N-able (formerly SolarWinds MSP) ships two flagship RMMs: N-central for larger MSPs needing deep automation, and N-sight (formerly RMM) for SMB-focused MSPs wanting simpler workflows. Both have strong patch management, monitoring, and a long ecosystem of partner integrations.
Like every RMM, N-able is built for IT operations work — not for the security, compliance, and breach-detection layer that has become a separate procurement line on most MSP P&Ls. N-able offers EDR add-ons, but cross-platform compliance evidence, M365 / Entra identity threat detection and response (ITDR) with endpoint correlation, kernel-free application control, replacement prioritization, and SaaS / shadow-AI discovery remain gaps.
Lavawall® drops in via N-able as a script and runs alongside it, providing the security and compliance layer with a single agent on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Where Lavawall® wins for MSPs
Lavawall® delivers the security depth, compliance evidence, and breach-detection coverage that N-able does not address natively. For MSPs delivering CMMC 2.0, CPCSC, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, or cyber-insurance readiness, Lavawall® is the evidence base; N-able is the operational RMM.
Cross-platform parity is the second gap. N-able's Windows automation is mature; macOS and Linux coverage is thinner. Lavawall® treats Windows, macOS, and Linux as first-class with one agent, one console, one set of compliance reports.
For MSPs running N-central plus a separate Vanta / Drata GRC tool, a separate ThreatLocker app-control tool, a separate M365 monitoring add-on, and a separate Zendesk-class helpdesk, the Lavawall® / N-able combination consolidates the security, GRC, breach detection, app control, and helpdesk layers without disrupting N-able.
Where N-able (N-central / N-sight) wins
N-able is one of the most mature MSP RMMs in the market. Deep automation libraries, strong patch automation, well-documented ScreenConnect-class remote control (Take Control), and broad partner integrations make it a long-standing core for many MSPs.
For MSPs whose Windows-fleet automation is the central concern and whose security and compliance are handled by other dedicated tooling, N-able alone may be sufficient.
N-able customers can deploy Lavawall® via N-able-pushed scripts and gain the security and compliance layer without leaving N-able.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Lavawall® | N-able (N-central / N-sight) |
|---|---|---|
| MSP-focused RMM with mature automation | Standard scripting and APIs | Yes — mature MSP-focused RMM |
| Cross-platform agent (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Full security parity across all three | Strong Windows; lighter mac/Linux |
| Public application patch catalog | 7,500+ applications, published openly | OS + bundled third-party |
| Compliance framework mapping (CMMC 2.0 / NIST / SOC 2 / HIPAA) | 15+ frameworks; continuous evidence with System Security Plan (SSP) and remediation plan (POA&M) | Reports; not framework-mapped GRC platform |
| M365 / Entra ID / Azure breach detection with endpoint correlation | Native multi-tenant identity threat detection and response (ITDR) | Limited |
| Google Workspace breach detection | Native | Limited |
| Application control without kernel driver | Native | No |
| Curated SaaS / shadow-AI discovery (1,130+ catalog) | Native with user attribution | No |
| Replacement prioritization (battery / TPM / SMART / RAM / age) | Multi-factor scoring | Lifecycle dates |
| Akira ransomware indicator hunter | Native | No |
| Per-named-agent helpdesk (unlimited tickets) | US$59 / agent / month | Add-on |
| Built and used by an audit firm | ThreeShield (CISSP / CISA) | No |
Who should pick which?
Pick Lavawall® if…
MSPs running N-central or N-sight that need a security, GRC, breach-detection, and analytics platform 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.
MSPs with growing macOS / Linux fleets that have outpaced N-able's strengths.
Frequently asked
- Does Lavawall® replace N-able?
- It can — Lavawall® provides patching, scripting, remote support, and inventory — but the typical pattern for N-able shops is augmentation: keep N-able for automation, add Lavawall® for security, GRC, and analytics.
- Can Lavawall® be deployed through N-able?
- Yes. PowerShell / bash scripts deploy via N-central / N-sight to Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints.
- Does Lavawall® coexist with N-able's own EDR?
- Yes. Lavawall® coexists with N-able's EDR offerings and major third-party EDR products (Defender, Huntress, Sophos, SentinelOne, CrowdStrike) without conflicts and surfaces their state in the Lavawall® console.
- Will Lavawall® conflict with the N-able agent?
- No. Lavawall® coexists with major RMM agents without conflicts.
