Atera vs Microsoft Configuration Manager comparison

Atera and Microsoft are both solutions in the Patch Management category. Atera is ranked #11 with an average rating of 9.0, while Microsoft is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.1. Atera holds a 3.8% mindshare in PM, compared to Microsoft’s 16.2% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of Atera users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

Atera

Read 15 Atera reviews

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1,037 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Read 81 Microsoft Configuration Manager reviews

4,423 Views
3,512 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Atera

Microsoft Configuration Man...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 24, 2024

Microsoft Configuration Manager and Atera are competing products in the domain of enterprise systems management. Microsoft Configuration Manager has the advantage in large-scale enterprise management due to its comprehensive features, while Atera's user-friendly design and all-in-one setup make it appealing to small and medium-sized businesses.

Features: Microsoft Configuration Manager provides extensive features including application deployment, software patching, and hardware inventory management. It also integrates with WSUS and enforces compliance across a domain. Atera offers remote management tools such as device monitoring, automation, and a centralized console that is accessible and simple to use, making it suitable for IT service providers.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Configuration Manager users have noted the need for performance enhancements, better integration with non-Microsoft systems, and more straightforward reporting. Atera could improve its network monitoring, mobile management, and customization options, as well as extend its integrations with industry partners and cloud-based tools.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Configuration Manager can be complex to deploy, often requiring an on-premises setup and expert management, favoring large-scale environments but challenging for less experienced users. Atera offers both cloud and on-premises options, needing less specialized knowledge, while customer service for both platforms is rated positively, with Microsoft offering an expansive support network usually at an extra cost.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Configuration Manager's pricing includes costs for licensing and infrastructure, contributing to high ROI through efficient management in large enterprises. Atera’s pricing model is cost-effective, charging per technician with unlimited devices, making it attractive to small businesses and MSPs due to its predictable costs and scalable pricing, offering a good ROI for budget-constrained companies.

To learn more, read our detailed Atera vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager Report (Updated: January 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Atera vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager

January 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Atera

Ranking in Patch Management

11th

Average Rating

9.2

Reviews Sentiment

8.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

IT Service Management (ITSM) (12th), Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) (3rd)

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Ranking in Patch Management

1st

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Server Monitoring (3rd), Configuration Management (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2025, in the Patch Management category, the mindshare of Atera is 3.8%, down from 5.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Configuration Manager is 16.2%, down from 18.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Patch Management

Featured Reviews

James Clowes

IT Manager at Dynamic Bradview Roofing

Having fewer hardware replacements saves us in annual costs

There is a new version of the interface coming out. I have been asking for a new version for a while. While the interface is nice, I guess the developer thinks one way and the user thinks another. So, I think the interface is getting a big overhaul. This is what they have mentioned in their webinars and stuff. It is in beta, but I'm not on the beta program, so I haven't seen it. I can't really complain about the old interface, but now that I have heard there is a new one coming, all I want is the new one. The one thing that could do with improvement is the reporting. This is from someone who worked in an MSP, where I would want to run a report and be able to just present that to a client. Reports are fine for internal use, where they never leave your company. However, if I was an MSP, I would probably want a little bit more information or the ability to customize some of it without having to edit PDFs.

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MikeNelson2

IT Infrastructure Coordinator at NSW Government

Deployment recovery works well but requires configuration improvements

While I do not use the product frequently, many issues were due to configuration rather than the product itself. I cannot give an exact recommendation as it is not my area of responsibility. The team that uses it finds it adequate. It is presently good enough for us not to investigate other options. Overall, I rate the product a six out of ten.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The most valuable features of this solution are automatic batch matching and unattended support access."

"I really like the Shared Script Library and automation tasks which they have implemented... because all the Atera users in the community can share their scripts and their automation tasks knowledge. The same goes for the Shared SNMP Template Library."

"It is reliable, and when it is working, it works without issues."

"Measuring the integration is very helpful when using Atera Assist Test. It takes the solution to the next level by automating activities. It doesn't just provide the solution but also allows running scripts to fix issues before a technician has to work on them."

"It's very easy to use, not just for me, but even for people who have claimed, "I'm not very good at IT." Once you have it installed and you have it set up, it pretty much works by itself. It really helps you do what you need to do. It's easy to use for a beginner, compared to some of the other larger RMMs that are a little bit more complicated."

"We value the alerts that come with the product which allow me to reach out to my clients. Overall, Atera generates additional revenue streams for work done on their machines."

