Microsoft Intune vs RMM: Which is right for your business?

Microsoft Intune has grown into a powerful force in endpoint management. At first glance, comparing a specific product (Intune) against an entire software category (RMM) might seem unusual. However, this comparison has become a central debate for modern MSPs and IT teams.

As Intune’s capabilities expand into RMM functions such as patching and device configuration, the lines have blurred. This overlap has led many organizations to ask a critical question: 

Can this single Microsoft platform replace the need for a dedicated RMM tool entirely?

The short answer is that Intune and RMM tools serve different purposes. Intune may excel at security enforcement, compliance management, and identity-driven access control. But traditional RMM platforms offer deep operational capabilities that Intune simply does not match.

If comprehensive infrastructure monitoring, advanced automation, multi-tenant client management, and remote support capabilities are part of your daily workload, a traditional RMM is still hard to replace.

In this article, we dig deeper into this Intune-RMM debate and help you decide which one will be right for your business. 

What is Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based unified endpoint management system that helps organizations manage all the devices and apps their employees use for work. It comes with the Enterprise Mobility+Security (EMS) bundle from Microsoft. 

The platform integrates well with other MS EMS offerings, such as Microsoft 365, Azure Active Directory (now called Microsoft Entra ID), and Windows. It also supports various devices, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets, across environments such as Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, and macOS. 

Some of the key features of Microsoft Intune are: 

Device compliance and security

Intune allows you to set specific security requirements that all devices must meet before they can access company resources. 

You can require devices to have password protection, encryption, up-to-date operating systems, and antivirus software installed. And if a device does not meet these standards, Intune can automatically block it from accessing sensitive company data. 

This protects your organization from security risks that are often associated with outdated or improperly configured devices.

App management

With Intune, you can distribute, update, and remove applications on employee devices from a central location. 

It also lets you protect company data within apps by controlling actions like copy-paste, screenshots, and data sharing between work and personal apps. 

This means your employees can use their devices for personal activities while keeping work information secure and separate.

Policy enforcement

Intune enables you to create and enforce policies that govern how devices and apps behave across your organization. These policies can control everything from password complexity and screen timeout settings to which websites can be accessed and whether cameras can be used.

If someone tries to change a setting that violates your policy, Intune can automatically correct it or alert your IT team.

Device management

With Intune, you can remotely deploy new devices, configure settings, install software, troubleshoot problems, and even wipe devices if they are lost or stolen. And all of this can be done through a web-based console. This is especially valuable if you work with a remote team.

MS Office configurations

Intune also brings in management capabilities for Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. It allows you to control which Office features are available to users. You can also configure default settings, manage Office updates, and ensure consistent configurations across all devices. 

Conditional access

Conditional access is a powerful security feature of Intune that determines whether a user or device can access company resources based on specific conditions you define. This creates flexible, intelligent security that adapts to different situations. 

How does RMM software work?

Remote monitoring and management (RMM) software lets IT professionals monitor and manage endpoint devices from anywhere. It works by installing a small program called an agent on each device you want to manage. 

This agent collects information about the device's health, performance, and security status. It then sends this data back to the central dashboard, where IT staff can view everything.

The essential features of an RMM are:

Real-time monitoring

The RMM software constantly monitors your endpoints for problems and checks if critical services are running properly. It tracks metrics like CPU usage, memory consumption, disk space, and network performance. And if something goes wrong, the software immediately alerts your team. This allows them to spot issues before they become serious problems. 

Automated alerting and ticketing

Once the alerts are triggered, the system can automatically take the next step by creating support tickets with all relevant details. 

These tickets are sent directly to your help desk or ticketing system without any manual intervention. You can also configure rules to assign tickets to specific technicians based on issue type or severity.

Patch management

RMM tools automatically handle software updates and security patches. They can scan all devices to identify which updates are missing. And download and install patches on a predetermined schedule. You can choose to update devices immediately or during off-hours to avoid disrupting clients’ work. 

Network scanning

The software regularly scans your network to discover all connected devices. It identifies computers, printers, routers, switches, and other equipment. The scans also detect new devices that join the network. 

Network scanning reveals which ports are open and which services are running. In short, it helps map your entire network infrastructure. This visibility is essential for security and inventory management. 

Policy management

RMM platforms let you create and enforce IT policies across all managed devices. You define rules for security settings, user permissions, and system configurations. The RMM software then applies these policies automatically to devices. You can set different policies for different groups of devices or users. 

Policy management ensures consistency and compliance across your entire IT environment. Plus, it eliminates the need to configure each device manually.

