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Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) vs Microsoft 365 Business comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 13, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Meraki Systems Manage...
Ranking in Mobile Device Management (MDM)
3rd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.8
Number of Reviews
32
Ranking in other categories
Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) (6th)
Microsoft 365 Business
Ranking in Mobile Device Management (MDM)
2nd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
246
Ranking in other categories
Content Collaboration Platforms (11th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Mobile Device Management (MDM) category, the mindshare of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) is 5.6%, down from 6.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft 365 Business is 7.1%, down from 7.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft 365 Business7.1%
Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)5.6%
Other87.3%
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
 

Featured Reviews

JasonRogers - PeerSpot reviewer
Easy to use and excels in generating reports
The initial setup of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager depends on the number of devices and different environments you are configuring. Typically, it can take anywhere from half an hour to a few hours to get everything up and running. So, overall, it is a process that may take a few hours, but it depends on your specific setup. Usually, just one or two people can handle the deployment of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager. If your setup is simple, one person is enough. For complex setups, you might consider extra help from engineers or architects to ensure stability, but this isn't needed for most deployments. Maintaining the solution is easy due to its simplicity. Replacing a device is straightforward; you just plug in a new one and connect it to the environment. Overall, it is very user-friendly and uncomplicated to maintain. We deployed it both on-premise and cloud.
CharlesBrewer - PeerSpot reviewer
Price and reliability need improvement while general tasks are streamlined
The pricing for Microsoft 365 is too high, and quality-wise, it does not meet high standards. The operating system is outdated and inadequate. Microsoft has very poor security, and Defender is ineffective. In terms of collaboration and file sharing, OneDrive is very clunky and has frequent sync issues. It also crashes a lot and is unreliable.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"Initial setup was easy."
"The solution is easy to use and support."
"The solution is easy to use. However, AirWatch or Workspace might be more powerful because we've encountered issues, such as manually managing Windows updates."
"We experience no downtime, no breakdowns, all the user readings are exact, and it gives us quick analysis so we can apply security measures."
"The best features of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager include its simplicity and ease of use. It is straightforward to set up and manage devices compared to other products."
"The most valuable features of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) are its ability to do geofencing for devices, manage thousands of devices with only a push of a button, and quick application deployment in seconds. It's amazing. For example, in an education scenario, you can deploy an application update for thousands of iPads in two clicks."
"Meraki Systems Manager's most valuable features are password management, device tracking, remote resetting and wiping, device management, inventory management, and easy policy deployment."
"It's a very easy solution for the most part, it's very easy to implement and very easy to administer."
"One of the best features of Microsoft 365 Business is the interconnectivity; if I'm making a chart in Excel, I can paste it as a link on a PowerPoint, and if there are any changes in the Excel data, when I update the link, that automatically gets changed in the PowerPoint."
"Microsoft 365 Business integrates well and improves communication, cooperation, and security."
"In terms of user experience, it is very easy to use and flexible. It is more interactive as compared to the other tools that we have. Its features are more useful than other software solutions."
"I use the solution for my daily work."
"Recording is a major feature for us. Dictation is huge. I use that on client calls when the client is speaking."
"One of the most valuable features is this solution makes a lot of tasks easier, such as storing files and the maintenance of your infrastructure. additionally, the solution is easy to use."
"The solution has been stable over the years."
"It's fast."
 

Cons

"They could include bandwidth-based policies."
"While the graphical user interface is user-friendly and easy to configure, I see room for improvement in integration with third-party tools."
"The price of the solution could be reduced."
"Integration with other tools, such as, ConnectWise Automate."
"System's compatibility with Google Chrome could be improved."
"The maintenance is average."
"The cost of installing this solution can be more expensive depending on who is doing the installation. Cisco is very expensive, and I'd like to see a reduction in cost."
"Cisco's authorized scripting can be complicated. For example, we sometimes enter the wrong code using this script, and then we had to dictate to find the problem."
"If they offered more integration capabilities, that would be ideal."
"If Microsoft could offer more support, that would be ideal."
"Microsoft 365 Business should be made more of an open-source solution that would be accessible without any cost."
"Every year, they are increasing their price significantly. The price has more than doubled now."
"They should simplify breakout rooms a bit. Breakout rooms are probably the most important factor. They have done some work on breakout rooms, but they probably have to do a bit more to make them simpler."
"The solution’s cost could be improved."
"Pricing is something they could improve in general."
"The solution could have better email automation."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It's extremely competitive and very good for a product in this sphere."
"Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is an expensive solution."
"Meraki MDM is the cheapest solution we have used."
"The price is high for the market."
"The cost of installing this solution can be more expensive depending on who is doing the installation. Cisco is very expensive."
"My customers at times have issues with the price of the solution. It is expensive, but overall it is worth it. The licensing model cost is based on how many devices you require."
"The storage is affordable and the system has some price-related issues. Therefore, keeping the price in mind, I would rate it seven out of ten."
"My clients find it a bit expensive compared to other systems."
"The price of this solution is expensive and the price could be reduced. The licensing cost is very high because we are using an E5 license for Microsoft."
"The licensing cost is reasonable."
"It is expensive, and its price can be better."
"The product is expensive."
"Microsoft 365 Business is an expensive solution."
"The price is fine."
"The tool’s licensing and pricing are interconnected. There are different levels of licensing."
"Microsoft 365 Business will be good to have if you have a large organization where you have more than 3000 employees. Other cheaper solutions, like Gmail, are easily available in the market."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Construction Company
6%
Performing Arts
15%
Computer Software Company
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Educational Organization
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business16
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise13
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business110
Midsize Enterprise44
Large Enterprise101
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)?
The pricing sits at a mid-level range, around five or six. There are cheaper and more expensive tools available, but the price features parity is good.
What needs improvement with Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)?
While the graphical user interface is user-friendly and easy to configure, I see room for improvement in integration with third-party tools. We haven't had any integration issues, but potential lim...
What do you like most about Microsoft 365 Business?
The product's initial setup phase was straightforward.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft 365 Business?
I have no idea about the pricing of Microsoft 365 Business, since I'm not the party concerned.
What needs improvement with Microsoft 365 Business?
I don't have knowledge about the benefits of Advanced Threat Protection within Microsoft 365 Business, such as the Defender, because I think we don't have that. Currently, I can't think of anything...
 

Also Known As

Meraki MDM
Microsoft 365 E3, Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 F1, MS 365 Business
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Hafen Hamburg & Empire Riverside Hotel, Eastview Church, Tourism Holdings, Colegio Sagrada Familia Hijas de Jesús, Tommy Bahama's, Canadian School Mexico, Rosebank College
Urban Agriculture Co., The Detroit Wallpaper Co., TransBlue Facility Management, Garner Food Company
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) vs. Microsoft 365 Business and other solutions. Updated: September 2025.
869,566 professionals have used our research since 2012.