Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL] comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Cisco and Ivanti are both solutions in the Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) category. Additionally, 96% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Ivanti users who would recommend it.

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on May 20, 2026

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager and Ivanti Avalanche are mobile device management solutions with unique strengths. Cisco stands out for its ease of use and comprehensive management from a cloud-based dashboard, while Ivanti offers cost-effective features, especially for remote access and package deployment.

Features: Cisco Meraki Systems Manager boasts a user-friendly dashboard for easy application and security policy deployment. It supports reliable geofencing, device tracking, and remote wiping. Ivanti Avalanche offers powerful remote control and efficient bulk package deployment, ideal for enterprises requiring frequent remote updates over large device numbers.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Meraki needs to enhance scripting capabilities and third-party integration. Its pricing model is considered expensive, and there is a need for better Linux compatibility. Ivanti Avalanche could refine its pricing structure and upgrade its Android management features, while also enhancing automation and AI capabilities for better device behavior insights.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Meraki's cloud deployment is scalable, facilitating remote management across dispersed locations, supported by reliable technical assistance. Ivanti Avalanche primarily supports on-premises deployment, catering to organizations with this preference but could benefit from a stronger cloud offering. Cisco's customer service is well-regarded, but some critique the local support, whereas Ivanti provides commendable on-site assistance despite limited remote support.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco is perceived as expensive but offers significant value in terms of reliability and flexibility, supporting a centralized management and support structure. Ivanti Avalanche, more moderately priced, delivers essential features without hidden costs, though it could improve affordability. Both solutions present ROI potential, with Cisco noted for reducing operational downtime through efficient remote management.

To learn more, read our detailed Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)

September 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 913,683 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Intune

Featured Reviews

Anumula Hitesh

Senior Business Development Executive at Digitaltrack

Centralized device management has automated onboarding and improves remote security compliance

One thing I feel Microsoft Intune could improve is troubleshooting visibility. In many cases, when a policy or application deployment fails, the error messages are a bit generic. So, admins still spend time checking logs manually or testing on devices one by one. Compared to the simplicity of deployment, troubleshooting sometimes feels less mature. I also think reporting and real-time monitoring could be stronger. The dashboard gives useful information, but in large environments, many teams still depend on additional tools or scripts for deeper reporting and analytics. If I had to focus on one area first, I would probably choose troubleshooting and reporting. Deployment through Microsoft Intune is generally straightforward, but when something fails, identifying the exact root cause can still take more time than expected. Error messages are sometimes too generic, and admins often have to dig through logs, sync status, or multiple portals to understand what actually happened. I think user experience and policy management could also improve further. Microsoft Intune has become much better over the years, but sometimes the admin portal still feels fragmented because certain configurations open in different sections or redirect to older interfaces. For new admins, especially, it can take time to understand where everything is located. Another thing is policy conflict handling. In larger organizations, multiple device policies, compliance rules, and configuration profiles can overlap. When conflicts happen, the visibility is not always very clear, so admins spend time figuring out which policy actually won or caused the issue.

Read full review

Sulesh PK

Monitoring and Operations Pilot at Egis S.A.

Has simplified hardware issue identification but needs integrated communication options

We have monitoring capabilities and we are monitoring some network tools from Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) and troubleshooting as well. I am currently working with version MR 32.1.4. Policy involves connecting mostly through emails, as we don't have any special kind of policy features. If any alert comes, we connect via mail. We don't utilize the geolocation tracking feature. The unified dashboard helps me simplify device management for my team based on the location, as we have configured devices from many different countries. We give the device's name based on the location, allowing us to identify easily in the dashboard. Regarding operational cost savings, it is cost-saving because in other companies, they use different tools for different networks, such as one for Windows, another for Linux, and a different one for VMware. We use all the systems including Windows, Linux, and networking under Cisco, Centreon, and Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM), which is very cost-efficient. Regarding pricing and licensing of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM), I don't have information about that, as we are from the technical department. Details about subscription and quotation come from another department. I rate this solution 8 out of 10.

Read full review

it_user1399731

Chief Technology Officer at Lane Clark & Peacock LLP

Offers scalability and ability to create granular policies

It is a very easy-to-manage and granular policy-based solution. Policies that you can create per device per user behavior are the most valuable feature In future releases, I would like to see more automation or bringing in AI into to understand device behavior. I have been using it for five…

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The most important part is that they're fast in implementing and integrating with the Windows operating system, as well as how it integrates with other Office 365 products."

"We have a BYOD policy, and this solution helps us manage our devices."

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Intune is patching-related capabilities."

"Third party integrations are very convenient to use with Microsoft Intune."

