Jamf vs. Intune: Best MDM to Manage Apple Devices

The rise in hybrid work culture has increased the usage of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets for corporate purposes. Efficiently managed devices are critical in maintaining a solid security perimeter, and good MDM (Mobile Device Management) solutions play a vital role in that.

In this post, we’ll compare Microsoft Intune and Jamf Pro to help you determine which of these options is best for managing your organization’s Apple devices.

What Are Jamf and Intune?

Jamf and Microsoft Intune are MDM and endpoint management platforms that help organizations secure, configure, and manage company-owned and personal devices. Both solutions are commonly used to enforce security policies, deploy applications, automate device setup, and maintain compliance across an organization’s IT environment.

Jamf is primarily designed for managing Apple devices, including macOS, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. It is widely used by organizations with Apple-centric environments because it offers deep integration with the Apple ecosystem and advanced management capabilities tailored specifically to Apple devices.

Microsoft Intune is part of the broader Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It supports Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, and Android devices, making it a popular choice for organizations managing a mix of operating systems. Intune also integrates closely with services like Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Conditional Access, and Microsoft Defender to help organizations strengthen identity and endpoint security.

The differences don’t stop there, though. Next we’ll look at how Jamf and Intune compare across device enrollment, security, application management, pricing, and customer service.

Jamf vs. Intune Device Enrollment

Jamf and Intune take distinct approaches to device enrollment.

Jamf:

Jamf is a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution that exclusively manages Apple devices (including Mac Management, iPad / iPhone Management, and Apple TV Management) through a single console and allows users to self-enroll multiple Apple devices of their choice. Jamf Mac Management provides admins the option to configure single sign-on (SSO). Jamf also aids in maintaining software updates.

Jamf admins can manage iPads and iPhones to create a smooth user login experience using Jamf Setup and Jamf Reset applications. Jamf’s Apple TV management provides AirPlay Apple support, which easily connects with multiple TVs to sync displays and deploy relevant applications.

Intune:

Microsoft Intune manages not just Apple devices but also Windows systems and Android. Microsoft utilizes the built-in capabilities of Azure Single Sign-On for a smooth enrollment process. The Enrollment Status Page (ESP) offers multiple provisioning options after enrollment, along with sign-up options for new users.

For macOS, Intune supports the configuration of both personal and corporate devices, including BYOD, Apple Automated Device (ADE), and direct enrollment. Device profiles have two separate sections: “Configuration Profiles” and “Endpoint Security.” Combined, the two sections offer extensive customization in caching, policy enforcement, administrative templates, Defender ATP, Domain Joins, and more.

Jamf vs. Intune Security

Both Microsoft Intune and Jamf have dedicated security teams that manage the initial configuration of security features in compliant devices to help prevent misconfiguration vulnerabilities. However, they have different security features and management styles.

Jamf:

Jamf provides a holistic security framework for iOS devices, primarily through device settings and automated policies. It provides stringent password policies and robust security features without impacting the end users’ experience. It analyzes machine behavior and checks it against the MITRE ATT&CK database of potential malware behaviors to identify potential attacks that don’t match known signatures.

Jamf’s deep integration with iOS devices allows it to configure endpoint applications with minimal dependencies on external devices securely. Although it provides a synchronized gateway for users to reset their credentials, its reliance on passwords is still a potential vulnerability.

Intune:

Microsoft uses Azure Active Directory Conditional Access policies to strengthen its security via multi-layered decision-making. Conditional Access is already accessible to the premium Azure AD users, and Intune utilizes the same node to secure both “Mobile Device Compliance” and “Mobile Application Management” (MAM) features.

For macOS, Intune uses features like Firewall and Gatekeeper to restrict the access of suspicious applications to internal ports. Microsoft’s endpoint detection and response (EDR) is an added layer of security that provides extra protection in conjunction with Microsoft Defender Antivirus. It provides additional security by detecting and promptly notifying admins about any malicious activities missed by non-Microsoft antivirus software.

Jamf vs. Intune Application Management

Application management is another essential aspect of device management that helps maintain a seamless workflow within an organization. Simple integrations with third-party software and platforms enhance productivity and provide many additional features to users.

Jamf

Application management goes beyond deploying applications from the Apple App Store using Apple Business Manager. Jamf manages apps through a multistep process of five lifecycle phases:

• Sourcing
• Hosting
• Deployment
• Experience
• Reporting

Since acquiring Mondada, Jamf seamlessly integrates its Kinobi products with Jamf Pro and Title Editor to offer a wide variety of titles for both users and admins.

