Best MDM Software for Small Business in 2026

Why Small Businesses Need MDM in 2026

Once a company passes a dozen or so laptops and phones, "IT" stops being a favor someone does on a Friday afternoon. New hires need a laptop that is ready on day one. Someone leaves and their MacBook needs to be locked and wiped. A customer's security questionnaire asks whether every device has disk encryption, a screen lock and current OS updates, and you need to answer "yes" with evidence rather than hope.

Mobile device management (MDM) software, often sold under the wider name unified endpoint management (UEM), is how you do that without touching every device by hand. You enroll laptops, phones and tablets once, then push settings, apps, updates and security rules from a web console. When a device is lost or an employee leaves, you lock or wipe it remotely.

The market is crowded, and most comparison pages are written for enterprises with a dedicated IT team. This one is not. We focus on small businesses: roughly 10 to 200 devices, usually a mix of Macs, Windows PCs, iPhones and Android phones, and nobody whose full-time job is device management. For that buyer, three things matter more than feature counts:

• Does it cover every device you own? A Mac-only tool is excellent if you are a Mac-only company, and a dead end if half your finance team runs Windows.
• Can a non-specialist run it? Setup wizards, sensible templates and automatic app patching save more time than a long list of advanced settings.
• What will it actually cost? Several vendors in this category no longer publish prices. We say so plainly where that is the case.

We compare six tools: Hexnode UEM, Microsoft Intune, JumpCloud, Iru (formerly Kandji), Mosyle and Jamf. Prices and plan details below come from each vendor's own website as of October 2026. We did not run hands-on tests for this article; it compares published features, plans and prices.

A note on names: Kandji, the Apple device management company, now operates as Iru. The vendor describes Iru as the platform formerly known as Kandji, and it now covers Windows and Android as well as Apple devices. If you are researching Kandji, Iru is the same company and product line under a new name.

Hexnode UEM review

Website: hexnode.com

Hexnode UEM is our top pick for small businesses because it does the one thing a mixed fleet needs most: it manages almost everything from one console. Hexnode lists support for Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, visionOS, Fire OS and Zebra's Link OS. If your company has a few Windows laptops in finance, Macs in design, iPhones for sales and an Android tablet at reception, Hexnode can manage all of them.

Pricing

Hexnode is one of the few vendors here that still publishes prices. Its pricing page lists four plans, all priced per device per month, with a 10% discount for annual billing and a stated starting point of 15 devices:

• Pro: $2.20/device/month. Mobile-focused essentials: app management, kiosk mode, location tracking, Apple Business Manager and Android Enterprise enrollment, 2 technician accounts.
• Enterprise: $3.20/device/month. Adds basic desktop management, OS updates, geofencing, directory integrations and web content filtering, 3 technicians.
• Ultimate: $4.70/device/month. Adds automation, custom scripting, Windows Autopilot, Okta SSO, FileVault management, advanced reporting and remote viewing, 4 technicians. Hexnode labels this its most popular plan.
• Ultra: custom pricing. Adds patch and OS update management, BitLocker, desktop remote control, Okta Device Trust, Hexnode Access and Genie AI features, 5 technicians.

There is a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, and it includes all four tiers.

What it does well

• Coverage. No other tool in this list manages as many operating systems.
• Transparent pricing. You can budget without a sales call, at least up to the Ultimate tier.
• Kiosk and shared devices. Mobile kiosk management is in the base Pro plan, which matters for retail, hospitality and front-desk tablets.
• Room to grow. Automation, scripting and remote control are available when you need them.

Where it falls short

The tier structure is the main catch. A small business with real Windows and Mac laptops will likely need Ultimate at $4.70 per device per month, not the $2.20 headline price, because basic desktop management only starts at Enterprise and features such as Windows Autopilot, scripting and FileVault management sit in Ultimate. Patch management and BitLocker are in Ultra, which is quote-only. Technician seats are also capped per plan, which is fine for one or two admins but worth checking if an outside IT provider helps you.

