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IT leaders and network administrators rely on mobile device management (MDM) solutions like Miradore and Microsoft Intune to secure complex mobile endpoint fleets. These devices — which include mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and more — are tempting targets for hackers who want to infiltrate corporate networks.
Apart from the risks associated with lost or stolen mobile devices, attackers may compromise mobile devices. IT leaders and their security teams need to make sure these devices are properly accounted for and always running the latest updates.
Both Miradore and Intune have emerged as popular choices among IT decision-makers, but for different reasons. Let’s take a deeper look at each platform’s strengths and weaknesses to find out which one is the better product.
Overview of Miradore
Miradore is a cloud-based MDM platform that secures both company-owned and personal devices. It supports devices running the four most popular mobile operating systems: Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
Some of Miradore’s most important features include:
- Profile-based configuration policies. Miradore Premium uses configuration profiles to control device fleets. It provides robust features for security, control, app management, and automation, which can be extended to entire device groups.
- Location tracking capabilities. Miradore Premium tracks the locations of Android and iOS devices, allowing security teams to potentially recuperate lost devices and ensure geographically restrictive compliance requirements.
- Selective content deletion for personal devices. Miradore’s premium SKU can selectively delete corporate data from a secure container on a personal device, making it much easier to accommodate BYOD policies without restricting personal users.
Overview of Intune
Microsoft Intune is a comprehensive mobile device management platform that fits into Microsoft’s existing enterprise IT infrastructure solutions. It’s included as part of Microsoft’s 365 SKUs, so many organizations may already have access to it — especially large enterprises that are already Microsoft partners.
Intune provides a range of valuable features to customers, like:
- Integration into Windows environments. Many established businesses already use Windows, making Intune an attractive add-on.
- Supports a wide array of devices. Intune supports major operating systems. Subscribers can also manage specialty endpoint devices like VR headsets, large screen smart devices, and more.
- Entra ID is built in. Many organizations choose Intune because they already use Active Directory and need a compatible solution that includes modern identity and access management (IAM) features.
Comparison of Miradore vs. Intune
Both Miradore and Intune offer robust MDM capabilities to organizations that need to secure complex endpoint fleets, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The main difference between Miradore and Intune is the price and scope of deployment. Miradore is a standalone solution with two payment tiers, while Microsoft Intune is considerably more expensive — unless you license it alongside other Microsoft technologies.
Pricing Comparison
Miradore offers two subscription plans to customers. The company’s free plan offers limited functionality, but it’s one of the few MDM platforms you can use indefinitely without paying. The company’s premium package is more comprehensive, but it doesn’t quite compare to the full suite of capabilities Microsoft offers.
| Feature | Miradore | Microsoft Intune |
| Tiered plans | Free plan offers limited functionality for an indefinite period. Premium plan costs $3.30 per device per month or may be paid annually. The free version has limited support options. | Plan 1 is most frequently part of M365 bundles. Standalone plans: Intune Plan 1 Intune Plan 2; an add-on to plan 1 for specialty devices and a VPNIntune Suite includes all add-ons such as privilege management and remote access |
| Free trial | Free 14-day Premium trial with no credit card required. | 30-day free trial with no credit card required. |
| Value for features | Premium plan includes workstation encryption, location tracking, and in-depth analytics. | Plan 1 supports common device management use cases but add-ons and other Microsoft services are required to maximize its utility. |
Ease of Use and Setup
Miradore lets users manage mobile device fleets through its cloud-based administration console, which features an intuitive and well-designed interface. Enrolling devices in Miradore is easy, as long as the device is compatible with Miradore’s licensing requirements. Specifically, your organization must have Android Enterprise, Samsung Knox, or Apple Device Enrollment Program licenses in order to enroll those devices into Miradore. It keeps records of other types of devices such as peripherals and VR headsets.
Microsoft Intune enrolls Windows devices very easily, but requires additional steps for Android EMM and Apple MDM. Here, the specific makeup of your mobile fleet will determine which platform is the easier one to configure and deploy.
| Feature | Miradore | Windows Intune |
| Web-based interface | Yes, with a cloud-based management console. | Yes, with a cloud-based management console. |
| Supports all device manufacturers | Yes, with manufacturer licensing. | Yes, with full onboarding documentation for most major brands. |
| Requires resetting BYOD devices | No factory reset required. | No factory reset required with BYOD configurations. |
Device Management Capabilities
Miradore and Intune provide IT leaders with automated solutions for patch management, device enrollment, and cloud enablement. Both platforms allow security teams to automate system updates and patches while pushing configuration changes to impacted devices remotely.
| Feature | Miradore | Microsoft Intune |
| Updates and patch management | Supports automation and scheduling through customized business policies. It also has detection and reporting. | Co-management with Configurator Manager and Windows Update for Business; Patch management via MDM/EMM. Azure Update Center is in preview for Linux and Windows. |
| Device enrollment process | Enroll devices through the web console or the mobile client. | Easiest for Windows devices, well-documented with several deployment options for other devices. |
| Cloud capabilities | Fully cloud-enabled. Manage devices and configure policies remotely through the cloud. | Cloud-based but with options for co-management with on-premise Windows management tools. |
Security Features
Many of Microsoft Intune’s security capabilities actually require installing a Microsoft Defender for Endpoint license. This increases the total cost of ownership for organizations that aren’t already Microsoft partners, but it can provide access to high quality security features. Miradore’s full-featured set of security features are available through the standalone product.
