Daily Post August 28 2025
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Fleet
This is an open-source device management platform used for IT and security teams to manage thousands of computers across environments. Its goal is to combine flexibility, automation, and ease of use for organizations seeking to help their endpoint management and security posture without investing in heavy, proprietary solutions. Centered on API-driven workflows, Fleet is tailored for those who prefer GitOps, webhooks, and YAML configurations, but it remains approachable for users looking for practical device administration. The platform’s open nature is for transparency, enables a broad community to contribute, and promotes innovation in enterprise IT.
What Fleet Does
It acts as a bridge between device management and security operations, providing things such as vulnerability reporting, device health monitoring, posture-based access control, and the management of unused software licenses. It is built upon osquery, nanoMDM, Nudge, and swiftDialog technologies well-regarded in their respective fields. Fleet’s reach extends to Linux (all distributions), macOS, Windows, Chromebooks, as well as major cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and even IoT devices running Linux. This broad compatibility makes it great for organizations operating hybrid, multi-cloud, or edge environments.
Integrating with other tools, supporting security-focused integrations including Crowdstrike and SentinelOne, and linking with IT automation tools like Chef, Puppet, Munki, and Ansible. Its free version allows users to quickly audit device compliance, such as confirming endpoint detection and response agents are running on hosts, or exploring software inventory and vulnerabilities. This eliminates “blind spots” in IT infrastructure and keeps device fleets functioning securely.
When to use Fleet
The merits of adopting Fleet are numerous. For organizations weary of vendor lock-in or inflexible management models, Fleet’s commitment to openness and modularity is a breath of fresh air. Users can enable only the features they need whether solely for device management, purely for security reporting, or both. The platform’s lightweight approach prevents unnecessary overhead and permits rapid deployment, either self-hosted or through Fleet’s hosted service. This model scales gracefully from small teams to enterprises managing hundreds of thousands of devices, as current production deployments demonstrate.
The strength lies in its data collection and visibility. Users can query devices in real time, generate reports, and enforce out-of-the-box policies such as CIS benchmarks for macOS and Windows. These profiles align with recommended best practices for system hardening, simplifying regulatory compliance and internal security efforts. For organizations handling a mix of laptops, servers, data centers, and cloud assets, Fleet’s consistent management layer means IT operations become less fragmented managers gain a holistic view of their infrastructure regardless of the underlying platform.
Integrations with enterprise tools like Snowflake, Splunk, GitHub Actions, Vanta, Elastic Jira, and Zendesk position Fleet as an orchestration hub. Data collected by Fleet can be piped directly into existing analytics pipelines, workflows, or ticketing systems, making device management part of an operations experience. Fleet does not aim to replace every tool but enhances existing setups by filling coverage gaps and simplifying reporting.
Suitability for Small Businesses
The lightweight architecture and community-backed development mean it is not reserved solely for large corporations. Small businesses can benefit from Fleet’s free tier, which comes with production-ready features under the MIT license. This “free as in free” promise ensures critical functionality is always accessible without surprises or hidden costs.
For small businesses, device management and security represent significant challenges, especially when resources are limited. Fleet removes barriers to entry: deployment is straightforward, documentation is thorough, and operational demands are moderate. Smaller IT teams can automate compliance audits, monitor device health, and detect vulnerabilities without needing a dedicated security engineer or paying for high-priced MDM solutions. Fleet’s support for simple YAML configurations and API integrations means even basic setups can give results, while enterprises can extend and customize as needed.
The presence of a friendly, active community means small teams are not left to navigate issues alone. Support channels through Slack, GitHub, and forums facilitate troubleshooting and knowledge sharing, making Fleet a viable solution for teams learning on the job or with limited formal IT training.
Is Fleet Any Good?
Real-world performance and reputation underscore its value. Customers include well-known organizations such as Fastly and Gusto, as well as numerous deployments handling tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of devices. The backing from open source advocates, combined with a steady stream of contributors (over 300 individuals), helps Fleet maintain a rapid pace of development and refinement.
the modular design and documentation result in a platform that is simple enough for DIY setup, but enough for enterprise needs. Security teams can leverage Fleet to enhance detection engineering, report vulnerabilities, and maintain regulatory compliance across a sprawling device landscape. IT managers can streamline onboarding, patching, and software management for all endpoints, regardless of OS.
Importantly, Fleet’s pragmatic attitude sets it apart. Rather than seeking to supplant every other tool in the ecosystem, Fleet focuses on interoperable integrations. This philosophy helps organizations hold onto existing investments while adding coverage and automation where it is needed most. Its open-source status also means transparency in both the product and company culture, users can inspect or contribute to every line of code, making sure their operations remain secure and under their control.
Licensing Model
The licensing model is designed to maximize contributions without restricting legitimate usage. The free version is licensed under the MIT license, one of the most permissive open-source licenses available. This means users are free to run, modify, and distribute Fleet with minimal restrictions. Commercial licensing is also available, allowing users to contribute to paid features if their employment agreements permit.
Crucially, the open licensing does not preclude meaningful enterprise engagement: even commercial users can contribute code to both core and premium features, provided their agreements allow. This culture of openness gives Fleet a longevity advantage, as it is not beholden solely to profit-driven priorities. The company’s founding team and majority ownership are committed to open source principles, mirroring successful models like GitLab.
The company maintains a public, open-source handbook, further clarifying its working methods and historical development. This transparency makes Fleet an appealing choice for organizations wary of opaque business practices, while ensuring long-term sustainability and ongoing innovation.
It is a tool worth looking at: https://github.com/fleetdm/fleet