Spotlight

Report:

The Forrester Wave™: Endpoint Management Platforms, Q2 2026

How does Forrester define the Endpoint Management Platforms market in 2026?

Endpoint management platforms (previously known as unified endpoint management/UEM) help end-user computing professionals address workplace priorities by managing and securing diverse endpoint devices and OSes to support employees regardless of location. The platforms handle IoT-enabled edge and OT devices, AI PCs, and specialized form factors (AR/VR devices, kiosks). They provision and configure devices, manage device security, ensure compliance adherence, and streamline software deployment in a scalable cost-efficient manner. Cost pressures from economic uncertainty and CFO demands are intensifying the need to do more with less, driving investment in these platforms to reduce fragmented technology, enable IT/security convergence, and leverage AI-enabled automation and self-service capabilities.

Key Facts for The Forrester Wave™: Endpoint Management Platforms, Q2 2026 in 2026

How did the Endpoint Management Platforms market evolve in 2026?

What product features are required to be included in this year's evaluation?

What are the common features of top products in the Endpoint Management Platforms space?

No common features specified.

Scope Exclusions

Inclusion Criteria

Vendors must, among other requirements:

Offering Strengths — Relative Weighting

Strategy Strength — Relative Weighting

FAQs

Q: What does this research cover?

A: This research evaluates the eight most significant endpoint management platform providers across current offering capabilities, strategy, and customer feedback. The evaluation covers device management, security features, OS support, AI capabilities, automation, compliance management, and vendor positioning in the market.

Q: Who should use this research?

A: Endpoint management platform customers should use this evaluation to inform purchase decisions, particularly those looking to reduce fragmented technology, enable IT/security convergence, leverage AI-enabled features and self-service capabilities, and support diverse endpoint environments including IoT, OT devices, and AI PCs.

Q: What are the mandatory features of vendors included in this market?

A: All vendors included in this evaluation must have: 1) At least $100 million in annual revenue from endpoint management platform products in the past four quarters, 2) A centralized policy engine that monitors, manages, and secures endpoint devices, OSes, and apps from a single console, 3) Management support for Windows 10/11, macOS, and iOS with ability to enroll/provision devices, configure policies, patch OSes/applications, and deploy software, 4) At least 15% of total product revenue from each of North America and EMEA regions, and 5) Strong mindshare among Forrester's enterprise clients through frequent mentions in purchase considerations, inquiries, advisories, and consulting engagements.

Q: What are some reasons for not being included in this report?

A:

  • Annual revenue from endpoint management platform products below $100 million in past four quarters
  • Lack of centralized policy engine for unified endpoint management from single console
  • Insufficient OS support - missing management capabilities for Windows 10/11, macOS, or iOS
  • Inability to perform core management functions (enroll/provision devices, configure policies, patch OSes/applications, deploy software) across required OSes
  • Less than 15% of total product revenue from North America region
  • Less than 15% of total product revenue from EMEA region
  • Insufficient mindshare among Forrester's enterprise clients with limited mentions in client interactions
  • Not frequently mentioned by other vendors as competitor in the market
  • Declined to participate in evaluation process
  • Only partial participation in evaluation preventing complete assessment

Q: What should buyers consider when evaluating products in this market?

A:

  • Reducing fragmented technology and support requirements by consolidating third-party tools and providing diverse OS support (Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux) with automation to address device issues
  • Enabling convergence of IT and security operations through endpoint management platforms that combine device management and security elements (vulnerability management, endpoint privilege management) as foundation for Zero Trust
  • Leveraging differentiated AI-enabled features including genAI functions for automation, device anomaly detection, patch management, policy enforcement, and real-time compliance violation detection/remediation
  • Assessing requirements for remote management capabilities (device wipe, lock, remote control), end-user telemetry collection, and employee self-service features (deploying applications, remediating noncompliant devices)
  • Evaluating support for expanding device types including OT, IoT, wearable devices, and specialized form factors beyond traditional endpoints
  • Considering infrastructure deployment options (cloud-hosted SaaS vs. on-premises) and migration flexibility
  • Reviewing vendor vision, innovation roadmap, partner ecosystem strength, pricing transparency, and support services
  • Understanding integration capabilities with existing security, identity, and productivity ecosystems

Q: How has the Endpoint Management Platforms market evolved in 2026?

A:

  • Cost pressures and economic uncertainty intensifying need to do more with less
  • Skill shortages in IT and security operations driving need for automation
  • Expanding device landscape including IoT-enabled edge and OT devices, AI PCs, and specialized form factors (AR/VR, kiosks)
  • Convergence of IT and security operations to reduce tool fragmentation
  • Adoption of Zero Trust security models requiring endpoint management as foundation
  • GenAI-enabled automation for device anomaly detection, policy enforcement, and compliance remediation
  • Shift toward employee self-service capabilities and remote management features
  • Integration of endpoint privilege management and vulnerability management into unified platforms
  • Cloud-native SaaS infrastructure models reducing technical expertise requirements
  • API-based modern endpoint management replacing traditional agent-based group policies and scripts

Q: What differentiates Strength of Offering vs. Strength of Strategy?

A: Strength of Offering evaluates current product capabilities across device management, security, automation, infrastructure, and user experience features. It focuses on what the platform can do today across OS support, security functions, AI capabilities, remote management, compliance, and technical implementation. Strength of Strategy evaluates the vendor's vision, innovation roadmap, partner ecosystem, market adoption, pricing transparency, and support services. It focuses on the vendor's future direction, ability to innovate, strategic partnerships, market momentum, and customer enablement rather than current technical features.

Reference

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