Why Cheap MSPs Often Cost You More
You think you’ve struck gold with a “budget-friendly” MSP. We’d love to say, “Great job,” but the truth is, you might be making a costly mistake.
Let’s be real – every business needs to make money. So, when cheap MSPs charge significantly less than their competitors, they’re likely making up the difference elsewhere. And that’s usually where the trouble starts.
Choosing the right MSP isn’t easy. How do you know what you’re actually getting?
To help bring things into focus, we’ve divided up MSPs into three “archetypes”: the “Cheap MSP,” the “Premium MSP,” and the “Goldilocks MSP.” But before we get into the details, we need to talk about an outdated model of IT support – one that still lingers in our industry…
Break-Fix Is Broken
The break-fix model is exactly what it sounds like: something breaks, the provider fixes it. It was common back when tech was simpler and business needs were less demanding. Today, it’s outdated. That’s because most businesses can’t afford to be interrupted by broken tech. Most MSPs will tell you they’ve moved beyond break-fix and offer proactive support, but that’s not always the full story.
Here’s the truth: proactive support takes time, effort, and money. If an MSP’s pricing is too good to be true, there’s a good chance their “proactive” support is just break-fix in disguise. And what does that lead to?
When something breaks, you can’t use it – pretty obvious stuff. You can’t work, your team can’t work, and nothing gets done, thus creating downtime. According to the Ponemon Institute, a single minute of downtime can cost you nearly $9,000. In other words, you’re not just paying your IT team to fix the issue – you’re paying for every lost minute of productivity. And just like that, cheap MSPs are no longer so cheap.
What Proactive Really Looks Like
A truly proactive MSP (not cheap MSPs) works to prevent issues before they happen. With continuous monitoring, regular updates, and a clear strategy, they keep your environment stable, secure, and efficient. This means fewer disruptions, stronger cybersecurity, and predictable costs.
In today’s world of growing cyber threats and increasing IT complexity, proactive support isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s essential. Yes, you might pay more upfront, but in the long run, a proactive MSP will save you time, money, and stress.
That said, it’s also possible to overpay for support. So how do you find the right balance?
Let’s take a closer look at those three MSP categories.
The Three MSP Archetypes (And Why Two of Them Fall Short)
Not all MSPs are created equal, and choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. When you’re on the hunt for a provider, keep these three categories in mind:
1. The Cheap MSP
Cheap MSPs catch your eye with a low price – often around $100 per user – but this affordability comes at a cost. Cheap MSPs tend to have fewer technicians, limited resources, and minimal infrastructure. That means no robust monitoring, no advanced security tools, and little bandwidth for complex issues.
In reality, these providers function more like traditional break-fix shops. They typically only step in when something goes wrong, leading to recurring downtime, lost productivity, and growing tech debt. Worse yet, when they do show up, their “fixes” come with surprise fees, making it nearly impossible to plan your IT budget. What seemed like a bargain can quickly turn into a financial and operational headache.
Cybersecurity – Limited resources equal limited security. Cheap MSPs simply can’t provide the protection your business needs. Investing in the right tools and staying on top of industry regulations takes time and effort – two things cheap MSPs lack.
2. The Premium MSP
On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got the premium MSPs. They promise top-tier, proactive service and generally deliver, but at a steep price. Many of these premium providers also tack on extra fees for projects, service requests, and other essentials, making surprise invoices the norm. It makes you wonder if the “premium” label justifies the cost.
Sure, they’ll keep your systems running, but with all the extra charges, it can feel like you’re paying a premium just to get what should be standard. Budgeting becomes a headache, and before you know it, the true cost of support can spiral out of control.
Cybersecurity – A premium MSP will provide top-tier software, but they’ll often upcharge for services and features you may not need. They’ll keep you in compliance, but audits get expensive, and before you know it, your IT budget has once again ballooned.
3. The Goldilocks MSP
Not too cheap, not outrageously expensive – just right. Goldilocks MSPs offer balanced, transparent service with real value. They may not have every flashy tool on the market, but they’re solid. They invest in good people, proven tools, and consistent support.
With these providers, your questions get answered, your problems get resolved, and your costs are predictable. You know what you’re paying for – and more importantly, you know it’s worth it.
Cybersecurity – Security you can trust at a price you can actually afford. A Goldilocks MSP won’t skimp on security – they’ll provide top-tier software without upselling you on unnecessary features. They’ll also keep you compliant as a part of their flat-rate fee – no surprises.
Why The 20 MSP Is Just Right (And More)
We like to think of ourselves as Goldilocks+. We check all the right boxes of a well-balanced MSP – predictable pricing, reliable service, and proactive support – but we go a step further. Honestly, we could be our own category.
Here’s why: The 20 MSP combines a national scale with a local touch. We’re a network of small to mid-size MSPs spread out across the country, which means we bring the standardized structure and resources of a larger organization while still delivering personalized, local service.
Our pricing is right in line with a true Goldilocks MSP: a flat rate, no surprise fees or upcharges, and no nickel-and-diming. But where we really stand out is how we support our clients.
We use what we call a pod system – a dedicated team of technicians assigned to each client. That means our techs know your business, your setup, and your people. And when you call us, you’re not getting a stranger or bouncing between random support agents – you’re talking to someone who knows you and is ready to help.
It’s support built on relationships, not ticket numbers.
Cybersecurity – We don’t cut corners here, either. In fact, we’re one of the few MSPs in existence that has achieved SOC 2 Type II compliance. Without going into all the details here, this certification reflects the highest level of dedication to security best practices – the kind most providers talk about, but which only a select few can prove. You can learn more about The 20’s industry-leading cybersecurity offerings here.
Bottom line: When you partner with The 20 MSP, you get advanced, 24/7 support and robust protection against sophisticated cyber-threats for a fair, flat, and fully transparent rate. Why? Because we believe that every company deserves the peace of mind that comes with top-notch IT support, no matter their size.
And what about how? How do we pull it off – premium support without exorbitant fees that leave our clients confused and resentful?
In a word, we do it by obsessively working on our support model so that we can seamlessly combine the agility and intimacy of local support with the scale, expertise, and resources of a national provider. That’s our mission – our North Star – and the thing that sets us apart in a very crowded industry.
The Hidden Costs of Cutting Corners
At The 20 MSP, we’ve heard the same horror stories from businesses that tried to cut corners: costly downtime that grinds operations to a halt, surprise invoices for services that should have been included, and endless “fix-it” projects that never address the root of the problem.
Searching for a cheap MSP instead of the right MSP means hidden fees and endless frustration. Look for a Goldilocks outfit, like The 20 – and get it all: real IT partnerships, proactive solutions, and transparent pricing.
If you’re tired of playing pricing roulette with your IT provider, maybe it’s time for something different.
About The 20 MSP
As a leading provider of managed IT services, The 20 MSP serves thousands of businesses nationwide, including single and multi-location organizations, delivering white-glove service, secure and streamlined IT infrastructure, and 24/7/365 support. We believe in building lasting relationships with clients founded on trust, communication, and the delivery of high-value services for a fair and predictable price. Our client’s success is our success, and we are committed to helping each and every organization we serve leverage technology to secure a competitive advantage and achieve new growth.
