As we head towards the end of 2024, the security of desktop computers and endpoints continues to be a serious concern for businesses. With the desktop PC market expected to grow significantly, reaching 13.3 million units by 2029[1], the chances of cyberattacks on these devices are only going to increase. Every day, 560,000 new pieces of malware are detected[2], and 94% of it is spread through emails[3], making email the most common way malicious software gets into desktop systems.
Given these rising threats, it’s clear that using desktop management software is more important than ever. It helps businesses not only protect their devices from these growing risks but also manage and secure them more efficiently. With the right software in place, organizations can stay one step ahead of cyber threats and keep their systems safe and running smoothly.
This blog reviews the top five desktop management software for 2024, helping you choose the right solution to protect, manage, and optimize your desktop environment.
What is Desktop Management Software?
Desktop Management Software is a tool used by IT teams to manage, secure, and monitor all computing devices within an organization, including desktops, laptops, and other devices. This software helps automate tasks like software updates, security patches, and compliance checks, ensuring that each device meets company standards.
With remote management features, IT admins can troubleshoot issues and oversee devices from afar, which is especially useful with remote work on the rise. Overall, desktop management software simplifies the process of keeping an organization’s IT systems secure, efficient, and up-to-date.
Top Desktop Management Software to use in 2024
1. Scalefusion UEM
Scalefusion UEM is an intuitive unified endpoint management solution that offers desktop management capabilities. As a desktop management software, Scalefusion UEM secures and manages your desktops throughout their lifecycle without compromising on end-user experience. It offers you a centralized platform to manage your Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS devices. With Scalefusion UEM’s desktop management features, your IT teams gain the power and flexibility to gain complete control over the desktops in your organization.
Why should you choose Scalefusion?
- Scalefusion is known for its remote desktop management capabilities.
- You manage your desktops regardless of their location.
- It offers support for desktops based on multiple OS.
- You get to leverage industry-leading features for managing desktops.
- It offers management for BYO devices.
Who is Scalefusion UEM for?
Scalefusion Desktop Management is a versatile solution designed to meet the desktop management needs of businesses of varying sizes. This all-in-one platform is ideal for industries like logistics, retail, BFSI, education, transportation, healthcare, etc., where managing a mix of devices and operating systems efficiently is essential.
Key Features
- Over-the-air device enrollment: Enables you to onboard enterprise-owned and BYOD desktops into corporate policies with zero-touch through Windows Autopilot, Apple Business Manager, and Apple School Manager.
- Conditional Email Access: Adds an extra layer of security by allowing users with authorized work email to access managed desktops and other resources.
- Bitlock and FileVault Encryption: Provides strong data protection for your Windows and macOS devices. It encrypts data on desktops and laptops, making it accessible only to authorized users.
- Certificate Management: Manages your certificates and relieves the IT team from individually provisioning devices with the required certificates.
- Application Management: Deploys business applications onto your Windows desktops and restricts access to unwanted apps. You can push your private business apps on all the managed devices with Scalefusion Enterprise App Store.
- Scalefusion Deployer: Reduces the manual deployment of apps, scripts, and CMD files, making it a one-time process for pushing multiple functions.
- Kiosk mode: Turns your desktop into dedicated kiosks and pos systems with single and multiple app modes.
- Shared Devices: Set up a collaborative workforce by sharing Mac and Windows devices between employees. Automatically configure devices based on logged-in users and ensure that devices are always ready for the next user.
- Automated OS Update and Patch Management: Enables you to schedule patches and updates, identify and apply OS patches with precision and speed. You can track the status of the patches and download reports for the updates. Once the updates are patched you can also force reboot the devices.
- Scripting: Performs instant actions on your desktops with Windows PowerShell scripting and macOS Shell scripting integration.
- Browser Configuration: Allows and blocks unwanted sites on your managed desktops and creates a secure browser environment. You can manage browser history, cookies, flash plugins, pop-ups, and put restrictions on YouTube.
