How Much Does an MSP Cost?

For small and mid-sized businesses in Chicago, hiring a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can feel like a big leap. Leaders often ask the same question first: “How much does an MSP cost?”

The answer depends on your organization’s size, complexity, and needs. But one thing is certain, partnering with the right MSP saves more than it costs. In fact, businesses using managed IT services reduce IT costs by up to 40% while boosting efficiency and security.

Here’s a breakdown of what goes into MSP pricing and what Chicago businesses should expect.

Common MSP Pricing Models

MSPs typically offer services through one of three models:

1. Per-User or Per-Device Pricing
   • Costs scale based on the number of users or devices.
   • Good for smaller organizations or those with predictable headcounts.
2. Flat-Rate, All-Inclusive Pricing
   • Predictable monthly fee for unlimited support and services.
   • Prevents surprise invoices and is easier for budgeting.
3. Tiered or À La Carte Pricing
   • Businesses pick and choose services like cybersecurity solutions or backup and recovery.
   • Flexible but can be harder to manage over time.

Average MSP Costs for Chicago SMBs

While every provider is different, here are typical price ranges for Chicagoland businesses:

• Per-User or Per-Device Plans: $100–$200 per user per month
• All-Inclusive Packages: $125–$250 per user per month
• À La Carte Services: Varies widely depending on the service (e.g., VoIP solutions or cloud management).

For a 50-person business, that means an MSP investment could range from over $5,000 to $12,500 per month depending on services and scope.

What Impacts MSP Pricing?

Several factors affect the final cost:

• Size of your organization: More users and devices increase costs.
• Compliance requirements: Industries like healthcare and finance need HIPAA, PCI, or FTC safeguards compliance. (FTC Safeguards Rule)
• Service level agreements (SLAs): 24/7 monitoring, faster response times, or on-site support add to costs.
• Cybersecurity maturity: Businesses that need advanced protections like endpoint detection and response (EDR) or dark web monitoring will pay more.
• Project needs: One-time IT projects, like IT disaster recovery planning, may be billed separately.

Why MSPs Save Money in the Long Run

It is tempting to focus only on the monthly invoice, but the true cost of IT comes from downtime, data breaches, and lost productivity. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average breach now costs over $4.4 million.

By investing in an MSP that offers proactive monitoring, unlimited support, and compliance alignment, businesses avoid:

• Unplanned downtime
• Costly compliance fines
• Data recovery expenses
• The need for a large in-house IT team

LeadingIT’s Workplace Complete package, for example, includes unlimited IT support, cybersecurity, and compliance services for a predictable monthly fee—so Chicago SMBs can plan their budgets with confidence.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing an MSP

If you’re comparing providers, ask:

• What is included in the monthly fee?
• Do you charge extra for projects or after-hours support?
• How do you handle compliance requirements like HIPAA or PCI?
• Can you provide case studies from other Chicagoland businesses?
• How fast is your onboarding process?

The answers reveal whether the MSP is focused on partnership, or hidden costs.

The Bottom Line for Chicago SMBs

So, how much does an MSP cost? Typically between $100–$250 per user per month in Chicago. But the real value is in what you save: reduced downtime, stronger compliance, and faster growth.

At LeadingIT, our mission is to figure IT out with transparent pricing and no surprise invoices. We make IT predictable, secure, and scalable—so you can focus on running your business.

Schedule your free IT Risk assessment today and discover how predictable pricing can help your business grow with confidence.