Majority of UK MSPs embrace non-Microsoft suites as multi-vendor becomes new normal – report

Technology adoption, operational agility, and ability to manage complexity at scale was reported as the largest differentiators for high-growth MSPs

Managed service providers in the UK are shedding the Microsoft-only approach and donning multi-vendor productivity as the new norm.

And MSPs are on the up, whether it’s down to this new attitude or not, with zero per cent losing revenue in 2024, around nine in ten grew by five per cent or more, but only two in ten grew by 20 per cent or more.

That is according to a new report from JumpCloud which surveyed 300 MSPs in the US and UK, which found that 74 per cent of high-growth UK MSPs (defined as those with a revenue increase of over 20 per cent) now actively manage both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

However, 38 per cent report vendor lock-in as a major frustration, limiting their ability to meet diverse client needs.

A large majority of over 90 per cent of UK MSPs support at least one non-Microsoft productivity suite, highlighting the shift away from single-vendor dependency.

The 2025 MSP Performance Report also found that 70 per cent of UK MSPs now manage a mix of Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebooks, driving new security and compliance risks.

However, high-growth MSPs are adapting faster, with 74 per cent supporting both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, 66 per cent automating device onboarding and security enforcement, and 72 per cent actively investing in AI to reduce overhead and scale efficiently.

According to the report, high-growth UK MSPs are embracing AI and automation to scale faster, with 38 per cent saying hiring skilled IT talent is a top challenge for 2025.

However, amongst high-growth MSPs, just 29 per cent see hiring as a major barrier, thanks to their investment in automation and AI. In fact, 72 per cent are investing in AI-driven automation, using it to boost internal efficiency and client service delivery.

In interviews with CRN, several MSPs confirmed that AI tools are indeed helping them achieve internal efficiencies but cautioned of overreliance on the technology and the potential for future tech sprawl.

Another challenge facing MSPs the report highlights is SaaS sprawl and shadow IT now threatening operational efficiency.

Almost half (48 per cent) of UK MSPs say SaaS complexity is a major challenge to efficient scaling, with 70 per cent managing mixed device environments (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebooks) MSPs face mounting security and compliance hurdles.

Additionally, 40 per cent lack a formal shadow IT policy, exposing clients to security blind spots due to unmanaged apps and ‘bring your own device’ usage.