Reporting and analytics

RMM tools generate detailed reports about your IT infrastructure and operations. You can quickly check device health, uptime, patching, and security status. Over time, analytics reveal patterns, like which devices fail most or when issues usually surface. 

The data helps you make smarter IT decisions, plan upgrades, and fix recurring problems. It also shows management the real value of IT by tracking metrics like system availability and average resolution time.

Additional read: How RMM task automation works and its benefits for IT teams 

Microsoft Intune vs RMM: Key differences  

Microsoft Intune and RMM tools work differently when it comes to managing IT environments. 

Intune focuses on device management with strong security and compliance features. RMM, on the other hand, provides comprehensive monitoring and automation for the entire IT infrastructure. 

Let us take a detailed look at RMM vs Intune in the table below:

Can Intune replace your RMM?

While Microsoft Intune offers strong device management and security features, it cannot fully replace a dedicated RMM solution. 

This is because Intune has several limitations that prevent it from serving as a complete IT management platform for most organizations. These include:

1. Limited monitoring capabilities: Intune lacks the comprehensive monitoring features that RMM tools provide. It cannot track system performance metrics, monitor network infrastructure, or send detailed alerts about hardware issues. Something that RMM solutions are quite good at. 

2. No multi-tenant management: For Managed Service Providers (MSPs) managing multiple clients, Intune falls short. It does not offer the multi-tenant architecture that RMM platforms provide. This makes it difficult to efficiently manage devices across different organizations from a single dashboard.

3. Weak third-party patch management: Intune primarily handles Microsoft product updates and has minimal capabilities for patching third-party applications. Most organizations rely on dozens of non-Microsoft applications that require regular security updates. RMM tools excel at managing patches across all software vendors, while Intune leaves this critical gap largely unfilled.

4. Lack of remote support tools: Intune does not include the remote access and troubleshooting tools that IT teams need for daily support tasks. RMM solutions offer such features with remote desktop control and command-line access that make resolving user issues quick and efficient.

The missing gap: Integrated service management

Beyond these technical limitations, there is a critical operational gap. The alerts and incidents generated by monitoring systems need efficient management. This is to ensure security, compliance, business continuity, and smooth operations. 

The point is that RMM solutions work best when complemented by a built-in service desk or Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform. This integration allows seamless ticketing, incident management, workflow automation, and contract and billing management, all crucial tasks for MSPs. 

Intune lacks these integrated business management capabilities entirely. That is what makes it insufficient as a standalone solution for organizations that need comprehensive IT service management.

RMM vs Intune: When to use what?

Choosing between Intune-RMM depends on your organization's specific needs, infrastructure, and management requirements. 

Here is a practical guide to help you decide which solution fits your situation best.

You should use Intune when:

1. Windows-first environments are used

If your organization primarily runs on Windows devices and is heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, Intune provides seamless integration with Windows 10/11, Microsoft 365, and Azure Active Directory. This native integration makes device enrollment, app deployment, and policy management straightforward without requiring additional agents or complex configurations.

2. The main goal is compliance

When your priority is enforcing security policies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining consistent device configurations, Intune excels. It provides robust conditional access policies, compliance reporting, and automated enforcement that keep devices aligned with your organization's security standards.

3. A single-tenant model is required 

For organizations managing their own internal IT infrastructure under one tenant, Intune offers a cost-effective and streamlined solution. It works well when you do not need to juggle multiple client environments or switch between different organizational contexts.

And RMM works best when: 

You are an MSP or IT team managing multiple endpoint environments

If you are managing devices across multiple clients or business units, RMM tools provide the multi-tenant architecture you need. They allow you to efficiently switch between different customer environments, maintain separate configurations, and scale your operations without administrative challenges.

Comprehensive system monitoring and alerting are needed

When you need real-time visibility into system health, performance metrics, and infrastructure status, RMM solutions deliver. They continuously monitor critical indicators and send immediate alerts so you can address problems before they impact users.

Deep automation for IT maintenance tasks is required

RMM platforms offer powerful scripting engines and automation frameworks that handle routine maintenance tasks automatically. Whether you need to clean temporary files, update configurations, or run custom workflows, RMM tools automatically handle it all. 

You need integration with PSA/ticketing systems 

Effective IT management requires seamless coordination between monitoring, alerting, and service delivery. RMM tools integrate with PSA and ticketing systems to automatically create tickets from alerts, track time, and manage billing. 

For the most efficient workflow, it is better to use RMM solutions with built-in PSA capabilities like SuperOps. Such tools help eliminate integration headaches and provide effortless management of technical and business operations.

