RMM vs. MDM - Which one is best for your IT

Weighing the pros and cons of using an RMM vs. MDM solution in your MSP or IT department? Let’s dive into how to make the right choice for your organization’s unique IT needs.

For your average medium-to-large enterprise company, the IT department needs to manage hundreds, if not thousands, of employees’ devices. And when a lot of these employees have a phone, a laptop for remote work, and a desktop in the office, the total number of devices adds up quickly.

Then you factor in the fact that these devices may need to connect to different systems and networks, and the enterprise average of 67 installed apps per device…well, you can see that’s a lot of devices and software to manage. 

Device management is a critical function of IT departments, and it can create massive headaches for the tech team, especially when you don’t have the right digital infrastructure to handle the workload.

That’s what leads many to ask themselves, “Is an RMM or MDM device management solution right for me and my organization?”

While there is overlap between the two device management solutions, they also differ in some major ways. Here’s a closer look at what RMM and MDM are, and how to choose the right solution for you and your organization.

What is RMM?

RMM, which stands for remote monitoring and management, is a process that IT departments undertake to remotely monitor and manage client endpoints, including computers, mobile devices, networks, and systems. 

RMM software gives IT teams the ability to keep a constant eye on their organization’s device and network infrastructure from anywhere with an internet connection. It also enables IT technicians to proactively maintain and protect client endpoints, especially important considering that the annual average cost of cybercrime is predicted to hit more than $23 trillion by 2027. 

Whether on-premise or cloud-based, the importance of an RMM tool boils down to a few key points. Firstly, a strong RMM solution makes maintaining networks, servers, and endpoints much easier. With features like automated patch management and real-time network monitoring and alerts, effective RMM software is the one-stop shop where you can manage and perform the tasks that you might need to do in a day. 

And with the arrival of Agentic AI to the IT scene, RMM platforms can enable IT departments to get work done much more efficiently. Take Atera’s AI Copilot, for example. As your always-on personal IT assistant, you can save up to 13 hours per week through automated patch management, script generation, and a whole lot more.

Yet not all RMM solutions are created equal. In fact, choosing an RMM software that doesn’t meet the needs of your organization can result in inefficiencies at best and cybersecurity vulnerabilities at worst. 

What is MDM?

MDM, which stands for mobile device management, is a type of software that enables IT departments to regulate, automate, and secure information on mobile devices managed by the organization. This includes computers, laptops, tablets, and cellphones. 

The management, restriction, and compliance capabilities of MDM tools make IT administrators’ lives easier by consolidating critical device information and management functions in one centralized place. 

For example, let’s say you manage the network of a company with 600 employees. One day, you get news that someone from the product team forgot their laptop while working on a new algorithm on their way home from work… oh boy! Well, with an MDM, you could remotely lock and/or wipe this laptop to keep your organization’s work secure.

However, as we’ll discuss, MDM solutions are a more limited version of an RMM. You can use an MDM solution to manage devices, but its capabilities don’t extend past that. RMM solutions, on the other hand, typically come with a more extensive set of capabilities. With network and system monitoring available, RMM solutions generally do all the same tasks that MDM solutions perform and then some. 

RMM vs. MDM: How do they compare?

RMM and MDM solutions share a common goal: to make device management easier for IT professionals. And they both accomplish this goal remotely; with an RMM or MDM, the IT team does not need to have the device physically present to manage it.  

However, RMM solutions tend to have much broader capabilities. In many cases, an RMM can replace an MDM, but not the other way around. A strong RMM software will be incredibly feature-rich, providing a comprehensive solution that addresses multiple IT needs in one ‘package’. 

For instance, Atera’s RMM solution provides smart automation, an automated patch management system, detailed reporting and analytics, activity logs, custom assets, documentation, and even Autonomous AI tools. While MDMs can be great for managing mobile devices, RMMs offer more complete network management at a level that just doesn’t compare. 

Top RMM advantages

To understand why you may want to choose an RMM over an MDM, let’s dive into the key features and benefits of an RMM solution: 

Remote access to the whole network: RMM programs give IT technicians remote access to computers, devices, and other endpoints as well as holistic network access, while MDM solutions focus on mobile devices only. 