- Remote Troubleshooting: Puts our IT admins in control of the desktop devices and performs troubleshooting operations remotely. You can take screenshots, perform screen recording, and offer remote control for unattended devices.
Pricing
- Basic plans start at $2 per device per month.
- Offer a 14-day free trial.
- Custom plans are available based on business needs.
- Offers special prices for NGOs, government, and educational institutions.
Customer Rating and Review
G2 Rating: Scalefusion UEM has a rating of 4.7 out of 5.
User review:
“I’m really impressed with Scalefusion’s UI and UX design! The device management features, especially for Windows, are top-notch. Everything runs smoothly, and the application performs exactly as expected—couldn’t ask for more. Big thumbs up to the Scalefusion team!
Scalefusion has been a great support for managing our company desktops, including some older Windows versions like Windows 7. It’s made it so much easier to handle both new and legacy devices together in one place.”
2. Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune is a powerful cloud-based desktop management solution that offers comprehensive capabilities for managing and securing devices. Designed as a robust Windows desktop management software, Intune allows IT teams to protect and maintain desktops throughout their lifecycle while ensuring a seamless user experience. It provides a centralized platform for managing Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices, offering flexibility and control over corporate and BYO desktops across the organization.
Why Should You Choose Microsoft Intune?
- Provides seamless, cloud-based desktop management and security.
- Enables management across a wide range of device types and operating systems.
- Delivers flexible policy control, allowing for customized access management.
- Ensures compliance with security standards through powerful conditional access features.
- Facilitates efficient management of remote workers’ desktop devices.
Who is Microsoft Intune For?
Microsoft Intune is ideal for businesses of all sizes that prioritize secure, efficient, and flexible device management. Whether for a small business or a large enterprise, Intune offers a scalable solution for diverse device management needs.
Key Features
- Centralized Cloud-Based Management: Intune allows IT administrators to manage and monitor desktops remotely via a centralized, cloud-based portal, making it easy to enforce policies and oversee devices from any location.
- Conditional Access Control: With integration to Azure Active Directory, Intune enforces conditional access policies, restricting access based on factors like user identity, device health, location, and compliance status.
- Application Management and Deployment: Intune enables seamless deployment and management of applications on Windows desktops, supporting software installations, updates, and the removal of unauthorized applications.
- Update and Patch Management: Allows IT to manage and enforce OS updates and security patches, ensuring all Windows devices are secure and running on the latest version. Administrators can schedule updates and track compliance.
- Kiosk Mode Configuration: Configures Windows devices into single-app or multi-app kiosk modes, ideal for creating POS systems or dedicated-use terminals with controlled access.
- Remote Assistance and Troubleshooting: Intune includes capabilities for IT to remotely troubleshoot devices, offering features like remote assistance, screen sharing, and remote actions to resolve issues quickly.
- Certificate Management: Manages device certificates, simplifying secure access to resources such as Wi-Fi networks and corporate VPNs without manual configuration.
- Device Inventory and Health Monitoring: Intune provides real-time insights into device inventory, health status, and performance metrics, allowing IT teams to identify and address potential issues proactively.
Pricing
- Intune is a bundled offering available with Microsoft enterprise packages
- 30-day free trial with 100 user licenses
- The basic plan offering limited capabilities starts at $8 per device per month.
- For comprehensive management choose Microsoft Intune Suite at $10 per device per month.
Customer Rating
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
3. IBM MaaS360
IBM MaaS360 is a comprehensive unified endpoint management (UEM) solution that offers desktop management capabilities. As a desktop management software, MaaS360 enables you to manage and secure your Windows and macOS devices throughout their lifecycle without compromising the user experience. It provides IT teams with a centralized platform to monitor and enforce policies on all desktops, ensuring compliance and protection from a single console.
Why Should You Choose IBM MaaS360?
