Contents
- What is endpoint management software?
- Best endpoint management software compared (pricing as of October 2026)
- 1. Microsoft Intune: best for Microsoft 365 organizations
- 2. ManageEngine Endpoint Central: best value per endpoint
- 3. Atera: best for IT teams and MSPs
- 4. NinjaOne: best for ease of use
- How do you choose endpoint management software?
- How much does endpoint management cost for 100 devices?
- What features should endpoint management software have?
- Which tool fits which team?
- How do you roll out endpoint management?
- Common mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
- Endpoint management software: pros, cons and who each tool suits
What is endpoint management software?
Endpoint management software lets IT teams control laptops, desktops, phones and servers from one console. It handles patching, software deployment, security policy, remote access and device inventory. Some tools are per-device, some per-user and some per-technician, so cost depends on your team shape.
Best endpoint management software compared (pricing as of October 2026)
| Tool | Best for | Published pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Intune | Microsoft 365 organizations | Plan 1 $8 per user/mo (also in Microsoft 365 E3/E5); Plan 2 add-on $4; Intune Suite $10 |
| ManageEngine Endpoint Central | Low cost per device | Per endpoint/mo at 50 endpoints: Professional $1.32, Enterprise $1.57, UEM $1.82, Security $2.82; free edition up to 25 endpoints |
| Atera | IT teams and MSPs | Per technician/mo (annual / monthly): Pro $79 / $89; Growth $119 / $129; top tier $149 / $169; unlimited devices |
| NinjaOne | Usability and automation | No full public pricing; roughly $1.50 per device at 10,000 endpoints up to $3.75 at 50 or fewer; 14-day trial |
| Rippling Device Management | HR-linked device control | Module of Rippling; custom quote |
1. Microsoft Intune: best for Microsoft 365 organizations
Intune manages Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices. Plan 1 is $8 per user per month standalone and is included in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 and in EMS E3 and E5, so many companies already own it. Choose it if your identity layer is Microsoft Entra.
2. ManageEngine Endpoint Central: best value per endpoint
Endpoint Central starts at $1.32 per endpoint per month (Professional, 50 endpoints) and rises to $2.82 for the Security edition. A free edition covers up to 25 endpoints, and annual billing saves 16%. Choose it if you manage many devices on a budget.
3. Atera: best for IT teams and MSPs
Atera charges per technician rather than per device, with unlimited devices, so cost does not grow as you add endpoints. Pro is $79 per month on annual billing ($89 monthly), Growth is $119 ($129), and the top tier is $149 ($169). A 30-day trial is offered.
4. NinjaOne: best for ease of use
NinjaOne does not publish full pricing; per-device cost ranges from roughly $1.50 at very large scale to $3.75 for 50 devices or fewer, with a 14-day trial.
How do you choose endpoint management software?
- Count devices and technicians. Many devices and few techs favor Atera; many users favor Intune.
- Check operating systems beyond Windows (macOS, Linux, mobile).
- Look at patching and security depth. Compare patch automation and threat controls.
- Review what you already license. Intune may already be in your Microsoft plan.
Related: best help desk software for small business.
How much does endpoint management cost for 100 devices?
Illustrative monthly maths from published list prices, assuming 100 users with one device each and 3 IT technicians. Per-endpoint rates were quoted at 50 endpoints, so the real price at 100 may differ.
| Option | Calculation | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Intune Plan 1 | 100 users x $8 | $800 (or included in M365 E3/E5) |
| ManageEngine Endpoint Central Professional | 100 x $1.32 | about $132 |
| ManageEngine Endpoint Central Security | 100 x $2.82 | about $282 |
| Atera Pro (annual) | 3 technicians x $79 | $237 |
| Atera Growth (annual) | 3 x $119 | $357 |
| NinjaOne | Quote; published range about $1.50 to $3.75 per device | about $150 to $375 |
Per-technician pricing (Atera) gets relatively cheaper as devices grow, while per-user (Intune) and per-endpoint models scale with headcount.
What features should endpoint management software have?
- Patch management: automated OS and third-party app patching.
- Software deployment: push apps and scripts remotely.
- Remote control: secure remote support sessions.
- Policy and configuration: enforce encryption, passwords and update rules.
- Asset inventory: hardware and software reports.
