Hexnode vs Microsoft Intune: Side-by-Side Comparison

In today’s hybrid work landscape, IT managers face a relentless challenge: managing a growing fleet of devices across multiple operating systems, while maintaining airtight security and compliance.

Enter Hexnode and Microsoft Intune – two leading Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) platforms designed to bring order to this chaos. While both offer powerful tools for device enrollment, policy enforcement, and security, they approach the problem from different angles.

This blog post delivers a comprehensive, side-by-side comparison of Hexnode vs Microsoft Intune, covering everything from platform support and enrollment workflows to security posture.

Whether you’re evaluating a new UEM solution or benchmarking your current setup, this guide is built to help you make an informed, strategic decision.

Hexnode vs Microsoft Intune: An Executive Overview

Hexnode and Microsoft Intune both offer robust Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions, but they differ significantly in scale, target markets, and strategic approach. Here’s a high-level executive overview to help IT leaders quickly understand where each platform stands.

Hexnode

• Founded in 2013, Hexnode is a product of Mitsogo Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, with global operations.
• Hexnode has built its reputation as an agile, mid-market-focused UEM vendor, emphasizing simplicity and cross-platform support.
• Primarily targets SMBs and mid-market enterprises, though it has expanded into larger organizations through MSP and OEM partnerships.
• Strong adoption in education, healthcare, logistics, and retail, where kiosk mode, rugged device support, and flexible deployment are critical.
• Offers multi-tenant support and white-labeling, making it attractive for MSPs and resellers.
• Supports multi-OS environments (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, tvOS, Fire OS) and rugged/IoT devices.
• Prioritizes granular policy control, remote troubleshooting, and kiosk lockdown for frontline and shared device use cases.

Microsoft Intune

• Launched in 2011 as Windows Intune, it evolved into Microsoft Intune and is now part of Microsoft Intune Suite under the Microsoft Security umbrella.
• Backed by Microsoft’s global infrastructure and R&D, Intune benefits from deep integration with Microsoft 365, Azure, and Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).
• It serves as a cornerstone of Microsoft’s Endpoint Management strategy, especially enterprises already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Widely adopted across finance, government, education, and healthcare, where compliance, identity integration, and scalability are paramount.
• Supports co-management with Microsoft Configuration Manager (SCCM) for hybrid environments.
• Offers deep integration with Microsoft 365 apps, conditional access policies, and automated patching across platforms.

Device & OS Compatibility Deep Dive

In this section, we compare the support capabilities of Hexnode and Microsoft Intune across OS platforms and device types, highlighting unique or specialized support where applicable.

Hexnode

Hexnode positions itself as a platform-agnostic UEM with extensive cross-OS support, including some niche and emerging platforms:

• Mobile (iOS/iPadOS): Supports management for devices running iOS 11.0 or later and iPadOS 13.0 or later.
• Mobile (Android): Supports Android 5.0 and later. This includes comprehensive support for all Android Enterprise management modes (Work Profile, Fully Managed, Dedicated/Kiosk) as well as legacy Android (Device Admin) management for older devices.
• Desktops (Windows): Provides full management capabilities for devices running Windows 10 and Windows 11.
• Desktops (macOS): Supports Mac devices running macOS 10.7 or later, offering a long support tail for older hardware.
• Desktops (Linux): Hexnode officially supports a wide range of Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and CentOS, enabling policy enforcement and script deployment across diverse Linux environments.

Specialized Devices:

• Rugged/IoT: Hexnode provides robust management features for rugged Android devices (e.g., Zebra, Honeywell) and dedicated IoT endpoints.
• TV/Signage: Officially supports management for Apple tvOS and Amazon Fire OS, making it a strong choice for managing digital signage and conference room displays.
• VR/AR: Hexnode has added support for Apple visionOS 1.1 and later, allowing for the management of Apple’s spatial computing devices.

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune is designed for modern, cloud-first endpoint management, with deep integration into the Microsoft ecosystem:

• Mobile (iOS/iPadOS): Supports management for devices running iOS 15.0 or later and iPadOS 15.0 or later.
• Mobile (Android): Supports Android 8.0 or later for devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS) and Android 10.0 or later for Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) devices. It strongly emphasizes Android Enterprise and App Protection Policies (MAM) without device enrollment.
• Desktops (Windows): It supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 (Home, Pro, Education, and Enterprise), including LTSC and Windows 365 Cloud PCs.
• Desktops (macOS): Supports Mac devices running macOS 12.0 or later.
• Desktops (Linux): Intune’s Linux support is more focused, officially supporting Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS and 22.04 LTS, as well as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8 and 9.

