Best Mobile Device Management (MDM) software for schools & educational institutions

Managing hundreds or thousands of devices is rarely as simple as handing students a tablet or laptop. IT teams must configure devices, deploy apps, enforce security policies, and support shared devices. They also need to keep devices ready for teachers, students, and staff.

But finding the best MDM for schools isn’t just about the number of features a platform offers.  Educational institutions also need to consider operating system support, classroom management, shared-device workflows, security controls, and reduce IT team’s workload. The right choice can vary based on the institution’s size, devices, and IT resources.

In this guide, we compare five MDM solutions for schools and educational institutions and their specific capabilities that set each one apart.

Why schools and educational institutions need MDM

An education environment can include student iPads, shared tablets, faculty laptops, classroom Chromebooks, and lab computers. These devices may also require different apps and configurations depending on the grade, classroom, or user. Understanding cloud computing basics helps IT administrators in schools appreciate how cloud-hosted MDM platforms enable centralized device management across campuses without requiring on-premises infrastructure.

MDM for education helps IT teams manage these requirements without configuring every device individually. Key use cases include:

●        Bulk device enrollment: Provision large numbers of student and faculty devices with predefined configurations.

●        Application deployment: Install and update learning apps across assigned devices.

●        Classroom configurations: Apply device settings, restrictions, and policies based on specific classroom or student requirements.

●        Shared device management: Configure devices used by multiple students while providing separate user experiences.

●        Content and web filtering: Restrict access to unsuitable or distracting websites and apps during learning sessions.

●        Remote troubleshooting: Diagnose device issues and perform remote actions without requiring IT staff to be physically present.

●        Device security: Apply security settings and respond to lost or misplaced devices.

For K-12 environments in particular, these capabilities can help IT teams manage large student device fleets while keeping devices ready for classroom use.

Top MDM solutions for educational institutions compared

Here’s a quick comparison of the five MDM solutions based on their key capabilities, platform support, and suitability for education environments.

5 Best MDM solutions for schools and educational institutions

1. Scalefusion

Scalefusion is a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution designed for education. It helps schools manage student, faculty, and shared devices across multiple operating systems. It supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS/iPadOS, ChromeOS, and Linux. It also supports Interactive Flat Panel Display (IFPD) management for classroom environments.

The platform supports education-specific scenarios such as 1:1 student device programs, shared iPads, dedicated learning devices, remote learning, and interactive classroom displays. Schools can apply different configurations from students to faculty devices. They can also distribute educational applications and content and manage classroom endpoints from a single platform.

Through its Scalefusion 360 Enterprise Suite, Scalefusion brings UEM, Zero Trust Access, and endpoint security together on a single platform. Scalefusion Veltar helps schools and the education industry by serving as an endpoint-centric Secure Web Gateway (SWG) and compliance engine to create a distraction-free, secure digital learning environment. While OneIdP provides single sign-on (SSO) to digital learning tools which cuts password reset delays, and secures student and staff data across shared classroom computers and mobile devices.

Key features

●        Zero-touch enrollment: Automates device enrollment and initial provisioning, reducing manual setup when deploying devices at scale.

●        Shared device mode: Allows multiple students to use the same device with personalized profiles and sessions.

●        Kiosk mode: Configures devices for learning apps, assessments, or other dedicated educational use cases.

●        Application and content management: Distributes educational apps, assignments, study materials, and other approved content to managed devices.

●        Web content filtering: Restricts access to non-educational or unsuitable content through its allowlisting/blocklisting feature.

●        Remote support: Helps IT teams troubleshoot devices remotely and push updates without requiring physical access to the device.

●        Location tracking: Track the location of managed school devices and use geofencing to receive alerts when devices enter or leave defined areas.

Price

●        Plans start at $2/device/month, billed annually. A 14-day free trial is available.

●        Scalefusion offers discounts for educational institutions and NGOs.

2. Jamf School

Jamf School is an Apple-focused MDM platform built specifically for schools. It supports the management of iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices used by students, teachers, and administrators. The platform combines device management with classroom-focused capabilities, allowing schools to configure devices, distribute apps and content, and support teachers during lessons.

Key features

●        Zero-touch deployment: Uses Apple School Manager to automatically enroll and configure Apple devices without requiring IT teams to set up each device manually.

