Free Endpoint Management Software
A web-based settings catalog with enforcement that works without Active Directory, across Windows, macOS, and Linux. 200 endpoints free forever.
Managing endpoints without a domain
Much of the free tooling for managing endpoint settings quietly assumes you already run Active Directory, which means Windows only and a domain controller to maintain. The other free option is infrastructure-as-code you author and run yourself, with no catalog, no console, and no continuous enforcement out of the box. Neither fits a small team with a mix of Windows, Mac, and Linux and no interest in standing up a domain.
What that team actually needs is a settings catalog it can apply and verify from a browser, that treats Mac and Linux as first-class and does not require a domain to work. The table below sorts the main free options by exactly that: what the free ceiling is, whether it runs without Active Directory, and whether there is a real catalog rather than scripts you write.
The free options, compared
A fair look at the main free ways to manage endpoint settings today, checked against each source page.
| Tool | Free limit | Platforms | Works without AD | Settings catalog | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TridentStack Control | 200 endpoints, forever | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Yes, web-based and versioned | $5/endpoint/mo past 200, every feature included |
| Action1 (Free) | 200 endpoints, forever | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Patch-led, lighter policy catalog | Community-only free support; we add CIS L1/L2 and DISA STIG scoring plus a versioned settings catalog |
| ManageEngine Endpoint Central (Free) | 25 endpoints | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Yes | Hard 25-endpoint cap; growth needs a paid edition |
| Microsoft Group Policy | Free with Windows Server AD | Windows | No, requires Active Directory | Yes, domain-based | Needs an AD domain and domain controller; Windows only, no macOS or Linux |
| Microsoft Intune | Trial only | Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile | Yes, cloud | Yes | No permanent free tier; a 30-day trial (90-day advanced, 250-user cap), paid after |
| Ansible (Core) | Free/OSS, unlimited nodes | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | No, you author playbooks | Agentless; no pre-built catalog, GUI, or continuous drift daemon, you build and run it |
| Rudder (Core) | Free/OSS, any node count | Linux, Windows (agent) | Yes | Yes, config rules | Free Core excludes the packaged patch, vulnerability, and CIS compliance modules |
Free tiers verified against each vendor's own page.
What is in the free tier
Every capability below is included for your first 200 endpoints, at no cost, with no domain required.
Web-based settings catalog
Apply endpoint settings from a browser, from a catalog you can search, without editing anything on the machine by hand.
Enforcement and verification
Settings are applied and then checked, so you can see which endpoints are actually in the desired state.
Versioning and rollback
Every policy change is versioned, so you can review what changed and roll back a bad edit.
Works without Active Directory
No domain, no domain controller. Endpoints are managed over the agent, whether or not they are domain-joined.
Windows, macOS, and Linux
One console and one catalog across all three, so Mac and Linux are not an afterthought.
Unlimited admin users
Bring your whole team. Role-based access is included, with no per-seat fees on the free tier.
When you outgrow free
Past your first 200 endpoints it is $5 per endpoint per month, every feature still included, no tiers. See the pricing calculator.
More free tools from TridentStack Control
Free Patch Management Software
Patch Windows, macOS, and Linux from one console. 200 endpoints free forever.
Free Vulnerability Scanner
Continuous, agent-based CVE detection with CVSS prioritization across your fleet.
Free CIS Benchmark Tool
Scored CIS Level 1 and 2, DISA STIG, and Microsoft baselines from one console.
Free Group Policy Alternative
Enforce settings across Windows, macOS, and Linux without a domain controller.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Active Directory?
No. TridentStack Control manages endpoint settings over its agent, so you do not need a domain or a domain controller. It works the same whether or not a machine is domain-joined.
Can I manage Mac and Linux, not just Windows?
Yes. Windows, macOS, and Linux share one console and one settings catalog, so a mixed fleet is managed from a single place.
Is Microsoft Intune free?
No. Intune has no permanent free tier, only a 30-day trial (90 days for advanced capabilities, capped at 250 users). TridentStack Control gives you 200 endpoints free forever.
How is this different from Group Policy?
Group Policy requires an Active Directory domain and only manages Windows. TridentStack Control needs no domain and covers Windows, macOS, and Linux from a browser-based settings catalog with versioning.
Is it really free forever, and do I need a credit card?
Your first 200 endpoints are free forever with every feature included, and you can start without entering payment details. It is not a trial and it does not expire.
Start managing endpoints, free
200 endpoints free forever, every feature included. No domain, no credit card, no time limit.
Competitor facts verified against each vendor page. Last verified 2026-08-17.