- Seamless management of desktops across multiple OS platforms
- Simplifies patch management and risk-based application updates
- Robust security and compliance features
- Integration with Microsoft ecosystem for a streamlined IT management experience
Who is IBM MaaS360 for?
IBM MaaS360 is ideal for businesses of all sizes that need a reliable and secure desktop management solution. It is particularly suited for industries managing diverse endpoints and ensuring data security is critical.
Key Features
- Centralized Device Management: IBM MaaS360 offers a unified platform where desktops, laptops, and mobile devices can be managed from a single console, streamlining IT operations. It simplifies device enrollment, policy enforcement, and monitoring, making it easier to maintain control over all endpoints.
- Risk-Based Patching: The solution enables automated patching based on risk assessment, ensuring that critical updates are deployed promptly to mitigate security vulnerabilities while minimizing disruption to business operations.
- Remote Troubleshooting: IT teams can remotely access desktops and mobile devices to diagnose and fix issues quickly. This feature includes screen sharing, file transfer, and remote control, reducing downtime and improving productivity.
- Data Loss Prevention: IBM MaaS360 helps protect sensitive company data with robust encryption, remote wipe capabilities, and restricted access policies, safeguarding against unauthorized access and accidental data leaks.
- Secure Access: The platform enables secure access to corporate resources, ensuring that only authorized users and devices can connect. It integrates identity management and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance security without compromising user experience.
Pricing
- IBM’s Essential Edition starts at $4 per device per month and Enterprise Edition starts at $9 per device per month.
- It offers a 30-day free trial.
Customer Rating
G2 Rating: 4.2/5
4. Ivanti Neurons for UEM
Ivanti Neuron Endpoint Manager is a client-based UEM that enables seamless management of desktops and laptops. It provides centralized management, automates provisioning, OS migrations, software distribution, and updates, and ensures strong security across the IT ecosystem. This platform uses AI-powered insights to optimize management and offers support for multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS.
Why should you choose Ivanti Neuron Endpoint Manager?
- Manage all devices, OS, and software from a single platform.
- Simplifies OS updates, migrations, and software distribution with automation.
- Perfect for hybrid work environments with cloud-based capabilities.
- Provides built-in security features for OS and application patching.
- Utilize smart analytics to gain actionable insights into endpoint performance.
Who Is It For?
Ivanti Neuron Endpoint Manager is ideal for enterprises of any size, especially those managing diverse endpoints and remote workforces. Its scalability makes it suitable for industries like healthcare higher and K-12 education, logistics, public sector and retail. Organizations looking for a modern solution to unify desktop management and streamline IT operations will benefit from Ivanti’s robust features.
Key Features
- Cross-Platform Device Management: Ivanti offers comprehensive management of devices running on multiple operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. This enables IT teams to manage desktops, laptops, and mobile devices in one unified platform, streamlining processes and reducing the complexity of managing a diverse IT ecosystem.
- OS Deployment and Updates: Automate the deployment of operating systems and keep devices up-to-date with Ivanti’s OS provisioning and patch management. This feature eliminates the manual effort required for updates, reducing downtime and ensuring that all endpoints are always compliant and secure with the latest updates.
- Remote Control and Troubleshooting: With Ivanti’s remote control feature, IT teams can provide efficient troubleshooting by accessing and resolving issues on devices remotely. This reduces the need for desk-side visits and speeds up issue resolution, improving overall employee productivity and satisfaction.
- Software Distribution and Management: Ivanti enables seamless software deployment to desktops and laptops, ensuring that the right applications are delivered to the correct devices. IT administrators can customize app distribution based on user groups and automate software updates, ensuring compliance and reducing security risks.
Pricing
- Pricing is available upon request.
- A free demo is available.
Customer Rating
G2 Rating: 4.2/5
5. LogMeIn Central
LogMeIn Central is a comprehensive desktop management solution that empowers IT teams with remote access, security, and system monitoring for streamlined management of desktop systems. As a powerful desktop management tool, LogMeIn Central provides a centralized platform to monitor, secure, and support desktops across your organization, helping IT teams address issues promptly and keep systems performing optimally.
