SimpleMDM vs Zentral

SimpleMDM8.8Visit Zentral8.7Visit

Higher score SimpleMDM #4 in Mac Management Software 8.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SimpleMDM

vs

Zentral #5 in Mac Management Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Zentral

• SimpleMDM fits best

  IT teams managing Apple device fleets

• Zentral fits best

  Open-source Apple MDM with GitOps

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Side by side

Feature	SimpleMDM 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Zentral 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.7
Ranking	#4 in Mac Management Software	#5 in Mac Management Software
Best for	IT teams managing Apple device fleets	Open-source Apple MDM with GitOps
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$2.50/device/mo	€3/device/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, macOS, iOS	Web, macOS, iOS
Support	Email, Tickets, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, SSO/SAML, 2FA	SOC 2, SSO/SAML
Integrations	12 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features SimpleMDM 0/4 · Zentral 4/4
Automated enrollment	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
App deployment	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
FileVault management	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Remote commands	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Device limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Apple platforms	Not checked yet	Mac + apple
Our review
Pros	Apple enrollment supports links, QR codes, Configurator, and Automated Device Enrollment Remote scripts, scheduled automation, and device actions support administration Hosted Munki, API, webhooks, and app distribution extend macOS workflows	Open-source option with self-hosting through Docker Apple MDM, enrollment, profiles, inventory, and FileVault escrow Terraform, Munki, Santa, and Osquery integration options
Cons	Apple-focused rather than a cross-platform MDM No free plan is available Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published	Focused on Apple platforms rather than broad device ecosystems Advanced capabilities span multiple modules and integrations No AI features for automated administration
Our verdict	SimpleMDM is a web-based mobile device management platform for organizations managing iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV fleets. It covers enrollment, configuration profiles, app and installer deployment, remote device actions, scripting,… Read the review →	Zentral is an Apple device management platform for client platform engineers and IT managers. It covers macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS, with automated enrollment through Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. Its management scope… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• SimpleMDM — where it wins

  • Apple enrollment supports links, QR codes, Configurator, and Automated Device Enrollment
  • Remote scripts, scheduled automation, and device actions support administration
  • Hosted Munki, API, webhooks, and app distribution extend macOS workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Apple-focused rather than a cross-platform MDM
  • No free plan is available
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published

• Zentral — where it wins

  • Open-source option with self-hosting through Docker
  • Apple MDM, enrollment, profiles, inventory, and FileVault escrow
  • Terraform, Munki, Santa, and Osquery integration options

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on Apple platforms rather than broad device ecosystems
  • Advanced capabilities span multiple modules and integrations
  • No AI features for automated administration

• SimpleMDM8.8/10 · 30-day trial

  Affordable Apple MDM with enrollment, automation, app delivery, and remote actions.

  Visit SimpleMDMFull verdict →
• Zentral8.7/10 · Free plan

  A flexible Apple MDM for teams that want open-source control and Terraform workflows.

  Visit ZentralFull verdict →