How Much Does Outsourced IT Support Really Cost?

Key Takeaways

1. Outsourced IT support costs vary widely based on service scope, business size, and complexity, but often start at $75 per user/month.
2. For small businesses, flat-rate monthly IT services typically range from $1,000 to $5,000.
3. Enterprise-level support can cost $10,000 to $50,000+ per month, depending on SLAs, 24/7 monitoring, and security needs.
4. Compared to in-house IT salaries and overhead, outsourcing is often more cost-effective and scalable.

What Is Outsourced IT Support?

Outsourced IT support is when you hand over some—or even all—of your IT responsibilities to an external team of experts. Instead of hiring, training, and managing a full in-house IT department, you partner with a company that already has the people, tools, and processes in place to handle it for you.

Whether you’re a startup scaling fast or a mid-sized company looking to tighten up operations, outsourced IT support can give you access to high-quality tech support without the high overhead. It’s a booming industry, projected to hit a market size of $812 billion by 2029.

So what kind of stuff can you actually outsource?

• Day-to-day tech support: These are the “Why is the printer not working?” or “I need to reset my password” kinds of problems? A good outsourced IT team handles those helpdesk tickets so your team doesn’t lose productivity.
• Server and network management: From keeping your Wi-Fi humming to managing cloud infrastructure and on-prem servers, they’ve got it covered.
• Cybersecurity monitoring: According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a single data breach was $4.88 million. Outsourced IT support services help keep the bad guys out—monitoring for threats, managing firewalls, running security audits, and staying ahead of the latest cyber risks.
• App development and support: Got a custom app or internal tool you rely on? An outsourced provider can help build, manage, update, and troubleshoot those critical systems.
• IT strategy and planning: Some providers go beyond support and become true partners, helping you make smart long-term decisions about tech investments, scalability, and infrastructure.

The best part is you only pay for what you need. You can start small (like just outsourcing your helpdesk) and scale up as your business grows. Or go all-in with a fully managed IT service that becomes your virtual IT department. Whichever route you take, you’re bound to save on costs. Speaking of costs, let’s get into the details of the cost of outsourced IT support.

What’s the Cost of Outsourced IT Support?

The short answer? It depends. The cost of outsourced IT support isn’t one-size-fits-all because every business is different. A 10-person startup using Google Workspace is going to have wildly different needs (and pricing) than a 200-person company managing hybrid cloud environments and multiple office locations.

Here’s what typically affects the cost of outsourced IT support:

• Your company size: More users mean more devices (more tickets, more support needs).
• Scope of services: Are you outsourcing everything, or just the helpdesk? Do you need strategy, or just break/fix support?
• Complexity of your tech stack: If you’re running custom apps, legacy systems, or niche software, things get more involved.
• Support hours needed: Are you okay with 9-to-5 support, or do you need 24/7 coverage, weekends, holidays, the whole deal?
• Remote vs. onsite support: Remote is generally more cost-effective, but some businesses (especially those with physical infrastructure) may need hands-on help.

So let’s talk about some actual numbers.

For Small to Mid-Sized Businesses

If you’re running a growing business and just need reliable, everyday support, here’s what you might expect:

• Basic helpdesk support: Around $75–$150 per user per month. This typically covers day-to-day ticket handling, software troubleshooting, and light monitoring.
• Flat-rate monthly IT services: Anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000/month, depending on your size and needs. This is ideal for companies looking for all-in-one support without surprise charges.
• Hourly or ad hoc support: Need help with something specific? Expect upwards of $100/hour. This is common for project-based work, emergency fixes, or very small businesses not ready for a monthly plan.
• Ongoing app maintenance: Plan on $1,000–$5,000/month for updates, patches, monitoring, and bug fixes. Costs go up with app complexity and usage.

For Enterprise-Level Support

If you’re managing high-stakes infrastructure, large teams, and mission-critical systems, outsourced IT support becomes more like a strategic partnership.

• Comprehensive support packages: These typically start around $10,000/month and can go as high as $50,000/month or more, depending on:
  • Number of users and locations
  • Advanced security protocols
  • Compliance needs
  • Guaranteed service-level agreements
  • Infrastructure monitoring and proactive maintenance

These enterprise packages often include full-stack IT management, disaster recovery, virtual CIO services, and advanced threat detection.

What’s Included in the Cost?

Now that you’ve got a general idea of the price, let’s talk about what you’re actually getting for your money. When you hire an outsourced IT support provider, you’re paying for a whole bundle of services, tools, and expertise designed to keep your tech world running smoothly. Here’s what’s usually on the menu:

• • A dedicated helpdesk team (or shared support pool): Depending on your plan, you might get a dedicated team that learns your systems inside and out, or you might tap into a shared helpdesk pool (which is still super efficient, just a little less personalized).
  • Monitoring tools and software: This is the stuff running quietly in the background—watching your systems 24/7, spotting unusual activity, flagging potential issues before they turn into major meltdowns.
  • Patch management and system updates: You know those updates you keep clicking “Remind me later” on? Your IT provider will handle those for you. They’ll make sure your software stays up-to-date, secure, and compatible—without disrupting your day.
  • Cybersecurity protection: Most plans include basics like antivirus, firewalls, and malware protection. Some go deeper, offering phishing protection, threat detection, security audits, and even employee training to prevent your team from clicking on that “urgent invoice” from a prince in another country.

