In our experience, effective headset management is a common denominator among companies that have successfully implemented XR initiatives. For your XR projects to thrive, a strong device management tool isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s a necessity.
However, with so many different management tools available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which is right for your business. In this ArborXR guide, we’ll look at five of the top VR/AR/XR management tools you should consider.
What Are XR Management Tools?
XR management tools are designed to help you manage XR (VR, AR, and MR) devices.
What does “manage” mean? That depends on the specific tool. In general, XR management tools help you control and monitor your devices, with a focus on ease of use and scalability.
Typically, you’ll want a tool that offers:
- A remote, bird’s-eye view of all your headsets (location, battery levels, etc.)
- The ability to remotely manage and update software at scale
- See and control what users are experiencing in-headset
Since there aren’t many tools built specifically for XR (i.e., XR MDMs), we’ve included a few unified endpoint management solutions (UEMs) in this list. These tools have added XR support, but the level of integration tends to be limited.
Benefits of XR Management Tools
Improved Device Management
XR management tools make it easier to handle multiple VR and AR devices simultaneously. They let you set up, update, and monitor all your headsets from a central dashboard, saving time and reducing errors that can occur when managing devices individually.
“Our enterprise customers can more effectively than ever manage large amounts of devices in their IT infrastructure, opening new opportunities. ArborXR has been a great tool for our team in managing events, allowing us to prepare hundreds of headsets in a fraction of the time compared to the hours it would cost in the past.”
Mark Cowles, Marketing Director at VR Expert
You can also track device health and usage, allowing you to catch potential issues before they become major problems.
Efficient App Management
These tools streamline how you manage apps on XR devices. You can install, update, or remove apps across multiple devices at once, which is much faster than doing it one headset at a time.
“As a business that prescribes VR headsets to patients with chronic pain throughout the US, we can monitor time spent in VR and make updates to our application in real-time, allowing for a seamless 12-week program.
Kevin Cornish, Founder at Moth+Flame VR
Plus, you can control which apps are available on each device, ensuring that users only have access to the right content. This is a powerful way to minimize distractions, simplify the experience, and keep your XR initiative focused on your objectives.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
XR management tools help you run XR operations more smoothly by automating tasks that would otherwise be manual—like updating software or assigning devices to users. This frees up staff time for more critical work.
Plus, these tools offer valuable insights on device and app usage, helping you make informed decisions about your XR investments.
Top 5 XR Management Tools
- ArborXR
- ManageXR
- 42Gear’s SureMDM
- VMware Workspace ONE
- Microsoft Intune
1. ArborXR
ArborXR is an XR MDM platform that lets you manage VR, AR, and MR devices, install and update content, and control user experiences at scale—all remotely.
We worked hard to make ArborXR user-friendly and intuitive, so even if you’re new to MDM, you’ll find it easy to get started. However, don’t mistake simplicity for lack of functionality. ArborXR offers every feature you need for a successful XR deployment.
We’re trusted by 50+ Fortune 500 companies like Walmart and Bank of America. Plus, we’re Qualcomm-preferred, making us a reliable, recommended choice if you’re using (or planning to use) headsets powered by Qualcomm hardware.
Beyond the technology, we’re committed to your success. Our dedicated customer support team is available to quickly resolve any issues. With years of XR experience, we know what works and are eager to share our expertise.
Key Features
- Nested Groups: Organize your devices into groups and subgroups for easier management.
- Device Management: Gain a comprehensive view of all your devices—check their location, battery status, current user, manage settings, or restore to factory defaults as needed.
- XR App Discovery: Browse top XR developers in our XR directory and access demo apps.
- Streamlined Content Sharing: Receive and manage shared content directly from multiple content creators within ArborXR.
- Content Management: Easily sideload and deploy apps and files to headsets at scale, manage it through our content library, and use release channels to handle updates smoothly.
- Single & Multi-App Kiosk Modes: Create custom 3D environments and limit users to a single app with Kiosk Mode or multiple apps with ArborXR Home.
- Analytics: Record and report users’ time in each app to understand engagement levels, improve your content, and make data-driven decisions.
Pricing
Start with our 30-day free trial, and if you like what you see, you can choose from our budget-friendly pricing options for educational and business organizations.
We offer two subscription plans:
- Business plans start at $7 per device per month (billed annually).
- Educational organization plans start at $4 per device per month (billed annually).
