Our Methodology
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MDM Buyer evaluates mobile device management and unified endpoint management platforms using a structured, repeatable framework. Every platform is assessed against the same 50 features across 10 weighted categories, producing a composite score from 0 to 5.
Scoring Framework
Each platform is evaluated across 10 categories, each containing between 5 and 9 individual feature assessments. The categories are:
- Device Configuration — Settings, restrictions, Wi-Fi, VPN, email, and custom payload management across supported operating systems.
- Enrollment & Provisioning — Zero-touch enrollment, bulk provisioning, DEP/ABM/Autopilot integration, and staging workflows.
- App Management — App deployment, VPP/ABM distribution, managed app configuration, app wrapping, and enterprise app catalogs.
- Compliance & Security — Compliance policy enforcement, conditional access, encryption management, certificate deployment, and security posture monitoring.
- OS Update & Lifecycle — OS update management, patch deployment, update deferral policies, and device lifecycle management from enrollment to retirement.
- Reporting & Visibility — Dashboard analytics, custom reports, inventory tracking, audit logging, and real-time device status visibility.
- Remote Actions & Support — Remote wipe, lock, restart, screen share, remote shell access, and end-user self-service capabilities.
- Targeting & Policy Logic — Smart groups, dynamic targeting, tag-based policies, geofencing rules, and conditional logic for policy assignment.
- Identity & Directory — Directory integration (Entra ID, Okta, Google Workspace, AD), SSO support, certificate-based auth, and user-device mapping.
- Integration & Extensibility — API availability, webhook support, SIEM integration, ServiceNow/ITSM connectors, custom scripting, and automation capabilities.
Scoring Scale
Each feature is rated on a 0 to 5 scale. The descriptors for each level are:
| Score | Label | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Best-in-class | Industry-leading implementation. Sets the standard others are measured against. Full feature depth with meaningful differentiation. |
| 4 | Strong | Comprehensive implementation that meets or exceeds most enterprise requirements. Minor gaps that don't impact core workflows. |
| 3 | Adequate | Functional implementation covering core use cases. Some limitations in advanced scenarios or edge cases. Meets baseline expectations. |
| 2 | Basic | Partial implementation with notable gaps. Covers fundamental needs but lacks depth for complex environments. May require workarounds. |
| 1 | Minimal | Feature exists in rudimentary form. Significant limitations that may prevent practical use in enterprise settings. |
| 0 | Absent | Feature not available. No native capability, no API workaround, no announced roadmap item. |
Data Sources
Our assessments draw from multiple data sources to reduce bias and ensure accuracy:
- Vendor documentation — Official product docs, admin guides, API references, and release notes form the primary evidence base.
- Hands-on evaluation — Where trial access is available, we conduct direct testing against our feature checklist.
- Community resources — Jamf Nation, Reddit r/sysadmin, vendor community forums, and practitioner blogs provide real-world operational context.
- Industry analyst reports — Gartner Magic Quadrant for UEM, IDC MarketScape, and Forrester Wave reports inform our understanding of vendor positioning.
- Public pricing — Listed pricing from vendor websites, supplemented by published partner pricing where vendor pricing is quote-only.
Composite Score Calculation
The overall platform score is the unweighted average of all 10 category scores. Each category score is itself the average of its constituent feature scores. We intentionally use unweighted averaging because the relative importance of each category varies by organisation — an Apple-first company weights different categories than a multi-platform enterprise. Our Best For pages apply use-case-specific weighting to help you find the right fit.
Platform Coverage
We currently evaluate 10 MDM/UEM platforms spanning enterprise leaders, strong contenders, and emerging vendors. Platforms are selected based on market share, mindshare in IT professional communities, and coverage of distinct use cases (Apple-first, Microsoft-centric, multi-platform, rugged/industrial, budget-friendly, MSP).
Limitations & Disclosures
- Point-in-time assessment. MDM platforms ship updates frequently. Our scores reflect capabilities at the time of last review (noted on each platform page). We re-evaluate platforms quarterly.
- No vendor sponsorship. MDM Buyer does not accept payment from vendors for reviews, rankings, or placement. Our assessments are editorially independent.
- Feature scope. We evaluate core MDM/UEM capabilities. Adjacent products (endpoint security, ITSM, identity) are noted but not scored unless bundled natively.
- Pricing estimates. Published pricing may differ from negotiated enterprise contracts. We report publicly available pricing and note when pricing is quote-only.
- User reviews. We do not currently aggregate user review scores. Our assessments are capability-based, not sentiment-based. We plan to incorporate structured user feedback in a future update.
Feedback
Spotted an inaccuracy? Think a score is wrong? We welcome corrections from vendors and practitioners alike. Contact us with specific evidence and we'll investigate and update accordingly.