Top 24 Best Systems Management Software Of 2024
10 Best Systems Management Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 24 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
In the intricate realm of managing apps, finding the right management solution can be a game-changer, whether cloud-based or not. With real-time monitoring and customizable features, systems management software not only streamlines your entire IT infrastructure but also alleviates the stress of constant oversight and disjointed processes.
Having navigated these waters myself, I genuinely understand the challenges you're facing. Trust me, with the right tool, you can effortlessly bridge the gap between chaos and order, ensuring you stay ahead of potential pitfalls. I'd encourage you to explore these options – they just might be the solution you've been searching for.
What Is a Systems Management Software?
Systems management software is a specialized tool designed to monitor, control, and manage an organization's IT infrastructure. Typically used by IT professionals and system administrators, it aids in tasks like deploying applications, ensuring security compliance, handling patch management, and optimizing overall system performance. Through these tools, businesses can maintain optimal operations, reduce downtime, and ensure that their technology assets are both efficient and effective.
Best Systems Management Software Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people | Website |
| Rippling IT | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Josys | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Pulseway | From $20/user/month, billed annually. | Website |
| Ansible | From $10,000/year (billed annually) | Website |
| ServiceNow IT Service Management (ITSM) | Pricing upon request. | Website |
| Quest KACE Systems Management | Pricing upon request. | Website |
| Lakeside | Pricing upon request. | Website |
| BMC Helix ITSM | Pricing upon request. | Website |
| SolarWinds | From $19/user/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareBest Systems Management Software Reviews
Deel is well-known for its global payroll, HR, and compliance platform. Recently, Deel expanded its offering with the introduction of Deel IT, an end-to-end IT management solution. This suite integrates IT operations with HR and payroll, making it easier for businesses to handle everything from equipment delivery to device maintenance.
Why I Picked Deel: If you're looking for a way to manage IT assets for your global workforce, Deel offers real-time visibility into devices deployed in various regions. The platform simplifies device procurement, deployment, and lifecycle management, ensuring you can track and manage hardware across 130+ countries. Its features, such as automated device setup with pre-configured apps and security controls, Mobile Device Management (MDM), and endpoint protection, are crucial for maintaining a secure and efficient IT infrastructure on a global scale.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Deel also offers customizable IT policies and permissions, giving you control over who can access what equipment. Security is another key feature, with built-in MDM and endpoint protection to secure all your devices. It even has automated device refresh cycles, ensuring you can upgrade hardware efficiently while minimizing downtime. Integrations include Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, BambooHR, Greenhouse, SAP SuccessFactors, Okta, and Azure Active Directory.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Helps automate asset-related workflows
- Can pre-configure devices before they're shipped
- HR and IT asset management in one
Cons:
- Does not offer features for other IT infrastructure components, like servers and networks
- May not be ideal for teams with very complex IT asset needs
Rippling IT is a platform that helps you manage your company's IT infrastructure in one place. It allows you to oversee devices, identity, and access management, along with other crucial elements of your tech stack.
Why I Picked Rippling IT: With identity and access management, you can set up user provisioning, multi-factor authentication, and single sign-on to ensure secure access to your company's resources. It also includes device management tools that allow you to manage, secure, and monitor employee devices remotely. Rippling’s automated workflows help ensure that devices and access permissions are consistently updated as employees move across departments or leave the company.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Rippling offers the ability to automatically enforce device security policies, such as encryption or password protection, across all your company's laptops and mobile devices. Its inventory management function tracks the entire lifecycle of your devices—from purchase to disposal—helping you stay on top of your assets. Rippling also offers real-time alerts for policy violations. Available integrations include Slack, Google Workspace, Office 365, Zoom, Dropbox, Salesforce, and hundreds more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Support for onboarding and offboarding employees and their devices
- Customizable workflow automation
- Remote device lock and wipe capabilities
Cons:
- Not all features may be necessary for smaller operations
- Can be complex to set up initially
Josys is a comprehensive SaaS and device management platform that aims to simplify and optimize IT operations. By providing 360-degree control over IT assets, Josys enables organizations to visualize SaaS applications, analyze utilization trends, and automate app provisioning and device management.
