Miradore vs. Hexnode: Comparing Mobile Device Management Tools

Security leaders and IT administrators need to keep track of a constantly growing number of mobile devices and endpoints on their networks. Whether the organization has a comprehensive Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy or issues company assets to employees, today’s hybrid work environment gives hackers plenty of opportunities to compromise sensitive data.

Threat actors aren’t just professional ransomware groups working out of distant foreign countries. Anyone who finds (or steals) a company device can become an adversary. If your organization can’t enforce strict security policies on those devices, every single one becomes a significant vulnerability.

Miradore and Hexnode are two different solutions that IT decision-makers can implement to address the challenges of mobile device management (MDM) and secure their device fleets. Each platform comes with a unique set of advantages and drawbacks making them suitable for specific types of customers. Let’s take a closer look at which one is the right choice for your organization.

Overview of Miradore

Miradore is a popular cloud-native MDM platform that secures employee devices running the most popular mobile operating systems. It supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, allowing security teams to encrypt confidential data and separate business use from personal use for employees.

Some of the platform’s key features include:

• Customizable configuration profiles. Miradore lets network administrators group devices into configuration profiles. This makes securing and managing complex fleets of mobile devices easier to achieve.
• Location tracking. Miradore can track mobile Android and iOS devices, making it harder for employees to lose them. Security teams can potentially recuperate lost devices and enforce geo-restrictive compliance policies.
• Selective content wiping. The platform distinguishes between personal and business use, so security teams can delete corporate data from a device while leaving personal information untouched. This makes enforcing both BYOD and COD policies easier.

Overview of Hexnode

Hexnode is a unified device management solution with an expanded focus. It provides tools for managing mobile devices alongside desktops and Internet of Things (IoT) devices like digital signage, kiosks, and more. It supports a wider range of operating systems and devices, as well as in-depth customization to meet specific business needs.

Some of Hexnode’s key features are:

• Wide-ranging support. Hexnode supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, tvOS, Fire OS, and more. It is not limited to mobile devices, but practically all user-facing network assets.
• Custom configurations and scripts. Administrators can create and deploy customized scripts for devices and device groups through Hexnode. Specific configurations and restrictions can be enforced on an as-needed basis.
• Remote email and network provisioning. Hexnode users can set up corporate email and ActiveSync configurations remotely on Windows devices.

Comparison of Miradore and Hexnode

The main difference between Hexnode and Miradore is the range of supported devices and the scope of the solution each company offers. Miradore is much more focused on delivering core MDM capabilities to growing organizations while Hexnode offers comprehensive Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) suitable for enterprise customers.

Pricing Comparison

Miradore offers customers the choice between two subscription plans. The free plan provides limited functionality for an indefinite amount of time while the paid plan offers more comprehensive MDM coverage. Hexnode has a wide variety of plans with different features and price points, but doesn’t offer a great deal of flexibility outside those plans.

Ease of Use and Setup

Miradore allows administrators to manage mobile device fleets using a cloud-native console, with an intuitive and well-designed interface. Enrolling devices in Miradore is easy, as long as the device meets Miradore’s licensing requirements. That means obtaining Android Enterprise, Samsung KNOX, or Apple Device Enrollment Program licenses to enroll those devices into Miradore.

Hexnode makes it easier to enroll individual devices. In addition to the licenses mentioned above, you can create and deploy custom Android ROMs that have been preconfigured with Hexnode. The platform uses a web-based MDM server suitable for organizations with limited IT support capabilities.

Device Management Capabilities 

Both solutions provide IT leaders with automated patch management, device enrollment, and cloud enablement capabilities. System administrators can automate system updates and patches while pushing configuration changes to impacted devices remotely through either Miradore or Hexnode.

Hexnode has a key advantage here due to the much larger number of devices it supports. Its kiosk mode feature can be an important value differentiator for retailers and other brick-and-mortar companies that want to expose business processes directly to customers using tablets and other mobile devices.

Security Features 

Both Miradore and Hexnode provide valuable security features to organizations, but Hexnode’s UEM options make it a clear leader between the two. Miradore does not support full unified endpoint management, which means security teams with more extensive endpoint deployments will need to integrate it into a separate system, like a SIEM.

Integration options

Miradore offers a REST-based API to its customers, allowing them to connect the platform with a variety of third-party applications. The platform natively supports integrations with several reputable tools, like Microsoft Active Directory and Google Zero Touch. Developers can access the provided APIs and connect additional custom services to Miradore as well.

Hexnode provides a wide range of built-in integrations with a variety of tools and platforms. The Hexnode API allows users to create customized interfaces for its product, as well. The RESTful JSON API is designed to work over authenticated HTTPS connections.

Support and Customer Service 

Miradore does not have consistent support. While some people have reported good outcomes, others report having contentious back-and-forth arguments with Miradore support personnel. It’s not easy to predict whether your support ticket will be solved in a timely and professional manner.

Hexnode offers quality customer service by many accounts, however others complain about the lack of technical knowledge available via the support team when you do get in touch with them. This results in an overall positive support experience, but drags down productivity nonetheless.

JumpCloud as an Alternative Solution

Miradora and Hexnode aren’t the only device management solutions that IT leaders have to choose from. Obtaining a best-in-class MDM or UEM doesn’t mean compromising on cost, features, or scalability. You should have the flexibility to purchase and implement individual security features on an as-needed basis.

JumpCloud is a cloud-native IT management provider that allows users to select individual features a la carte. From directory services, to identity and access management features like SSO, to MDM-only packages, JumpCloud offers easy, highly customizable device management and security backed by an industry-leading customer support team for Linux, Android, Windows, and Apple devices.

Comparison: Miradore vs. Hexnode vs. JumpCloud

Here’s how each solution competes on some of their most important features:

Addressing Common Concerns and Issues

Both Miradore and Hexnode charge their customers on a per-device basis. This is a valid payment model, but it can present disadvantages to organizations that assign multiple devices to individual users. In this case, paying per user is the more efficient option. Additionally, neither Miradore or Hexnode can address any other aspects of IT management outside of endpoint management.

JumpCloud supports the per-user payment model and allows customers to purchase highly customized configurations using its a la carte subscription model. This ensures you don’t have to pay for features and services you don’t actually use. 

In addition to cost flexibility, JumpCloud’s open directory approach gives you the flexibility to integrate the IT tools of your choice into the platform while avoiding vendor lock-in. It is intentionally designed to support the various protocols, operating systems, applications, identity providers, and other fundamental aspects of IT management and security, so you can efficiently manage your environment no matter what technologies exist.

This flexibility combined with the breadth of features enables you to truly optimize the total cost of ownership of your stack, and consolidate tooling as you see fit to reduce IT sprawl, minimize overhead, and improve the employee experience. Consider making JumpCloud your provider of choice – sign up for a free trial today and see for yourself how it can help you secure your fleet.

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