Increase efficiency of IT departments: RMM enables IT teams to manage the health and performance of all the system’s endpoints remotely and automatically. IT employees do not need to be present physically in order to fix a wide range of problems, so workflows are faster and smoother. RMM software also helps you predict lapses, lessen downtime, and take proactive steps to resolve issues before they happen. 

IT automations: Modern RMM systems like Atera also include plenty of IT automations that take care of rote day-to-day tasks, freeing up your IT staff to focus on more complex issues and problems that require critical thinking. With custom thresholds, Atera’s RMM software can take action automatically without even having to involve a technician.

Asset and inventory scanning: The best RMM solutions on the market offer advanced asset and inventory scanning so you get a better overview of the big picture of your IT ecosystem. Via intuitive dashboards and displays, you can accurately assess the current state of your network and devices, making you better positioned to determine your overall IT strategy. 

Reporting and analytics: As you’ve maybe heard, “You can’t improve what you don’t measure”. RMMs provide further-reaching reporting, which makes it much easier to track your work and stay on the right track. It also becomes much easier to demonstrate the value of your IT team to the organization as a whole. While IT departments do a lot of work that stays behind the scenes (and can easily go unnoticed by non-technical staff), sharing analytics and reports of your work gives you the data to back up your value to company leadership when you are negotiating for budget and resources.  

An RMM can help IT departments that want to become more efficient, keep their network secure, and accurately report on KPIs. While RMM tools are usually a larger upfront investment than their MDM counterparts, their extended capabilities and added value make the higher price tag worth it. 

What MDM can and can’t do

MDM solutions are designed to ensure privacy, security, and functionality for users of mobile devices within an organization, including laptops, cellphones, and tablets. MDM solutions usually come with capabilities such as device tracking, application management, policy control, data security, configuration profiles, and patch management.

While these tasks are necessary for an IT department, the reality is that today’s RMM solutions can do all of that and much more. MDM solutions are built exclusively for mobile devices, while RMM solutions include a wider range of capabilities for non-‘mobile’ systems and devices, including network and system monitoring. 

MDM solutions have typically been more security-focused than RMM software. However, in today’s network discovery landscape, that’s changing. Many RMM software providers, including Atera, are also making cybersecurity and vulnerability management top priorities.

Are MDM solutions pricey?

MDM solutions can be expensive, especially for users with a large number of mobile endpoints. Innovative RMM pricing models are bridging the gap, making the argument in favor of RMM solutions even more compelling. With a pay-per-technician model, Atera’s RMM pricing begins at an accessible $129/month, per technician for MSPs, and $149/month, per technician for IT departments. 

This pricing model makes it even easier for organizations to grow and scale their RMM software solution with Atera. By paying per technician instead of per end user or device, companies in the growth stage can scale quickly without facing heavy cost increases for their RMM operations. 

RMM vs. MDM at a glance

We know that reading through a long blog post on a topic can leave you with questions. So here’s your TLDR. Let’s take a quick look at this overview to understand the key differences between MDM vs. RMM solutions: 

How to choose between RMM vs. MDM

While RMM vs. MDM solutions share some features, there are key differences that can have a big impact on the choice for your organization. That’s why you should start the decision-making process with a comprehensive audit of your IT department’s needs. This will give you a stronger understanding of what capabilities and features are a priority for you. 

Once you know which key features you’re looking for, you can start exploring the different solutions on the market and which one might get the job done for you. 

Consider whether an MDM vs. RMM solution checks the important feature boxes that you need. At the end of the day, will it improve IT efficiency in your IT department, improving your day-to-day workflows, and allowing your business to grow? And another very important thing to consider, does this tool fit your budget?

MDM vs. RMM? That is the question…

Although MDM has its uses, for most organizations, a solid RMM solution is the best option for getting all the IT management capabilities you need in a convenient, from one centralized dashboard. As you consider your IT budget and your IT team’s needs and priorities, look out for an RMM product that is customizable, comprehensive, and affordable. The ideal RMM tool is definitely out there!Want to learn more about Atera’s RMM capabilities, featuring industry-leading Agentic AI tools that can help you save up to 13 hours per week? Try us out for free with a 30-day free trial, with no credit card required.