Top 5 Apple MDM Solutions for Businesses
As the popularity of iPhones and iPads continues to rise in organizations and educational institutions worldwide, the need for iOS mobile device management solutions is ever-increasing. In the US alone, 23% of enterprises are moving to Macs, according to a survey conducted by IDC. More organizations plan on using Apple devices across various platforms in the near term.
Naturally, the proliferation of Apple devices — Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV — in business is causing organizations to look for strong solutions to provide device provisioning, device management, and security capabilities to manage Apple devices across their lifecycle. This article shares a list of best Apple MDM solutions for businesses.
1. Scalefusion MDM
Scalefusion Apple MDM is an enterprise-level mobile device management solution that offers features such as device enrollment, mobile application management, content management, and remote support. It is one of the best Apple MDM software suitable for businesses of all sizes that require a scalable solution. Scalefusion, apart from being a top MDM solution, also supports various device types and platforms, including iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux.
Key Features:
- Deploy apps from the App Store and in-house apps via Scalefusion’s Enterprise Store
- Fast device enrollment with Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager integration
- Set virtual perimeter on company-owned Apple devices
Pros:
- Granular control over devices and applications
- Easy-to-use UI
- Excellent customer support team
Cons:
- Limited reporting capabilities compared to other tools
Scalefusion is suitable for enterprises that have a multi-OS device environment. Besides iOS and macOS, Scalefusion can manage mobile devices running Android and Windows 10/11.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $2 per device per month
- 14-day free trial
2. Jamf
Jamf is another of the top Apple MDM solutions for Apple devices. The Apple-only device management platform allows Jamf to offer same-day support on iOS and iPadOS operating systems. You can easily integrate Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager with Jamf to deliver Apple devices directly to the end users. The iOS MDM solution provides Jamf Reset — a free iOS app for users enrolled under the Jamf Pro plan — to reprovision an existing device to a new user at the click of a button.
Key Features:
- Automated hardware deployment
- Apps and books distribution
- Device protection and privacy
- One-click device provisioning
Pros:
- Same-day support for new operating systems
- Easy deployment and maintenance
Cons:
- The platform can be expensive for small and medium-sized businesses
- Does not manage a multi-OS (Android, Windows, or Linux) device environment
Jamf is suitable for businesses, schools, and large healthcare organizations that need the ability to manage Apple devices exclusively. The exclusivity makes Jamf one of the best MDM for Apple devices.
Pricing:
- Business plans start at $4 per device per month
- School plans start at $9 per device for one year
3. Kandji
Kandji is a cloud-based platform for managing and securing Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices. In addition to the existing MDM framework, Kandji offers a proprietary macOS agent that augments device management capabilities with more actions such as installation of custom apps, native application blocking, and running of all scripts as root.
Key Features:
- Automated app and OS updates
- Zero-touch deployment
- Pre-built templates for security and compliance management
Pros:
- Automated migration from legacy MDM platforms
- Offline mode enforces compliance and resolves issues when Mac devices go offline
Cons:
- Limited support for non-Apple devices
- Some features require separate subscriptions or upgrades
Kandji is suitable for organizations with smaller IT teams managing a large company-wide rollout for Apple devices.
Pricing:
- Kandji provides custom pricing based on the number of devices and OS type
4. Addigy
Addigy provides cloud-based Apple mobile device management solutions for enterprises, education, and MSPs. To onboard new team members with a ready-to-use Apple device, Addigy’s automated device enrollment with Apple Business Manager integration can quickly equip devices with the necessary apps, configurations, and security settings as per the job role. It combines MDM with live agent capabilities to manage and secure Apple devices at scale.
Key Features:
- Conditional Access with Microsoft Intune
- Approved software packages and command line scripts for users to view and install
- The GoLive feature lists over 100 data points of a device’s current state for quick and easy issue resolution
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Wide range of built-in integrations for new and existing workflows
Cons:
- Limited to Apple products
- Some management features may be available for macOS only
Addigy is suitable for large organizations and MSPs that need complete visibility over their client’s devices.
Pricing:
- Addigy provides pricing on request
5. Mosyle
Mosyle is a relatively new entrant offering cloud-native mobile device management, security, and provisioning tools for Mac, iOS, and tvOS. Its enterprise offering, Mosyle Manager, combines enterprise-grade MDM, identity management, automated applications installing and patching, and multi-layer endpoint security for companies with Apple devices.
Key Features:
- One-click report functionality for audit analysis
- App Catalog eliminates the time-consuming process of managing non-App Store apps
- Support for shared devices and integrations with Google, Microsoft, Active Directory, and APIs
Pros:
- One of the most cost-effective options in the market today
- Clear UI makes device and app management effortless
Cons:
- Limited tech documentation
- Steep learning curve
Mosyle is suitable for businesses that require a scalable MDM solution with extensive security control over devices and applications.
Pricing:
- Mosyle offers a Mosyle Business Free option that allows companies to manage up to 30 Apple devices with the same management features of Mosyle Business Premium at no cost
Wrapping Up
Any organization with a sizable number of Apple devices could consider any of the abovementioned top Apple MDM solutions. The solutions integrate with other platforms that allow flexible co-management scenarios for Apple devices.
