Rippling Competitors for Device Management: What Each One Does Best

Looking for a Rippling alternative for device management?

If you're reading this, you've probably run into one of two situations:

• you're using Rippling and its Device Management or Inventory Management module isn't quite doing what you need,
• or you're evaluating Rippling and want to know what handles hardware logistics before you commit to the whole platform.

→ This is not a "why Rippling is bad" post.

This is specifically about: sourcing, shipping, tracking, storing, and retrieving physical hardware for a distributed team, and what your real options are if you want that handled by a specialist rather than a module.

That's what this guide is about.

We've compared eight competitors to Rippling across device management, endpoint management, IT asset management, hardware procurement, global deployment, retrieval, lifecycle management, integrations and pricing.

Some are true alternatives to Rippling's device management. Others are specialists that solve one part of the problem better.

And that's the point.
The best choice depends on the problem you're actually trying to solve.

Quick Answer: Which Rippling Alternative is Right for You?

Note: Pricing and product scope are based on current vendor-published information where available. Several vendors use custom quotes or add-on pricing, so these figures should not be treated as directly comparable monthly totals.

What Rippling's Device Management Actually Includes

Rippling bundles two relevant products under "Rippling IT":

• Device Management – zero-touch deployment, remote software updates, security/compliance reporting, iOS and Windows support, scheduled offboarding, custom profiles.
• Inventory Management – remote device retrieval, offsite warehouse storage, device inventory monitoring, device assessment and e-cycling, device reassignment and shipping, shipment tracking.

On paper, that's a real device lifecycle offering, not just MDM.

If you're not already a Rippling customer (or don't want to become one just to get device logistics), that's the real reason people go looking for Rippling alternatives.

Where Rippling is particularly strong

• HR + IT in one system: Employee changes can drive IT workflows, which is one of Rippling's biggest advantages.
• Identity and device management together: IT teams can manage applications, access, devices and employee attributes from the same platform.
• Cross-platform device management: Rippling supports Apple and Windows devices, as well as iOS and iPadOS.
• Automated onboarding and offboarding: Device and access workflows can be tied to employee lifecycle events.
• Physical device operations: Rippling has expanded into procurement, warehousing, retrieval and redeployment rather than stopping at MDM.
  
  

Where you might look elsewhere

The question isn't whether Rippling can manage devices. It clearly can.

The question is whether you want a broad workforce platform with IT built into it, a specialist endpoint-management platform, or a specialist hardware lifecycle platform.

That distinction changes the shortlist.

What Should You Look For in a Rippling Alternative?

Before choosing a platform, evaluate it against the actual device lifecycle.

8 Best Rippling Alternatives for Device Management

1. GroWrk

Best For: Global teams that need the physical IT hardware lifecycle managed end to end

GroWrk is worth considering when the hard part isn't just managing what's happening on a laptop, but everything that happens around it.

The platform covers the physical hardware lifecycle from procurement and deployment to tracking, retrieval, storage, redeployment and end-of-life disposition across 150+ countries. It also integrates with existing HRIS, identity, ticketing and MDM systems, so you don't have to rebuild your IT stack around it.

In other words, GroWrk handles the operational side of IT hardware while your existing systems can continue managing HR, identity, security and endpoint policies.

Choose GroWrk if:

• You manage hardware across multiple countries
• Procurement and logistics are consuming IT time
• Device retrieval is difficult
• You need centralized hardware lifecycle visibility
• You want to keep your existing MDM and identity tools
• You want procurement, deployment, retrieval and disposition in one workflow
• You want hardware operations that can increasingly be managed through AI

Don't choose GroWrk if:

Your primary requirement is HR, payroll, identity management or deep endpoint security policy management rather than physical hardware operations.

GroWrk Pricing:

• GroWrk's IT Lifecycle Management model: Starts at $12 per device per month plus a platform fee.
• À la carte model (for companies that want specific services without an ongoing SaaS subscription): Pay-as-you-go with individual charges for services such as procurement, retrieval, storage and global logistics.

