Microsoft Intune review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
Microsoft's cloud endpoint manager for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and ChromeOS, sold standalone or bundled in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5.
Our take for buyers
Microsoft Intune is Microsoft's cloud endpoint manager for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and ChromeOS, sold standalone or bundled in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. It fits companies already on those plans and Windows-heavy fleets that want Autopilot and Entra conditional access. G2 shows 4.5 from about 250 reviews. Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, and Entra ID is a required dependency.
Two cautions for a shortlist. Apple support is current-version focused, with iOS and iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 listed as fully supported and older versions only allowed. And reviewers say the console and licensing are confusing across plans and add-ons, with support scored lower than product features on G2 (8.4 of 10).
Pros
- Tight fit with Microsoft 365, Entra and conditional access.
- Strong requirements coverage and app protection features.
Cons
- Admin console and licensing can be confusing across plans and add-ons.
- Support rated lower than product features on G2 sub-scores (8.4 of 10)
- Best for
- Companies already on Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, where Intune Plan 1 is already included.
- Starting price
- $8.00 per user per month (Intune Plan 1 standalone)
- G2 rating
- 4.5 (NaN reviews)
What is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft's cloud endpoint manager for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and ChromeOS, sold standalone or bundled in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. Organizations holding Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 already own Plan 1, so the first check is whether current licensing covers you. Windows Autopilot, Apple automated enrollment and Entra conditional access are supported. Remote Help costs extra, and reviewers find licensing across plans confusing. Microsoft Intune is based in Redmond, US.
Category: Mobile Device Management Software
Microsoft Intune key features
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| OS and device coverage | Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android (Enterprise and AOSP), Linux (Ubuntu 24.04/26.04, RHEL 9/10), ChromeOS. |
| Zero-touch enrollment | Apple automated device enrollment, Android Enterprise, Windows Autopilot, Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment (per Microsoft docs) |
| Security policy and compliance enforcement | Compliance policies and conditional access with Entra ID; app protection policies not supported on ChromeOS. |
| App distribution and management | App deployment; Enterprise Application Management add-on ($2.00/user/month) adds a hosted app catalog. |
| Remote lock, wipe and support | Remote Help is a paid add-on ($3.50/user/month); standard remote lock/wipe not confirmed by the vendor. |
| Identity and Microsoft 365 integration | Native with Microsoft Entra ID; Entra is an implicit dependency. |
| Pricing model and real cost | Per user per month; standalone Plan 1 $8.00; most buyers get it inside M365 E3/E5. |
| Target company size | Any size; strongest fit for Microsoft 365 organizations. |
Microsoft Intune plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intune Plan 1 | $8.00 | user/month | Listed in the pricing page FAQ; included in M365 E3/E5 and EMS E3/E5. Billing terms not stated for standalone. |
| Intune Suite | $10.00 | user/month | Bundle of advanced modules, per FAQ; requires Plan 1. |
| Intune Plan 2 (add-on) | $4.00 | user/month | Tunnel for MAM, specialty/shared device management, FOTA updates. |
| Remote Help (add-on) | $3.50 | user/month | |
| Endpoint Privilege Management (add-on) | $3.00 | user/month | |
| Advanced Analytics (add-on) | $5.00 | user/month | |
| Enterprise Application Management (add-on) | $2.00 | user/month | |
| Microsoft Cloud PKI (add-on) | $2.00 | user/month |
Microsoft says from July 2026 (CY26 Q3) Remote Help, Advanced Analytics and Plan 2 capabilities move into M365 E3, and EPM, Cloud PKI and Enterprise App Management also into E5. Prices may vary by Microsoft agreement.
Who should shortlist Microsoft Intune
A strong fit for
- Companies already on Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, where Intune Plan 1 is already included.
- Windows-heavy fleets that want Autopilot and Entra conditional access.
A weak fit for
- Apple-only shops that want deep Apple day-one feature support.
