Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL] comparison

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Cisco and Ivanti are both solutions in the Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) category. Additionally, 96% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Ivanti users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 20, 2026

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager and Ivanti Avalanche are mobile device management solutions with unique strengths. Cisco stands out for its ease of use and comprehensive management from a cloud-based dashboard, while Ivanti offers cost-effective features, especially for remote access and package deployment.

Features: Cisco Meraki Systems Manager boasts a user-friendly dashboard for easy application and security policy deployment. It supports reliable geofencing, device tracking, and remote wiping. Ivanti Avalanche offers powerful remote control and efficient bulk package deployment, ideal for enterprises requiring frequent remote updates over large device numbers.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Meraki needs to enhance scripting capabilities and third-party integration. Its pricing model is considered expensive, and there is a need for better Linux compatibility. Ivanti Avalanche could refine its pricing structure and upgrade its Android management features, while also enhancing automation and AI capabilities for better device behavior insights.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Meraki's cloud deployment is scalable, facilitating remote management across dispersed locations, supported by reliable technical assistance. Ivanti Avalanche primarily supports on-premises deployment, catering to organizations with this preference but could benefit from a stronger cloud offering. Cisco's customer service is well-regarded, but some critique the local support, whereas Ivanti provides commendable on-site assistance despite limited remote support.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco is perceived as expensive but offers significant value in terms of reliability and flexibility, supporting a centralized management and support structure. Ivanti Avalanche, more moderately priced, delivers essential features without hidden costs, though it could improve affordability. Both solutions present ROI potential, with Cisco noted for reducing operational downtime through efficient remote management.

To learn more, read our detailed Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) Report (Updated: October 2026).

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October 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Intune

Featured Reviews

Anumula Hitesh

Senior Business Development Executive at Digitaltrack

Centralized device management has automated onboarding and improves remote security compliance

One thing I feel Microsoft Intune could improve is troubleshooting visibility. In many cases, when a policy or application deployment fails, the error messages are a bit generic. So, admins still spend time checking logs manually or testing on devices one by one. Compared to the simplicity of deployment, troubleshooting sometimes feels less mature. I also think reporting and real-time monitoring could be stronger. The dashboard gives useful information, but in large environments, many teams still depend on additional tools or scripts for deeper reporting and analytics. If I had to focus on one area first, I would probably choose troubleshooting and reporting. Deployment through Microsoft Intune is generally straightforward, but when something fails, identifying the exact root cause can still take more time than expected. Error messages are sometimes too generic, and admins often have to dig through logs, sync status, or multiple portals to understand what actually happened. I think user experience and policy management could also improve further. Microsoft Intune has become much better over the years, but sometimes the admin portal still feels fragmented because certain configurations open in different sections or redirect to older interfaces. For new admins, especially, it can take time to understand where everything is located. Another thing is policy conflict handling. In larger organizations, multiple device policies, compliance rules, and configuration profiles can overlap. When conflicts happen, the visibility is not always very clear, so admins spend time figuring out which policy actually won or caused the issue.

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Sulesh PK

Monitoring and Operations Pilot at Egis S.A.

Has simplified hardware issue identification but needs integrated communication options

We have monitoring capabilities and we are monitoring some network tools from Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) and troubleshooting as well. I am currently working with version MR 32.1.4. Policy involves connecting mostly through emails, as we don't have any special kind of policy features. If any alert comes, we connect via mail. We don't utilize the geolocation tracking feature. The unified dashboard helps me simplify device management for my team based on the location, as we have configured devices from many different countries. We give the device's name based on the location, allowing us to identify easily in the dashboard. Regarding operational cost savings, it is cost-saving because in other companies, they use different tools for different networks, such as one for Windows, another for Linux, and a different one for VMware. We use all the systems including Windows, Linux, and networking under Cisco, Centreon, and Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM), which is very cost-efficient. Regarding pricing and licensing of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM), I don't have information about that, as we are from the technical department. Details about subscription and quotation come from another department. I rate this solution 8 out of 10.

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it_user1399731

Chief Technology Officer at Lane Clark & Peacock LLP

Offers scalability and ability to create granular policies

It is a very easy-to-manage and granular policy-based solution. Policies that you can create per device per user behavior are the most valuable feature In future releases, I would like to see more automation or bringing in AI into to understand device behavior. I have been using it for five…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Intune is patching-related capabilities."

