Top 5 Open Source MDM Software

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updated on Mar 25, 2026

Mobile devices are a significant source of business data breaches. While some companies require sophisticated closed-source MDM software, others prefer open-source solutions to protect their devices. Drawing upon my 17 years of cybersecurity experience, here is the top open-source MDM software to help you choose the right option:

Top 5 MDM software comparison

Features comparison (Part 1):

Software	GitHub Stars	Supported Platforms	Location Tracking	Remote Control	Setting Device Policies
Headwind MDM Community	295	Android	✅	✅	✅
Zentral	835	iOS, macOS	❌	❌	❌
MicroMDM	2.6k	iOS, macOS	❌	❌	✅
FleetDM	6.2k	Linux, macOS, Windows	✅	✅	✅
Relution	NA	iOS, Android, Windows	✅	✅	✅

Features comparison (part 2):

Ranking: From least to most GitHub stars.
Sources: Product websites and developer platforms like GitHub. Features for which no information was found are marked as not offered.
See more on the comparison criteria and features highlighted above.

Vendors analyzed

1. Headwind MDM

Headwind MDM is an open-source solution for managing Android devices, particularly suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.

Pros:

Android device management, including location tracking and remote control.
Supports installation of custom applications. Allows enforcement of security policies across devices.
Can run on-premises entirely without internet access, including LAN or VPN environments.

Cons:

Primarily designed for small deployments; may not scale well for larger enterprises.
Documentation may be insufficient for users without technical expertise.
Limited to Android devices; does not support iOS or other platforms.
Since 2026, custom builds of the Headwind MDM launcher are blocked by Google Play Protect on standard GMS-certified devices, limiting enterprise enrollment to AOSP devices, custom ROMs, or devices that have received explicit Google whitelisting approval.¹

2. Zentral

Zentral is an open-source platform that combines MDM capabilities with endpoint visibility and monitoring, with a focus on Apple devices.

Pros:

Integrates MDM with endpoint visibility and monitoring.
Offers powerful security features.
Suitable for enterprise-scale deployments.
Customizable API for third-party app integrations.

Cons:

Complex initial setup with numerous configuration options.
Lacks location tracking and remote control features.
Primarily focused on Apple devices; it does not support Android.

3. MicroMDM

MicroMDM is an open-source MDM server for managing Apple devices (iOS and macOS) that offers a lightweight, modular approach.

End of Support: MicroMDM v1 entered official maintenance mode in June 2025. No new features will be developed. Security and bug fixes are on a best-effort basis only. Users are advised to migrate to NanoMDM (github.com/micromdm/nanomdm), the actively maintained successor project.²
MicroMDM is an open-source MDM server for managing Apple devices (iOS and macOS) that offers a lightweight, modular approach.

Pros:

Handles large deployments of Apple devices well.
Full device policy management via API.

Cons:

Lacks user-friendly features; may require technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
Does not support location tracking or remote control functionalities.
Limited to iOS and macOS; does not support Android or other platforms.

4. FleetDM

FleetDM is an open-source device management platform for IT and security teams. It started as an osquery fleet manager and has since added full MDM support across macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, and Android.

Pros:

Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, and Android from a single platform.
GitOps support device policies can be version-controlled and deployed via Git workflows. ~6.2k GitHub stars as of March 2026, with weekly releases.
Android MDM moved out of experimental in 2025; it includes SCEP certificate deployment and app configuration management.

Cons:

Setup and configuration require technical experience.
iOS and Android MDM features are still catching up to the maturity of their macOS and Windows support.

5. Relution MDM

Relution is an MDM platform developed in Germany, built around European data protection requirements. It is used primarily by schools, public authorities, and businesses that need GDPR-compliant device management.

Pros:

Manages iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, Android, and Windows from one console.
App deployment, policy enforcement, kiosk mode, and location tracking across all supported platforms.
On-premises deployment available, or hosted in German-encrypted data centers, with no reliance on US cloud services. GDPR-compliant by design; location data and photos on devices are not readable by Relution.
Pursuing BSI Common Criteria EAL 4+ certification as of February 2026.³

Cons:

Some features, such as advanced reporting and certain integrations, require a paid subscription.
Smaller open-source community than FleetDM or MicroMDM.

Comparison criteria & features

GitHub stars: A rough proxy for community activity and adoption. Higher star counts generally indicate more active development and a larger pool of community resources for troubleshooting.
Supported platforms: Whether the tool can manage the specific OS types your organization uses, such as Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, or Linux.
Location tracking: Records the physical location of managed devices for security or operational use.
Remote control: Lets administrators access and troubleshoot devices without being physically present.
Setting device policies: Enforces security rules across devices, including password requirements, app restrictions, and encryption.
API for third-party apps: Allows the MDM to connect to other tools in your IT stack via API.
Device Control: Controls which external hardware, USB drives, and peripherals can connect to managed devices, reducing the risk of data leakage.
Host Integrity: Detects unauthorized changes to a device malware, modified configurations, or compromised states before they reach the network.

Open Source MDM vs. Closed-Source

Open-source MDM tools eliminate licensing fees and give organizations access to the source code, which means full control over data and the ability to customize behavior. The trade-off is that setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting fall on your own team.

If you need robust vendor support, a polished interface, or out-of-the-box management of many device types, a commercial MDM solution is likely the better fit.

If you would like more features in your mobile device management solution, consider closed-source MDM software.

FAQs

Open source MDM refers to mobile device management software that provides access to its source code and allows organizations to manage and secure mobile devices, like Android and iOS devices, cost-effectively. These open source MDM solutions offer features like device enrollment, remote configuration, location tracking, and remote control to manage devices, apply security policies, and ensure compliance. They are customizable, giving businesses flexibility to avoid vendor lock-in and reduce subscription costs, while benefiting from community support for new features and security patches. Examples include Headwind MDM and Flyve MDM.

Using open-source MDM software instead of closed-source provides several advantages. First, it offers cost savings by eliminating subscription fees associated with commercial MDM solutions. Organizations can modify the source code to meet specific needs, whether for Android device management, iOS devices, or custom Android devices. Open-source MDM solutions like Headwind MDM and Flyve MDM help avoid vendor lock-in, allowing businesses to manage devices cost-effectively while maintaining complete control over security policies, device enrollment, and remote configuration.
Additionally, community support ensures the continuous development of new features, security patches, and advanced features like remote wipe and location tracking, all while providing flexibility for on-premises or cloud-based deployment. Open-source MDM software is ideal for businesses seeking more control, network security, and customization compared to the limitations of closed-source MDM tools.

A closed-source MDM solution is ideal when a business prioritizes full support, advanced security, and compliance with stringent regulations. It often comes with dedicated customer support, remote control, and streamlined device management for managing Android devices, iOS devices, and Apple devices. Businesses may opt for closed-source solutions when they lack the internal resources to maintain open-source MDM software or prefer the simplified setup, security patches, and features of a commercial product to ensure network security and user behavior monitoring without worrying about customization.