Startups rarely need dedicated MDM until the team exceeds 30 people with company phones or tablets. For Apple-first startups, Kandji or Jamf Pro provide MDM + Mac management in one platform. For mixed fleets (Android + iOS), Hexnode or Scalefusion deploy in hours and cost $1-3/device/month.
4 of 10 products in this category match the startup filter and are highlighted below.
NinjaOne is the clearest choice when a team needs cross-OS RMM with fast deployment, strong patch automation, and reliable support without the learning curve of ConnectWise Automate or Kaseya VSA.
Best for: NinjaOne is best for MSPs and internal IT teams that need cross-OS RMM with fast deployment, strong patch automation, and a support organization that holds up under daily use, and whose PSA needs are
AirDroid Business is a focused, capable Android MDM that earns serious consideration when the fleet is predominantly or entirely Android and the use case involves kiosk lockdown, digital signage, or unattended device management.
Best for: AirDroid Business is best for organizations managing Android-only or Android-primary device fleets where the core requirements are kiosk lockdown, remote device control, digital signage management, or
Kandji is the strongest Apple MDM option for mid-market IT teams that prioritize automation, compliance readiness, and a modern admin experience over the deep customization flexibility that Jamf Pro provides.
Best for: Kandji is best for mid-market and enterprise IT teams managing Apple-dominant fleets of 50 to 5,000 devices where zero-touch deployment, automated compliance enforcement, and a modern admin console ma
Miradore is an honest MDM platform that does what it says without pretending to be something it is not.
Best for: Miradore is best for small to mid-sized IT departments managing mixed iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS fleets under 500 devices where the priority is affordable, fast-to-deploy MDM without the configu
The rest of the MDM software category, listed because the startup filter above did not select them. Worth reading when the highlighted options do not fit.
Hexnode occupies a practical middle ground in the UEM market: more capable than basic MDM tools, more affordable and transparent than enterprise platforms like Microsoft Intune or Omnissa Workspace ONE, and particularly strong for organizations with kiosk and mobile-first use cases.
Jamf Pro is the strongest choice when an organization is all-Apple or Apple-primary and needs the deepest possible device management for macOS and iOS without compromise.
JumpCloud is strongest when a team wants identity and device management to sit closer together, values a cloud-first operating model, and needs enough coverage across Windows, macOS, and Linux to justify platform consolidation.
ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus is the clearest choice when an IT team needs multi-platform MDM at mid-market pricing with the option to run on-premises.
Scalefusion is strongest when a team wants a cloud-first endpoint management platform that is easier to trial, easier to explain commercially, and broad enough to cover common Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android requirements from one console.
Workspace ONE UEM handles MDM as part of a broader UEM platform: strongest for enterprises managing mixed device fleets across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, but carries more overhead than purpose-built MDM tools like Jamf Pro or Hexnode.
When you have 20+ company-owned mobile devices, or when employees access corporate data (email, Slack, code repos) on personal phones. The first lost phone with corporate email access is usually the trigger.
Should startups use MDM or UEM?
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If you're managing phones and tablets only, MDM is simpler. If you're also managing macOS and Windows laptops, a UEM platform (JumpCloud, Kandji) covers everything in one tool and avoids running separate MDM and endpoint management.
What's the fastest MDM to deploy for a startup?
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Hexnode and Scalefusion deploy in 1-2 hours: create account, configure enrollment, send enrollment links. Kandji and Jamf Pro are similarly fast for Apple-only. Avoid Workspace ONE UEM and Intune for startup use, since both add too much setup complexity.