Freedom251 › Mac Management Software
Zentral
What Zentral is
Zentral is an open-source endpoint protection hub for collecting and processing events from endpoint agents and device management connectors. It brings Apple device management, patch management, inventory, and security controls into one system. Its inventory view combines data from multiple sources, with device snapshots and change events. Osquery checks can update device compliance status, which is available in the GUI and XLS or CSV reports. For software deployment, the Munki integration detects failed or repeated installations, tracks incidents, and supports staged rollouts with tags and shards. Zentral also manages Santa allow and block rules, including a phased transition from Monitor to Lockdown mode. Events can be filtered and routed to supported event stores, third-party SIEMs, Slack, or HTTP webhooks. Its Terraform provider manages supported Munki, Santa, Osquery, and MDM configuration as code, though MDM GitOps is in private preview. Plans include Santa at €3 a month per device and MDM at €5 a month per device. Custom is available as SaaS or Private Cloud. Zentral lists Client Platform Engineers and IT Managers among its intended users and is based in Hamburg, Germany.
Who it suits
Zentral suits Client Platform Engineers and IT Managers responsible for Apple device management, endpoint security, inventory, and compliance. It may fit teams that want to route device events to tools such as SIEMs, Slack, or HTTP webhooks.
What it does well
- Combines Apple MDM with patch management.
- Unifies inventory from multiple sources with device snapshots and change events.
- Osquery checks can update device compliance status.
- Munki supports staged package rollouts using tags and shards.
- Routes events to SIEMs, Slack, and HTTP webhooks.
- Supports Santa allow and block rules.
What to know first
- MDM GitOps is currently in private preview.
- Private Cloud hosting is offered on the Custom plan.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Zentral Santa | 3€ Device/Month · SaaS · Support · Zentral Core · Santa + Exception Portal | €3 a month |
| Zentral MDM | 5€ Device/Month · SaaS · Support · Zentral Core · Apple MDM · Osquery · Munki | €5 a month |
| Zentral Custom | Custom · SaaS or Private Cloud · Support · Zentral Core · Choose Apple MDM, Osquery, Munki, and/or Santa + Exception Portal | On request |
As zentral.com lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.zentral.com/.
- Choose the Santa plan at €3 a month per device, the MDM plan at €5 a month per device, or Custom.
- Use the SaaS option on Santa or MDM, or choose SaaS or Private Cloud with Custom.
- Deploy with Docker if you are following the documented deployment route.
Verdict
Choose Zentral if your team manages Apple devices and wants endpoint protection, inventory, compliance, or patch management in one hub. The Santa plan is listed at €3 a month per device, and MDM at €5 a month per device. Teams that need MDM configuration managed through GitOps should account for that capability being in private preview.
Questions
Is Zentral free?
Zentral has a free plan and a free trial. The listed Santa and MDM plans cost 3.00 EUR and €5 a month per device, respectively.
What platforms does Zentral support?
The listed platforms are API, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows. Apple platform management includes Apple MDM.
Is Zentral open source?
Yes. Zentral is described as an open-source endpoint protection hub.
Which integrations does Zentral list?
Notable integrations are Santa, Osquery, Munki, Terraform, and Jamf.
Can Zentral be self-hosted?
The Custom plan is offered as SaaS or Private Cloud, and the documentation describes deployment with Docker.
Who makes Zentral?
The listed headquarters are in Hamburg, Germany.
Facts from Zentral's own pages
- Apple management
- Zentral combines Apple MDM with a community-driven patch management system for managing Apple devices across their lifecycle. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Compliance
- Osquery checks can update device compliance status automatically, with statuses available in the GUI and XLS/CSV reports. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Event routing
- Events can be filtered and routed to supported event stores, third-party SIEMs, Slack, or HTTP webhooks. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- GitOps
- Its official Terraform provider manages supported Munki, Santa, Osquery, and MDM configuration items as code. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Hamburg, Germany · zentral.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Hosting
- The Custom plan is offered as SaaS or Private Cloud, and the documentation says Zentral can be deployed with Docker. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists Santa, Osquery, Munki, Terraform, and Jamf as notable integrations. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The maker identifies Client Platform Engineers and IT Managers as audiences for Zentral. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Inventory
- Zentral normalizes inventory data from multiple sources into a unified view with device snapshots and change events. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Notable limitation
- The maker states that GitOps for MDM configuration is currently in private preview. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Patch management
- Its Munki integration detects failed or repeated installations, tracks incidents, and supports staged package rollouts using tags and shards. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Zentral is an open-source hub for endpoint protection that collects, normalizes, and processes events from endpoint agents and device management connectors. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Santa security
- Zentral manages Santa allow and block rules and supports a phased move from Monitor mode to Lockdown mode. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Security attestation
- The maker's SOC 2 Type 2 status document confirms an attestation report covering Security, Availability, and Confidentiality Trust Services Criteria for May 17 to November 17, 2024. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The maker describes Enterprise support as including guided deployment and ongoing professional services, and paid plans list support. · zentral.com, 30 Sept 2026
Where Zentral stands on Freedom251
- Mac Management Software#10 of 24