What Is ConnectWise Automate? A Practical MSP Guide
If you're comparing RMM platforms, ConnectWise Automate is the option built for MSPs that want to script and tune everything themselves. It is an agent-based remote monitoring and management tool, formerly called LabTech, that monitors, patches and runs scripts on endpoints, can be hosted on-premises or in the cloud, and syncs devices and tickets with ConnectWise PSA.
The confusion starts because ConnectWise sells a second product with a similar job. ConnectWise Automate and ConnectWise RMM are both remote monitoring and management tools, but they are built for different types of MSPs. This guide covers what Automate does, how it differs from its cloud-native sibling, what it takes to run, and whether it fits your team.
What ConnectWise Automate is
ConnectWise Automate is an agent-based RMM platform for MSPs that want granular control over endpoint management. It started life as LabTech, and ConnectWise later rebranded it as Automate. ConnectWise's own product page describes it as "built for MSPs that want granular control and deep automation."
The selling point is depth. Newer cloud-native RMMs put quick setup first, while Automate gives you the tools to build specific workflows, custom scripts and granular policies, so it suits technical teams that have time to build.
Automate is Windows-centric. Its patch management is aimed at Windows OS, and while the agent supports Mac and Linux, functionality on those platforms is limited compared to Windows. Remote support through ScreenConnect covers the major operating systems, so the gap is mostly in patching and automation rather than remote access. If your clients run mixed environments, test those endpoints during the trial.
The platform uses an agent-based architecture. You install lightweight agents on endpoints (less than 100MB memory, about 1% CPU), and those agents report back to a central server. You can host that server on-premises or in the cloud, which ConnectWise RMM does not offer because it is cloud-only.
A recurring thread on r/msp asks whether Automate is end of life. As of October 2026, ConnectWise still sells it with a demo and a free trial on its product page, and it points buyers who want more out-of-the-box capability toward ConnectWise RMM instead.
ConnectWise Automate vs. ConnectWise RMM
This is where most MSPs get stuck. Both products come from the same company and serve the same market, but they are built differently. ConnectWise's own FAQ says Automate allows deeper, manual customization with on-premises or cloud hosting, while ConnectWise RMM is cloud-native, built on the ConnectWise Asio platform, and designed around platform-managed guardrails, pre-built monitoring and faster time to value.
| Dimension | ConnectWise Automate | ConnectWise RMM |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Agent-based with deep customization | Cloud-native, built on Asio platform |
| Hosting | On-premises or cloud | Cloud-only |
| Customization | Deep, manual control | Pre-built with platform-managed guardrails |
| Time to value | Longer setup, steeper learning curve | Faster deployment, easier onboarding |
| Patching | Windows OS focus, smaller third-party list | OS plus thousands of third-party apps, Windows updates assessed by the NOC |
| AI scripting help | Drafts PowerShell for review | Also covers bash and batch |
| Platform support | Windows primary, Mac/Linux limited | Better cross-platform support |
| Target user | Technical teams wanting granular control | MSPs wanting faster time to value |
The simplest way to read the table: Automate is for MSPs with dedicated technical people who want to build exactly what they need, and RMM is for MSPs who want something that works out of the box without much configuration.
ConnectWise RMM ships with thousands of pre-built intelligent alerts, hundreds of pre-built scripts, and optional expert services from the ConnectWise NOC, Help Desk or Dedicated Technician teams. Automate gives you the framework to build most of that yourself, the way you want it. If neither fits, our list of ConnectWise RMM alternatives and the ConnectWise vs. NinjaOne comparison cover the other options.
ConnectWise Automate features
Monitoring and endpoint management
Automate's agent gives you deep visibility into endpoints. It has two primary components, the Automate Service and the Service Watchdog, plus optional components such as a Tray Icon Service for end-user interaction and a Network Probe for agentless device discovery.
ConnectWise's marketplace listing cites hundreds of monitors for desktops and servers, and the Automate technical evaluation guide covers corrective actions (self-healing), where a monitor triggers a script to fix the condition it found. More monitors also means more alerts to tune, which our guide to reducing RMM alert noise covers.
The Network Probe is worth understanding. Install an agent on a Windows device with network access to your target IP ranges, designate it as a probe, and it will ping every IP in range to discover devices. It can also auto-deploy agents to detected Windows devices if you provide admin credentials.
Automation and scripting
Scripting is the main reason MSPs pick Automate. The platform supports PowerShell, bash and batch scripts, ships with a pre-built script library for common tasks, and lets you build a custom library and schedule scripts across clients and sites. Our RMM scripts guide has examples of what MSPs typically run.
Automate now includes AI assistance that drafts PowerShell scripts for your review and approval, so a human stays in the loop before anything runs. ConnectWise RMM's assistant also covers bash and batch. For how this fits with the rest of ConnectWise's AI features, see our ConnectWise AI breakdown.
