Free MDM for Apple Devices: Apple Business vs. Mosyle Business Free
Last updated: 2026-10-27
Since April 2026, Apple Business comes with its own free device management. Mosyle has offered a full-featured MDM for free for much longer – for up to 30 devices. We compare both honestly and show what Apple Business can't do in Europe compared with the US.
Two free routes to a managed Apple fleet.
Both cost nothing and support zero-touch deployment – but they are built for different needs.
| Apple Business | Mosyle Business Free | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Apple's all-in-one platform, successor to Business Manager, Business Essentials and Business Connect | A dedicated Apple MDM with the feature set of Mosyle Business Premium |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Device limit | None | 30 devices (Apple TV doesn't count) |
| Platforms | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Vision Pro |
| Beyond that | – | About $1 per device/month (Premium), min. 30 licenses |
| Best for | Small teams with simple requirements | Small teams that need more control |
Short answer: Up to 30 devices, Mosyle Business Free is the stronger free MDM – kiosk mode, app configuration, scripts and fine-grained update control included. Apple Business is the better choice for larger fleets that want to pay nothing and only need the basics. In Europe, Apple Business also lacks the email, calendar and extra iCloud storage that US companies get.
What each solution can do – and where it stops.
| Feature | Apple Business | Mosyle Business Free |
|---|---|---|
| Setup & management | ||
| Zero-touch deployment | Yes, via Blueprints | Yes, with Apple Business as the enrollment source |
| Configuration profiles (Wi-Fi, VPN, certificates) | Basic | Extensive |
| Restrictions | Subset | Nearly complete |
| OS update control | Basic – deferral, auto-update | Detailed – schedules, enforcement |
| Kiosk / single-app mode | No | Yes |
| Scripts & custom commands (macOS) | No | Yes |
| Shared devices / BYOD | Yes, with Managed Apple Accounts | Yes |
| Apps | ||
| Deploy App Store & volume-purchased apps | Yes | Yes |
| Custom apps (e.g. .pkg) | Limited | Yes |
| App configuration (AppConfig) | No | Yes |
| Push email accounts to devices | No | Yes |
| Security & identity | ||
| Passcode, encryption, lock & wipe | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Entra ID / Google Workspace | Yes, automatic Managed Apple Accounts | Yes |
| Endpoint security, patch management | No | No – only in paid Mosyle Fuse |
| Compliance reports & audit trail | Basic | Good, room to grow |
| Extra services | ||
| Email, calendar, directory on your own domain | US only | No |
| iCloud storage for employees | 5 GB free, more only in the US | No |
| AppleCare+ for Business | US only | No |
| Brand presence in Apple Maps & Wallet | Yes, Maps ads US only | No |
| System requirements | Some features need iOS / iPadOS / macOS 26 | Older OS versions supported too |
Apple Business isn't the same everywhere.
Apple Business is available in more than 200 countries – but what you get depends on where your organization is based. Companies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the rest of Europe get noticeably less than US companies.
| Feature | US | Europe (DE, AT, CH, FR, UK and others) |
|---|---|---|
| Device management | ||
| Built-in MDM | Yes | Yes |
| Zero-touch deployment | Yes | Yes |
| Managed Apple Accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Apps & Books (volume purchasing) | Yes | Yes |
| Extra services | ||
| Email, calendar & directory on your own domain | Yes | No – Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or similar still needed |
| Buy iCloud storage (50 GB / 200 GB / 2 TB per user) | Yes, from $0.99 per user/month | No – only the free 5 GB |
| AppleCare+ for Business | Yes | No |
| Brand & customers | ||
| Brand & location management (Maps, Wallet) | Yes | Yes |
| Branded Mail (company logo in Mail) | Yes | Yes |
| Ads on Apple Maps | Yes | No |
| Tap to Pay on iPhone | Yes | Partly – not in every country |
| Verify with Wallet on the Web | Yes | No |
What does this mean for companies in Europe? What counts is where the organization in Apple Business is based, not where the devices are. For pure device management, Apple Business is fully usable here too. But its big advantage over Mosyle – email, calendar and extra iCloud storage from one place – falls away. In Europe the comparison therefore comes down to MDM features, and there Mosyle Business Free has the clear edge for up to 30 devices. Mosyle offers the same feature set worldwide.
