Atera vs. Autotask: 2026’s full comparison for IT managers

Are you looking for the right PSA and/or RMM software for an IT department or managed service provider (MSP)? Look no further. You may have heard of Atera and Datto Autotask PSA (known as Autotask), two major players in SaaS IT.

While these two IT SaaS players might seem tomato-tomato (please sound out two different pronunciations of tomato to get the full effect), they each have a lot of differences that make them better in different contexts.

So, without further ado, let’s look at what sets these two platforms apart so that you can make the best decision for your organization’s unique needs. To do this, we have reviewed each platform’s key features, security, customer support, and other key factors.

Note: If you want to see how Atera and Datto compare as a whole, read our Atera vs. Datto comparison guide here.

Atera vs. Autotask: An overview

For a quick look into the differences between Atera and Autotask, we’ve created an overview table below:

For a more detailed comparison, read G2’s Atera and Autotask comparison and see how users rate each platform. 

According to the comparison, Atera outperforms Autotask in nearly all categories, including ones like ease of use, how well the platform meets user requirements, and the quality of available features.

#1: Features and Capabilities

Atera and Autotask each offer PSA services for managed service providers (MSPs) and IT departments. While Autotask is limited to PSA use cases, Atera has a broad range of features that go beyond PSA’s capabilities.

Autotask’s PSA features include service desk, knowledge base management, contracts, time tracking and billing, as well as reports.

Autotask does integrate with Datto RMM for unified RMM/PSA capabilities, but this comes at an extra monthly/yearly subscription cost. For many users, the need to combine Autotask with Datto to perform RMM functions is frustrating enough to make them go with another provider like Atera.

Atera users appreciate the platform’s all-in-one functionality, which includes access to all features with one subscription.

In comparison to Autotask’s PSA capabilities, Atera’s key features include:

• RMM – for monitoring and managing Windows, Mac, and Linux devices, generating scripts, remotely accessing devices, and resolving device issues autonomously using our AI agents.
• PSA – for managing tickets, generating knowledge base articles, handling contracts and billing, and preparing reports. Our IT ticketing system is better than ever, with AI enhancements that allow you to work smarter, not harder.
• Network discovery – so you always have the full picture of your digital and physical IT assets.
• Patch management – to make sure your devices and third-party applications are always up-to-date.
• AI agents – to help IT teams and MSPs move from automated to fully autonomous IT management and eliminate 40% of their IT workload.

Atera’s holistic approach means IT teams don’t have to invest in multiple IT management tools to manage IT operations.

#2: Agentic AI development

Agentic AI is an area where we’re seeing big differences between Atera and Autotask.

At Atera, we’re proud to be at the forefront of the AI revolution. Our AI agents allow IT teams worldwide to do more with fewer resources and eliminate 40% of their IT workload instantly.

Atera’s Robin and AI Copilot(part of Autonomous IT) take on manual and repetitive tasks, so technicians can focus on strategic tasks that actually move the needle.

Autopilot is our AI agent for enterprises that deal with staff shortages, limited IT resources, and rising ticket volumes.

It takes pressure off your team by handling first-tier support on the channels your users already live in, whether it’s Slack, Teams, email, chat, or your Customer Portal.

Autopilot doesn’t just sit in the cloud looking smart, it tackles actual issues. With access to your RMM and Help Desk, it can diagnose and fix device issues, install and update pre-approved software, and create step by step instructions.

If an issue is too complex (or just weird), Autopilot automatically escalates the issue to a human technician, with a full context of the issue.

Our second AI agent, Atera’s AI Copilot, is your go-to IT companion for running health checks, executing actionable solutions, and providing instant remedies to fix device issues.

Copilot is like having access to another team member. It learns about your IT environment in real-time, and you can give it account-specific questions/tasks, such as:

• “Which devices are running on outdated software?”
• “Show me devices with critical security vulnerabilities.”
• “Restart the print server for the marketing department.”
• “List all endpoints with antivirus turned off.”

