As businesses evolve and teams become more mobile and distributed, IT professionals are rethinking their stack. One question that often comes up is: Are there good alternatives to Barracuda? While Barracuda is widely known for its email security, backup, and firewall solutions, it may not meet the needs of every business, especially those looking for streamlined, mobile-first remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools.

Sign Up For a Free MDM Trial

If you’re exploring Barracuda competitors or looking specifically for a Barracuda alternative, this blog is for you. We’ll cover why businesses move away from Barracuda, what to look for in a replacement, and how Trio, a simplified modern MDM and IT management solution, can fill the gap.

Why Businesses Look for Alternatives to Barracuda

Barracuda offers a robust suite of tools, but not everyone needs the full package. Many startups, growing SMBs, and even IT teams in education or healthcare find themselves running into the same issues:

• Feature Overload: A lot of Barracuda’s capabilities are overkill for smaller teams with more focused needs.
• Limited Endpoint Support: Barracuda focuses heavily on email, backup, and firewall, not mobile device or endpoint management.
• Rigid Pricing Models: Businesses pay for a large set of tools, even if they only use a handful.
• Old-School Experience: The platform leans toward legacy workflows and on-premises architecture, which doesn't work for today's remote-first teams.

What to Look for in a Barracuda Alternative

Before choosing a Barracuda alternative, it’s important to get clear on your top priorities. For many businesses, that means rethinking how IT is managed at the endpoint level, where work is actually happening. Whether you're managing a remote workforce or scaling up device fleets, look for a solution that offers:

• Simple setup and cloud-native design: You shouldn’t need a team of engineers to get started. Cloud-based tools offer faster deployment, easier updates, and better uptime.
• Mobile device management (MDM) capabilities: If your users rely on smartphones, tablets, or laptops, MDM is essential for security and productivity.
• Remote support and real-time control: IT teams need to troubleshoot issues quickly, without jumping through VPN or firewall hoops.
• Affordable pricing with flexibility: You should be able to pay for what you use and scale up as needed.
• User-friendly dashboards: Not every admin is a seasoned IT pro. A clean, intuitive interface helps you do more with less training.

Trio’s MDM solution delivers all of this in one lightweight, easy-to-use platform—purpose-built for SMBs that need fast, secure, and scalable device management without enterprise-level complexity.

What Is MDM and Why Does It Matter?

If you're coming from a traditional RMM setup, you might be wondering: What is MDM? Mobile Device Management (MDM) is IT software designed to monitor, manage, and secure mobile endpoints like:

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Laptops
• IoT devices

Unlike classic RMM tools (which focus on desktops and networks), modern MDM solutions like Trio, are built for:

• Securing mobile endpoints
• Supporting cloud-first, remote-heavy environments
• Providing flexibility beyond the office network

A strong MDM implementation gives IT teams:

• Full visibility and control over remote or on-the-go devices
• The ability to set and enforce policies, manage apps, and secure data

Key features include:

• MDM enrollment for fast device setup
• App deployment and blocking
• Encryption enforcement
• Remote data wipe

The benefits of MDM go beyond security:

• Streamlines IT operations
• Simplifies compliance
• Automates routine tasks
• Reduces pressure on lean IT teams
• For teams looking for a cloud-based MDM that’s lightweight, scalable, and easy to use, Trio is an ideal fit
• And when it comes to MDM for small businesses:
• It’s no longer optional—it’s essential
• Trio helps track devices, provide remote support, and ensure secure setups with minimal overhead

Meet Trio: A Simplified Cloud-Based MDM and RMM Alternative

If you're seeking Barracuda RMM alternatives with a stronger focus on device and endpoint management, look no further than Trio. Built for modern IT teams, Trio is a mobile-first MDM solution that brings simplicity and speed to IT operations without sacrificing control.

Core Features of Trio:

• Device Inventory & Monitoring: Track and manage company-owned devices in real time.
• Policy Enforcement: Control what users can access, install, or modify.
• App Management: Remotely deploy, block, or remove apps across your device fleet.
• Remote Troubleshooting: Help users directly from your dashboard, no matter where they are.
• Data Protection: Ensure secure access to company resources and prevent data loss.

