TL;DR: PDQ, Microsoft Intune, NinjaOne, ManageEngine Endpoint Central, Automox, JumpCloud, and Omnissa Workspace ONE all manage Windows and macOS from one platform, but feature depth varies by OS. PDQ focuses on straightforward endpoint management without unnecessary complexity. Teams needing deep MDM, identity, or compliance controls should evaluate broader UEM capabilities separately.
IT teams can manage Windows and macOS endpoints from the same platform, but "supports both operating systems" is not the same as "works equally well on both." The strongest cross-platform tools centralize patching, deployment, inventory, automation, and remote troubleshooting while minimizing the need for separate workflows per OS. This comparison focuses on what matters most: patching coverage, remote access, management scope, and where meaningful platform gaps show up.
How we chose these Windows and macOS endpoint management tools
We reviewed current vendor documentation, supported platforms, and publicly available product information. We prioritized tools that manage both Windows and macOS and compared capabilities including application and OS patching, software deployment, remote support, automation, and management scope. “Strong fit” reflects our editorial assessment based on these sources; individual experiences and product fit may vary. Product details reflect publicly available information as of September 2026.
What are the best Windows and macOS endpoint management tools?
The best Windows and macOS endpoint management tools to compare are PDQ, Microsoft Intune, NinjaOne, ManageEngine Endpoint Central, Automox, JumpCloud, and Omnissa Workspace ONE. The right choice depends on the workflows your team needs to manage, not which vendor's feature list looks longest.
Tool | Strong fit when | Management focus |
|---|---|---|
PDQ | You want straightforward endpoint management without unnecessary complexity | Endpoint management |
Microsoft Intune | You're invested in Microsoft 365 and need device compliance | UEM + compliance |
NinjaOne | You want RMM-style monitoring with endpoint management | RMM + device management |
ManageEngine Endpoint Central | You need broad device management across desktop and mobile | UEM |
Automox | You're focused on cloud-native patching and configuration | Endpoint management |
JumpCloud | Identity and device management need to work together | Identity + device management |
Omnissa Workspace ONE | You need enterprise management across desktop and mobile | Enterprise UEM |
1. PDQ
Strong fit for IT teams that want useful Windows and macOS endpoint management without the management tool becoming harder to manage than the endpoints.
PDQ brings software deployment, application patching, vulnerability remediation, inventory, automation, scripting, and remote troubleshooting together across Windows and macOS. Teams can also run PowerShell on Windows and Bash or Zsh on macOS, while Windows management also includes OS update visibility and deployment.
A major strength is software management. PDQ’s Package Library includes more than 1,100 maintained packages for Windows and macOS, helping teams deploy and automatically update supported applications without having to build and maintain every package themselves.
The broader differentiator is reduced administrative overhead. According to PDQ's State of Sysadmin report, 62% of sysadmins say their role has expanded because of new technology, while only 39% say new tools actually make their jobs easier. PDQ is designed to keep common endpoint-management workflows straightforward as environments grow, whether you're managing 100 devices or 10,000.
2. Microsoft Intune
Strong fit for organizations already invested in Microsoft 365, Entra ID, and Microsoft's security stack.
Intune handles Windows and macOS enrollment, configuration, application deployment, OS updates, and compliance policies from one console. However, for macOS 14 and later, Microsoft recommends declarative device management for software updates.
The integration story is the selling point. If your organization already runs Entra ID for identity and Microsoft Defender for security, Intune slots in without adding another vendor relationship. Compliance policies, Conditional Access, and configuration profiles work across both Windows and macOS, although available settings and controls vary by platform.
Remote access options include Microsoft Remote Help for Windows and macOS, which may require additional licensing. TeamViewer integration is also available for organizations with a separate TeamViewer license.
3. NinjaOne
Strong fit for IT teams or MSPs that want endpoint management combined with RMM-style monitoring.
NinjaOne covers Windows, macOS, and Linux with application deployment, patching, inventory, automation, and remote management. The platform includes monitoring capabilities that track endpoint health alongside management tasks.
Software management spans Windows, macOS, and Linux, including installation, removal, patching, and policy-based automation, although capabilities and supported application catalogs vary by operating system. For teams that want a single pane of glass covering both device health and remediation, NinjaOne consolidates those workflows.
4. ManageEngine Endpoint Central
Strong fit for organizations that want broad UEM functionality and don't mind a larger feature footprint.
Endpoint Central supports Windows, macOS, and Linux with OS patching, software deployment, inventory, remote troubleshooting, and device configuration. It also supports third-party application patching, although coverage varies by operating system, as well as mobile-device management. Cloud and on-premises deployment options are both available.
The platform covers a lot of ground. Centralized software deployment works across Windows, macOS, and Linux, while hardware and software inventory provide visibility into managed endpoints from the same platform. If your requirements include mobile-device management alongside traditional endpoint management, Endpoint Central can manage both from the same platform.
The tradeoff is complexity. More features mean more configuration, more policies, and more surface area to maintain. Teams that need the breadth will appreciate it. Teams that don't may find themselves managing the management tool.
5. Automox
Strong fit for teams that want Windows, macOS, and Linux patching combined with PowerShell- and Bash-based automation.
Automox uses a single cloud console and a common agent to manage Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints. Core capabilities include OS patching, third-party application patching, software deployment, inventory, and configuration management, while Worklets add custom automation.
