Do I have to use Intune?

No. Intune is the easiest way to set up managed Windows, Apple and Android devices. It delivers the certificate profiles, devices enrol themselves, and Passbeam can use Intune's compliance verdict. That's why it's the default when you add a client, but there are three ways to set one up.

Entra ID without Intune. For a client with Entra ID that manages devices with something else, such as Jamf, Mosyle or Kandji. Passbeam gives you an enrolment challenge to put in your MDM's SCEP payload, and checks Entra ID before it signs each request. Offboarding works the same as with Intune. See “Can I use Jamf, Mosyle, Kandji or another MDM instead of Intune?”.

Appliances only. For a network with no directory at all, such as printers, cameras, door controllers and building management. You issue each device a certificate from Passbeam yourself. See “Can I use Passbeam for a network with no Entra ID at all, such as printers, cameras, door access or building controls?”.

With any of the three, you can also issue a certificate to a person or a device directly from Passbeam and install it by hand. That's how most people test their first one.