Key Jamf Integrations

• Jamf integrates with multiple platforms, including big names like Google and Microsoft. Jamf Pro integrates with third-party platforms such as Freshservice and Splunk for asset and analytics management.
• Jamf integrates with ServiceNow, known for automating higher education and healthcare systems services.
• TRUCE Contextual Mobility Management enables Jamf Pro to manage iOS and iPadOS devices by using the user’s local information such as location, vibration, and movement.

Intune

Microsoft Intune allows users to synchronize apps that they purchase from Apple Business Manager by managing the licenses and location tokens. Apple Business Manager also includes the Apple Volume Purchase Program (VPP), allowing admins to deploy multiple public and private software such as a self-service app, books, etc.

Intune utilizes MSIX packaging for some applications to ensure apps are up to date. The recently released Cloud Policies by Microsoft 365 enables the admin to create and deploy policies on a self-service application, giving Intune extra customization options over the competitors.

Key Intune Integrations

• Intune provides a TeamViewer Connector for remote integrations, which is very easy and user-friendly to operate.
• The TeamViewer enables organizations to track and securely access all the unattended remote devices across multiple operating systems anytime without using VPNs.
• It also provides access to Microsoft Graph API and Mobile Threat Defense, providing security and boosting the team’s overall efficiency.

Jamf vs. Intune Pricing

Jamf and Intune offer different pricing structures.

Jamf

There are two pricing packages available in Jamf Pro. The first is for iOS, iPad, and Apple TV management, while the second includes pricing for macOS. Although some users felt Jamf management becomes less stable once the endpoint devices increase, others complained that some features of Jamf School do not feature in Jamf Pro.

Intune

Intune has three pricing packages tailored to the needs of different organizations. While customers were content with Intune’s Windows services, some felt the MDM services could be improved, especially in the administrative and reporting areas. They also felt the dashboard needed more improvement with added technical solutions for small use-cases with better reporting capabilities.

Jamf vs. Intune Customer Service

Microsoft Intune and Jamf are superior services, consistently rated highly by their customers. According to customer reviews from Peerspot, Jamf rates 4.7/5 stars while Intune isn’t far behind with 3.9/5 stars. Similarly, on Gartner, Jamf has been rated 4.7/5, while Intune rates 4.4/5 stars.

Let’s evaluate these reviews based on the different features to understand various end-users’ experiences.

Jamf User Experience

Jamf is a comprehensive management system that allows customized deployment and provides granular level restrictions to its users. Its workflow automation and technical support enable customers to save time and increase productivity. Jamf is also scalable with a zero-touch setup which helps admins scale their enterprise quickly.

Customers also like its geofencing feature, which allows customers to use particular policies according to locations. Some admins who use Jamf’s built-in certificate authority (CA) to distribute certificates to end-users say they felt a need for better third-party solutions. Some users also want a comprehensive solution to handle the entire authentication securely.

Intune User Experience

Customers appreciate the general functionality of Intune in securing and managing devices. They also feel it integrates better with Windows compared to macOS. Its dashboards, security, and customization capabilities empower end-users in numerous ways. Users also find Intune suitable for software update needs, operating system version updates, and security policy enforcement.

According to some users, there needs to be more support for Mac operating systems. Some admins feel the need for a trusted certificate authority to integrate Intune with various APs and RADIUS servers easily. Intune is commonly used alongside AD CS, an on-prem PKI that can be expensive and limits your organizational operations in the cloud.

High-Level Feature Comparison Table: Jamf vs. Intune

This comparison table gives a quick summary of Jamf compared to Intune. While they are both strong MDMs for Apple devices, organizations will want to review their internal needs along with the key differences before choosing between them.

Category	Jamf	Intune
Device Enrollment	Self-enrollment, Apple-focused workflows, zero-touch Apple provisioning, SSO support	Azure/Entra-integrated enrollment with BYOD, ADE, and corporate device support
Security Approach	Apple-centric security policies, behavioral threat analysis, strong endpoint configuration controls	Conditional Access, compliance policies, Microsoft Defender integration, EDR capabilities
Identity & Access Integration	Integrates with Apple identity workflows and third-party IAM tools	Deep integration with Microsoft Entra ID and Conditional Access
Application Management	Lifecycle-based app management (sourcing, deployment, reporting, user experience)	App deployment through Apple Business Manager and Microsoft cloud policy tools
Third-Party Integrations	Integrates with tools like Splunk, Freshservice, ServiceNow, and Google	Integrates with Microsoft ecosystem tools, TeamViewer, Graph API, and security platforms
User Experience	Known for streamlined Apple workflows and automation	Familiar experience for Microsoft-centric IT teams
Pricing Structure	Separate pricing for Apple device categories and macOS management	Multiple tiered pricing packages based on organizational needs
Overall Takeaway	Best for Apple-first organizations needing advanced Apple management	Best for organizations wanting unified management across multiple operating systems

Can You Use Jamf and Intune Together?

