Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

FileWave

filewave.com

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
Visit filewave.com
Spec score 8.9 #2 of 31 in Unified Endpoint Management Software

What it is

FileWave is a unified endpoint management platform for organizations managing computers, phones, tablets, and other devices across major operating systems. It supports Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, Android, and ChromeOS, and can be hosted in the cloud or installed on an organization's servers. Enrollment options include zero-touch deployment and frameworks such as Windows Autopilot, Apple ADE/DEP, and Android and ChromeOS enterprise options. Administrators can distribute apps, updates, scripts, and content with standard installers or Filesets. Its patented Fileset Technology sends changes at file level and allows deployed files to be edited or removed. The platform supports scheduled OS and third-party application patching, with testing and rollback options for Fileset revisions. Security features include encrypted communications, remote lock and wipe, and administrator two-factor authentication. Audit-ready reports cover devices, configurations, patching, licenses, encryption, and compliance. The free Community Edition is limited to 15 computers, 15 tablets, and 15 Chrome devices, with community support and no included support service.

Spec sheet

What it does
FileWave is a unified endpoint-management platform for managing macOS, iOS, Windows, ChromeOS and Android devices from one system.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Purpose
FileWave is a unified endpoint management platform for managing devices across major operating systems.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Intended users
The company describes use cases spanning K–12 and higher education, government, media and publishing, corporate, and finance organizations.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Deployment
It supports cloud hosting or installation on an organization's own servers.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
API
The public REST API requires an API key, documents account, domains, campaigns, channels, files, links, pixels and QR-code endpoints, and supplies cURL, PHP, Node.js, Python and C# examples.Read 15 Oct 2026 · go.filewave.com
Integrations
Documented integrations include Apple MDM/DDM/VPP/ABM/ASM/ADE, Microsoft Entra, Android Enterprise, Chrome Management API, ServiceNow, Slack, Cloudflare, Deep Freeze and TeamViewer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Security
FileWave says client, server, and administrator communications are encrypted and offers remote lock and wipe and administrator two-factor authentication.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Compliance
The company says its security program complies with ISO 27001 and describes audit-ready compliance reporting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Support
The company says customer support is available 24/5 by email, call, or video.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Headquarters
Wil, SwitzerlandRead 28 Sep 2026 · filewave.com
Founded
1992Read 28 Sep 2026 · filewave.com
API rate limit
The developer documentation states a default limit of 30 requests per minute, communicated through X-RateLimit headers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · go.filewave.com
Apple App Store availability
FileWave Kiosk is free, requires iOS or iPadOS 14 or later and FileWave 16.3 or later, and has insufficient ratings to display an overview.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Certification
The security page states FileWave operates under ISO/IEC 27001 information security management standards.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Client requirements
Desktop clients are supported on macOS and Windows 10 or 11; the documentation says there is no Linux client.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kb.filewave.com
Community Edition limit
Community Edition is described as free and limited to 15 computers, 15 tablets, and 15 Chrome devices, with community support and no included support service.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Company founded and headquarters
LinkedIn lists FileWave as privately held, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Wil, St. Gallen, Switzerland.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company legal name
The official imprint identifies FileWave AG as the Swiss provider, while Crunchbase lists FileWave (USA), Inc. as the U.S. legal name.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Company size
LinkedIn lists 51–200 employees and the company about page says approximately 85 people.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Compliance reporting
The platform provides audit-ready reports for device, configuration, patch, license, encryption, and compliance information.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Consoles
Every license includes FileWave Anywhere, a browser console, and FileWave Central, a native macOS and Windows administration app.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Deployment models
FileWave can run on customer-controlled infrastructure or as FileWave-hosted cloud, with the company stating feature parity between models.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Device enrollment
It automates provisioning and zero-touch enrollment using Windows Autopilot, Apple ADE/DEP/DDM and Android or ChromeOS enterprise frameworks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Documentation depth
The knowledge base includes API guidance, installation procedures, system requirements, release history and platform-specific administration articles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kb.filewave.com
Enrollment
Enrollment options include zero-touch deployment and frameworks such as Windows Autopilot, Apple ADE/DEP, and Android and ChromeOS enterprise frameworks.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Fileset technology
Filesets provide file-level control, delta updates, version targeting and rollback without repackaging entire applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Filesets
Patented Fileset Technology sends file-level changes and supports editing or removing files after deployment.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Free trial
The full-featured free trial lasts 30 days, allows unlimited devices, and includes direct support and two TeamViewer licenses.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Licence status
FileWave requires acceptance of a commercial license agreement; its knowledge base separately lists third-party open-source components and their licenses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kb.filewave.com
Limit: administration glitches
Gartner Peer Insights reviewers mention administration-client graphic glitches and stale device records.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Limit: bugs and troubleshooting
G2 reviewers report occasional bugs and difficulty troubleshooting some deployments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: remote connections
A Software Advice reviewer reported that many attempted remote sessions failed to connect and that Fileset status reporting was weak.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Limit: reporting
GetApp reviewers say custom reports and spreadsheet exports are harder to produce than expected.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Limit: Windows documentation
A Trustpilot reviewer found Windows imaging documentation scattered, difficult for beginners and sometimes outdated for newer Windows versions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Patch management
The product schedules operating-system and third-party application patches, vulnerability scans and controlled rollouts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Patching
FileWave supports scheduled operating system and third-party application patching, with testing and rollback options described for Fileset revisions.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Praise: cross-platform management
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise managing multiple operating systems from one console and the product’s customization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: support
Trustpilot reviewers frequently describe FileWave support as knowledgeable, responsive and quick to resolve problems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Praise: value
Software Advice reviewers describe FileWave as easier to justify financially than higher-priced competing endpoint-management tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Rating on Capterra
4.4 out of 5 from 37 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on Chrome Web Store
3 out of 5 from 4 ratings for FileWave InventoryRead 15 Oct 2026 · chromewebstore.google.com
Rating on G2
4.7 out of 5 from 20 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Gartner Peer Insights
4.4 out of 5 from 18 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Rating on GetApp
4.4 out of 5 from 37 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Software Advice
4.4 out of 5 from 37 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Rating on Trustpilot
4.4 out of 5 from 45 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Rating on TrustRadius
8 out of 10 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Release cadence
The release-history page says major FileWave releases arrive roughly quarterly and lists version 16.4.x from September 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kb.filewave.com
Remote support
FileWave integrates TeamViewer for encrypted remote-control sessions across supported managed platforms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Reporting
Real-time inventory, compliance, hardware-health and license reports are available through customizable Grafana dashboards.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Security controls
FileWave states that client-server-administrator communications are encrypted and supports remote lock/wipe, identity-provider two-factor authentication and enforced device encryption.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Self-service kiosk
A kiosk lets users install administrator-approved applications and content on demand.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Server requirements
The documented server supports macOS 12 or 13 on Intel or Apple Silicon and Debian 12 x86_64, with at least two virtual CPUs, 8 GB RAM minimum, 1 Gb networking and about 1 TB recommended storage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kb.filewave.com
Software delivery
Admins can distribute apps, updates, scripts, and content using standard installers or Filesets.Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Software distribution
Administrators can deploy PKG, MSI, EXE installers, scripts and patented Filesets across endpoints.Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com