Why I Picked Josys: Josys is a unique systems management software that focuses specifically on SaaS and device management. Its unified approach allows organizations to gain visibility and control over all their IT assets, simplifying the management process and reducing the complexity associated with juggling multiple tools. Josys also excels in providing detailed insights into asset utilization, enabling IT managers to optimize resource allocation and identify underutilized assets.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include a comprehensive user profile dashboard, which centralizes the management of user profiles and access permissions, ensuring efficient oversight of user activities. Another significant feature is the automation of SaaS license management, which optimizes license costs by tracking usage and ensuring compliance. Integrations include Microsoft Azure, Google Workspace, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Slack, Okta, Dropbox, Box, Zoom, BambooHR, HubSpot, and AWS.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Intuitive user interface
- Ability to inventory IT devices in real time
- Centralized SaaS management
Cons:
- Customization is limited
- May not be suitable for businesses with more complex IT needs
Pulseway delivers a comprehensive web-based platform primarily tailored to manage, monitor, and control IT workloads remotely. Catering to the increasing need for remote capabilities, Pulseway positions itself as an optimal solution for businesses and individuals who prioritize remote monitoring.
Why I Picked Pulseway: In the sea of tools I explored, I selected Pulseway because of its dedicated focus on remote monitoring and management (RMM). After comparing and judging various options, it was evident that Pulseway’s web-based infrastructure was a distinguishing feature, allowing access from virtually anywhere. I am of the opinion that for anyone in need of robust remote monitoring, Pulseway emerges as the best choice.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Pulseway is renowned for its RMM capabilities, providing real-time insights into workloads from a distance. As a SaaS solution, it negates the need for heavy installations, ensuring lightweight, yet potent monitoring. The platform also offers various add-ons to enhance functionality, and its integrations encompass numerous essential IT tools and platforms.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- A variety of add-ons available to augment platform capabilities
- Web-based SaaS structure ensures easy access without cumbersome installations
- Comprehensive RMM capabilities for diverse workloads
Cons:
- Initial setup and configuration can be intricate for newcomers.
- Some features might require additional investments in add-ons
- Annual billing might not be suitable for all businesses
Ansible is a powerful open-source tool designed to facilitate automation across an organization, covering everything from application deployment to intra-service orchestration. Owing to its open-source nature, Ansible is uniquely positioned to provide the best solution for businesses seeking transparency and flexibility in their automation endeavors.
Why I Picked Ansible: Among the myriad of tools available, I chose Ansible primarily because of its commitment to open-source principles, offering a level of transparency that's hard to find elsewhere. After making comparisons and judgments, it's clear that its open-source nature gives it an edge, allowing customization and adaptability like no other.
This makes it a prime choice for those looking for a tool that's best suited for open-source automation.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Ansible boasts robust network monitoring capabilities, ensuring all elements within a system are functioning optimally. Additionally, it provides extensive permissions settings, ensuring that MSPs and IT teams can control who accesses what.
Its integrations span a wide range of operating systems, ensuring versatility across different infrastructure setups.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports a wide variety of operating systems, enhancing adaptability
- Advanced permissions settings ideal for MSPS
- Extensive network monitoring capabilities
Cons:
- Relies on the community for updates and can be less predictable in release cycles.
- Extensive features could lead to a steep learning curve
- Might be challenging for beginners without a background in automation
ServiceNow ITSM is a comprehensive platform tailored to streamline IT service management processes, ensuring optimal uptime and a better user experience. With its focus on virtualization and addressing vulnerabilities in real time, it stands as an unparalleled tool in the IT service management landscape.
