Jamf vs. Kandji: MDM & features comparison in 2025

Between security risks and employee productivity concerns, managing company devices is giving IT teams headaches—especially for small and medium-sized businesses. With employees working from anywhere, finding the right management solution shouldn't add to the stress.

Organizations often compare Jamf and Kandji when evaluating Apple MDM platforms, but are these solutions enough? This guide explores the key differences between Jamf and Kandji, evaluating their capabilities and limitations, while also exploring a unified alternative that combines device management with identity and access control.

Kandji vs. Jamf: Comparison overview

Here's a bird's-eye view of how Jamf and Kandji compare across important criteria:

Jamf vs. Kandji: Key features

What does Kandji do? And how does Jamf compare? Let’s go ahead to explore the core capabilities of each platform and how they handle device management tasks:

1. Device management

Both Jamf and Kandji provide device management capabilities for enrolling, configuring and securing Apple endpoints. This includes remote deployment, OS and app updates, and passcode/encryption enforcement. 

Jamf Pro offers more granular policy and configuration options that can be scoped with Smart Groups based on device criteria. Configuration profiles can be customized and deployed based on user roles, departments, or device attributes.

Kandji takes a more templated approach, with pre-built Blueprints that contain apps and settings for different device groups. Its Liftoff feature automates the initial setup experience and configuration process for Mac computers. While it includes preset configurations, this comes at the cost of customization flexibility.

2. Security and compliance

Jamf focuses on alignment with CIS benchmarks, NIST, and DISA STIG through its Compliance Reporter add-on. It also offers threat prevention and endpoint detection and response (EDR) through Jamf Protect.

Kandji provides compliance templates for common frameworks like CIS, SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. It continuously monitors devices and auto-remediates to maintain desired state. Unlike Jamf, Kandji includes built-in EDR for device security monitoring. 

3. Supported platforms

Jamf provides comprehensive management for Apple devices (iOS, macOS, tvOS).  While its security tools like Jamf Protect and Connect work with Windows and Android devices, its device management features are Apple-only.

Kandji is solely focused on the Apple ecosystem, so it does not support non-Apple devices. This integration enables Kandji to leverage the latest native Apple security frameworks and MDM features as they become available.

4. Reporting and analytics

Jamf Pro's reporting includes built-in dashboards, scheduled exports, and integration options with third-party tools. Smart Groups and Extension Attributes allow for custom data collection and reporting.

Kandji's Prism feature generates reports on key categories like device status, OS versions, and installed apps. It focuses on providing fleet-wide visibility for compliance and security monitoring.

Kandji vs. Jamf: Integrations

Here are some available integrations for each platform:

Jamf integrations

Jamf integrates with large cloud and enterprise platforms to extend its Apple management capabilities.

• AWS: Provides cloud infrastructure for managing Apple devices and virtual macOS machines
• Microsoft: Integrates with Microsoft infrastructure to enable unified identity and access management
• Okta: Enables identity-based security and access to company apps and data
• ServiceNow: Connects Apple device management with ServiceNow's IT service workflows and reporting

Kandji integrations

Kandji connects with enterprise tools to automate workflows and enhance device management capabilities.

• Microsoft: Integrates with Teams, Entra ID and device compliance for conditional access
• Okta: Enables zero trust access and security workflows across devices
• Google Workspace: Imports users and configures devices based on Google attributes
• Drata/Secureframe/Vanta: Automates SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 compliance monitoring

Jamf vs. Kandji: Customer support

Let's see how Jamf and Kandji assist their customers:

Jamf 

• Standard support includes chat, email, and phone support during business hours
• Support portal with knowledge base and ticket management
• Jamf community forums and documentation resources
• Additional services available for consulting and training needs

Kandji 

• Chat, email, and portal support during business hours
• Online knowledge base with documentation
• Support limited to team members with Kandji Web App access
• Service availability commitment with credit system

Kandji vs. Jamf: Ease of use

Let's compare the admin experience:

Kandji uses Blueprints to handle device settings—what you see in the editor is what gets applied to devices. Admins can build basic filters to target assignments without complex scripting. The interface is straightforward but limited in what it can report on and control. While it requires less setup time, this comes at the cost of flexibility, especially when you need to manage devices in unique ways or generate detailed reports.

Jamf on the other hand lets you manage Macs in more detail through Smart Groups and Extension Attributes. Through its console, you can craft granular policies and custom configurations for any use case but it requires more technical expertise. It's backed by a large community providing resources and solutions, which helps offset the learning curve.

Jamf vs. Kandji: Pros and cons

To summarize, here are the key advantages and disadvantages of each platform:

Jamf 

Pros

• Customizable for Mac experts 
• Large user community for support
• Supports Windows/Android for security in addition to Apple
• Most integrations with security and identity partners

Cons

• Steep learning curve and long setup required
• Add-ons required for desired functionality   
• Expensive for large or growing device counts 

Kandji

Pros

• Easy to implement and manage 
• Attractive UI for good admin and end user experience
• Automatic detection & remediation of issues
• Liftoff provides customizable setup experience during enrollment

Cons

• Less granular controls & configurations than Jamf
• No support for non-Apple endpoints
• Reporting is not as detailed or flexible

Why IT teams are choosing Rippling for more integrated device management

While Jamf and Kandji MDM are useful tools for securing Apple devices, they still operate in a silo separate from your core employee lifecycle. Same goes for most Jamf alternatives and Kandji competitors. For a truly automated approach to device enablement and governance, Rippling uniquely combines identity management, device management, and physical inventory management in a single platform.

Rippling's cloud directory integrates with your HR system to keep employee data in sync across all IT systems from day one. Security policies and app entitlements are dynamically updated based on role, location, and employment status, so you don't have to manually de-provision laptops when someone leaves.

With Rippling's device management, you can:

• Automatically ship & set up devices during onboarding
• Enforce encryption, password policies & OS updates over the air
• Remotely lock, wipe, and reassign devices as roles change
• Order and retrieve reassign devices, even if employees are remote
• Manage software & security configs in the same SaaS platform
• Plug device & user context into other IT & security workflows
• Proactively alert on non-compliant or unmanaged endpoints

And because it's connected to your single source of truth, nothing slips through the cracks. Rippling MDM keeps devices secure as your business grows, without the overhead of multiple point solutions.

For growing SMBs who want to consolidate device and identity lifecycle management in a scalable, user-friendly platform, Rippling offers the best of both worlds without the drawbacks. Its deep identity-based automation and flexible workflow builder helps IT teams increase efficiency and consistency, while adapting to dynamic organizational needs.

Jamf vs Kandji FAQs

Is Kandji an MDM?

Yes, Kandji is a mobile device management (MDM) solution for Apple devices. It can remotely enroll, configure, and secure  macOS, iOS, and tvOS devices over the air. 

Does Kandji provide more automation than Jamf?

Kandji is designed to automate many device management tasks out-of-the-box, such as app distribution, patching, and compliance checks. Jamf provides more granular controls but requires more manual setup.

Are Jamf and Kandji compatible with other IT tools?

Yes, both Jamf and Kandji integrate with popular identity providers, endpoint protection, security information and event management (SIEM), and ticketing systems to unify device context.

Can both Jamf and Kandji support remote device management?

Yes, Jamf and Kandji leverage Apple Business Manager and zero-touch deployment to ship devices directly to end users with auto-enrollment into management. Admins can push policies, lock devices, and wipe data without physical access.

This blog is based on information available to Rippling as of January 23, 2025.

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.