Best Mobile Device Management (MDM) Solutions in 2026

Quick Summary

Discover the best Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions for 2026; including Shepherd Fusion, Shepherd for Apple, Jamf for Mac, Microsoft Intune, Iru. Learn about key features to look for, how MDM helps secure and manage business devices, and which solution is best suited to your organisation’s needs.

Introduction

As businesses continue to embrace hybrid and remote work, the need to manage laptops, tablets, and smartphones securely — wherever they are — has become essential. That’s where Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions come in. But with so many tools out there, which is the best MDM solution for your business in 2026?

Let’s break it down.

What Is Mobile Device Management?

MDM is software that helps IT teams monitor, manage, and secure mobile devices across an organisation. From pushing updates and policies to tracking lost devices or wiping data remotely, MDM tools make it easier to protect both devices and data — especially when employees are working from home or across multiple sites.

What Makes a Good MDM Solution?

The best MDM solutions in 2026 offer:

• Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS)
• Remote onboarding and automated provisioning
• Real-time device monitoring and reporting
• Security features like remote wipe, encryption enforcement, and patch management
• Integration with Microsoft Intune, Apple Business Manager, and other tools

Best Mobile Device Management Solutions

Here’s a quick look at some of the leading MDM tools available today:

1. Shepherd Fusion

✅ Best for: mixed-device estates

• Works across Apple, Windows, Android, ChromeOS and Linux
• AI-powered scripting
• Execute remote actions & troubleshooting

❌ Higher price point due to support for multiple operating systems

2. Shepherd for Apple

✅ Best for: Apple-first organisations already leasing devices

• Integration with Apple Business Manager
• Built-in security and compliance 
• Rapid device deployment

❌ Not suitable for Windows/Android users

3. Jamf for Mac

✅ Best for: Apple-centric organisations

• Offers deep control of macOS devices.
• Seamless Apple Business Manager integration
• Ideal for education and creative industries

❌ Limited features despite higher price point; see our comparison below

4. Microsoft Intune

 ✅ Best for: Windows-first enterprises

• Native integration with Microsoft 365
• Robust security policies and compliance tools
• Works across Windows, iOS, and Android

❌ Can be complex to configure for smaller teams.

5. Iru (formerly Kandji)

✅  Best for: Mac fleets with a modern user experience 

• Automated compliance and zero-touch deployment
• Integrates with Okta, Google Workspace, and more.
• Regularly updated with Apple changes

❌ Focused solely on Apple devices.

Note: For a side-by-side comparison of HardSoft’s Shepherd solutions, take a look at our Shepherd comparison guide.

Why MDM Is Crucial for Businesses Leasing IT Equipment

If you lease laptops or mobile devices from HardSoft, an MDM solution is a must-have. It allows you to:

• Enforce security policies across devices
• Remotely lock or wipe lost or stolen devices
• Roll out apps, updates and settings with zero-touch deployment.
• Monitor device health and usage in real-time.
• Stay GDPR-compliant with proper data controls.

With HardSoft’s Flexi-Lease and Device-as-a-Service models, we can integrate MDM into your deployment from day one. Whether you choose one of our Shepherd solutions or another MDM solution, we’ll help ensure your devices are secure, compliant, and ready for users from the moment they arrive.

Key Takeaways

• The best MDM solution depends on your organisation’s size, device mix, and security requirements.
• Cross-platform management is becoming increasingly important as businesses support a wider range of devices and operating systems.
• Features such as zero-touch deployment, remote troubleshooting, compliance controls, and patch management can significantly reduce IT workload.
• Shepherd MDM offers flexible options for Apple-only and mixed-device environments, with dedicated UK-based support.
• Implementing an MDM solution helps businesses improve security, maintain compliance, and streamline device management at scale.

FAQs

What are the costs associated with MDM?

MDM costs typically include device licensing, implementation and ongoing management. Most solutions use a monthly or annual per device pricing model, with additional costs for training, integration or infrastructure upgrades. While there is an upfront investment, organisations often achieve long-term savings through improved security, streamlined IT management, reduced support requirements and more efficient device administration. 

Is MDM software suitable for small businesses?

MDM software is great for small businesses, particularly those with remote or hybrid employees. Many cloud-based solutions are designed specially for small and medium-sized organisations, providing essential features such as device inventory and remote actions, without the complexity or cost associated with enterprise-focused platforms.

Are there different types of MDM solutions?

Yes. Mobile Device Management (MDM) is often used as a broad term for managing and securing devices. Traditionally, Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) extended MDM with application and content management, while Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) expanded management to include desktops, laptops and other endpoints alongside mobile devices. Today, many modern MDM platforms combine these capabilities. For example, Shepherd Fusion is a UEM solution that provides centralised management across multiple device types from a single platform.

Do MDMs Support Bring Your Own Device? (BYOD)

BYOD is a key feature of many modern MDM solutions. Through containerisation and work profiles, organisations can separate business apps and data from personal content on employee-owned devices. This allows IT teams to manage and secure corporate information without accessing personal files, helping to balance security, compliance and user privacy.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question “what is the best mobile device management solution.” Your best choice depends on your device types, team size, and internal resources. But whether you’re managing ten devices or a thousand, an MDM system is essential to keep things secure and scalable.

Explore our MDM solutions or speak to an expert today