TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is an MDM for Apple?
A Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution for Apple is an enterprise-level system that uses Apple’s native MDM protocol and lets you remotely configure, manage, and secure your fleet of macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS devices.
These MDM solutions communicate with Apple devices through the Apple Push Notification Service (APNS), which maintains a constant connection between the MDM server and managed devices. This connection allows admins to push real-time configuration profiles, commands, and policies to devices.
The MDM server uses device enrollment protocols like Automated Device Enrollment (previously DEP) to configure devices during activation automatically. This lets you enable zero-touch deployment at scale.
MDMs significantly reduce IT overhead by automatically configuring new hardware with organizational settings, policies, and apps without manual intervention. They even increase your security posture by enforcing encryption, complex passcodes, and automated compliance checking while letting you immediately respond to security incidents with remote lock and wipe features.
What to Look For in an Apple MDM Solution?
Most MDM solutions more or less do the same thing—manage your devices. But it’s much more complicated than that. Even some popular MDMs won’t have ‘that one essential feature,’ which will seriously hamper your workflows and reduce productivity.
These are some non-negotiables you must look for in an Apple MDM.
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Smooth device enrollment: Look for solutions that offer both automated enrollment and enrollment through Apple Business Manager. Ensure that automated enrollment works and supports supervision mode for iOS devices.
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Strong security: Look for powerful configuration profile management to control device settings, restrictions, and security policies granularly.
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Device supervision and inventory management: Some essentials here include real-time device tracking, hardware and software inventory management, and automated compliance checking.
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Integration with your tech stack: These are no less important. Ensure API support and integration with your IT infrastructure, such as directory services, SIEM systems, and help desk managers.
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Refinement: Don’t overlook the user experience. Look for a self-service portal for users to perform everyday tasks like installing approved apps or requesting support.
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Scalability is equally essential. Your MDM of choice must be able to handle large-scale deployments and grow with you.
💡Simplify MDM Integration and IT Asset Management with Workwize
Managing IT assets globally doesn’t have to be a hassle. Workwize streamlines IT operations by integrating procurement, deployment, and management into a single platform—perfect for teams using MDM solutions.
Here’s why Workwize is a game-changer:
- MDM-ready devices: Deliver laptops pre-configured with your MDM for seamless zero-touch deployment.
- Global reach, local efficiency: Ship devices worldwide in 5-7 days with cost-effective local warehousing.
- Streamlined offboarding: Automate retrieval, certified data erasure, and redeployment to keep your IT workflow smooth.
- Real-time visibility: Track assets, ensure compliance and manage inventory through one centralized dashboard.
- Seamless integrations: Workwize connects with MDMs, HRIS, and productivity/collaboration platforms to optimize your tech stack.
HighLevel, a SaaS company managing IT for 991 employees across the US, India, and the Philippines, saved $1.4 million annually with Workwize.
They eliminated shipping delays, standardized equipment, and reduced administrative overhead while delivering MDM-enrolled devices quickly and efficiently.
Workwize ensures devices arrive ready for productivity, reduces IT overhead, and simplifies global management.
Transform your IT workflows—Book a demo today!
Top 6 MDM Solutions for Apple Devices
These are our top picks for the best MDM solutions for your organization. We have included both Apple-exclusive and cross-platform options in our list.
Jamf
Best for large enterprises with complex Apple environments
Via Jamf
Jamf is an excellent choice for enterprises relying solely on Apple hardware-powered IT infrastructures. The platform is purpose-built to enable IT admins to secure iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TV devices from anywhere.
Jamf’s philosophy is to automate device management and simultaneously improve end-user productivity and creativity. To do this, Jamf relies on ongoing management. Instead of just creating generalized configuration profiles and calling it a day, you use policies and scripts to customize devices for the best possible user experience.
Jamf does automated and secure app management better than most others (Jamf’s acquisition of Mondada, a patch management innovator, in 2020 had a lot to do with this). There’s also zero-touch deployment for secure device provisioning and BYOD policies.
Key features
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Auto-configure Apple devices with business-critical apps based on employees’ cloud identity credentials.
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Separate personal and corporate data on BYOD-provisioned devices with Apple’s User Enrollment.
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Collect IT asset inventory data automatically and trigger device management tasks with Smart Targeting.
