Action1 vs ConnectWise Automate (2026)
Our verdict
Action1 vs ConnectWise Automate: on our data-weighted scoring, Action1 edges ahead (9.0 vs 7.3/10). Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and is best for smb and msp teams whose; ConnectWise Automate starts at Custom quote and is best for larger msps wanting deep customization and connectwise psa integration. Choose Action1 for the stronger overall track record; consider ConnectWise Automate if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.
| Action1 | ConnectWise Automate | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $4/endpoint/mo | Custom quote |
| Pricing model | per endpoint | quote |
| Free trial / tier | Free tier + 15-day full trial trial | — |
| Best for | SMB and MSP teams whose | Larger MSPs wanting deep customization and ConnectWise PSA integration |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud + on-prem |
| G2 rating | 4.8/5 (300) | 3.9/5 (450) |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 9.0/10 | 7.3/10 |
Action1
Pros
- Genuinely free up to 200 endpoints with no feature gating
- Cloud-native — no on-prem servers
- Strong third-party app catalog
Cons
- Windows-first (limited macOS depth)
- Support is a separate paid add-on on Growth
- Scales by endpoint count
Affiliate link: Action1 may pay us a commission if you sign up through this link. It never affects our data-driven ranking.
ConnectWise Automate
Pros
- Extremely customizable
- Powerful at scale
- Tight ConnectWise ecosystem
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Quote pricing
- Heavier admin overhead
Affiliate link: ConnectWise Automate may pay us a commission if you sign up through this link. It never affects our data-driven ranking.
Choose Action1 if…
You need smb and msp teams whose. See the Action1 pricing and review.
Choose ConnectWise Automate if…
You need larger msps wanting deep customization and connectwise psa integration. See the ConnectWise Automate pricing and review.
In depth
Pricing: Action1 vs ConnectWise Automate
Action1 bills on a per endpoint model from $4/endpoint/mo (free tier available), while ConnectWise Automate uses a quote model from Custom quote. Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.
Features & deployment
Action1 ships 6 headline capabilities (OS + third-party app patching, Risk-based prioritization (CVE/CVSS/CISA KEV), Peer-to-peer patch distribution, Vulnerability scanning) and deploys Cloud. ConnectWise Automate ships 4 (Highly scriptable RMM, Patch management, Deep PSA integration, Monitoring templates), deploying Cloud + on-prem.
Ratings & verdict
Action1 holds 4.8/5 (300 G2 reviews); ConnectWise Automate holds 3.9/5 (450 G2 reviews). On our data-weighted score, Action1 edges ahead (9.0 vs 7.3/10). Pick ConnectWise Automate instead when larger msps wanting deep customization and connectwise psa integration. See Action1 alternatives or ConnectWise Automate alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
- Action1 vs ConnectWise Automate: which is better?
- Action1 vs ConnectWise Automate: on our data-weighted scoring, Action1 edges ahead (9.0 vs 7.3/10). Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and is best for smb and msp teams whose; ConnectWise Automate starts at Custom quote and is best for larger msps wanting deep customization and connectwise psa integration.
- Is Action1 cheaper than ConnectWise Automate?
- Action1 starts at $4/endpoint/mo and ConnectWise Automate starts at Custom quote (see the pricing rows for models and limits).