“How much should IT support actually cost?” It’s one of the most common questions growing businesses and schools ask in 2026. The answer depends on more than just user numbers. Here’s what really impacts pricing — and what you should expect to pay.

IT Support Costs in 2026: What Businesses and Schools Should Actually Be Paying (And What Impacts the Price)

IT support is no longer just a reactive service. In 2026, organisations expect proactive monitoring, cybersecurity, cloud management, compliance support, and strategic guidance — not just someone who fixes printers.

But pricing varies widely. Some providers charge suspiciously low rates. Others overcomplicate packages. Understanding what drives cost helps you make the right decision.

What Does Managed IT Support Typically Cost in the UK?

For UK SMEs in 2026, fully managed IT support typically ranges between:

• £30–£60 per user per month for basic support
• £60–£100+ per user per month for comprehensive managed IT with cybersecurity and monitoring

For schools, pricing may vary depending on pupil count, safeguarding requirements, filtering, and on-site coverage.

At Remedian, our Managed IT Support packages are built around proactive protection, not just break-fix responses.

What Impacts the Cost of IT Support?

1. Number of Users and Devices

More users means more endpoints, more accounts, more support tickets, and more security risk.

2. Cybersecurity Requirements

Modern IT support must include security layers such as:

• Multi-Factor Authentication
• Endpoint Detection & Response
• Email filtering and anti-phishing
• Backup and disaster recovery
• Penetration testing

Our Cyber Security services are integrated into support plans, not sold separately as an afterthought.

3. Onsite vs Remote Support

Organisations requiring frequent onsite visits will see higher costs compared to remote-first support models.

4. Cloud vs On-Premise Infrastructure

Businesses using Microsoft 365, Azure, and cloud-hosted services may require identity management and conditional access policies.

See how we support Microsoft Azure and cloud environments securely.

5. Compliance Requirements

If your organisation requires GDPR alignment, Cyber Essentials, or DfE compliance (for schools), that affects the support model.

Learn about our Cyber Essentials support for compliance-driven organisations.

The Hidden Costs of Cheap IT Support

Low monthly fees often mean:

• No proactive monitoring
• No strategic roadmap
• No real cybersecurity coverage
• Long response times
• Reactive-only service

A single ransomware incident can cost more than years of proper IT support.

What Should Be Included in Proper IT Support in 2026?

• Helpdesk support with SLAs
• Device monitoring
• Patch management
• Microsoft 365 management
• Backup monitoring
• Security policy enforcement
• Quarterly reviews
• IT strategy roadmap

Our Small Business IT Support plans are designed to scale as you grow.

IT Support for Schools: Additional Considerations

Schools require:

• Safeguarding-compliant filtering
• DfE-aligned infrastructure
• Smoothwall or equivalent monitoring
• Device management across pupil devices

Explore our IT Support For School services tailored for education environments.

Final Thought: Cost vs Value

The real question is not “How cheap can IT support be?” but “How much risk are you comfortable carrying?”

In 2026, reliable IT support is an investment in business continuity, compliance, productivity, and reputation.