Device management that enrols a laptop from the box, enforces disk encryption, and proves it to an auditor.
LC
Louis CorneloupFounder, Dupple · 600,000+ readers · Updated Aug 2026
Independently researched. No pay-for-placement.5 tools compared
TL;DR
The best MDM software in 2026 is Jamf for Apple-heavy organisations that need depth, Kandji for Apple fleets that want automation without the complexity, Microsoft Intune if you already pay for Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, NinjaOne for mixed fleets that also need patching and remote support, and Hexnode for broad platform coverage including Android and rugged devices. Choose on your device mix first, everything else second.
Mobile device management stopped being about phones years ago. Today MDM is how you enrol a laptop that ships directly to a new hire, enforce full-disk encryption before it touches company data, push the security patch that closes an actively exploited bug, and produce the report that proves all of it to an auditor.
Get it wrong and every laptop is an unmanaged liability. Get it right and onboarding takes an hour instead of a day.
Top Picks
Based on features, real-world fit, and value for money.
Best for: Apple-first organisations that need maximum depth and scale
PricingQuote-based, priced per device with volume tiers; Jamf does not publish rates publicly. Jamf Now targets organisations under 25 employees. Check current pricing or request a quote.
+Unmatched depth on Apple platforms and same-day support for new OS releases
+Massive community, documentation and hiring pool of Jamf-experienced admins
+Scales to tens of thousands of devices without strain
−No public pricing, and quotes trend expensive for smaller teams
MDM software enrols devices into a central console and enforces configuration on them: passcode and encryption policy, application installation, operating system updates, certificate and Wi-Fi profiles, and remote lock or wipe.
Modern platforms extend this into unified endpoint management (laptops, phones, tablets and increasingly servers in one console) and compliance reporting that maps device state to frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001 or NIS2.
Why it matters
Most breach post-mortems trace back to a device that was missing a patch, missing encryption, or missing entirely from the inventory. MDM is the control that makes those three states impossible rather than unlikely.
It is also increasingly a commercial requirement: enterprise buyers and cyber insurers now ask for evidence of managed, encrypted endpoints, and without an MDM you cannot produce it.
Key features to look for
Zero-touch enrolment
The device enrols itself on first boot via Apple Business Manager, Windows Autopilot or Android Zero-Touch. This is what turns remote onboarding from a shipping problem into a non-event.
Configuration and compliance policy
Enforce encryption, passcode rules, firewall and OS version, then continuously verify. Look for automatic remediation, not just alerting on drift.
Patch and OS update management
Deferred, staged and enforced updates across the fleet. The gap between a patch shipping and your fleet installing it is the window attackers use.
Application deployment
Silent install, update and removal of the software your team needs, including licence handling for paid apps.
Audit-ready reporting
Exportable evidence that every device meets policy, ideally mapped to the framework you are certified against. This is what turns MDM from an IT tool into a compliance asset.
Mistakes to avoid
×Choosing on price before device mix. An Apple-heavy company that buys a Windows-first MDM spends the savings on workarounds within a quarter.
×Enrolling devices without zero-touch. Manual enrolment works until you hire ten people in a month, then it silently stops happening.
×Setting policy without remediation. Detecting that encryption is off does nothing; the platform should turn it back on and log that it did.
×Treating MDM as an IT-only project. Enrolment, acceptable use and offboarding are HR and legal decisions as much as technical ones.
Expert tips
→Connect Apple Business Manager or Windows Autopilot before you buy anything. Zero-touch enrolment is the feature that pays for the platform.
→Pilot on the IT team's own devices for two weeks. Every painful policy shows up there first, cheaply.
→Write the offboarding automation on day one, not after the first departure. Remote wipe and licence reclaim should be one action.
→Map your policies to the framework you certify against from the start, so compliance evidence is a report rather than a project.
The bottom line
Apple-only and at scale, Jamf remains the safe choice; Apple-only and lean, Kandji gets you compliant faster with less specialist knowledge. If you already pay for Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, start with Intune because you are likely funding it already.
Mixed fleets with a small IT team should look at NinjaOne, and anyone managing Android, rugged or kiosk hardware should shortlist Hexnode.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MDM and UEM?
MDM manages devices, traditionally phones and tablets, through enrolment and configuration profiles. UEM (unified endpoint management) extends the same console to laptops, desktops and sometimes servers, adding patching and software deployment. In 2026 most vendors here are really UEM platforms; the MDM label stuck for historical reasons.
How much does MDM software cost?
Most vendors price per device per month and quote rather than publish, so budget on your device count and get two or three quotes. Jamf, Kandji and NinjaOne are all quote-led. Microsoft Intune is the exception worth checking first, because it may already be included in an existing Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 licence you hold.
Do I need MDM for a small company?
If you issue laptops, yes. The threshold is not headcount, it is whether devices hold company data. Below roughly 25 Apple devices, Jamf Now or a lower Hexnode tier is usually enough; the moment you need audit evidence for a customer or an insurer, an MDM stops being optional.
Can MDM wipe a personal device?
On BYOD devices, well-configured MDM performs a selective wipe: it removes company accounts, apps and data while leaving personal content untouched. Apple's User Enrolment and Android Work Profile are built exactly for this separation. Company-owned devices can be fully wiped. Make which mode applies explicit in your device policy, because employees rarely read the enrolment screen.
