Discover the Best Intune Plan – Plan 1 vs Plan 2

Intune Plan 1 vs Plan 2 Intro

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that provides comprehensive management of devices, apps, and data to help organizations secure and manage their digital environments. Intune offers two main plans outside of their full suite—Plan 1 and Plan 2. These plans are not standalone but are included with certain Microsoft 365 subscriptions like Business Premium and E3. Plan 2 builds on Plan 1, adding advanced features. This article explores the differences between these plans and guides you in choosing the best fit for your organization’s needs.

Quick Overview of Intune Plans

Intune Plan 1: Plan 1 offers essential features for managing devices and apps, providing the foundational tools needed for endpoint management. This plan includes capabilities such as device compliance policies, app protection policies, Zero Touch Deployments and basic security measures. It’s ideal for organizations that require core functionality to manage and secure their devices effectively.

Intune Plan 2: Building on the features of Plan 1, Plan 2 introduces advanced capabilities, including advanced endpoint analytics and enhanced security features. This plan is suitable for organizations with more complex needs, such as advanced threat protection and in-depth monitoring. Plan 2 is typically added as an upgrade to Plan 1 within existing Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

Intune Suite Add-ons: Beyond Plan 1 and Plan 2, organizations can further enhance their endpoint management capabilities with specialized add-ons from the Intune Suite. These add-ons include features like Endpoint Privilege Management and Remote Help, allowing for even greater customization and control over your environment.

This structure ensures that whether your organization requires basic or advanced device management, there’s an Intune plan or combination that fits your needs.

Deep Dive into Intune Plan 1

Intune Plan 1 is the foundational tier of Microsoft Intune’s endpoint management solution. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for managing devices and apps, designed to help organizations secure their digital environments with essential features. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Intune Plan 1 provides the essential functionalities to meet your organization’s device and application management needs.

Intune Plan 1 Features:

• Device Compliance Policies: Ensure that devices comply with your organization’s security standards by configuring and enforcing compliance rules. This includes settings such as password requirements, encryption, and threat detection.
• App Protection Policies: Manage and secure the apps that your employees use on their devices. App protection policies allow you to enforce security requirements on both corporate-owned and personal devices, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected even in bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios.
• Conditional Access: Control access to your organization’s resources by setting conditions that must be met for access to be granted. This ensures that only compliant and secure devices can access company data, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
• Mobile Device Management (MDM): Centrally manage the lifecycle of all your organization’s devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. MDM capabilities allow for remote configuration, security updates, and troubleshooting, ensuring that all devices are properly maintained and secure.
• Mobile Application Management (MAM): Beyond managing devices, Plan 1 also includes features to manage and secure applications. This includes the ability to deploy, update, and monitor apps, ensuring that only approved apps are used within your organization.
• Windows Autopilot: Simplify the deployment of new devices with Windows Autopilot, a feature included in Intune Plan 1. Windows Autopilot allows organizations to configure and set up new devices with minimal effort, automating the process from the cloud. This is particularly beneficial for organizations of all sizes, as it reduces the time and effort required to prepare devices for use by employees, ensuring a consistent and secure deployment process.

Ideal Use Cases

Intune Plan 1 is suitable for organizations of all sizes that need robust, yet straightforward, device and app management solutions. Whether you’re managing a small fleet of devices or overseeing a large enterprise environment, Intune Plan 1 provides the core functionalities necessary for securing and managing endpoints. It is especially ideal for organizations looking to streamline device deployments with Windows Autopilot, ensuring that all devices are ready for productive use right out of the box.

Licensing Skews

Intune Plan 1 is Included in:

• Microsoft 365 E5
• Microsoft 365 E3
• Enterprise Mobility + Security E5
• Enterprise Mobility + Security E3
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium
• Microsoft 365 F1
• Microsoft 365 F3
• Microsoft 365 Government G5
• Microsoft 365 Government G3
• Microsoft Intune for Education

Pricing of Intune Plan 1

Whilst Intune Plan 1 is included at no extra cost with the above licensing skews, for those without these subscriptions, Intune Plan 1 can be purchased for approximately $8.00 per user per month.

