Microsoft Intune manages over 200 million devices worldwide. It comes bundled with Microsoft 365, which means most enterprises already have access to it. So why would you look at anything else?
Because "included in your M365 license" and "right for your mobile fleet" are different things. Intune excels at managing Windows PCs in an Azure AD environment. But if your priority is deploying private iOS and Android apps to frontline workers, enforcing EU data residency, or running devices in kiosk mode without Enterprise-tier licensing, Appaloosa solves those problems faster and at a lower cost per device.
This comparison uses verified data from Microsoft Learn and appaloosa.io, checked on May 16, 2026.
Feature comparison at a glance
| Capability | Appaloosa | Microsoft Intune |
|---|---|---|
| iOS / iPadOS management | Yes | Yes |
| Android management | Yes (Android Enterprise Silver Partner) | Yes (Android Enterprise, Knox, AOSP) |
| macOS management | Yes | Yes |
| Windows management | Yes | Yes (primary focus) |
| Linux management | No | Yes (Ubuntu, RHEL) |
| Chrome OS management | No | No (requires Google admin) |
| Zero-touch enrollment | Yes (ABM, Android Enterprise) | Yes (ABM, Autopilot, Android Enterprise) |
| Private enterprise app store | Yes (built-in app catalog for mobile) | No native equivalent (Company Portal + Enterprise App Catalog with ~100 apps, Suite add-on) |
| Kiosk mode | Yes (Business tier) | Yes (Plan 1) |
| Remote support | Yes (add-on) | Yes (Intune Suite add-on) |
| Conditional access | Policy-based compliance | Azure AD Conditional Access (deep integration) |
| MAM without enrollment | No | Yes (app protection policies) |
| Patch management | OS updates | OS updates + Windows/macOS patches + FOTA (Plan 2) |
| Endpoint analytics | Basic reporting | Advanced Analytics (Suite) |
| BYOD / Work Profile | Yes | Yes |
| Custom scripting | No | Yes (PowerShell, shell scripts) |
| EU data residency | Yes (EU-hosted, SecNumCloud) | Data centers worldwide (EU available, but US-headquartered) |
| Free trial | 14 days | 30 days |
Where Intune has the edge
Windows-first management. If your fleet is 70% Windows laptops, Intune is the obvious choice. Autopilot enrollment, BitLocker management, Windows Update rings, PowerShell scripting: all built for the Microsoft ecosystem. No third-party MDM matches this depth on Windows.
Conditional Access through Azure AD. Intune's integration with Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) lets you block access to Microsoft 365 apps from non-compliant devices. If your organization runs on SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook, this zero-trust enforcement is hard to replicate outside the Microsoft stack.
MAM without enrollment. Intune can protect corporate data inside managed apps (Outlook, Teams, Edge) without enrolling the entire device. For BYOD scenarios where employees refuse full MDM enrollment, this is a unique capability.
Scale and analyst recognition. With over 200 million managed devices, Intune is a Leader in Gartner's UEM Magic Quadrant. If procurement requires analyst validation, that box is checked.
Where Appaloosa has the edge
Private app distribution, built in. Appaloosa includes a self-service app catalog where employees browse and install approved apps directly from their device. Need to push a custom field-service app to 300 Android tablets? Upload the APK, assign the group, done. Intune's Company Portal handles public store apps well but distributing private mobile apps requires more configuration. The Enterprise App Catalog (a Suite add-on) covers about 100 third-party desktop apps, not your custom mobile builds.
EU data residency with teeth. Appaloosa hosts all data on SecNumCloud infrastructure in France, certified ISO 27001, outside US jurisdiction. Intune offers EU data centers, but Microsoft remains subject to US law (CLOUD Act, FISA 702). For organizations bound by NIS 2, DORA, or sector-specific regulations that restrict transatlantic data transfers, Appaloosa removes that legal ambiguity.
Pricing clarity. Appaloosa charges per device: €1.99/device/month (Essential) to €3.49/device/month (Business). You know exactly what you pay. Intune's pricing depends on whether you already have M365 E3/E5 (Plan 1 is included), buy standalone ($8/user/month), or need add-ons (Plan 2 at $4, Suite at $10). For an organization without M365 Enterprise licenses, a 200-device Intune deployment costs significantly more than equivalent Appaloosa coverage, and the advanced features (Remote Help, Advanced Analytics, Enterprise App Management) require the Suite tier.
