Atera built the per-technician all-in-one RMM model: pay one flat fee per tech, get unlimited endpoints. The pricing is unique in the RMM market and disruptive at small-to-mid MSP scale.
What Atera does not deliver is a security platform. Cross-platform patching depth (7,500+ apps), 15+ compliance framework mapping, M365 / Entra ID / Google Workspace breach detection with endpoint correlation, application control without a kernel driver, replacement prioritization based on battery / TPM / SMART data, and a curated 1,130+ SaaS catalog for shadow-AI discovery — none of that is Atera's job.
Lavawall® is what most MSPs reach for once they have an RMM and need the security, compliance, and breach-detection layer. It deploys via Atera as a script and runs alongside it.
Where Lavawall® wins for MSPs
Lavawall® was built for the security and compliance gap Atera does not address. The 7,500+ application patch catalog, 15+ framework GRC mapping, M365 / Entra / Azure / Google Workspace ITDR, kernel-free application control, curated SaaS / shadow-AI discovery, and replacement prioritization are all native — not third-party add-ons stitched on.
For MSPs running a CMMC 2.0 or CPCSC engagement, a SOC 2 audit, a HIPAA program, or a cyber-insurance assessment, the Lavawall® evidence base is what an assessor will sample. Atera's reports are useful operational artefacts but were not designed as continuous compliance evidence.
The per-named-agent helpdesk model (US$59 / agent / month for unlimited tickets) plus device-GUID-linked tickets, AI knowledge-base suggestions, kanban + list ticket views, and tabbed multi-ticket workflow gives MSP technicians a service-desk experience tuned for cybersecurity work — not a generic ticket system bolted on to an RMM.
Where Atera wins
Atera is genuinely strong as a low-friction all-in-one RMM. The per-technician pricing model is unique and very attractive for small MSPs. The bundled Splashtop remote-control, integrated PSA / billing, and large public scripting library are mature and well documented.
For MSPs whose primary need is operational IT management and whose security and compliance needs are limited (or handled by other tools), Atera alone may be sufficient. The Lavawall® comparison is meaningful only when the MSP needs the security, GRC, breach-detection, and analytics layer.
Atera customers can deploy Lavawall® via Atera-pushed scripts and gain the security and compliance layer without leaving Atera.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Lavawall® | Atera |
|---|---|---|
| Per-technician unlimited-endpoint billing | Atera built it | Per-device — see pricing.php |
| Cross-platform agent (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Yes — RMM functions | Yes — full security parity across all three |
| Public application patch catalog | OS + bundled third-party | 7,500+ applications, published openly |
| Compliance framework mapping (CMMC 2.0 / NIST / SOC 2 / HIPAA) | Reports; not framework-mapped GRC platform | 15+ frameworks; continuous evidence + SSP / POA&M |
| M365 / Entra ID / Azure breach detection | Limited — third-party integrations | Native multi-tenant ITDR with endpoint correlation |
| Google Workspace breach detection | Limited | Native |
| Application control (allowlisting / elevation) | No | Kernel-free application control |
| Curated SaaS / shadow-AI discovery | No | 1,130+ SaaS catalog with user attribution |
| Replacement prioritization (battery / TPM / SMART) | Lifecycle dates | Multi-factor scoring |
| Per-named-agent helpdesk pricing | Per-tech bundled | US$59 / agent / month, unlimited tickets |
| Multi-tenant remote support (browser-based, no operator agent) | Splashtop bundled | Native browser-based, country-restricted by default |
| Built and used by an audit firm | No | ThreeShield (CISSP / CISA) |
Who should pick which?
Pick Lavawall® if…
MSPs that already have an RMM (Atera or otherwise) and need a security, GRC, breach-detection, and analytics platform that drops in alongside it.
MSPs delivering CMMC 2.0, CPCSC, NIST 800-171, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, PIPEDA, BC HIA, Alberta HIA, NERC CIP, IIROC, CPA Canada, or Australian Essential Eight readiness as a service.
Canadian MSPs that want native CAD billing, Canadian-resident data hosting, and Canadian framework support.
Pick Atera if…
Small MSPs whose primary need is operational IT management — patching, scripting, remote control, basic monitoring, ticketing — and whose pricing model favours per-technician unlimited-endpoint billing.
IT shops without dedicated security and compliance practice and limited ambition to develop one.
Frequently asked
- Does Lavawall® replace Atera?
- It can — Lavawall® includes patching, scripting, remote support, and inventory — but most MSPs run them side-by-side: Atera for the operational scripting / PSA / billing flow, Lavawall® for security, GRC, breach detection, and analytics.
- Can Lavawall® be deployed through Atera?
- Yes — via an Atera script. Single-line PowerShell / bash deployment is supported on Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints.
- How is Atera priced compared with Lavawall®?
- Atera is per-technician with unlimited endpoints. Lavawall® is per-device with per-named-agent helpdesk seats — see pricing.php for current Lavawall® pricing in CAD or USD.
- Will Lavawall® conflict with Atera's agent?
- No. Lavawall® coexists with major RMM agents (Atera, NinjaOne, Datto RMM, ConnectWise Automate, N-able, Kaseya VSA, Syncro, Pulseway) without conflicts.