"All of the features of Atera are valuable because they allow the customers to achieve their goals. It is easy to use, has good collaboration, and has zero maintenance."

"Atera saves money. A trip to the customer costs between $20 to $30. Then, you need to charge the customer $20 to $30 for the travel. However, if you are doing this work remotely, then you are not driving. This makes the process easier and saves money for you and the customer. For example, if it is just one machine, then the savings comes out to $50 to $60. If we are talking about a huge client, who has hundreds of machines and is changing their infrastructure, that is a lot of money."

More Atera pros

"With the SCCM inventory, we found a lot of rogue applications. We were able to identify them, find out who was running them, and either put them on our application list or remove them."

"We're a Microsoft-centric organization, so we are happy with the integration between products."

"Technical support was helpful and responsive."

"I find the product valuable for deployment recovery and it has done much more than that."

"Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is valuable in keeping our systems updated. We are able to send updates to all the systems. Additionally, the Intune integration is helpful."

"It saves a lot of money when you can install things automatically and they are installed the exact same way on every computer."

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is the software deployment. Additionally, Microsoft integrates most of the other solutions well with one another."

"Microsoft Configuration Manager is integrated with other Microsoft products."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pros

Cons

"The one thing that could do with improvement is the reporting. This is from someone who worked in an MSP, where I would want to run a report and be able to just present that to a client."

"It will be interesting if Atera can integrate all kinds of products. In North America, there are a lot of resellers, like Ingram Micro, Tech Data, Arrow Electronics, etc. It would be amazing if Atera could integrate with these products. If they could integrate with these products for MSPs, it would be much easier. Then, if you are buying something, and need to add something, you don't need to jump from place to place because this is a very quick sales instrument for use on a daily basis."

"They are working on an update, and I would like to see more stuff outside of just computers and servers. Increasingly, we need to be able to monitor and manage network devices. Atera is improving on that already, which is one place that it is currently lacking."

"The chat solutions need improvement because we first need to connect to the customer. This needs to improve so that there is a particular feature that can provide support to customers even if they are not connected to a computer."

"I also use Apple Zoho, which does not require you to download anything. You can get help from Zoho. Atera, on the other hand, requires you to download an applet."

"Customization could be improved."

"There should be enhancements in network monitoring capabilities beyond just physical devices like computers and servers. It would be beneficial to include better tools for monitoring networking infrastructure such as routers. Additionally, while Atera excels in ticket management, I believe there's room for improvement in user authentication and security features, especially when accessing and managing remote equipment. These updates would contribute to a more robust and secure user experience overall. Atera should include a monitoring tool integrated with Azure or similar cloud platforms. It would be beneficial to have capabilities for monitoring network growth and automatically generating statistics based on system stability and performance metrics. This feature would help us better manage and optimize our equipment and network resources, especially for strategic customer planning and resource allocation."

"There is definitely room for improvement with its automation capabilities."

More Atera cons

"This solution needs to be supported on all Operating systems."

"On some hardware, we'd like an easier way to get peripherals attached."

"The time the solution takes for updating systems could be quicker. For example, the system information status is not updating as it should. Additionally, the database synchronization querying is slow and could be improved."

"The main room for improvement is the on-screen display. I think it would be good if some improvements were made."

"The main thing is that SCCM has to become an appliance instead of a server. When I say appliance, it has to come preconfigured so that it is drop-shipped into the enterprise and then you activate the feature sets that you want. It should pull down all the latest binaries. Once that is all there, it should have a discovery tool which goes out and discovers the assets within an enterprise. If the server, workstation, and applications are all coming from the same vendor, why not have the vendor do this work for us and automate it as much as it possibly can?"

"Initial setup was complex. There's a lot that goes into it."

"The solution can be improved with the addition of a mobile device manager."

"Not everything is readily available, and there are a lot of commands that are only executable via PowerShell."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It comes with unlimited devices, so the fixed price cost is taken out of my budget. So, I'm all good."

"Atera's pricing stays fixed and predictable, enabling us to add more customers and unlimited monitored devices. We still have a number of clients who fit a break/fix IT model. This is something where clients are complaining more about having to pay extra month-by-month for technology services. With Atera's model, we don't have to be going out and asking for more from clients each month. Right now, with where we are at in terms of scale, this is very important to us."

"With Atera, the more you add, the cheaper the cost of the additional endpoints will be."

