What is a managed service provider (MSP)?
A managed service provider (MSP) is a company that runs some or all of another organisation's IT for a recurring fee, under a contract that sets out what is covered and how quickly problems are dealt with. Instead of paying for each repair, the customer pays every month for its systems to be looked after.
What does an MSP do?
The service is usually some mix of these, set out in the contract:
- Help desk. Users phone, email or log a ticket, and the MSP fixes the problem, mostly remotely.
- Monitoring and patching. Software on each computer and server reports problems and installs updates, so issues are found before users notice them.
- Backup and recovery. Copies of data and systems, kept somewhere else, and tested so they can be restored.
- Security. Endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, email filtering, and help reaching Cyber Essentials, the UK government-backed baseline.
- Cloud and Microsoft 365. Accounts, licences, email, file sharing and devices, often with the licences bought through the MSP.
- Networks. Firewalls, Wi-Fi, switches and internet connections, sometimes phone systems too.
- Equipment and people. Buying and setting up laptops, and handling starters and leavers.
- Planning. Budgets, renewals and a roadmap, sometimes sold as a virtual IT director (vCIO) or security lead (vCISO).
What providers actually advertise: of 623 UK provider homepages the register has read that describe managed services, 86% mention managed or outsourced IT, 53% a help desk or service desk, 48% Cyber Essentials or a virtual CISO, 33% backup and continuity, 25% round-the-clock or remote monitoring, 22% Microsoft 365 support by name, and 15% a SOC or managed detection and response. More figures.
MSP, break-fix, MSSP or IT consultancy?
Break-fix
Break-fix support is paid per job, so the supplier earns more when things go wrong. An MSP is paid a fixed recurring fee for keeping systems running, so it earns more when fewer things go wrong. It can suit a very small office with little to go wrong; it rarely includes monitoring, patching or security.
MSSP
A managed security service provider (MSSP) specialises in security operations: watching for and responding to attacks, often through a security operations centre (SOC) or managed detection and response (MDR). Many MSPs provide security as part of their service; some partner with an MSSP for round-the-clock monitoring.
IT consultancy
A consultancy is hired for a project or for advice and leaves when it is done. Many MSPs also take on projects, and many consultancies also sell support contracts, so the label matters less than what the contract covers.
Reseller
A value-added reseller sells hardware, software and licences, sometimes with installation. Support may be extra, or not offered at all.
How are MSPs priced?
Most charge per user or per device per month, often in tiers that include more services at each level, with project work (such as a migration or an office move) quoted separately. An onboarding fee and a minimum contract term are common. When comparing quotes, ask what one user includes (how many devices, which hours, on-site visits or not), what is charged as extra, and what happens to the price at renewal. A low per-user price with a long list of exclusions can cost more than a higher one that covers everything you use.
How many MSPs are there in the UK?
There is no official count, because there is no company classification code for "managed service provider". The closest UK code is SIC 62030, computer facilities management. On the MSP Register, 5,275 active UK companies are registered under it (5 November 2026). Not every one of them is an MSP, and many MSPs register under IT consultancy (62020) or other IT services (62090) instead. Of the UK companies whose own website the register has read, 647 both display their company number and describe managed services.
The register lists 8,242 active UK companies in all, across 1,095 towns. The typical one was incorporated about 11 years ago. Find providers by town, or check a provider you already know.
Quick answers
What is a managed service provider (MSP)?
A managed service provider (MSP) is a company that runs some or all of another organisation's IT for a recurring fee, under a contract that sets out what is covered and how quickly problems are dealt with. Instead of paying for each repair, the customer pays every month for its systems to be looked after.
What does an MSP do?
Typically: a help desk for users, remote monitoring and patching of computers and servers, backup and recovery, security tools such as endpoint protection and multi-factor authentication, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace administration, networks and firewalls, buying and setting up equipment, starters and leavers, and IT planning.
What is the difference between an MSP and break-fix IT support?
Break-fix support is paid per job, so the supplier earns more when things go wrong. An MSP is paid a fixed recurring fee for keeping systems running, so it earns more when fewer things go wrong.
What is the difference between an MSP and an MSSP?
A managed security service provider (MSSP) specialises in security operations: watching for and responding to attacks, often through a security operations centre (SOC) or managed detection and response (MDR). Many MSPs provide security as part of their service; some partner with an MSSP for round-the-clock monitoring.
How are MSPs priced?
Most charge per user or per device per month, often in tiers that include more services at each level, with project work (such as a migration or an office move) quoted separately. An onboarding fee and a minimum contract term are common.
How many MSPs are there in the UK?
There is no official count, because there is no company classification code for "managed service provider". The closest UK code is SIC 62030, computer facilities management. On the MSP Register, 5,275 active UK companies are registered under it (5 November 2026). Not every one of them is an MSP, and many MSPs register under IT consultancy (62020) or other IT services (62090) instead. Of the UK companies whose own website the register has read, 647 both display their company number and describe managed services.
Written 5 November 2026. Figures recomputed from the register on every build; these are from the register as retrieved on 5 November 2026.
Next: how to choose a managed IT provider, and the questions to ask.