AppDeploy vs SimpleMDM

The structural difference: enrolment

SimpleMDM is an Apple device-management (MDM) service for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and visionOS. It is priced per enrolled device (checked on simplemdm.com on 27 September 2026). This page quotes no SimpleMDM prices.

AppDeploy separates the two jobs. Private apps are listed in a branded portal, and they install on enrolled company iPhones and iPads. The portal is Distribution, a flat £29 a month or £219 a year with unlimited portal users and apps (fair use), through Apple Business (formerly Apple Business Manager), with or without managed devices. Managed installs are paid for per device: the first five are free and each further device is £1 a month or £10 a year. Enterprise is priced by agreement.

What an employee sees in the portal

Here is the installation guide from ScotiTech's live AppDeploy portal, not a product mockup. An employee opens an approved app and enters their registered work email.

The screen below shows that step. It does not show a completed installation. Its 'Managed Apple ID' wording refers to a Managed Apple Account.

• Organisation requirements: connect an Apple Business (formerly Apple Business Manager) Apps and Books content token, make the app available to your organisation and have enough licences for the devices receiving it.
• Device requirements: an enrolled company iPhone or iPad, an iOS or iPadOS version supported by the app, and network access to AppDeploy and Apple's services. App Store restrictions can prevent the install.
• Portal limits: the portal lists apps and records activity there. A licence assignment or portal activity is not proof the app is installed; an enrolled device reports its installed version through AutoDeploy.
• Managed delivery: AutoDeploy needs an enrolled device and a valid Apple push certificate. On an enrolled device the person may be asked to accept the install. Device-reported installation status updates only after the device responds. See the app delivery paths for the ways a device is enrolled.

What a 100-person rollout costs

SimpleMDM is priced per enrolled device.

On AppDeploy, a portal for 100 employees costs £219/year total on Distribution. If, say, 20 company-owned devices should also receive your apps, the first five are free and the other 15 cost £10 a year each: £150/year for the devices, £369/year with the portal for everyone.

These are AppDeploy's published prices, in pounds and excluding VAT, GST and other sales taxes.

Feature comparison for app distribution

On enrolled devices, both products cover Apple Business integration, apps and books licence assignment (formerly VPP), enterprise-signed .ipa delivery, configuration profiles and device actions, and both manage Macs. On AppDeploy these come through AutoDeploy, with the first 5 devices free, and a Mac needs macOS 14 or later.

AppDeploy adds a white-labelled employee portal on your own domain, audit trails of portal activity and managed delivery, and Release Guard build preflight. SimpleMDM is priced and designed around enrolled devices.

What AppDeploy manages

AppDeploy manages iPhones, iPads and Macs on macOS 14 or later through AutoDeploy, with the first 5 devices free. It does not manage Apple TV or Apple Vision Pro.

Choose AppDeploy when the job is app distribution: its branded portal lists approved apps, and private apps install on enrolled company iPhones and iPads.

Frequently asked questions

How much does AppDeploy cost?

Up to 5 managed devices are free. Each further device is £1 a month or £10 a year; Distribution, your own branded app store and release controls, is £29 a month or £219 a year, with or without devices; Enterprise is priced by agreement. Prices are in GBP, excluding VAT, GST and other sales taxes.

Is AppDeploy a SimpleMDM alternative?

For distributing private iPhone and iPad apps, yes, and AutoDeploy also manages Macs on macOS 14 or later. AppDeploy does not manage Apple TV or Apple Vision Pro, and it does not collect or store FileVault recovery keys.

Can I use AppDeploy without MDM?

For the branded portal alone, yes: Distribution lists your approved apps. Private apps install on enrolled company iPhones and iPads, which needs AutoDeploy, AppDeploy's Apple device management: the first 5 devices are free, further devices are priced per device, and Enterprise includes AutoDeploy by agreement.

Primary sources

• SimpleMDM pricing — Per-device pricing model (checked 27 September 2026).
• SimpleMDM features — Supported Apple platforms, in-house app upload, configuration profiles, device actions and enrolment options.
• SimpleMDM: connecting a content token — Apps and books licence assignment through an Apple Business content token.
• Apple: distributing managed apps — Apple's requirements for user- and device-based app assignment and the role of device supervision.