- Very small teams that want a simple flat per-device price.
Microsoft Intune alternatives
Jamf ProMid-size and large Apple-centric fleets with a dedicated Mac admin.
Omnissa Workspace OneLarge enterprises with mixed fleets including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS and Linux.
IBM MaaS360Mid-size and large fleets that want tiered per-device editions with published list prices.
JumpCloudSmall and mid-size IT teams that want directory, SSO and MDM from one vendor.
ManageEngine MDM PlusSmall teams with up to 25 devices that need a free full-featured MDM.
42Gears SureMDMAndroid and rugged or kiosk device fleets.
Security, admin and compliance
Intune uses Microsoft Entra ID for identity, and Entra is an implicit dependency; how SSO maps to plans is not stated. SCIM, audit logs and a data processing agreement are not published on the pricing page. Microsoft documentation says the EU Data Boundary applies to EU-located tenants, but Intune-specific storage details are not stated. Billing is annual with auto-renewal, the notice period is not stated, and custom agreements go through Contact Sales. Android device administrator support ended on GMS devices in December 2024.
- SAML SSO
- Via Microsoft Entra ID; plan mapping not confirmed by the vendor.
- Data residency
- Microsoft EU Data Boundary applies to EU-located tenants per Microsoft documentation; Intune-specific storage details not confirmed by the vendor.
- Public DPA
- Not confirmed by the vendor.
Contract and buying terms
- Contract
- Annual billing with auto-renewal per pricing page; Contact Sales for custom agreements.
- Starting price
- $8.00 per user per month (Intune Plan 1 standalone)
- Pricing model
- Per user.
- Free plan or trial
- No.
What to test in a Microsoft Intune demo or trial
Pilot with your real device mix: a Windows Autopilot enrollment, an iPhone through Apple automated device enrollment, and an Android Enterprise device. Test conditional access with Entra ID and Defender for Endpoint. Check which capabilities you actually get under your Microsoft 365 license, since Remote Help, Advanced Analytics and Endpoint Privilege Management are paid add-ons today, though Microsoft says they move into E3 and E5 from July 2026. Note that app protection policies are not supported on ChromeOS.
Questions to ask Microsoft Intune before you sign
These are the points Microsoft Intune's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- Is SCIM provisioning included, or a paid add-on?
- Which plan includes audit logs, and how long are they kept?
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- Plan 1 at $8 per user is already included in M365 E3 and E5, so many buyers pay nothing extra.
- Advanced modules (Remote Help, Analytics, EPM) are separately priced add-ons now but Microsoft says they fold into E3/E5 from July 2026.
- Add-ons all require Plan 1 and an Entra ID tenant.
- Apple support is current-version focused: iOS/iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 listed as fully supported, older versions only 'allowed'.
- Android device administrator support ended on GMS devices in December 2024.
Head-to-head comparisons
Microsoft Intune FAQ
What is Microsoft Intune used for?
Organizations holding Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 already own Plan 1, so the first check is whether current licensing covers you. Windows Autopilot, Apple automated enrollment and Entra conditional access are supported. Remote Help costs extra, and reviewers find licensing across plans confusing. It suits companies already on Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, where Intune Plan 1 is already included.
Does Intune support SSO?
Intune works natively with Microsoft Entra ID for identity. How SSO maps to individual plans is not stated, so confirm it with Microsoft.
Which devices does Intune manage?
Windows, macOS, iOS and iPadOS, Android (Enterprise and AOSP), Linux and ChromeOS. Enrollment options include Windows Autopilot, Apple automated device enrollment, Android Enterprise and Samsung Knox.
Who is Intune best for?
Companies already on Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 and Windows-heavy fleets using Entra conditional access. Apple-only shops wanting deep day-one Apple support are a weaker fit.
Vendor profile
- Headquarters
- Redmond, US.
- Funding or owner
- Part of Microsoft.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Microsoft Intune's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.