2. Jamf

Best For: Apple-first organizations that need deep device management and security

If most of your employees use Macs, iPhones or iPads, Jamf is one of the strongest specialists to consider.

Jamf is built around Apple device management and security, with capabilities for device enrollment, configuration, application management, endpoint protection and identity.

The advantage is depth: rather than trying to cover every part of the employee lifecycle, Jamf goes deep into the Apple ecosystem.

Choose Jamf if:

• Most of your fleet is Apple
• Your IT team needs deep Apple-specific controls
• macOS and iOS security are priorities
• You need mature Apple enrollment and configuration workflows

Don't choose Jamf if:

Your biggest challenge is the physical movement of hardware: procurement, global shipping, warehousing, retrieval and redeployment.

3. Microsoft Intune

Best For: Microsoft 365 organizations managing endpoints at scale

Already running your company on Microsoft 365? Intune is a natural option to evaluate.

Intune provides endpoint management across Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, covering device configuration, application management, security policies, compliance and remote device actions.

Its biggest advantage is the Microsoft ecosystem. If you're already using Microsoft 365 and Entra ID, Intune can connect endpoint management closely with the tools your IT team already uses.

Choose Intune if:

• Your organization is heavily invested in Microsoft
• Windows is a major part of your fleet
• You need enterprise endpoint security and compliance
• You already have Microsoft 365 E3/E5 or related licensing

Don't choose Intune if:

Your main problem is physical hardware logistics rather than endpoint control. Intune can manage the device, but it isn't designed to be your global procurement, warehousing and retrieval operation.

If you're already using Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, check your existing licensing before purchasing Intune separately. Some Intune capabilities may already be included.

4. JumpCloud

Best For: IT teams that want identity, access and devices managed together

JumpCloud sits at the intersection of identity and device management.

Its platform combines device management and MDM with capabilities such as SSO, MFA, directory services and access controls. That makes it particularly useful when your IT team wants to connect an employee's identity, the devices they use and the systems they can access.

Choose JumpCloud if:

• Identity and device management need to work together
• You want cross-platform device management
• SSO and MFA are important
• You want a cloud directory and device controls in one platform

Don't choose JumpCloud if:

Your main challenge is getting physical equipment procured, shipped, stored, retrieved and redeployed across different countries.

5. NinjaOne

Best For: IT teams that need endpoint management plus remote support and patching

NinjaOne is aimed more squarely at IT operations and endpoint management.

Alongside endpoint management, its platform includes capabilities for patch management, remote access, monitoring, RMM, ticketing and other IT operations. That makes it a strong fit for IT teams that need to actively manage and support endpoints after they are in employees' hands.

Choose NinjaOne if:

• Endpoint operations are your priority
• Your IT team needs patching and remote management
• You want RMM and endpoint management together
• You need broader IT operations functionality

Don't choose NinjaOne if:

Your biggest problem is IT hardware procurement and logistics rather than managing endpoints once they're deployed.

6. Workwize

Best For: Larger distributed teams wanting tiered, region-scoped plans and published ROI data, even with custom-quoted pricing

Workwize is built around managing the hardware lifecycle for distributed teams, from procurement and deployment through tracking, storage, retrieval, repairs and disposal.

Its plans are structured around Basic, Professional and Enterprise tiers, with scope based on the number of regions rather than simply the number of devices. That makes the model particularly relevant for organizations operating across multiple geographic markets.

Choose Workwize if:

• You need global hardware lifecycle management
• You want procurement and logistics alongside asset tracking
• Your team is concentrated in the regions its network serves
• You want an MDM/HRIS-integrated hardware platform

Don't choose Workwize if:

Your team is very small and doesn't meet its minimum commitment, or if your global footprint extends beyond the coverage you need from its network.

7. Deel IT

Best For: Companies already using Deel for global workforce management

If Deel already manages your global workforce, adding IT hardware management through Deel IT can keep more of your employee and equipment workflows in one ecosystem.

Deel IT covers device procurement, deployment, repairs, replacements, loaners, recovery, storage and end-of-life clearance across its supported markets.

