Outsourcing IT support in the UK typically costs between £60 and £150 per user, per month in 2026. While “break-fix” models exist, most SMEs benefit from Managed IT Services which include 24/7 monitoring, cybersecurity, and M365 management. Outsourcing is generally 40-60% cheaper than hiring a full-time internal IT Manager.
If you’re running a business, you’ve likely reached the point where “turning it off and on again” isn’t a viable strategy for your growth. When you outsource IT support, you typically contract the services of a Managed Service Provider (MSP).
The landscape has shifted significantly over the last few years. While many MSPs used to operate on a “break-fix” basis (where you paid an hourly rate whenever something broke) most have moved toward a proactive, all-inclusive subscription model.
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Why should you outsource your IT support?
Many business owners wonder why outsource IT support when they could potentially hire their own IT engineer or IT manager. The reality is that for most Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), an internal hire is often more expensive and less efficient. Consider training, sickness, holiday, etc.
What are the benefits of outsourcing IT support?
- Cost Predictability: You trade unpredictable emergency repair bills for a fixed monthly fee.
- Access to a Full Team: Instead of one “jack-of-all-trades” employee, you get a team of specialists in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and networking.
- 24/7 Monitoring: While an employee goes home at 5 PM, an MSP uses automated tools to monitor your servers 24/7, often fixing bugs before you even notice them.
- Scalability: As your team grows, you simply add more seats to your plan rather than recruiting and training new internal staff.
How much does it cost to outsource IT support?
he big question: How much does it cost to outsource IT support? In the UK, pricing generally follows one of three structures. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from £15 to £100+ per user, per month, depending on the level of service.
| Model | Average Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Per-User | £35 – £100 per month | Growing businesses with remote/hybrid staff. |
| Per-Device | £15 – £40 per month | Companies with static workstations or many shared devices. |
| Per-Server | £50 – £150 per month | Companies with server workloads (on-premise or Cloud) |
| Ad-hoc (Break-Fix) | £60 – £150 per hour | Very small start-ups with minimal IT needs. |
| Hybrid | Mix of per-user, per-device, per-site | Better suited for SMB/SME customers |
Factors that influence the price
- Service Hours: 9-to-5 support is significantly cheaper than 24/7/365 coverage.
- Cybersecurity: High-level threat hunting and SOC (Security Operations Centre) services will add a premium.
- On-site vs. Remote: Most support is remote. If you require a guaranteed monthly site visit, expect the price to climb.
- Hardware Management: Does the price include the “leasing” of laptops and servers, or just the software support?
- Licensing. Does the price include licensing for RMM, M365 and other software?
- Networks: Does it include network and firewall management?
- TBR/QBR: Does it include technology business reviews / quarterly business reviews?
IT support cost calculator
To get a ballpark figure for your monthly budget, use this simple logic. Most UK businesses with standard security needs (M365, cloud backups, and helpdesk) fall into the £60 – £150 per user bracket. An average business may sit around £80. An organisation with regulatory requirements, perhaps operating in financial services/legal, with server applications – they may be more towards £150. £150+ with more advanced security controls.
The Quick Formula: > Number of Staff × £80 = Estimated Monthly IT Budget
Note: Any major “one-off” events, such as moving offices, large-scale server migrations, or new acquisitions, are typically billed as separate “Project Work” and sit outside your monthly retainer.
Strategic Cash Flow and M&A Planning
Outsourcing IT support transforms technology from a volatile capital expense into a predictable monthly operating cost. Instead of the “spiky” financial pattern common with internal IT – where steady salaries are suddenly interrupted by expensive emergency repairs or hardware refreshes- a Managed Service Provider (MSP) provides a flat, predictable fee. This shift to an OpEx model simplifies cash-flow forecasting and ensures that your digital infrastructure scales exactly in line with your headcount, freeing up capital for other areas of business growth.
For businesses involved in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), this predictability is a massive strategic advantage; instead of inheriting “black hole” IT costs or dealing with the “sawtooth” financial spikes of emergency hardware refreshes, an MSP model allows you to forecast exactly how much IT will cost post-merger based on a simple per-head or per-site fee. This transparency simplifies due diligence and makes consolidation planning significantly cleaner, as you can instantly calculate the financial impact of adding a new team or office to your existing infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of outsourcing IT support?
Managing IT costs and security shouldn’t be a guessing game. MTG provide a comprehensive IT as a Service (ITaaS) model designed specifically for UK SMEs who need enterprise-grade support without the enterprise price tag.
Why choose our ITaaS model?
- Total Transparency: One predictable monthly fee that covers your users, sites, devices, and security.
- Proactive Protection: We don’t just fix what’s broken; we prevent issues through 24/7 monitoring and SOC-led security through MDR.
- Scalable Growth: As you hire, we onboard. Our service grows exactly at the pace of your business.
