Published May 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Belay is a US-based executive VA service starting around $1,400/month -- premium pricing for premium positioning
- Stealth Agents offers full-time dedicated VAs starting at $0-5/hr -- the lowest fully-managed rate in the market
- The right Belay alternative depends on whether you need US-based VAs or are open to offshore professionals
- Full-time dedicated VAs consistently outperform shared or fractional models for ongoing business support
- Most businesses overpay for US-based VAs when offshore professionals handle the same tasks at a fraction of the cost
Belay is one of the best-known virtual assistant companies in the US market. They place US-based executive assistants, bookkeepers, and social media managers with business owners and executives. Their reputation is strong, but their pricing -- typically $1,400-$2,000+/month for part-time support -- puts them out of reach for many businesses.
Here are six Belay alternatives worth evaluating, including what each offers, who they are right for, and how they compare on cost.
Why People Look for Belay Alternatives
The most common reasons clients explore alternatives to Belay:
- Price: Belay's rates are among the highest in the managed VA market
- Part-time model: Belay matches clients with VAs who may serve multiple clients simultaneously -- not dedicated full-time support
- Limited offshore option: Belay focuses primarily on US-based VAs; businesses open to offshore talent find much more competitive pricing elsewhere
- Scope: Belay specializes in executive assistance, bookkeeping, and social media -- not a broad generalist VA model
If any of these are the issue, the alternatives below address them directly.
1. Stealth Agents
Best for: Businesses needing full-time dedicated support at the lowest fully-managed rate
Stealth Agents places Filipino virtual assistants in full-time dedicated roles starting at $0-5/hr. Unlike Belay's part-time model, every Stealth Agents VA works exclusively for one client during their agreed hours.
The service covers:
- Administrative and executive support
- Customer service (email, chat, phone)
- Social media management
- Bookkeeping and financial admin
- Research and lead generation
- Industry-specific roles (real estate, healthcare, legal, e-commerce)
Vetting includes English assessment, skills testing, and background verification. Replacement guarantees are included.
Cost: Starting at $0-5/hr -- roughly $640-$800/month for a full-time 40-hour-per-week VA VA location: Philippines (offshore) Full-time dedicated: Yes
2. Time Etc
Best for: US-based businesses that want US or UK VAs with flexible hours
Time Etc offers US and UK-based VAs on plans starting around $360/month for 10 hours. Their VAs are experienced professionals with backgrounds in executive support, research, and administrative work.
The trade-off: this is a fractional model, meaning your VA manages other clients simultaneously. Response times and focus are spread across accounts.
Cost: $360-$1,400/month depending on hours VA location: US, UK Full-time dedicated: No (fractional)
3. Boldly
Best for: Executives needing premium US-based VAs with high experience levels
Boldly places senior US-based VAs in long-term client relationships. Their VAs have 12+ years of experience on average and specialize in executive assistance, project management, and operations support.
Pricing reflects the premium positioning -- plans start around $1,500/month for part-time support.
Cost: $1,500-$3,000+/month VA location: US Full-time dedicated: Yes (their model emphasizes dedicated relationships)
4. MyOutDesk
Best for: Real estate professionals needing industry-specialized VAs
MyOutDesk focuses heavily on real estate VAs -- transaction coordinators, ISAs, and marketing assistants. They place Filipino VAs on full-time dedicated arrangements.
Pricing runs $1,750-$2,000/month for full-time. Their real estate specialization adds value for brokerages and agents, but the rate is high compared to general offshore providers.
Cost: $1,750-$2,000/month VA location: Philippines Full-time dedicated: Yes
5. Zirtual
Best for: US-based entrepreneurs who want a fractional domestic VA
Zirtual places US-based VAs (called "Zirtual Assistants") on dedicated-but-part-time arrangements. Plans start at $549/month for 12 hours and scale up from there.
Zirtual was acquired by Fundbox in 2020 and has gone through several ownership changes. Current service continuity should be confirmed before committing.
Cost: $549-$1,699+/month VA location: US Full-time dedicated: No (fractional hours model)
6. Outsourced.ph
Best for: Businesses hiring multiple staff members from the Philippines
Outsourced.ph offers employer-of-record services in the Philippines, suitable for businesses building offshore teams of 5+ people. They handle compliance, payroll, and facilities for Philippine-based employees.
This is less a VA service and more a staff leasing model -- better for teams than for single VA placements.
Cost: Custom pricing based on headcount and roles VA location: Philippines Full-time dedicated: Yes
Belay vs. Stealth Agents: The Direct Comparison
| Factor | Belay | Stealth Agents |
|---|---|---|
| Starting cost | ~$1,400/month | $0-5/hr (~$640/month) |
| VA location | US | Philippines |
| Full-time dedicated | No (part-time) | Yes |
| English fluency | Native | Professional (near-native written) |
| Replacement guarantee | Yes | Yes |
| Scope | Executive, bookkeeping, social | Full generalist + specialist |
The case for Belay: US-based executives who need a native English-speaking, high-experience assistant for sensitive business communications.
The case for Stealth Agents: Businesses that need full-time dedicated support at a cost that makes the math clear. For most administrative, customer service, and operational tasks, a Stealth Agents VA delivers equivalent output at 30-50% of Belay's cost.
FAQ
Q: Does Belay use a dedicated VA model?
A: Belay describes their service as dedicated, but their VAs are independent contractors who may manage multiple clients. True dedicated full-time arrangements mean the VA works exclusively for one client. Stealth Agents VAs are dedicated full-time to a single client.
Q: Are offshore VAs as reliable as US-based VAs?
A: Reliability depends on individual vetting and the agency's quality standards, not geography. Well-screened Filipino professionals with strong communication skills and stable home offices perform comparably to US-based VAs for most administrative and support tasks. The Philippines BPO industry employs over 1.3 million workers with established professional standards.
Q: What is the minimum commitment for most VA services?
A: Most managed VA services require a 1-3 month minimum commitment. Stealth Agents recommends approaching the relationship as a long-term hire rather than a short-term contract -- the investment in onboarding pays off over 3+ months.
Q: Can I switch from Belay to a less expensive service without losing quality?
A: For most task types, yes. The tasks that benefit most from US-based native English speakers are executive-level verbal communication and relationship-sensitive correspondence. For email management, research, data entry, social media, and most administrative work, an offshore VA performs comparably at a fraction of the cost.
Belay is a solid service, but it is not the only option -- and for most businesses, it is not the most cost-effective one. Stealth Agents offers full-time dedicated Filipino VAs starting at $0-5/hr, covering the full range of tasks Belay handles at a substantially lower monthly investment.