ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune: Mobile Device Management Software Compared (2026)
ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune are two widely compared MDM platforms. ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a UEM platform for patch management, software deployment, remote control and mobile device management, available in the cloud or on-premises. Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint and mobile device management service for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux, integrated with Entra ID Conditional Access.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune: the short answer
ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a UEM platform for patch management, software deployment, remote control and mobile device management, available in the cloud or on-premises. Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint and mobile device management service for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux, integrated with Entra ID Conditional Access. Both are MDM platforms, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, ManageEngine Endpoint Central is described as: annual fee by endpoint band; Microsoft Intune as: per user per month, annual. Neither documents a permanent free plan in the sources reviewed. ManageEngine Endpoint Central is positioned for Windows-first IT teams wanting patching plus MDM, and Microsoft Intune for Microsoft 365 organisations managing mixed fleets.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 2 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central
ManageEngine · Mobile Device Management Software
ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a UEM platform for patch management, software deployment, remote control and mobile device management, available in the cloud or on-premises.
- Pricing
- Cloud Professional $1,045/yr at 50 endpoints; Cloud UEM $1,395/yr at 50; add-ons and technicians extra.
- Best for
- Windows-first IT teams wanting patching plus MDM
Microsoft Intune
Microsoft · Mobile Device Management Software
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint and mobile device management service for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux, integrated with Entra ID Conditional Access.
- Pricing
- Plan 1 $8/user/mo (annual); Plan 2 +$4; Suite +$10; Remote Help $3.50; included in M365 Business Premium ($22), E3 and E5.
- Best for
- Microsoft 365 organisations managing mixed fleets
ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  ManageEngine Endpoint Central |  Microsoft Intune |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesUnified endpoint management | YesCloud endpoint management |
| VendorDiffers | YesManageEngine | YesMicrosoft |
| Best forDiffers | YesWindows-first IT teams wanting patching plus MDM | YesMicrosoft 365 organisations managing mixed fleets |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesAnnual fee by endpoint band. | YesPer user per month, annual. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | YesCloud Professional $1,045/yr at 50 endpoints; Cloud UEM $1,395/yr at 50; add-ons and technicians extra. | YesPlan 1 $8/user/mo (annual); Plan 2 +$4; Suite +$10; Remote Help $3.50; included in M365 Business Premium ($22), E3 and E5. |
| Free plan | NoNo | NoNo |
| Free trialDiffers | NoNot documented | YesTrial |
| Mobile Device Management Software criteria | ||
| Pricing basisDiffers | YesEndpoint band | YesPer user |
| Starting priceDiffers | Yes$1,045/yr (50 endpoints) | Yes$8/user/mo |
| Free tierDiffers | NoNo | NoNo (trial) |
| PlatformsDiffers | YesWindows-first, all OSes | YesWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux |
| Best forDiffers | YesPatching + MDM | YesMicrosoft 365 |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team size | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| PlatformsDiffers | YesWeb, Windows | YesWeb |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesMicrosoft Entra ID, ServiceDesk Plus, Active Directory, ServiceNow | YesMicrosoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender, Windows Autopilot, Microsoft 365 |
| API | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. |
ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central pricing
Annual fee by endpoint band.
- Cloud Professional$1,045 per year (50 endpoints) · Annual
- Cloud UEM$1,395 per year (50 endpoints) · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Rework (21 August 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All ManageEngine Endpoint Central plans and sources
Microsoft Intune pricing
Per user per month, annual.
- Plan 1$8 per user per month · Annual
- Plan 2 add-on+$4 per user per month · Annual
- Suite add-on+$10 per user per month · Annual
- M365 Business Premium$22 per user per month · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Rework (21 August 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Microsoft Intune plans and sourcesManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
ManageEngine Endpoint Central: annual fee by endpoint band. Rework (21 August 2026). Microsoft Intune: per user per month, annual. Rework (21 August 2026). Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The ManageEngine Endpoint Central profile highlights: endpoint bands; patching built in; on-prem option. The Microsoft Intune profile highlights: per-user pricing; M365 bundled; conditional Access.
