Business

Unlocking Mobile Productivity: Top MDM Tools for iOS and Android in 2024

MDM solutions help businesses secure, manage, and monitor mobile devices for productivity in 2024.

October 21, 2025, 9:58 AM

A young person's hand holds a smartphone, likely engaging with social media.

A young professional uses a smartphone to engage with social media, staying connected in today's fast-paced business world. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions are indispensable for organizations in 2024 to enhance productivity, enforce security, and maintain compliance across their iOS and Android fleets, driven by hybrid work models and BYOD.

MDM enables IT departments to provision, secure, monitor, and manage employee mobile devices from a centralized console, often evolving into broader Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) platforms.

When choosing an MDM solution, businesses must prioritize features like robust security management, application and content management, remote monitoring, and cross-platform support to secure corporate data, ensure compliance, and empower a flexible workforce.

The Trajectory So Far

The increased necessity for Mobile Device Management (MDM) in 2024 is a direct result of the evolving digital workplace, characterized by the widespread adoption of hybrid work models and the pervasive use of both personal and corporate mobile devices, which significantly heightens security risks due to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, an escalating landscape of cyber threats, and stringent regulatory compliance requirements.

The Business Implication

Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions are now indispensable for organizations in 2024, directly addressing the complexities of hybrid work models and the pervasive use of mobile devices. These platforms are critical for enhancing security against escalating cyber threats and ensuring strict compliance with evolving data regulations, while simultaneously empowering a flexible, productive workforce and securing a company’s competitive edge in the digital landscape.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Businesses and organizations consider Mobile Device Management (MDM) crucial for enhancing productivity, enforcing security, and maintaining regulatory compliance in 2024, especially with the rise of hybrid work and BYOD policies.

IT departments view MDM solutions as indispensable platforms to provision, secure, monitor, and manage employee mobile devices (iOS and Android) from a centralized console, ensuring efficient and secure access to corporate resources regardless of location or device ownership.

MDM solution providers like Microsoft, VMware, and Jamf offer comprehensive platforms with key features such as seamless device enrollment, robust security management, application and content management, remote monitoring, and compliance reporting to meet diverse organizational needs.

As the digital workplace continues its rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models and the pervasive use of personal and corporate mobile devices, Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions have become indispensable for organizations seeking to enhance productivity, enforce security, and maintain compliance across their iOS and Android fleets in 2024. These platforms empower IT departments to provision, secure, monitor, and manage smartphones and tablets from a centralized console, ensuring that employees can access corporate resources efficiently and securely, regardless of their location or device ownership model.

What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a type of security software used by an IT department to monitor, manage, and secure employee mobile devices that are deployed across multiple mobile service providers and across multiple mobile operating systems. The primary goal of MDM is to optimize the functionality and security of mobile devices within the enterprise while simultaneously protecting the corporate network.

Modern MDM solutions often fall under the broader category of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM), which extends management capabilities beyond mobile devices to encompass laptops, desktops, and IoT devices. Key functionalities include device enrollment, configuration management, application management (MAM), content management (MCM), and robust security features.

Why MDM is Crucial for Business in 2024

The imperative for MDM has intensified significantly due to several converging trends. The rise of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies means employees use personal devices for work, blurring the lines between personal and professional data and increasing security risks.

Furthermore, an escalating landscape of cyber threats, including sophisticated phishing attacks and malware targeting mobile platforms, necessitates stringent security protocols. Regulatory compliance, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA, also demands comprehensive control over data access and storage on mobile endpoints.

For businesses, MDM is not just about security; it is a critical enabler of productivity. It streamlines device provisioning, ensures access to necessary applications and data, and allows for quick troubleshooting, minimizing downtime and empowering a flexible, mobile workforce.

Key Features to Look for in an MDM Solution

When evaluating MDM tools, businesses should prioritize a suite of features that address their specific operational and security needs. A robust MDM solution goes beyond basic device control.

Device Enrollment and Provisioning

Seamless enrollment processes, including Apple Business Manager (ABM) for iOS and Android Enterprise for Android, are vital for rapid deployment and consistent configuration. Automated provisioning ensures devices are ready for use with minimal IT intervention, pre-configured with necessary settings and applications.

Security Management

Comprehensive security features are paramount. This includes enforcing strong passcode policies, encrypting device data, configuring VPN settings, and enabling remote wipe or lock capabilities for lost or stolen devices. Geofencing and compliance policies can also restrict device functionality based on location or adherence to corporate standards.