While Jamf is a dedicated Apple device manager, Intune supports Apple devices in addition to most other OSs. Given the relative rarity of Apple-only organizations, it’s not just possible but likely that you will find a need to manage Windows devices. Maybe you’re already using Intune for Windows devices and want to know if it’s a good idea to manage Apple devices in the same place.

Intune isn’t the only option for hybrid Windows-Apple environments. Microsoft and Jamf have collaborated to provide a comprehensive compliance-based solution for Apple devices using Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) Conditional Access and Jamf Pro Mac management for heterogeneous environments. Microsoft’s EMS Conditional Access combines different real-time policies into decisions in the Azure cloud.

Conditional Access is already accessible to the premium Azure AD (Microsoft Entra ID) users, and Intune utilizes the same node to secure both “Mobile Device Compliance” and “Mobile Application Management” (MAM) features. Its integration with Jamf’s Mac device management allows mutual customers to experience a continuous flow of data on Macs from Jamf Pro into the Microsoft Cloud.

Although their integration is effective, their identity and access management (IAM) have limitations that need additional software solutions.

Simplify Onboarding for Jamf, Intune, and Other MDMs with SecureW2

While Jamf and Intune both provide superior MDM services, their enrollment and onboarding processes can be challenging. Effective enterprise device management requires a reliable and effective mechanism for enrolling new devices and users as every potential misconfiguration is a vulnerability in your network perimeter.

SecureW2 offers a solution that configures and auto-enrolls managed devices for certificate-based authentication and can deploy certificates to any MDM via API Gateways. It also addresses the entire lifecycle of certificates and has more cert management features than any other MDM. For Intune, we also provide an industry-unique enhancement feature that enables auto-revocation of certificates on expiry.

Here’s our budget-friendly pricing and a one-stop solution for onboarding your macOS devices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Jamf and Intune?

The main difference between Jamf and Intune is their primary focus. Jamf is designed specifically for managing Apple devices. It offers granular control over macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Apple TV environments. Microsoft Intune is a broader unified endpoint management (UEM) platform built to manage Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and other device types from a single console.

Jamf is often preferred by organizations with large Apple deployments that need advanced Apple-specific controls and automation. Intune is commonly used by businesses that want centralized management across multiple operating systems and tight integration with Microsoft security tools like Microsoft Entra ID and Conditional Access.

What can Jamf do that Intune cannot?

Jamf offers several Apple-focused management capabilities that are more advanced or granular than what is available in Microsoft Intune. This includes deeper macOS configuration controls, faster support for new Apple features, advanced automation, and more detailed Apple lifecycle management.

Jamf also provides specialized Apple workflows such as zero-touch deployment customization, extensive Self Service options, and advanced Apple security policy management. While Intune supports Apple devices, its feature set is designed for broader cross-platform management rather than deep Apple specialization.

Are there other Apple MDMs?

Other MDMs for managing Apple devices include Kandji and Mosyle. Just like any solution, they each have pros and cons depending on your specific needs. See our other comparison guides here:

Jamf vs. Kandji

Jamf vs. Mosyle

Is Jamf only for Apple devices?

Yes, Jamf is primarily built for managing Apple devices and ecosystems. Its platform is designed specifically for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Apple TV management, with features tailored to Apple workflows, security controls, and device deployment.

While Jamf may integrate with third-party platforms that support other operating systems, it is not intended to serve as a full cross-platform endpoint management solution like Microsoft Intune.

Can Intune replace Jamf?

It depends on the organization’s needs. Microsoft Intune can replace Jamf for organizations that want basic-to-moderate Apple device management alongside Windows, Android, and other platforms in a single system.

However, companies with large Apple deployments or advanced macOS management requirements often continue using Jamf because it offers deeper Apple-specific functionality, faster support for Apple updates, and more granular management controls. In many enterprise environments, Jamf and Intune are used together to combine advanced Apple management with Microsoft security and compliance tools.