Outsourcing vs. In-House IT Support: What’s Better for Your Business?

As a small business owner, you wear a lot of hats. Between sales, customer service, and daily operations, managing IT can quickly fall to the bottom of your to-do list, until something goes wrong. That’s when many businesses face the big question: Should you hire in-house IT staff or outsource to an IT managed service provider?

Let’s break down the real costs, benefits, and trade-offs of each option so you can make the best choice for your business.

The Case for In-House IT Support

Building an in-house IT team can sound appealing. You have someone on-site, full-time, and familiar with your systems. For larger organizations, this level of control and familiarity makes 

sense. But for most small businesses, it comes with challenges.

Pros:

• Dedicated attention: An in-house team is generally already on-site for immediate response.
  
  
• Familiarity: Interact with the same IT person every time.
  
  
• Direct communication: Easier collaboration with other departments.
  
  

Cons:

• High costs: Between salary, benefits, equipment, and training, even one IT employee can cost over $80,000 annually.
  
  
• Limited expertise: One person can’t be an expert in everything, from cybersecurity to cloud management.
  
  
• Scalability issues: As your business grows, your IT needs often outpace a single employee’s capacity.
  
  

For most small businesses, maintaining a full in-house IT department just isn’t cost-effective.

The Case for Outsourcing IT

Partnering with an IT managed service provider gives you access to an entire team of IT professionals for a predictable monthly rate. These providers handle everything from day-to-day support to long-term technology strategy without the overhead of hiring internally.

Pros:

• Cost-effective: Managed IT services typically cost a fraction of a full-time salary.
  
  
• Broader expertise: You get access to a team skilled in network management, data security, and cloud solutions.

• 24/7 support: Improves uptime, secures remote work, and reduces employee downtime. Learn more about the benefits of around-the-clock support.

• Proactive monitoring: MSPs identify and fix issues before they cause downtime.
  
  
• Scalable support: MSP's support clients of all sizes and have systems in place to scale with your business seamlessly.
  
  

Cons:

• Less on-site presence: Most support is remote, though local providers often offer on-site visits when needed.
  
  
• Shared resources: You’re one of many clients, so finding a responsive provider is key.
  
  

Outsourcing IT allows small businesses to compete with larger companies without the large-company budget.

The Cost Comparison

Here’s how the two options generally stack up:

In-House IT:

• Initial Costs: Recruiting, onboarding, and equipment purchases.
  
  
• Monthly Costs: $6,000–$10,000+ (including salary, benefits, and training).
  
  
• Availability: Usually limited to standard business hours.
  
  
• Expertise: One or two individuals with limited specialty coverage.
  
  
• Scalability: Expensive, time-consuming, and requires hiring more staff.
  
  

Managed IT Services:

• Initial Costs: Minimal setup or onboarding fees.
  
  
• Monthly Costs: Typically $30-$150 monthly per user.
  
  
• Availability: 24/7 remote support and monitoring.
  
  
• Expertise: A full team of specialists across multiple disciplines.
  
  
• Scalability: Simple, adjust your plan as your business grows.
  
  

For small businesses, outsourcing IT support is almost always the more flexible and affordable option.

What a Managed IT Service Provider Actually Does

If you’ve never worked with an MSP, here’s what you can expect. Most IT consultancy services include:

• Help desk support for everyday tech issues
  
  
• Network and server management
  
  
• Cybersecurity and data protection
  
  
• Cloud migration and backup solutions
  
  
• Technology planning and budgeting
  
  

Some MSPs, like those offering managed IT services in Boise, specialize in supporting local businesses with both remote and on-site help. That means you get the convenience of a local partner, backed by enterprise-grade expertise.

Choosing the Right Fit for Your Business

When deciding between in-house and outsourced IT, consider:

• Your budget: Can you afford a full-time IT salary?
  
  
• Your business size: Are your tech needs growing quickly?
  
  
• Your risk tolerance: Can you handle downtime or data loss on your own?
  
  

For most small businesses, outsourcing to a trusted IT managed service provider offers the perfect balance of cost, security, and scalability. You get peace of mind knowing your systems are monitored and protected, so you can focus on what you do best: running your business.

Final Thoughts

Technology shouldn’t be a burden. Whether you’re managing five employees or fifty, having the right IT support can make or break your productivity and security.

If your goal is to save money, strengthen your systems, and stay competitive, partnering with a managed IT service provider might just be the smartest investment you make this year.

Contact Orion Integration Group today!