Remote support and helpdesk functionality are primary needs

When your team spends a lot of time providing hands-on support to users, RMM tools offer the remote access features you need. They provide quick remote desktop control, command-line access, file transfer capabilities, and screen sharing that make troubleshooting fast and effective. This, in turn, reduces resolution times and improves user satisfaction.

You need support for cross-platform environments

If your organization uses a mix of Windows, macOS, Linux servers, and various network devices, RMM solutions provide consistent management across all platforms. Unlike Intune's Microsoft-centric approach, RMM tools offer broad compatibility. They let you manage your entire infrastructure from one platform, regardless of operating system or device type.

Additional read: 6 signs you need a new RMM tool

How to complement Intune with SuperOps?

SuperOps is a unified endpoint management platform that offers a complete suite of features for comprehensive IT management for both MSPs and internal IT teams. It brings both PSA and RMM together and fills the gaps that Intune leaves behind. Here is how:

• SuperOps tracks performance metrics for Windows servers, workstations, macOS devices, and Linux systems. You can easily see CPU usage, memory, disk space, and service status in real time on a single interface. Network devices get monitored too through SNMP and other protocols. Intune just cannot match this level of infrastructure monitoring.

• The platform handles OS patches for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It also pulls from multiple third-party software repositories. This means you can patch applications beyond Microsoft's ecosystem. Plus, it allows you to control when patches deploy and which devices receive them first.

• Its native PSA functionality supports AI-automated ticketing, time tracking, billing, and client management from a single platform. Alerts from monitoring automatically create tickets with full context. So, there is no need to bridge two separate systems.

• The platform offers rule-based automation and AI-powered capabilities through Monica, its AI assistant. Along with that, scripts can handle repetitive tasks. Monica also helps with ticket routing, patch deployment, and pattern recognition. She learns from your previous solutions and suggests quick fixes before problems escalate.

• Where Intune cannot support multi-tenancy, SuperOps is purpose-built for that. Each client gets isolated management. You can switch between organizations without logging in and out, and policies do not get mixed across clients. And every action ties back to the right contract and billing structure.

• The platform includes free Splashtop licensing for remote access. It also integrates well with TeamViewer or ConnectWise Control for the same. Moreover, your technicians can easily jump into remote terminals, take over desktops, or move files back and forth. This way, your clients are not required to download anything or share access codes. 

• SuperOps also connects with Acronis and Dropsuite for strong backup and disaster recovery services. You can set backup policies through the platform, and the RMM agent deploys and manages backup software automatically. Additionally, backup status, health scores, and alerts appear right in the dashboard alongside everything else.

So, if you use Intune to handle your Microsoft-centric policies, security, and compliance, SuperOps can fill every other gap. From monitoring and cross-platform patching to remote support and business operations.

The bottom line

Intune works well if you mostly use Microsoft, and security is your main concern. But if you are an IT team or MSP juggling multiple clients, or you need real infrastructure monitoring and automation, you cannot let go of your RMM.

The smart thing here would be to combine them both. Let Intune lock down your security and compliance while SuperOps handles the operational heavy lifting.  

With its unified RMM and PSA platform, SuperOps covers everything from monitoring and patching to remote support, ticketing, and day-to-day business operations, all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

1. Is Intune considered an RMM?

No, Microsoft Intune is not an RMM. It is actually an endpoint management tool that is mainly focused on security, compliance, and policy enforcement. RMM tools take a more comprehensive approach that covers monitoring, automation, remote support, and infrastructure management. 

2.  Does Microsoft have an RMM tool?

Microsoft 365 Lighthouse is generally considered the RMM tool of Microsoft. But it has various limitations. It only supports Windows devices, offers limited scalability, and lacks most of the tools that MSPs need. 

3. What is the difference between MDM and RMM?

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is used to manage mobile devices, enforce security policies, and control app deployment. RMM goes far beyond this. It monitors system health, automates IT tasks, provides remote support, and manages the entire infrastructure, including servers and networks. 

4. What is Microsoft Intune and Endpoint Manager?

Microsoft Intune and Endpoint Manager are essentially the same platform with a naming evolution. Intune is Microsoft's cloud-based endpoint management service. Microsoft Endpoint Manager was the umbrella name that combined Intune with Configuration Manager (SCCM) and several other tools. Microsoft has since simplified the branding back to just "Intune" for the cloud service.

5. Can Microsoft Intune effectively manage non-Windows endpoints?

Yes, Intune can manage non-Windows endpoints, but with several limitations. It manages iOS, Android, and macOS devices for basic tasks like policy enforcement, app deployment, and compliance checks. However, its capabilities work best with Windows. For non-Windows platforms, you get fewer configuration options, limited automation, and less granular control compared to what you would have with Windows devices or platform-specific management tools.