Specialized Devices:

• VR/AR: Intune is the native management solution for Microsoft HoloLens 2 devices running Windows Holographic for Business.
• Collaboration: Provides comprehensive management for Surface Hub collaboration devices.
• ChromeOS: Intune integrates with Google’s Chrome Enterprise Connectors to manage ChromeOS devices, allowing IT to see and apply basic policies from within the Intune admin center.

Device Management & Enrollment Capabilities

IT teams care about how devices get into management (enrollment) and what you can enforce once they’re in (policies, apps, remote support, restrictions). Below is a head-to-head on Hexnode UEM and Microsoft Intune across zero-touch, BYOD, bulk enrollment, and core management controls.

Device Enrollment Methods

Hexnode

Hexnode offers a wide range of enrollment options tailored for both corporate-owned and BYOD scenarios:

Zero-Touch Enrollment:

• Apple Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) via Apple Business/School Manager
• Android Zero-Touch Enrollment (ZTE) for seamless provisioning of corporate-owned Android devices
• Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment for rugged and enterprise Samsung devices

BYOD Enrollment:

• Open enrollment via email or QR code
• Directory-based authentication (Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, Okta)

Bulk Enrollment:

• CSV import for mass provisioning
• Pre-approved enrollment for known devices
• Windows enrollment via provisioning packages Hexnode UEM

Microsoft Intune

Intune supports automated and secure enrollment workflows tightly integrated with Microsoft Entra ID:

Zero-Touch Enrollment:

• Apple ADE via Apple Business Manager
• Android ZTE and Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment
• Windows Autopilot for pre-configured provisioning of Windows 10/11 devices

BYOD Enrollment:

• Company Portal app for user-initiated enrollment
• Automatic enrollment for Entra-joined devices

Bulk Enrollment:

• Provisioning packages for Windows
• Apple Configurator for iOS/macOS

Core Device Management Features

Hexnode

Hexnode provides a comprehensive set of device management tools across platforms:

Policy Enforcement:

• Device-level and user-level policies
• Compliance checks for rooted/jailbroken devices
• Scheduled policy execution and dynamic groups

Application Management:

• Apple VPP integration for silent app deployment
• Managed Google Play for Android enterprise apps
• App blacklisting/whitelisting and mandatory app enforcement

Remote Control/View:

• Remote view and control for Android and Windows devices
• Remote troubleshooting, file transfer, and screen capture

Device Restrictions:

• Granular control over camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, app installation
• Kiosk mode (single/multi-app) for Android, iOS, Windows, and tvOS
• Geofencing and time-based restrictions

Case Study Spotlight: JailCore

The Challenge: JailCore, a correctional facility management software provider, needed to deploy and secure over 100 rugged Android devices used by correctional officers inside jails. The devices ran the JailCore app to document inmate interactions, and the CTO, Robby Clements, was particularly concerned about device misuse and security within a highly sensitive environment.

The Solution: After evaluating multiple UEM solutions, JailCore selected Hexnode for its kiosk lockdown capabilities, remote management features, and ease of deployment. Hexnode enabled the team to lock down devices to a single app, enforce strict usage policies, and manage the entire fleet from a centralized console.

The Result: JailCore successfully deployed its devices with minimal manual intervention, ensuring they were secure, compliant, and purpose-specific. The solution reduced operational overhead, improved data integrity, and enhanced the safety of both staff and inmates by preventing unauthorized device use.

🔗 Read the full success story here

Microsoft Intune

Intune emphasizes compliance, identity integration, and automation:

Policy Enforcement:

• Conditional Access via Microsoft Entra ID
• Compliance policies with automated remediation
• Role-based access control and dynamic device groups

Application Management:

• Apple VPP and Managed Google Play support
• App protection policies for BYOD scenarios

Remote Control/View:

• Remote Help for Windows devices (premium add-on)
• Endpoint analytics for performance and health monitoring

Device Restrictions:

• Extensive configuration profiles for Windows, iOS, Android
• Defender for Endpoint integration for threat response
• Encryption, firewall, and BitLocker enforcement

Comparing Security Posture & Compliance Features

Beyond device provisioning and management, a solution’s value hinges heavily on its security posture – how well it protects data at rest/in transit, detects or blocks threats, controls device behaviour (wipe/lock/remote actions), and supports compliance with regulation. In this section, we compare Hexnode and Microsoft Intune across those dimensions.

Security Features

Hexnode

Hexnode’s security model is built around device-level enforcement, with strong support for rugged and kiosk environments:

Data Encryption:

• Enforces native encryption (BitLocker for Windows, FileVault for macOS, and device-level encryption for Android/iOS)
• Supports remote encryption enforcement and monitoring

Containerization:

• App sandboxing for Android Enterprise
• Work profile separation for BYOD scenarios

Threat Detection:

• Compliance checks for rooted/jailbroken devices
• Integration with third-party threat detection tools (via API)

Remote Actions:

• Remote wipe, lock, reset password, enable lost mode, and remote ring
• Remote file transfer and screen capture for Android and Windows
• Location tracking and geofencing-based actions

Featured resource

Understanding Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)

This whitepaper helps IT managers understand how UEM consolidates device control, enhances security, and reduces operational complexity across diverse platforms.

