10 best iPad kiosk software for businesses

Leaving a lasting impression on the minds of whoever steps into your store is more than just an aspiration for everyone who’s running a business. But how do you do that? The key to achieving this lies in capturing customers’ attention and giving them something to interact with. One efficient approach to accomplish this is through self-service kiosks, which are eye-catching screens that facilitate customer interaction. Although there are quite a few devices that you can use for your kiosks, varying in screen sizes and functionalities, iPads remain one of the most popular choices for businesses worldwide. I’ve compiled a list of the best iPad kiosk software (after a fair share of digital detective work, of course :P) that you can use to turn your regular iPads into cutting-edge self-service marvels in this blog. So, stick with me to find out which one’s the best choice for you.

Why iPads?

iPads give you high-resolution displays and powerful processors in one place. That is, your customers get to experience stunning visuals with a smooth performance. Additionally, you can also take advantage of Apple’s extensive app ecosystem. The freedom of choosing your required app from such a vast collection makes it easy to tailor the kiosk to meet your business’ needs. Also, they are sleek in design and portable. In terms of versatility, iPads can fit in well in various industries, including retail, hospitality, and entertainment. In short, an iPad check all the major checkboxes required for a good kiosk solution.

“If you want your kiosk to deliver an intuitive and powerful experience, iPads are the way to go.”

With plenty of iPad kiosk software available in the market today, choosing the right one for you might not be simple. Here is the list of the top iPad kiosk solutions and the features offered by each of them.

1. Hexnode UEM

Hexnode is an industry-leading Unified Endpoint Management solution with rapidly increasing popularity, especially in the kiosk industry. It has previously won the Mobile Star Award for the best innovative mobile kiosk management solution. Recently, it also bagged the title of Leader and Major Player in the IDC MarketScape UEM vendor assessment report.

Additionally, your IT admins are going to love the different iPad kiosk modes available in Hexnode – Single app kiosk mode, Multi-app kiosk mode, and Web-app kiosk mode. You can choose your desired mode depending on the use case and lock down the iPad to one or more apps- whether they are App Store apps or enterprise apps. However, the apps to be added in the iPad kiosk mode should be pre-installed on the devices. Since Hexnode offers comprehensive app management options, you can install these apps remotely with the help of another policy.

2. Jamf Pro

Jamf is one of the front runners when it comes to Apple MDM solutions. For that reason, it is no surprise that Jamf Pro occupies one of the top spots even for the iPad kiosk software. It’s quite easy to manage and customize multiple iPad kiosks at various locations owing to the extensive list of features it provides. However, Jamf Pro is more suitable for large enterprises when compared to small and medium-sized enterprises that require only specific features.

3. Workspace ONE

After the acquisition of Airwatch in 2014 and rebranding it as Workspace ONE, VMware has established a strong foothold in the MDM industry. One notable strength of Workspace ONE’s kiosk solution is its security framework. The solution provides advanced security measures, such as data loss prevention and remote wipe capabilities. The one shortcoming it has when compared to other prominent iPad kiosk solutions out there is the absence of a multi-app kiosk mode, which reduces the flexibility of the solution.

4. Appspace

Although it is more popular as a digital signage solution, Appspace doesn’t fall much behind when it comes to providing kiosk capabilities also. Appspace provides a user-friendly interface and intuitive content management system. Users can easily upload and manage various types of content, such as images, videos, and documents, making it convenient for creating engaging presentations and interactive experiences on iPad kiosks. Though it doesn’t have many management capabilities when compared to its UEM alternatives, it might just do the job for SMEs that require only the basic kiosk functionalities.

5. Miradore MDM

Miradore is another compelling MDM solution offering iPad kiosk management feature as part of its broader capabilities. One of its notable strengths is its user-friendly interface, making it particularly appealing for beginners in the field. It provides all the basic functionalities for managing multiple kiosk devices, such as security policy enforcement, remote monitoring, and app deployment. However, it’s worth noting that there are other solutions that offer similar features at a more affordable price point.

6. ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus

Mobile Device Manager Plus is the MDM suite offered by ManageEngine, one of the veterans in the field of IT operations and Service Management. It also offers a Kiosk mode functionality, that can help you to lock down iPads into single/multiple app kiosks. You also get the option to automate tasks such as iPad lockdown and app installation from a central location.

You can choose either the Cloud version or the On-premises version or both when signing up for this solution. Although the On-premises version takes much more time to set up, it can come in handy if you want to manage iPad kiosks situated in remote locations with unreliable internet connectivity.

7. Cisco Meraki MDM

Cisco is an established brand and Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is a widely recognized MDM solution in the industry. You can consider Cisco Meraki MDM as a feature-packed kiosk software, on account of the wide range of management tools it offers. However, some IT admins may find its user interface less visually appealing. Nonetheless, it is a fairly good option to consider if you have Cisco Meraki hardware and network infrastructure already installed in your organization. On the flip side, the cost would become tremendously high.

8. MobileIron

MobileIron by Ivanti is yet another MDM solution in the list that provides decent iPad kiosk functionality. Though not as feature-rich as some of the more established MDM solutions, MobileIron has its advantages when it comes to ease of use and setup. It also provides robust security measures, including remote wipe, and containerization, ensuring the protection of sensitive data on iPad kiosk devices.

9. Shopify POS Pro

Shopify POS Pro can be your go-to kiosk solution if your business satisfies the following conditions- you are looking for POS (Point-of-sale) kiosk devices and you already have a Shopify subscription. It can be bought as an add-on service to transform your iPad devices into kiosk POS systems. It offers inventory management, payment processing, and product reporting for streamlining business operations. The solution is also beginner-friendly, making it another good choice for SMEs.

10. Lightspeed POS

Here’s another POS kiosk solution on the list – Lightspeed POS. A part of Lightspeed Commerce, a Montreal-based e-commerce software provider, Lightspeed POS software offers specific features and functionalities for restaurant and hospitality industries. It offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation, which simplifies the setup and management of kiosks. The system also supports customizable product displays. This means you can showcase your products and business offers attractively.

Comparison of features

Here’s a concise summary of all the features and aspects we’ve discussed thus far;

How to choose the perfect iPad kiosk for your business?

Now that you have the list of top software options to consider, it’s time to test the promising ones within your organizational environment. I’m sure you’ll be paying close attention to the kiosk functionalities and features offered by each solution. However, that alone won’t suffice. To ensure the ideal match for your business, it’s essential to consider multiple factors when selecting an iPad kiosk solution for your business. Here are some of them;

• How good the software can integrate with your current IT infrastructure.
• Security features available on the software to protect user and system data.
• Remote management and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Analytics and reporting features for tracking usage and engagement.
• Compatibility with third-party apps and software that you plan to use.
• Whether the software provides you with a customizable user interface.

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To conclude

I hope the above list helps you to find the exact solution you are looking for. Implementing interactive self-service iPad kiosks offers numerous benefits for businesses including increased customer engagement, enhanced productivity, and positive customer experiences. Therefore, investing in a reliable and feature-rich iPad kiosk software is a wise decision with great potential for the future. By empowering your customers with self-service options and delivering a seamless and satisfying experience, you can gain a competitive edge in the market. This, in turn, allows you to nurture enduring customer loyalty, and pave the way for long-term success in your business.