BrightGauge review (2026): Is it still worth it for MSPs?
BrightGauge has been a fixture in the MSP business intelligence space since 2011. But after ConnectWise acquired it in 2019, many wonder: is this tool still getting attention, or has it become legacy software riding on past reputation?
Let's break down what BrightGauge actually offers, what it costs, and whether it deserves a place in your MSP stack in 2026.
What is BrightGauge?
BrightGauge (now officially called "Reports and Dashboards") is a business intelligence tool built specifically for Managed Service Providers. It pulls data from your PSA, RMM, and other tools into unified dashboards and client reports.
The company started in 2011 when MSPs needed better ways to visualize their data. Continuum acquired it in January 2019, and it became part of ConnectWise's broader platform. Today it serves over 1,500 companies worldwide.
The core pitch is simple: instead of logging into five different tools to check your metrics, you see everything in one place. Ticket volumes from your PSA, patch status from your RMM, backup health from your BDR platform, all on a single screen.
BrightGauge pricing in 2026
BrightGauge pricing has climbed steadily over the years. Here's what you'll pay as of 2026:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | Key Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $325 | $291 | 2 datasources, 2 admins |
| Enterprise | $449 | $405 | 2 datasources, 3 admins, 25 snapshot gauges |
| Enterprise+ | $635 | $571 | 4 datasources, 3 admins, 150 snapshot gauges |
All plans include unlimited dashboards, unlimited reports, and unlimited viewer licenses. The main differences are in datasource connections, admin seats, and advanced features like snapshot gauges and calculated metrics.
Add-on costs:
- Extra admin: $29/month
- Extra datasource: $98/month
- 25 additional snapshot gauges: $99/month
- Implementation fee: $499 (waived for Enterprise+ annual plans)
There's a 30-day money-back guarantee and no long-term contracts. You can pay month-to-month or prepay annually for roughly 10% savings.
Source: ConnectWise BrightGauge pricing
Key features MSPs actually use
BrightGauge organizes its features around three main use cases: internal dashboards, client reporting, and goal tracking.
Real-time dashboards
The dashboard builder lets you pull live data from connected tools. You get pre-built "gauges" (visualizations) for common metrics, or you can build custom ones. For ConnectWise PSA, you get 202 pre-built gauges with the API version, or 303 if you're on-premise. ConnectWise Automate adds 54 more.
Quick-sync gauges update in under 60 seconds for ConnectWise PSA cloud and RMM, which is useful for monitoring urgent metrics.
Client reporting
This is where BrightGauge justifies its cost for many MSPs. You can build automated reports that pull data from multiple sources and email them to clients on a schedule. The reports show ticket response times, resolved issues, backup status, and whatever else you want to highlight.
The value proposition is clear: clients see tangible evidence of the work you're doing, which helps with retention and justifying your fees.
Goal management
You can set KPI targets and track progress visually. This works for team metrics (tickets per tech, average resolution time) or business goals (revenue, client satisfaction scores).
Data source mashup and calculated metrics
Enterprise plans can combine data from multiple sources in single views. For example, you might correlate ticket volume with specific client environments by pulling from both your PSA and RMM. Calculated metrics let you do math across datasources, like dividing billable hours by total tickets to get an efficiency ratio.
Integrations and compatibility
BrightGauge's main strength is its integration library. The platform connects to over 50 tools commonly used by MSPs.
PSA platforms:
- ConnectWise PSA (202-303 pre-built gauges)
- Autotask (130+ default KPIs, 18 datasets)
- BMS by Kaseya (130 default KPIs, 10+ pre-built dashboards)
- Tigerpaw (145 default KPIs)
- Accelo (87 default KPIs, 5 pre-built dashboards)
- ServiceNow (17 default KPIs)
RMM tools:
- ConnectWise Automate (54 pre-built gauges)
- ConnectWise RMM
- Datto RMM (29 default KPIs)
- N-able N-central (40 default KPIs)
- N-able RMM (27 default KPIs)
- NinjaRMM (26 default KPIs)
- Kaseya VSA (34 default KPIs)
- Auvik (20 default KPIs, 5 pre-built dashboards)
Documentation and security:
- IT Glue (47 default KPIs, 4 pre-built dashboards)
- Liongard (56 default KPIs)
- Webroot (36 default KPIs)
- Veeam (11 default KPIs)
- Sophos (26 default KPIs)
- SentinelOne
- Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud
Financial and other tools:
- QuickBooks Online (46 default KPIs)
- QuickBooks On-Premise (39 default KPIs)
- Salesforce (67 default KPIs)
- Zendesk (54 default KPIs)
- Harvest, Basecamp, Dropbox, OneDrive
- SQL databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server)
If your stack is built around ConnectWise products, BrightGauge fits naturally. If you use competing PSAs like Autotask or BMS, the integration is functional but less deep.
The "dead product" question: Is BrightGauge still maintained?
A Reddit thread titled "Is BrightGauge a Dead Product?" captures a sentiment you'll find in MSP communities. The concern isn't that BrightGauge is broken, it's that it hasn't evolved much in recent years.
