Fleet

Fleet is an open-core platform for managing, configuring, updating, and securing devices across macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and ChromeOS. It keeps a live connection to devices and provides reports and audit logs for visibility. IT teams can deploy Fleet-maintained apps, offer approved software for self-service, and automatically remediate devices that fall out of compliance. Security controls can enforce FileVault, BitLocker, and LUKS2 encryption, or remotely lock and wipe devices. Fleet can run compliance checks against CIS benchmarks, SOC 2, ISO, or an organization's own baselines. Deployment options include on-premises, cloud, and air-gapped environments; Free and Premium list self-hosting. Workflows can connect through the REST API, webhook events, and fleetctl command-line tool. Fleet is especially popular with enterprise IT and security teams. The Free plan is self-hosted, includes basic features, and has no support. Premium costs $7.00 per host per month; managed cloud is currently available only to customers with 700+ hosts. Free is listed as free.

Fleet combines device inventory, software deployment, security controls, and compliance checks in one platform. The Free plan has basic features without support, while Premium adds confidential email, phone, and video support.

Fleet suits enterprise IT and security teams that need to manage devices, deploy software, and check compliance. Its deployment choices also suit organizations that need on-premises, cloud, self-hosted, or air-gapped operation.

Overview

Fleet is an endpoint management platform for organizations that need to manage devices alongside security and compliance. It is best suited to IT and security teams coordinating a varied device estate; its breadth is a strength, but the Premium cloud option has a high host threshold.

It covers macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and ChromeOS, with deployment options that include self-hosting and air-gapped environments. Teams seeking a narrowly focused tool for a small number of devices may find its enterprise orientation more than they need.

Key features

Inventory and compliance

Fleet keeps a live connection to managed devices and provides reports and audit logs for near-instant visibility. Live checks can compare device state with CIS benchmarks, SOC 2, ISO, or an organization's own baselines. That combination is useful for teams that need current inventory tied to ongoing compliance checks, rather than a device list alone.

Software management and security

A catalog of Fleet-maintained apps, approved software self-service, and automatic remediation for noncompliant devices give administrators several ways to manage software. Fleet can also enforce FileVault, BitLocker, and LUKS2 encryption and remotely lock or wipe devices. These controls make Fleet relevant to security operations as well as routine deployment, though the provided plan details do not break out feature access by tier.

Automation and integrations

Teams can build custom workflows with the REST API, webhook events, and fleetctl command line tool. Listed integrations include Okta, Active Directory, Ansible, GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Munki, Splunk, and CrowdStrike, among others. This is a practical fit for organizations that want device management to connect with existing identity, deployment, ticketing, and security systems.

Pricing

Fleet uses a freemium model. The Free plan costs nothing, billed monthly, and includes basic features with no support. It also has self-hosting, making it the clearest fit for teams that can operate the platform themselves and accept community Slack and an open-source issue tracker instead of direct support.

Premium costs $7 a month, billed $7.00 per host per month. It adds unlimited confidential email support and phone and video call support, while self-hosting remains an option. Managed cloud is currently available only to customers with 700+ hosts, so smaller organizations considering a hosted Premium deployment should weigh that threshold carefully.

Custom pricing is available for teams that can move quickly with large deployments. The Free plan's lack of support is its main trade-off; Premium's per-host charge also means the stated monthly rate scales with the number of hosts.

Platforms

Fleet supports Android, iOS and iPadOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS devices. The product is also offered through web and API access, and can be deployed as self-hosted software.

Who it's for

Fleet is a strong match for enterprise IT and security teams that need device inventory, app deployment, encryption enforcement, remote actions, and compliance checks in one platform. Its self-hosting and air-gapped deployment options also suit organizations that require control over where the management system runs. Teams with fewer than 700 hosts that specifically want managed cloud should look elsewhere or consider self-hosting.

Pros and cons

• Broad endpoint coverage: Fleet supports desktop, mobile, and ChromeOS devices, which helps teams manage a mixed estate in one system.
• Security and compliance in the same platform: Encryption controls, remote lock and wipe, and live benchmark checks extend its value beyond inventory and deployment.
• Flexible deployment: On-premises, cloud, air-gapped, and self-hosted options accommodate different infrastructure needs.
• Free has no support: Teams on the no-cost plan must rely on community Slack and the issue tracker.
• Managed cloud has a sizable minimum: Premium managed cloud is currently limited to customers with 700+ hosts.

Alternatives

For Mac-focused needs, compare Mac Management Software; for distributing software, see Application Deployment Software.

FileWave is worth considering if a free tier with a defined small-device allowance is a better fit: its Community Edition is free forever for up to 15 computers, 15 tablets, and 15 Chrome devices.

ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus may suit teams seeking a free, fully featured Professional edition capped at 25 devices, with a free trial also available.

Relution offers a free option for up to five devices, shared cloud or on premises, with no time limit; consider it for a small deployment with those constraints.

MicroMDM is a free, open-source option for teams focused on its listed iOS and macOS platform support.

Mosyle Manager offers a no-cost plan with no device limit, configured for iOS/iPadOS or macOS, making it an alternative for teams managing one of those Apple environments.

SureAsset is a free alternative centered on asset lifecycle management, hardware and software license tracking, and API access and automation.

Jamf Now may work for a very small Apple device setup: its free plan covers three devices, with a paid plan at $4 a month and no device minimums.

AppTec360 Enterprise Mobility Management is another option to compare for enterprise mobility management.

Verdict

Choose Fleet if your IT or security team needs broad endpoint coverage with inventory, software management, security controls, and compliance checks under one roof, especially if self-hosting or air-gapped deployment matters. Look elsewhere if you need managed cloud below 700 hosts or want support without moving beyond the Free plan.