Jamf Pro vs SimpleMDM
Side-by-side: features, pricing, deployment, and the short version of which wins for which buyer.
Verdict
// In this 2026 ranking, Jamf Pro places higher than the other.
Jamf Pro — Jamf Pro has the deepest feature surface in the Apple MDM category and the highest total cost of ownership.
SimpleMDM — SimpleMDM is a lightweight Apple-only MDM ideal for fleets under approximately 100 devices.
Side-by-side specifications
Jamf Pro
- Best for
- Enterprises with dedicated Apple admin teams
- Pricing model
- Per-device, annual; tiered (Now / Pro / Premium)
- Deployment
- Cloud or on-premise
- Platforms
- macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS
- Founded
- 2002, Minneapolis, MN
- API
- Classic API + Jamf Pro API
SimpleMDM
- Best for
- Startups and small teams under 100 devices
- Pricing model
- Per-device, monthly; flat tiers
- Deployment
- Cloud-native (SaaS)
- Platforms
- macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS
- Founded
- 2015, Minneapolis, MN
- API
- Public REST API
Feature comparison
| Feature | Jamf Pro | SimpleMDM |
|---|---|---|
| Apple-only specialist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time live agent | ✗ | ✗ |
| Multi-tenant / MSP | ~ | ~ |
| Declarative Device Management (DDM) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero-touch deployment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple Business Manager | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple School Manager | ✓ | ~ |
| Custom scripting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Patch management | ✓ | ~ |
| Software deployment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-remediation | ✓ | ~ |
| Compliance reporting | ✓ | ~ |
| Public REST API | ✓ | ✓ |
| macOS / iOS / iPadOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| tvOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| visionOS | ✓ | ~ |
| Windows / Android | ✗ | ✗ |
| Pricing model | per-device | per-device |
Jamf Pro — strengths and watch-outs
- Deepest feature set in the category
- Vast partner and integrator ecosystem
- Predictable for enterprise procurement
- Steep learning curve
- Higher TCO than modern alternatives
SimpleMDM — strengths and watch-outs
- Easy to learn
- Predictable pricing
- Sensible defaults
- Limited advanced automation
- Reporting thins at scale
- No real-time agent