The criticism has some merit. BrightGauge does what it has always done: dashboards and reports. It doesn't have AI features, automated ticket resolution, or predictive analytics. While newer tools have added these capabilities, BrightGauge has stayed focused on its core visualization functionality.
ConnectWise has invested in platform stability and integration maintenance, but major new features have been rare. For MSPs wanting cutting-edge BI, this is a legitimate drawback. For those who want reliable dashboards that work without surprises, the stability might be a feature, not a bug.
The bottom line: BrightGauge is maintained and supported, but it's not being reinvented. If you're expecting rapid innovation, you might be disappointed.
BrightGauge alternatives for MSPs
If BrightGauge's pricing or feature set doesn't fit, several alternatives serve similar needs with different approaches.
MSPbots
MSPbots (see our full review) takes a different approach, combining BI dashboards with AI-powered automation. It offers ticket triage, automated QA, sentiment analysis, and "micro training bots" that coach technicians in real-time.
The platform integrates with 80+ tools and emphasizes process enforcement. Where BrightGauge shows you what's happening, MSPbots actively tries to fix issues through automation.
MSPbots users report 90%+ accuracy on AI ticket routing and 5-10 minute time savings per ticket analysis. It's newer, more expensive, and more complex than BrightGauge, but offers capabilities BrightGauge simply doesn't have.
Cognition360
Cognition360 from ScalePad focuses specifically on ConnectWise PSA data. It transforms ticket data into operational and financial insights using machine learning, with over 130 pre-built reports.
The platform emphasizes drilling down into profitability: which agreements make money, which clients drain resources, where technicians spend their time. It requires a PowerBI license and works best for data-driven MSPs who want deep analysis rather than just dashboards.
Cognition360 claims users see 12% profitability increases in their first year. It's narrower than BrightGauge (ConnectWise-only) but goes deeper on the data it does handle.
Power BI or Tableau
For MSPs with in-house data expertise, general-purpose BI tools like Microsoft Power BI or Tableau offer more flexibility at lower cost. The trade-off is setup complexity. You'll spend significant time building connectors, designing dashboards, and maintaining the system.
This route makes sense if you have dedicated analytics staff or very specific reporting needs that off-the-shelf MSP tools can't meet.
Should your MSP use BrightGauge in 2026?
BrightGauge makes sense for a specific type of MSP. You're a good fit if:
- You use ConnectWise PSA or other tools in the ConnectWise ecosystem
- You need client reporting that looks professional without much design work
- Your team wants dashboards without learning complex BI tools
- You value stability over cutting-edge features
- You have budget for $325-635/month plus implementation
You should look elsewhere if:
- You want AI-powered insights or automation
- You're a smaller MSP where $325/month feels expensive
- You use non-ConnectWise tools and want deeper integrations
- You need predictive analytics or advanced data science features
- You have in-house BI expertise and want more customization
For MSPs drowning in L1 tickets and manual processes, BrightGauge solves a different problem than what we do at Rallied. BrightGauge shows you what's happening. We actually resolve tickets autonomously, reset passwords, unlock accounts, and handle the repetitive work that's probably eating your technicians' time.
If you're evaluating BrightGauge because you want better visibility into your operations, it's a solid choice. If you're evaluating it because you need to reduce ticket volume or automate L1 work, you need a different category of tool entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BrightGauge used for in an MSP environment?
BrightGauge pulls data from your PSA, RMM, and other tools into unified dashboards and client reports. It visualizes metrics like ticket volumes, response times, backup status, and financial data so you can monitor operations and demonstrate value to clients.
How much does BrightGauge cost per month?
BrightGauge pricing starts at $325/month for the Standard plan, $449/month for Enterprise, and $635/month for Enterprise+. Annual billing reduces these to $291, $405, and $571 per month respectively. There's also a $499 implementation fee unless you choose Enterprise+ annual.
Does BrightGauge integrate with Autotask or non-ConnectWise tools?
Yes, BrightGauge integrates with Autotask (130+ default KPIs), Datto, N-able, NinjaRMM, IT Glue, QuickBooks, and over 50 other tools. However, the deepest integrations are with ConnectWise products.
Is BrightGauge being discontinued or deprecated?
No, BrightGauge is actively maintained as part of the ConnectWise platform. It was rebranded as 'Reports and Dashboards' but continues to receive updates and support. However, major new features have been rare compared to newer competitors.
What's the difference between BrightGauge and MSPbots?
BrightGauge focuses on dashboards and reporting, showing you what's happening in your environment. MSPbots adds AI-powered automation, ticket triage, and process enforcement, actively working to resolve issues rather than just visualizing them.
Can I try BrightGauge before buying?
ConnectWise offers demos and consultations through their sales team. They also provide a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can effectively trial the product with minimal risk.
Does BrightGauge require a long-term contract?
No, BrightGauge operates on month-to-month subscriptions with no long-term contracts required. You can cancel anytime, though annual prepayment offers roughly 10% savings if you commit for a year.