Key Takeaways
- Delegated charges approximately $480-$2,400/month for US-based dedicated VAs on 10-50 hour plans
- Strong US-based positioning and structured matching but per-hour pricing caps full-time delegation
- Stealth Agents delivers full-time dedicated VAs at $1,600/month with 10+ years experience and a money-back guarantee
Delegated Alternatives
Delegated (formerly Red Butler) has built a solid US-based VA business focused on busy executives and small business owners. The matching process is structured, the talent is screened, and the customer experience is polished. The pricing, however, follows the same per-hour pattern as other premium US-based services, which means full-time delegation gets expensive quickly.
This guide breaks down Delegated in 2026 and the alternatives worth a serious look.
What Is Delegated?
Delegated is a US-based virtual assistant service that pairs busy professionals with dedicated VAs. The company emphasizes the matching process and account management, with each client supported by both a dedicated VA and an account manager.
The service targets executives, founders, and small business owners who want polished US-based support without the cost of hiring a domestic employee directly.
Delegated Pricing in 2026
Delegated prices around monthly hour buckets:
- 10 hours/month: ~$480
- 20 hours/month: ~$900
- 30 hours/month: ~$1,400
- 50 hours/month: ~$2,400
- Per-hour equivalent: ~$44-$48/hour
Pricing is in line with other premium US-based services. For 10-30 hours of polished VA support, it is reasonable. For full-time support, the cost is prohibitive.
Why Businesses Look for Delegated Alternatives
Several reasons drive customers to alternatives:
Per-hour pricing caps your output. The math limits delegation.
US-based premium not always required. Senior offshore VAs deliver equivalent output at lower cost.
Account management overhead. Useful for some, friction for others.
No money-back guarantee. Replacement available but no refund.
Full-time is prohibitively expensive. Running Delegated at full-time hours would cost over $7,000/month.
Best Delegated Alternatives for 2026
1. Stealth Agents
Best for: Executives who want senior dedicated talent at sustainable cost.
Stealth Agents delivers a full-time dedicated VA with 10+ years experience at $1,600/month - competitive with Delegated's mid-tier plans for part-time hours but with full-time scope.
Pricing: $1,600/month for full-time dedicated support
Why choose Stealth Agents over Delegated: Four to five times the hours per dollar, with senior experience and a money-back guarantee.
2. Belay
Best for: US-based contractor model with strong matching.
Pricing: $1,600-$3,500/month.
3. Time Etc
Best for: Part-time flexible US/UK-based VAs.
Pricing: $360-$1,800/month.
4. Boldly
Best for: Premium US-based W-2 EAs.
Pricing: $2,500-$3,000/month.
5. MyOutDesk
Best for: Real estate, healthcare, professional services.
Pricing: $1,788-$1,988/month.
6. Wishup
Best for: AI-trained VAs.
Pricing: $1,299-$2,849/month.
7. Prialto
Best for: Executive support with team-based backup.
Pricing: $1,500-$2,000/month.
Why Stealth Agents Stands Out
For executives comparing Delegated alternatives, the cost-per-hour gap is decisive.
More hours per dollar. Full-time support at $1,600.
Senior experience floor. 10+ years required.
Money-back guarantee. Real protection.
Direct relationship. Less account management overhead.
How to Choose the Right Service
Decide if US-based is essential. Test offshore communication before assuming you need US-based.
Calculate full-time vs part-time math. Hourly pricing punishes full-time use cases.
Evaluate the experience floor. Senior VAs reduce supervision overhead.
Look at guarantees. Money-back beats replacement-only.
Plan for growth. Per-hour models cap your delegation as you scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delegated worth the US-based premium?
For some executives, yes. For others, the premium does not match the output difference versus senior offshore talent.
How much can I save by switching from Delegated to an alternative?
Switching from Delegated's 30-hour plan ($1,400) to Stealth Agents ($1,600) gives you more than five times the hours for $200 more.
Are non-US VAs as professional as Delegated's?
Senior offshore VAs at curated services often match mid-tier US-based VAs in output and communication.
What about account management?
Delegated includes account management. Stealth Agents keeps the relationship direct. Both models work; pick the one that fits.
Can I get a money-back guarantee from Delegated?
No - only replacement. Stealth Agents offers a money-back guarantee.
Is it risky to switch from Delegated to a less expensive service?
Money-back guarantees materially reduce switching risk.