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

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 13, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score
8.5
Cisco Meraki Systems Manager enhances remote management, reduces downtime, and offers centralized support, improving customer service efficiency.
Sentiment score
7.1
Microsoft 365 Business boosts ROI by reducing infrastructure costs, enhancing efficiency, providing security, and ensuring reliable access even offline.
It also provides good security and the ability for normal users to create simple applications without needing developers.
Project Manager at Protonmail
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.7
Customer service is highly rated but costly, with excellent support lacking local assistance and needing improvement in complex issues.
Sentiment score
4.5
Microsoft 365 Business support is mixed; users find it robust but desire more consistent and faster access when needed.
I am definitely satisfied with Cisco support.
Technical Manager at AiGENZ Communication and Services WLL
My experience with the technical support of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) involves configuring firewalls and troubleshooting switches and IPs, which is our primary focus.
Monitoring and Operations Pilot at Egis S.A.
We have had good support from Microsoft, with responsive and well-trained staff who are very polite.
ICT Manager at Calzavara S.p.A
It would be beneficial if Microsoft had more expert customer support staff.
Project Manager at Protonmail
I haven't needed any support from Microsoft with Microsoft 365 Business; in my three years, I haven't encountered any instances.
asc at a educational organization with 51-200 employees
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.9
Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is praised for scalability, efficiently supporting varying enterprise sizes and adapting to global demands effortlessly.
Sentiment score
7.5
Microsoft 365 Business effectively scales for organizations, offering flexibility, seamless integration, and support for all business sizes while managing costs.
I affirm that Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) is very scalable.
Enterprise Architect at Intertec Systems
Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) is very scalable, as we can configure multiple devices, handling a lot of devices, such as 100 plus devices.
Monitoring and Operations Pilot at Egis S.A.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.5
Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is praised for its stability and reliability, with minor issues during updates or external interruptions.
Sentiment score
7.9
Microsoft 365 Business is praised for stability, outperforming on MacBook with minimal issues, despite occasional minor external setbacks.
I rate the stability of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) as an eight to nine.
Enterprise Architect at Intertec Systems
The stability of Microsoft 365 Business is rated nine out of ten.
Project Manager at Protonmail
The file-sharing feature in Microsoft 365, specifically using OneDrive, is unreliable.
Managing Director at NaMax Limited
It works properly, and I have never needed to contact support.
IT Manager at R K Khanna and Associates
 

Room For Improvement

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager struggles with integration, reliability, customization, high pricing, compatibility issues, and insufficient feature development.
Users find Microsoft 365 Business overpriced, lacking apps, with non-intuitive tools, requiring better updates, support, security, and collaboration.
I see room for improvement in integration with third-party tools.
Enterprise Architect at Intertec Systems
If there were a facility to connect with the person directly from Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM), then it would be very useful.
Monitoring and Operations Pilot at Egis S.A.
Microsoft has very poor security, and Defender is ineffective.
Managing Director at NaMax Limited
Once you start using this product, it becomes difficult to switch to alternatives.
IT Manager at R K Khanna and Associates
The comprehensive nature of the solution justifies the cost.
ICT Manager at Calzavara S.p.A
 

Setup Cost

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is priced high but considered valuable for its enterprise features, support, and per-device cost-effectiveness.
Microsoft 365 Business provides competitive pricing but costs can increase with additional features, affected by various organizational factors.
There are cheaper and more expensive tools available, but the price features parity is good.
Enterprise Architect at Intertec Systems
The solution might be considered pricey for some, however, the comprehensiveness of the suite justifies its cost.
ICT Manager at Calzavara S.p.A
Microsoft 365 is cost-intensive, and alternate options like OpenOffice, LibreOffice, or Google Workspace are not as expensive.
Managing Director at NaMax Limited
It could be more affordable.
Project Manager at Protonmail
 

Valuable Features

Cisco Meraki Systems Manager offers easy device management with centralized control, enhanced security, and seamless Cisco tool integration.
Microsoft 365 Business enhances productivity with integration, collaboration, scalability, and security, making it essential for global businesses.
Features such as being very easy to use and troubleshoot have been the most valuable for me, and we can identify if there are any hardware issues easily.
Monitoring and Operations Pilot at Egis S.A.
The remote security feature, as well as the ability to control devices from anywhere, is one of the more beneficial features of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM).
Enterprise Architect at Intertec Systems
Mobile access to SharePoint in Microsoft 365 Business saves a lot of time because it does not require physical presence, enabling everyone from various distances to access, save, and read all the manuals, which greatly increases efficiency in our business.
Owner at Nexus Auto system
Using Teams helps our team's productivity because rather than having to make a proper chart again, if I am reviewing someone else's work and I find a mistake, I'll just do it in Excel and it automatically gets updated in the PPT.
asc at a educational organization with 51-200 employees
When working with data, I am easily able to share among team members through Microsoft Teams.
IT Manager at R K Khanna and Associates
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Meraki Systems Manage...
Ranking in Mobile Device Management (MDM)
3rd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.9
Number of Reviews
33
Ranking in other categories
Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) (7th)
Microsoft 365 Business
Ranking in Mobile Device Management (MDM)
2nd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.5
Number of Reviews
248
Ranking in other categories
Content Collaboration Platforms (11th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Mobile Device Management (MDM) category, the mindshare of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) is 5.3%, down from 6.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft 365 Business is 6.3%, down from 7.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft 365 Business6.3%
Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)5.3%
Other88.4%
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
 

Featured Reviews

Sulesh PK - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
AM
Owner at Nexus Auto system
Digital documentation has boosted team efficiency and provides secure remote manual access
The best feature is the mobile access to SharePoint. It is incredibly valuable for our technicians to view wiring diagrams and manuals directly on their tablets while working under a vehicle. It removes the need to walk back to the office, saving about 20 minutes per job. Additionally, the data security features give me peace of mind; even if a tablet is broken in the shop, our business data remains safe in the cloud.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Educational Organization
5%
Performing Arts
14%
Computer Software Company
10%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Educational Organization
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business16
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise14
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business113
Midsize Enterprise44
Large Enterprise100
 

Questions from the Community

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 the price features parity is good.
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 responsible person from that device, which would be very useful. Currently, we use ...
What do you like most about Microsoft 365 Business?
The product's initial setup phase was straightforward.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft 365 Business?
I have no idea about the pricing of Microsoft 365 Business, since I'm not the party concerned.
What needs improvement with Microsoft 365 Business?
I find it very easy to utilize Microsoft 365 Business, and it works for me. Everything is at my fingertips, so I do not know how to suggest improvements. Nothing is easier than paper and filing, bu...
 

Also Known As

Meraki MDM
Microsoft 365 E3, Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 F1, MS 365 Business
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Hafen Hamburg & Empire Riverside Hotel, Eastview Church, Tourism Holdings, Colegio Sagrada Familia Hijas de Jesús, Tommy Bahama's, Canadian School Mexico, Rosebank College
Urban Agriculture Co., The Detroit Wallpaper Co., TransBlue Facility Management, Garner Food Company
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) vs. Microsoft 365 Business and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.
881,082 professionals have used our research since 2012.