Top Priorities for MSPs in 2026
The new year is here – and with it, a host of opportunities to take your MSP business to new heights.
We want to help your MSP hit the ground running in 2026, and we encourage all you MSP founders, leaders and decision-makers to join us next week at MSP SUMMIT. The 3-day event is taking place at The 20 HQ in Dallas, TX, and we’re covering the topics that matter right now: AI-augmented sales, M&A strategy (AKA building a business worth buying), elite operations, and more. SUMMIT is where growth gets real…Will you be in the room?
In the meantime, start putting together your gameplan for the year ahead with the help of this post: an overview of top priorities for MSPs in 2026. Here’s what to focus on over the next twelve months to get big results.
Priority #1 – Get Authentic
2026 is the year MSP leaders need to show up – and as real, visible people. Today’s clients aren’t just buying services; they’re buying into your vision, your values, and your leadership.
In the age of AI-generated content, authenticity matters more than ever. Look around the business landscape and you’ll see generic, beige messaging everywhere. The same rhythm, the same words, the same ideas. If you can be honest, transparent, raw, and above all, different, it will set you and your MSP apart.
An eye-opening stat: 82% of today’s consumers are more likely to trust a company led by folks who are active on social media.
Priority #2 – Plug In to Level Up
No MSP succeeds on an island, and collaboration will be key to thriving in 2026. Burnout is all too real: a report from Kaseya found that approximately 40% of tech staff are working 50+ hour weeks. There’s no magic bullet for overworked staff, but strategic outsourcing and partnerships can be lifesavers.
If you’re battling burnout at your MSP business, look into ‘master MSPs,’ peer groups, and other growth platforms to lighten your load. White-label services like NOCs or SOCs allow MSPs to offer 24/7 coverage or advanced capabilities without overextending staff. You can start by checking out our acclaimed growth platform – The 20 MSP Group. We give your MSP the tools, resources and knowledge it needs to grow and scale faster and with less stress. As a member, you get access to our US-based 24/7/365 support desk, a world-class NOC, and a thriving community of 175+ MSPs who love to connect and collaborate.
Priority #3 – Speak in Benefits
MSPs can no longer rely on generic monthly reports; modern clients want proof of impact. In 2026, successful providers will present clear, actionable KPIs that show how their services improve business outcomes. This might include dashboards tracking cyberattack prevention, resolution times, or productivity gains. By benchmarking performance and conducting business reviews, MSPs can quantify value, demonstrate risk reduction, and guide clients on what’s next.
If you’re still talking to clients in the language of tech, focus on developing a new style of communication in 2026 – one that clearly articulates the value your services bring in terms of measurable outcomes. If you can do that, those “what am I paying for?” complaints will become few and far between.
Priority #4 – Conquer Compliance
Compliance is no longer optional; it’s table stakes in industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Leading MSPs are beginning to offer compliance-as-a-service, combining continuous monitoring, automated audit reporting, and guidance through evolving regulations. Real-time compliance dashboards tracking access controls, patching, backups, and policy adherence help clients stay ahead of audits and regulatory changes, positioning your MSP as both a trusted advisor and a business enabler.
If your MSP doesn’t have a sophisticated compliance program, this is the year to build one. Not sure where to start? Start with this actionable article from N-able.
Priority #5 – Marry AI to Cybersecurity
AI is here, but there’s a lot of work to be done on the implementation front – especially in regard to cybersecurity.
A 2025 Darktrace study shows 88% of security teams report significant time savings from AI tools, and a recent report from Lansweeper found that 56.4% of MSPs are using AI-powered cybersecurity to generate new revenue.
In 2026, integrating AI into threat detection, monitoring, and response is essential for operational efficiency, client protection, and staying competitive.
Priority #6 – Attend Channel Events!
This one gets an exclamation point because, yes, it’s that vital. The MSPs making moves and progress are consistently getting out there and mixing it up with their peers. Why? Because nothing else moves the needle quite like it.
Live events are where trends are being shaped in real time. And in case you missed the previous plug, our own MSP SUMMIT (Jan 20-22) offers a hands-on opportunity to strategize for 2026, exchange insights, and forge partnerships that will help your business thrive in the year ahead.
If you haven’t signed up for SUMMIT, stop reading and grab one of the last remaining seats!
Priority #7 – Familiarize Yourself with M&A Fundamentals
Mergers and acquisitions may not be on every MSP’s immediate agenda, but understanding M&A principles is critical for growth. Buyers today look beyond revenue: they want scalability, stability, and a business built for long-term success. Even if you’re not selling, learning M&A fundamentals helps you build an MSP that’s worth buying – and that’s a good thing, regardless of your plans.
Download our free MSP M&A Guide: We put this together to help MSPs navigate today’s dealmaking landscape with confidence and clarity. Get your copy here.
Priority #8 – Begin Transition to MIP Model
Your clients no longer want their systems to just work; they want them to automate, streamline, and scale. That’s where the managed intelligence provider – or MIP – comes in. An MIP is the next stage in the evolution of the MSP: not just a support service, but a strategic partner that leverages AI and data-driven insights to help businesses identify opportunities, improve productivity, and prioritize growth. In short, an MIP combines the reliability of traditional MSP services with forward-thinking intelligence that drives real business outcomes.
Check out our blog on the topic for a much deeper dive into the MIP model.
Final Thought
Our industry has never moved slowly – but things are about to go into warp speed in 2026. We’re talking a massive, channel-wide leap forward, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the widespread exodus from break/fix in the early 2000s. We’ll leave you with one ‘meta priority’ to rule them all…
In 2026, prioritize prioritizing your MSP’s overall business health. In other words, make sure you’re putting sufficient time and energy into the big picture. Study trends. Observe other MSPs (especially the successful ones). Go to events. Find out what’s happening at the leading edge. Don’t just keep your head down and hope the busy work will save you. If you want growth in 2026, you’ll need to be bold, decisive, and present.
Now get out there and make it happen!