Plans and prices

Community Edition Free Forever free; up to 15 computers, 15 tablets, and 15 Chrome devices Community support; no support included; no TeamViewer licenses Read 3 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Community Edition Free forever free · up to 15 computers · up to 15 tablets · up to 15 Chrome devices · community support · no TeamViewer licenses Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Professional Priced on request per Device iOS, macOS, tvOS, Windows, Android and ChromeOS · enhanced customer support · 2 TeamViewer licenses Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com
Community Priced on request per Device up to 15 devices each for mobile, desktop and Chrome · iOS, macOS, Windows, Android and ChromeOS · Discord, forum, knowledge base and Foundry access Read 15 Oct 2026 · filewave.com

Every FileWave plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Windows, Apple, Android, and ChromeOS devices.
  • Cloud hosting or installation on an organization's own servers.
  • Zero-touch enrollment and major enterprise enrollment frameworks.
  • Scheduled patching includes testing and rollback options.
  • Audit-ready reports cover compliance and device information.

Limits

  • Community Edition is limited to 15 devices of each listed type.
  • Community Edition has no included support service.
  • Professional starts at $12.50 per device; billing period is unstated.

Who it suits

FileWave suits IT teams in education, government, media, corporate, and finance organizations that manage multiple device types. It offers cloud and self-hosted deployment options.

FileWave in depth

Read the full write-up

FileWave is endpoint-management software for organizations overseeing computers, mobile devices, tablets, Chromebooks, and Apple TV. It is best suited to IT teams managing mixed fleets across education, government, corporate, or other institutional settings. Its strength is combining enrollment, software delivery, patching, and compliance reporting; its free edition is deliberately small.

Overview

Organizations can run FileWave in the cloud or install it on their own servers, a useful choice for teams with different hosting requirements. Automated enrollment spans Windows Autopilot, Apple ADE/DEP, and Android and ChromeOS enterprise frameworks, while management covers Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, Android, and ChromeOS. That breadth makes it a plausible single system for varied device estates rather than a focused tool for one platform.