Pros
- Purpose-built for XR device management
- Enterprise-ready
- Established XR MDM solution
- User-friendly interface
- Responsive and hands-on customer support
- Qualcomm-preferred platform
Cons
- Limited to XR devices
2. ManageXR
ManageXR is a device management tool designed specifically for XR devices. It serves as a central hub to control, monitor, and streamline XR operations.
While ManageXR is definitely a solid product, it’s important to note that they’re relatively new to the XR management scene and aren’t a full enterprise solution. So, while they offer solid features, they might not be a “river guide” for you that comes with years of industry experience.
Key Features
- Nested File Management: Easily manage and distribute complex folder structures.
- Device Limit on Shared Apps: Control how many devices can access specific apps, ensuring compliance with licensing.
- Time Limit on Shared Apps: Set usage times for apps, perfect for timed training or educational sessions.
- OTA Content Distribution: Push updates and content to multiple devices at once.
- Remote Device Monitoring: Track device status, battery levels, and usage from a central dashboard.
Pricing
ManageXR starts at $7 per device per month (billed annually). This includes the basic features needed for XR deployment.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Fast and easy setup
- Efficient content distribution
Cons
- It’s missing some important XR MDM features, like nested groups, limited cloud compatibility (it only works with Google Cloud), custom 3D home environments, and more.
- Not a complete enterprise solution.
3. 42Gear’s SureMDM
SureMDM (from 42Gears) is a UEM platform that helps businesses manage and secure both XR devices and non-XR devices (like smartphones).
While it doesn’t offer the same level of specialization as XR-specific tools, it does have tons of useful features. However, we should point out here that its device support is somewhat limited. For example, it currently only supports PICO G2, HTC Vive Focus, and Lenovo Mirage in the VR department.
Key Features:
- Multi-platform support: Manages devices across various operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
- Remote control and support: Access and control devices remotely for troubleshooting, reducing downtime and support costs.
- Kiosk mode and lockdown: Configure devices in kiosk mode to limit them to specific applications or websites.
Pricing
SureMDM offers three pricing tiers—Standard, Premium, and Enterprise.
The standard plan costs $3.99 per device per month when billed annually, and it’s perfect for basic deployment.
Pros
- Device management across multiple operating systems
- Remote management and troubleshooting
- Great, intuitive interface
Cons
- Not bespoke for XR
- Limited app version management
- The interface can be confusing for VR admins
- Includes many mobile device features that don’t really apply to XR devices
4. VMware Workspace ONE
Like SureMDM, VMware Workspace ONE is an advanced enterprise UEM platform designed to manage and secure various endpoints, including XR devices. It provides centralized control, streamlined provisioning, and a variety of features that make it a great fit for enterprise use.
Key Features
- Device Management: Enroll, configure, and manage devices remotely across multiple locations.
- Security: Implement strong security measures, including password policies, encryption, and containerization.
- Analytics: Gain insights into device usage, app performance, and potential security threats.
Pricing
Workspace ONE offers several different pricing tiers.
The Enterprise edition is available for $10 per device or $15 per user for enterprise customers with large XR deployments.
Pros
- Works across a wide range of devices
- Good customer support
- User-friendly dashboard
Cons
- Limited support for XR devices
- Lacks version management or release channels, making updates more difficult
5. Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune—part of the Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) suite—helps organizations manage and secure various devices, including XR headsets. Intune is a good fit if your organization is already integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem.
Intune also works with MDM frameworks from other operating systems like Android Enterprise and Apple’s Company Portal App. So, in addition to HoloLens, it supports headsets across platforms like Apple and Android.
Key Features
- Device Management: Easily configure and control iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS devices from one central platform.
- Application Management: Deploy, update, and remove apps on multiple devices simultaneously.
- Mobile Device Configuration: Automatically configure Wi-Fi, VPN, and email profiles to ensure consistent device settings across your organization.
Pricing
Microsoft Intune costs $8 per month and includes basic UEM and security features.
Pros
- Supports multiple operating systems and devices
- Good attention to device security
- Responsive support
Cons
- Difficult to work with large apps or files reliably
- Poor app version management
- Managing in-headset experiences isn’t as smooth or straightforward as you’d hope.
Get Peak Device Management With ArborXR
The need for VR/AR/XR management tools is clear. The next step is finding the best one for the job. We’ve highlighted five top platforms that can handle the task.
If you’re looking for the best, choose ArborXR. ArborXR is a Qualcomm-preferred MDM that offers purpose-built XR device management, allowing you to remotely deploy headsets, install and update content, and manage in-VR experiences at scale.Ready to get started? Sign up for a 30-day trial today.
