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.
Lavawall® is a multi-tenant RMM and remote support platform for MSPs and IT teams, with patching, security monitoring, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace breach detection, and compliance built into the same agent and console. Technicians get browser-based remote control, a background admin workspace, and a remote shell on Windows and Mac, scripting on Linux, and ad-hoc support for computers without the agent, with end-to-end encrypted sessions available. Lavawall® can run on its own as your RMM, or be installed through Atera, Datto RMM, NinjaOne, ConnectWise, Kaseya, Intune, or any tool that runs a script, while you move over.
The security depth is built in: cross-platform patching (7,400+ apps), 70+ compliance framework mapping, M365 / Entra ID / Google Workspace breach detection with endpoint correlation, administrator elevation and execution prevention (no kernel driver), replacement prioritization based on battery / TPM / SMART data, and a curated 1,277 SaaS catalogue for shadow-AI discovery. Check Atera's documentation for which of these it covers.
Where Lavawall® wins for MSPs
Lavawall® was built with security and compliance inside the RMM itself. The 7,400+ application patch catalogue, 70+ framework GRC mapping, M365 / Entra ID / Azure / Google Workspace identity threat detection and response (ITDR), administrator elevation and execution prevention (no kernel driver), 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. Check Atera's documentation for how its reports map to compliance frameworks.
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 tuned for cybersecurity work.
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 matters most when the MSP wants security, GRC, breach detection, and analytics in the same RMM.
Atera customers can deploy Lavawall® via Atera-pushed scripts and run both side by side while they move over.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Lavawall® | Atera |
|---|---|---|
| Per-technician unlimited-endpoint billing | Per-device; see pricing | Yes, the core billing model |
| Cross-platform agent (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Yes; patching, scripts, and monitoring on all three, remote control on Windows and macOS | Yes, RMM functions |
| Public application patch catalogue | 7,400+ applications, published openly | OS + bundled third-party |
| Compliance framework mapping (CMMC 2.0 / NIST / SOC 2 / HIPAA) | 70+ frameworks; continuous evidence with System Security Plan (SSP) and remediation plan (POA&M) | Reports; check Atera's documentation for framework mapping |
| M365 / Entra ID / Azure breach detection | Native multi-tenant identity threat detection and response (ITDR) with endpoint correlation | Check Atera's documentation |
| Google Workspace breach detection | Native | Check Atera's documentation |
| Administrator elevation and execution prevention | Administrator elevation with certificate-based rules and ringfencing, plus execution prevention for high-risk tools (no kernel driver) | Check Atera's documentation |
| Curated SaaS / shadow-AI discovery | 1,277 SaaS catalogue with user attribution | Check Atera's documentation |
| Replacement prioritization (battery / TPM / SMART) | Multi-factor scoring | Lifecycle dates |
| Per-named-agent helpdesk pricing | US$59 / agent / month, unlimited tickets | Per-tech bundled |
| Multi-tenant remote support (browser-based, no operator agent) | Native browser-based, country-restricted by default | Splashtop bundled |
| Built and used by an audit firm | ThreeShield (CISSP / CISA) | Check Atera's documentation |
Who should pick which?
Pick Lavawall® if…
MSPs that want one RMM with security, GRC, breach detection, and analytics built in, installed through Atera or any other RMM while they move over.
MSPs delivering CMMC 2.0, CPCSC, NIST 800-171, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, PIPEDA, BC E-Health Act, Alberta HIA, NERC CIP, CIRO, 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?
- Yes. Lavawall® covers patching, scripting, remote support, and inventory itself, along with security, GRC, breach detection, and analytics. MSPs can install it through Atera and run both side by side during the move.
- 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 the pricing page 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.
Security and FIPS 140-3 by design
An RMM can end up holding the keys to everything it manages. Lavawall® is built the other way. The secrets that matter (vault items, server credentials, and any key pushed to an endpoint) are encrypted where you are and stored by us only as ciphertext, so an administrator with full access to our database sees encrypted blobs and nothing to open them with. See security and privacy.
Lavawall®’s relay and Windows and Mac agents use a FIPS 140-3 validated cryptographic module, the Go Cryptographic Module, NIST CMVP certificate #5247, and sign-in can be restricted to a FIPS 140-3 validated security key, the YubiKey 5 FIPS Series, certificate #5291. In-browser encryption uses the FIPS 140-3 approved algorithms. Full detail is on FIPS 140-3 support.
That same secret-handling powers WireGuard deployment across the fleet. Each endpoint generates its own private key locally and only the public key comes back, so the tunnel’s private key is never in a script, a log, or our database. Weighing Atera for a regulated environment? This is the line worth checking against your obligation.
Related Lavawall® pages
- Canadian alternative to Atera
- What is RMM augmentation?
- Best RMM-augmentation tools for MSPs
- Lavawall®: The Alternative to NinjaOne
- Lavawall®: The Alternative to ConnectWise Automate
- Lavawall® pricing
Datto and Datto RMM are trademarks of Kaseya. NinjaOne is a trademark of NinjaOne, LLC. Lavawall is not affiliated with either.