Pricing
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Jamf Now Pricing: Starts $4/month per device
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Jamf Business Pricing: Starts at $15/month per user (minimum 25 users required)
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Custom Enterprise plan available
Kandji
Best for compliance-driven organizations needing advanced automation
Via Kandji
If your device management workflow relies heavily on automation, consider Kandji. It's an automation-forward Apple MDM solution with integrated endpoint security and management.
Kandji sets up and configures Apple devices for new employees instantly and remotely. You can also put software installs and updates on autopilot. You also have a dedicated endpoint detection and response system and vulnerability management (which is still in beta).
Kandji’s highlight is Managed OS, a comprehensive tool that handles OS maintenance across your environment and supports major and minor updates. It lets you orchestrate the rollout of a new update entirely on your terms; you can set enforcement deadlines, make upgrades available through the Kandji self-service app, and monitor all your fleet progress.
Key features
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Simplify app deployment and patch management with Auto Apps and over 150 pre-packaged business apps.
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Map to CIS and NIST benchmarks easily, and reach SOC 2, FedRAMP, HIPAA, or ISO27001 compliance with Kandji’s security setting library.
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Streamline complete user onboarding and configuration with Kandji’s own setup manager, Liftoff.
Pricing
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Starts at $1.60/month per device for iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS.
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Starts at $3.20/month per device for macOS.
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Enterprise plans are available on demand.
Mosyle
Ideal for small- and medium-sized businesses and educational institutions on a budget
Via Mosyle
Mosyle is an enterprise-grade Apple MDM that targets SMBs, educational departments, and schools. The platform prides itself on becoming the K-12-specific Apple MDM in 2016, aiming to make the learning process more fun and engaging for students worldwide.
Mosyle also packs many endpoint security tools suitable for organizations of any size. These include fully automated hardening and compliance with ready-to-use templates, next-gen Mac antivirus, AI-powered automated Zero Trust for Mac, and Privilege management with Admin On-demand.
Mosyle’s Auth 2 handles all aspects of Identity Management and SSO—it automates local account creation using your organization’s IdP, enables device 2FA, or can implement a single work credential on every Mac login.
Key features
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Integrate seamlessly with Apple’s in-house apps and benefit from versatile flows for handling PKG and DMG files.
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Block sensitive and adult content on educational devices with automated Apple-specific web filtering and security.
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Block malware and malicious files with an AI-based agent and automated security compliance review and remediation.
Pricing
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Mosyle Manager Free: Free of cost
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Mosyle OneK12: $9 per device per year (a minimum of 30 licenses is needed)
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Mosyle Manager Premium: $5.50 per device per year ( a minimum of 30 licenses required)
Addigy
Ideal for MSPs managing multiple Apple environments
Via Addigy
Addigy describes itself as a full-featured management platform for Macs, iPhones, and iPads. You’ll see a few (positive) oddities with Addigy. First, you don’t get pulled into contracts with this platform; it scales as you grow. Next, you get a 14-day free trial, but the twist is that, unlike most free trials, you get to try out all the features as everything is unlocked.
It's also efficient in device management, as you’d expect. Some break-fix tools let you react to issues immediately. For instance, LiveDesktop, built into Addigy, lets you view and control any Mac for easy troubleshooting. LiveTerminal grants you root-level command line access to the device connected. Cool!
Addigy also acts as a cloud-based multi-tenant RMM. This means you can manage all your clients and locations from one view.
Key features
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Get real-time remote access and control with the ability to initiate an encrypted SSH session directly from your browser.
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Enable zero-touch deployment, secure authentication, and automated onboarding workflows with Addigy Identity.
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Upload and distribute custom apps throughout the device fleet, even as a part of the Mac setup process.
Pricing
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Addigy Premium for MSPs: Upto $6 per Mac.
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Addigy Premium for Corporations: Upto $8 Per Mac.
Hexnode
Ideal for enterprises looking for cross-platform friendly with robust security features
Via Hexnode
Hexnode is a cross-platform cloud-based Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution. Apart from Apple devices, this mobility management solution also handles Android, Windows, and FireOS.
Its key focus areas involve simplifying enrollment, flexibility with enterprise integrations, RMM, Identity management, and app management. There’s also a dedicated kiosk solution that locks down your device so it can run in purpose-specific environments.
Perhaps Hexnode's biggest strength lies in its ease of enrollment. In addition to the common no-touch enrollment methods like Apple Business Manager, Android ZTE, and Windows PPKG, you have options for QR code enrollment, Email/SMS enrollment, etc.
Key features
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Configure device settings before enrollment and make devices ready for use out of the box.