Why I Picked ServiceNow IT Service Management (ITSM): I determined that ServiceNow ITSM was a top contender after closely comparing it to other tools in the market. What differentiates it is its continuous dedication to ensuring maximum uptime and a keen eye on addressing vulnerabilities.
Given its prowess in enhancing the user experience and its adeptness in virtualization, it's clear why I think it's best for IT service management.
Standout Features & Integrations:
ServiceNow ITSM shines with widgets that provide users with easily accessible data and information. Its focus on virtualization ensures streamlined operations, while the platform’s features designed to pinpoint and handle vulnerabilities make it an essential tool for modern IT departments. Integration-wise, ServiceNow ITSM harmonizes well with various enterprise tools, amplifying its utility.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Widgets offer quick insights and aid in faster decision-making.
- Advanced virtualization capabilities.
- A strong emphasis on uptime ensures smooth operations.
Cons:
- Occasional updates may disrupt existing configurations.
- Some customizations might require technical expertise
- The learning curve can be steep for newcomers
Quest KACE Systems Management is a dedicated tool for overseeing a myriad of devices within an organizational landscape. It excels at providing granular control and oversight of both software and hardware components, making it a trusted choice for IT professionals and system administrators keen on device management.
Why I Picked Quest KACE Systems Management: I selected Quest KACE after judging it against a plethora of tools available in the market. When comparing features, I determined that its comprehensive ability to manage devices, coupled with its robust metrics and tracking, made it stand out from the rest. Given its capabilities, I firmly believe it's best for those seeking deep insights into device management in their IT infrastructure.
Standout Features & Integrations:
KACE Systems Management provides robust device discovery and inventory capabilities. It excels at software distribution, enabling the deployment of necessary applications across an array of devices. The software is also deeply integrated with Microsoft products, ensuring a harmonious IT environment.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports both cloud and on-premises deployment
- Strong integration with Microsoft products
- Detailed metrics for insightful device management
Cons:
- Some advanced features might be overkill for smaller businesses.
- The interface can be less intuitive compared to competitors
- Might have a steeper learning curve for newcomers
Lakeside Software offers a robust solution for organizations to obtain actionable insights regarding their workspace. These insights, drawn from meticulous analytics, are instrumental in making informed decisions to improve the efficiency and experience of end-users.
Why I Picked Lakeside: Lakeside grabbed my attention due to its specialized focus on workspace analytics. After carefully comparing various tools, Lakeside stood out because of its customizable dashboards and the ability to capture intricate data points relevant to a workspace.
I determined that for those aiming to deeply understand their workspace dynamics, Lakeside's analytics-driven approach makes it best for this purpose.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Lakeside boasts of customizable dashboards that present information tailored to an organization's needs. The software adeptly manages bandwidth, ensuring that data transfer is smooth and efficient. As for integrations, Lakeside efficiently collaborates with various data center infrastructures, allowing for comprehensive analysis.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Efficient bandwidth management ensures smooth data transfer
- Customizable dashboards offer tailored insights
- In-depth workspace analytics catering to the needs of end-users
Cons:
- Integration with non-data center tools might require additional configurations.
- Might have a learning curve for those unfamiliar with analytics tools
- The absence of clear pricing can make budgeting challenging
BMC Helix ITSM offers a powerful suite tailored for IT service management within a cloud environment. The platform's inherent strengths in managing cloud services underscore its position as 'best for cloud service management'.
Why I Picked BMC Helix ITSM: In the process of determining the right tools for this list, BMC Helix ITSM continually emerged as a top contender. Judging from its features and the positive opinions surrounding it, its prowess in cloud service management was evident.
I chose it because, when compared to others, its unique approach to cloud-based IT service management stood out.
Standout Features & Integrations:
BMC Helix ITSM offers exceptional application performance monitoring tools, ensuring services run optimally. Its asset management capabilities allow for comprehensive tracking of IT assets. Additionally, its integrations extend to primary IT tools, further amplifying its functional reach.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides insightful graphs for data visualization
- Detailed asset management capabilities
- Robust application performance tools
Cons:
- The platform's vastness can be overwhelming for new users.
