{"id":47763,"date":"2022-10-18T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=47763"},"modified":"2024-11-14T17:43:21","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T22:43:21","slug":"free-apple-mdm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/free-apple-mdm","title":{"rendered":"Free Apple MDMs: Are They Really Free?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is no doubt about it \u2014 remote work<\/a> is here to stay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managing, securing, and updating Apple device fleets has never been more pivotal to thwart potential security breaches. Mobile device management (MDM<\/a>) solutions simplify remote management while providing peace of mind that essential data is kept safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right now, organizations in industries across the board are cutting costs in response to the current economic climate. Are you a budget-conscious admin looking for \u201cfree Apple MDM\u201d guidance? If so, keep reading to learn more about what to look for when evaluating platforms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Apple MDM Landscape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the right MDM vendor has become a crucial task since 2020. That\u2019s when Apple released macOS Big Sur, which introduced several changes for end users and IT admins overseeing enterprise environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proceeding this change, it wasn\u2019t uncommon for small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to leave Apple device maintenance in the hands of end users. Though several industries have embraced the vendor in recent years, Apple products still make up a small (but growing) percentage of the average organization\u2019s device portfolio<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, this left organizations vulnerable as most enterprise end users are not IT experts! Furthermore, they\u2019re unlikely to prioritize organizational security over their daily tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Apple continues to add security patches that require coordination with official Apple MDM vendors. Of course, Apple\u2019s commitment to privacy doesn\u2019t stop there \u2014 Apple wants enterprise end users to know what their employers do and don\u2019t have access to from their devices too! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translation: Organizations must practice transparency, even with corporate-controlled devices. Admins can no longer rely on manual management of their Macs or third-party vendors that don\u2019t use Apple\u2019s native MDM protocols or APIs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \"JumpCloud\"\n <\/div>\n
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\n JumpCloud MDM <\/p>\n

\n Manage All Devices in One Platform <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Learn More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Free Apple MDMs: Are They Really Free?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Free MDM and open source MDM platforms do<\/em> exist. <\/a>Sort of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Review site Capterra<\/a> lists 21 mobile device management software entries that support Apple products. But will these options cover the functionality you need? In most cases, the answer is no. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open source MDMs<\/a> and free MDM plans can often get the job done for extremely small businesses. But most SMEs require varying paid plans to meet more sophisticated security compliance requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the \u201cfree\u201d Apple MDM plans you will find have device limits and\/or time limits. If a solution does in fact have a free version that does not completely shut off after a limited time frame, they tend to reduce the amount of features you have access to after the trial window has closed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provider<\/th>Free Version?<\/th>Free Version Limitations<\/th>Free Trial?<\/th>Length of Free Trial 
(as advertised)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
JumpCloud MDM<\/td><\/td><\/td>Yes<\/td>30 day<\/td><\/tr>
ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus<\/td><\/td><\/td>Yes<\/td>30 day<\/td><\/tr>
Miradore<\/td>Yes<\/td>Reduced feature set<\/td>Yes<\/td>14 day<\/td><\/tr>
VantageMDM<\/td><\/td><\/td>Yes<\/td>???<\/td><\/tr>
Mosyle Business<\/td><\/td><\/td>Yes<\/td>30 day<\/td><\/tr>
Jamf Now<\/td>Yes<\/td>Up to 3 devices<\/td>N\/A<\/td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr>
Applivery<\/td><\/td><\/td>Yes<\/td>14 day<\/td><\/tr>
SureMDM<\/td><\/td><\/td>Yes<\/td>30 day<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
This is not an exhaustive list of MDM providers.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition, they often require admins to manually install updates, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and\/or manage on-prem infrastructure. Furthermore, each provider puts its unique spin on MDM APIs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes sense, right? The depth and breadth of requirements an organization requires to manage Apple devices effectively and securely is hard to come by in a completely free product unless you are only managing a small handful of devices with limited exposure to security risk and<\/em> have the time and expertise to stand up and maintain an open source option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, it\u2019s crucial to clarify your requirements before investing time and energy into setting up a free Apple MDM solution. Let\u2019s take a look at some key elements worth considering when weighing your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Essential Apple MDM Assessment Factors <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s unlikely that most free or open source MDM<\/a> solutions will check all of your boxes. You\u2019ll need to decide which features are absolutely essential for your organization and which ones you can live without. Below are four core factors to consider before choosing a free Apple MDM: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Cross-Platform Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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