What is the technical difference between MDM vs EMM

More than 80% of organizations today have formal BYOD policies and many allow employees to use personal devices for work. 

This creates the need for centralized visibility, security, and control across diverse endpoints. As a result, MSPs are increasingly evaluating endpoint management approaches to address these challenges. But many still struggle to choose between MDM and EMM due to confusion around their scope and capabilities. 

Many large enterprises assume Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) to be simply a ‘newer’ version of Mobile Device Management (MDM), but this confusion leads to either overkill solutions for simple fleets or under-protected applications and data in hybrid setups.

In reality, EMM popularly builds on core MDM capabilities and extends control from mere range of devices to apps, content, and user identities. 

This article discusses the difference between MDM and EMM to help you build your decision framework. A thorough understanding of MDM vs. EMM helps you avoid overbuying tools or under-securing endpoints while sizing your stack for every client environment. 

What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?

MDM is a software that enrolls, configures, and secures corporate-owned mobile devices like laptops, smartphones, kiosks, and tablets. It enforces authoritative policies like passcodes, encryption, app restrictions, and remote lock or wipe, which assert full control over the device security. 

It is an excellent option for MSPs looking for basic device-centric control over hardware and OS settings, but it can fall short as it does not offer granular control over application behavior or any corporate data beyond the endpoint. 

Additional Read: The Modern Fix For An Old IT Problem: Meet SuperOps' Cross‑Platform Mobile Device Management 

What is Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)?

EMM, popularly expands the capabilities of an MDM. It offers all the basics of endpoint management with additions like Mobile Application Management (MAM), identity and access management (IAM), analytics, and also data loss prevention. 

It expands the security horizon, as with an EMM, MSPs can manage access based on location, the state of the device, user identity or the concerned application. So if MDM lets you manage devices as an entity, EMM gives you an upper hand over mobility and migration. 

When analysing MDM vs. EMM, you can go from just being able to lock down the entire endpoint, you can now restrict a single, specific application or a sensitive set of files present on the device. This helps you ensure that only the verified users can access your enterprise’s resources in the present culture of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to work. 

It is a scalable solution that specifically addresses the need to secure information and business applications on devices instead of blankly fortifying the endpoint. 

How does MDM software work?

It allows IT teams to control, encrypt, and enforce an enterprise’s security policies across a variety of mobile devices from one central software solution. Generally, MDM has two components, namely, the server and the client applications. 

The mobile device management server is the space where IT teams interact, perform monitoring tasks, and communicate with all devices that are company-owned. It can be local or in the cloud and similarly, client applications can also be set up and updated on endpoints, from time to time via software updates. For comparing MDM vs. EMM, here are some notable features of MDM:

• Enrollment of a device: Firstly, the endpoint gets registered on the organization’s MDM software before any allocation.

• Provisioning: Once the enrollment process is complete, the device is then configured with the MDM software that activates the set of consistent security policies that protects the endpoint and allows the IT admin to manage the device remotely.

• Endpoint security: From time to time, all the updates in security configurations, data settings, resolve patches are then remotely transmitted to all registered endpoints.

• Device monitoring and reporting: This allows real-time issue monitoring, detecting any malware infiltration, and locating stolen or lost devices.

• Remote data wiping: If at all the lost device cannot be located, the IT admin can remotely wipe off all the critical data from the device for security purposes. 

• Enforcing security policies: These help in configuring devices to function according to the security policies of the organization such as blocking certain websites or installation of specific applications. 

• Measures for data loss prevention: Regularly automates data backup to the cloud, a third-part email server or on a USB port in case there is any accidental data loss.

Additional read: What Is Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Why Is It Important?

How does EMM software work?

EMM software offers a unified console that helps IT admins to manage devices, content, applications, and identities across hybrid environments. It performs enrollment via zero-touch or self-service methods, then applies identity federation like Azure AD for secure access.

EMM implements containerization that fosters BYOD culture without exercising any invasive control. So the work applications securely run in silos while the employee’s personal data stays private. 

Here are some unique aspects or features of EMM you can consider when evaluating MDM vs. EMM:

• Mobile Application Management (MAM): It offers in-depth management and security of applications by monitoring and evaluating the application health. The IT teams can restrict malicious applications, configure, and deploy necessities and remove any applications from the device that does not agree with the company’s policies.

• Containerization and application wrapping: Ideally a part of MAM, app wrapping, and containerization helps in creating silos of corporate and personal data on the endpoint. These allow the employee to switch their ‘persona’ on their personal device without losing control over their personal data. Also, it makes it easy for internal IT teams to focus only on corporate resources when monitoring, securing or wiping data.

• Mobile Content Management (MCM): MCM is responsible to maintain a secure environment that allows employees to store, access, and collaborate on corporate documents, data, and sensitive information.

• Identity and Access Management (IAM): IAM helps MSPs to enforce enterprise security policies via controls and by determining the access level or clearance as per the employee designation, classification of corporate networks (safe or unsafe), and whitelisted sites or applications.     

What is the difference between MDM and EMM?

MDM has a clear focus on securing, configuring device hardware, and OS with deep access. But with the growing culture of BYOD devices or remote work, we see the industries push their workflows towards a cloud-first platform that explains EMM’s additional capabilities and how it builds on traditional MDMs. It eventually expands to manage apps, content, identities, and broader ecosystems.

