Pricing Guide

How Much Does Managed IT Support Cost?

A straightforward guide to what you’ll pay, and why.

Most managed IT providers charge a flat monthly fee per user (or per device), based on what’s covered and how much support you need. That predictable fee typically replaces surprise repair bills with proactive maintenance, a help desk your team can call anytime during business hours, and security that prevents problems before they happen. Below, we explain the pricing models, what drives cost, and how to compare quotes.

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Common IT Support Pricing Models

Per-User Pricing

A flat monthly fee for each person supported, covering all their devices. Simple, predictable and the most common model today.

Per-Device Pricing

A monthly fee for each computer, server or device. Works best when users and devices are roughly one-to-one.

Tiered Plans

Bundled levels of service (for example, basic, standard and premium), so you only pay for what you need.

Break-Fix / Hourly

You pay only when something breaks. Low upfront cost, but unpredictable bills and no prevention.

Block Hours

Prepaid support hours used as needed. Better than break-fix, but still reactive.

Co-Managed

A lower monthly fee to support an existing in-house IT team with tools, help desk overflow and expertise.

What Drives Cost

What Affects Your Monthly Price

No two businesses are identical, so most providers quote after reviewing your environment. These factors have the biggest impact:

✓Number of users who need support
✓Devices and servers, including on-premises servers
✓Number of locations and remote staff
✓Level of support: business hours, after-hours or 24/7
✓Security requirements, such as monitoring and response
✓Compliance needs, like HIPAA or the FTC Safeguards Rule
✓On-site support needs
✓Complexity of your software and older systems

Read the Fine Print

What’s Usually Billed Separately

Many quotes look similar until you compare what’s left out. Items commonly billed separately include:

✓Microsoft 365 and software licenses
✓New computers and hardware
✓Large projects like migrations and office moves
✓After-hours project work

At TCI, we spell out exactly what is and isn’t included before you sign. Everything covered at each level is listed on our Managed IT Plans page. Work outside your plan, such as projects, office moves or new equipment setup, is quoted upfront and billed at discounted hourly rates for Support Contract clients.

The Real Cost of Cheap IT

The lowest monthly price isn’t always the least expensive.

Downtime

Every hour your team can’t work costs far more than the support fee.

Security Incidents

A single ransomware attack or breach can cost more than years of good protection.

Recurring Problems

Patchwork fixes mean paying for the same issue again and again.

TCI’s Quantum Managed IT Plans

Three levels of support, priced per user, so you pay for exactly what your business needs.

Quantum Level I

Cloud & Productivity

Managed Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace support, user management and cloud security.

Quantum Level II

Managed IT Services

Your outsourced IT department: users, devices, servers, network, cloud and security, with unlimited remote help desk support.

Quantum Level III

Managed IT & Cybersecurity

Everything in Level II plus advanced cybersecurity, SIEM/SOC monitoring, priority support, on-site support and strategic IT planning.

Compare the Quantum plans in detail →

Comparing Quotes

Questions to Ask Any IT Provider

Use this checklist to compare quotes side by side:

✓What are your guaranteed response times?
✓Is help desk support unlimited, or billed by the hour?
✓What security tools are included?
✓Is after-hours or weekend support included?
✓Is on-site support included, or extra?
✓How long is the contract, and what are the terms?
✓Are there onboarding or setup fees?
✓Who owns our documentation and admin access?

Common Questions

Is managed IT cheaper than hiring an in-house IT person?

For most small and mid-sized businesses, yes. A managed plan gives you a full team with help desk, security and strategy expertise for less than the cost of one full-time hire, and without gaps when someone is out sick or on vacation.

Can we start small?

Yes. Our Quantum Level I plan covers Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace support, and you can move up as your needs grow.

How long are TCI’s contracts?

We offer flexible agreement terms, from short-term to multi-year, so you can choose what fits your business. We’ll walk you through the options with your quote. And with an agreement of one year or longer, we waive onboarding fees entirely. Learn how switching works.

How do we get an exact price?

Request a free IT assessment. Share your user and device counts, and we’ll give you a clear per-user quote.

Get Your Per-User Quote

Tell us about your users and devices, and we’ll recommend the right Quantum plan with clear, upfront pricing.

Get My Free Quote & Assessment

Or call (516) 484-5151 · Switching IT providers?