TL;DR:
Windows-first teams can manage Macs with PDQ, no separate Mac-only tool required.
Install the agent, inventory devices, deploy apps, and patch from one console.
Jamf is powerful but often more than Windows-centric shops need.
Windows-first IT teams can patch and deploy software to macOS devices without Jamf by using PDQ to manage Mac and Windows endpoints from one console. You get one workflow for patching, deployment, inventory, and scripting, without standing up a separate Apple management stack. We'll walk you through the practical workflow.
What is the best way to manage Macs in a Windows shop?
Use an endpoint management tool that handles both Windows and macOS from a single console. The goal is to extend what you already do — patching, deployment, inventory, scripting — to cover Macs without adding a second toolset.
For teams managing environments with a large number of Windows machines, adding Macs should not mean learning a completely separate system. According to PDQ's State of Sysadmin report, 62% of sysadmins say their role has expanded with new responsibilities because of new tech. The last thing most teams need is another platform to master.
The practical path forward is a single console with one set of workflows that covers both operating systems. You keep your existing processes and add macOS devices to them.
Do you need Jamf to patch and deploy software to Macs?
No, you don't need Jamf to patch and deploy software to Macs. Jamf is an Apple-first management platform, but it is built for organizations that are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem. If you're running a full fleet of Macs with MDM profiles, Automated Device Enrollment (formerly DEP) via Apple Business Manager, and other Apple Business Manager integrations, Jamf may justify its complexity.
If you're a Windows shop that picked up 30 MacBooks because engineering or the C-suite requested them, Jamf may be more tool than you need.
But Jamf requires its own learning curve, workflows, and maintenance overhead. For teams already stretched thin, adding a Mac-specific platform creates more surface area to manage.
PDQ gives Windows-first teams a simpler operational fit. You can manage Macs the same way you manage Windows without hopping between platforms.
How to patch macOS devices alongside Windows endpoints
Mixed-environment patching works best when you're not jumping between tools. The operational win is consistency.
When your Windows and Mac devices live in the same console, you get unified visibility into patch status across your fleet. You can see which devices are behind, prioritize by severity, and deploy remediations without switching contexts. This matters because patching is already one of the most time-consuming parts of the job.
PDQ's State of Sysadmin report found that 61% of sysadmins have partially automated patch management, but only 16% have fully automated it. The gap exists because building safe automation takes time and trust. A single-console approach reduces the overhead of managing that automation across multiple tools.
The practical benefit is fewer dashboards, fewer logins, and fewer chances to miss something because it was in the other system.
How to manage macOS devices with PDQ
Here's the workflow for bringing Macs into your existing PDQ environment:
Install the PDQ agent on your Macs. Deploy the agent manually or via an existing tool like Intune, Jamf, SSH, or your RMM. Devices appear in PDQ Connect after the agent checks in, which gives you visibility and control.
View Mac inventory. Once the agent is installed, you'll see hardware specs, installed software, OS version, and system details in the same console where you view Windows devices. No context-switching required.
Identify missing patches or required apps. Use inventory data to see what's out of date or missing. PDQ surfaces this information across your mixed fleet.
Deploy software to macOS devices. Push apps to Macs the same way you push to Windows endpoints. Browsers, collaboration tools, security agents, and VPN clients use the same deployment workflow. PDQ's macOS Package Library is rapidly expanding, so you may be able to deploy in just a few clicks.
Run scripts or commands. Need to troubleshoot, make a quick change, or automate a repeatable task? Use PDQ to run remote commands on managed devices — PowerShell or CMD on Windows, and Zsh or Bash on macOS — or deploy scripts through package-based workflows.
Monitor deployment and patch status. Track what succeeded, what failed, and what needs attention, all from one place.
How to deploy apps to Macs without Jamf
App deployment on Macs follows the same pattern as Windows. You're pushing packages to endpoints, targeting specific devices or groups, and tracking success.
Common apps Windows-first teams need to deploy to Macs include:
Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Collaboration tools: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams
Security agents: Endpoint protection, EDR tools
VPN clients: Whatever your org uses for remote access
Productivity software: Office apps, PDF tools, note-taking apps
The deployment workflow in PDQ handles these the same way regardless of OS. Select the package, target your Mac devices, deploy. You use the system you already know.