The appeal is less about being the deepest device-management platform and more about connecting global workforce management and IT hardware operations.

Choose Deel IT if:

• You're already using Deel for HR or global employment
• You want HR and IT workflows connected
• You need global device procurement and recovery
• You want one vendor for workforce and IT operations

Don't choose Deel IT if:

You don't use Deel and don't need its broader workforce-management platform. In that case, a dedicated hardware lifecycle provider may be a more focused option.

8. Firstbase

Best for: Distributed teams wanting a full equipment catalog beyond laptops – including furniture – with OEM-neutral buy/lease/BYOD flexibility

Firstbase takes a broader view of employee equipment. Its catalog extends beyond laptops and standard IT hardware to include peripherals and ergonomic furniture, making it relevant for companies equipping employees for both work and their physical workspace.

Its procurement model is also flexible. Teams can buy, lease or supply their own devices, while using the same platform to manage procurement, deployment, inventory, retrieval, refurbishment, reuse and IT asset disposition.

Choose Firstbase if:

• You want a dedicated hardware lifecycle platform
• Your team is distributed
• You need global device shipping and recovery
• You want ITAD included in the lifecycle

Don't choose Firstbase if:

Your primary need is deep endpoint management, security policy enforcement or MDM rather than managing the physical equipment lifecycle.

Rippling vs. GroWrk: Do You Actually Need to Choose?

No.

If Rippling already works well for your HR, payroll, identity, and workforce workflows, ripping it out because hardware logistics have become a headache doesn't make sense. You don't have to choose one – you can run both, each doing the part it's actually built for.

GroWrk has a direct Rippling integration built to connect employee events to hardware workflows automatically:

• New hire created in Rippling → GroWrk triggers procurement, configuration, and shipping.
• Employee offboarded in Rippling → GroWrk initiates device retrieval.
• Employee records can stay synchronized between the two systems, so neither side is working off stale data.

That gives you a clean split:

Rippling vs. GroWrk: What's the difference?

The overlap is real. The difference is where each platform puts the center of gravity. Rippling connects hardware operations to HR and IT workflows, while GroWrk is purpose-built around the physical hardware lifecycle.

Which Rippling Alternative Should You Choose?

Here's the simplest way to think about it.

How Much Does Device Management Actually Cost?

This is where comparing monthly subscription prices can get misleading.

A $1.50/device/month endpoint-management platform and a $12/device/month hardware lifecycle platform aren't necessarily competing on the same thing.

One might be charging for software.

The other might be managing:

• procurement
• local sourcing
• configuration
• shipping
• customs
• storage
• retrieval
• inspection
• redeployment
• recycling
• resale
• lifecycle reporting

The Bottom Line

There's no single "best" Rippling alternative for device management – and that's actually useful information, not a dodge.

Rippling, Jamf, Intune, JumpCloud, and NinjaOne

They are all managing the same thing in different ways: what's happening on the device.

They differ by ecosystem (Apple vs. Microsoft), by what they bundle with (HR, identity, endpoint security), and by how deep their operations tooling goes. If your problem is fundamentally about control, security, or endpoint policy, one of those five is your answer, and which one comes down to what you're already standardized on.

GroWrk, Workwize, Deel IT, and Firstbase

They are solving a different problem: what happens around the device – sourcing it, getting it to someone in another country, tracking it while it's out there, getting it back, and doing something useful with it afterward.

If that's where your actual pain is, the differences between these four matter more than anything on the first list: how they price it, which countries they actually operate in versus just list, and what's bundled with the workforce platform you may already be using.

So the real question isn't "which alternative is best."

→ It's "which half of the problem is actually costing me time."

If it's what's on the laptop, look at the endpoint-management side. If it's everything around the laptop – who has it, where it is, and what happens when they leave – that's where a dedicated lifecycle platform like GroWrk fits, and you don't have to give up Rippling, Deel, or any other HR platform to use it.

You're not locked into one system for everything.

You're choosing the right tool for the half of the problem that's actually keeping you up at night.