Plan your complete IT budget across hardware, software, cloud, security, and support. Get a realistic estimate based on your business size and industry.
Most small business owners underestimate their IT costs — or don't budget for IT at all until something breaks. A proper IT budget prevents surprise expenses, reduces downtime, and helps you make informed decisions about technology investments.
IT Support & Management is typically the largest line item. This includes your help desk, network monitoring, patch management, and vendor coordination. For businesses using managed IT services, this runs $150-$200 per employee per month.
Software & Licensing covers productivity suites (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace), line-of-business applications, and any specialized tools. Healthcare practices, law firms, and financial services often have higher software costs due to industry-specific platforms.
Cloud & Backup includes cloud hosting, data backup, disaster recovery, and file storage. Businesses adopting cloud-first strategies spend more here but often save on hardware and physical infrastructure.
Hardware costs depend on your refresh cycle. We recommend replacing laptops and desktops every 4 years — the sweet spot between cost savings and reliability. Waiting too long costs more in repairs and lost productivity.
Cybersecurity is no longer optional. Even basic protection (endpoint security, email filtering, security awareness training) runs $15-35 per user per month. Regulated industries need additional tooling for compliance.
Training is often overlooked but pays for itself. Security awareness training alone reduces phishing click rates by up to 75%, and technology training improves productivity across the board.