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Headwind MDM vs NanoMDM

Android device management with a web control panel you can run on your own network. A minimalist Apple MDM server and Go library. Compare the capabilities you need, then check hosting, licensing and maintenance.
Headwind MDM vs NanoMDM
AttributeHeadwind MDMNanoMDM
PurposeAndroid device management with a web control panel you can run on your own network.A minimalist Apple MDM server and Go library.
Documented capabilitiesQR-code enrollment for Android 7 and later, App deployment from the web panel, Device groups and shared configurations, Control of GPS, Wi-Fi, and BluetoothApple MDM check-in and command handling, Raw Plist command API, filekv, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and in-memory storage, Usable as a library
Best-fit workflowTeams that manage Android phones or tablets, including devices on private networks.Teams that build and run their own Apple MDM stack.
Check before choosingKiosk mode and restrictions on what users can change are in the paid Enterprise edition. Check support for your device models on the project's site.SCEP, TLS, enrollment profiles, DEP API access, and VPP are not included. Plan those parts before you enroll a device.
Deployment optionsUbuntu Linux, TomcatPrebuilt binaries, Docker container
GitHub stars556681
LicenseApache-2.0MIT
Self-hostedYesYes
Docker notedNot recordedYes
Cloud / hostedYesNot recorded
Primary languageJavaGo
Last commit2026-09-212026-10-05
DifficultyModerateAdvanced
Content sourceEditorial catalog entryEditorial catalog entry
Metadata checkedCheck the current repositoryCheck the current repository
Forks264107
Star growthNot recordedNot recorded
Alternative toNot recordedNot recorded

This comparison uses recorded capabilities, not hands-on performance tests. A capability missing from one record does not mean that product lacks it. Confirm edition, version and current pricing in the official documentation.

When to consider Headwind MDM

Teams that manage Android phones or tablets, including devices on private networks.

Kiosk mode and restrictions on what users can change are in the paid Enterprise edition. Check support for your device models on the project's site.

Headwind MDM documentation and source

Headwind MDM project page · Device Management

When to consider NanoMDM

Teams that build and run their own Apple MDM stack.

SCEP, TLS, enrollment profiles, DEP API access, and VPP are not included. Plan those parts before you enroll a device.

NanoMDM documentation and source

NanoMDM project page · Device Management

Headwind MDM vs NanoMDM questions

What is Headwind MDM?
Android device management with a web control panel you can run on your own network.
What is NanoMDM?
A minimalist Apple MDM server and Go library.
Can you self-host Headwind MDM and NanoMDM?
Both can be self-hosted.
What licenses do Headwind MDM and NanoMDM use?
Headwind MDM uses the Apache-2.0 license. NanoMDM uses the MIT license.
Which has more GitHub stars, Headwind MDM or NanoMDM?
NanoMDM has 681 stars and Headwind MDM has 556. Stars show attention; check recent commits and releases for maintenance.
What languages are Headwind MDM and NanoMDM written in?
Headwind MDM is mainly written in Java. NanoMDM is mainly written in Go.

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