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Mobile device management (MDM) makes the corporate world go round.
But it takes a special MDM solution to keep everything spinning in the right direction. And there’s a lot riding on the efficacy of your mobile device management: employee productivity, data security, and compliance.
In other words, IT admins and MSPs need an MDM platform they can count on.
So if you’ve been thinking about making a switch, keep reading — we’re covering the pros and cons of two popular options, Addigy and Jamf, and recommending an alternative: an all-in-one MDM and IAM solution that works on any device with any operating system.
Overview of Addigy
Addigy is an Apple device management and monitoring tool that’s been on the market for the past decade. Like other Apple-focused MDM solutions, Addigy helps IT admins and MSPs manage, secure, and monitor iPadOS, tvOS, iOS, and macOS devices. Within the tool, admins can:
- Automate device enrollment
- Deploy apps based on employee role
- Bulk schedule system updates
- Reprovision returned devices
- Activate automated remediation
- Integrate with their ticketing system
- Automatically apply CIS and NIST security frameworks
Addigy also has a multi-tenant infrastructure, making it ideal for MSPs. That said, Addigy has some downsides. Some users have mentioned that to leverage the full power of Addigy, you’ll need to know how to write custom scripts. Others have complained about Addigy’s clunky GUI and lack of reporting features.
Overview of Jamf Pro
Jamf has been a long-time leader in the MDM space with a deep set of Apple-specific features. Jamf Pro, the Jamf product that caters to IT and MSPs, is built for the enterprise, with flexible on-prem or cloud deployment. Jamf Pro comes with:
- Zero-touch deployment, even on BYOD devices
- Streamlined Apple OS upgrades and updates
- Automated inventory collection and reporting
- An employee “app store”
- App lifecycle management
- Integrations to other well-known IT tools (like Okta) for wrap-around security and support
- AWS GovCloud and FedRAMP certifications
But some users have reported frustration with the quality of Jamf’s customer support. Jamf isn’t ideal for MSPs either. Without a native multi-tenant structure, MSPs using Jamf Pro have to set up separate sites and servers, making it a pain to manage all their clients.
Comparison of Addigy vs. Jamf
Both tools have features that the other lacks, so to make comparing them a little easier, we’ve laid out some key ways they differ in this chart:
| Attribute | Addigy | Jamf Pro |
| Pricing | Starts at $4/mo/Mac and $1/mo/other devices | Starts at $8/mo/Mac and $4/mo/other devices |
| Ease of use and setup | Difficult to get everything up and running from scratch without firsthand experience deploying an MDM solutionRequires custom scripting familiarity | Steep learning curve, meant for experienced IT adminsRequires advanced scripting |
| Device management capabilities | Monitors the security and compliance status of all devices in real timeAutomates remediationRuns regular maintenance when it is convenient for end users | Enables user self-serviceEasy machine onboardingLeverages Apple’s Device Enrollment Program “DEP” |
| Security features | Role-based privileges on a multi-tiered, multi-tenant systemPassword authenticationMulti-factor authentication methodsSAML 2.0 supportOAuth 2.0 support | Features that map to industry frameworks like NIST and ISO-27001 |
| Integration options | Okta, Google, Microsoft, JumpCloud, Zapier, Zendesk, Freshdesk | AWS, Okta, Google, Microsoft, ServiceNow |
| Support and customer service | Training is built into the implementation, but documentation isn’t always clearInconsistent reviews on support — some users feel Addigy is super responsive, others don’t | Trusted by a strong list of Fortune 500 companiesEmphasis on self-service |
Introduction to JumpCloud
While Addigy and Jamf Pro have their strengths, they can only be used to monitor and manage Apple devices. And since most companies aren’t Apple exclusive, IT admins and MSPs have to use Addigy and Jamf in conjunction with myriad other tools to get the job done. Some have even given up and used an open source MDM to build a custom end-to-end solution.
