7 SimpleMDM Alternatives Worth Switching To in 2026

SimpleMDM is a well-regarded Apple MDM, but its official documentation is clear: it will never support Android, Windows, or Linux. That single constraint is the number one reason IT admins search for SimpleMDM alternatives.

There are two categories to consider here. The first is Apple-only tools that go deeper than SimpleMDM, Mosyle, Iru, and Addigy. The second is cross-platform tools that extend coverage to Windows, Android, and Linux, Trio MDM, Hexnode, Scalefusion, and Microsoft Intune. The right answer depends entirely on your device mix.

The timing also matters. Apple's WWDC 2025 introduced MDM migration without a device wipe, the biggest historical reason admins put off switching is now largely removed for Apple fleets.

This article covers why teams leave SimpleMDM, breaks down seven alternatives organized by use case, includes a side-by-side comparison table, a decision framework, and practical guidance on running a migration.

TL;DR

Why People Leave SimpleMDM

If you already know why you're leaving SimpleMDM, skip ahead to the alternatives breakdown below.

If you're already planning an MDM migration, you're not alone, and your reasons are well-documented. Here are the four situations that consistently push teams toward SimpleMDM competitors.

The Apple-only limitation. SimpleMDM's documentation states directly: "We do not support Android, Windows, or any other mobile device platforms." Organizations that add even a handful of Windows laptops hit an immediate wall. A second MDM vendor isn't a solution, it's two consoles, two billing relationships, and two policy sets to maintain.

OS update enforcement. The most common G2 complaint about SimpleMDM is this: "The only downside I have found vs our prior MDM system is for Apple OS updates; our previous system seemed to force those updates with no user intervention." For teams that need enforced OS compliance, that gap matters.

Feature ceiling at scale. Some G2 reviewers report configuration failures and devices going unresponsive after enrollment, a pattern more visible in larger deployments. Teams that need reliable compliance automation or policy enforcement at scale run into these limits.

Vendor direction after the PDQ acquisition. SimpleMDM was acquired by PDQ.com in October 2021. PDQ's roadmap shows progress, Microsoft Intune compliance integration and mSCP integration are in development, but platform support boundaries remain unchanged. For teams making a long-term MDM commitment, that context is worth factoring in.

The decision to leave SimpleMDM is often delayed not by technical complexity but by the fear of re-enrolling every device, a concern that's worth addressing head-on. The WWDC 2025 news largely resolves that for Apple fleets.

7 SimpleMDM Alternatives, Organized by What You Need

The right choice among alternatives to simplemdm comes down to one question first: is your fleet Apple-only, or do you manage Windows and Android too? These seven tools split into two clear groups based on that answer. If you're unsure which group applies to your situation, the decision framework in the next section walks you through it, and for a broader look at how these management approaches differ, see this overview of MDM vs EMM vs UEM.

If Your Fleet Is Still Apple-Only

Starting with iOS 18, Apple removed Profile-Driven User Enrollment, all three tools below updated their enrollment flows to account-driven enrollment with Managed Apple ID. Confirm your current SimpleMDM enrollment method before migrating to avoid re-enrollment surprises.

1. Mosyle Business

Mosyle is a cloud-native Apple MDM covering macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and Apple Vision Pro. It's the tool the Apple Engineer community in r/macsysadmin recommends most often for Mac-first teams that want MDM and endpoint security in one platform.

• Zero-touch deployment via Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager
• Integrated endpoint security and MDM in a single console
• AI-powered automated Zero Trust protection
• Identity management, app deployment, and compliance automation
• Extended free trial available for side-by-side evaluation
• Pricing: Contact for pricing
• Limitation: Apple-only, no Windows or Android

2. Iru (Kandji)

Iru is a cloud-based Apple MDM (macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS) built around pre-built compliance blueprints and one-click automation. It's a strong fit for SMBs in software, tech, healthcare, or finance that need compliance templates without building from scratch.