| Feature | Miradore | Microsoft Intune |
| Visibility and policy management | Administrators can view comprehensive device analytics, set usage policies, and deploy applications remotely. | Included. Administrators can lock down compromised devices, enforce policies/security baselines, app/data protection, and reduce the attack surface. Advanced features require integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Defender for Cloud apps with additional licensing costs. |
| Malware detection and remediation | Proactive detection is not included, but administrators can set security restrictions and integrate with identity providers (IdP) that have that capability as an MDM provider. | Antivirus or EDR requires integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, with additional licensing costs. Entra ID’s conditional access can prevent non-compliant devices from accessing your resources. |
| Automated patch management | Pushes new security patches to enrolled devices automatically. | Device management policies ensure that patches are applied to the OS. App management policies vary by device type. |
Integration Options
Miradore offers customers a REST-based API service that allows users to connect the platform with third-party applications. The product natively supports integrations with several high-profile tools, including Microsoft Active Directory, Entra ID, and Google zero-touch enrollment. Developers can use the provided APIs to connect additional custom services to Miradore.
Microsoft Intune also provides REST API integration to certified applications, but the tech giant’s approach is slightly different. Microsoft has a different approach to integrating Intune with other platforms. While you can integrate Intune with a variety of third-party platforms, Microsoft almost always has a competitive offering of its own to offer and bundles those services in M365. This is best for organizations that already use Microsoft products, but it can be a deal breaker for organizations that are seeking best-of-breed solutions or are trying to avoid security monoculture.
Support and Customer Service
Miradore users are divided on the quality of its support. Some people report having their problems solved quickly and professionally, while others report having contentious back-and-forth arguments with Miradore support personnel.
Microsoft has a well-established reputation when it comes to customer support, but it’s not an incredibly positive one. The tech giant often provides customers with automated responses and lists of links in response to support queries. Getting a knowledgeable human expert on the line can be challenging.
JumpCloud as an Alternative Solution
The MDM market includes many more solutions than Miradore and Microsoft Intune. If your organization needs secure, cloud-enabled mobile device management without the additional weight of Microsoft’s enterprise IT infrastructure approach, JumpCloud may be the alternative MDM vendor you’re looking for. JumpCloud integrates IAM with cross-OS device management as well as other features that increase IT efficiency and improve security. Integrating device and identity management is helpful for achieving a Zero Trust security strategy.
Growing organizations that believe in the power of leveraging best-of-breed cloud solutions are unlikely to buy Miradore’s siloed product offerings. It’s also unnecessary to hand your entire IT environment to Microsoft. Microsoft has an extensive platform architecture that includes enterprise-grade security products. SMEs may struggle to implement these vertically integrated tools.
Comparison: Miradore vs. Intune vs. JumpCloud
Here’s how all three platforms compete on some of their main features:
| Feature | Miradore | Microsoft Intune | JumpCloud |
| Pricing | Limited-feature free plan for as long as you want. Annual premium plan costs $3.30 per device per month. | Intune gets expensive when not bundled with M365 enterprise licensing and implementation. Total cost of ownership can be high despite the availability of features. | Device management only for $9/user per month. Platform: $19/user per month. MSP-specific pricing via partner program. |
| Ease of use | Great user interface, limited enrollment compatibility. | Simple enrollment for Windows devices and typical MDM enrollment for others. Integrations with other Microsoft services can be complicated and difficult to implement. | Easy onboarding for all devices and operating systems. Identity and device management are handled through a unified console. Integrates with Active Directory to modernize on-premise Microsoft infrastructure. |
| Cloud-ready | Fully cloud-enabled software. | Fully cloud-native with options for Windows co-management. | Fully cloud-native |
| Customer support | Hit-or-miss, customers report unpredictable outcomes. | Extensive documentation, integrators, and online communities. Paid support is not consistent. Lots of unhelpful automated answers. | Extensive documentation, with a helpful and responsive customer support team. |
Addressing Common Concerns and Issues
Deploying a scalable, enterprise-ready MDM platform is no easy task — especially if you don’t have enterprise-level resources available for the task. Microsoft caters very specifically to the large-scale enterprise market, while Miradore’s cost-friendly free options make it an ideal entry point for smaller businesses.
JumpCloud offers complete cloud-native MDM solutions to small and mid-sized organizations around the globe. Multiple product tiers — from the full platform to dedicated SKUs that interoperate with other identity provider’s (IdPs) comprehensive coverage to piecemeal features ordered a la carte — protect customers from vendor lock-in and ensure future-proof cloud-optimized performance.
Conclusion
Every IT leader should carefully consider their options when selecting an MDM solution for their organization. Miradore, Intune, and JumpCloud are all viable options that should be assessed on their particular strengths and weaknesses. Whether you’re an IT admin or managed service provider (MSP), consider the advantages of making JumpCloud your MDM vendor of choice.
Learn more about JumpCloud today and sign up for free to get started.
