What are affordable alternatives to Hexnode for basic Apple device management?

For only 95 devices and three basic tasks, $500 per month does seem high. Before considering a custom build, compare the entry-level plans from Apple’s own management tools, Mosyle, SimpleMDM, and similar Apple-focused providers. The labor saved by using a supported service will usually outweigh the savings from running an MDM yourself.

I would avoid vibe-coding or self-hosting a production MDM unless you have dedicated engineering time. A real Apple MDM involves Apple Push Notification Service certificates, enrollment and assignment workflows, push infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance. A certificate lapse or service outage can create a serious operational problem. Open-source projects such as MicroMDM or NanoMDM exist, but they are better suited to teams prepared to operate and troubleshoot the whole stack.

Apple’s own Business service may now cover this at no additional cost in supported countries. Its built-in device management is more basic and may require custom configuration profiles, but it should handle simple restrictions, wallpapers, and remote wipes without another MDM subscription. Availability and enrollment requirements can vary by country, so confirm that your organization is eligible.

If your organization already licenses Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Intune may effectively be included. It can handle iPhones and iPads fairly well for basic configuration and wipe operations. Mac management is generally less seamless than Windows management, though, so test the exact workflows you need before switching everything over.

Mosyle is probably worth checking first. Its basic Apple-focused plan is commonly priced around $1 per device per month, which would be dramatically cheaper for 95 devices. SimpleMDM is another lower-cost option, and both should be more practical than maintaining your own infrastructure for a small set of requirements.