OpenMSP
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Rundeck

Automation and Scripting

Open Source
Commercial Vendor
Free Tier
E
Enterprise
Self-hosted
OpenMSP Score
57
38
Reddit Impact Score
Github Score
307M
6KStars
980Forks
24KCommits
Apache License 2.0License
Jul 8, 2026Last commit

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Rundeck by PagerDuty is an open source runbook automation service with a web console, command line tools and a WebAPI. It enables self-service operations by giving specific users access to existing tools, services, and scripts. Organizations use Rundeck to standardize tasks, improve operational quality, and deploy automation across distributed infrastructure. It helps teams minimize downtime, enhance productivity, and reduce operational overhead by orchestrating existing automation tools like Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes. Rundeck is trusted by thousands of organizations including Ticketmaker, Disney, and many enterprise customers worldwide, with an active open source community of over 60,000 users.
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Key Features

Runbook Automation

Create and execute automated runbooks for incident response, diagnostics, and remediation with web GUI, CLI, and REST API access.

Self-Service Operations

Safely delegate automation tasks to team members with role-based access control, enabling non-experts to execute complex workflows.

Universal Orchestration

Orchestrate existing automation across Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and custom scripts without replacement.

Job Scheduling

Schedule automated workflows with advanced scheduling options, retry logic, and error handling for reliable execution.

Multi-Node Execution

Execute tasks across distributed infrastructure with node filtering, parallel execution, and centralized logging.

PagerDuty Integration

Native integration with PagerDuty for automated incident response, triggering runbooks directly from alerts.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Open Source Core

Apache 2.0 licensed open source version with strong community support and no vendor lock-in.

Flexible Integration

Works with existing automation tools and scripts without requiring replacement or migration.

Self-Service Automation

Enables safe delegation of tasks to non-experts through role-based access control.

Enterprise Scale

Commercial version offers high availability, clustering, and enterprise-grade features.

PagerDuty Acquisition

Now part of PagerDuty ecosystem with deep incident management integration.

Cons

Learning Curve

Initial setup and configuration can be complex for teams new to runbook automation.

Commercial Pricing

Enterprise features require commercial license with pricing averaging $51,000/year.

Self-Hosted Overhead

Open source version requires self-hosting and management of infrastructure.

UI Modernization

User interface could be more modern compared to newer automation platforms.

Feature Comparison

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Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

OpenMSP is The MSP Knowledge Hub & Community Platform designed specifically for Managed Service Providers seeking to optimize their technology stack, reduce vendor costs, and discover open-source alternatives. We combine a comprehensive vendor directory, open-source solution catalog, and integrated community discussions to help MSPs make informed decisions.
Yes, completely free. Browse vendors and tools, read comparisons, and join community discussions - no cost, no registration required. OpenMSP is community-supported and focused on empowering MSPs to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency through open-source technology.
We help MSPs identify cost-effective alternatives to expensive commercial solutions, provide transparent vendor information, and connect you with proven open-source alternatives. Our platform enables MSPs to make informed decisions about their technology investments.
No account required for browsing vendors, reading comparisons, or accessing community content. Creating a free account with SSO (Microsoft, Google, or Slack) allows you to participate in discussions and save your favorite tools.

Platform Information

OpenMSP is currently community-supported. We focus on providing value to the MSP community first. Any future monetization will keep the core platform free for MSPs while maintaining our independence and commitment to unbiased information.
We focus exclusively on MSP needs with transparent vendor information and open-source alternatives. No vendor partnerships or sponsored listings - just honest, community-driven information to help MSPs make better technology decisions. Our biggest value is our community where MSPs help each other with questions, setup guidance, and sharing real-world experiences.
Our community of MSP professionals helps verify and update information. We also maintain direct research on tools and vendors to ensure accuracy. Community members can report outdated information, and we work to keep everything current.
OpenMSP was founded by Michael Assraf, who has extensive experience in the MSP industry and product leadership. As the former CEO & Founder of Vicarius, Michael grew a startup from $0 to $9M ARR with 500+ customers and deep experience working with MSPs, partners, and fundraising. OpenMSP represents his commitment to empowering the MSP community through better technology decisions and cost optimization.

Open-Source Tools & Alternatives

We assess tools based on active development, community size, documentation quality, production deployments by MSPs, and available support options. Tools must meet strict criteria for reliability and enterprise readiness.
Many open-source projects offer multiple support options including community forums, commercial support from vendors, professional services, and our community discussions where experienced MSPs share implementation guidance.