Here is a table that gives you an aspect-wise difference between EMM and MDM to find your ideal facilitator.

Additional read: MDM Vs EMM Vs UEM- What’s the difference?

MDM vs. EMM: Can EMM replace MDM?

By now, you would have noticed that an EMM incorporates MDM as a core subset or a build block but extends far beyond with its offerings of app, content, and identity management. Pure or traditional mobile device management solutions still remain an ideal choice for simple, owned-device fleets needing basic compliance. At the same time, EMM closes gaps in app and data security for remote teams and BYOD setups.

EMM caters to the flexibility that complex work environments demand, but you need to note that they often lack deep Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) patching capabilities found in dedicated MDM tools. 

That is why MSPs need to carefully consider their requirements as those who still serve legacy systems or work with a traditional framework will thrive with MDM’s focused efficiency and can avoid EMM’s multi-functionality features that can look like an added complexity to the enterprise.  This is a crucial consideration when evaluating  MDM vs. EMM. 

Additional read: How RMM Task Automation Works and its Benefits for IT Teams

MDM vs EMM: When to use what?

Use MDM

• If you require basic device compliance and security on completely owned fleets by the enterprise.

• If you function in a cost-sensitive environment that works with a single-vendor ecosystem and no complex BYOD culture.

• When MSPs manage traditional corporate device setups without application-level needs.

Use EMM

• To manage apps, content, and identities in complex, hybrid or remote workforces.

• For balancing BYOD policies while preserving user privacy through containerization.

• In enterprise-scale operations that require cloud integrations like single sign-on (SSO) and Azure AD.

How SuperOps complements MDM vs EMM

SuperOps is a cross-platform endpoint management software that offers unified Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) and Professional Services Automation (PSA). It bridges the gap between both software by offering a one-stop solution with RMM, PSA, and multi-tenant MDM capabilities. 

MSPs use its modern features like proactive monitoring, ticketing, and compliance dashboards to fill in EMM’s RMM patching gaps. It is powered by Agentic AI like Monica and eliminates the need for scattered tools used for hybrid/BYOD environments.

Along with bridging the MDM vs. EMM gaps, SuperOps supports core MDM features like :

• Zero-touch deployment

• BYOD management

• Scalable application, OS, and policy controls.

• Remote locking, wiping functionality, and a lost mode for endpoints that could not be recovered.

• Role-based access controls (RBACs) and unified management for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and other network devices through one single console.

In addition, here are some key features of SuperOps that make it a comprehensive Unified Endpoint Management platform for UEM solutions:

• Live dashboard: All the multiple functionalities are centralized via SuperOps’ live dashboard feature. Here you can view all open tickets, get alerts, and check the device status in one interface. For a better user experience, you can also customize widgets to avoid fidgeting between applications.

• Service desk: With the help of SuperOps’ service desk, you can track time on tickets, perform CSAT surveys to confirm the issue resolution, and get Kanban views for bottlenecks.

• Client management: SuperOps offers a client management suite that acts like a one stop solution for handling emails and invoicing from product catalogs and tickets. It also comes with a lightweight CRM that gives you a birds eye view into the customer journey.

• Smart automation: SuperOps provides task templates so that you can automate operational necessities like approvals, events, and time triggers. Monica AI effortlessly performs anomaly detection and cuts 40% of the routine tasks.

• Reporting and analytics: You can make your own custom charts, plan projects with milestones, schedule client reports, and allocate assignments and deadlines.

The bottom line

Navigating MDM vs. EMM boils down to device-only control against ecosystem-wide governance that spans across apps, content, and identities. That is why it is necessary to evaluate an enterprise’s work environment and mobile devices culture to pick the best suited option out there. 

Also, with timely advancements, modern managed service providers (MSPs) and IT teams cannot rely on siloed tools anymore due to increasing complexity in workflows and work environments. They need unified platforms that can deliver scalable, AI-driven oversight across every endpoint and mobile device without missing a beat.

Even though EMM naturally evolves from MDM by adding onto its features, it works at its best when paired with RMM and PSA capabilities. This combination is the exact solution that today’s MSPs demand as it offers full visibility and expands their service scope to meet real client demands for proactive, end-to-end IT management. 

SuperOps makes this happen through its completely integrated architecture and modern AI-first solutions, which power more than 1,300 leading MSPs across 104 countries. 

Are you ready to unify the best features of MDM, EMM, RMM & PSA in one platform? Book your demo with SuperOps today!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the primary difference between MDM and EMM?

The primary difference between MDM and EMM is that MDM focuses on securing and managing an entire device while EMM builds on MDM capabilities and offers application management, content management, and identity management features.

Can MSPs use SuperOps for MDM?

Yes. MSPs can use SuperOps for MDM. SuperOps’ built-in Mobile Device Management (MDM) module allows MSPs to manage, secure, and monitor mobile endpoints (Android and iOS) alongside desktops and laptops from one unified platform. 

Is EMM better for BYOD?

Yes. Considering MDM vs. EMM,  EMM is considered as a better option out there for BYOD as it offers more granular control and safeguards the employees personal data present on the device.

When should MSPs choose MDM over EMM?

When your clients have a straightforward requirement that is device centric and needs to manage a limited, standardized fleet of company-owned devices and business data, MDM is a better option over EMM.

Does MDM require full device enrollment?

Full device enrollment is required if you opt for a traditional MDM for corporate-owned devices for your small business.