The best MDM for Apple devices depends on one question: is your fleet Apple-only, or mixed with Android and Windows? Apple-only specialists like Jamf and Mosyle go deepest on macOS and iOS. If you also manage Android or Windows, or your priority is distributing internal apps across the fleet, a multi-OS platform like Appaloosa is the better fit. This guide compares five solutions and who each one suits.
Quick verdict
| Solution | Best for |
|---|---|
| Jamf Pro | Large Apple-only enterprises with a dedicated Mac admin |
| Mosyle | Small Apple-only teams on a tight budget |
| Iru (ex-Kandji) | Apple-only teams wanting management plus built-in security |
| Microsoft Intune | Microsoft 365 shops consolidating on one vendor |
| Appaloosa | Mixed Apple + Android + Windows fleets and app distribution, EU-hosted |
Jamf Pro
Jamf is the reference for Apple-only management at scale. It offers the deepest macOS and iOS controls, a large integration ecosystem, and mature tooling for organizations with hundreds or thousands of Apple devices. That depth comes with complexity and cost: Jamf Pro runs around 12.50 US dollars per Mac per month with a 25-device minimum, billed annually, and usually needs a dedicated administrator. It manages only Apple hardware, so a mixed fleet still needs a second tool for Android and Windows.
Mosyle
Mosyle is the budget-friendly Apple-only option, popular with schools and small businesses. It offers a free tier for up to 30 devices, then paid plans starting around 2 US dollars per device per month. You get solid iOS and macOS management, automated app deployment, and endpoint security features at a low price. As with Jamf, the trade-off is that Mosyle covers Apple only.
Iru (formerly Kandji)
Kandji rebranded to Iru in late 2025 and expanded from Apple MDM into a broader platform covering endpoint management, identity, and security in one product. Its blueprint-based automation lets IT apply compliance templates with less manual work than Jamf, and its large auto-apps library speeds up deployment. Pricing is quote-based with a reported 100-device minimum, so it targets growing and mid-market Apple-first teams rather than the smallest shops.
Microsoft Intune
Intune is the natural choice when you already pay for Microsoft 365. It manages Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android from one console and is moving to Apple's Declarative Device Management framework. Standalone pricing is roughly 6 US dollars per user per month, and it is often already bundled in Microsoft enterprise licensing. Intune is broad rather than Apple-deep: for advanced Mac-specific workflows it trails the Apple specialists, but for cost consolidation it is hard to beat.
Appaloosa
Appaloosa is the multi-OS pick for organizations that do not run Apple in isolation. It manages iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows from a single console, and its center of gravity is app distribution: pushing private apps, public apps, and managed configurations reliably across the fleet, including through managed Google Play and a self-service enterprise app store. For teams whose daily pain is delivering and maintaining apps rather than deep Mac lockdown, and for European organizations that need EU data residency for compliance, Appaloosa fits where an Apple-only tool cannot. If your fleet is exclusively Mac and iPhone and you need the deepest Apple controls, a specialist like Jamf will go further on Apple alone.
How to choose
Start with fleet composition. Apple-only and large: Jamf. Apple-only and small or education: Mosyle. Apple-first and want security built in: Iru. Heavy Microsoft investment: Intune. Mixed fleet, app distribution focus, or EU hosting requirements: Appaloosa. Then price the real total: a cheap per-device rate can rise fast once you add the security or identity modules some vendors sell separately, so compare the modules each fleet actually needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest MDM for Apple devices?
Mosyle is the cheapest for Apple-only fleets, with a free tier up to 30 devices and paid plans from around 2 US dollars per device per month. Apple Business Essentials is another low-cost baseline. For mixed fleets, compare per-device pricing across platforms rather than Apple-only rates.
Can one MDM manage both Apple and Android devices?
Yes. Multi-OS platforms like Appaloosa and Microsoft Intune manage iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows from a single console. Apple-only tools such as Jamf, Mosyle, and Iru manage Apple hardware only, so a mixed fleet would need a second product alongside them.
Do I still need MDM if I use Apple Business Manager?
Yes. Apple Business Manager handles device enrollment and app and content purchasing, but it is not a full MDM. You pair it with an MDM like Jamf, Mosyle, Intune, or Appaloosa to push configurations, apps, and security policies to devices.