Your Desktop, Downloads, and Documents folders are not backed up automatically. Anything important in them neeGrowing businesses eventually outgrow basic device management. When your fleet scales, you’re usually looking at two names: Jamf and Microsoft Intune. For an Apple-first team, where Mac and iPhone are the daily drivers, Jamf is the standard. If your environment is Windows-centric, Intune is the logical default. The decision isn’t about a feature checklist; it’s about which platform is the native majority in your office.
Here’s why that verdict holds, and where it doesn’t.
Jamf and Intune were built for different platforms first
Jamf was built for Apple from day one. Every macOS, iOS, and iPadOS update gets support immediately because Apple is the entire focus. Intune, by contrast, is a Microsoft 365 tool extended to cover Apple. While it integrates perfectly with Entra ID, its Apple management often lags when you need deep macOS configuration.
The fleet comparison threshold that actually matters
The choice comes down to a simple threshold. If Apple devices dominate your office, Jamf’s depth in scripting and automated groups pays for itself. Most Dr Logic clients in the 70–150 user range fall into this category. However, if Windows devices make up a significant portion of your hardware, the math changes. At that point, managing everything from one console in Business Premium can outweigh the lost depth on the Apple side.
The rule of thumb: If more than a third of your fleet runs Windows, Intune deserves a look. If you’re below that, stick with Jamf.
Intune’s bundled cost is real, but it isn’t the whole cost
Intune’s big selling point is that it’s “free” with Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Jamf is an extra cost, typically around £10 per Mac per month for the full bundle. On paper, it looks like an easy saving.
But don’t confuse cost per seat with cost per outcome. A “free” tool that requires double the admin time or provides weaker audit logs isn’t actually cheaper. For Apple-first teams, the hours saved on configuration and Cyber Essentials reporting easily offset the Jamf subscription fee.
Jamf produces stronger cyber essentials evidence with less extra tooling
For UK businesses, the Cyber Essentials v3.3 update changed the game. Meeting the 14-day patching requirement is straightforward with Jamf because it’s built to handle Apple updates natively. Intune is excellent for Windows compliance, but often requires extra third-party tools to reach the same level of evidence for Mac apps.
If you’re facing a Cyber Essentials Plus audit, Jamf gives you audit-ready reporting out of the box. Using Intune for a Mac fleet usually means more manual work to satisfy the assessor.
Running Jamf and Intune together is common, but it isn’t free
For businesses with a genuinely split fleet, it’s common to run Jamf managing the Mac estate at depth while Intune and Entra ID handle Windows devices and conditional access policy across both. This gives you the best of each platform, but it isn’t a free win. You’re maintaining two management stacks, two sets of policies, and two places compliance evidence can drift out of sync. It’s the right call for some mixed-fleet businesses. It shouldn’t be presented as a shortcut.
Migrating between platforms takes longer than expected
Moving from one platform to the other, in either direction, is a multi-week project once you factor in re-enrolment, policy rebuilding, and a period running both platforms in parallel to avoid a gap in device management. It is not a weekend task. If you’re considering a switch, plan for disruption to your IT team’s time, not just a licence change.
Is Intune “good enough” now for an Apple-first UK agency?
For a genuinely Apple-first business, no, not yet. Intune’s Apple management has improved, but it’s still built on a Microsoft-first foundation extended to cover Apple, not designed for it from the start. For a business where Apple devices are the exception rather than the rule, and Microsoft 365 is already the backbone of the business, the honest answer flips: Intune is not just adequate, it’s usually the better fit.
The decision rule
Count your fleet. If Apple devices make up the clear majority, choose Jamf, and expect to pay a bit more per seat for meaningfully better Apple depth and compliance evidence. If Windows makes up a third or more of your fleet, evaluate Intune seriously rather than defaulting to Jamf out of habit. Not sure which side of that line your business sits on? Talk to an Apple specialist before you commit to either platform.
Comparison at a glance
| Feature | Jamf | Microsoft Intune |
|---|---|---|
| Design Lineage | Apple-first, built for macOS/iOS from the start | Microsoft-first, extended to Apple |
| Best Fit | Apple-majority fleets | Windows-majority or mixed fleets already on M365 |
| Cost | ~£10/device/month for the full bundle (Jamf for Mac) | Included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium |
| Cyber Essentials Evidencing | Strong native evidence for Apple patching and configuration | Strong for Windows; needs extra tooling for Apple and third-party app patching |
| Identity Integration | Integrates with Entra ID via federation | Native, tightest fit with Microsoft 365 environments |
Related articles
- Jamf for Growing UK Businesses: What It Does, What It Costs, and When It’s Worth It
- Apple Business DMS vs Jamf vs Addigy: Which Is Right for Your UK Mac Fleet?
- Mac Is Now a Target on Two Fronts. Jamf Has Launched Tools for Both
FAQs
Should a UK business choose Jamf or Intune for managing Apple devices?
Choose Jamf if Apple devices make up the majority of your fleet. Jamf was built Apple-first and offers deeper macOS configuration and stronger Cyber Essentials evidencing. Choose Intune if your fleet is mostly Windows and you’re already paying for Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
Is Intune included free with Microsoft 365 Business Premium?
Yes, device management through Intune is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at no extra per-device cost. This makes it the lower-cost option on paper, though Apple-specific configuration depth and compliance evidencing are typically weaker than a dedicated Apple platform.
Can you run Jamf and Intune together for a mixed fleet?
Yes, this is a common setup: Jamf manages the Mac estate while Intune and Entra ID handle Windows devices and conditional access. It gives strong management on both platforms but adds the overhead of maintaining two separate systems and policy sets.
How long does it take to migrate from Intune to Jamf, or vice versa?
Plan for several weeks, not days. Migration involves re-enrolling devices, rebuilding policies on the new platform, and typically running both platforms in parallel briefly to avoid a management gap.
