Quick Verdict
IRU (Kandji) is a unified platform covering identity, endpoint management, compliance, and EDR. Faster to deploy and typically cheaper for a like-for-like stack. Jamf offers deeper customisation, powerful Smart Groups, and the largest Apple admin community. Neither is wrong. It depends on your approach.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | IRU (Kandji) | Jamf Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-touch deployment | ||
| Auto-patching (OS & apps) | Built-in, automated | Automated updates (new), plus policy-based |
| Pre-built compliance templates | CIS, NIST, SOC 2 out of the box | Via Jamf Protect (add-on) |
| Blueprint-based management | DDM-powered blueprints (new in 2025) | |
| Custom scripting | Supported, plus visual Flowgramming | Full bash/python scripting |
| Self Service app | ||
| Windows management | ||
| Dynamic device grouping | Assignment Maps | Smart Groups (advanced criteria-based) |
| Built-in identity provider | Workforce Identity (passwordless SSO) | |
| Compliance automation | Built-in (SOC 2, ISO, CIS) | Manual policy building or Jamf Protect |
| API extensibility | REST API, Terraform provider | Full REST + webhooks, Terraform provider |
| Community & support | Smaller community, strong direct support | Jamf Nation (large community), standard support |
| Documentation | Guided, opinionated | Extensive but reference-heavy |
| Endpoint security built-in | IRU EDR (included in higher tiers) | Jamf Protect + AI Assistant (separate SKU) |
| Pricing model | Per device/month, simple tiers | Per device/month, enterprise quoting |
| Setup complexity | Low, opinionated defaults | Medium, highly configurable |
| Best for | Teams prioritising a unified platform | Organisations needing deep customisation |
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Unified platform
Identity, endpoint, compliance, and EDR in one console. No stitching tools together.
Built-in compliance automation
SOC 2, ISO 27001, and CIS baselines with continuous evidence collection. No add-ons required.
Passwordless identity
Workforce Identity with hardware-backed passkeys. Their own IDP, not a bolt-on.
Hands-on support
Smaller community than Jamf, but faster and more responsive direct support from IRU's team.
When to choose Jamf
Smart Groups
Advanced criteria-based dynamic grouping is Jamf's strongest feature for policy targeting. Nothing else matches it.
Jamf Nation community
One of the largest Apple admin communities. Huge library of shared scripts, workflows, and peer support.
Existing Jamf investment
Years of Extension Attributes, policies, and Smart Groups are not worth discarding lightly.
Deep customisation
Highly configurable for complex requirements, though documentation can be reference-heavy rather than guided.
What We Actually See in Practice
We deploy both platforms regularly. IRU (Kandji) has become our default recommendation for companies who want to get running quickly. Both platforms now offer blueprint-based management. Jamf launched DDM-powered blueprints in 2025, but IRU's are more opinionated, bundling compliance baselines and identity out of the box. That means less time building policies from scratch.
IRU has expanded well beyond MDM. Workforce Identity gives you a passwordless IDP with hardware-backed passkeys. Compliance Automation handles continuous evidence collection for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and CIS. EDR and Vulnerability Management are built in at higher tiers. For organisations that want one console instead of stitching five tools together, IRU is the cleaner path.
Jamf's biggest strength is Smart Groups. The criteria-based dynamic grouping is genuinely the best in the Apple MDM space, and if your workflows depend heavily on targeting by inventory attributes, installed software, or custom criteria, nothing else quite matches it. That alone keeps many teams on Jamf.
The community trade-off is real. Jamf Nation is one of the largest Apple admin communities, with thousands of shared scripts, workflows, and answers to niche questions. IRU has a smaller community, but their direct support is faster and more hands-on. If you prefer peer support and self-service, Jamf wins. If you want someone responsive on the other end of a ticket, IRU wins.
The pricing gap is real. When you factor in Jamf Protect, Jamf Connect, and the admin time for manual patching, IRU's all-in-one pricing often works out 20-30% cheaper. That said, Jamf's enterprise sales team will negotiate hard if you push them.
IRU now supports Windows management alongside Apple, which simplifies mixed-fleet deployments. For organisations that previously needed Intune solely for Windows, this can consolidate tooling and reduce overhead. We still recommend pairing with Intune where deep Windows policy control is required.
IRU (Kandji) vs Jamf FAQs
Is IRU (Kandji) cheaper than Jamf?
Can I migrate from Jamf to IRU (Kandji)?
Which is better for compliance?
What is the biggest advantage of Jamf?
Does Volobyte prefer one over the other?
What about Mosyle and Intune?
Why do you call it IRU and Kandji?
Need help choosing?
We deploy both IRU (Kandji) and Jamf. Book a free 20-minute call and we will tell you which fits your fleet, your budget, and your compliance requirements.