The best MDM software is the one built for the devices your team carries: an Apple-focused tool for Macs and iPhones, an Android specialist for rugged phones and kiosks, or a cross-platform system for a mixed fleet. Here are ten options in no particular order, with which have a free tier, often capped by device count, and which offer a trial.
Mobile device management sounds like a big-company problem until a phone with your customer list on it goes missing in a taxi. That's usually the moment a small business realises it can't wipe the device, can't see whether it was encrypted, and isn't sure whose phone it was in the first place.
Below are ten MDM tools sorted alphabetically and in no particular order. I've taken every description from the vendor's own website, re-checked today. Several have free tiers that are useful for a small team, but almost all of them cap the number of devices, so count yours before you get attached to one.
Device management tools side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means a free tier or open source edition described on the maker's site, which may be capped by device count or come without support. Trial only means a time-limited trial.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fleet | Open source device management | Technical teams wanting free multi-platform MDM | Yes |
| Headwind MDM | Open source Android MDM | Businesses managing Android fleets | Yes |
| Hexnode | Unified endpoint management | SMBs managing mixed device fleets | Trial only |
| Jamf | Apple device management | Businesses running Macs, iPhones and iPads | Trial only |
| ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus | Cloud and on-premises MDM | Small firms with up to 25 devices | Yes |
| Microsoft Intune | Cloud endpoint management | Microsoft 365 businesses managing devices | Trial only |
| Miradore | Cloud MDM with free plan | Small firms managing up to 50 devices | Yes |
| Mosyle Business | Apple device management | Small businesses with up to 30 Apple devices | Yes |
| Scalefusion | Mobile and desktop management | SMBs wanting per-device plans across platforms | Trial only |
| SimpleMDM | Apple-only cloud MDM | Small teams managing Macs and iPhones | Trial only |
Ten MDM platforms for phones, tablets and laptops
Fleet
Best for: Technical teams wanting device management across Apple, Windows, Linux and Android, starting on a free tier with basic features and no support.
Headwind MDM
Best for: Businesses running Android phones, tablets and kiosks that want an open source platform to install themselves, with an Enterprise edition and trial if needed.
Hexnode
Best for: Small and mid-size businesses managing mixed mobile and desktop fleets that want to test per-device plans through a 14-day free trial.
Jamf
Best for: Businesses with Apple fleets wanting purpose-built Mac, iPhone and iPad management with security plans, trialled free for 14 days or bought through a reseller.
ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus
Best for: Small businesses with up to 25 devices that want a free edition, in the cloud or on their own servers, plus a 30-day trial for unlimited devices.
Microsoft Intune
Best for: Businesses already on Microsoft 365 or Windows that want device and app management inside the Microsoft security stack, with a free trial.
Miradore
Best for: Small businesses wanting basic management and security for Android, Apple and Windows devices on a free plan for up to 50 devices, after a 14-day trial.
Mosyle Business
Best for: Small businesses with a handful of Macs, iPhones and iPads that want Apple device management on a free tier for up to 30 devices.
Scalefusion
Best for: Small and mid-size businesses wanting Android, Apple and Windows device management on per-device plans, each with a free trial.
SimpleMDM
Best for: Small teams managing Apple devices that want hosted MDM with no contract, tested with unlimited devices during a 30-day trial.
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What Cyber Essentials expects of staff phones in the UK
If you're in the UK and working towards Cyber Essentials, read this bit twice. The NCSC's requirements for IT infrastructure say that user-owned devices, the phones and laptops your team bring themselves, are in scope if they access organisational data or services, alongside company-owned ones. Devices used only for native calls, native texts or multi-factor authentication apps are out of scope.
The NCSC also strongly recommends, though doesn't require, applying all released updates within 14 days. What that means for you: if staff read work email on their own phones, you need a way to show those phones are under control. That's exactly the job an MDM does, and its update reports make the 14-day habit easy to check.
Apple only, Android only or everything
- Apple-focused tools: go deepest on Macs, iPhones and iPads, and are worth a look if that's all you run.
- Android specialists: suit warehouses, delivery drivers and kiosks where rugged Android devices do one job.
- Cross-platform systems: cover Windows, Apple and Android in one console, at the expense of some depth on each.
- Inside your existing stack: if you already live in Microsoft 365, keeping device policies there saves another login.
Enrolling your first devices without chaos
- Count your devices by type and owner: company phones, personal phones, laptops and tablets.
- Write a one-page policy that says what you'll manage on a personal phone and, just as clearly, what you won't see.
- Start with two or three volunteers and enrol their devices first.
- Turn on the basics: screen lock, encryption, and the ability to wipe work data remotely.
- Check update status every week and chase anything older than 14 days.
- Roll out to everyone else once the volunteers are happy.
A lot of phone security comes down to people, so pair this with my steps for protecting staff from phishing, and look at passwordless sign-in for your team while you're at it.
Do you make MDM software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on mobile device management
Count your devices first, then pick a tool built for the ones you've got. If it's all Apple, start with an Apple-focused MDM; if it's rugged Android kit, start with an Android specialist; if it's a mix, go cross-platform. A free tier is a great way to learn, as long as you know where its device limit sits.
And be honest with your team about what you can see on their personal phones. People enrol happily when they know their photos and messages stay private.
Frequently asked questions
What is MDM software?
Mobile device management software lets you set security rules, install apps and remotely lock or wipe work devices from one console.
Is there free MDM software?
Yes. Some tools have free tiers capped at a set number of devices, and there are open source options you can run yourself. Most free tiers come with limited or no support.
Can I manage personal phones with MDM?
Usually, yes, by managing only the work apps and data on the phone. Agree a clear policy with staff first so they know what you can and can't see.
Do I need MDM for Cyber Essentials?
The NCSC doesn't name a tool, but personal devices that access work data are in scope, so you need some way to show they meet the requirements. MDM is the usual answer.
Does MDM work on Macs and Windows laptops too?
Many tools cover laptops as well as phones. Check the platform list on each maker's site before you start a trial.
How many devices do free MDM plans cover?
It varies by tool, from around 25 to 50 devices in this list. Check the limit against your real count, plus room to grow.