• Backup and disaster recovery planning: Studies show that 20% of small and medium-sized businesses suffer a failure of some sort in five years, causing them to lose critical data. If your systems went down tomorrow, could you recover? Your outsourced IT team makes sure the answer is yes. They’ll set up regular backups, test recovery plans, and help you bounce back fast if things go south.

• Strategic IT consulting (in some cases): Some providers include quarterly IT reviews, long-term planning, budgeting advice, and tech recommendations to help your business grow.

Some providers bundle all of this into one nice, tidy package. Others? Not so much. It’s always a great idea to ask what’s included. You might find that things like:

• After-hours or weekend support
• Cloud migration projects
• Penetration testing
• Enhanced cybersecurity tools (like SIEM or MFA)

…come with extra fees. The more transparent the provider when it comes to costs, the easier it is to trust them.

Outsourced IT vs. In-House: Which One Is Cheaper?

Now we’re getting to the heart of the debate: Should you build an in-house IT team or outsource it? Let’s break it down. Imagine you decide to hire just one in-house IT professional. Here’s what that looks like financially:

• Base salary? Anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000+ per year, depending on experience and location.
• Add in benefits—health insurance, retirement contributions… that’s easily another 20–30% on top of the salary.
• Don’t forget equipment and training—new laptops, certifications, security tools, etc.
• And guess what? One person can’t do everything. Eventually, you’ll need more hands or outside contractors anyway.

Costs add up fast.

Now compare that to outsourcing your IT for a flat monthly fee—maybe $2,500, $5,000, even $10,000 depending on your needs. On paper, it might sound like a lot.

But when you zoom out? You’re not just paying for a single person, you’re getting access to an entire team:

• Tiered support (so simple stuff gets resolved fast, and complex issues go to the experts)
• 24/7 monitoring and emergency response
• Cybersecurity pros, network engineers, cloud architects—you name it
• Strategic guidance from people who live and breathe tech

Most importantly, you only pay for what you need. You can scale services up or down depending on your growth, seasonal shifts, or budget changes—something that’s a lot harder to do with full-time hires.

So, is the cost of outsourced IT support cheaper than doing it in-house? Usually, yes. What’s even better is that it’s also more efficient.

You get:

• Predictable monthly costs (no surprise PTO or sick days)
• Less downtime and faster resolutions
• Better coverage across more specialties
• Freedom to focus on your actual business, not tech fires

Is Outsourcing IT Support Worth It?

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably seriously weighing your options. So, is outsourcing your IT the right move? If you’re looking to reduce costs, boost efficiency, and access a level of expertise that’s hard to build in-house, then yes, outsourcing is 100% worth exploring. 

But here’s the important part: Don’t just chase the cheapest quote. IT is not the place to cut corners. While the cost of outsourced IT support is important, you also want a partner that doesn’t just throw tech jargon at you, but actually listens, understands your business goals, and delivers real value. Because at the end of the day, you’re not just buying tech support. You’re investing in a relationship that delivers fewer disruptions, tighter security, and a team you can rely on when things get complicated.

At Atidiv, we do more than just “fix stuff.”

We deliver:

• Responsive helpdesk support that keeps your team moving
• Access management and troubleshooting to keep your systems secure and efficient
• IT infrastructure support that scales with your business
• And custom software development that helps you innovate, automate, and stay ahead of the curve

We help businesses like yours cut IT costs without cutting corners—and build smarter, stronger systems in the process. Partner with Atidiv and scale smarter.

FAQs on Cost of Outsourced IT Support

1. Why are outsourced IT support rates so different?

Excellent question, since no two businesses require the same. Your costs vary based on items such as the number of users, support hours, security needs, and remote-only or on-site assistance.

2. Is outsourcing IT support less expensive than employing in-house?

Typically, yes. To employ even a single IT expert costs you $70,000+ annually, benefits and equipment excluded. Outsourcing provides you with an entire staff and greater skills, usually in the form of a set monthly fee.

3. What constitutes a standard outsourced IT support plan?

Most packages include helpdesk support, monitoring, patch updates, cybersecurity software, and even strategic consulting in some cases. Always check what’s covered—some features, such as cloud migration or 24/7 support, might have an additional fee.

4. Can I outsource only half of my IT requirements, such as app support?

Yes, you can outsource only your app maintenance, cybersecurity, or helpdesk support—it’s fully customizable. That’s part of the flexibility that makes outsourcing so attractive.

5. How do I select the appropriate IT support provider?

Don’t settle for the cheapest option. Find a partner (like Atidiv!) who gets your business objectives, has clear pricing, and can scale with you. A good provider should be an extension of your team.