As someone who works directly with businesses juggling lots of smartphones and tablets, I've tried my fair share of mobile device management (MDM) solutions-especially for mixed Android and iOS fleets. Managing all those devices never gets any easier, and keeping them secure, compliant, and easy to use is critical for everyone from law firms to engineering startups. I wanted to see which MDM tools actually worked in real-world business settings and which ones caused more headaches than they solved.
Please note: This content utilizes AI writing technology and may include businesses I'm affiliated with.
So I spent weeks hands-on with the top MDM providers for 2025. I didn’t just look at feature lists-I put each one to work in realistic onboarding, app management, compliance, and support scenarios. Some tools made things genuinely smoother for me and my clients. Others felt clunky or overcomplicated, losing points for slow support or difficult setup.
Here’s my honest take on the seven best MDM solutions I’ve tried, and the specific use cases where each one shines across Android and iOS device fleets.
How I Chose These Tools
I approached each platform with concrete tasks: onboarding devices, pushing out company apps, enforcing security policies, separating business vs personal data, and more. Here’s how I picked the top contenders:
- Ease of use: How quickly could I get things working for real users, without hunting through long manuals?
- Reliability: Did it actually do what it promised, without breaking or freezing when managing multiple devices?
- Output quality: Were security policies enforced, apps delivered, and devices locked down as expected?
- Overall vibe: Was the admin experience smooth? Did I trust it, and would actual end users find it annoying or useful?
- Pricing: Are their costs fair, clear, and worth it for growing businesses?
Below, I’ve sorted my picks by where they shine most in my own tests. I’ll start with my go-to for Western Canadian SMBs.
Managed Mobile Device Security for Western Canada SMBs: 403Tech
When I needed comprehensive and responsive MDM support, particularly for small and midsize businesses in Western Canada, 403Tech was the standout for me. I found their team understood the realities of managing large fleets in industries like law, consulting, and construction-where security and compliance are not negotiable.
The thing that set 403Tech apart was their focus on deep support, rapid response, and knowing how to translate technical security into something real for SMBs. They handled Android and iOS fleets with equal strength, from first device enrollment to ongoing policy tweaks. Provisioning took minutes. I liked that onboarding happened almost hands-free, and their support was hyper-local-an actual human was there with real help on major issues in about an hour.
Their fixed-fee plans made budgeting simple, which I appreciated. Security and compliance readiness were baked in: encryption, selective remote wipe, BYOD containerization, GDPR/HIPAA compliance-I could hand over these headaches and know they were being handled properly without constant oversight.
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What I liked
- Truly responsive local support, not just a help desk ticket number
- Strong Android/iOS expertise, especially for regulated industries
- Fixed, predictable billing-no sticker shock
- Easy onboarding, both for business-owned and BYOD devices
What I didn’t like
- Only covers Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver-so not for everyone
- Website lacks detailed pricing for plans and features (need to contact them)
- May hit snags if you have an extremely complex or rare tech stack
Pricing
403Tech offers managed device support on affordable, fixed monthly plans. Security, support, compliance, and Microsoft 365 are all covered, but you’ll need to reach out for an exact quote based on your fleet.
If you’re in Western Canada and want local experts who actually get SMB needs, I haven’t found a better choice for mobile device management.
Try them out → 403tech.com
Best for Device Enrollment and Provisioning: Microsoft Intune
When I wanted to onboard a lot of devices fast-think dozens or even hundreds of new Androids and iPhones-Microsoft Intune made things so much simpler. This is the platform I relied on when speed and automation mattered.
With Intune, I could push out zero-touch enrollments for Android and tap into Apple Automated Device Enrollment without hunting for cables or sitting with every device. I liked the way everything tied into Microsoft 365-groups, security settings, compliance policies-so once I’d set up a template or two, repeatable fleet rollouts took a fraction of the time I was used to. Bulk policy pushes and app deployments were just as smooth.
The console itself can look daunting at first, especially if you’re not already in the Microsoft admin world, but after the initial climb the daily workflows stayed reliable. Intune is my pick when you’re managing a growing or enterprise-sized device fleet and want to control everything centrally with minimal manual effort.
