Microsoft Intune
The Microsoft ecosystem's native MDM, deeply integrated with Entra ID and Microsoft 365.


Key Takeaways
Who It's For
Microsoft Intune is designed for microsoft-centric enterprises with windows-heavy fleets. The Microsoft ecosystem's native MDM, deeply integrated with Entra ID and Microsoft 365. The platform offers a 30-day free trial, limited sandbox, so you can evaluate it before committing.
At a Glance
- Best For
- Microsoft-centric enterprises with Windows-heavy fleets
- Setup Complexity
- Moderate
- Pricing Range
- $8–$12/user/month
- Licensing Model
- Per-user licensing included in M365 E3/E5; Plan 2 add-on
- Top Strength
- Native Entra ID conditional access delivers best-in-class zero-trust policy enforcement
- Trial
- 30-day free trial, limited sandbox
Buyers Guide
Download the full 2026 comparison spreadsheet with scores, pricing, and feature data for all 10 platforms.
Excel format
Score Breakdown
Scored across 10 categories based on 50 features evaluated per platform.
Pros & Cons
Based on our hands-on evaluation of Microsoft Intune.
Strengths
4- Native Entra ID conditional access delivers best-in-class zero-trust policy enforcement
- Windows Autopilot provides the smoothest zero-touch deployment for Windows devices
- Strong MAM/APP capabilities enable data protection on unmanaged BYOD devices
- Comprehensive Graph API and Power Automate integration for custom workflows
Limitations
3- Linux management limited to Ubuntu custom compliance scripts only
- No native ChromeOS MDM capabilities (Entra ID device sync only)
- Polling-based compliance checks (8-hour default) lag behind real-time competitors
Feature Breakdown
Individual feature scores across all 10 categories for Microsoft Intune.
Device Configuration
5 featuresWi-Fi and VPN profiles for all managed platforms; supports per-app VPN and split tunnelling via Microsoft Tunnel.
Native Exchange Online and Exchange ActiveSync integration; Outlook app configuration with S/MIME and conditional access.
Comprehensive device restriction profiles with platform-specific templates for Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS.
Custom OMA-URI policies for Windows, custom configuration profiles for iOS/macOS, and Settings Catalog with 2000+ settings.
Windows kiosk mode (single and multi-app), Android dedicated device mode, and iOS Guided Access configuration.
Enrollment & Provisioning
5 featuresSolid ADE support for iOS and macOS via Apple Business Manager; enrollment profiles support skip-screen and await configuration.
Android Zero-Touch and Samsung KME supported; integrates with Android Enterprise for fully managed and dedicated devices.
Native Windows Autopilot with pre-provisioning, self-deploying mode, and white glove deployment — the definitive Autopilot experience.
Bulk enrollment via provisioning packages (PPKG), enrollment tokens, and device identifiers CSV import.
Best-in-class BYOD with MAM without enrollment (APP), Android Work Profile, and iOS User Enrollment — data protection without full MDM.
App Management
5 featuresDeploy from Apple App Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store, and winget with assignment targeting and required/available modes.
LOB app deployment for all formats (MSI, MSIX, IPA, APK) with Win32 app management and dependency chaining.
VPP token sync with Apple Business Manager; device and user-based licensing with license tracking.
App configuration policies for managed apps and managed devices with JSON-based settings deployment.
Company Portal app serves as the self-service catalog across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
Compliance & Security
5 featuresComprehensive compliance policies with custom compliance scripts, grace periods, and non-compliance notifications.
Native Entra ID Conditional Access — the gold standard for zero-trust policy enforcement with compliance-driven access.
BitLocker management with key escrow to Entra ID; FileVault management and encryption compliance reporting.
SCEP, PKCS, and imported PKCS certificate profiles with NDES connector for on-premises certificate authorities.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint integration for threat detection; third-party MTD connector support.
OS Update & Lifecycle
5 featuresWindows Update for Business, iOS/macOS software update policies, and Update Compliance reporting via Azure Monitor.
Windows patch management via Windows Update for Business; third-party patching through Win32 app updates.
Windows Update rings with deferral periods, quality/feature update policies, and phased deployment support.
Full wipe, selective wipe, and Fresh Start for Windows; device retire action removes corporate data.
Device inventory with hardware details; warranty tracking through Intune Suite add-on.
Reporting & Visibility
5 featuresIntune dashboard with compliance overview, device status, and integration with Azure Monitor workbooks.
Intune Data Warehouse, KQL queries via Azure Monitor, and Power BI integration for custom reporting.
Device inventory with hardware details, discovered apps, and configuration profiles status.
Audit logs for all admin operations with Azure AD integration for identity correlation.
Device status with last sync time, compliance state, and hardware metrics; 8-hour default check-in interval.
Remote Actions & Support
5 featuresRemote lock, wipe, retire, restart, and Fresh Start for Windows; custom lock screen message for Android.
Remote help (Intune Suite add-on) for Windows and Android; no native iOS/macOS remote view.
Remediation scripts and PowerShell script deployment for Windows; shell scripts for macOS.
Company Portal app provides device status, app install, and compliance information for end users.
Log collection for Windows and Android; file deployment via Win32 app packaging or scripts.
Targeting & Policy Logic
5 featuresAzure AD dynamic groups with device and user properties; filters for policy assignment scoping.
Scope tags for RBAC and assignment filters; Azure AD group-based policy targeting.
Basic location compliance rules; geo-fencing for Android and iOS compliance policies.
Delivery optimisation with maintenance windows and Windows Update scheduling.
Profile conflict detection and reporting; Settings Catalog with merged vs override behaviour for policy layers.
Identity & Directory
5 featuresNative Entra ID integration — the definitive experience with seamless conditional access, device compliance, and user sync.
Third-party IDP support via Entra ID federation; Google Workspace sync via connectors.
Entra ID Connect syncs on-premises AD to cloud; AD connector for hybrid join scenarios.
SCEP and PKCS certificate profiles with NDES connector for certificate-based network authentication.
Primary user mapping with device-to-user affinity; user-based policy and app targeting.
Integration & Extensibility
5 featuresMicrosoft Graph API provides programmatic access to all Intune functionality with excellent documentation.
Azure Logic Apps and Power Automate integration for event-driven workflows; audit log streaming.
Azure Sentinel integration with audit log streaming via Diagnostic Settings for Intune events.
ServiceNow integration via Microsoft connector; Power Platform for custom ITSM workflows.
PowerShell script deployment for Windows; shell script support for macOS; Remediations for proactive fixes.
Video Resources
Watch Microsoft Intune demos, tutorials, and reviews.
Microsoft Intune Suite - Beyond Endpoint Management in 2024
What is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune From Zero to Hero
Alternatives to Consider
Other platforms to evaluate alongside Microsoft Intune.
Omnissa Workspace ONE
Enterprise LeaderThe broadest cross-platform UEM with enterprise-grade automation and real-time compliance.
Hexnode UEM
Strong ContenderThe broadest OS support at the best value, with excellent kiosk capabilities.
ManageEngine MDM Plus
Strong ContenderAffordable multi-platform MDM with strong Active Directory integration and a generous free tier.
Ready to decide?
Compare Microsoft Intune Head-to-Head
See how Microsoft Intune stacks up against Workspace ONE, Hexnode, ManageEngine in a detailed side-by-side comparison.