FileWave vs Zentral
FileWave
filewave.comZentral
zentral.comSide by side
| Figure | FileWave | Zentral |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | €3/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 3 |
| Spec score · Mac Management Software | 8.9 (#5) | 7.8 (#13) |
| Compliance | The company says its security program complies with ISO 27001 and describes audit-ready compliance reporting. | Osquery checks can update device compliance status automatically, with statuses available in the GUI and XLS/CSV reports. |
| Headquarters | Wil, Switzerland | Hamburg, Germany |
| 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. | The maker lists Santa, Osquery, Munki, Terraform, and Jamf as notable integrations. |
| Intended users | The company describes use cases spanning K–12 and higher education, government, media and publishing, corporate, and finance organizations. | The maker identifies Client Platform Engineers and IT Managers as audiences for Zentral. |
| Patch management | The product schedules operating-system and third-party application patches, vulnerability scans and controlled rollouts. | Its Munki integration detects failed or repeated installations, tracks incidents, and supports staged package rollouts using tags and shards. |
| Purpose | FileWave is a unified endpoint management platform for managing devices across major operating systems. | Zentral is an open-source hub for endpoint protection that collects, normalizes, and processes events from endpoint agents and device management connectors. |
| Support | The company says customer support is available 24/5 by email, call, or video. | The maker describes Enterprise support as including guided deployment and ongoing professional services, and paid plans list support. |
Plans
FileWave
- Community EditionFree
- Community EditionFree
- ProfessionalPriced on request
- CommunityPriced on request
Zentral
- Zentral Santa€3 a month
- Zentral MDM€5 a month
- Zentral CustomPriced on request
In their own words
FileWave
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.
Zentral
Zentral is an open-source endpoint protection hub that gathers, normalizes, and processes events from endpoint agents and device management connectors. It combines Apple MDM with community-driven patch management for managing Apple devices across their lifecycle. Inventory from multiple sources is brought into a unified view with device snapshots and change events. Osquery checks can update compliance status, which is available in the GUI and XLS or CSV reports. Munki integration tracks failed or repeated installations and supports staged package rollouts using tags and shards. Zentral also manages Santa allow and block rules, with phased movement from Monitor to Lockdown mode. Events can be filtered and sent to event stores, third-party SIEMs, Slack, or HTTP webhooks. The Terraform provider manages supported Munki, Santa, Osquery, and MDM configuration as code, though MDM GitOps is in private preview. Custom is offered as SaaS or Private Cloud, and Docker deployment is documented. Zentral identifies Client Platform Engineers and IT Managers as audiences.