5 Best Free Mobile Device Management (MDM) Software in 2024
The rapid development and growth of mobile and cloud technology have greatly improved our personal lives and brought significant changes to the business world. Mobile device management (MDM) software is essential for leveraging these advancements. Mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, notebooks, and handheld PDAs, have become integral to our daily routines, and businesses are embracing mobility to maximize its benefits.
For small to medium-sized businesses, adopting enterprise mobility solutions is crucial now due to the unavoidable use of mobile devices. Employees use these devices for various work purposes, not just personal use. Companies are turning to MDM solutions, including free options, to implement policies such as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and COPE (Corporate-Owned, Personally-Enabled) for effective device management. These policies help reduce IT costs and boost productivity.
MDM software in 2024 offers significant advantages for small to medium-sized businesses by enabling the deployment and management of various mobile devices among their workforce. By utilizing free MDM solutions, companies can effectively adopt BYOD or COPE policies, thereby reducing IT infrastructure costs while enhancing flexibility and productivity.
Here are 5 free mobile device management solutions to enhance your device management game.
5 Best Free MDM Solutions in 2024
1. Scalefusion
Scalefusion is a leading mobile device management (MDM) software that provides a comprehensive and simplified device management and security experience for IT admins across various industries like logistics, education, healthcare, and BFSI. Scalefusion MDM solution gives IT managers robust insights and security of devices running on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows systems across diverse ownership models such as corporate-owned and bring-your-own device (BYOD).
Key Features
- Bulk and zero-touch enrollment
- Single and multi-app kiosk mode
- Zero-trust policy
- Blacklist and whitelist websites
- Location tracking and geofencing
- Role-based access control
- Remote cast and control
- Passcode policy
- Application and content management
- Remote lock and wipe
Why choose Scalefusion MDM?
- Streamlines device management experience
- Enhances device visibility and manages all the devices from a single dashboard
- Best known for its free and prompt customer support
- Provides cost-effective solutions with flexible pricing plans
- Suits businesses of all sizes
Pros
- Lock any website in kiosk mode with Scalefusion’s in-house secure browser, ProSurf
- Reduce device inventory with shared device mode
- Improve productivity by troubleshooting device issues remotely
- IT administrators can set up dynamic policies for devices and automate repetitive tasks on a schedule
Cons
- Does not support Chrome OS
- Web-based dashboard only
Pricing
- Starts at $2 per device per month (billed annually)
- Offers a 14-day free trial with all MDM features included
2. ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus
ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus is a mobile device management solution designed to empower the enterprise workforce with the power of mobility. It enhances employee productivity without compromising corporate security. It is available as both an on-premise and cloud offering. Feature-wise, Mobile Device Manager Plus offers end-to-end device, app, data, and security management capabilities.
Key Features
- Corporate and BYOD enrollment
- Location tracking
- Seamless app and content distribution
- Content management
- Remote troubleshooting
- Mobile Threat Defense (MTD)
Why choose ManageEngine MDM?
- Adhoc (in-house) applications can be pushed easily to enrolled devices
- Remotely access and chat with end-user devices
- Supports OS such as Andriod and Apple
Pros
- Allows you to generate custom reports on the use of devices, security compliance, and other metrics
- Effective and convenient chat support system
Cons
- The user interface needs to be more streamlined and optimized
- Geo-location feature needs development
- As compared to other MDM solutions, pricing is comparatively high
Pricing
- Offers a free MDM version with all features for up to 25 devices
- 30-day free trial of the premium plan is included in the free version
3. Miradore
Miradore is a rapidly growing Finnish software company specializing in cloud-based MDM solutions in over 180 countries. Its MDM software equips IT managers and MSPs with targeted features to manage their organization’s data and devices from a single platform. Miradore also has a rich knowledge base with articles and guides to provide a seamless management experience.
