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Comparison

OpenRMM vs Tactical RMM

Both can run on your own servers and both have a hosted option. The difference is in the license, in what is free, in Linux and macOS support and in the AI.

Tactical RMM data checked on 2026-10-31 against the official sources listed at the end of the page.

Choose Tactical RMM if…

  • your fleet is almost all Windows and you do not need Linux and macOS patching;
  • you want a project with more years behind it and a large community;
  • you need SMS or webhook alerts, or PDF reports;
  • you still manage Windows 7, 8.1 or Server 2008 R2.

Choose OpenRMM if…

  • you want a truly open-source license (AGPL-3.0), with no need to ask permission for commercial use;
  • you manage Linux and macOS and want agents and patching for them without paying extra;
  • you want an AI assistant that prepares the work and waits for your approval, and an MCP server;
  • you want SSO and reports included in the free version.
Side by side

Feature by feature

CriterionOpenRMMTactical RMM
LicenseAGPL-3.0, an OSI-approved open-source licenseTactical RMM License 1.0. The text itself says it is not an open-source license ("source-available")1
Commercial useFree, under the terms of the AGPLRequires prior written approval from AmidaWare for commercial or for-profit use. When in doubt, the FAQ says to open a ticket12
HostingCloud (isolated instance) or self-hostedSelf-hosted or hosted, requested through a ticket3
Hosted priceUS$94/month up to 100 devices, US$146.50 for 250US$65/month up to 100 endpoints, US$80 for 101 to 2503
Free self-hosted includesEverything: Windows, Linux, macOS, SSO, reports and AIWindows agents without code signing. Linux and macOS agents, signed Windows and SSO require sponsorship starting at US$55/month4
Linux and macOS agentsIncludedPaid. Linux is marked as beta25
Patch managementWindows, Linux (apt and dnf) and macOSWindows only. The documentation lists the process as one of the items to be redone6
Remote accessNative in the browser (desktop, terminal, files, guests), with optional MeshCentral and RustDeskThrough MeshCentral, installed alongside, plus RDP in the browser for Windows7
AI assistantBuilt in, with mandatory human approvalNot offered8
MCP serverOfficial, with scope, OAuth and revocationNo official one. Community servers exist8
SSOOpenID Connect, includedOpenID Connect, starting with paid sponsorship9
ReportsInventory and compliance as CSV, includedPaid module (PDF, CSV, HTML and dashboards)10
Scripting languagesEach system's shell (PowerShell on Windows)PowerShell, Batch, Python, Nushell and Deno on Windows. Shell on Linux and macOS11
AlertsEmailEmail, SMS and webhook12
TechniciansPrice per device, no charge per technicianUnlimited on all plans3
Server installationDocker Compose behind your own proxy with TLSA dedicated VM with Debian 13 or Ubuntu 26.04, and a domain with 3 subdomains. Your own reverse proxy is not supported13
Migrating

Coming from Tactical RMM

Switching RMMs is usually safer when the two run in parallel for a while.

  1. Start with the demoSee whether the approval flow and remote access suit your team.
  2. Build the structureRecreate companies, sites and departments, and the check and patch policies.
  3. Install the agent on a pilot groupCompare alerts and patches on both sides for a few weeks.
  4. Keep MeshCentral, if you wantOpenRMM opens sessions on your MeshCentral from the machine's page while the team gets used to native access.
OpenRMM vs NinjaOnePublished price and self-hosting OpenRMM vs LevelOpen source, AI and MCP Patches in OpenRMMWindows, Linux and macOS

Compare it in practice.

Open the OpenRMM demo and see the approval flow, patching and remote access.

Open the demoCalculate my price