• Zero-touch deployment and automated device setup
• Pre-built compliance blueprints for common frameworks
• One-click automation and custom scripts
• Configuration profiles and app deployment
• Contact for pricing
• Limitation: Apple-only, no Windows or Android

3. Addigy

Addigy is a cloud-based Apple MDM (macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS) with a strong MSP focus. Its biggest technical differentiator is real-time device connection, most MDMs poll devices on a schedule, while Addigy maintains a live connection. It's also the only platform confirmed to support both Apple MDM and Declarative Device Management (DDM) simultaneously.

• Real-time device connection (not polling-based)
• Dual MDM and DDM support, forward-looking for teams planning long-term
• Strong MSP multi-tenant support for managing multiple client environments
• G2 Best ROI 2025
• $6.25/device/month (Agent + MDM tier)
• Limitation: Apple-only, higher price point than SimpleMDM

DDM is gradually replacing the legacy Apple MDM protocol. Addigy's dual MDM + DDM support matters most for teams locking in a vendor for the next several years.

If You Need Windows, Android, or Linux Too

These four simplemdm MDM alternatives extend beyond Apple entirely. For mixed fleets, the convenience of a single console and a single vendor relationship outweighs the deeper Apple-specific feature sets that purpose-built Apple MDMs offer, particularly for SMBs managing under a few hundred devices.

4. Trio MDM

Trio MDM is a cross-platform mobile device management solution supporting Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android, and Linux in one console. ChromeOS support is on the roadmap. It's built for teams currently running SimpleMDM for Apple and a second tool for everything else.

• Zero-touch enrollment including silent PowerShell bulk deployment for Windows
• App distribution across all supported platforms
• BYOD enrollment with full corporate/personal data separation, personal accounts and personal data remain private and unmanaged
• BYOD enrollment limits data access to the managed work profile only, users can remove the profile at any time
• Automated control testing and compliance reporting for teams working toward CIS Level 1 and Level 2
• Encryption enforcement and password policy management
• SSO support with Google Workspace and Microsoft Entra ID
• Remote lock and wipe
• 14-day free trial
• Pro: $2.20/device/month | Enterprise: $3.20/device/month | Ultimate: $4.70/device/month

If BYOD devices enrolled through Trio MDM's BYOD profile aren't showing the expected data separation, check whether the enrollment used the correct credentials-based login rather than a device ownership type mismatch, that's the most common cause.

5. Hexnode UEM

Hexnode is a cross-platform unified endpoint management platform covering macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. It carries a G2 rating of 4.6 stars across 527 reviews and is consistently rated as easier to configure than some alternatives.

• Geofencing and location-based policy enforcement
• Zero trust security and data encryption
• Secure browsing and cross-platform policy management
• ~$5/device/month (Ultimate plan)
• Limitation: At ~$5/device/month on the Ultimate plan, Hexnode costs more than twice Trio MDM's entry-tier pricing for equivalent cross-platform coverage

6. Scalefusion

Scalefusion is a cross-platform UEM supporting Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It fits teams already working within the Microsoft ecosystem and organizations that want cross-platform coverage without displacing existing tools.

• Zero trust security and geofencing
• Built-in secure browsing
• Works alongside Microsoft platforms
• Entry-level plans start at approximately $2/device/month
• Limitation: Entry-level feature set is basic; more advanced needs require upgrading to higher tiers

7. Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune is a cross-platform MDM supporting Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Its strongest argument isn't the feature set, it's that if you're already on Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F1, F3, or Business Premium, you likely already own it.

• Deep Microsoft 365 integration and Conditional Access support
• Strong compliance and zero trust security tooling
• Included in M365 E3, E5, F1, F3, and Business Premium plans
• Intune Plan 1: $8/user/month standalone | Intune Suite: $10/user/month
• Limitation: More configuration complexity than SimpleMDM, that's a product of its broader feature set, not a flaw. Best suited for Microsoft-native environments.

Switching to Intune when you're already on M365 Business Premium essentially makes your MDM free, but be aware that Conditional Access policies in Azure AD will need to be reconfigured to recognize the new management state of migrated devices.

How to Choose: A Decision Framework

Getting the full benefits of mobile device management depends on matching the tool to your actual device mix. Building a clear MDM strategy before vendor selection prevents costly re-migrations down the line. Practitioners on Reddit consistently describe the same decision paralysis, and the top advice is always the same: figure out your platform mix first.

