Break/Fix IT vs Managed IT: What’s the Difference — and Which Actually Costs More?

If your business only calls IT when something breaks, you’re not alone. Many companies start with a break/fix IT model because it seems simple and affordable. But as technology becomes more critical to daily operations, that approach often leads to higher long-term costs.

In this post, we’ll explain:

• What break/fix IT and managed IT are
• The differences between the two models
• Which one costs more in the long run

What Is Break/Fix IT?

Break/fix IT is exactly what it sounds like: something breaks, you call IT, you pay to fix it.

There’s no ongoing monitoring, no proactive maintenance, and no monthly commitment. You’re billed hourly or per incident whenever an issue occurs.

Pros of Break/Fix IT

• No monthly fee
• Simple, pay-as-you-go model
• Works for very small or low-tech environments

Cons of Break/Fix IT

• Problems are discovered after they cause disruption
• Downtime can last hours or days
• There is no ongoing monitoring or preventative maintenance
• Costs are unpredictable

Break/fix IT is reactive by design. It only works well when systems rarely fail — which isn’t realistic for most modern businesses.

When Break/Fix Might Make Sense

Break/fix IT may still be appropriate if:

• You have only a few computers
• Downtime has little business impact
• You don’t handle sensitive data
• Security and compliance are not priorities

For most growing businesses, these conditions don’t last long. However, for the right type of business, break/fix IT can be a practical and cost-effective choice.

What Is Managed IT?

Managed IT is a proactive, subscription-based approach to IT support. Instead of waiting for problems, an MSP (Managed Service Provider) continuously monitors, maintains, and secures your systems. Services typically include:

• 24/7 system monitoring
• Helpdesk support
• Security management (MFA, antivirus, patching)
• Backup and disaster recovery
• Strategic IT planning

Pros of Managed IT

• Predictable monthly costs
• Reduced downtime
• Improved security and compliance
• IT is aligned with business goals

Cons of Managed IT

• Monthly commitment
• Requires upfront planning and standardization

Managed IT shifts IT from a “necessary evil” to a business-critical service.

Why Most Businesses Eventually Switch to Managed IT

We often see companies come to us after:

• Repeated outages
• A security scare or data loss
• Rapid growth that outpaces their IT
• An internal IT employee leaves

By that point, the cost of “cheap IT” has already added up.

Managed IT provides:

• Fewer surprises
• Better security
• Faster support
• A long-term IT roadmap

Final Thoughts

Break/fix IT answers the question: “How do we fix this problem?”

Managed IT answers the more important question: “How do we prevent it from happening again?”

If your business relies on technology to operate — and most do — Managed IT is almost always the most cost-effective and reliable option.

If you’d like help determining which model makes sense for your business, a quick conversation can help clarify your options.