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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
31
Ranking in other categories
Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) (5th)
Microsoft 365 Business
Ranking in Mobile Device Management (MDM)
2nd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
245
Ranking in other categories
Content Collaboration Platforms (10th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Mobile Device Management (MDM) category, the mindshare of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM) is 6.7%, down from 8.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft 365 Business is 7.3%, down from 7.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
 

Featured Reviews

GaneshKhutwad - PeerSpot reviewer
A central portal where you can add, stack, configure, and maintain your devices
Nearly 35,000 users are connected to Systems from America because their network is configured to cover worldwide areas. I have approximately 450 devices connected, which can scale based on requirements. For instance, if you have around five hundred to six hundred users in one office, the MR14 and MR24 series are suitable. For environments with a larger number of standard device users, the MR24 series is recommended. Cisco Meraki provides various series to meet your requirements, allowing you to manage your users efficiently. I rate the solution's scalability a nine out of ten.
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

"The cloud dashboard's analytics data is particularly valuable, giving me insights into user activities and making it easy to track and manage devices."
"Initial setup was easy."
"We use this solution for MDM."
"Security is the main feature because the company is reliable."
"The cloud manager is user-friendly, and I can manage everything from one dashboard."
"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."
"The remote security feature, as well as the ability to control devices from anywhere, is one of the more beneficial features of Cisco Meraki Systems Manager (MDM+EMM)."
"The web portal provides status reporting and ease of configuration."
"It's strictly in the cloud, so the company doesn't need to invest in hardware to install their Active Directory. So I find that it's a cost-effective alternative."
"The solution is very flexible and the UI is user-friendly."
"Most people are very used to working with Microsoft Office, and we can work offline as well."
"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 stability and reliability are great."
"It is easy to use."
"I never have had any problems with any kind of situation where I couldn't get my documents. It is very, very reliable and very consistent."
"The subscription model of Microsoft 365 Business is beneficial since it provides continuous updates, including functional updates and transformations of the product."
 

Cons

"It doesn't seem to be able to establish some VPN tunnels with other devices in a particular way that such as an ASA can do for us."
"The solution can be expensive."
"If Cisco Meraki Systems Manager integrates with other solutions or models, such as ACA's radio solution, on the same equipment or within the same cloud environment, it will offer significant benefits.""
"While the graphical user interface is user-friendly and easy to configure, I see room for improvement in integration with third-party tools."
"There are problems with the connection on the client side, and the app that was deployed could be better."
"Meraki Systems Manager lacks scripting capability compared to Workspace. I've seen the product focused mainly on mobile solutions. They might need more development in endpoints like Windows desktops."
"We've really only experimented with their iOS client. This is due to the fact that their Windows client has a lot to be desired. We first tried experimenting with the Windows one but very quickly determined that it wasn't going to cut it for most Windows cases. The Windows portion of this product needs improvement. I'd say that it's not really viable."
"In my opinion, the equipment availabilities and competitive pricings could be improved."
"n the future, a dashboard should be included."
"It should support the local language. It should also be cheaper."
"Microsoft 365 could be less expensive."
"The OneDrive part could be more user-friendly, because many people want to use it."
"There are various things that you need to use PowerShell to do. That would be good. You could do them through the management portal, rather than through PowerShell. That's the biggest improvement I would like to see."
"The enterprise version should only contain enterprise features and not other items that aren't business-related items."
"Upgrading from the old version to the new version of Microsoft Teams created a lot of issues for small companies and larger enterprises."
"It can have more integrations with other platforms."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Meraki MDM is the cheapest solution we have used."
"It's extremely competitive and very good for a product in this sphere."
"The price is high for the market."
"This product is reasonably priced."
"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 cost of installing this solution can be more expensive depending on who is doing the installation. Cisco is very expensive."
"My clients find it a bit expensive compared to other systems."
"Cisco Meraki Systems Manager is an expensive solution."
"The price of the subscription for the solution could be less expensive."
"The cost is on the high end, particularly when you have multiple users."
"The price in general could be cheaper."
"There is an annual license to use this solution."
"Its cost is fine because I have a lot of devices in my account."
"The base price is reasonable, but when it comes to the specialized tools for servers, the cost can become quite high."
"The product is expensive and the licensing costs are yearly."
"Pricing can vary a lot due to fluctuations in exchange rates and that is not favorable for planning."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Construction Company
6%
Financial Services Firm
5%
Performing Arts
15%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Computer Software Company
9%
Educational Organization
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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?
The solution might be considered pricey for some, however, the comprehensiveness of the suite justifies its cost. It is generally still worth the money and is cost-effective when considering the pr...
What needs improvement with Microsoft 365 Business?
Every year, they are increasing their price significantly. The price has more than doubled now. Once you start using this product, it becomes difficult to switch to alternatives. Microsoft should b...
 

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: July 2025.
865,384 professionals have used our research since 2012.