Broad coverage also means a broad console. Hexnode has a lot of settings, and someone will need to spend a few hours learning where things live.

Who should choose Hexnode

Small businesses with a genuinely mixed fleet, especially those with kiosk or shared devices, that want published pricing and one console for everything.

Who should skip it

Apple-only companies (Mosyle or Jamf are cheaper or simpler for that) and Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers who already own Intune.

Microsoft Intune review

Website: microsoft.com/security/business/microsoft-intune

Microsoft Intune is the device management service inside the Microsoft cloud. For many small businesses, the most important fact about it is that they may already be paying for it.

Pricing

According to Microsoft's Intune pricing page:

• Microsoft Intune Plan 1 standalone: $8.00 per user/month, paid yearly.
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22.00 per user/month, paid yearly, for businesses with up to 300 employees. Microsoft lists Intune Plan 1 as part of Business Premium, alongside Microsoft Defender for Business and Microsoft Entra ID P1.
• Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 ($39 and $60 per user/month, paid yearly) also include Intune.
• Add-ons: Intune Plan 2 at $4.00 per user/month, or the Intune Suite at $10.00 per user/month, which bundles extras such as Remote Help, Endpoint Privilege Management and Advanced Analytics. These are also sold separately.

Intune is licensed per user rather than per device, which suits companies where each person has a laptop and a phone. Microsoft also offers device-only licenses for shared and kiosk devices, and a free trial.

What it does well

• Windows management. Intune is Microsoft's own tool for Windows, with Windows Autopilot for zero-touch laptop setup.
• Sign-in rules tied to device health. With Microsoft Entra ID, you can block sign-ins to Microsoft 365 from devices that are not compliant. Microsoft's documentation notes that Conditional Access is not supported for devices on device-only licenses, so this applies to user-licensed devices.
• Cost if you already have Business Premium. You get device management, endpoint protection and identity in one subscription.
• Cross-platform. Intune manages Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Where it falls short

Intune is built for Microsoft administrators. The admin center is dense, policies are spread across several areas, and Mac and iPhone management, while supported, is less polished than in Apple-focused tools. Getting it right usually means learning Microsoft Entra ID as well. Many small businesses end up hiring a Microsoft partner for setup, which is a real cost even if the license is included.

If you do not use Microsoft 365, buying Intune Plan 1 on its own at $8 per user is harder to justify against Hexnode or JumpCloud.

Who should choose Intune

Small businesses already on Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Windows-heavy teams, and anyone who wants device compliance to control access to Microsoft 365 apps.

Who should skip it

Google Workspace companies, Mac-heavy teams, and businesses with nobody willing to learn Microsoft's admin tools.

JumpCloud review

Website: jumpcloud.com

JumpCloud started as a cloud directory, a replacement for an on-premises Active Directory server, and has grown into a platform that handles user accounts, single sign-on, multi-factor authentication and device management together. For a small business with no central directory, that combination is the main attraction: one place to create a user, give them their apps and enroll their laptop.

Pricing

JumpCloud publishes package prices, charged per user:

• Device Management: $9/user/month billed annually, or $11 billed monthly. JumpCloud lists MDM/device management, System Insights, Patch Management, Software Management, Remote Access, Device Monitoring and Alerting, and External Identity Federation in this package.
• SSO: $11/user/month annually ($13 monthly).
• Device and Identity Management: $13/user/month annually ($15 monthly).
• Platform Essentials (identity and device management plus SSO and passwordless, up to 300 users), Platform and Platform Prime: contact sales.
• Individual features à la carte from $3/user/month annually.

JumpCloud offers a 30-day free trial. Its support documentation says the old free plan (up to 10 users and 10 devices) remains only for accounts created before February 1, 2024; new accounts get the trial instead.

