NinjaOne Review | Podcastbricks

NinjaOne is a cloud-based IT management platform designed to simplify and automate IT operations for managed service providers (MSPs) and internal IT departments. Its core offerings include:

Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM): Real-time monitoring of devices, networks, and applications across Windows, Mac, Linux, VMware, SNMP devices, and cloud infrastructure.
Patch Management: Automated patching for operating systems and over 140 third-party applications, ensuring systems remain secure and up-to-date.
Endpoint Management: Centralized control over desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices, including IT asset tracking and software deployment.
Remote Access: Secure remote control of endpoints via integrations with Splashtop, TeamViewer, and ConnectWise ScreenConnect.
Ticketing System: Built-in tools for managing IT support requests, with automation for ticket creation based on alerts.
Backup Solutions: Endpoint backup capabilities to protect critical data.
Automation and Scripting: Tools to automate repetitive tasks, such as software installations, maintenance, and custom scripts, with a library of over 600 automation scripts available through the NinjaOne Dojo community.

NinjaOne’s intuitive interface, robust automation, and seamless integrations make it a versatile solution for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Its pay-per-endpoint pricing model and lack of public pricing transparency, however, are points of consideration for potential users.

Key Features of NinjaOne

1. Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)

NinjaOne’s RMM capabilities allow IT teams to monitor a wide range of devices from a centralized dashboard. Real-time insights into device health, performance, and security status enable proactive management. Key features include:

Comprehensive Monitoring: Tracks processors, memory, antivirus statuses, network adapters, IP addresses, and more, with over 100 monitoring templates or custom alert options.
Alerting: Customizable alerts delivered via in-app notifications, email, SMS, or mobile push notifications. Automated workflows, such as ticket creation when a server goes down, enhance efficiency.
Scalability: Supports management of devices across multiple locations, making it ideal for distributed or hybrid workforces.

Users praise the simplicity of NinjaOne’s RMM, with one G2 reviewer noting, “The constant nightmare of Windows Updates has been so much easier to manage with NinjaOne. Throw out your WSUS server immediately and go with NinjaOne if this is a stress point for anyone.”

2. Patch Management

NinjaOne is consistently ranked as the top patch management tool, as per the G2 Spring 2024 report. Its cloud-native approach eliminates the need for devices to be connected to a company network or VPN for patching. Key features include:

Automated Patching: Updates operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and over 140 commonly used applications, such as Adobe and Zoom, without user intervention.
Compliance Reporting: Detailed patch status reports help organizations maintain compliance with industry standards.
Customization: IT teams can approve, reject, or schedule patches, with options to deny specific updates (e.g., preventing Windows 11 upgrades).

A Capterra reviewer highlighted, “The automation of patching/updating and custom scripts that we can run saves us a lot of time.”

3. Endpoint Management

NinjaOne provides centralized control over all endpoints, including desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices. Features include:

IT Asset Tracking: Monitors hardware and software assets, detecting unauthorized software and optimizing resource allocation.
Mobile Device Management (MDM): Allows remote troubleshooting, app management, and security for smartphones and tablets.
Policy-Based Management: Role-based and policy-based options ensure consistent configurations across devices.

A TrustRadius reviewer noted, “I manage many devices remotely and love how easy it is to look up a device and find all of its information. I have quick access to task manager, hardware resource usage, registry access, file access, services, and remote CMD and PowerShell.”

4. Remote Access

NinjaOne integrates with leading remote access tools like Splashtop, TeamViewer, and ConnectWise ScreenConnect, enabling secure and fast connections to endpoints. The platform also offers NinjaRemote for basic remote access. Additional features include:

1:1 Device Management: IT teams can kill processes, start/stop services, or quarantine infected files remotely.
Mobile App: The NinjaOne mobile app allows technicians to manage devices, deploy scripts, and remediate issues on the go.

A GoWorkWize review praised the mobile app, stating, “The NinjaOne mobile app is one of the better mobile apps we have seen for enterprise-grade tools. It gives you full access to all the data you need to diagnose and address client issues.”