"Most people prefer to use Intune if they want to implement conditional access policies to restrict customer Exchange Online or Exchange user formats emails until their devices comply."

"We can implement a MAM policy in this Intune and protect the device through mobile application development without touching it. The interface is easy to use and understand."

"Intune's compliance features are valuable because they allow immediate visibility into ongoing situations."

"The best part of Intune is application deployment. We can deploy an application to several users with a single click. We can use conditional access, granting access to users based on certain conditions, such as location, platform, etc."

More Microsoft Intune pros

"Initial setup was easy."

"They can provide detailed information about your devices, including their validity, license status, etc."

"Systems Manager is another cloud service from Cisco Meraki that helps you to manage all the devices in your organization, so you can deploy apps to all your devices around the world in a few clicks and in a few minutes."

"The most valuable feature of Meraki tools is the centralized management aspect, providing a very easy and efficient way to find and solve issues."

"Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is very good in terms of performance, as it can handle the traffic in the network of our 300-400 user base and manage all the users without downtime, and its exceptional performance is allowing us to implement other solutions to service customers better."

"I have found the location analytics feature that is built into the APs to be the most valuable. It allows you to compare data and to single out individuals who are repeatedly coming into your store. We can observe different trends. This is what separates it from a lot of the other solutions."

"The features I've found most valuable are the response time and that you can create multiple systems."

"It's robust, and we like the device availability, ease of purchase, and supplier stock availability."

More Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) pros

"The solution is easy to work with. I like its stability and flexibility."

"Ivanti Avalanche has reduced the time needed to perform updates on all the devices across our clients' organizations; it's a great time-saver for the client."

"The most useful feature of Avalanche is remote control — especially the ability to remotely install packages to many devices all at once. When the client has, for example, 100 devices needing updates, it would take far too long to update each device individually. But with Avalanche, we just connect to all the devices through the PC and send the updates out with one click."

"The terminal remediation feature is valuable."

"The most valuable features of the Ivanti Avalanche are the remote control and the file transfer."

"Installing the packages remotely and remote control are the most valuable features. There are around 100 pieces or devices, and the only way to send a package to a device is by connecting to the PC and then manually sending the package. By using Avalanche, we can send a package to all devices with one click. It is very stable and easy to use. Their technical support is also very good. We have implemented this solution for our clients, and they are satisfied with this solution. It does what it is meant to do."

"It is a very easy-to-manage and granular policy-based solution. Policies that you can create per device per user behavior are the most valuable feature."

Cons

"Intune could be improved by expanding its third-party patching capabilities for a more comprehensive solution."

"The add-ons must be integrated into the solution."

"It would be better if I could integrate it with my core group policy. I would like to have a group policy in my current environment, which has strict control, but those things are still missing. Although it has maximum compliance and security, it's not available on-premise."

"There is room for improvement in Microsoft Intune regarding Linux and Mac compatibility because some limitations exist."

"It should be easier to define policies and comply with those policies."

"Microsoft Intune can be improved by making it even more seamless for users to download their certificates."

"Intune should improve the management of non-Microsoft devices. It would be better to manage Mac, Android, and other non-Microsoft operating system devices within the same Intune interface."

"The backend of Microsoft Intune needs to be improved. We have seen a little bit of delay as compared to other MDM solutions. That needs to be improved. A little bit more granularity should also be added"

More Microsoft Intune cons

"In my opinion, the equipment availabilities and competitive pricings could be improved."

"Integration with other tools, such as, ConnectWise Automate."

"The cost of installing this solution can be more expensive depending on who is doing the installation. Cisco is very expensive, and I'd like to see a reduction in cost."

"The solution's integration with other products could be improved."

"I've participated in numerous product launches primarily focused on HP and Dell. Consequently, there should be a vested interest in local gatherings to showcase product advantages and performance. Particularly in Singapore, it only has so limited integrators to engage in IP product sales. There's room for improvement through dedicated workshops and training. The European and Western markets differ significantly from the context here. The physical location holds more importance. Thus, they should have a survey to evaluate demand, supply, and sales points, tailoring strategies accordingly."

"Cisco is too expensive."

"It doesn't seem to be able to establish some VPN tunnels with other devices in a particular way that such as an ASA can do for us."

"While the graphical user interface is user-friendly and easy to configure, I see room for improvement in integration with third-party tools."

More Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) cons

"The solution can improve by adding a kiosk mode option to the devices."

"The tool's stability could be better."

"Its price could be improved. It could be cheaper. I would like to see a better approach for Android and an easy way to send packages and manage devices."

"There is a lack of flexibility."

