{
  "report": "What Managed IT Actually Costs",
  "type": "pricing",
  "url": "https://www.shortlistreport.com/article/managed-it-cost",
  "question": "How much does a managed service provider cost per user?",
  "engine": "ChatGPT",
  "sampleSize": 80,
  "answersQuotingPrice": 40,
  "windowStart": "2026-08-08",
  "windowEnd": "2026-08-19",
  "published": "2026-08-08",
  "updated": "2026-08-19",
  "publisher": "The Shortlist Report",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "note": "answers = sampled answers quoting this pricing model, counted once each. typical_low/high are MEDIANS of the quoted low and high bounds; spread_low/high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. Not quotes, not a rate card — a count of what an AI assistant stated when asked.",
  "models": [
    {
      "model": "per_user_month",
      "label": "Per user, per month",
      "unit": "$/user/month",
      "answers": 34,
      "share": 42.5,
      "low": 100,
      "high": 175,
      "spreadLow": 75,
      "spreadHigh": 400,
      "display": "$100–$175",
      "spread": "$75–$400"
    },
    {
      "model": "monthly_retainer",
      "label": "Monthly retainer",
      "unit": "$/month",
      "answers": 14,
      "share": 17.5,
      "low": 5000,
      "high": 10416.5,
      "spreadLow": 2500,
      "spreadHigh": 90000,
      "display": "$5,000–$10,416",
      "spread": "$2,500–$90,000"
    },
    {
      "model": "per_device_month",
      "label": "Per device, per month",
      "unit": "$/device/month",
      "answers": 9,
      "share": 11.2,
      "low": 75,
      "high": 75,
      "spreadLow": 75,
      "spreadHigh": 250,
      "display": "$75",
      "spread": "$75–$250"
    }
  ]
}