Compare cloud support models
Cloud Support Comparison Guide: Consultants, MSPs, Freelancers and Internal Teams
The problem
Why cloud support decisions are harder than they look
Most teams don't simply need "more cloud help." They need the right type of help, sized for the issue. The right answer depends on internal skills, urgency, cloud complexity, current incidents, migration plans, compliance needs, cost pressure, platform maturity and whether the need is temporary or ongoing.
- Internal skill gaps across AWS, Azure or DevOps
- Urgent production incidents
- Cloud cost creep
- Slow or unreliable releases
- Compliance or audit pressure
- Migration or modernisation projects
- Weak monitoring and observability
- Single-person dependencies
- Unclear ownership across teams
At a glance
Compare the main cloud support options
| Consultant | MSP | Freelancer | Internal team | IG CloudOps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Projects, reviews | Ongoing operations | Narrow defined tasks | Long-term ownership | Flexible, blended support |
| Cost model | Day rate / fixed scope | Monthly retainer | Hourly / day rate | Salaries + overhead | PAYG, credits or light retainer |
| Flexibility | High | Lower (contracted) | High but risky | Limited | High |
| Depth of skills | Senior, focused | Broad | Narrow | Variable | Senior AWS + Azure + DevOps |
| Speed to start | Days/weeks | Weeks/months | Days | Months (hiring) | Days |
| Operational ownership | No | Yes | No | Yes | Optional |
| Best buyer | Project owner | Ops leader | Tech lead | CTO | Founder / CTO / Ops leader |
Pick your comparison
Compare two options side by side
AWS Consultant vs AWS Managed Services
Project-based AWS expertise vs ongoing operational support.
Best fit: AWS users weighing one-off projects against ongoing support.
Compare options →Azure Consultant vs Azure MSP
Landing zones and governance vs day-to-day Azure operations.
Best fit: Microsoft-heavy teams choosing an Azure support model.
Compare options →Cloud Consultant vs Freelancer
Lower cost and flexibility vs continuity, breadth and accountability.
Best fit: Teams weighing freelance cloud help against a consultancy.
Compare options →Cloud Managed Services vs Internal Team
Hire, outsource, or run a co-managed cloud operating model.
Best fit: Leaders deciding whether to build or buy cloud support.
Compare options →AWS vs Azure Consulting
Choose the right cloud expertise for your workloads and team.
Best fit: Businesses choosing or balancing AWS and Azure expertise.
Compare options →DevOps Consultant vs Platform Engineer
Diagnose and unblock delivery vs build long-term internal platforms.
Best fit: Engineering leads choosing the right delivery support model.
Compare options →Where we fit
Where IG CloudOps fits in the cloud support market
IG CloudOps sits between expensive traditional MSP contracts, hard-to-manage freelancers, overloaded internal teams, slow permanent hiring, and one-off consultants with no operational follow-through.
We're senior, UK-based, certified, and flexible. You get AWS and Azure depth, professional services and advisory, CloudOps platform visibility, and optional ongoing support — sized to what you actually need.
- ✓Senior cloud help without the enterprise sales process
- ✓AWS and Azure expertise under one roof
- ✓PAYG and credit-based engagement options
- ✓Use us for projects, ongoing support, or both
- ✓Works alongside internal teams and existing MSPs
Decide by problem
Choose by what you need to fix
Need help with AWS architecture?
AWS consulting — design, reviews and remediation.
Need Azure governance?
Azure consulting — landing zones, identity and policy.
Need monitoring and operational support?
Managed services with CloudOps visibility.
Need faster, safer deployments?
DevOps consulting — pipelines, IaC and reliability.
Need lower cloud bills?
Cost optimisation review across AWS and Azure.
Need to know where you stand?
Cloud Health Scorecard — independent baseline.
Not sure which cloud support model fits?
Speak to IG CloudOps and we'll help you work out whether you need consultancy, managed services, DevOps support, an assessment, or a lighter-touch flexible model.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cloud consultant and a managed services provider?+
A consultant typically handles defined projects, reviews and advisory work. A managed services provider takes ongoing operational responsibility — monitoring, patching, incident response and governance. Many businesses need elements of both.
Is a freelancer cheaper than a cloud consultancy?+
On a day-rate basis, sometimes. But once you add continuity cover, documentation, governance, security and handover, a consultancy is often the better commercial choice for production workloads.
When should we hire internally instead of using external cloud support?+
When cloud is core to your product, you have enough sustained work for full-time roles, and you can attract and retain senior engineers. Many teams still benefit from external review and surge capacity.
Do we need AWS or Azure specialists?+
It depends on your estate, Microsoft footprint, SaaS architecture and team skills. IG CloudOps supports both, so you don't have to pick a partner based on platform bias.
Can IG CloudOps support both AWS and Azure?+
Yes. We have certified engineers across AWS and Azure and routinely support multi-cloud environments.
What if we only need a few hours of help?+
That's fine. Our pay-as-you-go and credit-based models are designed for exactly this — flexible senior help when you need it.
Can we use IG CloudOps alongside our internal team?+
Yes. We work as an extension of internal teams, adding depth without taking over ownership of your platform.
Can IG CloudOps replace an MSP?+
In many cases, yes — with a more flexible commercial model. We can also work alongside an existing MSP if you prefer.