Editor's note: This post was originally published on November 17, 2020, and has been revised for clarity and comprehensiveness.
\Managed IT cost changes based on factors like your service level, team size, and how complex your setup is. At ITS, our managed services start at $135 per user per month, depending on your security and compliance needs.
When you try to budget for IT, the numbers can be hard to pin down. This is risky since IT affects payroll, daily operations, and customer trust.
When you compare managed service providers (MSPs), you need to weigh what they offer against their prices. Many MSPs only share exact pricing after a discovery process, so leaders often spend extra time just trying to get a clear range.
It's important to know what affects costs and what each plan covers before you sign a contract. At ITS, we help SMBs make informed choices by sharing clear per-user monthly pricing, so you can have a clear picture of what IT costs are necessary for your situation.
This guide explains ITS pricing, what affects your monthly costs, and what each service package includes.
You'll learn:
After reading, you'll have the pricing facts you need to plan your budget and choose the right service level.
What Factors Determine Managed IT Cost at ITS?
Your monthly managed IT costs depend on four main factors: service level, management model, user count, and infrastructure needs.
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Service Level
Organizations with basic needs usually pay less than those that need advanced security monitoring and compliance support.
Healthcare practices under HIPAA, for example, must implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI), which often increases the amount of security work required.
As you add more security coverage and compliance reporting, you usually need more tools, documentation, and ongoing work. As a result, you incur more costs on managed services.
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Fully Managed or Co-Managed
Managed IT can be either fully managed or co-managed. It depends on whether you have your own IT team.
Fully managed IT means an MSP takes complete control of your technology, while co-managed IT means a provider works alongside your existing IT team to manage your IT infrastructure. Full support will naturally cost more than part-time support.
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User Count
User count directly affects your price. Most MSPs, including ITS, charge per person using your systems. This means a 10-person office pays much less than a 100-person company.
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Infrastructure Complexity
How complex your setup affects your per-user price. Companies with multiple locations, cloud setups, remote-heavy teams, or special applications need more logging, monitoring, and support. Because these setups require more time and advanced tools to manage, they often lead to a higher cost per user.
Your current IT infrastructure matters as well. If you have outdated hardware, poor records, or security gaps, you may need “fix-up” work before starting managed services. This upfront cost ensures your systems meet basic security standards.
Note: ITS caters to small and midsize businesses with 40 or more users. Although we’ve partnered with companies with fewer than 40 users, we’ve found that 40-user businesses get the most value out of our services.
Read: Why MSP Pricing Varies (& How to Evaluate a Provider)
How Much Do ITS Managed IT Services Cost Per User?
Most MSPs use a monthly per-user fee. This price usually varies depending on the provider you choose and the specific services they include in their plan.
At ITS, we use per-user monthly pricing with primarily two service levels. Each level is built for different security and compliance needs:
Core + Essentials Plan: $135–$150 per user
This package covers foundational managed IT for companies with basic compliance needs. The services under this package include:
- Unlimited 24/7 monitoring and remote support
- Unlimited on-site support
- Cloud security monitoring and technology alignment audit
- Proactive care and backup solutions
- Assigned vCIO
Secure + Essentials Plan: $175–$190 per user
This package includes everything in Core + Essentials, plus stronger security features for companies with stricter regulatory requirements. In this package, you’ll benefit from services like:
- Advanced threat detection and managed response services
- Network security tools (e.g., IoT Device Security)
- Security awareness training and threat intelligence
- Vulnerability management and third-party patching
- Dark web monitoring and threat intelligence
Both plans include unlimited support tickets, proactive care, and IT planning. The Core + Secure plan adds advanced security tools and services needed for HIPAA, CMMC, or financial compliance rules.
Read: 3 Reasons Managed IT is Priced Per User (Even If You Don’t Contact IT Daily)
Need a Trusted MSP for Transparent Managed IT Cost?
Managed IT cost reflects the security tools, expertise, and support that keep your business running. At ITS, our packages include everything you need for solid IT work, from daily help desk support to long-term security.
With over 20 years of experience, ITS helps small to mid-sized business owners in industries like healthcare and finance build better IT and security. From small practices to multi-location companies, we deliver consistent support with clear, honest pricing.
Ready to see what managed IT will cost for your company? Use our ITS Pricing Estimator to get a custom estimate based on your team size and needs. If you’re already set on partnering with us, schedule a consultation with one of our experts to talk about your specific IT and security needs.
Explore additional resources on managed IT services in our Learning Center:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there extra fees for setting up managed IT services?
A: Most providers charge a one-time "onboarding" fee to set up your network and security tools. This fee covers the work needed to ensure your systems meet the provider's standards before monthly support begins.
Q: Why do some industries pay more for managed IT than others?
A: Industries like healthcare or finance often have higher costs because they must follow strict government security rules. These businesses require advanced monitoring and specialized tools to keep sensitive data safe and to remain compliant with federal laws, such as HIPAA.
Q: Does the monthly cost change if I add more employees?
A: Yes, since most pricing is based on a per-user model, your bill will increase or decrease as your team size changes. This allows your IT budget to scale naturally as your business grows.
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