FileWave was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Wil, Switzerland. Its stated use cases range from K–12 and higher education to government, media and publishing, corporate, and finance organizations.

Key features

Enrollment and software delivery

Zero-touch enrollment and platform-specific frameworks can make provisioning part of an organization's device rollout rather than a separate manual setup step. Administrators can distribute apps, updates, scripts, and content using standard installers or Filesets. Filesets transmit file-level changes and allow files to be edited or removed after deployment, which gives teams a way to make targeted changes without relying only on full package replacement.

Patching and control

Scheduled operating-system and third-party application patching helps IT teams manage upkeep across a mixed fleet. Testing and rollback options for Fileset revisions provide a route to check and reverse changes, though these options are described for Filesets rather than as a general rollback guarantee for every patch.

Policy management, remote lock and wipe, and administrator two-factor authentication support common device-control needs. FileWave says communications among clients, servers, and administrators are encrypted, and its security page states that it operates under ISO/IEC 27001 information security management standards.

Reporting and integrations

Audit-ready reports cover device, configuration, patch, license, encryption, and compliance information, making the platform relevant to organizations that need a consolidated view of endpoint status. Integrations include Grafana, TeamViewer, Apple management services, Microsoft Entra, Android Enterprise, Chrome Management API, ServiceNow, Slack, and Cloudflare. Customer support is offered 24/5 by email, call, or video.

Pricing

The Community Edition is free forever and supports up to 15 computers, 15 tablets, and 15 Chrome devices. It includes community support, but no included support service or TeamViewer licenses. Those caps make it a useful small-scale starting point, not a free tier for a growing or broadly deployed fleet.

Professional starts at $12.50 per device. It supports iOS, macOS, tvOS, Windows, Android, and ChromeOS, adds enhanced customer support, and includes two TeamViewer licenses.

Community starts at $15 per device and covers up to 15 devices each for mobile, desktop, and Chrome. Its stated allowance is narrower than Professional's platform coverage, and the plan details do not describe additional support or TeamViewer licenses. Organizations needing more devices or a different service arrangement should seek custom pricing. A 30-day trial is offered.

Platforms

FileWave supports Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, Android, and ChromeOS. It manages desktops, laptops, mobile devices, tablets, Apple TV, and Chromebooks. Cloud hosting and installation on an organization's own servers offer deployment flexibility; the Professional plan's stated coverage names iOS, macOS, tvOS, Windows, Android, and ChromeOS.

Who it's for

FileWave is a stronger fit for organizations that need to enroll and manage several device types, distribute software, schedule patches, and report on compliance through one platform. Education, government, media, corporate, and finance teams are among its intended users. A small organization looking only for a generous free allowance may be better served elsewhere: the Community Edition's limits are strict, and paid pricing is per device.

Pros and cons

Pro: Enrollment, software delivery, patching, policy management, and compliance reporting cover a broad set of endpoint administration needs in one product.

Pro: Cloud and self-hosted deployment let organizations choose how to run the platform.

Pro: Fileset file-level changes, revision testing, and rollback options give administrators control over deployment changes.

Con: The free edition's separate device caps and lack of included support or TeamViewer licenses limit its usefulness beyond small fleets.

Con: Professional and Community pricing is quoted per device without a stated billing period, making cost planning less straightforward from the starting price alone.

Alternatives

For a larger free device allowance, consider ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus: its free edition is described as a fully featured Professional edition for up to 25 devices, compared with FileWave's separate 15-device caps. Fleet is an alternative if public source code and a free version that its maker says will always remain free are priorities.

Relution offers a free plan for up to five devices, so it may suit a very small deployment. AppTec360 Enterprise Mobility Management is another freemium option. LogMeIn Resolve IT Asset Management is an alternative for readers comparing freemium products.

SureAsset is a free option that includes hardware and software license tracking and API access and automation. Zentral offers a €3 per device per month SaaS plan with support, Zentral Core, Santa, and Exception Portal. Mosyle Manager offers a free plan with no device-count limit, configured for either iOS/iPadOS or macOS.

Readers comparing categories can also browse Mac Management Software, Unified Endpoint Management Software, Mobile Device Management Software, and Application Deployment Software.

Verdict

Choose FileWave if your organization needs cross-platform enrollment, deployment, patching, and compliance reporting with a cloud or self-hosted option. Its breadth and Fileset controls are the central case for it. Look elsewhere if a substantial free allowance or predictable cost from a clearly stated billing term matters more: its free edition is capped, and paid plans start at a per-device price without a billing period stated.

Verdict

FileWave combines enrollment, software delivery, patching, and compliance reporting across major operating systems. The free edition has firm device limits, while larger deployments can consider paid per-device plans.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to FileWaveAll alternatives →