How Much Do Managed IT Services Cost? (2026 Pricing Guide)

What Does Managed IT Actually Cost?

Every business owner considering managed IT asks the same question first: what does it cost? It's a fair question, and one that deserves a straight answer. Here's what businesses in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area are actually paying in 2026 — and what you should expect for your money.

The Two Main Pricing Models

Per-User Pricing

The most common model charges a flat fee per user per month. This covers everything each employee needs: IT support, security, monitoring, and maintenance. For a 10-person business paying $100/user/month, you're looking at $1,000/month for comprehensive IT management.

Per-user pricing is popular because it's easy to budget and scales naturally as your team grows. When you hire someone new, you simply add another user to the plan.

Per-Device Pricing

Some providers charge per device instead — typically $30–$60 per workstation, $100–$200 per server, and $20–$40 per network device per month. This model works well for businesses with many devices but fewer users (like manufacturing or retail environments).

For most professional services firms, per-user pricing tends to be simpler and more predictable.

What's Typically Included in a Managed IT Plan?

A comprehensive managed IT service agreement should include:

• Help desk support: Phone, email, and remote support for your employees during business hours (and often 24/7 for critical issues)
• Remote monitoring and management: Continuous monitoring of all your systems for performance issues, security threats, and hardware failures
• Patch management: Regular updates to operating systems and software to close security vulnerabilities
• Endpoint protection: Enterprise antivirus and anti-malware on all devices
• Backup management: Setup and monitoring of automated backups
• Network management: Monitoring and management of your routers, switches, and firewall
• Vendor management: Coordination with your internet provider, phone system, and software vendors
• On-site support: Some plans include on-site technician visits; others charge separately

Tiered Plans: Basic vs. All-Inclusive

Most MSPs offer tiered plans:

• Essential/Basic ($60–$90/user/month): Monitoring, patch management, and basic help desk. Cybersecurity may be limited.
• Standard ($90–$120/user/month): Adds endpoint security, backup management, and more comprehensive support.
• Premium/All-Inclusive ($120–$175/user/month): Full security stack, advanced backup, vCIO services, compliance support, and unlimited support.

For most small businesses, the Standard or Premium tier offers the best value — skimping on security to save $20/user/month is a false economy when a single breach can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Before signing a managed IT contract, ask about these potential additional charges:

• On-site visits: Some providers charge $150–$250/hour for on-site work not covered by the plan
• After-hours support: Emergency support outside business hours may be billed separately
• Project work: New hardware setups, office moves, or major upgrades are often billed as projects outside the monthly fee
• Software licensing: Microsoft 365, security tools, and backup solutions may be included or may cost extra
• Contract length and exit clauses: Some providers lock you into multi-year contracts with steep exit penalties

Managed IT vs. Hiring In-House: The Real Comparison

A full-time IT person in the metro area costs $65,000–$100,000 per year in salary alone — plus benefits, payroll taxes, vacation, and training. And one person can only do so much: they can't be available 24/7, they have skills gaps, and if they leave, you're back to square one.

At $100/user/month for a 15-person business, you're paying $18,000 per year for an entire team of engineers, 24/7 monitoring systems, security tools, and strategic guidance. The value comparison is clear.

Get an Honest Assessment and Transparent Pricing

At AlfeNet, our pricing is straightforward and all-inclusive. No hidden fees, no surprise invoices.

Curious what it would cost for your business? Call 718-609-6242 — we'll put together a proposal based on your actual setup, not a generic template.