For teams managing onboarding, this consistency matters. When a new hire wants a Mac, IT runs the same onboarding workflow they'd use for any Windows machine — same steps, same order. No custom scripts to dig up, no manual workarounds because someone picked the wrong model.
PDQ vs. Jamf for Windows-first shops
Not every tool fits every environment. PDQ and Jamf approach Mac management from different starting points — PDQ extends the Windows admin workflow to cover Macs, while Jamf is purpose-built for Apple. Here's how they compare across the scenarios that matter most for Windows-first IT teams:
Use case | PDQ | Jamf | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
Windows and macOS management | Single console for both | macOS-focused, Windows requires separate tooling | PDQ for mixed environments |
macOS-specific depth | Core management, patching, deployment | Deep Apple ecosystem integration (ADE, MDM, ABM) | Jamf for Apple-heavy orgs |
Windows-first admin experience | Familiar workflow extended to Mac | New platform to learn | PDQ for Windows-trained teams |
Patch management | Unified patching across OS | Strong macOS patching | PDQ for operational consistency |
App deployment | Cross-platform deployment | macOS-native deployment | PDQ for mixed fleets |
Scripting | Run scripts on Windows and Mac | AppleScript, shell scripting for Mac | PDQ for unified scripting |
Tool consolidation | One tool for both OSes | Separate Mac management stack | PDQ for reducing tool sprawl |
Best-fit environment | Windows-first orgs adding Macs | Apple-first or Apple-only orgs | Depends on your starting point |
Neither tool is universally better. The question is which one fits your environment and your team's existing skills.
When should a Windows-first team use PDQ for Mac management?
PDQ is the right fit when your team wants one endpoint management workflow for Windows and Mac devices, especially if you're transitioning from Windows-only to mixed OS support.
This describes many organizations right now. Macs show up because of executive preferences, creative team requests, engineering requirements, or remote work flexibility. The IT team did not choose to become a Mac shop. They just need to support the Macs that appeared.
In that scenario, standing up Jamf means learning a new platform, maintaining separate workflows, and splitting attention between two consoles. PDQ means extending what you already do to cover the new devices.
According to PDQ's research, 73% of sysadmins want endpoint management to be mostly or fully automated. That's harder to achieve when you're managing automation across multiple tools. Consolidation is not just convenience, it makes automation practical.
If your Mac count is growing but your team size is not, one tool beats two.
Windows-first teams that need to patch and deploy to macOS do not have to choose between good Mac management and a manageable workload. PDQ handles both operating systems from one console, with the same workflows you already use. If you're adding Macs and want to skip a second management stack, try PDQ free for 14 days.
Managing Macs in a Windows shop FAQs
Can you manage Macs without Jamf?
Yes. Jamf is a strong option for Apple-focused organizations, but it is not the only way to manage macOS devices. Tools like PDQ let you manage Macs alongside Windows endpoints from a single console, which often fits Windows-first teams that are adding Macs rather than building an Apple-centric environment.
What tool can patch Windows and Mac devices from one console?
PDQ supports patching for both Windows and macOS from one console. You can get unified visibility into patch status and deploy updates without switching between tools. This is useful for teams managing mixed environments where operational consistency matters.
How do Windows-first IT teams deploy apps to macOS devices?
The same way they deploy apps to Windows devices, through their existing endpoint management tool if it supports macOS. With PDQ, you select the package, target your Mac devices, and deploy. Common apps include browsers, collaboration tools, security agents, and VPN clients.
Is PDQ a Jamf alternative?
For Windows-first shops, yes. PDQ handles the core Mac management tasks — inventory, patching, deployment, scripting — that these teams need, without requiring a separate Apple-specific platform. Jamf offers deeper Apple ecosystem integration, which matters for Apple-heavy organizations but may be unnecessary for teams primarily managing Windows.
What should IT teams consider when moving from Windows-only to mixed Windows and Mac management?
Consider whether you want to add a separate Mac management tool or extend your existing workflows. Key questions: How many Macs are you managing? Is that number growing? Does your team have capacity to learn and maintain a second platform? For most Windows-first teams adding Macs incrementally, a single-console approach reduces complexity and keeps automation manageable.