- Some integrations may need manual setup
- Might require training for full feature utilization
SolarWinds provides IT departments with a comprehensive suite of tools to manage, monitor, and optimize IT systems efficiently. By offering an integrated solution, SolarWinds aids in ensuring the optimal performance of network devices and systems, aligning well with its reputation for system management.
Why I Picked SolarWinds: I chose SolarWinds for this list after extensively comparing it with similar tools available in the market. In terms of IT system management, SolarWinds offers a distinctive blend of features and functionalities that set it apart. Its proficiency in monitoring solutions and management ensures it's the best choice for those prioritizing effective system management.
Standout Features & Integrations:
SolarWinds excels with its detailed monitoring solution that gives IT departments clear visibility into the performance of their network devices. Additionally, the software offers an extensive knowledge base, making troubleshooting and system optimization a more informed process.
As for integrations, SolarWinds works with a broad array of IT systems and platforms, enhancing its versatility.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Versatile integrations with various IT platforms and systems
- An extensive knowledge base aids in informed decision-making
- Comprehensive IT systems monitoring and management capabilities
Cons:
- Some features might be redundant for smaller IT departments.
- Initial setup might require a learning curve for some users
- Lack of transparent pricing can be a barrier for some organizations
Other Noteworthy Systems Management Software
Below is a list of additional systems management software that I shortlisted, but did not make it to the top 12. These are definitely worth checking out.
- ManageEngine Endpoint Central
For endpoint management
- Nagios
Good for system, network, and application monitoring
- PagerDuty
Good for incident response coordination
- Chef
Good for continuous automation and configuration
- Opsgenie
Good for advanced alerting and on-call management
- OpenNMS
Good for network management and monitoring
- Auvik Networks
Good for managed network service providers
- GFI Languard
Good for network security and vulnerability scanning
- Puppet
Good for automating infrastructure as code
- N‑central® RMM
Good for comprehensive remote monitoring
Selection Criteria for Choosing Systems Management Software
When diving into the world of IT management and monitoring tools, there's a plethora of options available. I've evaluated dozens of these tools, always keeping a close eye on the balance between functionality and user experience. In this vast sea of software, I was particularly on the lookout for tools that offered specific functions to cater to both novice and seasoned IT professionals.
Let me break down the criteria that stood out to me and influenced my choices:
Core Functionality
- Real-time Monitoring: The ability to constantly monitor networks, servers, and systems for any potential issues or breaches.
- Remote Access: Offering IT professionals the capability to remotely access and manage systems, especially in crisis situations.
- Incident Reporting: Automatically detecting and reporting any system or network anomalies or failures.
- Configuration Management: A centralized hub to manage and automate configurations across all IT systems.
Key Features
- Automated Alerts: Not just informing about anomalies but also categorizing them based on urgency and type.
- Integration Capabilities: The capacity to easily integrate with other IT systems, software, or platforms, ensuring smooth interoperability.
- Role-Based Access Control: This ensures that access to the system and its data is based on roles within the organization, safeguarding sensitive information.
- Predictive Analysis: Using AI or machine learning to predict potential system failures or issues before they arise.
- Security Protocols: Ensuring the tool has strong encryption and other security measures in place, given the sensitive nature of IT systems.
Usability
- Interactive Dashboard: Given the complex data that IT management tools handle, an intuitive dashboard with clear visualizations is essential. For instance, network monitoring tools should visualize network pathways and bottlenecks.
- Drag-and-Drop Functionality: For tasks like prioritizing alerts or incidents, drag-and-drop functionalities make the tool much more user-friendly.
- Customizable Alerts: Allowing users to set and customize their alerts based on specific needs and thresholds.