Deep Dive into Intune Plan 2

Intune Plan 2 builds on the core capabilities of Plan 1 by introducing advanced features tailored for organizations with more complex security and management needs. This plan is ideal for enterprises that require enhanced device management, specialty device support, and secure access to corporate resources, even on mobile devices.

Intune Plan 2 Features:

• Microsoft Intune Tunnel for Mobile Application Management (MAM): This lightweight VPN solution allows secure access to corporate resources from iOS and Android devices without requiring full device enrollment. This is particularly useful for organizations that support BYOD policies and need to secure access to sensitive information.
• Management of Specialty Devices: Intune Plan 2 includes enhanced management capabilities for specialized devices, such as augmented reality (AR) headsets, virtual reality (VR) devices, large smart screens, and conference room equipment. These features ensure that these non-traditional devices are securely managed and configured in line with organizational policies.
• Firmware-Over-The-Air (FOTA) Updates: This feature enables IT teams to remotely manage and update the firmware of supported devices, ensuring that all hardware is up-to-date with the latest security patches and operating optimally.

Ideal Use Cases

Intune Plan 2 is designed for organizations of all sizes but is particularly well-suited for enterprises with complex environments or those in industries with stringent security and compliance requirements, such as healthcare, finance, and government sectors. This plan is also ideal for businesses that need advanced management for a diverse array of devices and want to leverage secure mobile access without compromising on security or compliance.

Licensing Skews

Intune Plan 2 is available as an add-on to Plan 1 in all of the same licensing skews, but it comes included as part of Microsoft’s Intune Suite.

Pricing of Intune Plan 2

Intune Plan 2 is offered as an add-on to existing Plan 1 subscriptions, for approximately $4.00 per user per month additional.

Intune Plan 1 vs Plan 2

When choosing between Intune Plan 1 and Plan 2, understanding the differences in features is essential for making the right decision for your organization. Both plans offer powerful capabilities, but they are designed to meet different levels of security and management needs.

Feature Comparison 

Intune Plan 1:

Core Capabilities: Intune Plan 1 is the foundational tier, providing essential tools for device and application management. Key features include:

• Device Compliance Policies: Ensure devices meet security standards through configurable compliance rules, such as password policies and encryption.
• App Protection Policies: Secure apps on both corporate-owned and personal devices, protecting sensitive data in BYOD scenarios.
• Conditional Access: Control access to resources based on compliance, ensuring only secure devices access company data.
• Mobile Device Management (MDM): Manage the lifecycle of all devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, with remote configuration, updates, and troubleshooting.
• Mobile Application Management (MAM): Manage and secure applications, including deployment, updates, and monitoring of approved apps.
• Windows Autopilot: Automate the deployment and configuration of new devices, reducing setup time and ensuring consistency.

Intune Plan 2:

Enhanced Capabilities: Building on Plan 1, Plan 2 introduces advanced features for more complex environments:

• Microsoft Intune Tunnel for Mobile Application Management (MAM): A lightweight VPN that allows secure access to corporate resources from iOS and Android devices without full device enrollment, ideal for BYOD policies.
• Specialty Device Management: Advanced management for specialized devices like AR/VR headsets, large smart screens, and conference room equipment, ensuring they are securely configured and managed.
• Firmware-Over-The-Air (FOTA) Updates: Remote firmware management for supported devices, ensuring hardware remains secure and up-to-date with the latest patches.

Ideal Use Cases:

Plan 1:

• Target Audience: Suitable for organizations of all sizes that need straightforward device and application management solutions. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized businesses or those with standard management and compliance needs.
• Use Case: Ideal for environments where basic security measures are sufficient, and there’s a need for streamlined device deployment with features like Windows Autopilot.

Plan 2:

• Target Audience: Designed for larger enterprises or organizations with complex environments, particularly those in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and government.
• Use Case: Suitable for businesses that require advanced management capabilities for a diverse array of devices and need secure mobile access and remote firmware management.

