In this guide · 8 sections
- 01Quick comparison: Intune vs Google endpoint management
- 02Which plans include device management
- 03Windows and Mac laptops: where the gap is biggest
- 04Phones and BYOD: work profiles and remote wipe
- 05What each one misses
- 06Which one should a small business choose?
- 07Do it yourself or get help?
- 08Frequently asked questions
Short answer
Intune is the stronger device manager, especially for Windows and Mac, and comes with Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Google endpoint management covers phones and basic security on any Workspace plan; Windows and advanced mobile management need Business Plus, and Mac support is light.
Quick comparison: Intune vs Google endpoint management
Both tools do the basics. The difference is depth on computers and which plan you need.
Microsoft Intune
Deeper device controlIn Business Premium (US$22/user/mo) or US$8/user/mo alone
- Full management of Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android and Linux
- Windows Autopilot and Apple automated enrolment for new devices
- Encryption, update and app policies for laptops
- More settings to learn and configure
Best for: Microsoft 365 offices, especially with Windows laptops and Macs.
Google endpoint management
Included with Workspace; advanced features on Business Plus (S$29.40/user/mo)
- Basic phone management on every Business edition
- Advanced mobile and Windows management on Business Plus and above
- Mac controls limited to sign-out, approvals and Drive access
- Simple to switch on from the Admin console
Best for: Google Workspace teams that mainly need phones secured.
Prices: Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Intune Plan 1 from Microsoft's published US pricing, annual, excluding GST; Google Workspace Business Plus from Google's Singapore pricing page, flexible plan. Approximate, as of October 2026.
Which plans include device management
Check this before deciding, because the cheapest email plan on either side does not include the features most businesses want for laptops.
| Plan | Device management included | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Standard | Basic mobility and security only, no Intune | US$7 / US$14 per user/month |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | Intune Plan 1, Defender for Business, Entra ID P1 | US$22 per user/month |
| Intune Plan 1 standalone | Intune only | US$8 per user/month |
| Google Workspace Business Starter or Standard | Fundamental endpoint and basic mobile management | S$9.40 / S$18.80 per user/month |
| Google Workspace Business Plus | Adds advanced mobile and Windows device management | S$29.40 per user/month |
Google's feature comparison lists fundamental endpoint management for all Business editions, and advanced endpoint management for Business Plus, Enterprise and some other editions. Microsoft's Intune pricing page lists Plan 1 standalone at US$8 per user per month.
Windows and Mac laptops: where the gap is biggest
Intune supports Android, iOS/iPadOS, Linux, macOS, Windows and ChromeOS. For laptops, that means you can push BitLocker or FileVault encryption, control Windows updates, deploy apps, enforce compliance rules and wipe or reset a device.
Google's coverage is narrower. Its computer management overview lists fundamental management for Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS: signing users out remotely and approving, blocking or deleting devices. On top of that, Windows 10 and 11 company-owned PCs can be managed with Windows device management and the Google Credential Provider for Windows (Business Plus and above), including applying Windows settings and wiping corporate data. For Macs, there is no equivalent full management; you mainly control Google account sign-in and Drive for desktop.
Phones and BYOD: work profiles and remote wipe
For phones, the two are closer. Google's mobile management comparison says basic management secures devices with a screen lock or passcode, lets you remotely wipe corporate accounts, and manages apps on Android. Advanced management adds device approvals, full remote device wipe, iOS app management, Android work profiles, security policies and more reporting.
| Feature | Intune | Google basic | Google advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passcode and screen lock rules | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wipe company account or data only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full device wipe | Yes | No | Yes |
| Android work profile for BYOD | Yes | No | Yes |
| iOS app management | Yes | No | Yes |
| Device approval before access | Yes (compliance policies) | No | Yes |
For personal phones, use a work profile on Android and app-level protection on iPhone, so you can remove company data without touching the employee's photos. Our BYOD policy and MDM guide explains the policy side.
What each one misses
Intune gaps
- Needs Business Premium or a separate licence on top of Basic or Standard
- Many settings; easy to misconfigure without a baseline
- Mac set-up needs Apple Business and a push certificate
- Designed around Microsoft Entra ID sign-in
Google endpoint management gaps
- No full macOS management
- Windows management and advanced mobile need Business Plus
- Fewer laptop policies than a dedicated MDM
- Basic mobile management cannot fully wipe a device
Neither is a full replacement for good habits: MFA on every account, a password manager, backups and a leaver process.
Which one should a small business choose?
In most cases, choose the tool that matches your email and identity platform, because device access rules tie into sign-in. If you are still deciding between the two suites, see our Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace comparison.
- Microsoft 365, mostly Windows laptops: Business Premium with Intune.
- Microsoft 365, mix of Macs and PCs: Business Premium with Intune and Apple Business for the Macs.
- Google Workspace, phones are the main worry: basic or advanced mobile management in the Admin console.
- Google Workspace, Windows laptops to manage: upgrade the relevant users to Business Plus, or add Intune Plan 1.
- Google Workspace with Macs: add a separate Apple MDM or Intune Plan 1 for the Macs.
Still choosing laptops? Our Mac vs Windows guide for small offices covers apps, cost and mixed fleets.
Do it yourself or get help?
Turning on Google's basic mobile management takes minutes, and Intune's default settings are a reasonable start. The work is in enrolment (getting every device in), encryption with recovery keys stored safely, and testing a wipe before you need it.
Our Device Encryption & Management package (S$490) sets up Microsoft Intune or Google endpoint management in your tenant for up to 10 devices, with BitLocker or FileVault encryption, recovery keys stored in your account, screen lock and update rules, BYOD work profiles and a tested remote wipe.
Frequently asked questions
No. Intune Plan 1 is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, listed at US$22 per user per month on annual billing as of October 2026. Business Basic and Standard include only basic mobility features. You can also buy Intune Plan 1 on its own, listed at US$8 per user per month.
Yes. Every Business edition includes fundamental endpoint management and basic mobile management, which enforce passcodes and can wipe the corporate account from a phone. Advanced mobile management, including full device wipe, Android work profiles and iOS app management, needs Business Plus, Enterprise or a few other editions.
Yes, on Business Plus and higher editions. Google's Windows device management, used with the Google Credential Provider for Windows, can apply Windows settings to company-owned Windows 10 and 11 PCs and wipe corporate data. On lower editions you only get fundamental controls such as signing users out and blocking devices.
Only lightly. Google's fundamental management covers Macs for signing users out and approving or blocking devices, and you can control Google Drive for desktop. It does not offer full Mac management such as enforcing FileVault or deploying apps. Use Intune or a dedicated Apple management tool for that.
Yes, with either tool. Both can remove the company account and its data without erasing the whole phone. For Android, a work profile keeps work apps separate so only that profile is removed. Tell staff in your BYOD policy what you can and cannot see or erase on their device.