5. Automation and Scripting

NinjaOne’s automation capabilities reduce manual effort by streamlining repetitive tasks. The platform supports PowerShell, batch, and custom scripts, with a vibrant community-driven script library. Features include:

Task Automation: Automates app installs, device setup, maintenance, and patching for standardized outcomes.
Dojo Community: Offers forums, educational content, and a script library with over 600 automation scripts.
Script Parameters: Allows customization of scripts based on client or location, enhancing flexibility.

A Reddit user commented, “The PowerShell parameters box when running scripts is powerful. Allows us to set same script in default policy and change arguments on client/location level.”

6. Integrations

NinjaOne integrates seamlessly with a wide range of IT and security tools, including:

Antivirus Solutions: Webroot, Bitdefender, and others for enhanced endpoint security.
Remote Access Tools: Splashtop, TeamViewer, and ConnectWise ScreenConnect.
Other Tools: ITGlue for documentation, Chocolatey for package management, and Webhooks for custom integrations.

These integrations enhance NinjaOne’s flexibility, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs.

Performance and Reliability

NinjaOne is praised for its stability and consistent performance, with users rating it 8.0 out of 10 on PeerSpot. The cloud-based platform ensures frequent updates without requiring manual intervention, and most users report minimal disruptions. However, some have noted occasional system interruptions during off-hours maintenance or rare command execution issues. A SoftwareReviews user mentioned, “Occasional system interruptions requiring a restart can be inconvenient,” but emphasized that these are minor compared to the platform’s overall reliability.

The platform’s performance is further enhanced by its lightweight design, which minimizes resource usage on managed devices. Deployment is quick, with one Capterra reviewer stating, “Using ESET to push the installer, in a matter of minutes the computers were being populated in the dashboard.”

Usability and Interface

NinjaOne’s user-friendly interface is a standout feature, minimizing the learning curve for IT teams of all skill levels. The admin center is intuitively designed, with clear navigation and easy access to key functions. A Capterra reviewer noted, “When you browse its admin center, everything makes sense. Things are properly laid out and easy to find.”

The platform’s onboarding process is also streamlined, with free and unlimited training and support. Users can get started in minutes, and the NinjaOne Dojo community provides extensive resources, including videos, articles, and webinars. However, some users have reported minor navigation difficulties in the mobile app, though these are not widespread issues.

Security

Security is a critical focus for NinjaOne, with features designed to protect endpoints and data:

Automated Patch Management: Keeps systems updated with the latest security patches, reducing vulnerabilities.
Antivirus Integration: Monitors and protects devices from threats via integrations with leading antivirus solutions.
Secure Remote Access: Ensures safe connections to endpoints, with options to quarantine infected files or block unauthorized access.
Compliance Tools: Detailed reporting helps organizations meet industry standards.

A TrustRadius reviewer highlighted, “Compliance and security have been vastly improved, we can easily identify old software and run scripts to remediate it.”

Pricing

NinjaOne employs a pay-per-endpoint pricing model, which is customized based on the number of devices and features required. Unlike some competitors, NinjaOne does not publicly list pricing, requiring businesses to contact a sales representative for a quote. This lack of transparency can be a drawback, as noted by a Reddit user: “Lack of pricing transparency was a surprise to me. I am one man army btw.”

However, the custom pricing model allows flexibility, enabling businesses to pay only for the features they need. NinjaOne’s pricing typically includes core features like RMM, patch management, and IT asset management, with additional services based on customization. For the latest details, businesses can visit NinjaOne’s pricing page or request a demo.

Customer Support

NinjaOne is consistently praised for its world-class customer support, ranked #1 on G2 and Gartner Digital Markets for multiple years. The company offers free and unlimited onboarding, training, and support, with responsive technical assistance. A TrustRadius reviewer stated, “The commendable responsiveness and effectiveness of NinjaOne’s support team are consistently highlighted by users who appreciate the timely assistance, expert guidance in issue resolution, and personalized attention provided.”