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Get complete control over the lifecycle of any app—distribute any store or enterprise app to all devices at your will.
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Securely distribute, share, and collaborate content across your device fleet, or isolate corporate content from personal devices with virtual containers.
Pricing
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Pro plan: $2.16/month per device
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Enterprise plan: $3.24/month per device
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Ultimate plan: $4.68/month per device
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Custom plans available on demand
Mirador
Ideal for smaller businesses that prioritize simplicity and affordability
Via Miradore
Miradore is another cross-platform MDM for centralized Android, Apple, and Windows device management. The platform grants you total control over all mobile devices in your organization. Need to create configs and install them remotely? Check. Want to know how much internet and mobile data was used? Done. Need custom reports based on extensive inventory data? You got it. 00
Apart from device management, it also has great app management capabilities. You can remotely install apps or push app packages (APK/IPA/MSI) on the devices. Blacklist apps to make them unusable or whitelist apps so that end-users can only use the apps you’ve approved.
The platform also has a powerful analytics suite. You can keep track of which phone models and operating systems are in use and what their statuses are, whether they apply passcodes and encryption, and so on.
Key features
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Create and deploy configuration profiles of any kind for Android, iOS, and Windows devices.
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Track device location (Android and iOS only) to reduce lost devices and improve compliance and security.
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Get access to ready-made reports, device-specific inventories, and more, along with a report builder for customized reporting.
Pricing
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Free plan available
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Premium plan: $2.30/month per device
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Premium+ plan: $3.30/month per device
Common Challenges with Apple Device Management
Even with the best tools, you might face common challenges that continue haunting IT admins managing Apple fleets. Some of them could be:
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Connectivity issues: Network connectivity and bandwidth limitations impact MDM performance during mass deployments or software updates. If your connection isn’t reliable, policy enforcement gets delayed, and updates fail.
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Messy certificate management: Complex certificate management creates headaches for IT teams, especially when dealing with certificate renewals and revocations. Failed certificate updates cause device authentication issues and disrupt access to corporate resources.
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Unlawful user intent: Some mischievous users bypass MDM restrictions with shady workarounds. This is an ongoing issue. These users often install unauthorized apps and threaten corporate data.
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Lack of legacy support: Integration with legacy systems is complicated. Many SSO solutions have unstable integrations, and some apps still depend exclusively on Windows.
Future Trends in Apple MDM
For better or worse, expect to see much more reliance on AI. The positives include MDMs being able to anticipate device issues, automatically optimize configurations, etc. Automation will also benefit from sophisticated decision trees that can handle complex scenarios independently.
IBM’s MaaS360 solution is the perfect example of an AI-forward MDM. It performs real-time, AI-driven risk assessments for each enrolled user's continuously updated risk score. Even Jamf has recently launched an AI assistant that will answer complex product-based questions with its Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture.
The rise of remote and hybrid work models also drives innovation in MDM capabilities. New features are emerging to support distributed workforces, including enhanced remote troubleshooting tools, improved self-service capabilities, and better remote collaboration features.
The future will also bring increased focus on user privacy alongside security—expect to see better separation of work and personal data, more transparent management policies, and more end-user satisfaction tweaks.
Whatever The MDM, Workwize Ships Devices With Them Pre-Installed
While MDM solutions excel in configuring, securing, and managing Apple devices, Workwize complements this by streamlining global procurement, pre-configured device shipments, and logistics.
IT teams using Workwize can ensure devices arrive pre-enrolled in Apple Business Manager or their chosen MDM platform, ready for day-one productivity.
Book a Workwize demo now and see the magic happen.
FAQs
What is the best MDM for Apple devices?
There’s no universal “best” MDM; it depends on what you need an MDM for. Jamf is considered the most comprehensive one, but the other solutions in our list are also strong contenders with competitive features.
How does Apple Business Manager integrate with MDM tools?
ABM connects with MDM solutions to enable automated device enrollment and app deployment. When you purchase devices, they’re automatically added to ABM and can be assigned to your MDM server for zero-touch deployment.
Is Jamf better than Kandji?
Jamf Pro offers better customization and legacy support, while Kandji has a more modern, streamlined experience with built-in automated workflows. The "better" choice depends on your unique needs.
What is the cost of an Apple MDM solution?
Pricing typically ranges from $2-8 per device per month. Enterprise solutions like Jamf Pro can cost $6-12 per device monthly, while solutions targeting smaller businesses start around $2-4 per device monthly.