"The value of the product is perfect, neither cheap nor expensive. I think it is the right rate. It would be awesome if it continued to be the same price because it is a great solution that I like. I like it because I'm not paying per device. I have some customers on monthly contracts and some of them are on break'n fix. If I have a client who is on break'n fix, and they need to pay per agent, then I am losing money. If they were ever to change structures, going to pay-per-device model, then I would need to think about changing to something else."

"We pay per user. I am the only user. It is $150 per user. If I need to add one, it is not as costly as expanding with other providers."

"Our company is a startup. The initial reason I looked into Atera was the fact that you pay by the technician, not per-device. That means you are able to jump right in with a service without having a large overhead."

"The price is reasonable for what we require."

"Pricing is my favorite part of it. It was per user, not per client."

More Atera pricing and cost advice

"We have to pay for a license."

"The licensing is good because they have various options, depending on what you are looking for."

"The price model is different for every client."

"Pricing and licensing are horrible. You have to not look at dollar value to use SCCM. It's super-duper expensive but it works. The acquisition cost is expensive, it's labor-intensive. But it works."

"Pricing is negotiable with Microsoft, depending upon which of their packages you choose."

"Its price is okay because it is part of our licensing."

"Overall, I think it's fine. It's pretty much in-line because there are ways to offset it with the Office 365 licensing."

"We use the tool's free license. It is expensive."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

Retailer

Educational Organization

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

12%

Government

11%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Atera?

Pricing is low. It costs around 149 bucks per month.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Atera?

It should improve its processes.

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What is your primary use case for Atera?

Atera is integral to our daily operations. We use it for RMM, PSA, our ticket system, and contact with people. We also integrate it with different products.

See all answers

How does Ansible compare to Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM)?

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager takes knowledge and research to properly configure. The length of time that the set up will take depends on the kind of technical architecture that your org...

See all answers

How to choose between ManageEngine Desktop Central and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly SCCM)?

ManageEngine Desktop Central is very easy to set up, is scalable, stable, and also has very good patch management. What I like most about ManageEngine is that I can log on to every PC very easily a...

See all answers

What do you like most about SCCM?

One of the standout features of SCCM is its application management capabilities. It allows us to create packages efficiently and deploy them to specific groups within our network. This streamlined ...

See all answers

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Compared 13% of the time

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BigFix vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

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AWS Systems Manager vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Atera

February 2025

Download Atera product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Configuration Manager

February 2025

Download Microsoft Configuration Manager product report

Also Known As

No data available

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM )

Overview

Atera offers a comprehensive solution for MSPs and IT Professionals. The platform provides in one integrated solution: full remote monitoring and management (RMM), PSA, remote access, patch management, billing, reports, and so much more! Atera’s disruptive pricing model also helps managed IT service providers scale their business while providing continued best-in-class service. All plans include unlimited devices, meaning you only pay per technician.Everything you need, in one easy-to-use platform

Thousands of paying users in over 75 countries
Free 30-day trial, no credit card or commitment required
No hidden fees or restrictions, all plans include unlimited devices
Seamless integration with your favorite IT tools including: Splashtop, AnyDesk, TeamViewer, and ScreenConnect

What can Atera do for you?

Improve Efficiency. Atera delivers customers the tool suite for IT management. Everything you need in an all-in-one, easy-to-use platform.
Automation. Set alerts and proactively prevent issues for your clients. Minimize time spent on manual tasks and spend more time on what matters most, serving your customers.
Disruptive Pricing, Unlimited Devices. Per technician-based pricing with unlimited servers and workstations means you can cover it all, at one fixed price.

Atera

Microsoft Configuration Manager helps IT manage PCs and servers, keeping software up-to-date, setting configuration and security policies, and monitoring system status while giving employees access to corporate applications on the devices that they choose. When Configuration Manager is integrated with Microsoft Intune, you can manage corporate-connected PCs and Macs along with cloud-based mobile devices running Windows, iOS, and Android, all from a single management console.

New features of Configuration Manager, such as the support of Windows 10 in-place upgrade, co-management with Microsoft Intune, Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise Servicing Dashboard, integration with Windows Update for Business, and more make deploying and managing Windows easier than ever before.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

MSPs, IT consultants, and IT departments worldwide trust and use Atera.

Bank Alfalah Ltd., Wªrth Handelsges.m.b.H, Dimension Data, Japan Business Systems, St. Lucie County Public Schools, MISC Berhad

Buyer's Guide

Atera vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager

January 2025

Free Report: Atera vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager

Find out what your peers are saying about Atera vs. Microsoft Configuration Manager and other solutions. Updated: January 2025.

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