"Microsoft Intune scales very effectively with our growing needs."

"A valuable feature is user enrollment, where users can enroll their devices in their organizations themselves."

"From the user perspective, Microsoft Intune enables access to corporate data and apps even on personal devices, which is convenient."

"It's cloud-based with no need for on-premise infrastructure, you can access it anywhere and start working on it, and you will have the record of data in your hand anytime if you need it quickly."

"Its direct integration with all the other products that we have from Microsoft is valuable. We're using the E5 license, and we have a whole wealth of different products available. It just makes it easier to have everything from one provider."

"When comparing these two products, I prefer Intune."

"Intune has automated the deployment of patches and applications, which is more efficient and easier. It allows us to deploy applications, packages, Windows updates, and security updates like BitLocker encryption more efficiently and easily."

More Microsoft Intune pros

"Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) has a positive impact on my company because it is very easy to use, and we can resolve issues easily, allowing us to resolve issues within the SLA."

"The most significant benefit is that the deployment is quick and painless; you don't need a specialized IT department to implement and scale the network, and it's easy to maintain, too, requiring only one or two network administrators."

"The remote security feature, as well as the ability to control devices from anywhere, is one of the more beneficial features of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)."

"The best features of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager include its simplicity and ease of use. It is straightforward to set up and manage devices compared to other products."

"I have found the location analytics feature that is built into the APs to be the most valuable. It allows you to compare data and to single out individuals who are repeatedly coming into your store. We can observe different trends. This is what separates it from a lot of the other solutions."

"Meraki Systems Manager's most valuable features are password management, device tracking, remote resetting and wiping, device management, inventory management, and easy policy deployment."

"We can reconfigure a client’s setup remotely with minimal effort."

"The product can scale, and it is definitely something that you can deploy on small businesses or very big companies."

More Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) pros

"Installing the packages remotely and remote control are the most valuable features. There are around 100 pieces or devices, and the only way to send a package to a device is by connecting to the PC and then manually sending the package. By using Avalanche, we can send a package to all devices with one click. It is very stable and easy to use. Their technical support is also very good. We have implemented this solution for our clients, and they are satisfied with this solution. It does what it is meant to do."

"The solution is easy to work with. I like its stability and flexibility."

"The most valuable features of the Ivanti Avalanche are the remote control and the file transfer."

"Ivanti Avalanche has reduced the time needed to perform updates on all the devices across our clients' organizations; it's a great time-saver for the client."

"It is a very easy-to-manage and granular policy-based solution. Policies that you can create per device per user behavior are the most valuable feature."

"The most useful feature of Avalanche is remote control — especially the ability to remotely install packages to many devices all at once. When the client has, for example, 100 devices needing updates, it would take far too long to update each device individually. But with Avalanche, we just connect to all the devices through the PC and send the updates out with one click."

"The terminal remediation feature is valuable."

Cons

"The mobile management is good for iPhone and iPad, but the Apple Mac management needs improvement. That is probably because Microsoft does not have low-level access to Apple Mac hardware. If you are doing basic things, it is okay, but if you want to image Apple Macs and do things like that, then Jamf is much better."

"Manually syncing devices to enforce policies is cumbersome."

"My assessment of the user experience of Microsoft Intune is that it is sometimes good and sometimes poor, depending on Microsoft's infrastructure."

"Back in 2020, there were significant problems with report accuracy, particularly regarding web patching."

"I would say the interface and dashboard summarizing the devices' status and compliance could be improved."

"My experience with them was very bad. They don't know about their own product."

"I have experienced downtime, bugs, and glitches. I rate it a seven because when we have bugs or instability in Microsoft Intune, we need to wait for the backend from Microsoft Intune to resolve issues and we can't deliver solutions to clients because we need to wait for action plans and related processes."

"The support is not very good. It's very poor."

More Microsoft Intune cons

"Security could be improved, and there could be more features that enable you to customize the end customer solution."

"The tool's pricing needs to be more flexible like Cisco's."

"Personally, we don't plan to continue to use it going forward. While the Apple side of the solution is great, the Windows side just has a lot of problems."

"It would be beneficial to have better integration with other OS."

"One area for improvement in Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is the ability for more advanced users to make detailed and non-standard changes."

"Linux compatibility needs improvement."

"I would like the system's compatibility with Google Chrome to be improved."

"In my opinion, the equipment availabilities and competitive pricings could be improved."

More Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) cons

"Because our clients are all very satisfied with Ivanti from their side, there is little I can say about room for improvement. However, I think that to stay competitive with other solutions offering a similiar solution, Ivanti could look into making their products more affordable."

"Its price could be improved. It could be cheaper."

"In future releases, I would like to see more automation or bringing in AI into to understand device behavior."

"Its price could be improved. It could be cheaper. I would like to see a better approach for Android and an easy way to send packages and manage devices."

"There is a lack of flexibility."

"The solution can improve by adding a kiosk mode option to the devices."

"The tool's stability could be better."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It comes as a bundle, so you do not really know what the prices are. Microsoft does not break it down to the user cost for us. It is just bundled with our E5 license."

"There is a license required to use this solution. However, it was part of a bundle package. Microsoft Intune is far less expensive than other solutions, such as Workspace ONE."

"While I don't have access to high-level financial information, I believe we have achieved lower costs with this implementation."

"If you ask the accountant or the finance department, they'll tell you that it is way too expensive, but when I look at the cost and compare it with the value you actually get, it's more than fair."

"Microsoft Intune is moderately priced. There is a monthly license required to use the solution and it is approximately eight dollars per month."

"I am satisfied with the pricing."

"The product is offered as part of a Microsoft standard bundle. The pricing can be competitive to Airwatch, and Maas360."

"Its price is quite okay. I wish they provide certain additional features with the same license."

More Microsoft Intune pricing and cost advice

"Meraki MDM is the cheapest solution we have used."

"This product is reasonably priced."

"It's extremely competitive and very good for a product in this sphere."

"Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is an expensive solution."

"My clients find it a bit expensive compared to other systems."

"The cost of installing this solution can be more expensive depending on who is doing the installation. Cisco is very expensive."

"The storage is affordable and the system has some price-related issues. Therefore, keeping the price in mind, I would rate it seven out of ten."

"My customers at times have issues with the price of the solution. It is expensive, but overall it is worth it. The licensing model cost is based on how many devices you require."

More Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) pricing and cost advice

"Other than the standard licensing fee, there aren't any additional or hidden costs, although I believe Avalanche could be made more affordable in general."

"Although the solution is a bit costly in my opinion, for customers who really need this solution, Ivanti Avalanche is worth it."

"It is expensive. Its price could be cheaper."

"You will need to purchase licenses for each device."

"The license is based on assets. I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Outsourcing Company

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Outsourcing Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

16%

Construction Company

12%

Healthcare Company

10%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	191
Midsize Enterprise	63
Large Enterprise	187

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	14

No data available

Questions from the Community

How does Microsoft Intune compare with VMware Workspace One?

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What are the pros and cons of Microsoft Intune?

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)?

The pricing sits at a mid-level range, around five or six. There are cheaper and more expensive tools available, but ...

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What needs improvement with Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)?

An area of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) that could be improved is if we could connect directly with the res...

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What is your primary use case for Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)?

I work with system management in Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) products. Our usual use cases for Cisco Merak...

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Comparisons

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Compared 13% of the time

Jamf Pro vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 10% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft Entra ID vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 3% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune

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Jamf Pro vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 9% of the time

Sophos Mobile vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 7% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft 365 Business vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 5% of the time

SOTI MobiControl vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 5% of the time

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SOTI MobiControl vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

Compared 14% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

Compared 11% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

Compared 8% of the time

BlackBerry Enterprise Mobility Suite vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

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Compared 4% of the time

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Product Reports

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Microsoft Intune

October 2026

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Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

October 2026

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) report

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Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)

October 2026

Download Ivanti Avalanche [EOL] product report

Also Known As

Intune, MS Intune, Microsoft Endpoint Manager

Meraki MDM

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service designed for device management, security, and compliance. It supports automation and facilitates endpoint management for Windows, iOS, and Android devices, ensuring data protection and efficient policy enforcement.

Microsoft Intune offers seamless integration with tools like Windows Autopilot to automate device setup and deployment. Integrated with Azure Active Directory, it enhances policy management while providing robust reporting and analytics tools for compliance tracking. Despite its intuitive interface aimed at simplifying navigation and device security management, there are challenges such as compatibility issues with Linux and Mac, limited policy support for Android, and demands for better third-party integration. It's widely used for both corporate-owned devices and BYOD scenarios in dynamic IT environments.

What are the key features of Microsoft Intune?