And to be fair, Autotask also offers an AI assistant for their ticketing system, which helps to summarize tickets and generate knowledge base articles:

Autotask Cooper Copilot

Though AI in ticketing is great, most IT teams will benefit more from a platform that has AI not only in ticketing but throughout all aspects of IT management.

This is precisely what Atera’s autonomous IT tool is: the world’s first IT management platform that expands Agentic AI technology to all areas of IT.

#3: User Interface and Usability

When it comes to user interface and usability, Atera’s integrated dashboards simply cannot be topped. What do we mean by that? Well, our dashboards are intuitive and easy to navigate, which our users agree to.

From the main screen, you’ll see a quick overview of all of the essential information while still being able to do a deep dive into any given area with just one (or maybe two clicks) of a button. To give you a visual idea of what we mean – here’s what our comprehensive dashboard looks like: 

Atera’s all-in-one dashboard (Image via Atera)

From the main dashboard, you get an easy overview of the health of your IT environment. To perform key IT management tasks, such as ticket management, you can navigate to the Tickets tab in the left-hand menu:

Atera ticket management

To access our AI agents, you can click on the bottom-right corner or access them directly from the device, ticket, or alerts page.

So, how does this stack up against Autotask? To give you a better idea of the user interface differences, this is what Autotask’s admin dashboard looks like:

Autotask PSA admin dashboard (via Datto’s YouTube)

Just in January 2025, Autotask made updates to its user interface, which it announced on Reddit. While some users were happy to see long-awaited improvements to Datto’s interface, others said it made their workflow even more difficult:

Autotask review via Reddit

At Atera, we constantly improve and innovate our dashboards and user interfaces to improve usability. Customer feedback is part of the development process, and you can always track the upcoming enhancements from the product roadmap page:

Atera’s product roadmap

#4: Performance and Reliability

Atera has built a strong reputation as a product you can count on. We are always working to minimize downtime and allow you to get the most out of our product.

For our team, consistency and reliability are two top priorities.  Plus, should anything go wrong, you can count on our 24/7 live support, which is available in several different languages.  Or do you prefer an at-your-leisure support experience? If so, we offer a collection of digital resources, including a blog, an online community, and an extensive knowledge base.

Many users agree that Atera is reliable, robust, and exceeds in capabilities:

Atera review via Capterra

In comparison, Datto Autotask is a Kaseya company that has received mixed feedback regarding performance and reliability. For instance, in the following Reddit thread, users discuss their experiences after the Kaseya acquisition:

Autotask review via Reddit

Customer support is a key part of platform reliability, so Datto’s declining customer support is a notable drawback.

#5: Pricing and Value for Money

There’s no way around it; pricing is a big factor whenever you’re considering a new product for your IT team. That’s why Atera is committed to transparent pricing. We’ll never leave you in the dark, allowing you to budget effectively and make informed decisions about how much your investment is compared to what you are getting for your money.

Our pay-per-technician pricing structure is like nothing else on the market. Atera’s pricing plans for MSPs start at $129 per month and pricing plans for IT departments start at $149 per month per technician. Better yet, you won’t need to worry about costly upcharges to achieve full functionality. Key integrations like Splashtop and Azure are included at no additional cost.

Atera’s IT department pricing

Unfortunately, Autotask does not share our commitment to transparency. Nowhere on the Autotask website will you find clear information about pricing… and if you think that sounds like a red flag, you are right.

Many verified users on G2, Capterra, and Reddit have mentioned achieving significant cost savings after migrating over to Atera. For example, a Reddit user below mentioned using Datto’s RMM/PSA combination, and after switching to Atera, their team reduced costs by 2/3rds:

Atera review via Reddit

Atera’s unique pay-per-technician model is perfect for both enterprises and start-up customers (and everyone in between), as it allows for easy growth and scaling without additional upcharges every time you add an endpoint.

#6: Customer Support and Community

When you become an Atera client, you’ll feel our sense of community immediately – all of our users are invited and encouraged to become a part of our online community, which is nicknamed the “Ateraverse.” Our IT community is a great place to connect with other Atera users, troubleshoot common problems, or simply have a laugh with your fellow IT pros.