Groups drive most automation in Automate. You define search criteria to find members, join them to a group, then automate actions against that group. Common automations include applying agent templates, scheduling scripts, setting maintenance windows and configuring group-specific alerting.
Automate also supports client self-service. You configure scripts for common problems, and end users can run those fixes from the Automate agent on their own device without opening a ticket.
Patch management
Automate handles Windows OS patching with approval policies, pilot groups and maintenance windows. You can configure deployment rings to limit impact and track compliance with reporting and exceptions management.
The limitation is third-party patching. Automate includes some, but ConnectWise RMM covers a much larger list of third-party applications, and ConnectWise markets RMM patching as covering thousands of third-party apps. If keeping Chrome, Adobe and other apps updated matters for your clients, this gap matters too. Our roundup of patch management software for MSPs compares tools that fill it.
Remote access
Automate includes ScreenConnect Remote Access at no extra cost, and you can open a session directly from the Computer Management screen. You get instant endpoint access for diagnostics and fixes, background troubleshooting for silent maintenance, and role-based permissions with audit trails for compliance.
Beyond ScreenConnect, Automate provides redirectors for other access methods: PuTTY for SSH/Telnet, Remote Desktop for RDP connections, and web browser access for network device setup pages. For servers, you get lights-out management support for Dell DRAC and HP iLO access.
Data views and reporting
Data views let you query, filter and export information across clients and devices in seconds. Need to find every machine running a specific software version, or every device missing a particular patch? Data views answer those ad-hoc questions, and you can save and share a view so the whole team runs the same investigation. Exports are useful for QBRs, audits and renewals.
Asset inventory tracks hardware, software, patches, users, event logs and services automatically. Automate has built-in reporting, but advanced custom reporting typically requires add-on modules.
How ConnectWise Automate works with ConnectWise PSA
Most Automate shops also run ConnectWise PSA (formerly Manage), and the integration between the two is a large part of why. According to the ConnectWise marketplace listing, the plugin gives you two-way sync of companies, contacts, tickets and device billing information, so your techs are not entering the same client twice.
The listing names a few specific pieces:
- Asset mapping, so a device's service history is visible from the PSA.
- Automated agreement additions, which feed device counts into billing.
- Bidirectional ticket sync, with rules you can adjust to decide which tickets sync.
- Automatic audit trail updates that pull service history into one place.
The PSA and ScreenConnect integrations are certified through the ConnectWise Invent Program. If you are still choosing a PSA, our ConnectWise Manage review and ConnectWise PSA pricing guide cover that side, and RMM vs. PSA explains where each tool's job ends.
ConnectWise Automate architecture
Understanding Automate's architecture explains both its power and its complexity. The platform has three main components:
- The agent lives on endpoints, collects data and executes commands.
- The Control Center is your interface for managing everything. The installable version has full functionality, and the web version has limited access.
- The database and automation server are the central layer that stores data and coordinates communication.
When you issue a command, it flows from the Control Center to a web server, to the automation server, to the database server, and back out to agents. Data from agents follows the reverse path.
The installable Control Center provides all Automate functionality and is meant for day-to-day use. The Web Control Center handles individual device management and is useful when you can't reach the full client.
Agents are light, at less than 100MB memory and about 1% CPU on average. The heavier investment is the server infrastructure if you choose on-premises hosting, plus the expertise to manage it.
ConnectWise Automate pricing and licensing
ConnectWise doesn't publish pricing for Automate. You need to contact sales for a quote, which frustrates MSPs trying to compare options quickly.
Automate is licensed per agent, and ConnectWise has offered two options. Perpetual licensing has a higher monthly cost, but you own the software at the end of the agreement. Subscription licensing has a lower monthly cost, and ownership stays with ConnectWise. Gartner's product summary, updated in October 2025, describes current pricing as subscription-based, scaling with the number of managed devices, with tiers and optional add-ons, so ask whether perpetual is still available when you request a quote.
Both options include core functionality and ConnectWise solutions such as PSA integration and ScreenConnect. Add-ons like enhanced reporting or third-party patching modules cost extra.
Total cost of ownership goes beyond licensing. Factor in:
- Setup and configuration time, which is significant for Automate
- Training for your team
- On-premises server costs, if you self-host
- Ongoing maintenance and updates
If you need quick deployment without dedicated technical people, the total cost may favor ConnectWise RMM even at similar per-agent pricing.
What MSPs say about ConnectWise Automate
ConnectWise Automate has 163 reviews on Gartner Peer Insights. The two featured reviews show the split: a favorable 4.0 titled "Solid Endpoint Management Tool" from June 29, 2026, and a critical 3.0 titled "Product Quality Has Declined With Increased Bugs and Higher Costs Over Time" from August 18, 2025.