What the 2025–2026 MDM Market Shift Means for Your Decision

Three developments in the past year directly affect anyone evaluating SimpleMDM alternatives right now. Understanding MDM pricing benchmarks is more complicated now that Apple offers a free built-in option, so here's what each development actually means for your evaluation.

Jamf's $2.2B take-private deal (October 2025). Francisco Partners acquired Jamf for $13.05/share. If you're considering Jamf as an alternative to SimpleMDM, this is context worth knowing. Major ownership transitions can affect product roadmap, pricing, and support over time. Jamf manages over 32 million devices globally, it's a large, established platform. Monitor how pricing and support evolve post-close before making a long-term commitment.

Apple Business Platform's free built-in MDM (launched April 2026). Apple Business MDM covers basic device setup for micro-businesses, but it doesn't extend to Windows or Android, has no BYOD data separation controls, and lacks the compliance automation teams working toward SOC 2 or CIS frameworks need. For anything beyond the simplest Apple-only use case, the capability gap is real. MSPs reacting to the announcement noted it primarily affects micro-businesses and personal Apple use cases, not multi-device enterprise management.

WWDC 2025: MDM migration without device wipe. Apple announced at WWDC 2025 (macOS Tahoe 26) that organizations can now migrate Apple devices to a new MDM server without a full factory reset. This removes the biggest psychological barrier to switching. One caveat: Apple's wipe-free migration applies to the MDM server migration step, you'll still need to reconfigure policies and test app deployments on the new MDM before migrating the full fleet.

How to Run Your MDM Migration Without Losing Your Mind

For teams evaluating simplemdm alternatives, migration planning is the step most IT admins skip, and it's where most rollouts run into trouble. A clean mobile device management implementation plan makes the difference between a smooth cutover and a week of support tickets.

One MDM per device, plan your cutover window. You cannot run two MDMs on one device simultaneously. Set a migration window and stick to it.

Devices don't always need a factory reset. Apple devices benefit directly from the WWDC 2025 wipe-free migration announcement. Windows and Android requirements vary by OS version and your current MDM configuration, test your specific setup before assuming.

Import your policies where possible. Trio MDM can help with importing policies if your current MDM supports export. Draft your mobile device management policy configurations before day one of migration so you're not rebuilding from scratch on the new platform.

Pilot before full fleet rollout. Start with 5–10 devices across each OS type. Practitioners who skip this step are the ones who end up troubleshooting at scale. If devices are enrolling into the new MDM but not receiving policy configurations, check whether enrollment completed fully before policies were pushed, incomplete enrollment leaves devices in a managed but unconfigured state.

Build in buffer time. Migration timelines vary by vendor and cannot always be estimated in advance. Follow mobile device management best practices for phased enrollment and expect the unexpected.

The migration plan itself is rarely the blocker, it's getting the maintenance window approved by management and communicating the disruption to employees in advance. Build that communication into your timeline from the start.

How Trio MDM Helps

The core reason teams leave SimpleMDM is platform coverage. Trio MDM supports Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android, and Linux in a single console, if you're currently running SimpleMDM for Apple devices and a second tool for Windows or Android, Trio MDM consolidates that into one admin view, one billing relationship, and one policy framework.

For BYOD fleets, understanding MDM vs MAM matters, Trio MDM's BYOD enrollment creates a fully separated corporate workspace on personal devices. Data access is scoped to the managed work profile, personal accounts stay private and unmanaged, and users can remove the profile themselves. That's a meaningful step up from what SimpleMDM offers for mixed ownership environments.

On the compliance side, Trio MDM includes automated control testing and continuous compliance reporting. It supports CIS Level 1 and CIS Level 2 technical controls and can enforce encryption and password policies across all managed platforms. For teams working toward a formal security posture, that coverage matters.

Pricing starts at $2.20/device/month, comparable to or lower than most Apple-only alternatives at their entry tiers. There's a 14-day free trial with no commitment, and Trio MDM can help import policies if your current MDM supports exporting them, which cuts configuration time significantly during migration.

Ready to test it against your current setup? Start your free trial or Book a demo to walk through your specific device mix with the team.