JumpCloud’s MDM solution eliminates all of these MDM challenges. It can support virtually any device and operating system, from Windows to Android to Linux. Neither Addigy nor Jamf Pro comes with robust user management, but JumpCloud is an established leader in the identity and access management (IAM) space. Combining MDM and IAM reduces IT sprawl, reduces total cost of ownership, and keeps IT staff and MSPs working as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Comparison: Addigy vs. Jamf Pro vs. JumpCloud
The Addigy and Jamf Pro cons stand out even more when compared to JumpCloud’s all-in-one MDM and IAM solution. Here’s how JumpCloud outperforms the competition:
| Attribute | JumpCloud | Addigy | Jamf Pro |
| Supported OS | macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and Android | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS |
| Pricing | MDM only for $9/user per month. Platform: $19/user per month. MSP-specific pricing via partner program. | Starts at $4/mo/Mac and $1/mo/other devices | Starts at $8/mo/Mac and $4/mo/other devices |
| Ease of use | Little to no coding requiredCentralized device onboarding and configurationBuilt-in workflows for corporate-owned devices and BYOD | Difficult to get everything up and running from scratch without firsthand experience deploying an MDM solutionRequires custom scripting familiarity | Steep learning curve, meant for experienced IT adminsRequires advanced scripting |
| Security features | Secure and manage Azure, AWS, and GCP cloud server resourcesCreate designated “work profiles” for BYODAccommodate compliance use cases like ISO-27001SSH key managementPowerShell Administration module for advanced security use casesAutomated patch management | Role-based privileges on a multi-tiered and multi-tenant systemPassword authenticationMulti-factor authentication methodsSAML 2.0 supportOAuth 2.0 support | High focus on compliance with features that map to industry frameworks like NIST |
| Integration options | Entire integration directory with DevOps, infrastructure, cloud directory, and security partners | Okta, Google, Microsoft, JumpCloud, Zapier, Zendesk, Freshdesk | AWS, Okta, Google, Microsoft, ServiceNow |
| IAM capabilities | Password managementMFARADIUS authentication (Wi-Fi, VPN)SSO and SAML/SCIM- based user provisioningDirectory insightsNetwork trust | N/A | N/A |
Addressing Common Concerns and Issues
Unlike Addigy or Jamf, JumpCloud centralizes management and security for Windows, Linux, Android, and Mac devices, locking them down whether they’re corporate or employee-owned. And unlike Addigy or Jamf, JumpCloud MDM has a quick and easy setup that doesn’t require any custom scripting to work the way you want and need it to.
Plus, JumpCloud’s MDM solution comes with automated workflow features and ample reporting, boosting IT and MSP productivity with the numbers to back it up. JumpCloud admins rave about fast onboarding and offboarding, which helps them serve more employees (or customers) faster.
JumpCloud also doesn’t compromise on security, helping companies securely manage cloud servers, user app permissions, SSH keys, networks, and more. But that doesn’t mean JumpCloud is rigid. Its directory platform follows open protocols like SAML, LDAP, RADIUS, and SCIM to connect any other resources to a single source of truth.
Best of all, JumpCloud’s MDM product connects seamlessly to JumpCloud’s identity and access management, keeping company data safe from device and user perspectives.
Centralize Device and User Management
These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find IT professionals and MSPs who aren’t pressured to do more with less. But with JumpCloud, they can. Unifying MDM and IAM capabilities simplifies overall IT management, decreasing security risk and compliance liability.
JumpCloud’s MDM is ideal for companies managing more than just Macs, iPhones, and iPads. It’s compatible with every operating system and device. With JumpCloud’s zero-touch enrollment, IT and MSPs can leverage LDAP integrations, enable SSO, and manage corporate Wi-Fi connection and authorization through RADIUS — regardless of where the end user is working from.
At the same time, JumpCloud’s directory service makes it simple for MSPs and IT admins to manage user authentication and role-based permissions, all while enforcing security and compliance policies through a cloud-based console.
So, what are you waiting for? Maximize the ROI of your IT tech stack with JumpCloud MDM.
And if you’re still not sure it meets your needs, check out the platform functionality and user-friendly interface for yourself and get started for free today.