Because the platform is cloud-only, there are no on-premises patching servers, gateways, or VPN dependencies to maintain.
Remote troubleshooting is available for Windows and macOS through Splashtop-powered tools, with additional capabilities available through higher-tier or add-on offerings.
6. JumpCloud
Strong fit when identity, directory services, and device management need to live together.
JumpCloud combines device management with identity and access management. Windows and macOS get OS patching, device policies, and application management. The macOS workflow uses MDM and Apple's device-management framework for OS updates.
The identity angle is the differentiator. If your organization needs directory services, SSO, and endpoint management without bolting together separate products, JumpCloud consolidates those functions.
JumpCloud's App Catalog supports application deployment and automatic updates on both Windows and macOS, but available applications and platform-specific options differ. Verify support for the applications your organization relies on before assuming full parity.
7. Omnissa Workspace ONE
Strong fit for enterprises requiring UEM across desktop, mobile, frontline devices, and everything in between.
Workspace ONE UEM supports Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, and Android. Capabilities include enrollment, configuration, application management, OS updates, compliance, and automation.
The platform is built for organizations that need to manage a broad device fleet from one console, including use cases like frontline workers, BYOD, and kiosks. Remote support is available through Workspace ONE Assist, which supports remote troubleshooting for Windows and macOS devices; availability depends on the Workspace ONE edition or licensing.
This is enterprise UEM. The feature set reflects that scope, and so does the implementation complexity.
What should you compare in a cross-platform endpoint management tool?
Compare Windows and macOS endpoint management tools based on feature parity, application and OS patching, software deployment, inventory, scripting, remote troubleshooting, automation, and administrative overhead. If you need enrollment, compliance, or device-policy controls, evaluate MDM and UEM capabilities separately.
Windows and macOS feature coverage
Don't stop at whether a platform supports both operating systems. Look at which capabilities are available on Windows and macOS, where functionality differs, and whether those differences affect your day-to-day workflows. Few platforms offer identical capabilities across every operating system, so focus on whether the features your team relies on are available where you need them without significant workarounds.
Application patching
Compare supported applications, automatic updates, scheduling, approval workflows, and visibility into deployment status and failures. According to PDQ's research, 51% of sysadmins say timely security patch implementation takes up too much time. A patching tool that requires manual intervention for every update does not solve that problem.
Operating system patching
Evaluate OS patching separately from application patching. Some platforms support both across Windows and macOS, while others focus more heavily on one operating system or use different workflows by platform. Check which OS updates are supported, how deployments are scheduled and controlled, and whether the process fits your environment.
Software deployment
Look for silent installation, custom package support (PKG/DMG for macOS, MSI/EXE for Windows), scripting options, bulk deployment, and scheduling. If onboarding a new hire still requires touching the device, the deployment workflow has gaps.
Hardware and software inventory
Can you see Windows and Mac inventory from one interface? OS versions, installed applications, hardware specs, device status, and users should all be visible without switching consoles.
Scripting and remote commands
Compare supported scripting languages, remote command options, scheduled execution, and automation triggers across Windows and macOS. Make sure the tools your team relies on — such as PowerShell on Windows or Bash and Zsh on macOS — are supported where you need them, since scripting and automation capabilities can vary significantly by operating system.
Remote troubleshooting
Remote desktop, remote shell, and remote script execution are different capabilities. A platform may offer one without the others. If your team troubleshoots devices remotely, clarify what “remote access” actually includes and which capabilities are available across Windows and macOS.
Automation
According to PDQ's research, 73% of sysadmins want endpoint management to be mostly or fully automated, but only 23% are there today. Evaluate how much repetitive work each platform can automate without requiring custom engineering.
Ease of use
Ease of use has a real operational cost. Compare deployment time, learning curve, number of consoles required, configuration and workflow complexity, and ongoing maintenance. A platform that takes significant time and specialized expertise to configure and maintain may add overhead even if its feature set is extensive.
Can you manage Windows and Mac devices from one platform?
Yes. Some modern endpoint-management platforms centralize many Windows and macOS workflows, including inventory, software deployment, application patching, scripting, automation, and remote support. Feature parity varies by vendor, and organizations requiring deep Apple enrollment, configuration, or compliance controls may still need MDM or broader UEM capabilities alongside operational tools.
Can you manage Macs without Jamf?
Yes. Cross-platform endpoint tools handle many common Mac workflows: application deployment, patching, inventory, scripting, vulnerability remediation, and remote troubleshooting. Organizations requiring extensive Apple-specific enrollment, configuration, and compliance controls should evaluate their MDM requirements separately. For a detailed walkthrough, see Managing Macs in a Windows shop: How to patch and deploy without Jamf.
How do you choose a Windows and macOS endpoint management tool?
The right tool depends less on the length of its feature list and more on how well it supports the workflows your team actually uses across Windows and macOS. Start with your highest-priority tasks, identify where platform differences matter, and test those workflows before committing.
List the Windows and macOS workflows your team actually performs.
Separate endpoint-management needs from MDM or UEM requirements.
Verify feature support on each operating system independently.
Compare application patching and OS patching as separate capabilities.
Evaluate deployment, inventory, scripting, automation, and remote support.
Assess how much administrative overhead each platform introduces.
Compare licensing based on features you'll actually use.
Test your highest-priority workflows before purchasing.
Manage Windows & macOS devices from anywhere
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