We also have live agents available around the clock so that we can offer you the support you need at any time of day (or night)! Plus, our site is fully stocked with countless online resources that you can read at your leisure. Find recorded webinars, a rich knowledge base, and a veritable library of blog articles to broaden your know-how and get the support you need… whenever you need it.

Atera review via G2

Can Autotask meet the same standard? While the product’s website does offer some resources, such as blogs and case studies, many customers note that the customer support level has gone down after the Kaseya acquisition.

#7: Security and Compliance

RMM security and compliance are essential features of any IT product – but you wouldn’t know that by looking at Autotask’s website. Although the product’s available integrations with Datto RMM expands its offerings to include security-related features, these options are not native to Autotask and will cost you extra.

At Atera, we know that IT professionals are tired of constant upcharges and upsells to get a fully functioning product. That’s why we provide an all-in-one solution that is equipped with everything you need for productivity, protection, and so much more.

How do we prioritize security? Our smart logging and reporting capabilities, as well as strict adherence to all industry security standards, give our customers unmatched peace of mind. You can sleep at ease knowing that your organization is safe from the threat of malevolent actors.

Our real-time monitoring and alerts, powered by AI agents, detect and address potential issues before they impact your workflow. Plus, Autopilot automatically installs and updates pre-approved software, removing one of the most commonly exploited vulnerabilities: outdated applications. 

We believe in proactive IT rather than reactive IT – and that means equipping you with the tools to keep your IT ecosystem safe and secure.

We are proud to have earned HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC2 compliance. We have also gained numerous ISO certifications (27001, 27017, 27018, and 27032, to be exact) and have expanded our security-related integration selections so that you can easily use Atera in tandem with your other favorite cybersecurity products.

In addition, Atera offers native integrations with security products, including Cynet, Keeper, ESET, Emsisoft, Webroot, ThreatDown, Bitdefender, and Ironscales.

Cybersecurity is at the core of our company’s ethos. That is why we have designed our product with your safety in mind. Our world-class patch management, numerous compliance certifications and security accolades, and advanced, responsive features come together to create our one-of-a-kind product. At Atera, your safety is our top priority… and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

#8: User Feedback and Reviews

Here’s the thing: we spend all of our time working on and perfecting our incredible product. 

So of course we’re proud of it, but we don’t want you to just take our word for it. 

In total, Atera has received nearly 1,200+ reviews across G2 and Capterra, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. In comparison, Autotask PSA has 500+ reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. Plus, according to a G2 comparison, Atera beats Autotask PSA in nearly all categories.

No matter where you look, Atera has garnered consistently positive reviews. With Agentic AI that helps IT teams move from automated to fully autonomous IT management and fair per-technician pricing, our solutions are a great fit for both start-up and enterprise customers.

For instance, take this reviewer’s perspective, which applauds Atera’s continuous innovation in the Agentic AI for IT management space:

“Atera AI integrations really help our Level 1 technicians to succeed. The automation of scripts on alerts and Copilot pointing technicians in the right direction makes Atera a cut above the rest.”

Atera review via G2

Another Capterra user mentioned, “I love the integration of AI within the ticketing and scripting. It helps when you forget that one command to make progress.”

Now, let’s talk about the reviews for Autotask. 

While some users find it perfectly fits their niche needs, others take issue with its limited capabilities and clunky integrations. Autotask PSA can be a good fit for companies who use Datto RMM, but do not expect it to mesh well with other programs – even workplace staples like Outlook, as a G2 user wrote.

Who should you try: Atera or Autotask?

So, which platform should you choose for your organization, Atera or Autotask? While we might be a bit biased, we really believe that most IT teams and MSPs benefit more from Atera’s all-in-one IT management platform.

Atera has a complete suite of features under a single subscription, 24/7 customer support, the industry’s first built-in Agentic AI technology, and a transparent pricing model that Autotask can’t match. However, we encourage you to conduct thorough research before you make a decision. 

It’s a good idea to reach out to each product’s sales team to receive a demo. At Atera, we make things even easier with a free 30-day trial – no credit card required.

Get in touch with us today to experience the Atera difference for yourself.