59/100IFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 227 Google reviews, the most in Albert Lea.
Best Managed IT Service Providers in Albert Lea, MN (2026)
18 managed IT service providers ranked by IFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in Albert Lea: CS Computers, IFR Score 59/100; 5.0★ from 227 Google reviews.
- 3
Most-reviewed: The Computer Store of Owatonna, 200 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 18 ranked after CS Computers; ranked #3.
Rankings can't be bought. IT providers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
18 Albert Lea managed IT service providers are ranked here by IFR Score, from nine published factors. 4 open Saturdays and 2 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 18 rated IT firms.
Top 10 managed IT service providers in Albert Lea at a glance
Ranked by IFR Score from public data. Sponsored placements are labelled and never change the order.
| Rank | Business | IFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CS Computers | 59 | 5.0★ (227) | Albert Lea | — | Overall |
| 2 | Mankato Computer Technology | 59 | 4.7★ (103) | Mankato, 48 mi away | — | — |
| 3 | The Computer Store of Owatonna | 56 | 4.9★ (200) | Owatonna, 31 mi away | Sat | Most reviews |
| 4 | Pantheon Computers | 56 | 4.7★ (7) | Albert Lea | — | — |
| 5 | Olsen repair and sales | 55 | 3.7★ (3) | Mason City, 35 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 6 | Computer Technology Solutions, Inc. | 54 | 4.5★ (24) | North Mankato, 48 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | Midwest IT Systems Inc | 54 | 5.0★ (15) | Mankato, 48 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Manpower | 51 | 4.7★ (3) | Mason City, 35 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | Engel Tech Shop | 49 | 5.0★ (20) | Owatonna, 31 mi away | Sat | — |
| 10 | Riverfront Technology LLC | 49 | 3.3★ (4) | North Mankato, 49 mi away | — | — |
The 18 best managed IT service providers in Albert Lea, ranked
Ordered by IFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by IFR Score from public data. Sponsored placements are labelled and never change the order.
Scores below: based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
Based in Mankato, 48 mi away
59/100IFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.7★ from 103 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer support and services”.
Based in Owatonna, 31 mi away
56/100IFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 200 Google reviews.
Based in Albert Lea
56/100IFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.7★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer support and services”.
Based in Mason City, 35 mi away
55/100IFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and service focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer support and services”.
Based in North Mankato, 48 mi away
54/100IFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.5★ from 24 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer support and services”.
Based in Mankato, 48 mi away
54/100IFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and service focus: 5.0★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer support and services”.
#8 Manpower
Based in Mason City, 35 mi away
51/100IFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer support and services”.
Based in Owatonna, 31 mi away
49/100IFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 20 Google reviews.
Based in North Mankato, 49 mi away
49/100IFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and service focus: 3.3★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer support and services”.
Based in Owatonna, 32 mi away
48/100IFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 24 Google reviews.
Based in Mankato, 48 mi away
47/100IFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.3★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer repair service”.
Based in Mankato, 48 mi away
47/100IFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 24 Google reviews.
Based in Faribault, 46 mi away
44/100IFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.8★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer repair service”.
Based in Mason City, 36 mi away
44/100IFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and service focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Home automation company”.
Based in Rochester, 41 mi away
43/100IFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and service focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer repair service”.
#17 BRITEE
Based in Rochester, 46 mi away
42/100IFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and service focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer repair service”.
Based in Mankato, 48 mi away
42/100IFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and service focus: 3.2★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer store”.
Also serving Albert Lea
14 more managed IT service providers within 50 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a service we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| A+ Computer Repair | In Albert Lea | |
| Deep Valley Technology | 48 mi | |
| Gold AI Collective | 5.0★ (1) | 31 mi |
| Marco Technologies | 5.0★ (1) | 47 mi |
| Merryworks Computer Consulting | 31 mi | |
| Momo Technology Solutions | 43 mi | |
| Pantheon Computers | 45 mi | |
| RDombrock & Co | 32 mi | |
| Region V Computer Services | 47 mi | |
| SwedeTek, LLC | 33 mi | |
| System Services | In Albert Lea | |
| Technology 9 | 4.9★ (14) | In Albert Lea |
| TechTalent, LLC | 46 mi | |
| Web-Room | 4.5★ (11) | In Albert Lea |
How we ranked Albert Lea managed IT service providers
We scored 18 Albert Lea managed IT service providers on nine factors, weighted as shown. An IT firm is ranked when its service is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. An IT firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Albert Lea data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 15% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed IT firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday and 24/7 support | Measured |
| Service focus | 15% | How clearly the firm does this service (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its IT Firms Ranked profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The firm links to IT Firms Ranked from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
| Client reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by IT Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose a managed IT service provider
- Ask for a sample service-level agreement and compare response times, support hours and exclusions.
- Check how backups are done and tested, and ask when they last restored a client’s data.
- Ask which security tools are included and which cost extra (MFA, endpoint protection, email filtering, staff training).
- Make sure you, not the firm, own your accounts, domain names and licences.
- Ask for two or three references from clients of your size and industry, and call them.
