SkieAlternatives to Hexnode, Scalefusion and Intune for Android-only fleets
If you run only Android phones and tablets, a focused Android MDM can be simpler than a multi-platform suite. Hexnode, Scalefusion and Microsoft Intune are stronger when you need several operating systems or Microsoft integration. Skie suits Android-only school, hostel and organisation fleets that want device owner enforcement and a clear hierarchy.
Why people look for alternatives
Teams with only Android devices sometimes find multi-platform suites larger than they need. More menus, more options and more licences than the fleet requires can make a simple job feel heavy. Others look because of cost, or because they want a tool built around schools and hostels.
That does not make the larger tools worse. It means fit matters. This guide names the three most often compared and says where each is stronger. Check each vendor's current pages before deciding, because products change.
Where each option is stronger
| Product | Where it is stronger | Worth checking |
|---|---|---|
| Hexnode | Covers several operating systems from one console, with a broad feature set across device types | Android-only fleets may not use most of it |
| Scalefusion | Multi-platform management with a wide set of features, including kiosk-style lockdown | Check which features sit in which plan |
| Microsoft Intune | Deep fit for organisations already on Microsoft 365 and Entra, managing Windows, iOS and Android together | Heavier to learn if you only run Android |
| Skie | Android device owner enforcement, school and hostel structure, schedules, kiosk mode, lost mode | Android only. Some features are not built yet |
What the three larger tools do well
If your organisation runs a mix of Windows laptops, iPhones and Android phones, one console for all of them is a real advantage. Intune also links to Microsoft identity and conditional access in ways a standalone Android tool does not. Hexnode and Scalefusion both position themselves as multi-platform options with broad coverage. If any of that describes you, a focused Android product is probably the wrong answer.
We have not compared prices, because we cannot source current figures and prices change. Ask each vendor for a quote based on your device count.
Where an Android-only tool can fit better
- Your fleet is only Android phones and tablets
- You are a school, institute, hostel or similar organisation, with branches, classes and teachers who need limited control
- You want rules enforced as the Android device owner, with locks for factory reset, safe mode and VPN
- You want schedules that switch app sets on their own, such as school hours, study and night
- You want data stored in an India region, and pricing that is on request
- You want parents to see a read-only view of a school device
What Skie does not do
Honesty cuts both ways. Skie does not manage iOS, Windows or macOS. Features not built yet include per-app time limits, screen time reports, per-website allow or block lists, an API, SSO, email alerts, white labelling, private APKs, remote screen view and QR provisioning. The team is working on several of these and promises no dates. If any of them are essential to you today, another product may suit you better.
How to decide
List your devices by platform first. If the answer is more than one, start with the multi-platform tools. If the answer is Android only, shortlist one multi-platform product and one Android-focused product and run the same pilot on both. What to ask an MDM vendor before a pilot gives the questions. The pilot should include a rule change, a replacement, a lost device and an attempted reset.
For comparisons of specific products, see the Skie compare pages, and read How to choose an MDM.
A note on other names
Other products worth a look in the same space include 42Gears, ManageEngine, Miradore and SOTI, among others, each with its own focus. Treat any shortlist as a starting point and confirm current features on the vendors' own sites.
Frequently asked questions
What is an alternative to Hexnode for Android only?
A focused Android MDM can be simpler if you have no other platforms. Skie is one option for schools, hostels and organisations, though Hexnode is stronger if you need multiple operating systems.
Is Intune good for Android-only fleets?
It works for Android, and it is strongest where an organisation already uses Microsoft 365 and manages several platforms. For a small Android-only fleet it can be more than you need.
Is Scalefusion better than Skie?
It depends on your needs. Scalefusion is multi-platform, while Skie is Android only and built around schools, hostels and organisations with a device owner approach.
Does Skie work on any Android phone or tablet?
It works on any Android 12 or newer phone or tablet. New models go through a one-time model review during setup.
Can I migrate from another MDM?
Devices managed by another MDM must be freshly set up or reset before Skie can become the device owner, so plan a reset for each device.