Mobile-first simplicity. Appaloosa's console is designed for mobile fleet management. Enrollment, app deployment, kiosk mode, BYOD policies: all accessible without navigating the complexity of the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center. IT teams managing primarily phones and tablets get productive faster.
Pricing side by side
| Plan | Appaloosa | Microsoft Intune |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | €1.99/device/month (Essential) | $2.70/device/month (Plan 1 Device) or included in M365 E3 |
| Mid-range | €3.49/device/month (Business) | $8/user/month (Plan 1 standalone) or included in M365 E3/E5 |
| Advanced | Custom (Enterprise) | +$4/user/month (Plan 2 add-on, included in M365 E3/E5 from July 2026) |
| Premium | Included in Enterprise | +$10/user/month (Intune Suite add-on) |
| Minimum | 50 devices | 1 user (no minimum) |
| Free trial | 14 days | 30 days |
The real comparison depends on your existing Microsoft licensing. If your organization already pays for M365 E3 or E5, Intune Plan 1 (and soon Plan 2) is included at no extra cost. That's hard to beat on paper. But if you don't have M365 Enterprise, or if you need features like a private app catalog, EU-only hosting, or simple per-device billing, Appaloosa's pricing makes more sense.
The M365 bundle question
Many IT teams pick Intune because it's "free" with their M365 license. That logic works when Windows PCs are the primary fleet. It breaks down when:
- Your devices are mostly iOS and Android (field workers, retail, logistics). Intune's mobile management is capable but secondary to its Windows focus.
- You need to distribute custom apps at scale. Uploading APKs and IPAs to Intune's app deployment pipeline works, but there's no employee-facing app store experience comparable to Appaloosa's catalog.
- Compliance requires EU-only data processing. "Included in M365" doesn't help if the M365 data residency model doesn't satisfy your DPO.
- Your IT team isn't trained on the Microsoft admin center. Intune's learning curve assumes familiarity with Azure AD, Entra, and the Endpoint Manager console.
The cost of Intune isn't just the license. It's the operational overhead of managing mobile devices inside a platform designed primarily for Windows endpoints.
Which one fits your organization?
Choose Intune if:
- Your fleet is primarily Windows laptops and PCs
- You already have M365 E3/E5 and want to consolidate management
- Conditional Access integration with Azure AD is a requirement
- You need MAM-only protection for BYOD devices without full enrollment
Choose Appaloosa if:
- Your fleet is primarily iOS and Android mobile devices
- You distribute private or custom apps and need a built-in app store
- EU data residency (SecNumCloud, outside US jurisdiction) is non-negotiable
- You want straightforward per-device pricing without M365 dependencies
- Your IT team needs to be productive in hours, not weeks
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Appaloosa alongside Intune?
Yes. Some organizations use Intune for Windows PCs and Appaloosa for their mobile fleet. The two don't conflict because they manage different device populations through separate enrollment profiles.
Can I migrate from Intune to Appaloosa?
Yes. Migration means re-enrolling mobile devices under Appaloosa's MDM profile. For fleets using Apple Business Manager or Android Enterprise zero-touch, the re-enrollment can be automated. Appaloosa's support team assists with migration planning for fleets of 100+ devices.
Does Intune support Apple Business Manager?
Yes. Both Appaloosa and Intune integrate with Apple Business Manager for automated device enrollment and VPP app distribution on iOS and macOS.
Is Intune really free with M365?
Plan 1 is included with M365 E3, E5, Business Premium, and EMS E3/E5. Starting July 2026, Plan 2 features are also bundled into E3 and E5. But the Intune Suite (Remote Help, Advanced Analytics, Enterprise App Management, Cloud PKI, Endpoint Privilege Management) remains a paid add-on at $10/user/month.
Data sources: Microsoft Learn: What is Intune, Microsoft Intune pricing page, Appaloosa MDM features. Information verified on May 16, 2026.