- Mobile device support: iOS and Android where needed.
- Reporting and compliance: evidence for audits.
Which tool fits which team?
- Microsoft-centric business: Intune, since licensing may already be included.
- Cost-sensitive with many devices: ManageEngine Endpoint Central, with a free edition for up to 25 endpoints.
- MSP or small IT team: Atera, because unlimited devices decouple cost from fleet size.
- Teams that value ease of use: NinjaOne (request a quote and trial).
How do you roll out endpoint management?
- Inventory devices and owners.
- Pilot with 5 to 10 devices across operating systems.
- Define baseline policies (encryption, screen lock, update rings).
- Roll out in waves and monitor failed patches.
- Review monthly for unmanaged devices and compliance drift.
Common mistakes
- Counting only company laptops and forgetting phones, servers and shared PCs.
- Choosing a suite for security features and not testing patch reliability.
- Skipping offboarding workflows for lost or retired devices.
Endpoint management software: pros, cons and who each tool suits
The best endpoint management software depends on how your cost scales: per user, per endpoint or per technician. Here are the trade-offs using the published prices above.
Microsoft Intune for endpoint management
- Pros: manages Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, and Plan 1 ($8 per user) is included in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5.
- Cons: per-user pricing grows with headcount, about $800 a month for 100 users standalone.
- Skip it if you are not on Microsoft Entra for identity.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central for endpoint management
- Pros: from $1.32 per endpoint at 50 endpoints and a free edition up to 25 endpoints.
- Cons: the rates quoted are for 50 endpoints, and the Security edition is $2.82.
- Skip it if you want technician-based pricing.
Atera for endpoint management
- Pros: per-technician pricing with unlimited devices, so fleet growth does not raise the bill.
- Cons: cost rises with each additional technician ($79 to $169 per technician).
- Skip it if you have many technicians and few devices.
NinjaOne and Rippling for endpoint management
NinjaOne does not publish full pricing, with a range of roughly $1.50 to $3.75 per device and a 14-day trial. Rippling Device Management is a module of Rippling sold by custom quote.
In short, Intune wins for Microsoft shops, ManageEngine for low per-device cost, and Atera when device count is high and the team is small.
Final verdict: the best endpoint management software for your team
The best endpoint management software is the one that matches how you are billed and what you already license. For Microsoft 365 organizations, the best endpoint management software is usually Intune, because Plan 1 is already inside Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. For cost per device, the best endpoint management software on list prices is ManageEngine Endpoint Central. For small IT teams with large fleets, Atera’s per-technician model makes it the best endpoint management software to price out first. Whichever endpoint management software you shortlist, pilot it on 5 to 10 devices across operating systems and compare the all-in monthly total before you commit.
Endpoint management software: frequently asked questions
What is the best endpoint management software?
Microsoft Intune is best for Microsoft 365 users, ManageEngine Endpoint Central for cost per device, and Atera for technician-based pricing.
Is there free endpoint management software?
ManageEngine offers a free edition for up to 25 endpoints. Intune is included at no extra charge in some Microsoft 365 plans.
How much does endpoint management software cost?
Published prices run from about $1.32 per endpoint per month (ManageEngine Professional at 50 endpoints) to $8 per user per month (Intune Plan 1), or $79 to $169 per technician (Atera).
What is the difference between MDM and endpoint management?
MDM (mobile device management) focuses on phones and tablets, while endpoint management also covers laptops, desktops and servers, including patching and software deployment.
Is Microsoft Intune free?
Intune Plan 1 is $8 per user per month standalone and is included at no extra charge in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 and EMS E3 and E5, so check your existing licenses first.
Which endpoint management tool is cheapest for 100 devices?
On published list prices, ManageEngine Endpoint Central Professional works out to about $132 a month for 100 endpoints, though the rates were quoted at 50 endpoints.
Does Atera charge per device?
No. Atera charges per technician with unlimited devices, at $79 to $169 per technician per month depending on plan and billing.
Can small businesses use endpoint management software?
Yes. ManageEngine offers a free edition for up to 25 endpoints, and Intune may already be included in a Microsoft 365 plan.
Pricing sources, as read in October 2026: Microsoft Intune, ManageEngine Endpoint Central, Atera, NinjaOne and Rippling.
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