Honest Rippling mobile device management review 2025: Pros, cons, features, and pricing

10/10 Verdict

Most IT teams waste hours every week on device management tasks that should be automatic. Assigning laptops, installing software, enforcing security policies, and retrieving equipment from departing employees — it's all necessary but painfully manual work that scales poorly as companies grow.

Rippling device management (MDM) software attacks this problem from an entirely different angle. Traditional MDM tools expect you to group devices, assign policies, and push apps manually. Rippling skips that work entirely by tying devices to employee records and automating the whole process from onboarding to offboarding.

At its core, Rippling MDM is a cloud-based device management platform that handles macOS, Windows, iOS, and iPadOS devices from a single dashboard. But calling it just an MDM tool misses the bigger picture.

The platform is built on Rippling's unified employee system, which means it knows not just what devices you have, but who uses them, what their job is, which team they're on, and whether they're still employed. This context transforms device management from a technical exercise into an automated business process.

I found the Rippling platform ideal for growing and large companies that want enterprise-level device security without enterprise-level complexity. It's particularly powerful for distributed teams where IT can't physically touch every device.

In this review, I'll cover Rippling MDM's features, pricing, setup experience, core capabilities, and how it stacks up against other MDM solutions. You'll see exactly how it handles enrollment, security, app deployment, and the unique physical logistics that set it apart.

Key Rippling MDM features:

• Cross-platform device management for Mac, Windows, iOS, and iPadOS

• Zero-touch deployment with pre-configured apps and settings

• Automated security policies based on employee roles and departments

• Remote lock, wipe, and device recovery

• Built-in device logistics (shipping, retrieval, warehousing)

• Real-time compliance monitoring and reporting

• Integration with 650+ business applications

• Declarative device management (DDM) for Apple devices

Rippling MDM pricing

Rippling's IT management platform includes MDM as part of its modular offering, following a per-user pricing model.

Device management typically starts at around $8 per user per month, which covers core capabilities such as automated device setup, security policy enforcement, remote lock and wipe actions, and ongoing compliance monitoring.

Exact pricing for Rippling MDM depends on the combination of modules selected. Companies can request a quote for full pricing, as costs can change based on whether MDM is bundled with identity and access management, HRIS, payroll, or inventory management.

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Ease of Rippling MDM use and interface

From an admin perspective, Rippling’s standout feature is how quickly devices can be enrolled and organized without needing to configure everything from scratch.

Rippling supports automated device setup and gives admins custom policy controls (including password requirements, device encryption, patch/OS-update enforcement) as part of its MDM offering. 

During setup, there's no need to write scripts or manually apply profiles one device at a time; the system applies policies automatically based on each employee's role, department, or location using the same lifecycle data already stored in HR.

The dashboard is intuitive and workflow-focused rather than feeling like a traditional IT console. You can see unassigned and assigned devices in a single inventory view, alongside encryption status, enrolled/pending devices, operating versions (whether Windows or MacOS), and more.

On the employee side, zero-touch setup during onboarding reduces friction dramatically. Devices are shipped pre-configured, assigned before day one, and users simply log in with their company credentials to have apps, security settings, and access levels applied automatically.

There’s no lengthy setup process or IT back-and-forth, and offboarding is just as seamless. Instead of treating device setup as a separate IT checklist, Rippling frames it as part of the employee lifecycle, which makes the entire experience feel faster, cleaner, and far less error-prone than point tools that require constant manual oversight.

Core Rippling MDM functionalities

Let’s walk through how Rippling handles the essential MDM tasks that keep IT teams busy:

1. Device enrollment and provisioning

In my experience, Rippling takes what used to be a tedious device setup process and turns it into something automatic. Once connected with Apple Business Manager and Windows Autopilot, devices are enrolled, configured, and secured the moment the employee signs in, without IT needing to lift a finger.

For example, when a new marketing manager joins the company remotely from Austin, HR simply adds their details in Rippling. From there, the system automatically:

• Orders an appropriate laptop based on their role

• Configures it with marketing apps

• Applies department-specific security policies

• Ships the device to arrive before their start date

• Sends setup instructions to their personal email

When they power on the device, it connects to the internet and completes configuration automatically. The same process works whether you're onboarding one hire or an entire department.

2. Policy management & configuration

Policy creation in Rippling feels more like setting business rules than working through complex technical menus. 

Rules such as “Engineers must have disk encryption enabled” or “Finance employees require 12-character passwords with biometric login” can be defined in plain language and automatically applied based on role, department, or location.

Compliance is also easier to handle thanks to built-in templates. You can apply a framework, adjust a few settings, and deploy it company-wide without starting from scratch. The system assigns the right controls without needing to manually group devices.

A standout feature is the layered policy structure. It lets you set a company-wide baseline, then apply stricter requirements for higher-risk roles. When someone changes teams, their device adjusts to the correct policy automatically within minutes.

3. Security and remote management

Rippling applies security controls at both the device and user level. Admins can require encryption, enforce password rules, manage operating system updates, and monitor for device issues.

Because each device is tied to a specific employee identity, security rules follow the user rather than being manually assigned to device groups. This means access policies automatically adjust based on role, status, and risk level rather than requiring one-off configurations.

The platform can also flag unusual login behavior, such as attempts from different locations in a short timeframe, and block access until verified. If a device is lost or stolen, it can be locked or wiped remotely.

Rather than treating device security separately, Rippling combines it with role based access control and user permissions, so security decisions are based on role, status, and risk level rather than one-off configurations.

