Android devices are everywhere in SMBs: field team smartphones, kiosk-mode tablets, phones assigned to sales reps or technicians. The problem is that without a centralized management tool, these devices quickly slip out of IT's control. Unauthorized apps get installed, security updates pile up, and if a device is lost or stolen, there is no remote lock procedure in place.
For large enterprises, Android Mobile Device Management (MDM) has been standard practice for years. For SMBs, it is often the neglected part of the IT stack: too complex to deploy, too expensive to maintain, or simply overlooked until the first incident.
In 2026, that is no longer the case. A new generation of Android MDM solutions has been designed for lean IT teams, with deployments completed in a few hours, unified consoles, and licensing models that make sense for fleets under 200 devices. In this guide, we compare the best Android device management solutions for SMBs, covering pure MDM, UEM platforms, and all-in-one tools. For a broader comparison of UEM platforms, see our guide to the best UEM solutions for SMBs in 2026.
Why SMBs Need a Dedicated Android MDM Solution
Manual Android device management hits its limits very quickly. As soon as you go beyond ten devices, problems start to accumulate:
- Security policies not enforced: without MDM, there is no way to ensure all devices have encryption enabled, a PIN configured, or OS updates installed
- Exposed company data: a lost device without remote lock or wipe means SaaS access, files, and customer data potentially accessible to anyone
- Shadow fleet: without a centralized inventory, the IT team does not always know how many devices are in circulation, who holds them, or which OS they are running
- Manual onboarding and offboarding: provisioning a new Android device by hand takes time; forgetting to wipe it when someone leaves is a real risk
An Android MDM solution addresses all four of these problems from a single console, without requiring physical intervention on each device.
1. Primo: The Best All-in-One Android Management Platform for SMBs
The top overall option for SMBs that want Android MDM, endpoint security, and IT management in a single tool
Primo ranks #1 because it solves a problem that standalone Android MDM solutions do not cover: the gap between mobile device management, security posture, and the overall IT lifecycle.
In most SMBs, the Android device is just one piece of the chain. A new employee gets their Android smartphone, but you also need to create their SaaS access, assign their laptop, and provision them in the HRIS. When they leave, you need to wipe the device, revoke access, and reclaim licenses. With an isolated Android MDM, all of this happens manually across separate tools.
Primo connects these workflows:
- Full MDM for Android via Android Enterprise: zero-touch enrollment, work profiles, dedicated device mode, security policies, and remote wipe
- Multi-OS management (macOS, Windows, iOS, Android) from a single console: an employee can have a macOS laptop and an Android smartphone, managed in the same place
- Security posture tracking across all devices, including Android: encryption, OS updates, screen lock, and unauthorized apps detected and flagged automatically
- Native IT ticketing that automatically generates tickets from policy violations on Android devices
- SaaS access management to detect shadow IT installed via mobile devices
- HRIS-connected onboarding and offboarding: when an exit is recorded, the Android device is wiped and access revoked in sync with HR events
Key Features
- Android Enterprise MDM (Work Profile, Dedicated Device, COPE, COBO)
- Zero-touch enrollment via QR code or Android Zero-Touch Enrollment
- App deployment and management from the console
- Security policies: encryption, PIN, OS updates, app restrictions
- Remote wipe and lock
- Security posture tracking and compliance reporting
- Unified multi-OS management with integrated IT ticketing and SaaS management
Ideal for
- Growing SMBs with an Android fleet mixed with other OS devices (macOS, Windows, iOS)
- IT teams that want to centralize Android MDM, endpoint security, and IT lifecycle in a single platform
- Organizations that need to prove mobile device compliance to customers or partners
Less suited for
- Organizations with very specific field MDM needs (hardware hardening, IoT) requiring proprietary integrations like SOTI
- Very large enterprises with complex security architectures requiring deep SIEM integration
2. Microsoft Intune: Android MDM for SMBs on Microsoft 365
Ideal for SMBs already on Microsoft 365 that want to manage their Android devices within the Microsoft ecosystem
Microsoft Intune is the endpoint management solution integrated with Microsoft 365. For SMBs already using Azure AD, Teams, and Outlook, Intune is a natural extension: included in certain Microsoft 365 Business licenses, it supports Android Enterprise and conditional access policies.