Windows Autopilot: Automates device setup for rapid deployment.
Azure Active Directory Integration: Enhances user policy management.
Reporting and Analytics: Improves compliance visibility.
Mobile Application Management: Ensures app security without compromising personal data.
Cloud-Based Management: Allows management from any location.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Time Efficiency: Automation reduces time in policy enforcement and configuration updates.
Enhanced Security: Ensures data protection across corporate-owned and BYOD devices.
Improved Compliance: Advanced reporting tools enhance compliance visibility.
Flexible Management: Cloud-based nature supports management from any location.

In industries such as finance and healthcare, Microsoft Intune is implemented to ensure data protection and compliance with regulatory standards. Manufacturing sectors utilize Intune for managing a distributed workforce across global locations, while educational institutions employ it to secure and manage devices in learning environments supporting both students and faculty.

Microsoft

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) enhances enterprise device management with centralized cloud-based control and robust security. Leveraging intuitive dashboards, it enables seamless deployment and management of applications and devices, supporting diverse environments with efficient scalability and minimal downtime.

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) delivers a cloud-centric approach to managing enterprise networks by offering simplified device and application management. With strong security features such as geofencing, remote erasure, and secure access, it addresses critical needs in security policy enforcement and network monitoring. The system's analytics and extensive reporting capabilities offer insights that refine performance across device-heavy landscapes. Despite its advanced functionalities, areas for improvement include better scripting capabilities, broader compatibility with operating systems like Linux and Chromebooks, and stronger integration with third-party applications. Although pricing is considered high, the manager provides network visibility and control across devices like iPhones, tablets, and computers.

What are the key features of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager?

Cloud Management: Centralized, user-friendly interface for managing devices and applications.
Robust Security: Features like geofencing and secure access maintain network integrity.
Real-Time Analytics: Offers insights to optimize network performance with detailed reports.
Scalability: Supports seamless updates and handles large environments effectively.
Remote Control: Facilitates quick responses with remote wiping and troubleshooting abilities.

What benefits should users consider in Cisco Meraki evaluations?

Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlined processes for application deployment and device management.
Network Security: Comprehensive security features protect data and infrastructure.
Improved Insights: Access to detailed analytics improves decision-making.
Ultrafast Deployment: Rapid implementation minimizes downtime in dynamic environments.

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is widely utilized across industries to manage and secure extensive networks. Educational institutions benefit from its mobile device management to ensure compliance and control over student devices. Retail environments leverage its centralized control to handle diverse endpoints, while healthcare providers count on its robust security capabilities to protect sensitive information and maintain network integrity. The manager's broad applicability ensures tailored management and security solutions for varied industry needs.

Cisco

Ivanti Avalanche is a robust management tool favored by organizations for mobile device and file transfer tasks. Its remote installation capabilities and policy-based management make it a reliable choice for efficient operations.

Ivanti Avalanche supports mobile device management and file transfers, especially in sectors like warehousing and logistics. Its stability and management features offer seamless remote control and package installation across devices, ensuring efficiency in environments such as transport and utilities. While users value its performance and technical support, there is interest in features like kiosk mode and broader Android support.

What are Ivanti Avalanche's most valuable features?

Remote Control: Enables remote management of devices, crucial for troubleshooting.
File Transfer: Facilitates efficient data transfer between devices.
Package Installation: Allows for simultaneous installation on multiple devices.
Policy-Based Management: Simplifies device management through customizable policies.
Granular Policies: Offers detailed control per device and user behavior.

What benefits and ROI should be considered?

Time Efficiency: Streamlines device management processes.
Stability: Provides consistent performance in dynamic environments.
Technical Support: Ensures guidance for optimal usage.
Cost-Effectiveness: A consideration for improving pricing models and expanding features.

Ivanti Avalanche is utilized in industries like warehousing, logistics, transport, and utilities for managing mobile devices, file transfers, and software updates. It supports technologies such as barcode scanners and thermal printers, assisting integrators in deploying solutions efficiently across client environments.

Ivanti

Sample Customers

Mitchells and Buzzers, Callaway

Hafen Hamburg & Empire Riverside Hotel, Eastview Church, Tourism Holdings, Colegio Sagrada Familia Hijas de Jesús, Tommy Bahama's, Canadian School Mexico, Rosebank College

Goya, Gist, TaylorMade

Buyer's Guide

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October 2026

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