Mobile device management software

The "best" solution for securing your company’s mobile phones and tablets depends heavily on your existing software ecosystem , the operating systems you use, and whether your devices are company-owned or employee-owned (BYOD).

Instead of a single universal winner, the top enterprise mobile device management (MDM) and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions break down by use case:

• The Default Winner for Microsoft Shops: Microsoft Intune
  • Best for: Organizations already heavily invested in Microsoft 365 or Azure AD (Entra ID).
  • Why it wins: If you have Microsoft 365 Business Premium or E3/E5 licenses, you likely already own Intune. It integrates seamlessly with your existing security compliance policies, multi-factor authentication, and conditional access without adding a new vendor or recurring line item.soti.net
• The Gold Standard for Apple Estates: Jamf
  • Best for: Companies running predominantly on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
  • Why it wins: Jamf offers the deepest, day-one support for Apple’s latest OS features, security frameworks, and automated deployment programs. If your mobile fleet is Apple-heavy, third-party generalists often feel clunky compared to Jamf's native precision. (Modern alternatives like Kandji or Mosyle are also top-tier contenders for Apple-centric environments).
• Best for Mixed/Mid-Market Fleets: Hexnode UEM or ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus
  • Best for: Cost-conscious mid-sized businesses managing a mix of Android, iOS, and Windows devices.
  • Why they win: They publish clear, predictable pricing, offer robust feature sets (including containerization to separate work data from personal data on BYOD phones), and don't require an enterprise-sized IT department to configure.soti.net
• Best for Frontline, Rugged, or Kiosk Operations: SOTI MobiControl or AirDroid Business
  • Best for: Logistics, retail, healthcare, or field services using dedicated Android scanners, tablets, or single-use devices.
  • Why they win: They excel at heavy remote-control troubleshooting, kiosk-mode lockdown (stopping employees from using work devices for anything other than specific apps), and rapid deployment of remote field fleets.soti.net

How to choose your path:

1. Check what you already pay for: If you use Microsoft 365, trial Microsoft Intune first to save budget.
2. Audit your hardware: Count your iOS vs. Android vs. Windows devices. Homogeneous environments do best with specialized tools (like Jamf for Apple); mixed environments require a true UEM like Hexnode or ManageEngine.
3. Define BYOD vs. Corporate-owned: If employees use personal phones, prioritize a platform with strong Mobile Application Management (MAM) and containerization so you can wipe corporate email without deleting personal photos.

To help narrow down the exact right fit, tell me:

• What percentage of iOS vs. Android devices do you have?
• Are the devices company-owned or employee-owned (BYOD)?
• What productivity or email suite (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, etc.) does your company use?

Best mobile device security solution for your company

My default recommendation is Microsoft Intune for a company that needs to secure both phones and tablets across iOS, iPadOS, and Android, particularly if you already use Microsoft 365. It offers centralized device management, security policy enforcement, application management, and integration with Microsoft identity and access controls.www.ciopages.com+2

However, the best solution depends on your device mix, existing IT environment, and whether employees use company-owned or personal devices.

The category to look for is Mobile Device Management (MDM) or, more broadly, Unified Endpoint Management (UEM). These platforms let IT centrally manage devices, enforce security requirements, control access to company data, and respond when a device is lost or compromised. NIST recommends managing mobile security throughout the device lifecycle, including both corporate-owned and personally owned devices.www.nist.gov+2

Top solutions to evaluate

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1. Microsoft Intune

(Best overall for Microsoft-based businesses)

Best for: mixed iPhone, iPad, and Android fleets

• Centralized device enrollment and configuration.
• PIN, encryption, compliance, and app protection policies.
• Integration with Microsoft Entra ID and Conditional Access.
• Support for separating work data from personal data on eligible BYOD configurations.

Why choose it: A strong starting point if you already pay for Microsoft 365. Verify which security features your specific licenses include.

Microsoft Intune portal ·Documentation

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2. Jamf Pro

Best for: Apple-heavy organizations

• Specialized management of iPhones and iPads, as well as Macs.
• Apple-focused configuration, application deployment, and policy controls.
• Useful for organizations that need deeper Apple fleet administration.

Why choose it: Consider it if most of your mobile fleet is Apple and you want Apple-specific management capabilities.

Official product page

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3. Omnissa Workspace ONE UEM

Best for: complex enterprise and frontline deployments

• Broad device management across supported operating systems.
• Useful for large, distributed fleets and specialized device configurations.
• Worth evaluating for shared devices, kiosks, and operational workflows.

Why choose it: A candidate for enterprises with more complex mobility requirements than basic phone and tablet management.

Official website

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4. ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus

Best for: small and midsize IT teams

• Mobile device enrollment and centralized administration.
• App deployment, configuration profiles, and security policies.
• A candidate for teams seeking a dedicated mobile management product.

Why choose it: Include it in your shortlist if budget and ease of administration are major factors.

Official product page

These are a shortlist by organizational fit, not a claim that one product wins every independent test. The broader UEM market also includes Ivanti, IBM MaaS360, Hexnode, and other platforms.www.ciopages.com+1

What your chosen solution should enforce

Regardless of vendor, I would make these capabilities mandatory:

Device security policies

Require strong passcodes, encryption, supported operating-system versions, automatic locking, and timely security updates.

Secure access to company resources

Use multifactor authentication and block access from devices that fail your security requirements.

Lost or stolen device protection

Enable remote lock and appropriate remote-wipe capabilities, with clear rules for company-owned versus personal devices.

Work-data protection

Restrict copying company data into unauthorized apps, sharing files outside approved services, and saving sensitive information to unmanaged storage where supported.

Monitoring and compliance reporting

Maintain an inventory, review noncompliant devices, log relevant security events, and alert IT when policies are violated.

These controls align with NIST's enterprise mobile-security guidance. Remember that MDM cannot compensate for missing security features on an unsupported or vulnerable device.www.nist.gov+1

Let's narrow it down to the best fit

I can make a more specific recommendation if you tell me a little about your environment.

1. What devices do you manage?

Mostly Apple (iPhones and iPads)

Mostly Android

A mix of Apple and Android

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2. Who owns the devices?

Company-owned devices

Employees' personal devices (BYOD)

Both company-owned and personal devices

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3. Approximately how many devices?

1–50

51–250

251–1,000

More than 1,000

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4. What does your company already use?

Microsoft 365 / Microsoft Entra ID

Google Workspace

Primarily Apple services

Other or no established platform

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5. What's your biggest priority?

Best overall security and manageable cost

Maximum security and compliance

Lowest total cost

Simple deployment with minimal IT overhead

[Find my best-fit solution]

My starting point: Shortlist Microsoft Intune first if your company uses Microsoft 365; compare Jamf Pro if your fleet is predominantly Apple. If you allow personal devices, make sure privacy-preserving BYOD management is a core requirement, not an afterthought.www.ciopages.com+2