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Hello,
I am doing an internship in a company as a Jr. Sys Admin. My company gave me a task to search for a free Mobile device management software or cheapest options for my small company. I have to manage only 40 to 50 devices. Can you suggest any good free MDM please. Also can you tell me what would be the difference between free MDM and a paid one ? Does paid one is more secure as compared to the other one ? what is the benefit of paying money if I get a a free one. Thank you

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You can try Miradore

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You can use Cisco Meraki:

If you are looking at managing Windows devices, I’d recommend using Intune (but there is a price which is included in Enterprise Mobility & Security licensing (EMS)):

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I second the Meraki MDM suggestion. We have used it for several years and have been very satisfied. I can’t remember if it requires use of at least 1 Meraki device in your network. We have some of their hardware, so that’s not an issue for us. You might want to check on that.

Also, they give free licenses up to 100 users. Unfortunately, if you need 104 users, then you get to buy 104 licenses. Pretty sad, but you seem to be well below that limit.

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If you have the right Microsoft licensing, then usually Intune is included. It’s not too bad to set up, especially if you already have a presence in Azure.

Typically, as with most software, the free version will have less features than a paid one. However, with that being said, an analysis of the business needs should be done in order to pick the right product. If the free version of a product meets the needs of the business, then why pay for one? More features doesn’t always mean better. If the business has requirements that are only included in a paid version of the product, then the business either needs to change its expectations of the project or find money to pay for the tool it requires.

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I used Mobile Device Management (MDM) Software - ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus at a previous place. It was pretty good and has a free trial. It’s not too expensive if you decide to use it.

As a note if you do use this, it requires wiping the phone and starting over, so make sure everything is backed up and can be restored.

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We use Intune, but I don’t completely love their solution but its free(as in it’s cost is already covered with our existing licences which is why we switched) and much preferred when we used the MDM module in Manage Engine - Endpoint Central

I’ll 2nd Manage Engine, specifically Endpoint Central, it will do you desktops, mobiles, inventory, patch management remote access/support and a whole bunch more, its a complete suite of modules that covers more than its competitors in the space for less.

Free solutions are great if you can find one that does what you need, but often the specific feature you want/need from a solution is in the paid version. The free version is there for you to get a feel/taste for what product can do before you invest.

What you need to do, is work out what it is you need a solution for? MDM covers many things and having an understand of the business and technical requirement or issues the solution is required for will help steer you in the right direction when looking at all the different solutions out there.

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Usually the biggest difference between a free and a paid MD is features and capability. Some are very set and forget, some are high maintenance. Some are terrible. Usually you get what you pay for.

I have use Comodo’s free MDM they offer, it is OK.

If you want something decent to compliment a free MDM, Check out Action1 . Its free for up to 100? devices?

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As Gorfmaster1 stated, it’s free for a reason.

Depending upon what type of devices you’re looking to manage, there are MDMs which work better than others.

We use Meraki (free) for our PCs, but will be migrating to Intune (paid) to manage our PCs better.

We use Google’s Admin Console (free because we’re a school) to manage our Chromebooks, and it works fantastic.

We use Mosyle (paid) to manage our Macbooks and iOS devices. (Our opinion: Mosyle is as good as (or better than) Jamf but at a fraction of the price.)

We tried Miradore, but dropped them because their marketing promises didn’t live up to reality. (We don’t like doing business with companies that lie to the customer).

Good Luck!

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Meraki is your answer, we as a non-profit use telecom4good for all meraki purchases and get a 50% discount on hardware and licensing!

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What have you found that is better in Mosyle when compared to Jamf?
I have found several things frustrating in Mosyle, from having no option to cancel individual pending commands, to iPads not communicating until they are erased and re-enrolled. I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Just a quick update - > All the Meraki folks - Systems Manager is not free.

I get this message on a few of my Meraki networks that the Systems Manager will retire after February 7, 2024. Visit our Systems Manager Licensing - Cisco Meraki Documentation licensing knowledge base article for more information; here’s a link to the updated licensing.

After the retirement date, existing enrolled devices will continue to be managed, but you will no longer be able to enroll new devices with Systems Manager unless you purchase new SM licenses. SM Licenses are in the estimated range of $33-35/per user per year, with multi-year discounts on 3 and 5 year plans.

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Have you checked to see if MDM is included in any of the solutions already used? For example, InTune, Microsoft’s MDM solution, is provided with some versions of M365, at no additional cost.

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Hello,

For managing 40-50 devices in your small company, I’d suggest Scalefusion . It strikes a balance between cost and features.

Free MDM offers basic features, while Paid MDM provides advanced features, scalability, better support, and enhanced security.

The choice depends on your company’s needs and budget. Paid MDM becomes beneficial as your business grows and requires more advanced functionalities.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further guidance!

@spiceuser-cdjkk

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NinjaONE NinjaOne and other Cloud RMM tools are building these in. I am not sure if they are going to have a cost but its cool that its coming.

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@daniellozano ​ - is that pricing better than Tech Soup for nonprofits?

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Are they all windows systems, or windows/Mac?

Action1 is free for the first 100 endpoints, not time limited, not feature limited, just free.

We do not do Mac yet, but it is slated for our Feb release schedule.

Let me know if you would like to know anything more?

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Hi there,

For managing 40 to 50 devices, there are several free or cost-effective Mobile Device Management (MDM) options you can explore. Here’s a brief overview of what you might consider:

Free MDM Options: Many free MDM solutions are available, such as Mosyle’s free version or other basic tools. These typically offer fundamental features like device enrollment and basic configuration management. They can be a great starting point for small setups.

Paid MDM Solutions: While free MDM tools can be quite useful, paid solutions often provide more advanced features and support. For instance, Scalefusion MDM offers a range of benefits including enhanced security features, more comprehensive device management options, and robust support.

Advanced Security: Paid MDMs often include advanced security features like app whitelisting, advanced threat protection, and better compliance management. These are crucial for safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring that your devices are secure against evolving threats.

Enhanced Management: Paid solutions generally offer more granular control over device configurations, user policies, and content management. This means you can tailor the device settings more precisely to your company’s needs.

Dedicated Support: With a paid solution like Scalefusion, you get access to dedicated support which can be incredibly valuable if you encounter any issues or need assistance with configuration.

In summary, while free MDM options are a good start, investing in a paid solution can offer you more comprehensive security, management features, and support that might be beneficial as your company grows or as your needs become more complex. Scalefusion MDM, for example, could be a great option to consider for more advanced capabilities and robust support tailored to your needs.

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It's great to hear that you're taking on this task during your internship! For managing 40 to 50 devices, while there are free MDM solutions like Miradore, it's important to note that the free version has very limited features compared to paid options.

Typically, free MDM solutions may lack essential functionalities such as advanced security features, comprehensive reporting, or support for a wider range of devices and applications. A paid MDM solution often provides more robust security measures, better support, and additional features that can greatly enhance device management and ensure compliance with company policies.

Investing in a paid MDM solution means you can benefit from features like remote control, application management, and more extensive reporting capabilities, which can ultimately save you time and reduce risks associated with device management.

If you're considering a budget-friendly option, I would recommend looking into AirDroid Business, which offers powerful MDM features at a competitive price of $1 per device per month. This way, you can ensure you're getting a comprehensive solution that meets your company's needs.

Best of luck with your search!