7 Top MDM Solutions That Automatically Push App Updates and Security Policies

Strategic overview

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is software that allows organizations to remotely configure, monitor, and secure employee devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. For distributed teams, the right mobile device management software for automatic app updates is essential to keep devices patched and compliant without manual effort.

This guide highlights seven MDM platforms known for automated app deployment and policy enforcement across large fleets—capabilities HR and IT leaders rely on to reduce risk, streamline operations, and scale globally. Deel complements these platforms by orchestrating device provisioning and access based on HR lifecycle events.

Automating updates and policies shrinks your attack surface, accelerates onboarding, and keeps devices ready for work with minimal touch. Leading platforms provide multi-OS device management, zero-touch enrollment, and centralized policy orchestration so security baselines and app versions remain consistent enterprise-wide, a core MDM value echoed by independent reviews of the category’s top tools.

With Deel in the loop, these controls are triggered automatically at hire, role change, and offboarding—closing gaps between HR data, IT operations, and compliance.

Deel’s approach to device management automation

At Deel, we focus on enabling secure global growth. Automated MDM is a critical control that complements our HR, payroll, and compliance ecosystem—reducing risk exposure, simplifying provisioning, and safeguarding data across distributed teams. By automating device management, Deel supports organizations with rapid onboarding, real-time compliance, and lower administrative burden.

Our workflows integrate with leading MDMs to orchestrate day-one app deployment, role-based access, and policy enforcement during onboarding—and revoke access, wipe devices, or archive data during offboarding.

Deel IT MDM: How it solves your pain points

Deel MDM connects your people data to device and app automation so the right policies land on the right devices at the right time—globally.

For IT administrators

• Automate day-one provisioning with zero-touch enrollment (ADE, Android Enterprise, Autopilot) and role-based app stacks.
• Integrate with Jamf, Kandji, Microsoft Intune, VMware Workspace ONE, ManageEngine, Miradore, and Hexnode to push profiles, patches, and compliance checks on schedule.
• Centralize asset tracking, remote actions (lock/wipe), and exception workflows while keeping a single audit trail tied to the employee record.

For Security and Compliance

• Enforce encryption, OS version baselines, and conditional access via connected MDM policies aligned to your frameworks.
• Trigger attestations and automated device remediation on risk events; preserve auditability across countries and entities.

For HR/People Ops and Managers

• Reduce time-to-productivity with pre-approved app catalogs and role-based profiles that auto-assign at offer acceptance or start date.
• Standardize offboarding: reclaim or wipe devices, revoke access, and archive data automatically when employment ends.

For Finance and Procurement

• Gain visibility into device inventory, utilization, and per-device spend; standardize vendors while supporting local fulfillment.
• Use policy templates and automation to lower the total cost of ownership without sacrificing coverage.

1. Jamf Pro

Jamf Pro is highly recommended for enterprise Apple device management, offering robust lifecycle automation and same-day iOS/macOS support through curated self-service catalogs and policies, making it a favorite in Apple-centric environments highlighted in G2’s best MDM solutions roundup. Core capabilities include Apple Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) for bulk provisioning, granular configuration profiles, automated patch management for Mac, and rich admin visibility.

The trade-off is a premium price point—best suited for education, design, and organizations standardized on Apple hardware. If your fleet includes non-Apple devices, consider a multi-OS alternative.

2. Kandji

Kandji is a modern Apple MDM known for streamlined app deployment and intuitive admin workflows. Its Auto Apps library, prebuilt security controls, and drag-and-drop profiles help teams roll out updates and policies with minimal scripting. Many growing companies choose Kandji for rapid implementation and responsive support; this aligns with SMB best practices that emphasize guided onboarding and admin enablement to speed value realization. Choose Kandji if you want an Apple-first platform that reduces manual work while maintaining strong security coverage.

3. VMware Workspace ONE

Workspace ONE (which absorbed AirWatch) is a leader in unified endpoint management (UEM), bringing phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops under one pane of glass for app distribution, patching, and policy push at scale, as noted by TechRadar’s editors. With broad OS coverage, zero-touch provisioning, an integrated app hub, and real-time compliance, it’s a fit for complex environments such as healthcare or enterprises with varied device types. Typical tiers bundle identity, app delivery, analytics, and automation to meet different maturity levels.

Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) combines mobile and desktop oversight into a single platform, simplifying security operations and lifecycle management across the device spectrum.

4. Microsoft Intune

For organizations anchored in Windows and Microsoft 365, Intune offers native integration with the Microsoft cloud—automated app pushes, device compliance policies, and conditional access that ties directly into Azure AD. It also supports iOS, Android, and macOS fleets, enabling cross-platform controls from a central console. Intune excels in Windows management and identity-driven policy enforcement; note that licensing can be complex and some features roll out in preview per OS track, so confirm requirements during evaluation.

5. ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus

ManageEngine MDM is a cost-effective option for SMBs or teams piloting MDM. It supports iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS with bulk onboarding, app catalogs, and policy automation, and it’s available in cloud or on-premises deployments. Pricing is a standout: per-device costs for MDM commonly fall in the low single digits per month, with vendors like ManageEngine positioned at the affordable end of the market according to AI Multiple’s industry pricing analysis. It’s a strong fit for cost-conscious organizations that still need comprehensive features and deployment flexibility.

6. Miradore

Miradore is approachable and fast to implement, with a clean UI, easy enrollment, and clear reporting that appeal to SMEs. It offers both free and premium editions and supports mixed OS environments, making it a practical on-ramp for teams starting their MDM journey. The premium plan adds deeper automation and compliance tooling. For organizations that need accessible controls without enterprise complexity, Miradore strikes a good balance of usability and coverage.

7. Hexnode

Hexnode stands out for fast setup, broad platform support (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS), kiosk mode for frontline or retail endpoints, and extensive remote actions that help automate patching and app management at scale. Admins can define automated policy workflows that enforce configurations by user, group, or location, and enroll devices quickly via platform-native methods. Hexnode is well-suited to mixed device environments and fast-moving teams that need reliable, repeatable automation more than deep custom scripting.

Key features that enable automatic app updates and policy enforcement

The ability to push updates and policies automatically rests on a core set of controls:

• Zero-touch enrollment: Apple Automated Device Enrollment, Android Enterprise, and Windows Autopilot enroll devices out of the box so apps and policies land on first boot, a best practice called out in AppTec’s ultimate guide to MDM.
• App distribution and auto-update workflows: Managed app catalogs, silent installs, and scheduled rollouts keep versions current across the fleet with minimal admin effort.
• Policy automation and remote actions: Conditional access, geofencing, remote lock/wipe, and compliance checks ensure security baselines hold even as devices move and users change roles, features commonly highlighted in independent MDM reviews like Growrk’s overview.

Deel ties these capabilities to real-time HR events and role changes, ensuring policies and app versions stay aligned without manual coordination across IT, HR, and Security.

Comparison snapshot

How to choose the right MDM solution for your organization

• Map your OS mix and device types: Apple-only vs. multi-OS device management drives your shortlist.
• Prioritize features: automated app deployment, policy enforcement, identity integration, analytics, and required remote actions.
• Set a target budget per endpoint and plan for growth; per-device pricing typically falls in the low single digits per month across the market, per AI Multiple’s pricing comparison.
• Pilot before you commit: validate zero-touch enrollment, app/policy automation, and the admin and end-user experience with a limited cohort

Create a side-by-side matrix of your finalists covering OS support, automation depth, compliance reporting, and typical use cases. For global organizations, emphasize compliance, auditability, and scalability from day one.

Tips for successful MDM deployment and automation

• Follow a phased rollout: requirements and baselines → policy/profile setup → test devices and groups → user communications and training → company-wide go-live.
• Communicate early and often—especially in BYOD—to set expectations around data privacy and acceptable use. See Deel’s guide to BYOD policy for remote work.
• Prepare support playbooks for enrollment hiccups, app failures, and exception handling.
• Review policies quarterly; adjust automation as apps, OS versions, and business risks evolve.

Deel provides ready-to-use templates, audit trails, and workflow automation to support each phase—reducing manual handoffs between HR, IT, Security, and Finance.