Read on to find out.

Kaseya VSA: Plans and pricing

As is the case with most RMM platforms, you’ll have to request a custom quote from the Kaseya sales team. However, after some digging, we found out that the prices may fall between $4-5 per endpoint per month, which, in our experience with RMM platforms, is a bit too high.

If you’re a large business with many endpoints, you’ll have good bargaining power. However, there are several other RMM platforms like TeamViewer that cost less than $0.50 an endpoint.

A silver lining when it comes to Kaseya VSA’s pricing is that you get a 14-day free trial. This gives you ample time to try out the platform before committing to a paid plan. It's worth noting that N-central RMM, another fantastic platform, also offers a free trial (30 days).

Kaseya VSA: Features

Kaseya VSA offers several monitoring and patch management functions, making it a complete RMM platform. You get the benefits of zero-configuration SNMP device monitoring for all your switches, printers, and routers in the IT network.

All you have to do is check a box, and Kaseya will start detecting and responding to alerts to various SNMP IT incidents. You can also automate actions to be taken whenever an alert is triggered. These include creating an alarm or a ticket or sending emails to recipients.

There’s also a VSA Network Topology Map, which shows you all the devices. Here, you can quickly identify an open alert – just look for a red alarm badge.

Kaseya automations can also be used for auto-remediation of IT issues by running scripts. For example, simple tasks like restarting a printer or rebooting a system after installing an application can be automated. There’s also an automation library with 600+ scripts, reports, and monitor sets, which gives you a head start, ensuring you don’t have to build a script from scratch.

IT technicians can remotely access endpoints with Kaseya to resolve any issues with full console access. There’s also a stealth mode remote control tool called Live Connect which gives you access to an endpoint without the user’s knowledge.

You can access the device’s desktop, memory utilization, and file and directory transfer. Feel free to even browse their drive, add, modify, or delete files, and make changes to files locally. The best part is that you can launch multiple sessions simultaneously.

Plus, just like Datto RMM, Kaseya VSA also comes with native ransomware detection, which detects any crypto-ransomware on endpoints using behavioral analysis. It immediately sends a notification to the IT technicians and starts the process of quarantining the affected files. This can come in handy even if you have a dedicated antivirus solution. After all, an extra layer of protection is always good to have.

Kaseya VSA: Interface and performance

Kaseya follows a simple interface with a white background laced with blue headers. All the functions can be accessed from a panel on the left. You’ll find various sub-options under each function, allowing you to quickly access any feature you need. All in all, it's nothing out of the ordinary, which, by the way, is a good thing!

Although the interface may appear to be too basic at first glance, it’s super effective and gets the job done. There are no lags or technical glitches with the platform, ensuring a seamless experience.

Just like with Datto RMM, you can create custom dashboards in Kaseya as well. This can be done using various widgets and charts. The default dashboard houses important pieces of information, such as system statuses, active alerts, etc. You can also edit each of these widgets – add or remove them as per your priorities.

Kaseya VSA: Security

Kaseya VSA complies with various security standards. For instance, the company conducts SOC 2 Type II audits, which validate the operating efficiency of its internal controls.

They're also in active compliance with the ISO 27001 standard, which lays down guidelines for the management of ISMS (information security management system). Users can also exercise their data privacy rights under GDPR and CCPA with Kaseya VSA. All communications between Kaseya agents and the Kaseya server are protected with industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption.

Apart from this, the company also conducts regular penetration tests (both internal and external) to ensure there aren't any unnoticed vulnerabilities in their system. You can also set up various role and scope-specific access permissions and enable two-factor authentications. Overall, Kaseya’s security structure is among the most robust we've seen.

With all that in mind, the fact remains that Kaseya was a victim of a ransomware attack this year. However, there wasn't any damage reported and the attack was neutralized in time. While this incident can be considered a black mark on Kaseya’s integrity, it has only helped the company bolster its security infrastructure.

Kaseya VSA: Support

Kaseya offers technical support through three channels: support tickets, email, and call. Phone support is available from Monday to Friday between 6am and 6pm EST. An advantage of using a global product like Kaseya is that there’s an active global community of users and technicians, where you’ll find answers to all your common queries.

Plus, Kaseya itself offers a lot of documentation, help, how-to articles, and YouTube videos that help you climb the platform’s learning curve.

Kaseya VSA: Final verdict

Kaseya VSA is a feature-rich RMM solution ideal for large IT teams and MSPs. VSA’s network discovery and SNMP monitoring will not let any device go undetected in your IT environment. You can then monitor them and get alerts in real time.

It’s also possible to auto-remediate common alerts with pre-designed scripts. There’s also a stealth remote control tool that gives technicians full access to any endpoint, with the authority to modify files without the knowledge of the end user. The Kaseya dashboard is likable, too. It's simple and allows you to drill down on various endpoint parameters with custom filters and reports – and you can also add a custom dashboard with widgets of your choice.

However, while Kaseya is certainly not short on features, they're priced at a premium. Although it doesn’t reveal its pricing, final costs may fall anywhere between $4-5/endpoint/month, which may be a tad too expensive for most businesses.

Plus, Kaseya suffered a cyberattack this year when the Russian ransomware gang REvil exploited a vulnerability in its systems. Although the issue has been resolved, the same cannot be said about the customers’ confidence in the company, which has affected its business as well. With that said, however, the company boasts a beefed up set of privacy and security credentials, which includes regular penetration testing to avoid such incidents in the future.

Kaseya VSA: FAQs

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N-able is a well-known name in the IT security industry with more than 25,000 MSPs and 8,000,000 managed endpoints. Its N-central RMM solution was voted as the #1 RMM platform for three consecutive years by CRN readers in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This goes to show the real-world effectiveness of the platform.