Integrations and ecosystem
ManageEngine Endpoint Central integrations named in its sources: Microsoft Entra ID, ServiceDesk Plus, Active Directory and ServiceNow. Microsoft Intune: Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender, Windows Autopilot and Microsoft 365. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
ManageEngine Endpoint Central runs on Web and Windows and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. Microsoft Intune runs on Web and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Patching, remote control and MDM in one licence.
- Cloud or on-prem.
- Low per-endpoint cost.
- Windows-first.
- Add-ons and technicians extra.
- Cloud and on-prem quoted separately.
Microsoft Intune
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- One console for all major OSes.
- Entra Conditional Access.
- Included in M365 bundles.
- Weaker Mac scripting than Jamf.
- Add-ons stack up.
- Business Premium caps at 300 users.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central or Microsoft Intune: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose ManageEngine Endpoint Central if you are…
- Windows-first IT teams wanting patching plus MDM
- Mid-market IT
- On-prem requirements
Less suited to: Apple-only fleets; per-device billing seekers.
See the ManageEngine Endpoint Central profile
Choose Microsoft Intune if you are…
- Microsoft 365 organisations managing mixed fleets
- Windows-first enterprises
- Zero-trust programmes
Less suited to: Apple-only fleets needing deep Mac control; non-Microsoft identity stacks.
See the Microsoft Intune profileSwitching between ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune.
Moving off ManageEngine Endpoint Central or Microsoft Intune means exporting device inventory, re-creating configuration profiles, policies and app catalogues, reassigning devices in Apple Business or Windows Autopilot, and re-enrolling devices (often requiring a wipe or user action). Migrate in waves starting with IT-owned devices. Enrol a pilot group of real devices from each OS you use, push your standard profiles, apps and security policies, and measure enrolment time, compliance reporting and admin effort.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune: questions and answers
What is the difference between ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune?
ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a UEM platform for patch management, software deployment, remote control and mobile device management, available in the cloud or on-premises. Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint and mobile device management service for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux, integrated with Entra ID Conditional Access. Both are MDM platforms, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. ManageEngine Endpoint Central is positioned for Windows-first IT teams wanting patching plus MDM; Microsoft Intune for Microsoft 365 organisations managing mixed fleets.
Is ManageEngine Endpoint Central cheaper than Microsoft Intune?
It depends on your volume and plan. ManageEngine Endpoint Central: Cloud Professional $1,045/yr at 50 endpoints; Cloud UEM $1,395/yr at 50; add-ons and technicians extra. Microsoft Intune: Plan 1 $8/user/mo (annual); Plan 2 +$4; Suite +$10; Remote Help $3.50; included in M365 Business Premium ($22), E3 and E5. Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do ManageEngine Endpoint Central or Microsoft Intune have a free plan?
Neither documents a permanent free plan in the sources reviewed. ManageEngine Endpoint Central free trial: Not documented. Microsoft Intune free trial: Trial.
ManageEngine Endpoint Central or Microsoft Intune: which is better for small teams?
ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune are both documented for small teams. ManageEngine Endpoint Central suits Windows-first IT teams wanting patching plus MDM; Microsoft Intune suits Microsoft 365 organisations managing mixed fleets. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune?
ManageEngine Endpoint Central: Windows-first. Microsoft Intune: Weaker Mac scripting than Jamf.
How much does ManageEngine Endpoint Central cost?
Cloud Professional is $1,045 a year and Cloud UEM $1,395 a year at 50 endpoints.
How much does Microsoft Intune cost?
Plan 1 is $8 per user a month (annual); it is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3 and E5.
What are the alternatives to ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: ManageEngine Endpoint Central alternatives and Microsoft Intune alternatives, each comparing at least four other MDM platforms on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The Mobile Device Management Software category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- Best Jamf Alternatives in 2026 (updated 21 August 2026) Rework Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
- Best Microsoft Intune Alternatives in 2026 (21 August 2026) Rework Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test ManageEngine Endpoint Central and Microsoft Intune?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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