●        Jamf Education App Suite: Includes the Jamf Teacher, Student, and Parent apps at no extra cost. These apps give educators and guardians curated control over app access and device usage.

●        Classroom management: Lets teachers restrict devices to specific apps or websites during lessons and work with Apple Classroom for classroom activities.

Pricing: Available on request. A 14-day free trial is available.

3. Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management platform that supports schools managing Windows devices like Windows 11, Windows 11 SE, and iOS/iPadOS. For educational institutions already using Microsoft 365, Intune can bring device management, application deployment, security policies, and access management into the same Microsoft ecosystem. Understanding cloud computing architecture helps IT administrators design scalable cloud-based infrastructure that supports MDM platform deployment across multiple school campuses and device

Key features

●        Application management: Deploy Microsoft and third-party applications to managed devices.

●        Conditional Access: Integrates with Microsoft Entra ID to help ensure that only devices meeting defined requirements can access school resources.

●        Microsoft 365 integration: Works with Microsoft 365 services and Entra ID for a connected management experience.

Pricing: Provides a free plan with core Office apps. Starts at $3.25 per device/month/billed annually. 
A 90-day free trial is available.

4. Lightspeed MDM

Lightspeed MDM is a cloud-based device and compliance management solution built for K-12 school districts. It supports mainly Apple devices macOS and iOS/iPadOS, while extending support to Windows devices as well from a centralized platform. It also integrates with the broader Lightspeed Systems ecosystem to support classroom and device management.

Key features

●        SIS-synced provisioning: Uses Student Information System (SIS) rosters to provision devices and align them with classroom requirements.

●        Classroom integration: Works with Lightspeed Classroom Management to let teachers view student screens, push URLs, and lock devices during lessons.

●        Self-service app library: Lets administrators publish approved applications for specific schools, grades, or classrooms.

Pricing: Available on request.

5. SureMDM

SureMDM by 42Gears is a UEM solution for educational institutions managing diverse device environments. Beyond standard tablets and laptops, it supports specialized classroom devices such as VR headsets, wearables, and Interactive Flat Panel Displays (IFPDs). This makes it suitable for institutions with 1:1 learning programs and technology-enabled classrooms.

Key features

●        Multi-OS management: Manage and update devices across different operating systems from a centralized platform, including specialized Android-based classroom displays.

●        Granular lockdowns via SureLock: Configure shared student devices and lab computers for restricted or single-purpose use, such as digital classrooms and testing environments.

●        Secure browsing via SureFox: Provides a secure browser for restricting access to unauthorized websites and limiting browsing to approved content.

Pricing: Standard plan starts at $3.99/device/month/billed annually.
A 30-day free trial is available.

How to choose the right MDM solution for your educational institution

The best MDM for schools depends on your devices, users, and learning environments the IT team needs to support. Consider these factors before selecting a solution:

●        Device ecosystem: Choose a platform that supports the operating systems already deployed across student, faculty, and shared devices.

●        Enrollment requirements: Look for automated enrollment options when deploying large numbers of devices.

●        Classroom needs: Consider whether teachers need tools to manage student devices during lessons or whether devices require dedicated configurations.

●        Shared-device use: If tablets or computers are shared between students, check for support for multiple users and session-based configurations.

●        Application management: Ensure the solution can distribute, update, and remove the educational applications your institution uses.

●        Security and filtering: Look for device security policies, application restrictions, and web filtering capabilities appropriate for students.

●        Remote support: Remote troubleshooting can reduce the need for IT staff to physically access devices across classrooms or campuses.

●        Scalability and cost: Consider the number of devices you manage today and whether the platform can accommodate future expansion within your education budget.

For K-12 schools, classroom management and content filtering may be particularly important. Higher education institutions with diverse endpoints may instead prioritize broad OS support, application management, and remote support.

Final thoughts

Each MDM solution in this list caters to different education environments. Scalefusion supports schools managing mixed operating systems, shared devices, and dedicated learning devices. Jamf School is suited to Apple-focused institutions with classroom management needs. Microsoft Intune fits schools and educational institutions already using Microsoft 365 and Windows. Lightspeed MDM is designed for K-12 school districts, while 42Gears supports diverse device fleets and specialized classroom devices.

Selecting an MDM ultimately comes down to how well its capabilities fit into your institution’s day-to-day management needs, existing infrastructure, IT team’s capabilities, and long-term digital learning goals.