Managed IT pricing is genuinely confusing because there's no standard unit. Two quotes can look wildly different and still describe the same service. Here's how to read them.
The common models
- Per-user: a flat rate for each employee, covering all their devices. Predictable and the most common today — typically $100–$250/user/month.
- Per-device: priced by endpoint (laptop, server, firewall). Works when device counts don't track headcount.
- Tiered / bundled: a fixed monthly fee for a defined scope, with add-ons. This is the subscription model we use.
- Break-fix / hourly: you pay when something breaks. Cheap until it isn't — and it aligns nobody's incentives.
What should be included
A fair managed plan bundles the essentials so you're not nickel-and-dimed on the things that keep you safe:
- Unlimited helpdesk and remote support
- Proactive monitoring, patching and asset management
- Endpoint security and encrypted backups
- Onboarding/offboarding and a named point of contact
Red flags in a quote
- 1Per-ticket fees — they punish you for needing support and discourage your team from asking.
- 2Long lock-in contracts with steep early-termination penalties.
- 3'Security' as a pricey add-on rather than a baseline.
- 4No clear response-time SLA in writing.
If a quote gets cheaper every time you agree to less protection, it isn't cheaper — it's a deferred bill.
The right number depends on your size, complexity and risk tolerance, but the shape should be simple: one predictable price, everything essential included, no penalties for using the service you're paying for. That's the whole idea behind a subscription.
Want this handled for you?
Nubevo runs managed itand everything around it as a single monthly subscription. Book a call and we'll send a plan.