🔍

Insight Enterprises vs Telstra Purple: Which MSP is Better? | The MSP Playbook

Article 2026-06-12

Insight Enterprises vs Telstra Purple

A detailed comparison of two major Australian Managed Service Providers.

Feature Insight Enterprises Telstra Purple
Overall Score3.33.5
TypeGlobal Reseller / ServicesTelco / Enterprise
Employees500-10005000-10000
Founded19882017
HeadquartersSydney, NSWSydney, NSW
RevenuePrivatePrivate
Salary Range$80,000 - $165,000$80,000 - $170,000
SpecialtiesCloud, Data Center, SecurityManaged Infrastructure, Cloud Services, Cybersecurity, Consulting
CertificationsMicrosoft Partner, AWS Partner, Google PartnerMicrosoft Partner, AWS Partner, Cisco Partner, ServiceNow Partner
Green FlagsGlobal exposure
Strong vendor partnerships
Telstra brand provides stability and scale
ASX-listed benefits structure
Strong telecommunications backbone
Good vendor partnerships
Red FlagsUS parent creates cultural friction
Below-market salaries
Can be bureaucratic
550 roles cut in July 2025 — largest restructure in years
Telco culture dominates — IT services are secondary
Contractor dependency creates inconsistency
Bureaucratic decision-making slows everything down
Legacy telco culture persists in some divisions
Worker ProsGlobal exposure
Vendor partnerships
Telstra compensation structure is genuinely good
ASX-listed stability — won't be sold or acquired
Access to Telstra's network and enterprise relationships
Brand recognition opens doors
Worker ConsCultural friction
Below-market pay
Bureaucratic
550 roles cut in 2025 — even Telstra isn't immune
IT services are secondary to the telco business
Bureaucratic culture slows innovation
Contractor dependency creates quality inconsistency
Career progression limited unless you're in the telco side

Which MSP Should You Choose?

Both Global Reseller / Services and Telco / Enterprise have strengths and weaknesses. Your choice depends on your priorities — whether that's career growth, salary, work-life balance, or technical exposure.

Use the side-by-side comparison tool for a deeper look, or check out individual profiles for detailed employee reviews.