Download White paper

Microsoft Intune

Intune’s security architecture is deeply integrated with Microsoft’s Zero Trust framework and cloud-native threat intelligence:

Data Encryption:

• Enforces encryption via Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, BitLocker, and mobile OS policies
• Supports data loss prevention (DLP) and app protection policies for managed apps

Containerization:

• Uses Microsoft Intune App SDK for app-level containerization
• App protection policies isolate corporate data from personal apps (especially on BYOD)
• Conditional access policies restrict access based on device compliance

Threat Detection:

• Native integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
• Real-time threat analytics and automated remediation
• Endpoint risk scoring and policy-based quarantine

Remote Actions:

• Remote wipe, lock, reset, and retire
• Remote Help (premium add-on) for Windows devices
• Integration with Microsoft Sentinel for incident response

Compliance Standards Support

Hexnode

Hexnode supports a wide range of compliance frameworks, especially for regulated industries:

• GDPR: Offers data access, deletion, and audit capabilities to support GDPR compliance
• HIPAA: Provides device-level controls, encryption enforcement, and audit trails for healthcare use cases
• SOC 2: Hexnode is SOC 2 compliant, with external audits validating its security controls
• ISO/IEC 27001:2022: Certified for information security management
• PCI DSS: Supports secure handling of payment data through device restrictions and encryption

Microsoft Intune

Intune benefits from Microsoft’s global compliance infrastructure:

• GDPR: Covered under Microsoft’s GDPR compliance program
• HIPAA: Intune is part of Microsoft’s HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA) offering
• SOC 2: Included in Microsoft’s SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 certifications
• ISO/IEC 27001, 27018, 27701: Intune is certified under multiple ISO standards
• FedRAMP, NIST, CJIS, and more: Extensive support for U.S. federal and state compliance frameworks

Ecosystem & Integration Capabilities

Hexnode and Microsoft Intune both offer robust integration ecosystems, but they differ in extensibility, identity provider support, and enterprise software alignment. Hexnode emphasizes open API access and MSP-friendly integrations, while Intune leverages Microsoft Graph and deep ties to the Microsoft stack.

API Availability

Hexnode

• Offers a RESTful JSON API over HTTPS for secure automation and integration.
• API endpoints cover device management, user provisioning, policy enforcement, and app control.
• Designed for MSPs and developers, with support for multi-tenant environments.

Microsoft Intune

• Exposes its full functionality via the Microsoft Graph API, enabling programmatic access to devices, apps, policies, and compliance data.
• Supports multi-tenant and partner scenarios, ideal for large-scale automation.
• Integrated with Microsoft Entra ID for secure authentication and role-based access control.
• Rich metadata and schema support for advanced reporting and analytics.

Identity Provider Support

Hexnode

• Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) for conditional access and device registration
• Okta for device trust and enrollment workflows
• Google Workspace for directory sync and Chrome management
• Enables directory-based enrollment, policy assignment, and user-based access control

Microsoft Intune

• Natively integrated with Microsoft Entra ID, forming the backbone of its identity-driven security model.
• Supports federated identity providers via Entra ID, including Okta and Ping Identity.
• Enables conditional access, multi-factor authentication, and role-based policy enforcement.
• Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 identity and access workflows.

ITSM & Enterprise Software Integrations

Hexnode

• Freshservice for ticketing and asset management
• Zendesk and ServiceDesk Plus via API
• Slack and Microsoft Teams for alerting and messaging
• Splunk and SIEM tools via webhook/API for log forwarding
• Offers webhooks, custom scripts, and third-party connectors for extensibility.

Microsoft Intune

• ServiceNow for incident and change management
• Microsoft Sentinel for SIEM and SOAR workflows
• Defender for Endpoint, Purview, and Microsoft 365 Defender for unified security
• Windows Autopilot, Configuration Manager, and Azure Monitor
• Supports Power Automate for workflow automation and Logic Apps for enterprise orchestration.

Pricing Models and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Hexnode

Hexnode uses a per-device pricing model, with monthly or annual billing. It offers four subscription tiers, each designed to scale with organizational needs:

• Free Trial: 14-day full-feature trial available without credit card
• Scales linearly with device count
• Lower upfront cost for SMBs
• Additional technician licenses may incur extra fees
• Minimum Commitment: 15 devices

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune uses a per-user licensing model, with options for standalone plans or bundled suites:

• Free Trial: 30-day trial available via Microsoft 365 admin center
• Often bundled with Microsoft 365, reducing standalone cost
• Includes rights to use Microsoft Configuration Manager
• Deep integration with Defender, Sentinel, and Entra ID lowers security overhead
• Premium features (e.g., Remote Help) require add-on licensing

Customer Support & Resources

Hexnode offers more direct and personalized support channels, while Microsoft Intune provides scalable enterprise-grade support integrated into its admin center. Both platforms maintain extensive documentation, but Intune benefits Microsoft’s broader community and learning ecosystem.

