Best Virtual Assistant Companies in 2026 (Compared)
The best virtual assistant companies let you offload admin, scheduling, email, and marketing to a vetted professional — without hiring a full-time employee. Pricing ranges from $35/month for occasional tasks to $3,600/month for a dedicated full-time EA, with most businesses landing somewhere in between.
We compared 10 of the most popular virtual assistant companies on pricing, assistant quality, flexibility, and real customer feedback to help you find the right fit without sitting through a dozen sales calls.
Virtual Assistant Companies Compared
| Company | Starting Price | VA Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Etc | $390/mo (10 hrs) | US | Budget-friendly US-based support |
| Fancy Hands | $35/mo (3 tasks) | US | Quick one-off tasks |
| Wing Assistant | $699/mo (part-time) | Global | Scalable multi-role support |
| Zirtual | $549/mo (12 hrs) | US | Teams sharing one VA |
| Belay | ~$1,200/mo | US | Executive admin + bookkeeping |
| Prialto | $1,500/mo (55 hrs) | Global | Enterprise-grade with backup coverage |
| MyOutDesk | $1,788/mo (full-time) | Philippines | Full-time industry-specific VAs |
| Wishup | $1,099/mo (4 hrs/day) | India/US | AI-trained, tech-savvy VAs |
| Boldly | $2,600/mo (40 hrs) | US/Europe | Senior Fortune 500-caliber assistants |
| Athena | $3,000/mo (full-time) | Philippines | Full-time EA for founders |
The 10 Best Virtual Assistant Companies
1. Time Etc — Most Affordable US-Based Option
Time Etc has been around since 2007 and keeps things simple: flexible hourly plans, US-based assistants, no long-term contracts.
Pricing:
- 10 hours/month: $390 ($39/hr)
- 20 hours/month: $760 ($38/hr)
- 40 hours/month: $1,480 ($37/hr)
- 60 hours/month: $2,160 ($36/hr)
Unused hours roll over on plans of 20+ hours. Cancel anytime.
What they handle: Email management, calendar scheduling, research, content marketing support, social media, personal errands.
Who it’s for: Entrepreneurs and small business owners who want reliable US-based support without a huge commitment. Their VAs average 12+ years of experience, which is notably higher than most competitors.
The catch: It’s a general admin service — you won’t find specialized roles like bookkeeping or social media management here. And the per-hour rate, while competitive for US-based VAs, is still significantly more than offshore options.
2. Fancy Hands — Cheapest Way to Get Started
Fancy Hands uses a unique per-request model. Each “request” covers about 20 minutes of work. You submit tasks via web, email, text, or phone, and a US-based assistant handles them.
Pricing:
- 3 requests/month: $35
- 5 requests/month: $55
- 15 requests/month: $125
Unused requests roll over. Dedicated assistant plans are also available at custom pricing.
What they handle: Phone calls, scheduling, research, travel planning, product purchasing, data entry, returns and exchanges.
Who it’s for: Individuals and small businesses who need occasional help with quick tasks. If you’ve never hired a VA before, Fancy Hands is the lowest-risk way to try it.
The catch: The request model means you’re paying per task, not per hour. Complex tasks that take more than 20 minutes may require multiple requests. And since you don’t get a dedicated assistant, there’s no continuity between tasks — you have to re-explain context each time.
3. Wing Assistant — Best Value for Full-Time Support
Wing Assistant offers managed VA services across 25+ role types, from general admin to marketing, HR, customer service, and sales development.
Pricing:
- Part-time general VA: $699/month
- Full-time general VA: $1,099/month
- US-based VAs: from $1,599/month
- Specialized roles: up to $7,999/month
What they handle: Administrative support, marketing, HR, customer service, finance, sales development, and industry-specific roles for real estate, healthcare, and ecommerce.
Who it’s for: Small-to-medium businesses that want to delegate entire business functions — not just inbox management.
The catch: Quality can vary since assistants are distributed globally. The managed layer (success managers, QA team) helps, but you’re still working with offshore talent for the base-tier plans.
4. Zirtual — Best for Teams Sharing a VA
Zirtual stands out with multi-user plans that let teams share a single virtual assistant — something most competitors don’t offer.
Pricing:
- Entrepreneur: $549/month (12 hours, 1 user)
- Startup: $849/month (24 hours, 2 users)
- Small Business: $1,249/month (36 hours, 3 users)
- Team: $1,699/month (50 hours, 5 users)
All assistants are US-based, college-educated, and available 9 AM–6 PM ET or PT.
