What Does Managed IT Really Cost for a Small Business in 2025?

Local Managed IT & Cybersecurity Experts

Small businesses often dread IT costs because they feel unpredictable. But the reality is: proactive Managed IT support can save you significant time, stress, and money compared to break-fix or reactive services.

In this post, we’ll break down the real cost of Managed IT, what you should expect to pay, and how to evaluate value over price.

💡 What Is Managed IT Services?

Managed IT means a technology partner (like GingerSec) takes responsibility for:

• Monitoring and maintaining your network

• Securing your systems and data

• Supporting your users

• Managing backups and recovery

• Planning IT strategy

Instead of paying only when something breaks, you subscribe to ongoing support that prevents costly problems before they happen.

📊 Managed IT Pricing Models

There are three common pricing approaches:

1. Per-User Pricing

You pay a monthly fee for each employee who receives support.

Typical range: $100–$200 per user per month

✔ Best for businesses where employees rely on computers✔ Predictable budgeting✘ Can feel expensive if users have very different support needs

2. Per-Device Pricing

You pay per server, laptop, workstation, or network device.

Typical range: $50–$150 per device per month

✔ Good when users share multiple devices✔ Useful for inventory control✘ Can grow expensive with lots of IoT/cameras/printers

3. Tiered or Hybrid Pricing

A flat monthly fee based on services included (e.g., help desk, monitoring, security tools).

✔ Predictable total cost✔ Easier to scale✘ Requires clear service definitions

🧮 Typical Managed IT Cost Breakdown

Expense Category	Typical Cost	What It Covers
Help Desk Support	$100–$200/user/mo	Unlimited or tiered ticket support
Network Monitoring	Included	24/7 device & performance checks
Cybersecurity Tools	$5–$30/user/mo	Antivirus, EDR, MFA, firewalls
Patch Management	Included	Keeps systems updated
Backup & Recovery	$30–$100/device/mo	Cloud or local backups
On-Site Visits	Included or hourly	Technician dispatched when needed

💡 Average small business (10 employees):$1,500–$3,000 per month for comprehensive Managed IT + security.

⚠️ What Managed IT Doesn’t Cover Unless Specified

Make sure your contract clarifies:

• New hardware purchases

• Cloud licensing (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)

• VoIP / Phone system support

• Security compliance audits (HIPAA, CJIS, etc.)

• Network cabling or structured wiring

• Data center or server room buildouts

These are often add-ons rather than baseline services.

🧠 Why It’s Worth It

🎯 1. Predictable Costs

No surprise invoices for every problem.

🔒 2. Better Security

Managed IT is more than help desk — it’s proactive protection against modern threats like ransomware.

⏱ 3. Less Downtime

Small businesses lose thousands per hour when technology fails. Managed support minimizes outages.

📈 4. Strategic Growth

You get an IT partner that plans for scalability, not just quick fixes.

🆚 Managed IT vs Break-Fix

Feature	Managed IT	Break-Fix
Monthly Cost	Predictable	Unpredictable
Security	Proactive	Reactive
Business Continuity	High	Low
IT Strategy	Included	Not included

With break-fix, IT is only addressed after it stops working — often costing 2–5x more for emergency service calls.

🧾 5 Questions to Ask Before You Sign

1. What’s included in support?

2. Are security tools part of the plan?

3. How is help desk access handled?

4. What’s the response time for issues?

5. Do you get a dedicated account manager?

🤝 How GingerSec Structures Managed IT Pricing

At GingerSec, we believe in transparent, flat-rate pricing that includes:✔ 24/7 monitoring✔ Help desk support✔ Patch management✔ Cybersecurity tools✔ Backup services✔ Strategic tech reviews

We tailor packages to your business size, risk profile, and growth goals — and we’ll show you exactly what you’re paying for.

📞 Schedule a cost breakdown call:👉 Contact GingerSec today and get a quote based on your unique environment.