Application Management (MAM)

Effective MAM allows IT to distribute, update, and remove corporate applications securely. It often includes an enterprise app store, app wrapping for enhanced security, and application-level VPNs. This ensures employees have access to the right tools while preventing unauthorized app usage.

Content Management (MCM)

MCM ensures secure access to corporate documents and files on mobile devices. It provides secure containers for sensitive data, enforces data loss prevention (DLP) policies, and allows for secure sharing and collaboration. This protects intellectual property and sensitive information.

Remote Monitoring and Troubleshooting

The ability to remotely monitor device health, battery levels, and connectivity issues is crucial for proactive support. Remote troubleshooting features, such as screen sharing and command execution, help IT resolve issues quickly, reducing user frustration and downtime.

Compliance and Reporting

MDM solutions should offer robust reporting capabilities to demonstrate compliance with internal policies and external regulations. Audit trails, device inventory reports, and compliance dashboards provide valuable insights into the mobile fleet’s security posture.

Cross-Platform Support

Given that most organizations operate with a mix of iOS and Android devices, a solution that offers strong, consistent support for both operating systems from a single console is highly advantageous. This simplifies management and reduces operational overhead.

Top MDM Tools for iOS and Android in 2024

The market for MDM and UEM solutions is competitive, with several established players offering comprehensive platforms. Here are some of the leading tools renowned for their capabilities with both iOS and Android devices.

Microsoft Intune

As part of Microsoft 365 and Azure, Microsoft Intune offers robust UEM capabilities, managing Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. Its deep integration with Azure Active Directory for identity and access management, along with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for threat protection, makes it a strong contender for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Intune excels in conditional access, ensuring devices meet security standards before accessing corporate resources.

VMware Workspace ONE

VMware Workspace ONE, built on the AirWatch technology, is a comprehensive UEM platform that delivers secure access to applications and data on any device. It offers excellent capabilities for app delivery, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) integration, and intelligent automation. Workspace ONE is highly scalable and provides a strong focus on employee experience while maintaining stringent security.

Jamf Pro

While historically known as the gold standard for Apple device management (macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS), Jamf Pro continues to innovate its offerings. For organizations with a predominantly Apple environment, Jamf provides unparalleled depth in device configuration, security, and app deployment. While its primary focus is Apple, Jamf integrates with other UEM platforms for mixed environments.

ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus

ManageEngine’s Mobile Device Manager Plus is a cost-effective and feature-rich MDM solution suitable for businesses of all sizes. It offers comprehensive management for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS devices, including extensive security features, application management, and remote troubleshooting. Its intuitive interface and competitive pricing make it a popular choice.

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager provides powerful, cloud-based MDM for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices. Known for its simplicity and ease of deployment, it integrates seamlessly with Meraki’s networking hardware, offering a unified view of network and device health. It’s particularly appealing for organizations seeking straightforward, cloud-managed solutions.

IBM MaaS360 with Watson

IBM MaaS360 leverages IBM Watson’s AI capabilities to provide actionable insights and enhanced security for mobile endpoints. It offers robust UEM functionality for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, with a strong emphasis on threat detection, compliance, and secure access to enterprise resources. Its AI-driven analytics help proactively identify and mitigate risks.

SOTI MobiControl

SOTI MobiControl is a leading solution for managing a diverse range of devices, including traditional smartphones and tablets, ruggedized devices, and IoT endpoints. It provides extensive support for various operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Linux. SOTI is particularly strong in managing purpose-built devices and complex enterprise mobility deployments in industries like logistics and manufacturing.

Choosing the Right MDM Solution for Your Business

Selecting the optimal MDM solution requires careful consideration of several factors. Begin by assessing your organization’s specific needs, including the number and types of devices, operating systems in use, and existing IT infrastructure. Evaluate your budget, scalability requirements, and the level of integration needed with other enterprise systems like identity providers or security tools.

Consider the user experience for both IT administrators and end-users, as ease of use can significantly impact adoption and operational efficiency. Finally, conduct trials and request demos to ensure the chosen solution aligns perfectly with your business goals and future growth plans.

Empowering the Mobile Workforce

In 2024, mobile devices are not just tools; they are central to employee productivity and business continuity. A well-implemented MDM strategy, supported by a carefully chosen solution, is fundamental to securing corporate data, ensuring regulatory compliance, and empowering a flexible, efficient, and productive mobile workforce. Investing in the right MDM tool is an investment in your company’s future readiness and competitive edge.