What it does well

• Identity and devices together. User accounts, password policies, MFA and device settings live in the same console.
• Operating system coverage. JumpCloud lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
• Monthly billing option. Useful for companies that do not want an annual commitment.
• Patch management in the base device package, according to the pricing page.

Where it falls short

Per-user pricing is cheaper than per-device pricing only when each user has several devices. The full identity-and-device package at $13 per user is more than Hexnode Ultimate for a person with one laptop and one phone. Mobile management is not JumpCloud's main focus; companies with many shared tablets or kiosk devices will find more depth in Hexnode. And if you already use Microsoft Entra ID or Google Workspace as your directory, part of what you would pay JumpCloud for overlaps with what you have.

Who should choose JumpCloud

Small businesses without a central directory, Linux users, and teams that want SSO, MFA and device management from one vendor.

Who should skip it

Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers, and companies whose fleet is mostly mobile or shared devices.

Iru (formerly Kandji) review

Website: iru.com

Iru is the company and platform formerly known as Kandji. Kandji built its name as an Apple device management tool known for automation and a clean interface. Under the Iru name it now describes itself as a unified platform covering endpoint management, identity and compliance, and it lists support for Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone and iPad, Apple TV and Vision Pro. The vendor states the rename does not change how existing customers use the product.

Pricing

Iru does not publish prices. Its pricing page says pricing is "based on the solutions your organization needs, as well as the number of users and devices," and that contracts are annual commitments, billed annually. There is a 14-day free trial for Endpoint Management, Endpoint Detection and Response, Vulnerability Management and Workforce Identity; compliance products require a demo.

What it does well

• Blueprints. Settings, apps and policies are grouped into Blueprints and assigned to groups of devices, for Apple, Windows and Android.
• Auto Apps. Iru says Auto Apps handles deployment and patching for 500+ Mac and Windows apps, which removes one of the most tedious jobs in small-business IT.
• Liftoff. Zero-touch setup that enrolls and configures Apple devices on first boot, so a new hire can unbox a Mac and get to work.
• Security templates. Iru offers one-click templates that bring Macs to CIS Level 1 or Level 2 benchmarks, useful when a customer or auditor asks how devices are hardened.
• Self Service. Employees can install approved apps and run approved scripts on Mac and Windows.

Where it falls short

You cannot see the price before talking to sales, and contracts are annual. For a 25-person company, that is a real barrier compared with tools that publish rates. Iru's depth is still strongest on Apple devices; Windows and Android support is newer, so a Windows-heavy company should test those workflows during the trial rather than assume parity with Mac. And the platform's wider scope (EDR, vulnerability management, identity, compliance) is attractive but easy to over-buy if all you need is device management.

Who should choose Iru

Mac-heavy small businesses that want strong automation, especially those facing security reviews or compliance audits, and that have room in the budget for a premium product.

Who should skip it

Price-sensitive teams that want published per-device rates, and Windows-first companies.

Mosyle review

Website: mosyle.com

Mosyle manages Apple devices only. It calls itself "the only Apple Unified Platform" and covers Macs, iPhones, iPads and Vision Pro, and its pricing page says Apple Watch management is included with iPhone licenses and Apple TV management with Mac or iPhone/iPad licenses, at no extra cost. If your company is fully Apple, Mosyle is the best value in this list.

Pricing

Mosyle Business pricing, from its pricing page:

• Mosyle Business FREE: free for up to 30 devices, with core device management and apps and patch management.
• Mosyle Business PREMIUM: $1.00 per device per month, billed annually, minimum 30 licenses.
• Mosyle Fuse: $3.00 per Mac per month and $1.50 per iPhone, iPad or Vision Pro per month, billed annually, minimum 30 licenses. Mosyle lists MDM, endpoint security, DNS filtering, identity management and apps and patch management in Fuse.

There is also a free trial for paid plans.

