Without clear pricing, it’s easy to assume your IT provider covers everything, until something breaks and you find out they don’t.
This lack of clarity leads to costly mistakes: overpaying for services you don’t need, underinvesting in protection you absolutely do, or getting hit with hidden fees when the unexpected happens.
Over 82% of end clients are increasing their outsourcing budgets, signalling that organizations today are investing in more reliable, proactive IT support that can scale with them.
| As CEO of Cantey Tech Consulting Willis Cantey says, “Modern managed IT pricing should align with risk reduction, business continuity, and measurable results, not just speed of resolving support tickets.” |
In this guide, we’ll unpack every layer of managed IT services pricing from models and cost drivers, to ROI evaluation and common traps to avoid.
How Much Does Managed IT Services Cost? Let’s Get Specific
With 46% of businesses now relying on managed IT services, it’s clear that more companies are shifting toward scalable, expert-led support. There is a growing focus from business leaders towards making more intentional, cost-efficient IT pricing decisions in the process.
No matter how you look at it, there’s no one-size-fits-all number when it comes to managed IT costs. After all, no two businesses have the same IT needs; but understanding what shapes the price can help you budget realistically and negotiate wisely.
Let’s take a look at pricing factors to consider:
1.Size and Structure of Your Business
When it comes to managed IT pricing, size does matter. Here’s how that plays out in different situations:
- A 10-person firm with laptops and cloud-based apps will pay far less than a 100-user organization with servers, branch offices, and a hybrid environment.
- Do you have remote employees? Multiple office locations? Bring-your-own-device policies? All of these increase security complexity and pricing.
2.Scope of Service
There’s a huge difference between monitoring-only plans and full-service IT support that includes help desk, patching, cybersecurity, backups, and more.
If you only ask: “how much does managed IT services cost?” without clarifying the level of coverage, you’ll miss the mark. The cheapest plan may leave your business dangerously exposed.
3.Industry Requirements and Compliance
Regulated industries like healthcare, legal, or finance often require specialized documentation, audits, encryption, and multi-layered protection. MSPs charge more to support these environments and rightfully so. Cutting corners here is never worth the risk.
Breaking Down the Managed IT Services Price List: Models That Matter
Choosing the right pricing model for your IT support is critical. Not every approach fits every business and knowing the difference between options can be the key to getting a plan that supports you properly versus a plan that leaves you at risk.
Here’s how the most common models in a managed IT services price list work:
Per-User Pricing
You’re charged a flat monthly rate for each user, no matter how many devices they use. It’s predictable and scales with your headcount, which makes it ideal for growing teams. But if your staff uses lots of devices or has low support needs, you may overpay.
Per-Device Pricing
This model charges per workstation, server, firewall, mobile device, etc. It can work well for businesses with static assets and few users like warehouses or shops. However, it doesn’t capture mobile users or cloud apps well, and that can be a problem in today’s environment.
Flat Rate (Tiered Bundles)
Bronze, Silver, Gold, you’ve seen them. Each tier offers different levels of coverage. These bundles are convenient but often inflexible. You might be forced into a higher tier just to get one feature you need.
Custom or A La Carte
In this model, services are picked and priced individually. You get exactly what you want and nothing more. It’s great for businesses with specific needs but requires careful management to avoid gaps in support or security.
Choosing a model isn’t just about price, it’s about business fit. Use a managed IT services calculator to estimate your monthly total based on real usage and needs.
What’s Included (And Not Included) in Managed IT Pricing
If your provider only offers “support,” that’s a red flag. You need to know what that includes and what it doesn’t.
Typically Included in Transparent Pricing Plans:
- Help Desk Support (remote and/or onsite)
- 24/7 Monitoring & Alerts
- Patch and Firmware Updates
- Endpoint Protection (antivirus, anti-malware)
- Backup & Disaster Recovery
- Network Management
- Vendor Liaison (e.g., handling your internet or phone provider issues)
- Quarterly Strategic Reviews
These are baseline services. Some providers also include cloud optimization, employee cybersecurity training, or compliance documentation, but it’s crucial to know that not all do.
Often NOT Included in Managed IT Plans:
- Onboarding Costs – Initial network assessments and configuration
- Project Work – Large system upgrades, new server deployments, office moves
- Hardware Costs – Firewalls, switches, workstations, and licenses
- Compliance Services – Unless you’re on a high-tier or specialized plan
The takeaway here is to never assume, get the details and review them with your provider. Ask for a line-item breakdown. Try a managed IT services ROI calculator to assess long-term cost-efficiency based on uptime, risk reduction, and performance.
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Managed IT Services Rates: What Can You Expect to Pay?
Let’s talk numbers. While actual managed IT services rates vary by provider, region, and scope, here are ballpark monthly costs:
- Small Business (10–20 users): $1,000 – $2,000/month
- Mid-sized Business (25–75 users): $2,500 – $7,500/month
- Enterprise (100+ users): $10,000/month and up
Use a managed IT services calculator to plug in your actual user count, devices, and needs to get more accurate pricing.
More importantly, compare pricing to business outcomes: What’s the cost of one day of downtime? What’s your hourly rate of productivity loss during tech failures?
Table: Choosing the Right Pricing Model
| Pricing Model | Best For | Watch Out For |
| Per-User | Service-based businesses with predictable headcount | Overpaying for low-use staff |
| Per-Device | Asset-heavy or stable-infrastructure orgs | Shadow IT or BYOD undercoverage |
| Tiered Bundles | SMBs that want simplicity | Locked into unnecessary features |
| A La Carte / Custom | Highly specific or compliance-driven firms | Complex management, missing essentials |
Conclusion: Managed IT Services Pricing Is More Than a Monthly Fee
The real question isn’t just how much managed IT services cost, it’s whether you’re paying for value or just availability. Understanding pricing models, reviewing what’s included, avoiding hidden charges, and assessing ROI through a managed IT services ROI calculator helps ensure your technology partner aligns with your goals, not just your wallet.
Cantey Tech Consulting is a trusted partner for businesses that want clarity, performance, and results, not surprise fees. Ready for a pricing conversation that makes sense? Contact Cantey Tech Consulting today and schedule your consultation.
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