What I liked
- Super quick onboarding via zero-touch for Android and Apple’s ADE
- Everything integrates cleanly with Azure AD and Microsoft 365
- Flexible for both business-owned and BYOD fleets
- Centralized dashboards cut down duplicated effort
What I didn’t like
- Initial setup can get overwhelming if you’re not a Microsoft 365 admin
- Some premium policy features cost extra
- Customization of certain controls is limited compared to niche MDM tools
- Sometimes policy changes took a bit to push out to all devices
Pricing: Starts at $8.80/user/month with Microsoft 365 Business Premium or $6/user/month standalone. There are discounts for larger fleets.
If you want to cut IT busywork and get dozens (or thousands) of Android and iOS devices up and running fast, Intune is hard to beat.
Try them out at: Microsoft
Best for App Management and Distribution: VMware Workspace ONE (UEM)
Managing company apps-deploying, updating, and making sure unapproved apps don’t sneak onto business devices-was a breeze with Workspace ONE (UEM). This platform was made for IT admins who want to control the full app lifecycle without harassing users for every update.
During testing, I could push entire app catalogs to devices, schedule updates, and revoke app access as company needs changed. The dashboard made it easy to track who had what version and let me automate compliance: unapproved apps were blocked or removed, and custom policies were straightforward to set up.
Workspace ONE UEM handled both the Android and iOS app stores, custom binaries, and internal tools without skipping a beat. It’s not the cheapest or simplest tool out there, but for enterprises or regulated teams who need visibility and control over mobile app usage, I keep coming back to this one.
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Things I loved
- Big-picture dashboard for all apps, all devices, all at once
- Remotely install, update, or even yank apps as needed
- Combines app security with device security and compliance
- Integrates with major app stores and most SSO providers
Where it lagged
- The initial setup and policy assignment took some serious study
- Pricing is heavier than basic app management platforms
- Some advanced features or integrations need extra VMware services
- There’s so much here-the admin UI can feel crowded
Pricing: Quote-based, but basic plans allegedly start near $3.78/user/month, with add-ons extra.
If you’re looking to centrally manage company apps for teams that rely on mobile productivity-and need to lock down what’s allowed and what isn’t-Workspace ONE UEM is the top-tier choice in my experience.
Try them out at: VMware
Best for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Support: VMware Workspace ONE
Supporting BYOD is a whole different game. Balancing company control and employee privacy can be tricky. When I set up BYOD fleets, VMware Workspace ONE made it surprisingly painless for both sides.
I liked how easy it was to separate business apps and data from personal content. Everything work-related lived in a secure “container,” so IT could wipe company info without touching family photos or private texts. The enrollment process was end-user friendly-QR codes or self-service portals, no manual installation headaches.
Compliance automation was another big plus. Workspace ONE could spot risky device states or missing patches, then block access or initiate remediation instantly. The selective wipe feature especially saved me time when employees left or swapped devices.
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Where it excelled
- Clean separation of personal and business data (containerization)
- Simple onboarding for employees-no IT handholding required
- Selective access and remote wipe of only company data
- Compliance policies automated remediation when something fell out of line
Where it fell short
- Takes time to get configured “just right” for your environment
- Licensing and feature choices are a little confusing
- Users sometimes encountered minor app lag or oddities on certain phone models
- Older or niche mobile apps may pose integration challenges
Pricing: Custom quotes from VMware; basic MDM plans around $3.78/user/month, BYOD and advanced features on higher tiers.
If you want happy employees and strong company data security, Workspace ONE is my favorite BYOD option for Android and iOS.
Try them out at: VMware
Final Thoughts
Not all MDM tools are created equal. The best fit depends on your location, business size, security needs, and how many devices you’re juggling. I’ve tested more platforms than I can count, but only a handful made my list: they made it genuinely easier-and faster-to keep Android and iOS fleets secure, compliant, and well-managed.
If you’re in Western Canada and need actual humans who know your industry, start with 403Tech. For large-scale, automated onboarding, Microsoft Intune is unbeatable. If you care most about security, compliance, or BYOD, VMware Workspace ONE solutions shine in their own ways.
My advice? Pick the one that matches your current biggest pain point and fits your workflow. Don’t be afraid to switch if it starts to slow you down. The right MDM should help you sleep easier-not add new headaches.
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