What it does well

• Price. A free plan for up to 30 Apple devices is unusually generous, and $1 per device per month for the paid management plan is the lowest published business rate here.
• Apple focus. Everything in the product is built around Apple's management frameworks.
• Security bundle option. Fuse adds endpoint security, encrypted DNS filtering and macOS identity features without buying a second product.

Where it falls short

It does not manage Windows or Android at all. The moment you hire a Windows user or buy Android phones for a field team, you need a second tool. The paid plans have a 30-license minimum and annual billing, so a 12-person company would pay for 30 licenses on a paid plan (or stay on the free plan). The free plan also leaves out the advanced security features found in paid tiers.

Who should choose Mosyle

Apple-only small businesses, especially those under 30 devices that can use the free plan.

Who should skip it

Any company with Windows or Android devices to manage.

Jamf review

Website: jamf.com

Jamf is the best-known name in Apple device management. For small businesses its relevant product is Jamf Now, which Jamf positions as "Apple management and security for organizations with less than 25 employees." Larger customers are pointed to Jamf for Mac and Jamf for Mobile, the latter of which Jamf says covers Android as well as Apple mobile devices.

Pricing

Jamf no longer publishes per-device prices. Its pricing page lists Jamf for Mac, Jamf for Mobile and Jamf Now, and directs buyers to contact Jamf or an authorized reseller for a quote. Jamf Now lets you manage up to 3 devices for free, and Jamf offers a 14-day trial on request for its business plans.

What it does well

• Simplicity in Jamf Now. Blueprints bundle apps, settings and restrictions; Self Service lets employees install approved apps; app distribution handles volume-purchased apps with automatic updates.
• Malware prevention. Jamf Now lists detection, blocking and quarantining of malicious processes.
• Apple depth. Jamf supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS and tvOS in Jamf Now, and its larger products cover more of Apple's platform.
• A clear upgrade path to Jamf's larger products if you grow.

Where it falls short

Jamf Now is Apple-only and is aimed at companies under 25 employees, so a growing business will outgrow it and move to quote-based products. Hiding prices makes budgeting harder than with Mosyle, which publishes its rates. And for a mixed fleet, Jamf's Mac products do not manage Windows, so you would still need a second tool.

Who should choose Jamf

Apple-only businesses under 25 people who want a simple, well-known tool, and Apple-heavy companies that expect to grow into Jamf's larger products.

Who should skip it

Companies with Windows PCs, and buyers who want to compare published prices.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Hexnode vs Microsoft Intune

This is the real decision for most mixed-fleet small businesses. If you already pay for Microsoft 365 Business Premium, start with Intune: it is included, it is Microsoft's own tool for Windows, and it can block risky devices from signing in to Microsoft 365. If you do not have Business Premium, or your team finds Intune's admin center too heavy, Hexnode is easier to price and lists more operating systems, including ChromeOS, Fire OS and Zebra's Link OS. For a fleet that is mostly Macs and iPhones, Hexnode's console is likely to feel more direct than Intune's.

Hexnode vs JumpCloud

Choose by what else you need. Hexnode is the better pure device manager, especially for mobile and kiosk devices, and its per-device pricing is cheaper when each employee has one or two devices. JumpCloud is better if you also need a directory, single sign-on and MFA and do not want to buy them separately. If you already run Microsoft Entra ID or Google Workspace as your directory, Hexnode plus your existing identity provider is usually the leaner choice.

Iru vs Mosyle vs Jamf (for Apple-heavy teams)

All three come from the Apple world. Mosyle is the value pick: free up to 30 devices and the lowest published paid price, but Apple-only. Jamf Now suits very small Apple teams who want the most familiar name and a simple console. Iru is the premium option with the most automation (Auto Apps, Liftoff, CIS templates) and, unlike the other two, it now also manages Windows and Android. If you are Mac-first with a handful of Windows laptops and can accept quote-based annual pricing, Iru is the one that avoids a second tool.