The honest summary.
Apple Business
Pros
- Completely free – no device limit
- Straight from Apple, no extra software or accounts
- Very easy to use, even without an IT department
- New Apple features are usually supported right away
- Clean separation of personal and work data
- In the US: email, calendar and directory on your own domain included
Cons
- Deliberately simple feature set
- No app configuration, no kiosk mode, no scripts
- Only a subset of restrictions and profiles
- Coarse update control, basic reporting only
- Far fewer extra services in Europe than in the US
- Some features require OS version 26
- Moving to another MDM later means re-enrolling devices
Mosyle Business Free
Pros
- Full professional MDM with the Premium feature set
- Fine-grained profiles, restrictions and update rules
- Kiosk mode, app configuration, macOS scripts
- Also supports Apple TV and Vision Pro
- Grows with you: upgrade to Premium or Fuse without switching platforms
- Same features worldwide, including older OS versions
Cons
- Hard limit of 30 devices
- Paid beyond that, with a 30-license minimum
- More features also mean more to learn
- Security features (Fuse) cost extra
- Third-party vendor: review the data processing agreement (DPA)
Which one fits you?
Choose Apple Business if …
- You're a small team with standard requirements
- You have more than 30 devices and don't want to pay
- Simplicity matters more than fine-grained control
- You're based in the US and want email and calendar from one place
Choose Mosyle Business Free if …
- You manage up to 30 devices
- You need kiosk devices, app configuration or scripts
- You have to enforce stricter security and update rules
- You want to grow later without switching platforms
You don't have to choose just one.
Even if you use Mosyle, you need an Apple Business account: that's where company devices are registered and assigned to your MDM, apps are purchased and Managed Apple Accounts are created. So you use Apple Business's free services and still hand device management to Mosyle. Transparency note: JF Agency is a certified Mosyle administrator and MSP partner – but we set up Apple Business as the only MDM just as readily when that's the better choice for your team.
- Apple Business setup incl. Entra ID or Google Workspace
- Mosyle Business Free or Premium setup
- Migration between MDM platforms
Common questions about free Apple MDM.
Is there a free MDM for Mac?
Yes. Apple Business includes free device management for Mac, iPhone and iPad with no device limit. Mosyle Business Free offers a full-featured MDM for free for up to 30 devices.
Is Apple Business really free?
Yes – the platform, including device management, is free. Paid extras such as additional iCloud storage or AppleCare+ for Business are optional, and currently only organizations based in the US can buy them.
Can a company in Europe buy more iCloud storage for employees?
Not at the moment. Buying extra iCloud storage (up to 2 TB per user) is only available to organizations based in the US. In Europe, every Managed Apple Account gets the free 5 GB.
What happens with Mosyle once I have more than 30 devices?
You move to Mosyle Business Premium (about USD 1 per device per month, billed annually, minimum 30 licenses). Your configuration carries over and devices don't need to be set up again.
What happened to Apple Business Manager and Business Essentials?
On April 14, 2026, both were merged into Apple Business together with Apple Business Connect. Existing accounts and data were carried over and Business Essentials fees were dropped.
Can I switch from Apple Business to Mosyle later?
Yes. In Apple Business you assign the devices to a new MDM server, and they are usually re-enrolled. With some planning this works without extended downtime – see our page on MDM migration.
Are Windows or Android devices supported?
No, both solutions are built for Apple devices only. Mixed environments need an additional or cross-platform MDM.
As of October 2026. Features and prices may change. Mosyle prices in US dollars, excluding tax. Sources: Apple – feature availability, Apple Newsroom, Mosyle Business.
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