What they handle: Administrative tasks, scheduling, email management, project management, research.
Who it’s for: Startups and small business teams where multiple people need light VA support.
The catch: At the Entrepreneur tier, you’re effectively paying $46/hour — expensive for what you get. The value improves at higher tiers. And the fixed business-hours availability means no evening or weekend coverage.
5. Belay — Premium US-Based Executive Support
Belay is one of the most recognized VA companies in the US, focusing on executive assistants, bookkeepers, and social media managers — all US-based.
Pricing: Belay doesn’t publish pricing. Based on reviews, expect ~$42-$50/hour, with monthly costs ranging from $1,200 to $5,500+ depending on hours and role. There’s also a startup fee.
What they handle: Executive assistance, bookkeeping, payroll, social media management, and website maintenance.
Who it’s for: Executives and business owners who specifically want a US-based VA with deep professional experience, and who value Belay’s managed matching process (93% first-match success rate).
The catch: The premium pricing means you’re paying roughly 2x what you’d pay for a comparable US-based VA through Time Etc. Belay also charges a $10,000-$20,000 buyout fee (decreasing with tenure) if you want to hire your VA directly — a significant lock-in. And reviews on Trustpilot are polarized, with some clients reporting inconsistent quality.
For a deeper dive, see our Belay virtual assistant review.
6. Prialto — Enterprise-Grade with Built-In Backup
Prialto takes a team-based approach: every client gets a dedicated assistant, a backup assistant, and an engagement manager. If your primary VA is sick or on vacation, work continues uninterrupted.
Pricing:
- Individual: ~$1,500/month (55 hours)
- Team (3 units): ~$4,050/month (165 hours)
- Organization (8+ units): custom pricing
- $250 setup fee (waived with annual agreement)
- 90-day minimum, then month-to-month
What they handle: Admin, scheduling, CRM management, research, expense reporting, travel coordination.
Who it’s for: Organizations and executives who need reliable, enterprise-level support with zero coverage gaps. Prialto’s backup system and engagement manager oversight make it the most “managed” option on this list.
The catch: The 90-day minimum commitment and setup fee add friction. And while the team model provides continuity, you’re still working primarily with offshore talent.
7. MyOutDesk — Best for Industry-Specific Full-Time VAs
MyOutDesk is the largest virtual staffing company in the Philippines-to-US market, covering 51+ industries with particular strength in real estate and healthcare.
Pricing:
- Month-to-month: $1,988/month (full-time)
- 6-month contract: $1,848/month
- Annual contract: $1,788/month
What they handle: Administrative support, customer service, marketing, inside sales, recruiting, bookkeeping, loan processing, medical scribing.
Who it’s for: Businesses that need a full-time, industry-trained VA at a fraction of US hiring costs. MyOutDesk’s FBI-grade background checks, DISC profiling, and proprietary training program (MOD University) set it apart from generic offshore staffing.
The catch: Philippines-based only — if you need a US-based or Latin American VA, look elsewhere. And the full-time model means you’re committing to 160 hours/month minimum.
For real estate professionals specifically, see our best virtual assistant for real estate guide.
8. Wishup — Most Tech-Forward VA Service
Wishup differentiates itself by training all VAs on 120+ AI and no-code tools — from ChatGPT and Zapier to Airtable and Make.
Pricing:
- Basic VA: $1,099/month (4 hrs/day) or $1,999/month (8 hrs/day)
- Elite VA: $1,799/month (4 hrs/day) or $2,999/month (8 hrs/day)
- US-based VA: $2,999/month (4 hrs/day) or $5,399/month (8 hrs/day)
- Automation Expert: $1,799–$2,999/month
Month-to-month, no long-term commitment.
What they handle: Inbox and calendar management, CRM management, social media, phone answering, bookkeeping, and workflow automation.
Who it’s for: Tech-forward founders and small teams who want a VA that can not only handle admin tasks but also build automations, manage AI tools, and optimize workflows. Wishup’s automation expert tier is unique in this space.
The catch: The India-based VAs on basic plans may have timezone challenges for US businesses. And the elite/US-based tiers get expensive quickly.
