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

For businesses under 100 users, typically yes. A single in-house IT hire costs £35,000 to £55,000 in salary alone, plus employer costs, training, and holiday cover. SME IT support costs typically range £35 to £65 per user per month (industry benchmark), giving a 50-user business access to a full team of specialists for roughly the loaded cost of one generalist employee.

What expertise gaps does an MSP fill that a single in-house IT person cannot?

One in-house IT generalist cannot cover networking, cybersecurity, cloud administration, telephony, and helpdesk across all working hours. An MSP provides a team spanning these disciplines with 24/7 availability. With 43% of UK businesses experiencing a breach or attack (DSIT 2025), specialist cybersecurity knowledge is increasingly essential and difficult to maintain in a single hire.

Can I keep my in-house IT team and use an MSP at the same time?

Yes — this is called co-managed IT. Your internal team handles day-to-day operations and business-specific applications, whilst the MSP provides specialist support in areas like cybersecurity, cloud management, and after-hours coverage. This model works well for businesses with 50 to 250 staff whose existing IT team is stretched beyond its capacity.

What happens to our IT knowledge if we rely entirely on an MSP?

A reputable MSP maintains comprehensive documentation of your infrastructure, credentials, and configurations. This documentation should be contractually yours to retain if you change providers. Cyber Essentials certified organisations are 92% less likely to claim on cyber insurance (IASME), and a good MSP will also help you achieve and maintain certifications that remain with your business regardless of provider.

Comparison

Managed IT Provider vs In-House IT Team: A Full Comparison

A practical comparison for UK businesses — covering features, costs, and which option suits different requirements.

Key Facts

78%of SMEs store critical workloads in cloud platforms

£51bnUK MSP sector annual revenue (DSIT 2025)

29%of UK businesses experienced a remote-related security breach

39%of UK workers work from home at least some of the time

Last updated: March 2026

Managed IT Provider vs In-House IT Team

Feature	Managed IT Provider	In-House IT Team
Best For	Depends on requirements	Depends on requirements
UK Availability	Widely available	Widely available
Typical Cost	Varies	Varies
Complexity	Varies	Varies

When to Choose Each Option

Guidance based on your business requirements.

Choose Managed IT Provider When

Your business has specific requirements that favour this approach. Budget and resources align with this solution. Your existing infrastructure supports it

Choose In-House IT Team When

Your business needs a different approach. You have different budget considerations. Your team has relevant experience

Cost Considerations

Both Managed IT Provider and In-House IT Team have different cost profiles. The right choice depends on your business size, existing infrastructure, and specific requirements. AMVIA can help you evaluate which option delivers the best value for your situation.

The AMVIA Recommendation

For businesses under 100 users, an MSP delivers better coverage, broader expertise, and lower total cost than a single in-house hire. AMVIA's managed IT service gives you a full support team — helpdesk, infrastructure, networking, and security specialists — for £35–£75 per user per month. Consider co-managed IT when you already have internal IT staff who need additional capacity.

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