Microsoft Intune vs JumpCloud

Both combine identity and devices. Intune does it through Microsoft Entra ID and is the natural choice for Microsoft 365 companies. JumpCloud is vendor-neutral, so it fits companies on Google Workspace or with a mix of cloud apps, and it adds Linux management.

Published pricing at a glance

How to Choose: Decision Framework

Step 1: List your devices by operating system

Count Macs, Windows PCs, iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, and anything unusual (Linux, ChromeOS, shared tablets, kiosks). This one list rules out half the market.

• Apple only: Mosyle, Jamf or Iru.
• Mostly Windows: Microsoft Intune first, then Hexnode or JumpCloud.
• Genuinely mixed: Hexnode, Intune, JumpCloud or Iru.
• Linux in the mix: Hexnode and JumpCloud both list Linux support; check the depth you need during a trial.
• Kiosks or shared Android devices: Hexnode.

Step 2: Check what you already pay for

Look at your Microsoft 365 licenses. If you have Business Premium, E3 or E5, you already own Intune. That does not mean you must use it, but any other tool needs to justify its cost on top.

Step 3: Decide who will run it

If nobody on staff has managed devices before, favor tools with templates and automatic app patching (Iru, Hexnode at Ultimate, Mosyle). If you work with an outside IT provider, ask which tools they already support; their experience is worth more than a feature difference.

Step 4: Price the tier you will actually need

Headline prices are rarely what small businesses pay. For Hexnode, price the Ultimate tier if you manage laptops seriously. For Mosyle, remember the 30-license minimum on paid plans. For JumpCloud, multiply by users, not devices. For Iru and Jamf, get a written quote and ask about the contract term.

Step 5: Trial with real devices

Every tool here has a trial or free tier. Enroll one Mac, one Windows PC and one phone, and test the things you will do every month: setting up a new laptop, pushing an app update, enforcing encryption and wiping a device.

Quick picks by situation

• "We're 20 people on Macs and iPhones and have no budget." Mosyle Business FREE.
• "We're 10 people on Macs and want the simplest option." Jamf Now.
• "We already pay for Microsoft 365 Business Premium." Microsoft Intune.
• "We're 60 people across Mac, Windows and Android, with one part-time admin." Hexnode UEM (Ultimate).
• "We have no directory and want SSO too." JumpCloud.
• "We're Mac-first, facing a security audit, and have budget." Iru.

The Verdict: Final Recommendations

Hexnode UEM is our top pick for most small businesses. It is the only tool here that combines very wide operating-system coverage, published per-device prices and a low starting point of 15 devices. Budget for the Ultimate tier ($4.70 per device per month, less 10% annually) if you manage Windows and Mac laptops, and you will have one console for the whole fleet.

Choose Microsoft Intune if you already have Microsoft 365 Business Premium. It is included, it is the best tool for Windows, and its link to Microsoft sign-in is hard to match. Plan for a learning curve or partner help.

Choose JumpCloud if you also need identity. A directory, SSO, MFA and device management from one vendor is a good fit for companies without a Microsoft or Google-centered setup.

Choose Iru (formerly Kandji) for polish and automation on a Mac-heavy fleet, if you can accept quote-only pricing and annual contracts.

Choose Mosyle if you are Apple-only. The free plan for up to 30 devices and $1 per device paid plan make it the best value in the category.

Choose Jamf Now if you are a very small Apple team that wants a simple, familiar tool and can live with quote-based pricing as you grow.

Conclusion

The best MDM software for a small business is the one that covers every device you own without needing a full-time administrator. For mixed fleets, that usually means Hexnode, or Intune if Microsoft 365 Business Premium is already on your bill. Apple-only companies have better-value choices in Mosyle and Jamf Now, and Iru (formerly Kandji) is the premium option for teams that want the most automation.

Whatever you pick, run a trial with real devices before committing, price the tier you will actually use, and check the contract terms. Prices in this article were taken from each vendor's website in October 2026; vendors change plans often, so confirm current pricing before you buy.