Key Features
- Android Enterprise MDM (Work Profile, Dedicated Device)
- Conditional access policies integrated with Azure Active Directory
- App deployment via managed Google Play
- Android device compliance tied to Microsoft 365 access policies
- Integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for threat protection
Ideal for
- SMBs with a Microsoft 365 Business license that want to include Android device management without additional licenses
- Teams that need Android device compliance to gate access to Microsoft resources
Less suited for
- SMBs not in the Microsoft ecosystem: Intune loses much of its value outside this environment
- Teams that also need SaaS management, IT ticketing, or HRIS-connected onboarding/offboarding in the same platform
3. Hexnode: Multi-OS UEM with Android Compliance Enforcement
Ideal for SMBs that want an affordable, multi-OS UEM with full Android management including kiosk mode
Hexnode is a UEM platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It supports macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and tvOS from a single console. Its Android management covers COPE, COBO, and kiosk mode profiles, making it a strong choice for fleets with field devices or shared-use tablets.
Key Features
- Android Enterprise MDM (Work Profile, Dedicated Device, COPE, COBO)
- Advanced kiosk mode for dedicated Android tablets and terminals
- Zero-touch enrollment via QR code and Android Zero-Touch Enrollment
- App deployment, content management, and app restrictions
- Compliance reporting and security baselines
Ideal for
- SMBs with Android devices used in the field or in shared-use scenarios (kiosk tablets, logistics terminals)
- Teams looking for an affordable multi-OS UEM with fast deployment
Less suited for
- Organizations that also need SaaS management or HRIS-connected onboarding/offboarding
- Teams that require advanced threat detection or integrated EDR capabilities
4. JumpCloud: Android MDM Combined with Identity Management
Ideal for SMBs that want to manage both Android devices and identity access from a single platform
JumpCloud combines a cloud directory (LDAP, RADIUS, SSO) with multi-OS device management including Android. For SMBs without a traditional Active Directory, it is a solid option for controlling access, enforcing policies on Android devices, and managing the user lifecycle in parallel.
Key Features
- Android MDM with security policies and compliance reporting
- Cloud directory: LDAP, RADIUS, and SSO in a single tool
- Conditional access based on Android device compliance
- User provisioning and deprovisioning tied to directory events
- Multi-OS device management (macOS, Windows, iOS, Android)
Ideal for
- SMBs without an existing identity provider that want to combine Android MDM, directory, and access management
- Remote-first teams with Android devices and cloud-native infrastructure
Less suited for
- SMBs already on Okta or Azure AD
- Organizations that also need native IT ticketing, SaaS management, or HRIS-connected onboarding/offboarding
5. VMware Workspace ONE: Enterprise EMM with Extended Android Coverage
Ideal for fast-growing SMBs that want a robust EMM platform with advanced Android management
VMware Workspace ONE (now under the Broadcom banner) is an enterprise-grade EMM platform covering the full range of Android use cases: Work Profile, Dedicated Device, app management, conditional access, and device posture intelligence. It is powerful but heavier to deploy than SMB-oriented solutions.
Key Features
- Full Android Enterprise (Work Profile, Dedicated Device, COPE, COBO, COSU)
- Device posture intelligence and risk detection
- Advanced app deployment with self-service catalog management
- Conditional access and per-app VPN tunnels
- Integration with Carbon Black for Android threat detection
Ideal for
- Fast-growing SMBs anticipating enterprise-level needs and wanting a platform that scales
- Organizations with strict compliance requirements for Android devices
Less suited for
- Small IT teams without dedicated resources: Workspace ONE requires more setup and maintenance
- SMBs looking for a simple, fast-to-deploy tool
