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IT support companies vs in-house IT

In-house it support vs it support company

Now when tech goes wrong, it doesn’t just slow things down. It derails your day, frustrates your team, and risks the trust of your clients. So, having the right IT support isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential.

But how do you decide between hiring in-house IT support or working with an external IT support company? And what even is the difference?

Let’s break it down without the jargon, sales patter, or acronyms you’ve got no time for.

What’s the real difference?

In-house IT support means hiring someone (or a team) directly. They’re part of your business, sit in your office (or log in remotely), and handle your IT full-time.

IT support companies (like us) are external providers. We work with multiple businesses, offering everything from helpdesk support to cyber security training, system monitoring, and strategic advice.

Both options can work brilliantly but the right choice depends on what your business actually needs.

The pros and cons (real-world version)

In-house IT support

Pros

  • They know your business inside-out
  • Available instantly (if they’re not on holiday or stuck in a meeting)
  • Useful for larger companies with complex infrastructure

Cons

  • Expensive: Think salary, holiday pay, training, sick leave, pensions
  • You’re relying on one person (or a small team) to know everything
  • Cyber threats evolve fast, can they keep up with training and trends?

IT support companies

Pros

  • Access to a full team of specialists across areas (without paying multiple salaries)
  • Fixed monthly costs, no surprise sick days or training expenses
  • 24/7 monitoring, proactive security, and best-practice advice baked in
  • They’ve seen it all (literally, we could tell you stories…)

Cons

  • Might not be sat at the desk next to you (though we’re on hand when you need us)
  • Not all IT companies are equal, some are reactive, impersonal, and hard to get hold of

What about a hybrid model?

We’ve seen more and more businesses choosing a blend: they keep one in-house person but bring in an IT support company for monitoring, cyber security, backup, and expert help when things get tricky.

That way, you’ve got boots on the ground and a wider safety net.

So… which is right for you?

Here’s a quick quiz to help:

QuestionIf yes…
Is your business under 100 people?IT support company might be the smarter choice
Is your IT person juggling more than they can handle?Bring in external support to lighten the load
Are you scaling quickly or working in hybrid setups?You’ll need flexible, scalable support
Worried about cyber threats or compliance?You need proactive, not reactive, IT support
Want access to more than one skillset?An IT company gives you a whole team


In-house IT vs IT support companies – What’s actually more cost-effective?

We’ve built a calculator that does the maths for you.

If you’re wondering whether to keep your IT team in-house or outsource to a managed service provider like Cloud & More, now you can see the cost savings in black and white.

☑️ Compare salaries, software, downtime, and hidden costs
☑️ See where you could save (or spend smarter)
☑️ Make a more informed decision for your business

👉 Try the calculator and see how the numbers stack up.

Bronze: Minimum level of cover – essential IT support and basic protection.
Silver: A mid-level option with extra security features and backup support.
Gold: Highest level of cover – full protection and proactive security.

Let us know your results—we’re always curious! (No pressure, just a useful tool.)

Internal IT vs Outsourced IT Calulator

Internal IT

Outsourced IT

Total Internal IT Cost: £0

Total Outsourced IT Cost: £0

Estimated Annual Savings: £0


What we see working best

Most of our clients come to us after one of three things happens:

  1. Their brilliant in-house person is overwhelmed, stuck, or leaves.
  2. They’ve outgrown their current provider or are tired of feeling like a ticket number.
  3. They realise they need more proactive support, especially around cyber security.

With us, you don’t just get IT support, you get people who actually care about your business, work with you long-term, and help you use tech to work smarter (not harder).

Final thoughts (and a friendly nudge)

Whether you go in-house, external, or a mix of the two, it comes down to what’s right for your business today and where you’re heading next.

If you’re wondering what that might look like, we’ll happily have a no-pressure chat. No tech waffle, no long sales pitch, just real advice from real people who want you to feel confident in your IT setup.

Ready to explore what’s possible

Let’s have a quick chat—no jargon, no pressure, just honest advice from people who get it.

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