The Forrester Wave™: Endpoint Management Platforms, Q2 2026

Endpoint Management Platforms Vendor Product Comparisons 2026

Key features and pros and cons of top Endpoint Management Platforms products:

Microsoft - Leaders

Pros:

Compelling vision for Intune leveraging integration across Microsoft stack: Entra ID, Defender, Windows, and Windows 365
Solid innovation focusing on AI-enabled IT admin assistance and Security Copilot agents
Superior adoption breadth, roadmap, and partnership strategy (including Lenovo, ServiceNow, and Zimperium)
AI embedded in Intune powers superior endpoint privilege management and device onboarding workflows
Cloud-hosted SaaS infrastructure gives customers flexibility to migrate to the cloud at their own pace
Bundled with Microsoft 365 E3, E5, and other subscriptions to simplify pricing
Strong platform for Windows environments with economic benefits from bundled licenses

Cons:

Support for midsize enterprises is often through cloud solution providers
Functionality gaps include unattended remote access and limited third-party patch catalog capabilities
Gaps in support for broader array of Linux and OT devices
Limited third-party patch catalog

Omnissa - Leaders

Pros:

Superior vision for Workspace ONE platform enabling autonomous workspaces
Standout innovation focusing on AI-enabled issue detection, self-optimizing insight, and guided root cause analysis
Comprehensive roadmap addressing AI, security, DEX, frontline workers, and OS management
Supports many OSes, endpoints, virtual desktops, Linux, and Windows servers
BYOD enablement and self-healing capabilities through well-designed dashboard
AI features include Freestyle Orchestrator for patching and onboarding, Omni AI Assistant, and Omnissa Intelligence
Exceptional self-service, telemetry depth, and experience benchmarking capabilities
Frontline worker functions enable shared device workflows

Cons:

Pricing flexibility/transparency not as robust as competitors
Supporting services are not as robust as competitors
Needs to improve compatibility testing and vulnerability risk management features
Customers express concerns with inconsistent support and feature release cadence

Tanium - Leaders

Pros:

Extended vision, innovation, and adoption momentum to deliver Autonomous IT platform
Functional partnerships include AI-integrated collaboration to deliver workflows across IT and SecOps
Above-par AI features including Tanium Ask, an agentic AI solution to automate troubleshooting and remediate software issues
Native compatibility validation for patch and deployment workflows with confidence scores
Jump Gate enables admins to grant temporary permissions only when needed
Robust third-party catalogs, patch catalogs, and telemetry monitoring
Infrastructure deployment options span cloud and on-premises models
Real-time endpoint visibility and secure scalable patching for compliance

Cons:

No shared-device support and limited OS and BYOD support
Platform pricing shifted to solution bundles rather than individual modules
Customer concerns focus on cost, complex interface, and pricing structure shift

HCLSoftware - Strong Performers

Pros:

Broad OS support and discovery functions for wide swath of mobile devices, endpoints, servers, and Linux distributions
Agentic AI Studio product powered by proprietary Relevance language enables root cause issue detection, self-healing, virtual assistants, and workflow orchestration
Infrastructure options include hosted cloud SaaS and on-premises models
Comprehensive online, hands-on, and webinar training through HCLSoftware U
Market-leading client retention rates
Broad patching and remediation features for heterogeneous endpoints and servers

Cons:

Vision and innovation initiatives not as broad as other vendors
Pricing transparency is a gap, requiring custom enterprise quotes based on complex factors
BYOD support only for managed devices (via agent, mobile device management)
Limited support for shared devices, mobile threat defense, and remote control
Dashboard interface described as dated and pricing model as complex

IBM - Strong Performers

Pros:

Broad partner ecosystem and integration with IBM security, identity and access management, AI analytics, and hybrid cloud services
Public per-user and per-device pricing, ROI tools, clearly identified service add-ons, and support options
AI-driven recommendations and policy distribution supported for BYOD environments
Strong BYOD capabilities and UI features for kiosk designs
User-friendly dashboard
Manages and secures array of mobile devices, laptops, desktops, and IoT endpoints
Scalable cost-effective mobile device management platform with responsive support

Cons:

Customer satisfaction score trails other vendors in this evaluation
Supports fewer Linux distributions
Less robust DEX-focused self-service, telemetry monitoring, and experience benchmarking functions
Slow delivery of new functions and limited reporting capabilities

Ivanti - Strong Performers

Pros:

Solid innovation and roadmap initiatives for Neurons platform enabling predictive operations
Differentiated features including macOS security, vulnerability risk assessment, ITSM interfaces, remote control, and shared device support
Strong third-party patch catalog
AI capabilities include autonomous resolution, proactive remediation, genAI ticket summaries, virtual agents, and NLP incident correlation
Cloud-native SaaS platform with some on-premises endpoint management capabilities
Ideal for complex IT environments including IT assets, mobile devices, and OSes

Cons:

Strategic gaps include fewer technology partners compared with competitors
Lack of transparent pricing
Does not offer native third-party compatibility testing
Limited endpoint coexistence interfaces with PC lifecycle management solutions
Customers note lack of transparent, published pricing as a concern

ManageEngine - Strong Performers

Pros:

Broad OS server and Linux support including endpoint privilege management
AI functions include Ask Zia, an AI assistant using NLP for real-time querying
Remote control and endpoint privilege management stand out
Infrastructure deployment includes cloud and on-premises options, with additional MSP-hosted model
Publicly available pricing and ROI tools help customers make purchases without account manager assistance
Cost-effective with broad functionality and patching capabilities
Seamlessly integrates with Zoho's business applications (ITSM, reporting)

Cons:

Roadmap lacks specific deployment timeline details
Client retention rate is among the lowest of the evaluated vendors
Certifications not as robust and lack FedRAMP certification
Challenges making updates across cloud and on-premises infrastructure
Vision and innovation initiatives not as comprehensive as competitors

NinjaOne - Contenders

Pros:

Unifies endpoint monitoring, patch management, mobile device management, and remote control
Broad Linux support and Windows 10/11, iOS, macOS, Windows Server coverage
AI features include patch approvals, patch intelligence, and autonomous remediation workflows
Excellent dashboard with user-friendly interface
Broad third-party patch catalog
Intuitive user-friendly interface helps drive adoption among IT and MSP customers
Responsive hands-on personnel efficiently address customer support questions
Ease of use and personalized support highlighted by customers

Cons:

Vision is not as comprehensive as others in the evaluation
Innovation initiatives primarily expand AI capabilities and some other functions
Timelines for roadmap activities not as detailed as others
No native mobile threat defense or endpoint privilege management features
Limited sentiment-triggered experience benchmarking capabilities
Customers say security functions are limited

FAQs

Q: Which vendors are Leaders in 2026?

A: Microsoft, Omnissa, Tanium

Q: What does "Leader" mean in Forrester Wave terms?

A: Leaders in the Forrester Wave demonstrate superior current offering capabilities and strong strategic vision. They excel across evaluation criteria, show innovation in their approaches, and typically have strong customer feedback. Leaders set the standard for the market and are well-positioned to meet current and future customer needs.

Q: How do I interpret a Forrester Wave?

A: https://www.forrester.com/policies/forrester-wave-methodology/

Report:

Top Vendor Products for Endpoint Management Platforms in 2026

Endpoint Management Platforms Vendor Product Comparisons 2026

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FAQs

Q: Which vendors are Leaders in 2026?

Q: What does "Leader" mean in Forrester Wave terms?

Q: How do I interpret a Forrester Wave?

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