Rethinking Security: Why Trio Is the Smarter, Safer Choice

Security today is more than just email filters and firewalls. With hybrid work, BYOD policies, and remote teams becoming the norm, traditional perimeter-based protection is no longer enough. If your current setup relies solely on Barracuda, your endpoints, where most modern work actually happens, could be left vulnerable.

This is where Trio shines.

Why Barracuda Falls Short on Endpoint Security

• Focuses primarily on network and email protection.
• No built-in mobile device management (MDM) for phones, tablets, or laptops.
• Lacks real-time visibility into device activity and compliance.
• Does not offer direct remote control or wipe capabilities.
• Not optimized for cloud-first or remote-first organizations.
• Designed around legacy infrastructure rather than mobile endpoints.

How Trio Closes the Security Gaps

Trio is built for businesses that need security to follow the user, not just the network. By focusing on endpoints, Trio gives IT admins on SMB teams full control, protection, and visibility across all devices.

Key security features of Trio include:

• Policy Enforcement: Define and apply rules for access, encryption, and usage on every device.
• Real-Time Device Visibility: Monitor the health, location, and compliance status of each device at any time.
• Remote Support and Wipe: Troubleshoot issues instantly or remotely wipe lost or compromised devices to protect sensitive data.
• App Management: Deploy, block, or remove apps remotely to reduce shadow IT risks and improve control.
• Cloud-Based Access Control: Manage all devices securely without relying on VPNs or local servers.
• Data Protection by Default: Enforce encryption, secure configurations, and access policies to meet compliance standards.

If your users work from anywhere, your security needs to go everywhere too. Barracuda may protect your inbox, but it cannot protect your fleet of devices or the sensitive data on them.

Trio delivers endpoint-level security that keeps your business safe, mobile, and in control.

Trio vs. Barracuda: Feature Comparison

While Barracuda excels at perimeter and email security, it lacks the endpoint flexibility and real-time device control that modern IT teams now prioritize. This is where Trio shines.

When Trio Is the Right Fit

Trio is designed for businesses that value speed, clarity, and mobility. If you're supporting an SMB team that works from home, travels frequently, or brings their own devices, Trio gives you everything you need to maintain visibility and control.

It's especially powerful for SMBs without dedicated IT staff, allowing office managers, operations leads, or outsourced IT providers to manage devices efficiently. With features tailored for growing environments, Trio helps you stay secure and compliant, without getting bogged down in enterprise-grade complexity.

Trio is ideal if you're:

• Managing a fleet of mobile devices (phones, tablets, laptops)
• Running a lean IT team or supporting distributed workers
• Looking for affordable Barracuda competitors focused on endpoint control
• Working in industries like education, retail, logistics, or healthcare that rely on secure mobile workflows

Start Your Free Trial with Trio Today

Try Trio free and see how it compares to your current stack. Simplify your device management, support your team remotely, and gain full visibility without the complexity.

Start your 21-day free trial or book a free demo with our team to learn more.

Complementing or Replacing Your Existing Stack

Worried about replacing Barracuda entirely? Don’t be. Many Trio users pair it with lightweight email filters or firewalls. Trio focuses solely on endpoint and mobile device management, filling the gap that Barracuda’s RMM tools may leave behind.

It’s not about replacing everything at once. It’s about choosing the right tools for the job.

Final Thoughts

Barracuda has long been a staple in enterprise security, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. If your needs are more device-focused, and you want a simple, powerful alternative that doesn’t break the budget, Trio is worth a look.

Whether you're seeking Barracuda RMM alternatives, exploring alternatives to Barracuda for mobile device management, or just curious about the latest Barracuda competitors, Trio offers a refreshing, cloud-first experience designed for teams that want to move fast and stay secure.

See Trio in Action: Get Your Free Trial Now!

Request a Free Trial