9. Boldly — Most Premium Experience
Boldly is the luxury option. Their assistants average 10-15 years of experience, many coming from Fortune 500 backgrounds. Unlike most VA companies that use contractors, Boldly employs their staff as W-2 employees with full benefits.
Pricing:
- 40 hours/month: $2,600 ($65/hr)
- 60 hours/month: $3,900 ($65/hr)
- 80 hours/month: $5,200 ($65/hr)
- Specialist tasks (PM, web dev, design): $79/hr
- 2.9% processing fee for credit card payments
What they handle: Executive assistance, customer service, marketing, bookkeeping, project management, web development, multilingual support.
Who it’s for: Leaders and executives who want a senior-level assistant matched on both skills and personality for a long-term working relationship. Boldly’s W-2 employment model means higher retention and more consistent quality.
The catch: At $65/hour, Boldly is the most expensive option on this list. You’re paying a premium for experience and stability — which is worth it for some, but overkill if you just need someone to manage your inbox.
10. Athena — Full-Time EA for Founders
Athena provides a dedicated, full-time executive assistant (40 hours/week) sourced from the Philippines with intensive training, AI tools, and ongoing coaching.
Pricing:
- Annual commitment: $3,000/month ($36,000/year)
- Month-to-month: $3,600/month
- Buyout fee if you hire your VA directly: up to $24,000
What they handle: Email management, scheduling, travel, events, research, social media, meal planning, personal errands — both professional and personal tasks.
Who it’s for: Busy founders and C-suite executives who want a single, deeply integrated assistant handling everything across work and personal life. Athena’s delegation coaching and AI playbooks help clients get maximum value from the relationship.
The catch: The 12-month commitment and $24,000 buyout fee create significant lock-in. And at $3,000/month for a Philippines-based assistant, you’re paying a large management premium — hiring a comparable VA directly would cost $800-$1,500/month.
For a deeper dive, see our Athena virtual assistant review.
How AI Is Changing Virtual Assistant Companies
The biggest shift in the virtual assistant industry isn’t a new company — it’s AI.
Tools like Carly AI can handle scheduling through email and text for $10/month. ChatGPT can draft emails, summarize documents, and do research for $20/month. AI receptionists can answer phones 24/7 for $29-$300/month.
This doesn’t mean human VAs are obsolete. They’re still essential for relationship management, complex judgment calls, and tasks that require nuance. But the smartest approach in 2026 is a hybrid: use AI tools for the repetitive, high-frequency tasks (scheduling, email triage, research), and reserve your human VA hours for the work that actually requires a human.
Many of the companies on this list are already adapting. Wishup trains VAs on 120+ AI tools. Athena provides enterprise ChatGPT licenses. MyOutDesk’s VAs use AI for lead qualification and data processing.
FAQ
How much does a virtual assistant cost?
Virtual assistant pricing varies widely. US-based VAs typically cost $25-$65/hour through managed services, or $390-$6,500/month depending on hours. Offshore VAs (Philippines, India) cost $5-$20/hour, or $700-$2,000/month full-time through agencies. AI virtual assistants cost $10-$200/month. See our virtual assistant pricing guide for a detailed breakdown.
What’s the difference between a virtual assistant company and hiring a freelance VA?
VA companies handle recruiting, vetting, matching, and management. You pay a premium (typically 40-60% markup) for this convenience. Hiring a freelance VA through platforms like Upwork or OnlineJobs.ph is cheaper but requires you to handle screening, training, and management yourself.
Can a virtual assistant help with scheduling?
Yes — scheduling is one of the most common VA tasks. However, if scheduling is your primary need, an AI scheduling assistant like Carly AI may be more cost-effective. Carly handles scheduling through email and text for a fraction of what a human VA charges, and works 24/7.
How long does it take to onboard a virtual assistant?
Most VA companies match you with an assistant within 1-3 weeks. Fancy Hands and Wishup are fastest (same-day to 48 hours). Athena and Prialto have the longest onboarding (2-3 weeks). Expect another 2-4 weeks of daily check-ins before your VA is fully up to speed on your workflows.
Should I hire a US-based or offshore virtual assistant?
US-based VAs offer timezone alignment, cultural familiarity, and native English — but cost 2-5x more. Offshore VAs (Philippines, India, Latin America) offer significant cost savings and can be excellent for admin, data entry, and marketing tasks. The right choice depends on whether your VA needs to interact directly with US-based clients or colleagues.
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