Hexnode Alternatives: Compare Leading MDM Solutions

Hexnode is one of the most well-rounded mobile device management (MDM) platforms available today. It supports a wide range of operating systems, offers flexible deployment options, and is particularly well known for its kiosk mode capabilities. For many businesses, it strikes a good balance between features, usability, and cost.

Still, no MDM is the perfect fit for every organization. Some businesses need tighter integration with Microsoft 365, while others prioritize enterprise-grade security, lower pricing, or a platform that’s built around Apple devices. If you’re comparing Hexnode alternatives, it’s worth looking beyond feature lists and considering which solution best matches your existing IT environment and long-term plans.

Below are six leading MDM solutions that offer compelling alternatives to Hexnode, whether you’re managing a handful of devices or thousands spread across multiple operating systems.

Microsoft Intune

If your business already relies on Microsoft 365, Microsoft Intune may be the most natural among alternatives to Hexnode.

Rather than adding another management platform to your IT stack, Intune works closely with Microsoft services like Entra ID, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft 365. That integration makes it easier to apply security policies, manage user access, and deploy applications without constantly switching between different admin portals.

For organizations with primarily Windows devices, that seamless experience can easily outweigh some of Hexnode’s flexibility. At the same time, Intune also supports macOS, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. This makes it a capable option for businesses with mixed-device environments.

The tradeoff is that businesses outside the Microsoft ecosystem may find Intune more complex than necessary. If you aren’t already using Microsoft 365 extensively, some of its biggest advantages simply won’t matter as much.

Why consider Microsoft Intune?

• Seamless integration with Microsoft 365, Entra ID, and Microsoft Defender
• Strong security, compliance, and conditional access capabilities
• Ideal for Windows-heavy or Microsoft-centric environments

Potential tradeoffs

• Best experience requires Microsoft 365 services
• Some advanced features require additional licensing
• Can feel more complex for smaller IT teams

Omnissa Workspace ONE (formerly VMware Workspace ONE)

For larger organizations, choosing an MDM often comes down to scalability. That’s where Omnissa Workspace ONE stands out.

Designed for enterprise environments, Workspace ONE combines unified endpoint management with identity and access management, allowing IT teams to control both devices and user access from a single platform. As organizations grow, that centralized approach can simplify administration while helping maintain consistent security policies across thousands of endpoints.

Automation is another major strength. Routine tasks like onboarding new employees, deploying applications, and enforcing compliance policies can be handled automatically, reducing manual work for IT teams that already have plenty on their plates.

Of course, all that flexibility comes with added complexity. Smaller businesses may never use many of Workspace ONE’s enterprise capabilities, making Hexnode—or another simpler platform—a better value.

Why consider Workspace ONE?

• Enterprise-grade endpoint and identity management
• Powerful automation for large deployments
• Excellent support for mixed-device environments

Potential tradeoffs

• Custom pricing
• Steeper learning curve than Hexnode
• More features than smaller businesses typically need

IBM MaaS360

Some organizations compare Hexnode alternatives based on price. Others compare them based on security. If your business falls into the second group, IBM MaaS360 is one of the strongest options to consider.

MaaS360 goes beyond traditional device management by placing a heavy emphasis on security, compliance, and risk management. IT administrators can monitor device health, enforce security policies, and respond to potential threats across Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, and Android devices from a single console.

IBM also incorporates AI-assisted insights to help administrators identify unusual activity and prioritize issues more efficiently. For businesses operating in highly regulated industries—such as healthcare, finance, or government—that extra visibility can make a real difference when managing company devices.

While MaaS360 is certainly capable of handling everyday MDM tasks like app deployment and policy management, its strongest selling point remains helping organizations maintain secure and compliant device fleets.

Why consider IBM MaaS360?

• Strong focus on security, compliance, and risk management
• AI-assisted insights for faster issue identification
• Cross-platform support for business devices

Potential tradeoffs

• Pricing requires contacting IBM
• More complex than many SMB-focused MDMs
• Security-focused features may exceed the needs of smaller businesses

ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus

Not every business looking at Hexnode alternatives is chasing more enterprise features. Sometimes the goal is much simpler: find a platform that covers the essentials without stretching the IT budget.

That’s where ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus stands out. It delivers the core capabilities most organizations need—device enrollment, app deployment, remote troubleshooting, policy management, and patch management—while offering both cloud-based and on-premises deployment. That flexibility is particularly useful for businesses with internal compliance requirements or those that aren’t ready to move everything to the cloud.

Another advantage is its free edition, which gives smaller organizations an opportunity to test mobile device management without committing to a paid subscription. As the business grows, it’s easy to move to higher-tier plans with more advanced reporting and management capabilities.

Compared to Hexnode, ManageEngine focuses on delivering solid value rather than packing in every advanced feature. The interface isn’t quite as polished, but many IT teams are happy to make that trade if it means lowering costs without sacrificing the essentials.

