Best Microsoft Intune Alternatives for SMBs (2026)

JumpCloud earns the top spot because it answers the two questions most SMBs ask when leaving Intune at once: *who are my users* and *what are their devices*. It is an open directory platform first, with cross-platform device management (Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS) layered on, so a small team can retire a separate directory, SSO, MFA and MDM stack and run them from one console. The free tier (up to 10 users and 10 devices) makes it easy to trial, and published per-user packages start around $9/user/month for Device Management on annual billing.

The caveats are real: several third-party sources report weak or absent Android MDM, so Android-heavy shops should confirm coverage directly. Pricing is modular, which is flexible but means costs climb as you bolt on SSO, RADIUS or Zero-Trust. For most mixed Windows/Mac SMBs that also want identity, though, it is the most complete single-vendor answer on this list.

NinjaOne is less of a pure MDM and more of a unified IT-operations platform - RMM, patching, remote control, software deployment and (as an add-on) mobile device management. That makes it the natural pick when the real requirement is *manage and support a fleet*, not just enforce device policies. Reviewers consistently praise the interface, the included onboarding and the unlimited support.

The trade-off is transparency and entry cost. NinjaOne does not publish a rate card; pricing is quote-based per endpoint with volume tiers, and MDM/backup/documentation are separate modules that push the effective per-device spend up. A soft ~50-endpoint minimum means the smallest shops pay a premium. For an MSP or an IT team that already thinks in endpoints and remote sessions, it is excellent; for a five-person office that just wants to enforce disk encryption, it is overkill.

Hexnode began as an MDM and has grown into a full UEM covering an unusually wide range of platforms - including kiosk, rugged, tvOS and visionOS - at one per-device price regardless of OS. Its biggest SMB advantage is transparent, self-serve pricing: tiers are published, starting around $2.20/device/month for MDM Essentials and rising to UEM/Ultra plans as you need desktop management, patching, SSO and BitLocker.

The main friction is tiering. The features SMBs often expect - patch management, remote control, directory integration, SCCM support - sit in higher tiers, and each plan caps the number of technicians before add-on charges apply. There is no permanent free plan and a 15-device minimum. For a mixed or non-standard fleet where you want to see the price before you talk to sales, Hexnode is one of the cleanest options here.

Scalefusion is the friendliest UEM on this list for teams that manage more than just laptops and phones - it is a common choice for kiosks, digital signage, rugged handhelds and frontline fleets, and reviewers repeatedly call out its clean interface and helpful support. Pricing is published per device, starting around $2/device/month for Essentials, which makes budgeting straightforward.

Two things to plan for: billing is annual-only with a 10-device minimum, and the identity (OneIdP) and endpoint-security (Veltar) capabilities are separate products rather than bundled, so a full stack costs more than the headline UEM price. For a mixed or device-heavy SMB that wants something quick to learn with transparent per-device pricing, it is a strong, practical pick.

Endpoint Central is the most feature-dense option here and the only one on the list that offers a true on-premises deployment alongside cloud - a real differentiator for regulated or air-gapped SMBs. It is especially strong at patch management and software deployment, and the free edition (up to 25 endpoints) plus a 30-day unlimited trial make it low-risk to evaluate.

The important nuance: the base Professional/Enterprise editions cover mobile MDM, but to manage Windows and macOS *laptops* you need the UEM or Security edition. Security capabilities (anti-malware, ransomware protection, DEX, OS deployment) are modular add-ons, so a fully loaded deployment takes some budgeting. Third-party figures put the commercial editions in the hundreds of dollars per year per 50 endpoints, but the official store is quote-based - get a real quote for your endpoint count and edition. The UI is dated, but on capability-per-dollar it is hard to beat.

If your fleet is Apple-first, Kandji - rebranded to Iru in October 2025 - is one of the most polished options anywhere. Its Blueprints, zero-touch enrollment through Apple Business Manager, automated compliance and single-agent architecture are genuinely strong, and onboarding/migration help is included. In 2025 it began adding Windows and Android management, moving from Apple-only MDM toward a broader platform.

The honest caveats are pricing and maturity. Kandji/Iru does not publish a rate card; quotes go through sales, contracts are annual and reportedly non-cancellable, and historical per-device figures (~$1.60/device/month for iOS, ~$3.20 for macOS) should be treated as indicative and re-verified. The new cross-platform support is still maturing, and the rebrand adds some roadmap uncertainty. For a Mac-centric SMB, it remains a top choice; for a Windows- or Android-led fleet, wait and verify.

Miradore (now owned by GoTo) is the easiest and cheapest way onto this list. Its free tier - up to 50 devices - is a genuinely useful starting point for a small or budget-constrained team, and paid tiers are transparent: Premium at around $2.75/device/month and Premium+ at around $3.95 on annual billing, the latter adding Entra ID/Google Workspace sync and native remote support through GoTo Resolve.

Be aware of two things. First, independent commentators have noted that GoTo has been steadily stripping features from the free tier since the acquisition, so its long-term generosity is uncertain. Second, Miradore is intentionally simple: no native directory, no Linux, and lighter automation and reporting than the UEMs above. For a small mixed Windows/Mac/iOS/Android fleet that needs solid basics without cost or complexity, it is the right first step - with room to graduate to something heavier later.