Review · Last reviewed 2026-08-01
Microsoft Intune Review: Cloud UEM Inside the Microsoft 365 Ecosystem
An independent look at Microsoft Intune — cloud-based unified endpoint management tightly integrated with Entra ID and Microsoft 365.
This review is independent and unaffiliated with Microsoft Intune. Feature sets and pricing change over time — always confirm current details on the vendor's own site before purchasing.
What is Microsoft Intune?
Microsoft Intune is Microsoft's cloud-based unified endpoint management (UEM) platform, built around Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) identity and tightly integrated with the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It covers mobile device and application management alongside Windows device management from a single cloud console.
Because Intune is part of Microsoft's licensing ecosystem, its value proposition is closely tied to how deeply an organization is already invested in Microsoft 365 or Enterprise Mobility + Security licensing.
How it works
Devices are enrolled into Intune via Entra ID join or hybrid Azure AD join, after which policies, application deployments (including Win32 app packages), and compliance baselines are managed entirely from the cloud — no on-prem management server is required for the Intune side, though hybrid co-management with an on-prem tool like SCCM is a supported configuration.
Who it's built for
- ＋Organizations already licensed for Microsoft 365 or Enterprise Mobility + Security.
- ＋Teams that need mobile device and app management unified with Windows device management.
- ＋Organizations wanting a fully cloud-native management plane with no on-prem infrastructure.
- －Organizations without existing Microsoft 365/Entra ID investment may find the ecosystem dependency adds licensing complexity rather than simplifying deployment.
Pricing
Intune is generally licensed as part of Microsoft 365 or Enterprise Mobility + Security bundles, though standalone licensing options have existed at various points. Confirm current licensing structure directly with Microsoft, since packaging changes.
See current Intune pricing →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use Intune?
Intune is generally bundled into Microsoft 365 or Enterprise Mobility + Security licensing. Confirm current standalone licensing availability directly with Microsoft.
Can Intune manage devices that aren't Entra ID-joined?
Intune is built primarily around Entra ID-joined or hybrid-joined devices. Verify current support for purely on-prem Active Directory devices directly with Microsoft before assuming parity with an on-prem tool.
Looking at other options? See how Microsoft Intune compares across the category or read the head-to-head with PDQ Deploy.