Mosyle vs. Jamf: Comparing Popular MDM Solutions

Written by Kelsey Kinzer on January 17, 2024

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Remote and hybrid work have made mobile device management (MDM) a must-have for virtually every company and organization.

But some distinct challenges can come with implementing and maintaining a robust device management system — from upholding compliance requirements to monitoring BYOD devices to maintaining network access control. And that doesn’t even begin to address the identity and access management (IAM) that goes along with it.

Frustrated with the options on the market, some IT teams and MSPs have developed their own MDMs, leveraging open-source solutions as a baseline and building customizations on top. Yet these homegrown solutions introduce security vulnerabilities, and creating, testing, and updating them takes time that most IT and MSP teams don’t have.

So, admin teams look to popular Apple MDM tools like Mosyle and Jamf. But how effective are they? 

In this post, we’ll review the advantages and disadvantages of each platform and present a new end-to-end MDM, IAM, and user management platform, JumpCloud, instead.

Overview of Mosyle Business

Mosyle offers a bit more scope in its MDM solution, incorporating identity management, endpoint security, and application management into its standard plans. Mosyle supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and Apple Watch management. A few of Mosyle’s features include:

  • Customizable deployment
  • Automated full system scans for Mac-specific malware
  • Automated web security, privacy, and filtering on Mac devices
  • A security configuration library
  • An app catalog with 1,000+ third-party titles
  • The ability to create and manage custom apps
  • Chrome management

Mosyle is also integrating AI into its platform, leveraging machine learning for behavioral detection and macOS scripting for more complex use cases.

But Mosyle has some deficiencies. While the company has been around for over a decade, it has very few reviews on Capterra (51), G2 (21), and TrustRadius (4). Mosyle users have also noted that the Mosyle support team has limited hours, and the platform itself:

Overview of Jamf

Jamf is a long-standing Apple MDM that, like Mosyle, provides macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS support. Jamf can be deployed on-prem or via the cloud and can be used to support FedRAMP and AWS GovCloud. Jamf characterizes itself as a self-service platform with a “​​curated end-user portal” to help admins get up to speed. Jamf also:

  • Can work with most existing corporate directories like Active Directory (AD), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), and role-based access control (RBAC)
  • Has integrations with other enterprise-focused vendors, such as Okta and Microsoft
  • Offers zero-day support for Apple OS releases

But Jamf can be very expensive. The most basic plan only includes integrations with Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager, and the end-user portal — there is no smart groups functionality, App Catalog, BYOD support, or any other critical MDM features. Beyond that, customers have pointed out that Jamf has:

Comparison of Mosyle vs. Jamf

To help you make a fully informed MDM decision, we’ve put together a chart that shows a more granular look at what Mosyle and Jamf have to offer:

AttributeMosyleJamf
Supported OSmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOSmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS
PricingAll-inclusive Fuse plan: $1.50 per iPhone & iPad, $3 per Mac

Business plan (device management and support): $1 per iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Starts at $8/mo/Mac and $4/mo/other devices
Ease of Use and SetupCDN for custom packages

Difficult to pick up if you don’t already have ample experience with MDMs
Steep learning curve, meant for experienced IT admins

Requires advanced scripting
Device Management CapabilitiesAutomated battery alerts, device locking, and usage options during device deployment

BYOD support with Apple’s standard User Enrollment

Automated 24/7 monitoring
Easy machine onboarding

Leverages Apple’s Device Enrollment Program “DEP”

Perform, schedule, and restore database backups
Security FeaturesFull disk encryption

Encrypted peer-to-peer connection

1-click screen view request

On-demand setup

Mapping for CIS, NIST, SOC 2, and PCI

Antivirus exclusively for macOS malware
Successful ISO 27001 audit

SOC 2 Type 2State

RAMP Ready status

Security monitoring powered by the Jamf Threat Labs research and detections team
Integration OptionsGoogle, Microsoft 265, Okta, PingAWS, Okta, Google, Intune, Microsoft, ServiceNow
Support and Customer ServiceTough to get in touch with support

Limited help documentation 
Trusted by a strong list of Fortune 500 companies

Phone, email, and chat support

Emphasis on self-service
Other AttributesChrome management

Script catalog

“Mosyle AIScript” that writes ready‑to‑use scripts for admins

Supports Apple watches
AWS GovCloud and FedRAMP certifications

Flexible on prem or cloud deployment

JumpCloud as an Alternative Solution

Mosyle and Jamf have distinct advantages, but they fall short in the range of devices they support. For organizations with Windows, Linux, or Android devices, Mosyle and Jamf are point solutions that add to their total cost of ownership. And while Mosyle does have some identity management features, they aren’t a match for an IAM leader like JumpCloud.

