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MicroMDM

micromdm.io

Free plan macOSiOSAPISelf-hosted
Visit micromdm.io
Spec score 7.7 #14 of 24 in Mac Management Software

What it is

MicroMDM is a free, open-source Mobile Device Management server for Apple devices, intended for enterprise and education. Its APIs schedule commands, read device information, and administer the server. There is no built-in administrator web interface; operators use the mdmctl command-line utility, which communicates through the API. Setup involves running the server binary with a server URL, API key, and TLS certificate and key. The API key protects and authenticates API requests. When MicroMDM terminates device connections, TLS certificates and a key are required, although TLS can terminate at a load balancer instead. Setup also documents Apple Push Notification service integration with an Apple-issued MDM push certificate. Apple Business Manager Device Enrollment Program integration is supported but optional. The system supports automated enrollment, app deployment, FileVault management, and remote commands. Version 1 is in maintenance mode, with no planned feature work and security and bug fixes on an available-effort basis through the end of 2025.

Spec sheet

Purpose
MicroMDM is an open-source Mobile Device Management server for Apple devices, intended for enterprise and education.Read 7 Oct 2026 · micromdm.io
Deployment
The quickstart describes running the MicroMDM server binary with a server URL, API key, and TLS certificate and key.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
API
Its APIs support scheduling commands, reading device data, and managing the server.Read 7 Oct 2026 · micromdm.io
Integrations
The setup guide documents integration with Apple Push Notification service using an Apple-issued MDM push certificate.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project says its #micromdm channel on the MacAdmins Slack team is the best place to get help.Read 7 Oct 2026 · micromdm.io
Administration
MicroMDM does not include a built-in administrator web interface; it provides the mdmctl command-line utility, which uses the API.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
API security
The setup guide says an API key must be created to protect the API and authenticate API requests.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Device enrollment
Apple Business Manager Device Enrollment Program integration is supported but is not required.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintenance status
The project announced that MicroMDM v1 is in maintenance mode, with no new feature work planned and security and bug fixes on an available-effort basis through the end of 2025.Read 7 Oct 2026 · micromdm.io
Migration guidance
The project recommends migrating from MicroMDM to NanoMDM and/or the Nano-suite, which it describes as currently supported and generally maintained.Read 7 Oct 2026 · micromdm.io
Migration tooling
The project says micro2nano tools aid in transparently migrating existing MDM enrollments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · micromdm.io
Package deployment
An optional file repository is used for packages uploaded with mdmctl apply app and is unnecessary if custom packages are not being pushed with InstallApplication commands.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
TLS
The guide says TLS certificates and a key must be configured when MicroMDM terminates device connections; TLS can instead terminate at a load balancer.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free, open source, permissively licensed Read 7 Oct 2026 · micromdm.io

Every MicroMDM plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Open-source and free
  • Supports automated Apple device enrollment
  • Provides app and FileVault management
  • Offers remote command APIs
  • Optional Apple Business Manager integration

Limits

  • No built-in administrator web interface
  • Requires API key protection
  • TLS configuration is required in some deployments
  • Version 1 is in maintenance mode

Who it suits

It suits enterprise and education teams managing Apple devices through APIs and command-line administration. Teams should account for the project’s maintenance status and migration guidance.

Verdict

MicroMDM covers core Apple MDM operations through an API and mdmctl rather than a web console. The project recommends moving to NanoMDM or the Nano-suite, with micro2nano tools available for enrollment migration.

Where Specifiction places it

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