# MSP vs. In-House IT vs. Break/Fix: Which Is Right for You?

- Link: https://dbr-soft.com/msp-vs-in-house-it-vs-break-fix-which-is-right-for-you/
- Published: 2026-10-17T15:08:53+00:00
- Author: David Botero

Every business handles IT somehow. These are the three most common models.

**Break/fix**

You call a technician when something breaks and pay for the time.

– **Pros:** no ongoing commitment, low cost if little goes wrong

– **Cons:** unpredictable bills, slow response, no proactive maintenance, and nobody
responsible for the overall picture

**In-house IT**

You employ your own IT person or team.

– **Pros:** staff who know your business, on-site presence, and direct control

– **Cons:** salary and benefits, single points of failure (illness, vacation, resignation),
limited range of skills, and difficulty covering after-hours

**Managed service provider (MSP)**

An external company manages your IT for a monthly fee.

– **Pros:** predictable cost, a team with many skills, proactive monitoring and 
security, documented processes, and coverage when individuals are away

– **Cons:** less day-to-day familiarity at first, and quality varies by provider

**Quick comparison**

|  | **Break/fix** | **In-house** | **MSP** | 
| Cost pattern | Unpredictable | Fixed salaries | Predictable monthly | 
| Proactive work | Rarely | Depends on capacity | Core feature | 
| Skill range | Narrow | Narrow to moderate | Broad | 
| Coverage | Business hours | Limited |  | 
| Best for | Very small, low-risk | Larger, complex needs | Most small and mid-sized firms |

**A hybrid option**

**Co-managed IT** lets an internal person handle daily matters while an MSP provides
tools, security, after-hours coverage, and specialist help.

**How to decide**

Consider how much downtime costs you, how sensitive your data is, how many users
you have, and whether you can find and keep skilled staff.

**DBR Soft can walk you through the options and recommend what fits.** **[Contact us for more information.](https://dbr-soft.com/contact/)**

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