Which MDM Is Right for Your Apple Fleet?
Apple devices are easier to use than ever—but managing them at scale? That still takes the right tools. Whether you’re rolling out 50 iPads or 500 MacBooks, choosing the right Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform can make or break your deployment experience.
The three big players in the Apple MDM space? Jamf, Intune, and Mosyle. Each brings its own strengths—and quirks—to the table. Let’s help you choose the one that fits your environment, goals, and tech stack.
🧠 First, a Quick Character Guide
Jamf – The Apple specialist. Purpose-built for deep control and seamless Apple integration.
Intune – The enterprise generalist. A great fit for Microsoft 365-first environments managing both Windows and Apple devices.
Mosyle – The lean, cloud-native contender. Cost-effective, fast to deploy, and surprisingly powerful for the price.
Think of it like this:
Jamf is a precision tool.
Intune is a universal remote.
Mosyle is a pocketknife.
⚙️ MDM Feature Comparison Table
| Feature Category | Jamf | Intune | Mosyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Feature Support | Deepest support—built for Apple only | Good, but less fine-grained for Macs | Strong, fast to adopt new Apple releases |
| Ease of Setup | Moderate learning curve, highly configurable | Easiest if you're already in Microsoft 365 | Simple onboarding, great cloud interface |
| Identity Integration | Azure AD, Google, Apple ID support | Deep Azure AD/Defender/365 integration | Supports SSO with Google, Microsoft, etc. |
| App Deployment | Full App Store, custom PKGs, scripts | Limited scripting, strong basic deployment | App Store, VPP, and custom scripts supported |
| Device Visibility | Robust dashboards, inventory management | Strong for hybrid fleets | Lightweight but effective monitoring |
| Security Policies | Integrates with Jamf Protect, strong lockdown options | Strong integration with Defender policies | Impressive policy management at low cost |
| Best Fit For | Apple-first orgs, schools, creatives, secure teams | Mixed fleets, Microsoft-heavy environments | Small to mid-sized orgs wanting fast ROI |
🔒 Security & Compliance Considerations
All three platforms offer remote lock/wipe, passcode policies, and compliance tools—but they do it in different ways.
Jamf shines in industries with strict compliance needs (healthcare, finance, government), especially when paired with Jamf Protect.
Intune integrates beautifully with Microsoft Defender and provides consistent endpoint reporting across device types.
Mosyle punches above its weight—offering endpoint security, content filtering, and patch management for a surprisingly low price.
Rocketbox note:
If security auditing and governance are key to your environment, Jamf leads the way. If your risk is lower but you still need tight controls, Mosyle is a serious contender.
💰 Cost & Licensing Models
Jamf: Tiered pricing based on product (Pro, Now, School, etc.). Higher upfront, but feature-rich and scalable.
Intune: Often bundled in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 plans. Great if you’re already paying for it.
Mosyle: Most affordable option, with free trials and aggressive pricing for small/medium orgs.
Remember: it’s not just the license cost—it’s time saved, downtime avoided, and support requests prevented.
🚀 Rocketbox Recommendations
Choose Jamf if:
You’re an Apple-first organisation that wants the best possible management experience—deep control, high security, and support for the latest Apple features the moment they drop.
Choose Intune if:
You’re already using Microsoft 365, managing mixed devices, and want everything under one roof—even if it means some trade-offs on the Apple side.
Choose Mosyle if:
You want clean, cloud-based Apple MDM with fast deployment, great value, and just enough power to do the job really well—especially for lean IT teams.
🧩 Still Unsure? That’s Where We Come In
Rocketbox has helped businesses and government teams of all shapes and sizes deploy, switch, and scale Apple MDM platforms. If you’re weighing options—or trying to make the most of your current one—we’ll help you make the right move.
📧 hello@rocketbox.au
📞 (03) 7054 8110
🔧 Apple deployments: Simplified, secured, supported—by Rocketbox.