Channel Partners Opens Applications for the 2025 MSP 501 List, Recognizing the World’s Top Managed Service Providers

Channel Partners, the world's largest channel event brand, today announces the opening of applications for its prestigious MSP 501 list. The highly anticipated annual ranking showcases the most influential and highest-performing managed service providers (MSPs) in the global technology industry. The results of this in-depth research will be unveiled in mid-June, culminating in a prestigious gala celebrating the top MSPs at Channel Partner’s MSP Summit taking place September 15-17 in Orlando, FL. Submissions are open through April 30, 2025. Apply here.

Now in its 18th year, the MSP 501 is the most definitive worldwide ranking of best-in-class managed service providers. These MSPs play a critical role in the $5 trillion technology industry and sit at the center of the IT services market, which is outgrowing the hardware and software industries according to data from Informa-owned analyst firm Canalys. The MSP 501 is the only industry list that uses financial data from applicants to rank their performance against their peers using a proprietary methodology that includes managed services revenue, company productivity and high-margin services. The application is open until April 30.

The application is open to all channel partner business models with a managed services offering, including pure-play MSPs, MSSPs, VARs, IT consultants, technology advisors, systems integrators, and solution providers. Additionally, applicants will be considered for the MSP 501 Next Generation awards, celebrating the most innovative MSPs in the industry. Applicants will be eligible for the MSP 501, Next Generation MSPs and the new MSPs to Watch list recognizing fast-growing companies. The 2025 MSP 501 will also include a listing of the Most Preferred & Strategic Vendors selected by all applicants of the MSP 501.

"The MSP 501 stands as the technology channel's premier, most extensive, and comprehensive ranking of managed service providers worldwide. It represents the pinnacle of excellence in our industry, showcasing the companies that are not just adapting to the evolving landscape of managed services, but are actively shaping its future. These top-performing MSPs exemplify innovation, resilience, and customer-centric approaches that are driving the industry to new heights. The MSP 501 isn't just a list; it's a testament to the transformative power of managed services in today's digital ecosystem,” said Bob DeMarzo, Content and Strategy Leader for Informa’s channel digital and live events platform.

The 2025 MSP 501 also includes a listing of the 2025 MSPs of the Year, MSP Executives of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Vanguard, and Newcomer of the Year. To be eligible for these prestigious awards, applicants must complete the MSP 501 application by the April 30 deadline.

The MSP 501 and special award winners will be announced on the Channel Futures news web site starting in mid-June. Channel Futures is the exclusive media partner of the MSP 501 and will present the annual list to the entire channel ecosystem. “Channel Futures has served as the home for the MSP 501 for many years generating incredible interest from our readers and value for our entire audience. We are excited to be working with the MSP 501 team to present all the 2025 winners on the Channel Futures web site,” said Editorial Director Craig Galbraith, Informa TechTarget.

Customers can use the MSP 501 list to validate leading MSPs based on how they are growing compared to their peers and against industry benchmarks. The list helps small, medium, and large MSPs understand their year-on-year performance.

Channel Partners will celebrate the 2025 top MSPs at an invitation-only awards gala during the MSP Summit in Orlando Sept. 15-17. In addition to honoring the MSP 501 winners, the gala will recognize organizations and individuals for outstanding performance in managed services. The MSP 501 Preferred Vendors will also be honored at the gala. The MSP Summit is open to all channel professionals who have a focus on managed services.

The MSP 501 methodology is based on a wide range of criteria including revenue, subscription-based services and business investment. The methodology is reviewed, amended and updated by a blue-chip group of thought leaders who study MSP business models. Over time, the MSP 501 methodology has evolved to match the characteristics of the market as business models change. The MSP 501 is the only methodology of its kind providing a sound benchmark for managed service providers to gauge business performance. Each year, the MSP 501 team assembles a group of channel leaders to update and review the methodology for the partner ranking. The MSP 501 Advisory Committee includes: Dina Moskowitz, CEO, Partner Optimizer; Jay McBain, Chief Analyst, Canalys; Len DiCostanzo, Founder, MSP Toolkit; Craig Galbraith, Editorial Director, Informa TechTarget; Scott Grau, Senior Manager, Research, Informa Engage; Kevin McDonald, COO and CISO, Alvaka Networks; Jason Rincker, Director of Revenue, Stronghold Data.

Industry veteran Neil Medwed, VP of Corporate Development and M&A at Houston-based MSP Meriplex and a 2024 MSP Lifetime Achievement winner, said the MSP 501 is a great way for MSPs to track their growth against peers. It can also be a relationship builder.

“As a 42-year technology professional, and a well-known leader in our industry, there is not a more prestigious company award that one can strive for than growing in the MSP 501 rankings year over year,” Medwed said. “As owners and technology executives, we should strive for success every year. And to be ranked higher and higher in the MSP 501 rankings each year offers validation of our hard work. It also allows us to understand other industry leaders and their firms and if desired, reach out to them for collaboration using the rankings as a conversation opener, because both parties know that each is a successful operator.”

About Channel Partners

Channel Partners, part of Informa Connect, is an events destination for the information technology and communications industry. We provide information, perspective, and connection for the entire channel ecosystem, including managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), cloud service providers (CSPs), value-added resellers (VARs) and distributors, technology solutions brokerages, trusted advisors (TAs), subagent and agents, as well as leading technology vendor partners and communication providers.

For more than 25 years, Channel Partners has been the leader in delivering the best events in the channel. Its annual Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit conferences bring together channel and other IT professionals to build relationships, showcase top solutions and stay up-to-date on the latest trends.

About Informa Connect

Informa Connect is one of Informa's B2B Markets divisions. We deliver specialist digital content and create exciting content-led live and on demand events and experiences for professionals in Tech, Finance, Life Sciences, Foodservice, Aesthetics & Anti-Ageing, Pop Culture and other specialist markets.

Informa Connect’s in-person, live and online platforms enable businesses and professionals to meet, network, discuss and learn, and provide sponsors and marketers with digital services and connections that help them reach the right audiences year-round.

Specialist, relevant and high-quality content lies at the heart of Informa Connect. We focus on delivering unique and relevant content for our communities and audiences, in close collaboration with industry leaders. Informa Connect teams are experts in their specialist markets and we continuously invest and innovate to make sure our platforms and live events offer valuable and inspiring experiences for businesses and professionals.

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