Hexnode

Hexnode offers multi-channel global support and a rich ecosystem of self-help resources.

Customer Support Channels:

• Phone Support: Available in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, India, and more.
• Email Support: Dedicated support email (support@hexnode.com).
• Live Chat: Available via the website and admin portal.
• Ticketing System: Raise support tickets directly from the portal.
• Premium Support: Available via enterprise plans with SLAs and dedicated account managers.

Documentation & Knowledge Base:

• Extensive Help Center with categorized guides for each OS and feature.
• Hexnode Academy: Structured training modules and certification paths.
• Video Guides: Tutorials for onboarding, kiosk setup, app deployment, and remote actions.
• Webinars & Whitepapers: Regular expert-led sessions and downloadable resources.

Community Engagement:

• Hexnode Connect: A dedicated community forum for peer support, ideation, and feature discussions.

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune, a major component of the Microsoft ecosystem, has a very broad and multi-layered support structure.

Direct Support Tiers

• Standard Microsoft Support: For technical issues within the scope of the included Intune Plan 1 or higher subscriptions (often bundled with Microsoft 365 E3/E5, Business Premium, etc.).
• Premier or Unified Support: For organizations with these higher-tier subscriptions, they gain access to dedicated account teams for personalized support, proactive monitoring, and priority incident handling.

Documentation and Self-Help Resources

• In-depth guides for different platforms (Windows, iOS, Android).
• Guidance on specific features like Windows Autopilot and the Settings Catalog.
• Intune Adoption Hub resources.

Community Engagement

• Microsoft Tech Community: This is a large forum for active conversations, Q&A, and peer support from experienced Intune users and administrators.
• Microsoft Q & A: A dedicated place for technical questions and answers.
• The official Intune Blog for announcements and developments.

Intune also integrates resources like the Help and Support pane directly within the admin center for context-sensitive documentation. For advanced users, there are developer resources covering the Graph API and PowerShell cmdlets for automation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Hexnode and Microsoft Intune manage both corporate-owned and BYOD devices?

Yes. Both platforms support corporate and BYOD scenarios. Hexnode uses open enrollment methods (QR code, email) and supports Android Work Profiles. Intune leverages Microsoft Entra ID and the Company Portal app to enforce app protection policies and conditional access for BYOD users.

Which platform offers better support for rugged or kiosk devices?

Hexnode excels in rugged and kiosk deployments, with native support for Samsung Knox, Kyocera, and multi-app lockdown across Android, iOS, Windows, and tvOS. Intune supports kiosk mode primarily for Windows and Android Enterprise but lacks specialized rugged integrations.

Does Microsoft Intune work without Microsoft 365?

Yes, but with limitations. 
Intune can be licensed standalone, but many features – like conditional access, Defender integration, and app protection – work best when bundled with Microsoft 365 E3/E5 or Business Premium.

Can Hexnode integrate with identity providers like Okta or Google Workspace?

Yes. Hexnode supports directory sync and authentication via Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), Okta, Google Workspace, and on-prem Active Directory. This enables policy assignments and enrollment based on user identity.

Which platform is better for compliance-heavy industries like healthcare or finance?

Intune for enterprise-grade compliance; Hexnode for SMB flexibility. 
Intune supports HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, ISO, FedRAMP, and more, with deep integration into Microsoft’s compliance stack. Hexnode also supports HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2, but is better suited for SMBs or MSPs needing flexible deployment and control.

Conclusion

Both Hexnode and Microsoft Intune offer robust UEM capabilities – but their strengths align with different organizational needs and IT philosophies.

Who is it for?

Choose Hexnode if you need:

• Flexible, device-based pricing for SMBs or MSPs
• Strong support for rugged, kiosk, and multi-OS environments (including tvOS, Fire OS, and visionOS)
• Remote control and troubleshooting for Android and Windows
• Open API access and multi-tenant architecture for service providers

Choose Microsoft Intune if your focus is:

• Enterprise-scale identity-driven security and compliance
• Deep integration with Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Defender, and Autopilot
• Unified endpoint analytics and conditional access policies
• Bundled licensing within Microsoft E3/E5 or Business Premium plans

Before making your final decision, consider your organization’s device mix, compliance requirements, and existing infrastructure. Both platforms offer free trials – take advantage of them to explore hands-on functionality and assess fit.