Why should you choose LogMeIn Central?
- LogMeIn Central allows IT teams to quickly access and control any desktop remotely.
- Group users, assign permissions, enable two-factor authentication, and control access effectively to ensure a secure and organized user experience.
- Group computers by location, department, or access level, allowing for a tailored management experience that aligns with your organization’s specific needs.
- Monitor and manage antivirus solutions from a single dashboard, utilizing Bitdefender’s advanced security features to safeguard desktops against malware and cyber threats.
- Proactively monitor system health to detect and address issues before they impact performance, ensuring desktops remain updated and functional.
Who Is LogMeIn Central For?
LogMeIn Central is tailored for IT teams and organizations that need secure remote access, efficient user and device management, and robust endpoint protection. LogMeIn Central’s versatile capabilities enable teams to work flexibly and confidently from any location.
Key Features
- Remote Control: LogMeIn Central offers reliable, fast, and secure remote access to any PC or Mac in the network, allowing IT administrators to troubleshoot issues and support users from anywhere. This capability reduces the need for physical IT interventions, helping teams resolve problems swiftly without interrupting productivity.
- User Management: Manage users with precision by organizing them into groups, assigning permissions, and enforcing two-factor authentication for secure access. This feature helps streamline access control across your desktops, ensuring that only authorized users can interact with sensitive systems.
- Computer Grouping: LogMeIn Central enables efficient computer grouping based on location, function, or specific access criteria. This structured organization makes it easier for IT teams to manage devices according to specific business requirements and improves workflow efficiency for managing large-scale desktop environments.
- Antivirus & Management: Keep desktops secure with integrated Bitdefender antivirus, which can be monitored and managed through LogMeIn Central’s central dashboard. This feature offers comprehensive antivirus management, allowing IT teams to update, configure, and monitor antivirus status across all managed desktops to prevent security risks.
- Computer Health Monitoring: LogMeIn Central provides real-time insights into desktop health, allowing IT to monitor key metrics like CPU usage, memory, and disk space. With instant alerts for critical issues, this feature helps maintain system stability by allowing prompt action before problems escalate.
Pricing
- Offers a base plan of $80 per month without any add-ons.
- Custom pricing is also available.
- A 14-day free trial is available.
Customer Rating
G2 Rating: 4.2/5
Benefits of Using Desktop Management Software
Desktop management software provides essential advantages for businesses by streamlining processes, enhancing security, and reducing costs. Key benefits include:
- Enhanced Security: Automated OS update and patching, conditional email access, mobile threat defense and real-time monitoring help protect against vulnerabilities, ensuring all devices stay secure and compliant.
- Increased Productivity: Automation of tasks like software updates and system monitoring frees up IT teams to focus on higher-impact work, boosting overall productivity.
- Cost Savings: Centralized control and policy unification make resource use more efficient and reduce the need for on-site tech support, leading to significant cost reductions.
- Seamless Remote Management: IT administrators can manage and troubleshoot devices remotely, which is especially valuable for distributed teams, minimizing downtime and improving support response times.
What Next? Opt for the best Desktop Management Software
As businesses adopt modern work environments, ensuring your desktops are secure, updated, and efficiently managed becomes a top priority. The right desktop management software is key to maintaining control over your organization’s devices, enhancing productivity, and mitigating security risks.
Scalefusion UEM offers a comprehensive solution for organizations looking to manage desktops seamlessly across different operating systems. Whether your desktops are across the office or spread across multiple locations, Scalefusion’s remote management capabilities allow IT teams to maintain control and ensure the security of devices, regardless of location. By choosing Scalefusion, you empower your team to streamline device management while ensuring a seamless user experience and a higher level of security.
To know more about Scalefusion UEM, book a demo today or start your 14-day free trial now!
References
1. Statista
2 & 3. Terranova Security
