Share This Article
Contents
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:
- Is “not built for IT novices”
- Takes time to get used to
- Has buggy patches
- Has challenges with the Mosyle Okta integration
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:
- Trouble keeping up with the pace of Apple, and there are “more product issues than features” per release as a result
- A several-weeks-long deployment
- A tough learning curve
- Lack of support
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:
| Attribute | Mosyle | Jamf |
| Supported OS | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS |
| Pricing | All-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 Setup | CDN 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 Capabilities | Automated 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 Features | Full 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 Options | Google, Microsoft 265, Okta, Ping | AWS, Okta, Google, Intune, Microsoft, ServiceNow |
| Support and Customer Service | Tough 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 Attributes | Chrome 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:
| Attribute | JumpCloud | Mosyle | Jamf |
| Supported OS | macOS, Windows, Linux, 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. | 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 Use | Pre-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 Capabilities | Supports 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 Features | Meets 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 Options | Integration archive with dozens of DevOps, infrastructure, cloud directory, and security partners | Google, Microsoft 265, Okta, Ping | AWS, 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/A | N/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.
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.