4. App management

From an MDM perspective, Rippling handles app deployment through silent background installations rather than requiring user action. Apps appear on devices automatically once assigned, without interrupting workflows.

For apps that don't support modern authentication, Rippling includes RPass, a password manager that provides secure access without users seeing the actual credentials. This solves the age-old problem of shared logins for legacy systems.

5. Compliance and audit

Rippling supports enterprise-grade certifications including SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 and provides reporting tools that help you align device and access management with security standards.

When policy-violations are detected — such as missing encryption or outdated OS versions — the system alerts administrators and supports remediation workflow, helping reduce risk of unnoticed non-compliance.

Rippling MDM reporting and analytics

Rippling provides more than a static inventory, with prebuilt dashboards like health check that surface encryption status, OS versions, detected threats, and overall device posture. Every device action is logged with who, what, when, and why, and those logs export cleanly for audits.

A custom report builder lets you combine device data with employee attributes to answer practical questions, such as which teams have the most out-of-date machines or where policy drift is occurring. Reports update from live data rather than periodic dumps.

Automated alerts call out noncompliant states, including missing encryption or overdue patches, and link to straightforward remediation. This reduces manual chasing and shortens the time from issue detection to fix.

Rippling MDM integrations and automations

Rippling officially supports 650+ integrations, spanning identity providers like Okta and Entra ID, collaboration tools like Slack and Google Workspace, and endpoint security platforms.

Because everything runs off a unified employee record, automation is more granular and lifecycle-aware. For example, you can trigger device provisioning only when someone reaches their verified start date in HR, or revoke access when their contractor agreement expires in the payroll module.

Rippling’s Workflow Studio builds on this by letting administrators automate device tasks based on real-time attributes like employment status, department, or compliance flags. 

A workflow could detect when a device falls out of compliance and notify the employee, escalate to a manager if unresolved, and then lock the device if no action is taken. Other rules can handle logistics, such as ordering a replacement when a device is reassigned or scheduling returns during offboarding without manual intervention.

Rippling MDM security and compliance

Rippling maintains enterprise-grade security certifications including SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and ISO 27018. All data transmits using 256-bit TLS encryption with AES encryption at rest. 

The platform supports major compliance frameworks including GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA. Beyond just checking boxes, Rippling generates the actual documentation auditors need, maintains proper data retention policies, and provides data portability tools for regulatory requirements.

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Rippling MDM customer support and implementation

Rippling’s MDM implementation typically starts with a guided setup flow that asks for core company details, role structures, and the modules you plan to activate. From there, administrators can import employee data, assign device or access policies, and configure workflows during deployment.

Rippling’s Help Center includes step-by-step documentation, workflow guides, and short video tutorials. Support requests are generally handled at the administrator level rather than by end users, since most core actions are automated or assigned through role-based permissions.

For companies onboarding multiple Rippling modules such as HR, IT, and payroll, setup may require additional configuration time to align workflows and approval logic, though that upfront work reduces manual oversight later on.

Rippling MDM customer reviews & ratings

Rippling maintains strong ratings across review platforms:

• G2: 4.8/5 stars (10,000+ reviews)

• Capterra: 4.9/5 stars (4,100+ reviews)

• TrustRadius: 8.9/10 (2,400+ reviews)

On Capterra, thousands of users cite faster employee onboarding, seamless workflow execution, and reduced manual effort as recurring strengths.

For many reviewers, Rippling’s automation plays a central role in its appeal. One HRIS and payroll manager commented, “We have automated SO many manual tasks with Rippling,”* describing how processes that previously required multiple tools are now executed in a single flow. 

Another People Operations manager praised the lifecycle efficiency, noting that “from reports and workflows to quick employee on- and offboarding, LMS, compliance, and everything in between: Rippling has allowed us to stay efficient and support our employees with the stuff that matters.”*

Users also frequently report that the platform helps reduce errors and improve visibility, especially when HR, payroll, IT provisioning, and access management work together in one ecosystem. 

That said, a subset of admins mention limitations around customization, documentation, or support responsiveness when dealing with more complex use cases.

*All quotes are from verified Capterra reviews.

Rippling MDM vs Competitors 

Here's how Rippling MDM compares to other popular solutions:

Who Rippling MDM is best for

Rippling MDM is best for small to large companies with distributed teams that want device security tied to hiring, role changes, and offboarding. If you value automation, fewer tools to manage, and logistics handled alongside policy, Rippling fits well.

Where specialized MDMs excel

Jamf and Kandji lead on Apple configurations and niche macOS controls. Intune fits organizations standardized on Microsoft 365. Hexnode and Scalefusion suit mixed fleets that need kiosk modes or Linux.

Final verdict

Rippling MDM stands out for its automation-first approach, turning what is typically a hands-on IT process into a lifecycle-driven workflow powered by employee data. Its strength lies in linking device management to HR records, automatically provisioning hardware, applying role-based policies, and enforcing security without manual oversight.

It’s especially well-suited for hybrid and distributed teams, fast-growing companies scaling IT operations, or organizations that want reliable device security without building complex workflows from scratch.

While Rippling offers strong control over security, access, and policy enforcement, it’s optimized for automation rather than deep manual customization. IT teams that prefer to build highly tailored configurations or manage niche operating systems may prefer a more specialized MDM tool.

Bottom line: Rippling is a modern MDM solution for teams that value automation, simplicity, and operational scale over fine-grained, script-driven customization.

FAQs about Rippling MDM