- Learning Library or Onboarding Program: Given the complexity of some of these tools, having a comprehensive knowledge base or training resources ensures that users can utilize the tool to its maximum potential.
- Responsive Customer Support: In times of crisis or when dealing with unfamiliar issues, having a supportive and knowledgeable customer support team is invaluable.
Most Common Questions Regarding Systems Management Software (FAQ's)
What are the benefits of using systems management software?
Systems management software provides a myriad of advantages for businesses and IT professionals. Here are the top five benefits:
- Centralized Control: It offers a unified platform from which IT professionals can monitor, manage, and maintain various systems, reducing complexities.
- Proactive Problem Detection: With real-time monitoring, these tools can identify potential issues before they escalate, ensuring minimum system downtime.
- Enhanced Security: Many of these tools come with built-in security protocols, helping safeguard your IT systems from vulnerabilities and breaches.
- Efficient Resource Allocation: They can track the usage of resources, ensuring optimal utilization and helping in cost savings.
- Automated Updates and Patches: These tools can automatically update systems or deploy patches, ensuring the IT environment is always up-to-date.
How much do these systems management tools typically cost?
The pricing of systems management software varies widely based on its capabilities, the size of the organization, and the specific requirements. Some basic tools start as low as $10/user/month, while comprehensive enterprise solutions might cost thousands of dollars monthly.
What are the common pricing models for these tools?
There are several pricing models that vendors employ:
- Per User/Per Month: A pricing model based on the number of users accessing the software.
- Per Device: Especially for network or device monitoring tools, the cost is based on the number of devices being monitored.
- Tiered Pricing: Different tiers offer varying features, with prices increasing for higher tiers.
- Freemium: Some tools offer basic functionalities for free and charge for advanced features or more extensive monitoring.
What's the typical range of pricing for these tools?
Prices can range anywhere from $10/user/month for basic tools to upwards of $1,000/month for enterprise-grade solutions. The exact price depends on the functionalities provided and the scale of the software’s usage.
Which are the cheapest and most expensive software in the systems management category?
The cheapest software usually includes tools that offer limited functionalities or are designed for smaller businesses. An example might be Atera. On the other hand, comprehensive solutions tailored for large enterprises, such as ServiceNow ITSM, tend to be on the pricier side.
Are there any free tool options available?
Yes, there are free tools available, especially those that follow the freemium model. Tools like Nagios offer a basic free version, with the option to upgrade for more extensive features or capabilities.
Other Systems Management Software Reviews
- System Monitoring Tools
- Remote Monitoring and Management Software
- SaaS Operations Management Software
- Infrastructure Monitoring Tools
Summary
Choosing the best systems management software is crucial for the efficient and secure operation of IT environments. Throughout this guide, I delved into the significance of such software, the criteria that matter when making a selection, and the nuances of each tool's functionality and pricing.
Key Takeaways
- Understand your core needs: Before diving into the myriad of available options, it's paramount to define what you want the software to achieve. Whether it's for monitoring, patch management, or IT infrastructure, aligning the software's core functionality with your organization's requirements will lead to a more informed decision.
- Prioritize usability: A tool is only as good as its usability. Efficient systems management software should not only offer robust features but also present them in an intuitive manner. Consider the learning curve, interface design, and the availability of support resources when evaluating your options.
- Consider the total cost: Pricing for systems management software can vary widely. It's not just about the sticker price, but also the cost of training, integrations, and potential future scale. Factor in all these elements, and remember that the most expensive option isn't always the best fit, nor is the cheapest one always the most cost-effective in the long run.
What Do You Think?
I've endeavored to bring you a comprehensive list of the best systems management software available. However, the tech landscape is vast and ever-evolving. If you think there's a tool that deserves to be on this list or have personal experiences with any standout software I may have missed, please reach out.
Your insights will not only benefit us but also my readers who are always on the lookout for top-tier recommendations. I value your input and look forward to learning from your expertise!