Learn the key differences between MSPs and IT consultants to choose the right partner for your business IT needs.

What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are third-party companies that provide ongoing and, sometimes, subscription-based IT support to businesses and organisations. Instead of reacting to issues, MSPs provide a proactive approach to manage and maintain IT infrastructures and focuses on long-term stability and performance.

The common services MSP provides are:

• Network monitoring
• Cloud service management
• Cybersecurity services
• Help desk support
• Data backups and disaster recovery
• Software updates and patch management
• IT strategy consulting (in some cases)

What is an IT Consultant?

While MSPs provide IT support, IT consultants are strategic advisors who works with businesses on project-based or short-term basis to help provide specific technology enhancements or solve tech challenges. They typically engage in high-level planning, optimisation, and transformation projects.

Common consulting services include:

• IT strategy and digital transformation planning
• Vendor and software selection
• System and infrastructure audits
• Compliance and risk management consulting

IT consultants are ideal for organizations that need expert guidance for specific initiatives, such as modernizing systems, expanding IT infrastructure, or achieving regulatory compliance.

 

Explore our IT Consulting Services in Darwin to see how MYtech can support your strategic goals.

 

Key Differences Between MSPs and IT Consultants

Category	MSP	IT Consultant
Focus	Operational, day-to-day IT management	Strategic, high-level guidance
Engagement Type	Ongoing (monthly contracts)	Project-based or hourly
Services	Monitoring, security, backups, cloud	Strategy, planning, audits, roadmaps
Outcome	Keeps IT running smoothly	Helps improve or transform IT
Examples	Outsourced helpdesk and cloud management	M&A IT integration or compliance planning

 

Can You Use Both?

Yes, many businesses use both! See it this way, while consultants design and implement IT solutions, MSPs can maintain the upkeep of that technology. But there are cases where an IT consulting company partners with an MSP so they can provide end-to-end services and connect you with partners that already know the project intimately.

 

Which One Do You Need?

When choosing between an IT consultant and a Managed Service Provider (MSP) consider your business’s current IT landscape, goals, and the nature of the support you need. To help you out, we have created a list of questions to consider when deciding:

• Current IT maturity - Do you already have systems and processes in place, or are you starting from scratch?
• Size of your internal IT team - Do you have in-house IT staff, or are you relying on external help?
• Immediate vs long-term needs - Are you looking for help with a specific project, or do you need continuous, hands-on IT support?
• Project scope vs operational support - Do you need strategic planning (consultant) or day-to-day system management (MSP)?

For the Current IT Maturity, if you already have systems in place, you may benefit from an MSP to maintain and support them. But if you're starting from scratch, an IT consultant can help design and implement the right solutions—and may also provide support for those specific systems.

 

With Immediate vs long-term needs, for short-term, project-based needs (e.g., system upgrades, migrations, digital transformation), IT consultants are ideal. For continuous, hands-on support (e.g., monitoring, helpdesk, patching), MSPs are the better fit.

 

For Project scope vs operational support, if your answer is leaning to the former, which is you need strategic planning, you’re looking for an IT Consultant’s assistance. But if it’s the latter, which is day-to-day system management, you’re looking for MSPs.

 

For Size of your internal IT team, this is where it gets tricky. Though you have an in-house IT team, there are instances where companies hire MSP to help with support or hire IT consultants to help with development or modernisation. And if you’re currently relying on external help, it still depends on your goals; do you need IT upkeep? Then partner with MSPs. Do you need help in strategic growth and implementation? Then partner with IT consultants.

 

Not sure which one is right for your business? MYtech’s consultants can help you assess your needs and make the right call.

 

Conclusion

While MSPs focus on ongoing operational support, and IT consultants offer high-level strategy and project-based solutions, both play essential roles in supporting business growth through technology.

 

At MYtech, we bridge the gap between business needs and IT solutions by helping you define the right path forward, whether that’s engaging an MSP, planning a transformation project, or both.

 

Ready to make confident IT decisions? Contact our team today to get started.

 

Related Article: What is MSP in IT?