Affinity MSP tops Australia in global MSP 501 ranking

Australian leader

Affinity MSP has been ranked 69th globally on the 2026 Channel Partners MSP 501, making the Melbourne-based business the highest-ranked Australian managed service provider on the list.

The result places Affinity MSP first in Australia on a global list that assesses managed service providers on measures including recurring revenue, growth, profitability, innovation and overall business health.

Now in its 19th year, the MSP 501 is one of the better-known rankings in the technology services channel. For Affinity MSP, the placement puts it in the top 14% of providers on the worldwide list.

Managed service providers, or MSPs, run outsourced IT operations for business customers, often covering infrastructure support, cyber security, cloud systems and broader technology management. Affinity MSP works with businesses across Australia and focuses on managed IT, cyber security, cloud and strategic technology services.

Founded more than a decade ago, the company describes its model as centred on long-term managed services relationships rather than one-off project work. That approach, alongside financial and operational performance, forms part of the backdrop to the latest ranking.

Recognition earned

"To be ranked #69 in the world, and the number one Australian MSP on the list, is recognition the entire team has earned client by client. This list isn't simply about who is the biggest. It recognises MSPs that are building healthy, disciplined and sustainable businesses. We've spent more than a decade building an MSP that Australian businesses can rely on for the long term, and an independent, data-driven result like this tells us that approach is working," said Nick Ower, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Affinity MSP.

The ranking also highlights the role of vendor and distribution relationships in the managed services market, where providers often rely on external platforms to source, deploy and manage software and cloud products for customers.

Ower linked the result to Affinity MSP's relationship with Pax8, a cloud marketplace business that works with IT service providers and technology vendors.

"Reaching #1 in Australia and #69 globally on the 2026 MSP 501 reflects the strength of our team and the quality of the partners we choose to build with. Pax8 has been central to that. Their platform and the depth of their support have let us scale our managed services with discipline and consistency, which is exactly what this ranking rewards. A result like this is never achieved alone - it comes from deep client relationships backed by the right partner ecosystem, and Pax8 is a big part of ours. We're proud to celebrate this milestone alongside them and excited about what we'll build together next," added Ower.

Partner support

Pax8 also framed the ranking as a sign of Affinity MSP's standing in the local market and the strength of its operating model.

"Congratulations to Nick and the entire Affinity MSP team on this outstanding achievement. Being named the highest-ranked Australian MSP on the 2026 Channel Partners MSP 501 is a testament to the team's hard work and commitment to building a strong, sustainable business. Their success is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when a forward-thinking MSP combines deep customer relationships with the right technology, strategy and partner ecosystem. Affinity MSP is a fantastic partner, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with them and look forward to continuing to play a part in their ongoing success," said Keating.

Global benchmark

The result comes as managed service providers face growing scrutiny over the resilience of their business models as customers shift more spending towards recurring software, cloud subscriptions and outsourced cyber security services. Rankings such as the MSP 501 aim to measure not only scale, but also the financial stability and consistency of providers operating in that environment.

For Australian firms, breaking into the upper tier of global channel rankings can be difficult because the largest MSP markets remain concentrated in North America and Europe, where providers often have greater scale, deeper investment pools and broader international customer bases. Against that backdrop, a top-70 position for a Melbourne-based provider stands out in a field dominated by much larger markets.

Affinity MSP's position at 69 also underlines the increasing visibility of Australian technology services companies beyond their domestic market. While the company remains locally based, its inclusion near the top of an international ranking suggests that smaller national markets can still produce firms that meet the financial and operational benchmarks used by global channel organisations.

The MSP 501 methodology uses quantitative criteria rather than serving as a simple popularity measure. Its focus on recurring revenue, profitability, growth and business health means providers are judged on the structure of their operations as much as on headline size.

That distinction is central to how many MSPs seek to differentiate themselves. In a market where mergers, private equity investment and vendor consolidation continue to reshape competition, independently built firms often use operational discipline and customer retention as markers of strength.

Affinity MSP said the result showed an Australian provider could compete strongly on those measures. It is ranked first in Australia and 69th globally on the MSP 501.