N-central’s workflow automation capabilities are second to none in the industry. It offers more than 650 built-in automation scripts – and you can also use its AI integration to create scripts from scratch. 

Additionally, it's one of the very few platforms that allow you to test it out for 30 days before purchasing a plan. That said, its pricing is only available on request, meaning you’ll have to spend time with its sales team to work out a deal.

But is it the best network monitoring tool out there? We take a closer look...

N-central: Plans and pricing

N-central does not reveal its pricing on its website, so you’ll have to reach out to their sales team with your requirements to get a custom quote. This can be beneficial for large businesses that need a highly customized solution for endpoint management. However, small teams may have to negotiate well to secure a good deal.

With that in mind, one of the best things about N-central is its 30-day free trial – something we don’t often see in the RMM industry. This gives you the opportunity to try the platform before committing to a purchase.

Now, it may so happen that you’re already on an RMM contract and want to switch to N-central. In that case, N-central offers you a price of $1/month for 12 months if you show proof of existing contractual commitment. This is an excellent offering!

N-central: Features

N-central stands out from other RMM platforms thanks to its excellent patch management features. In addition to OS patches, you can also run automated patches for more than 100 third-party applications, such as Skype and Zoom. The platform also ensures you do not miss any patches, including OOB (out-of-band) patches released by Microsoft, outside of their patch schedules. 

The patch policies are also highly customizable – you can implement them either across the entire organization, a specific department, a group of devices, or a single endpoint. Yes, other RMM platforms also allow you to automate a lot of workflows. However, N-central takes automation to the next level by providing more than 650 pre-made automation scripts, which can be deployed as they come out of the box or downloaded and customized as per your requirements. 

From automatic patch deployment to self-healing and auto-remediation, there are a lot of repetitive processes you can automate. You can also create an automation script from scratch using N-central’s GenAI capabilities.

Even when you’re switching from an existing RMM system, the customer support team works with you to import your existing automations on N-central. 

In addition to the core functions of discovering and monitoring all kinds of devices in a given network, N-central also offers some handy add-ons. For instance, it has joined hands with SentinelOne to offer Endpoint Detection & Response functions. 

Its AI-based ransomware protection and behavioral AI engines go beyond just traditional methods of signature-based detections. It can also help you roll back data and recover lost files within minutes – without having to pay a dime to the threat actors. 

We also liked N-central’s Cloud Commander add-on, which lets you manage Windows, Intune, and Azure devices from the same dashboard. This makes onboarding a new client and assigning licenses as easy as filling out a single form. 

You do not need to add a new client to the Azure client directory, create a mailbox in Microsoft 365, or set up the user’s details like role, location, and phone number. With Cloud Commander, you’d simply need to select the organization and add the new user.

N-Central also supports remote Apple mobile device management (MDM), which comes laced with integrations like Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager. This makes the entire onboarding experience automatic and seamless and doesn't require much interference from the IT team.

N-central: Interface and performance

N-central boasts information-dense dashboards filled with various color-coordinated charts that help IT teams and MSPs drill down on endpoint data in real time. There are dedicated information boards for various functions, such as patching, backup, reports, analytics, integrations, and so on – you’ll find all these options on the left-hand side panel. 

What's more, you can also build a custom dashboard and choose between various data visualization charts, filters, and data inputs. We also found a lot of bar charts, pie charts, graphs, and other visual data representation tools, as well as a handful of filtering options, where you can view data by device type, OS name, customer, or site.

However, it's worth noting that the text on these boards may seem a bit cluttered or tiny and requires that users spend some time getting a hang of how things work.

N-central: Security

N-able holds an ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification, which is also independently verified by Schellman & Company. The platform also complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (CCPA). These are proof that the platform complies with all legal regulations and frameworks while collecting and handling user data. 

N-able also pays special attention to its privacy-by-design policy, which ensures that all data collected by the platform is used for limited processing and only for the purpose it’s designed to be used. 

Seeing as it uses AI in various parts of its platform design, the company has also drafted a detailed AI policy to ensure transparency with its users and inform them how their data is being processed using AI tools. This is highly appreciated, especially in the modern cybersecurity landscape, which is rife with web scraping to collect vast amounts of data for AI development. 

N-central: Support

You can get in touch with an N-able representative through call, support ticket, or live chat. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to be logged in to your N-ableMe dashboard to do so. 

Moreover, N-able has an active resource center with hundreds of articles on various products, including N-central. There are also filters that can help you whittle down the products and topics you’re actually looking for. 

Lastly, ongoing live demos, which are completely free to join, will help you learn the ropes around the platform.

N-central: Final verdict

N-central is a popular RMM and security platform that stands out for its superior automation features. If you’re a large MSP or IT team looking to streamline workflows and endpoint monitoring, N-central’s 650+ automation scripts will be more than enough. Plus, its AI-powered monitoring and alert system prevents any vulnerability from seeping through your systems.

There are also several add-ons, like Endpoint Detection & Response, in collaboration with SentinelOne, which helps you detect and remove any malware attacks in real time with superior behavioral analysis. Additionally, a cloud management tool called Cloud Commander will help you manage Windows, Intune, and Azure environments from a single dashboard.

Overall, N-central’s basic RMM features are good enough for any small or mid-sized business. However, enterprise-level IT teams and MSPs may have to opt for some add-ons to derive the best value for their purpose. 

However, as is the industry’s norm, you’ll have to reach out to N-central’s sales team to get a custom quote, which will also depend on how well you’re able to negotiate. One of the best things about N-central is that you get a free trial of 30 days, which not too many RMM platforms offer.

N-central: FAQs

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