JumpCloud offers all the features Mosyle and Jamf do and more. Beyond sophisticated security and compliance protocols for Apple devices, JumpCloud supports Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, and Mac devices from one cloud-based platform. Within the JumpCloud console, IT and MSP users can not only administer role-based access controls but also:

  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Provide password protection
  • Support directory integrations through LDAP
  • Implement SSO through SAML 2.0

Comparison: Mosyle vs. Jamf vs. JumpCloud

JumpCloud enables mobile device management regardless of operating system, has unbeatable security features, and has pre-built workflows to make IT admins’ and MSPs’ lives easier.

User the chart below to see how JumpCloud’s offering beats out Mosyle and Jamf:

AttributeJumpCloudMosyleJamf
Supported OSmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and Android macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOSmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS
PricingMDM only for $9/user per month.

Platform: $19/user per month.

MSP-specific pricing via partner program
Business plan (device management and support): $1 per iPhone, iPad, or Mac

All-inclusive Fuse plan: $1.50 per iPhone & iPad, $3 per Mac
Starts at $8/mo/Mac and $4/mo/other devices
Ease of UsePre-built workflows for adding both corporate-owned and BYOD devices

Step-by-step device configuration onboarding flow

No-code
Hard to implement without extensive MDM experience

CDN for custom packages
Steep learning curve, meant for experienced IT admins

Requires advanced scripting
Device Management CapabilitiesSupports corporate and personal Windows, Linux, and Android devices

Device setup personalization

Zero-touch enrollment

Cloud-based, centralized console to secure configurations, push commands, and enforce policies
BYOD support with Apple’s standard User Enrollment

Automated battery alerts, device locking, and usage options during device deployment

Automated 24/7 monitoring
Easy machine onboarding

Leverages Apple’s Device Enrollment Program “DEP”

Perform, schedule, and restore database backups
Security FeaturesMeets ISO 27001 requirements

Secure and manage GDP, AWS, and Azure cloud server resources

Automated patch management

Designated “work profiles” for BYOD

SSH key management

PowerShell to support complex security use cases
Antivirus malware (exclusive to macOS)

1-click screen view request

Encrypted peer-to-peer connection

Full disk encryption

On-demand setup

Mapping for CIS, NIST, SOC 2, and PCI
Successful ISO 27001 audit

SOC 2 Type 2

StateRAMP Ready status

Security monitoring powered by the Jamf Threat Labs research and detections team
Integration OptionsIntegration archive with dozens of DevOps, infrastructure, cloud directory, and security partnersGoogle, Microsoft 265, Okta, PingAWS, Okta, Google, Intune, Microsoft, ServiceNow
Support and Customer Service“Persistently responsive”

“An IT admin’s best friend”

Can reach support via the Admin Portal, chat, or phone
Tough to get in touch with support

Support has “limited working hours”

Limited help documentation 
Trusted by a strong list of Fortune 500 companies

Phone, email, and chat support

Emphasis on self-service
IAM Capabilities Password management

MFA

SSO and SAML/SCIM-based user provisioning

RADIUS authentication for VPN and Wi-Fi

Network trust

Directory reports and dashboards
N/AN/A

Addressing Common Concerns and Issues

Mosyle and Jamf may be acceptable for companies that exclusively use Apple products. But in this day and age, that profile doesn’t represent most businesses, and the drawbacks of each tool — from range of services to ease of use to customer support — outweigh the benefits.

JumpCloud’s comprehensive platform ties MDM and IAM together to create a seamless experience for users and the admins who support them. Admins can configure company compliance and security policies at a granular level, and with JumpCloud MDM’s zero-touch enrollment, users get onboarded and offboarded in a matter of minutes — regardless of whether their devices are corporate or personally owned.

Contrary to Mosyle and Jamf, JumpCloud can follow open protocols like SAML, LDAP, RADIUS, and SCIM and enable IT admins and MSPs to control cloud servers, networks, and SSH keys. Plus, JumpCloud has a no-code required console, allowing more IT and MSP team members to create value, automating patch management, pushing commands, and monitoring devices from an intuitive UI.

JumpCloud

Pricing Options for Every Organization

Packages and A La Carte Pricing

Save on Total Cost of Ownership

MDM solutions are non-negotiable for modern businesses. But implementing an MDM doesn’t mean IT and MSP team productivity and effectiveness have to take a hit.

Code-forward point solutions like Mosyle and Jamf are tough to get up and running and add to the list of tools admins have to manage, introducing risk and bogging down their teams. And that doesn’t even address the fact that they serve an Apple-only audience.

JumpCloud, on the other hand, offers best-in-class MDM across all operating systems while streamlining identity, access, and user management. The best part? It comes at a reasonable price.

So, as you conduct your evaluation, add JumpCloud to your list. Book a demo or try it for yourself — get started for free today.

Kelsey Kinzer

Kelsey is a passionate storyteller and Content Writer at JumpCloud. She is particularly inspired by the people who drive innovation in B2B tech. When away from her screen, you can find her climbing mountains and (unsuccessfully) trying to quit cold brew coffee.

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