"Its price could be improved. It could be cheaper."

"Because our clients are all very satisfied with Ivanti from their side, there is little I can say about room for improvement. However, I think that to stay competitive with other solutions offering a similiar solution, Ivanti could look into making their products more affordable."

"In future releases, I would like to see more automation or bringing in AI into to understand device behavior."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It's a part of Microsoft 365 and E5 licenses. Microsoft's strategy of making every feature in Microsoft Intune paid needs optimization. Remote control is one of the basic features, not a luxury feature, yet we must pay for it. I"

"Microsoft Intune is reasonably priced for large organizations that already have Microsoft Enterprise licenses, but it is less affordable for smaller businesses."

"Intune's pricing is reasonable considering its benefits and the high costs it helps avoid."

"The cost of the license and the features are justified for myself as a technical person."

"The price of Intune is included with the license for Office 365, so we don't have to pay anything extra for it."

"The clients pay for a license and each can have a different type of license, such as an E3 or E5."

"I am not that aware of the pricing, but as compared to other MDM solutions, Microsoft is providing a lot of things at the organizational level. So, it is quite reasonable as compared to other MDM solutions."

"The pricing is good because customers are not complaining about it."

More Microsoft Intune pricing and cost advice

"The storage is affordable and the system has some price-related issues. Therefore, keeping the price in mind, I would rate it seven out of ten."

"Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is an expensive solution."

"The price is high for the market."

"My customers at times have issues with the price of the solution. It is expensive, but overall it is worth it. The licensing model cost is based on how many devices you require."

"It's extremely competitive and very good for a product in this sphere."

"This product is reasonably priced."

"The cost of installing this solution can be more expensive depending on who is doing the installation. Cisco is very expensive."

"My clients find it a bit expensive compared to other systems."

More Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) pricing and cost advice

"You will need to purchase licenses for each device."

"Although the solution is a bit costly in my opinion, for customers who really need this solution, Ivanti Avalanche is worth it."

"Other than the standard licensing fee, there aren't any additional or hidden costs, although I believe Avalanche could be made more affordable in general."

"It is expensive. Its price could be cheaper."

"The license is based on assets. I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive."

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

913,683 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Outsourcing Company

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Outsourcing Company

18%

Construction Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	192
Midsize Enterprise	62
Large Enterprise	187

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	14

No data available

Questions from the Community

How does Microsoft Intune compare with VMware Workspace One?

Microsoft Intune is a great tool for managing a mobile device fleet while keeping access control. The solution makes ...

See all answers

What are the pros and cons of Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune is a great configuration management tool and has a lot of good things going for it. Here are some of...

See all answers

How does Google Cloud Identity compare with Microsoft Intune?

Microsoft Intune offers not only an easy-to-deploy data protection and productivity management solution, but also ...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)?

The pricing sits at a mid-level range, around five or six. There are cheaper and more expensive tools available, but ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)?

An area of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) that could be improved is if we could connect directly with the res...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)?

I work with system management in Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) products. Our usual use cases for Cisco Merak...

See all answers

Ask a question

Earn 20 points

Comparisons

IBM MaaS360 vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 12% of the time

Jamf Pro vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 9% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft Entra ID vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 3% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Intune

Compared 3% of the time

More Microsoft Intune Competitors

Jamf Pro vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 9% of the time

Sophos Mobile vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 8% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft 365 Business vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 5% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

Compared 5% of the time

More Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) Competitors

SOTI MobiControl vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

Compared 17% of the time

Workspace ONE UEM vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

Compared 14% of the time

Ivanti Autonomous Endpoint Management vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

Compared 8% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

Compared 8% of the time

Matrix42 Unified Endpoint Management vs Ivanti Avalanche [EOL]

Compared 5% of the time

More Ivanti Avalanche [EOL] Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Intune

September 2026

Download Microsoft Intune product report

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)

September 2026

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) report

Download Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) product report

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)

September 2026

Download Ivanti Avalanche [EOL] product report

Also Known As

Intune, MS Intune, Microsoft Endpoint Manager

Meraki MDM

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service designed for device management, security, and compliance. It supports automation and facilitates endpoint management for Windows, iOS, and Android devices, ensuring data protection and efficient policy enforcement.

Microsoft Intune offers seamless integration with tools like Windows Autopilot to automate device setup and deployment. Integrated with Azure Active Directory, it enhances policy management while providing robust reporting and analytics tools for compliance tracking. Despite its intuitive interface aimed at simplifying navigation and device security management, there are challenges such as compatibility issues with Linux and Mac, limited policy support for Android, and demands for better third-party integration. It's widely used for both corporate-owned devices and BYOD scenarios in dynamic IT environments.

