IT Pro Tutorials Free RMM Tools: 7 Options for IT Teams and MSPs
Commercial RMM platforms charge $3 to $8 per endpoint per month. For an MSP managing 500 devices, that is $18,000 to $48,000 per year. Free and open-source alternatives now handle most of what commercial platforms offer, with self-hosted options giving you full data sovereignty and cloud free tiers covering hundreds of endpoints.
We deployed and tested every tool on this list in real environments — actual deployments managing Windows, Linux, and macOS endpoints. If you are new to this category, start with our plain-English guide to what RMM actually is.
TacticalRMM — Self-Hosted, Full-Featured
The most complete open-source RMM available. Built on Django, Vue.js, and Go, it includes agent-based monitoring, remote desktop (via MeshCentral), Windows patch management, script execution in PowerShell, Bash, and Python, and a built-in task scheduler.
Free tier: Completely free. MIT-licensed. Self-hosted.
Best for: IT teams and MSPs who want a full RMM with zero licensing costs and data sovereignty.
Limitations: Requires a Linux server (Ubuntu/Debian). Initial setup takes 30-60 minutes.
For a full walkthrough, read our TacticalRMM review. For commercial comparisons, see our TacticalRMM vs Datto and ConnectWise comparison.
NetLock RMM — Cross-Platform, Policy-Based
Built on C# and Blazor, designed for cross-platform support from the ground up. NetLock delivers policy-based management — define rules once, apply across your fleet. Includes Microsoft Defender management, software/hardware inventory, and alerting via email, Teams, Telegram, and ntfy.sh.
Free tier: Fully open source. No device limits. Self-hosted.
Best for: Teams needing true cross-platform RMM with policy enforcement.
Limitations: Smaller community than TacticalRMM. Requires .NET runtime.
Read the full breakdown in our NetLock RMM review.
MeshCentral — Remote Management Veteran
Created by Ylian Saint-Hilaire (originally developed at Intel), MeshCentral is the foundation that TacticalRMM uses for remote access. It provides web-based remote desktop, terminal access, and file management through a browser. Supports multi-tenancy, Intel AMT for out-of-band management, and scales to thousands of endpoints.
Free tier: Completely free. Apache 2.0 licensed. Self-hosted.
Best for: IT teams that primarily need remote access and control.
Limitations: Not a full RMM — no built-in patch management, scripting workflows, or monitoring dashboards.
Action1 — Cloud-Based, Zero Infrastructure
A fully cloud-based platform with a free tier of 200 endpoints. Action1 excels at patch management: Windows OS updates plus 600+ third-party applications with automated deployment policies. The free tier includes every paid feature — no functional limitations, no expiration.
Free tier: 200 endpoints, all features, no expiration.
Best for: Small IT teams managing under 200 Windows machines who want zero infrastructure overhead.
Limitations: Primarily Windows-focused. No self-hosted option.
Our Action1 review covers the deployment experience. For broader patching options, see our free patch management tools roundup.
Level.io — Scriptable and Lightweight
Not free, but per-endpoint pricing comes in significantly under the commercial range with no long-term contracts. Built for scriptability — if you think in PowerShell and Bash, you will feel at home. Supports custom automation workflows, real-time script execution, and a clean API.
Best for: Small MSPs and IT teams that need a lightweight, scriptable RMM without enterprise bloat.
Check out our Level.io review. For MSP-focused options, read our guide to choosing the right RMM for small MSPs.
RustDesk — Open-Source Remote Desktop
The open-source alternative to TeamViewer and AnyDesk with 80,000+ GitHub stars. Self-hosted relay server keeps all connections on your infrastructure. Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Supports unattended access, file transfer, and multi-monitor sessions.
Free tier: Completely free. AGPLv3. Self-hosted.
Best for: Teams needing TeamViewer-like remote desktop without licensing costs. Pairs well with TacticalRMM or NetLock.
Limitations: Strictly remote desktop — no monitoring, patching, or scripting.
Itarian — All-in-One Endpoint Management
Itarian (formerly Comodo One) bundles RMM, patch management, service desk, and network assessment tools in a free cloud platform. Integrates endpoint security with threat detection.
Free tier: Free for unlimited endpoints (community edition). Cloud-hosted.
Best for: IT teams wanting an all-in-one RMM + service desk + endpoint security platform.
Limitations: Dated interface. Complex setup. Some users report slower agent performance.
Comparison Table
| Feature | TacticalRMM | NetLock | MeshCentral | Action1 | Level.io | RustDesk | Itarian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Open Source | Apache 2.0 | Proprietary | Proprietary | AGPLv3 | Proprietary |
| Hosting | Self-hosted | Self-hosted | Self-hosted | Cloud | Cloud | Self-hosted | Cloud |
| Free Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 200 endpoints | Trial only | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Patch Mgmt | Windows | Planned | No | Windows + 600 apps | No | No | Windows |
| Remote Desktop | Yes (MeshCentral) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scripting | PS, Bash, Python | PS, Bash, Zsh | Limited | PS, Batch | PS, Bash | No | PS, Batch |
| Multi-Tenancy | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Self-Hosted vs Cloud
Self-hosted (TacticalRMM, NetLock, MeshCentral, RustDesk): you control the data, updates, and security. No vendor can change pricing or access your endpoint data. Trade-off: you maintain the infrastructure.
Cloud (Action1, Level.io, Itarian): no servers to maintain. Trade-off: vendor dependency and data on their infrastructure.
For deployment details, read our self-hosted RMM deployment guide, covering server sizing, Docker-based deployment, and how to expose your RMM securely with Cloudflare tunnels.
How to Choose
| Primary Need | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Full RMM with everything | TacticalRMM |
| Cross-platform policy management | NetLock RMM |
| Remote access and control | MeshCentral or RustDesk |
| Cloud-based patching | Action1 |
| MSP with multiple clients | TacticalRMM + MeshCentral |
| Budget-conscious small team | Level.io |
If you have a Linux server and basic sysadmin skills, self-host. If you manage fewer than 200 Windows endpoints and want zero overhead, Action1’s free tier is the pragmatic choice.
For teams already using automation tools like n8n or Ansible with Semaphore, pairing a free RMM with your existing stack creates a powerful management layer.
