Zentral vs Jamf Now

Zentral8.7Visit Jamf Now8.4Visit

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

vs

Jamf Now #8 in Mac Management Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Jamf Now

• Zentral fits best

  Open-source Apple MDM with GitOps

• Jamf Now fits best

  Small Apple fleets needing simple MDM

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Side by side

Feature	Zentral 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Jamf Now 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.4
Ranking	#5 in Mac Management Software	#8 in Mac Management Software
Best for	Open-source Apple MDM with GitOps	Small Apple fleets needing simple MDM
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	€3/device/mo	$4/device/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud
Platforms	Web, macOS, iOS	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets
Integrations	7 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business
Features Zentral 4/4 · Jamf Now 0/4
Automated enrollment	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
App deployment	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
FileVault management	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Remote commands	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Device limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Apple platforms	Mac + apple	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Open-source option with self-hosting through Docker Apple MDM, enrollment, profiles, inventory, and FileVault escrow Terraform, Munki, Santa, and Osquery integration options	Free plan covers up to three devices. Blueprints bundle apps, settings and restrictions. Supports Apple enrollment, app distribution and remote lock.
Cons	Focused on Apple platforms rather than broad device ecosystems Advanced capabilities span multiple modules and integrations No AI features for automated administration	The free plan is limited to three devices. Its focus is primarily Apple hardware management. Advanced depth may be below Jamf Pro.
Our verdict	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 →	Jamf Now is a cloud-based mobile device management platform for small businesses managing iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV hardware. It covers enrollment, device inventory, application distribution, configuration profiles, operating-system… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Jamf Now — where it wins

  • Free plan covers up to three devices.
  • Blueprints bundle apps, settings and restrictions.
  • Supports Apple enrollment, app distribution and remote lock.

  Where it doesn't

  • The free plan is limited to three devices.
  • Its focus is primarily Apple hardware management.
  • Advanced depth may be below Jamf Pro.

• Zentral8.7/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ZentralFull verdict →
• Jamf Now8.4/10 · Free plan

  A focused MDM for small Apple fleets, with simple enrollment, app control and security tools.

  Visit Jamf NowFull verdict →