Licensing Skews:

Intune Plan 1:

• Included in: Microsoft 365 E5, E3, F1, F3, Business Premium, Government G5, G3, and Enterprise Mobility + Security E5/E3, among others.
• Pricing: Typically included at no extra cost with these subscriptions. For those without these subscriptions, Intune Plan 1 can be purchased for approximately $8.00 per user per month.

Intune Plan 2:

• Additional Cost: Available as an add-on to Intune Plan 1, typically not included in standard enterprise licenses. It can be purchased separately to enhance the capabilities of Intune Plan 1 with advanced features.

Cost Consideration:

• Plan 1: Offers a cost-effective solution as it is often bundled with many Microsoft 365 subscriptions, making it suitable for organizations already using these services.
• Plan 2: Comes at an additional cost but provides significant value through enhanced security, management of specialty devices, and secure mobile access. The extra cost should be weighed against the benefits of advanced features for organizations with complex needs.

When evaluating Intune Plan 1 vs Plan 2, consider whether your organization needs the basic management capabilities of Plan 1 or if the advanced features in Plan 2 justify the additional cost. If you are unsure what you need to achieve your organizations goals, reach out to us here at Levacloud, we’d be happy to help you find the right Intune Plan for your specific requirements.

Intune Plan 1 Vs Plan 2 Comparison Table

Special Considerations for Government and Education

Microsoft Intune offers specialized plans for government and education sectors, which often have unique compliance requirements and tailored features. These organizations need to ensure that their licensing aligns with sector-specific regulations and operational needs.

Levacloud can assist by providing expert guidance to help you navigate these specialized options, ensuring you choose the right Intune plan that meets your organization’s specific requirements. Whether it’s aligning with compliance standards or optimizing costs, Levacloud helps you make informed decisions to secure and manage your environment effectively.

How to Choose the Right Intune Plan

Selecting the right Intune plan for your organization depends on your specific needs, security requirements, and budget. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Assess Your Current Needs:
   • Evaluate the number of devices and users you need to manage.
   • Consider the level of security and compliance required for your industry.
2. Future Scalability:
   • Think about your organization’s growth trajectory. If you anticipate needing advanced security features in the future, Plan 2 might be a better long-term investment.
3. Budget Considerations:
   • While Plan 1 is included in many Microsoft 365 subscriptions, Plan 2 requires additional investment. Balance the cost with the potential benefits, especially if advanced analytics and threat protection are crucial for your operations.
4. Industry-Specific Requirements:
   • If your organization operates in a regulated industry or sector like government or education, ensure that your licensing meets compliance standards. Specialized Intune plans are available for these sectors, and choosing the correct one is critical for staying compliant.
5. Leverage Expert Guidance:
   • If you’re unsure which plan is right for your organization, consider consulting with Levacloud. Our experts can help you assess your needs, navigate the licensing options, and ensure you choose a plan that offers the best value and functionality for your specific situation.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your organization’s current and future needs, ensuring that your devices and data are managed securely and efficiently.

Getting Started with Intune

Once you’ve chosen the right Intune plan, you can make a start with your implementation roadmap.

Setting up Intune can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially given the wide range of features and configurations available. At Levacloud, we have a deep understanding of what works and what doesn’t, thanks to our extensive experience and a robust playbook tailored for Intune deployments.

By partnering with Levacloud, you can leverage our expertise to streamline your Intune setup, ensuring a smooth deployment that aligns perfectly with your organization’s unique needs. Let us handle the complexities so you can focus on what matters most—running your business efficiently and securely. includes configuring device enrollment, creating compliance policies, and managing applications.

Microsoft offers a free trial for organizations to explore Intune’s features, allowing you to test both Plan 1 and Plan 2 capabilities in your environment before committing to a purchase.

Levacloud can assist with the initial setup, helping you configure Intune to match your organizational needs. We ensure a smooth deployment process and optimal configuration to maximize the benefits of your selected plan.

If you’re ready to explore Microsoft Intune or need assistance with the setup, Levacloud is here to support you every step of the way. Have a quick chat with us.