What are the key features of Microsoft Intune?

Windows Autopilot: Automates device setup for rapid deployment.
Azure Active Directory Integration: Enhances user policy management.
Reporting and Analytics: Improves compliance visibility.
Mobile Application Management: Ensures app security without compromising personal data.
Cloud-Based Management: Allows management from any location.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Time Efficiency: Automation reduces time in policy enforcement and configuration updates.
Enhanced Security: Ensures data protection across corporate-owned and BYOD devices.
Improved Compliance: Advanced reporting tools enhance compliance visibility.
Flexible Management: Cloud-based nature supports management from any location.

In industries such as finance and healthcare, Microsoft Intune is implemented to ensure data protection and compliance with regulatory standards. Manufacturing sectors utilize Intune for managing a distributed workforce across global locations, while educational institutions employ it to secure and manage devices in learning environments supporting both students and faculty.

Microsoft

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) enhances enterprise device management with centralized cloud-based control and robust security. Leveraging intuitive dashboards, it enables seamless deployment and management of applications and devices, supporting diverse environments with efficient scalability and minimal downtime.

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) delivers a cloud-centric approach to managing enterprise networks by offering simplified device and application management. With strong security features such as geofencing, remote erasure, and secure access, it addresses critical needs in security policy enforcement and network monitoring. The system's analytics and extensive reporting capabilities offer insights that refine performance across device-heavy landscapes. Despite its advanced functionalities, areas for improvement include better scripting capabilities, broader compatibility with operating systems like Linux and Chromebooks, and stronger integration with third-party applications. Although pricing is considered high, the manager provides network visibility and control across devices like iPhones, tablets, and computers.

What are the key features of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager?

Cloud Management: Centralized, user-friendly interface for managing devices and applications.
Robust Security: Features like geofencing and secure access maintain network integrity.
Real-Time Analytics: Offers insights to optimize network performance with detailed reports.
Scalability: Supports seamless updates and handles large environments effectively.
Remote Control: Facilitates quick responses with remote wiping and troubleshooting abilities.

What benefits should users consider in Cisco Meraki evaluations?

Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlined processes for application deployment and device management.
Network Security: Comprehensive security features protect data and infrastructure.
Improved Insights: Access to detailed analytics improves decision-making.
Ultrafast Deployment: Rapid implementation minimizes downtime in dynamic environments.

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is widely utilized across industries to manage and secure extensive networks. Educational institutions benefit from its mobile device management to ensure compliance and control over student devices. Retail environments leverage its centralized control to handle diverse endpoints, while healthcare providers count on its robust security capabilities to protect sensitive information and maintain network integrity. The manager's broad applicability ensures tailored management and security solutions for varied industry needs.

Cisco

Ivanti Avalanche is a robust management tool favored by organizations for mobile device and file transfer tasks. Its remote installation capabilities and policy-based management make it a reliable choice for efficient operations.

Ivanti Avalanche supports mobile device management and file transfers, especially in sectors like warehousing and logistics. Its stability and management features offer seamless remote control and package installation across devices, ensuring efficiency in environments such as transport and utilities. While users value its performance and technical support, there is interest in features like kiosk mode and broader Android support.

What are Ivanti Avalanche's most valuable features?

Remote Control: Enables remote management of devices, crucial for troubleshooting.
File Transfer: Facilitates efficient data transfer between devices.
Package Installation: Allows for simultaneous installation on multiple devices.
Policy-Based Management: Simplifies device management through customizable policies.
Granular Policies: Offers detailed control per device and user behavior.

What benefits and ROI should be considered?

Time Efficiency: Streamlines device management processes.
Stability: Provides consistent performance in dynamic environments.
Technical Support: Ensures guidance for optimal usage.
Cost-Effectiveness: A consideration for improving pricing models and expanding features.

Ivanti Avalanche is utilized in industries like warehousing, logistics, transport, and utilities for managing mobile devices, file transfers, and software updates. It supports technologies such as barcode scanners and thermal printers, assisting integrators in deploying solutions efficiently across client environments.

Ivanti

Sample Customers

Mitchells and Buzzers, Callaway

Hafen Hamburg & Empire Riverside Hotel, Eastview Church, Tourism Holdings, Colegio Sagrada Familia Hijas de Jesús, Tommy Bahama's, Canadian School Mexico, Rosebank College

Goya, Gist, TaylorMade

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)

September 2026

Download Free Report

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, JAMF, Kandji and others in Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM). Updated: September 2026.

DOWNLOAD NOW

913,683 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our list of best Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) vendors.

We monitor all Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.