Key Features
- Automated device enrollment and configuration
- Single and multi-app kiosk mode
- Streamlined deployment of policies
- Encryption of mobile data storage
- Restriction management
- Location tracking and geofencing
Why choose Miradore?
- Has robust security features, including advanced encryption standards
- Provides a good deal of customization on security policies
- Perfect for small businesses as it is free to use for up to 25 devices
Pros
- Deploy applications to devices through the Managed Google Play Store
- Enables you to create security policies based on multiple software and configuration deployments
Cons
- A lot of end-user information has to be entered manually
- Occasional inaccuracy of GPS tracker
- Customer support is only available through email for the free version
- Scheduling and remote deployment of system updates, location tracking, and enabling lost mode functions are not included in the free version
Pricing
- Offers a free plan that includes limited basic MDM feature
- Premium plan starts at $2.75 per device per month
- 14-day free trial of the premium plan is included in the free version
4. JumpCloud
JumpCloud is an Identity-as-a-Service (IDaas) provider used by more than 200,000 organizations, that also offers device management capabilities. It helps IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs) minimize the risks and vulnerabilities of their organizations by centralizing the management of multiple devices with ease.
Key Features
- Zero-touch Enrollment
- Patch management
- Policy-based access control
- Remote Assistance
- Multi-factor authentication
Why choose JumpCloud?
- Unifies device management from a single dashboard
- Provides complete IT coverage to enhance your security posture
- Supports multiple OSes such as Andriod, Windows, iOS, macOS, and Linux.
Pros
- Gain a comprehensive view of device configurations
- Remotely push policies and software updates as needed
- Distribute applications without requiring physical access to each device
Cons
- User experience is complex, which makes the learning curve steep.
- Jumpcloud is expensive for smaller companies
- System Insights are only available via the JumpCloud API/Powershell tools, not the web portal
Pricing
- Free version is available for 1–10 users with limited features.
- Paid plans start from $3 per month
- 30-day free trial is available
5. AirDroid Business
AirDroid Business is an enterprise-level mobile device management (MDM) solution for managing Android device fleets from a central dashboard. It allows businesses to monitor device usage, deploy apps and updates, and troubleshoot issues remotely. The solution aims to streamline device management, boost productivity and efficiency, and lower management costs.
Key Features
- Kiosk mode
- Bulk Enrollment
- Security policies and automated workflows
- Application management
- Geofencing & Location Tracking
- Cloud and On-Premise Deployment
Why choose AirDroid?
- AirDroid Business provides you with effortless monitoring and provisioning
- Gain remote access to any devices and fix problems instantly
- It allows the IT team to plan updates in a streamlined process without assistance
- Enforce a wide range of device policy configurations, including device passwords, app management, VPN usage, and digital certificate management
Pros
- Manage large-scale device monitoring by seeing device screen, camera view, location, network status, and detailed info in real-time and in one place
Cons
- User interface is not favorable for beginners
- Device management features such as lost mode, remote factory reset, and bulk file distribution are not included in their basic price plan.
Pricing
- 14 days AirDroid Business Free Trial is available
- Basic plan starts from $12 per device for a year.
Opting for the Right Free MDM Software
Choosing the right mobile device management software will simplify your mobile device management challenges to a great extent. The MDM solutions discussed above are well-suited for managing diverse device fleets, offering robust features that streamline operations, protect against web-based threats, and secure corporate data. These MDM tools optimize device management for various ownership models, including BYOD, company-owned, and COPE, and are particularly effective in supporting remote work environments.
While free MDM, for small businesses, can reduce their budget constraints, it still has some limitations in terms of device numbers, duration, or feature access. To overcome these limitations, consider solutions that provide comprehensive free trials, tiered pricing plans, or custom quotes.
The ideal MDM solution for your business will depend on factors such as free trial or demo, business size, budget, and the specific MDM capabilities required. By evaluating these aspects carefully, you can accurately select the most suitable MDM solution from the above list, ensuring efficient and secure management of your mobile devices.