Users consistently praise the remote access options, the scripting and the ease of agent deployment. MSPs who have put in the time to learn the platform call it a "solid go-to for handling tickets and everyday IT work."
The criticism is just as consistent:
Common complaints include patching inconsistencies, a steep learning curve (especially for reporting), bugs, agents that need troubleshooting, and cost. One manager wrote: "This product is very buggy, it used to be fantastic a few years ago." Another said: "The sheer number of features can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for new users."
Across these reviews, teams that invest in learning Automate and have the technical people to manage it tend to like it, while teams that want quick deployment without a dedicated administrator often struggle.
Is ConnectWise Automate right for your MSP?
ConnectWise Automate is a good fit if:
- You have technical staff who can dedicate time to setup and maintenance
- You need deep customization that off-the-shelf RMMs can't provide
- Your environment is primarily Windows-based
- You want the option to self-host for compliance or control reasons
- You already run ConnectWise PSA and want the two-way sync
It's probably not the right choice if:
- You're a small team without a dedicated RMM administrator
- You need to be fully operational within days, not weeks
- Your clients run mixed OS environments and need full automation on Mac and Linux
- You want extensive third-party patching without add-ons
- You prefer cloud-native tools that update themselves
If Automate sounds like more than you need, ConnectWise RMM offers a faster path with less configuration. Some MSPs also find that the RMM is not where their techs lose the day. If your queue is full of L1 tickets and you want to automate routine work without building scripts and workflows first, Rallied is an AI agent that works the ticket in your PSA: it runs the fix in Microsoft 365 and your RMM, then writes the notes and time entry back to the ticket. Rallied's ConnectWise Automate integration reads device data and runs scripts in Automate as part of closing out the ticket. It costs $300 a month with 2,000 credits included, and a ticket the agent couldn't finish or wasn't allowed to act on is never charged.
Getting started with ConnectWise Automate
ConnectWise offers a free trial and a live demo if you want to evaluate Automate. Implementation typically takes weeks rather than days, so set expectations with your team before you start.
Training is available through ConnectWise University, including on-demand modules, videos and documentation. The Automate technical evaluation guide is a useful checklist for a trial because it walks through architecture, discovery, patching, monitoring, alerting, scripting and integrations section by section. For teams that need hands-on help, ConnectWise offers implementation services and access to its NOC or Help Desk teams.
Before committing, ask these questions during your trial:
- How long does it take to configure monitoring for a new client?
- Can your team build the scripts and automations you need without outside help?
- How reliable is patching in your specific environment?
- What's the real cost, including the add-ons you need?
- How responsive is support when something breaks?
For the wider picture, read our guide to the best MSP software in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ConnectWise Automate used for?
ConnectWise Automate is an agent-based RMM platform that MSPs use to monitor, manage and automate endpoint work across client environments. It handles remote access through ScreenConnect, Windows patch management, scripting, data views and asset inventory. It also syncs companies, contacts, tickets and device billing with ConnectWise PSA.
Is ConnectWise Automate the same as LabTech?
Yes. ConnectWise Automate was originally called LabTech before ConnectWise rebranded it. The agent-based approach is still the same, though the product has changed a lot since, including AI help for drafting PowerShell scripts.
Is ConnectWise Automate end of life?
Threads on r/msp ask this, but as of October 2026 ConnectWise still sells Automate, with a demo and free trial on its product page. ConnectWise does point MSPs who want more out-of-the-box capability toward its cloud-native ConnectWise RMM.
How much does ConnectWise Automate cost?
ConnectWise doesn't publish pricing, so you need a quote from sales. Gartner describes the pricing as subscription-based and scaling with the number of managed devices, with tiers and optional add-ons. ConnectWise has also offered perpetual licensing, so ask whether it is still available.
Should I choose ConnectWise Automate or ConnectWise RMM?
Choose Automate if you need deep customization, the option to self-host, and have technical people to set it up. Choose ConnectWise RMM if you want cloud-only deployment, thousands of pre-built alerts, wider third-party patching and faster onboarding without much configuration.
Does ConnectWise Automate work on Mac and Linux?
Automate supports Mac and Linux, but functionality is limited compared to Windows, and its patch management is aimed at Windows OS. Remote support through ScreenConnect covers the major operating systems. If you manage mixed environments, test those endpoints in the trial, or consider ConnectWise RMM.
Does ConnectWise Automate integrate with ConnectWise PSA?
Yes. The certified plugin gives two-way sync of companies, contacts, tickets and device billing information. It also maps assets to service history and adds devices to agreements for billing.
What are the main complaints about ConnectWise Automate?
Reviewers on Gartner Peer Insights, where Automate has 163 reviews, mention a steep learning curve, inconsistent patching, bugs, agents that need troubleshooting and higher cost than competitors. Teams that invest in learning the platform praise its scripting and remote access options.