Why consider ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus?

• Cost-effective with a free edition for smaller deployments
• Available as both cloud and on-premises
• Covers the core features most businesses need

Potential tradeoffs

• Interface feels less modern than some competitors
• Advanced reporting and analytics require higher plans
• Initial setup may take longer than cloud-first platforms

Iru (formerly Kandji)

If your business has gradually shifted toward Macs and iPhones, you may not need a platform that’s equally focused on every operating system. Iru (formerly Kandji) began as an Apple-first MDM and has built a strong reputation for simplifying the management of Apple devices through automation and security.

Today, Iru also supports Windows and Android, making it a more realistic option for organizations with mixed-device environments than it was a few years ago. Its biggest strength remains automation. Routine tasks like provisioning devices, deploying software, and enforcing security policies can happen automatically, helping IT teams spend less time on repetitive work.

Compared with Hexnode, Iru offers a more Apple-centric experience while steadily expanding its cross-platform capabilities. Businesses that still rely heavily on Windows or Linux devices, however, may find Hexnode’s broader ecosystem support a better fit for their current needs.

Why consider Iru?

• Excellent Apple device management
• Strong automation for deployment and ongoing management
• Expanding support for Windows and Android

Potential tradeoffs

• Cross-platform features are newer than its Apple capabilities
• Custom pricing only
• No Linux support

Scalefusion

Among all the Hexnode alternatives in this guide, Scalefusion is arguably the closest competitor.

Both platforms are designed for organizations managing a mix of operating systems and both have built strong reputations around kiosk deployments. Whether you’re running self-service kiosks, digital signage, warehouse scanners, point-of-sale tablets, or shared frontline devices, either platform can securely lock devices to specific apps while allowing administrators to manage them remotely.

Scalefusion also supports Linux and ChromeOS alongside Windows, macOS, Android, and Apple devices, making it a practical option for organizations with diverse hardware. Beyond kiosk mode, it includes remote troubleshooting, endpoint security, and content management features that help IT teams support distributed workforces from a single console.

The choice between Hexnode and Scalefusion often comes down to preference rather than capability. Both platforms cover similar ground, so evaluating their pricing, user experience, and management workflows through a trial is usually the best way to determine which fits your organization.

Why consider Scalefusion?

• One of the closest cross-platform alternatives to Hexnode
• Strong kiosk mode and frontline device management
• Broad operating system support, including Linux and ChromeOS

Potential tradeoffs

• Some enterprise capabilities require higher-tier plans
• Smaller integration ecosystem than some enterprise UEMs
• Apple-first organizations may benefit more from a specialized Apple MDM

Hexnode vs Jamf

Although Hexnode vs Jamf is a common comparison, the two platforms solve slightly different problems.

If your organization manages Windows PCs, Android devices, Macs, iPhones, and even Linux systems, Hexnode is the more versatile choice. It’s designed as a cross-platform unified endpoint management solution, making it easier to manage diverse device fleets from a single console. Businesses that rely on kiosks, digital signage, shared tablets, or frontline devices also benefit from Hexnode’s mature kiosk mode features.

Jamf, by comparison, is purpose-built for Apple’s ecosystem. It offers deeper management capabilities for Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro than most cross-platform MDMs can provide. Features often arrive quickly after Apple releases new operating systems, making Jamf a popular choice for organizations that standardize on Apple hardware.

So which one is better? It depends on your environment.

Choose Hexnode if you:

• Manage a mix of Windows, Android, Apple, or Linux devices.
• Need advanced kiosk mode capabilities.
• Want one platform that supports multiple operating systems.

Choose Jamf if you:

• Primarily manage Macs, iPhones, and iPads.
• Want the deepest Apple-specific management features.
• Don’t need broad cross-platform support.

Which Hexnode Alternative Is Right for You?

There’s no single “best” alternative to Hexnode because every organization manages devices differently. The right choice depends on the operating systems you support, the tools your IT team already uses, your security requirements, and how much you expect your device fleet to grow.

If your business is deeply invested in Microsoft 365, Microsoft Intune offers the most seamless integration. Larger enterprises that prioritize automation, identity management, and centralized control should look closely at Omnissa Workspace ONE, while IBM MaaS360 is a strong fit for organizations where compliance and security drive purchasing decisions.

Businesses looking for a cost-effective solution should consider ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus, especially if they prefer the flexibility of cloud or on-premises deployment. If your environment is becoming increasingly Apple-focused, Iru offers excellent automation while continuing to expand its cross-platform support. And if kiosk deployments or frontline devices are a major part of your operations, Scalefusion is one of the closest competitors to Hexnode and deserves a side-by-side evaluation.

Ultimately, the best way to choose between these Hexnode alternatives is to shortlist the platforms that match your device mix and business goals, then take advantage of free trials or demos whenever possible. Hands-on testing often reveals workflow differences that feature lists alone can’t capture.