- Get the scope, response times and price in writing before you sign, including how you leave and get your data back.
Questions to ask a managed IT service provider
- Is the price per user, per device or a bundle, and what is not included?
- What are your response times for urgent, normal and low-priority tickets?
- Is your help desk in-house or outsourced, and what are its hours?
- How do you back up our data, how often do you test restores, and where are the copies kept?
- Which security tools are included, and do you monitor alerts after hours?
- What happens to our passwords, documentation and data if we leave?
- Can you give us references from clients of our size and industry?
Terms explained
- MSP (managed service provider)
- A firm that runs a business’s IT for a recurring fee: monitoring, patching, help desk, backups and security tools.
- Co-managed IT
- An arrangement where an outside firm supports an in-house IT person or team, sharing tools and tasks.
- Break-fix
- IT support paid per incident or per hour, with no monthly agreement.
- SLA (service-level agreement)
- The contract terms for response and resolution times, uptime and support hours.
- Help desk
- The support line staff call or email for IT problems.
- RMM
- Remote monitoring and management software that lets an IT firm watch, patch and fix computers remotely.
- vCIO
- A virtual chief information officer: part-time IT strategy and budgeting from an outside firm.
- MSSP
- A managed security service provider: a firm that monitors and manages security tools around the clock.
- EDR / MDR
- Endpoint detection and response software, and the managed service of people watching its alerts (managed detection and response).
- MFA
- Multi-factor authentication: a second proof of identity, such as an app prompt, on top of a password.
- Penetration test
- An authorised, simulated attack on your systems to find weaknesses before criminals do.
- SOC 2
- An independent auditor’s report (AICPA standard) on a service provider’s security controls.
Managed IT service providers in Albert Lea: frequently asked questions
Who is the best managed IT service provider in Albert Lea?
By IFR Score, the highest-ranked managed IT service provider in Albert Lea, MN is CS Computers with an IFR Score of 59/100. It has 5.0★ from 227 Google reviews. Mankato Computer Technology (#2) and The Computer Store of Owatonna (#3) follow. We ranked 18 managed IT service providers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many managed IT service providers are there in Albert Lea?
ITFirmsRanked ranks 18 managed IT service providers serving Albert Lea, MN. 2 of them are based in Albert Lea; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 14 within 50 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which managed IT service providers in Albert Lea work on weekends?
4 of 18 ranked managed IT service providers post Saturday hours and 2 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are The Computer Store of Owatonna (#3), Olsen repair and sales (#5) and Engel Tech Shop (#9). Posted hours are office hours; many firms also run an after-hours support line for contract clients.
What Google rating do Albert Lea managed IT service providers have?
The median Google rating among 18 rated managed IT service providers in Albert Lea is 4.8★, with a median of 10 reviews. CS Computers has the most, 227 reviews, and ranks #1. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does ITFirmsRanked rank managed IT service providers?
Each managed IT service provider gets a 0–100 IFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), review volume (15%), service focus (15%) and recency (10%). An IT firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only IT firms with a confirmed service and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do managed IT service providers outside Albert Lea count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 50 mi of the Albert Lea city center, our service radius for managed IT service providers. Each listing shows where the IT firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the IFR Score, so a nearby IT firm gets a small edge.
Can managed IT service providers pay to rank higher on ITFirmsRanked?
No. The IFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured IT firms may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
What does a managed IT service provider do?
Managed IT service providers (MSPs) run a business’s computers, servers, network, Microsoft 365 or Google accounts, backups and help desk for a monthly fee, or provide IT support by the hour.
How are managed it service providers in Albert Lea ranked?
By IFR Score: Google rating and review volume, recent reviews, opening hours, how clearly the firm does managed IT services and IT support, distance, a claimed profile, our badge and verified client reviews. Sponsored placements never change the order.
What should a managed IT agreement include?
At minimum: help desk support for your staff, monitoring and patching of computers and servers, backups that are tested, security tools such as endpoint protection and multi-factor authentication, and a named contact. The agreement should state response times, support hours and what counts as out of scope.
Is managed IT priced per user or per device?
Both models are common, and some firms sell tiered bundles. Per-user pricing suits staff with several devices; per-device pricing suits shared computers. Compare quotes on the same number of users, devices and servers.
How long are managed IT contracts?
Often one to three years, sometimes month to month. Check the notice period, any early-termination fee and how the firm hands over passwords, documentation and data when the contract ends.
Update log for Albert Lea
- November 2026: IFR Scores recalculated for 18 managed IT service providers serving Albert Lea.
More managed IT service providers and Albert Lea pages
Managed IT service providers near Albert Lea
- Managed IT service providers in Austin, MN20 ranked
- Managed IT service providers in Owatonna, MN44 ranked
- Managed IT service providers in Faribault, MN139 ranked
- Managed IT service providers in Mankato, MN19 ranked
- Managed IT service providers in North Mankato, MN20 ranked
- Managed IT service providers in Rochester, MN23 ranked
- Managed IT service providers in Fairmont, MN8 ranked
- Managed IT service providers in Saint Peter, MN58 ranked
- Managed IT service providers in Northfield, MN193 ranked