If 2025 felt like a rollercoaster, you’re not wrong. MSPs are ready for smoother—and faster—tracks in 2026.
We asked MSP business owners and decision makers what they’re most optimistic about heading into 2026. Their answers paint a picture of confidence and opportunity. From rebounding growth to a surge in cybersecurity and compliance services, providers are entering the new year with confidence and clarity. Many see opportunities in becoming true strategic partners, not just IT fixers, as clients increasingly view technology as mission-critical. Others are riding momentum from their customers’ M&A activity, expanding advisory roles, and doubling down on high-touch service. Across the board, the outlook is clear: 2026 isn’t just about tech—it’s about alignment, trust, and delivering measurable business value.
Channel Chatter: What MSPs Are Feeling Optimistic About
“We’re entering 2026 with strong momentum and confidence. Many of our long-term strategies are starting to pay off, and we’re seeing tangible results in customer growth and engagement. Several of our clients have successfully completed M&A initiatives, creating significant opportunities for us to scale alongside them. What excites us most is the deep alignment we’ve built, helping customers marry technology plans with their business vision. Additionally, we’re optimistic about the continued referrals from satisfied clients and the recognition of our industry expertise within our community.”
—Thomas Lohr, Chief Growth Officer, Techworks Consulting; MSP Success Advisory Council Member
“We are most optimistic about solidifying our position as a trusted advisor to SMBs that are serious about security, compliance, and digital transformation. More organizations are seeking partners who deliver transparency, high-touch service, and measurable results. In 2026, we expect to deepen client engagement, broaden our advisory services, and ensure that every technology investment translates into clear business value. Our commitment is to deliver not just technical solutions, but strategic outcomes that help clients thrive in a rapidly changing environment.”
—Corey Kirkendoll, President and CEO, 5K Technical Services; MSP Success Advisory Council Member
“Security has always been a driving force for MSP services. While we expect continuous growth in security services, we see that our Compliance-as-a-Service offering will drive exponential growth for AvTek in 2026. I have always stated, you can have security without compliance but you can’t have compliance without security. The regulated industries have always understood the two separate services. Other sectors that are not regulated are now beginning to understand that having a compliance-focused approach to security is not only a way to insure they are meeting the level of security their business needs, but it also aligns them with cybersecurity insurance, state-level safe harbor laws, and more. That is why AvTek has invested over the past three years in building a first-class compliance department dedicated to helping clients obtain and maintain compliance within their business.”
—Wayne Hunter, CEO, AvTek Solutions
“Cybersecurity still has huge untapped demand, especially in Australia. We’re seeing a new wave of buyers who aren’t looking for cookie-cutter IT support. They want a cyber-first model, built around risk, governance, and real-world value. In that model, IT support becomes the optional extra—not the headline act. It’s the same shift from MSP to MSSP that’s happening across the industry, but with more of a consulting, advice-led approach.”
—Natalia Scheidegger, CEO, 3rdmill; MSP Success Advisory Council Member
“I’m optimistic because more business owners finally “get it”—technology isn’t just “IT stuff” anymore; it’s mission-critical. Clients want partners, not ticket-takers, and that’s exactly where we shine. It gives us the chance to build deeper relationships, have better conversations, and help businesses level up instead of just putting out fires.”
—Mike Bloomfield, President Geek, Tekie Geek
“The MSP industry as a whole was down in 2025. We personally have also seen a lot of our larger clients get acquired in 2025, but feel like that run has come to an end. I think in 2026 the industry will go back to 20% growth instead of the 13% growth in 2025. People say that 2025, because it was an election year, was the reason it was down and add the tariffs to the mix, but 2026 will start normalizing [and] companies will start spending again.”
—Mario Zaki, CEO, Mazteck; MSP Success Advisory Council Member
“[I’m optimistic] that we will get more new customers than we did this year, because it stunk this year. We’d hear things like uncertainty and tariffs and interest rates and inflation, and I believe that a lot of those factors are now improving slowly but surely. Interest rates have ticked down a couple of notches. I think we’re hopefully closer to the tariff problem being resolved. And so I anticipate gaining more new clients this next year. I’ll say we signed one in March and then we didn’t sign one for many months and we signed five in the last two months of the year. So we’re finishing strong and I’m hoping for that to continue into this next year.”
—Charles Swihart, CEO, Preactive IT Solutions
“I think the economy is going to open up. We’re going to have more growth if a lot of the commitments from the international companies or international governments come through. [If] a lot of these companies come back and invest into manufacturing in the United States, if that comes to fruition, all the support businesses … are the types of clients that we work with. If manufacturing does return to the United States and oil prices stay down and that industry takes off, I think that will generate opportunities for us in the manufacturing space.”
—Doug Bates, President, CMIT Solutions of Southern Atlanta Crescent & Atlanta Northwest
“As our AI-first strategy matures and we lean into the automated and analytical benefits of AI we will run our business more efficiently and our customer delivery will be further improved and increasingly more competitive.
—Jim Gast, Director of AI-Powered New Business Development, Valeo Networks; MSP Success Advisory Council Member