However, some users have reported delays in initial support responses, particularly for non-urgent issues. A G2 reviewer noted, “If you need to reach out to support, you won’t get an immediate response, but they will get back to you.”

Pros and Cons

Pros

Intuitive Interface: User-friendly design with straightforward navigation.
Robust Automation: Streamlines repetitive tasks like patching, software deployment, and alert responses.
Comprehensive Endpoint Management: Supports a wide range of devices, including mobile endpoints.
Strong Customer Support: Free and unlimited onboarding, training, and technical assistance.
Scalability: Ideal for businesses of all sizes, with seamless management of distributed workforces.
Vibrant Community: The NinjaOne Dojo offers extensive resources and a script library.

Cons

Pricing Transparency: Lack of public pricing may deter small businesses or solo IT professionals.
Occasional Interruptions: Minor system disruptions during maintenance or rare command execution issues.
Feature Overlap: Some users find certain features unnecessary for their specific needs, particularly for smaller operations.
Mobile App Glitches: Rare reports of navigation difficulties or bugs in the mobile app.

Customer Feedback

NinjaOne enjoys a strong reputation among users, with a 4.7 out of 5 rating on G2 based on over 1,600 reviews. Key themes from customer feedback include:

Ease of Use: Users consistently praise the platform’s intuitive design and quick onboarding process. A Software Advice reviewer stated, “The implementation team, the support, and ease of use while getting great information on all our servers and workstations is top notch.”
Efficiency Gains: Automation and centralized management save significant time. A G2 reviewer highlighted, “With Ninja, we have significantly improved our ability to manage our customers compared to using TeamViewer/AnyDesk and dedicated antivirus solutions.”
Areas for Improvement: Some users have noted limitations, such as the inability to manage all resources with a single email address for MSPs or the need for more robust reporting features. A G2 reviewer mentioned, “The ticketing module can improve (record date and time, assign multiple technicians to a ticket, edit past comments).”

Comparison to Alternatives

NinjaOne competes with other RMM and IT management platforms like Kaseya VSA, ConnectWise, Datto RMM, and Atera. Here’s how it stacks up:

Kaseya VSA: Offers similar RMM and patch management features but is often considered more complex to set up. NinjaOne’s intuitive interface gives it an edge for ease of use.
ConnectWise: Known for its robust ticketing and helpdesk features, but NinjaOne’s automation and patch management are often rated higher.
Datto RMM: Excels in backup and disaster recovery, making it a strong choice for data protection. However, NinjaOne’s broader feature set and user-friendly design appeal to a wider audience.
Atera: Offers a cost-effective per-technician pricing model and AI-driven features like Atera Copilot. NinjaOne’s pay-per-endpoint model may be less sustainable for small businesses, but its automation and scalability are superior.

Who Should Use NinjaOne?

NinjaOne is well-suited for:

Managed Service Providers (MSPs): Its unified interface, automation, and multi-client management capabilities streamline operations and improve profitability.
Small to Mid-Sized Businesses (SMBs): SMBs with limited IT resources benefit from centralized management, ease of use, and robust security features.
Organizations with Remote or Hybrid Workforces: Remote monitoring, access, and MDM tools make it ideal for distributed teams.
IT Teams Seeking Automation: Businesses looking to reduce manual IT tasks through scripting and automated workflows.

However, solo IT professionals or very small businesses may find the custom pricing model and feature set overwhelming for their needs. In such cases, alternatives like Atera or SureMDM may be more cost-effective.

Conclusion

NinjaOne is a powerful and user-friendly IT management platform that excels in remote monitoring, patch management, endpoint management, and automation. Its intuitive interface, robust feature set, and top-rated customer support make it a top choice for MSPs, SMBs, and organizations with complex IT environments. While the lack of pricing transparency and occasional minor disruptions are drawbacks, the platform’s scalability, security, and community resources outweigh these concerns for most users.