CtrlOne vs Microsoft Intune
Intune is a broad, cross-platform MDM tied to the Microsoft cloud. CtrlOne is focused Windows lockdown software: 300+ granular restrictions, tamper-proof enforcement, and off-domain reach - no Entra ID, domain, or Microsoft licensing required.
Intune and CtrlOne, side by side
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based device and endpoint management service (MDM/UEM) that is part of the Microsoft ecosystem. It manages Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android from one console, integrates tightly with Entra ID (Azure AD), Windows Autopilot, and Microsoft Defender, and is typically licensed through Microsoft 365 or the Intune Suite. For organizations already standardized on Microsoft cloud services, it is a capable choice for provisioning devices, deploying apps, and applying compliance and configuration policies at scale.
CtrlOne takes a narrower, deeper approach: it is Windows lockdown and endpoint-control software focused on restricting exactly what a PC can do. A lightweight agent applies more than 300 named restrictions across 20 categories - system tools, USB and device classes, browsers, the desktop and Start menu, and more - and enforces them tamper-resistantly, even off the network. It needs no Entra ID, no domain, and no Microsoft licensing, so it also reaches workgroup, unjoined, and BYO Windows machines that Intune's enrollment model is not built around. Many teams run CtrlOne alongside Intune to add granular lockdown on top of Microsoft-managed devices.
CtrlOne vs Microsoft Intune
| Capability | CtrlOne | Microsoft Intune |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Windows lockdown & 300+ restrictions | Cross-platform MDM / UEM |
| Microsoft 365 / Entra ID | Not required | Typically required |
| Off-domain & workgroup PCs | Managed over the internet | Built around enrollment & Entra |
| Granular Windows restrictions | 300+ named toggles | Configuration & CSP policies |
| Versioning & one-click rollback | Yes, every change snapshotted | Limited native version history |
| Tamper-resistant enforcement | Registry hardening & hive signing | Standard MDM enforcement |
| Non-Windows devices | Windows 10 & 11 only | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Time to first policy | Install agent, enroll in minutes | Tenant & licensing setup first |
When CtrlOne is the better choice
- You need deep Windows lockdown - Hundreds of granular, named restrictions rather than broad configuration profiles - down to individual USB classes, browser controls, and system tools.
- You don't run Microsoft 365 / Entra - No Entra ID, domain, or Microsoft licensing to buy or configure before you can reach and manage your PCs.
- You manage workgroup, home, or BYO PCs - Off-domain and unjoined machines that Intune's enrollment model is not designed around stay managed over the internet.
- You want rollback and tamper-proofing - Every policy change is versioned with one-click rollback, and enforcement is tamper-resistant and fail-closed offline.
When Microsoft Intune fits better
- You're standardized on Microsoft 365 - Deep integration with Entra ID, Windows Autopilot, and Microsoft Defender is a natural fit for a Microsoft-first organization.
- You manage more than Windows - A single console for macOS, iOS, and Android alongside Windows, which CtrlOne does not cover.
- You need full device provisioning - App deployment, conditional access, and compliance across a large, mixed fleet at enterprise scale.
CtrlOne vs Intune FAQs
Is CtrlOne a replacement for Intune?
CtrlOne replaces the Windows lockdown and restriction role many teams stretch Intune to cover. It is not a full cross-platform MDM - it doesn't manage phones or Macs or deploy apps at Intune's scale - so some organizations use it on its own and others run it alongside Intune for granular Windows control.
Do I need Entra ID or Microsoft 365?
No. CtrlOne's agent talks to its own cloud console, so there is no Entra ID, domain, or Microsoft licensing requirement. It manages workgroup and off-domain Windows PCs that Intune's enrollment model is not designed for.
Can CtrlOne and Intune run together?
Yes. Many teams keep Intune for provisioning and cross-platform management while adding CtrlOne for deep, tamper-proof Windows restrictions on top of their managed devices.
Does CtrlOne manage iPhones, Android, or Macs?
No. CtrlOne is focused on Windows 10 and 11. If you need mobile or macOS management, a cross-platform UEM like Intune is the right tool for that part of your fleet.
How granular are CtrlOne's Windows controls?
CtrlOne ships more than 300 named restrictions across 20 categories, from USB device classes and browser controls to Start-menu, desktop, and system-tool lockdown, each individually toggled and versioned.
See CtrlOne lockdown in action
Add granular, tamper-proof Windows restrictions to your fleet - with or without Intune. Explore the full feature catalogue or book a walkthrough.