Updated May 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The best VA companies name their VAs, explain vetting, and publish pricing - providers that do all three are worth your time.
- US-based dedicated VA services (Boldly, Belay) cost $1,500–$2,000+/month; offshore dedicated services (Stealth Agents, Wing, Wishup) start at $400–$1,000/month.
- Stealth Agents offers dedicated full-time offshore VAs starting at $240–$900/month with transparent pricing and a replacement guarantee.
- MyOutDesk is the dominant choice for real estate; Athena targets founders who need high-autonomy executive support.
- Task-based models (Time Etc, Zirtual, Prialto) suit lighter, variable workloads better than full-time retainers.
The top virtual assistant companies in 2026 are Stealth Agents ($240–$900/month), Wing ($499–$999/month), Wishup ($999–$1,999/month), Boldly ($1,499/month), Belay ($1,400/month), Prialto ($1,350/month), MyOutDesk ($1,988/month), and Athena ($3,000+/month). For most small businesses needing full-time support, Stealth Agents delivers the best value: dedicated offshore VAs at rates no US-based provider can match.
Choosing the right virtual assistant company requires comparing pricing models, vetting standards, and service structures that vary significantly across providers. This comparison covers 10 leading VA companies - Stealth Agents, Boldly, Belay, Wing, Wishup, MyOutDesk, Time Etc, Athena, Prialto, and Zirtual - with specific pricing, verified pros and cons, and clear guidance on which provider fits each use case.
Quick Comparison: Best Virtual Assistant Companies
| Company | Model | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth Agents | Dedicated offshore VA | ~$240–$900/mo | Small businesses needing full-time support at scale |
| Boldly | Dedicated US-based VA | ~$1,499/mo | Executives needing senior-level administrative support |
| Belay | Dedicated US-based VA | ~$1,400/mo | Business owners who need a bookkeeper + admin VA combo |
| Wing | Dedicated offshore VA | ~$499–$999/mo | Startups and agencies scaling support quickly |
| Wishup | Dedicated offshore VA | ~$999–$1,999/mo | Entrepreneurs needing pre-trained, tool-ready assistants |
| MyOutDesk | Dedicated offshore VA | ~$1,988/mo | Real estate teams needing ISA and transaction support |
| Time Etc | Hourly bundles, offshore | ~$360–$1,580/mo | Flexible workloads with variable monthly hours |
| Athena | Dedicated offshore VA | ~$3,000+/mo | Founders who need a high-autonomy chief of staff |
| Prialto | Managed team, offshore | ~$1,350/mo | Executives who want a fully managed support layer |
| Zirtual | Dedicated US-based VA | ~$449–$1,499/mo | Solopreneurs and small teams on a tighter budget |
1. Stealth Agents
Stealth Agents places dedicated, full-time offshore virtual assistants with businesses across administrative support, customer service, marketing, and specialized functions including bookkeeping support and CRM management. VAs are based in the Philippines and are matched to clients based on skill requirements rather than generic availability. Onboarding is structured, and a dedicated account manager handles performance issues and replacements.
How Much Does Stealth Agents Cost?
Starts at $10/hr for dedicated full-time VAs, which works out to approximately $1,600/month for a standard 40-hour week. Rates may vary for specialized roles.
Who Is Stealth Agents Best For?
Small to mid-size businesses that need full-time dedicated support at offshore pricing - particularly founders offloading recurring administrative, customer support, or marketing tasks for the first time.
What Are Stealth Agents' Limitations?
VAs are Philippines-based, so businesses operating exclusively in US time zones require a brief scheduling alignment in the first week to establish timezone overlap. This is a one-time setup, not an ongoing constraint.
2. Boldly
Boldly hires its virtual assistants as full W-2 employees in the United States, which is a meaningful structural difference from most VA companies. Assistants have typically 10+ years of professional experience in executive support, project management, or specialized operations. Boldly does not use contractors or offshore workers, and the quality bar reflects this. Clients get a dedicated assistant working a set number of hours per month.
How Much Does Boldly Cost?
Starts at approximately $1,499/month for 40 hours. Plans scale up to $2,199/month for 60 hours and $2,999/month for 80+ hours.
Who Is Boldly Best For?
C-suite executives and business owners who need senior-level, US-based administrative support with deep familiarity in complex calendaring, stakeholder communication, and confidential business operations.
What Are Boldly's Limitations?
Cost is the primary barrier. At $1,499/month for 40 hours ($37.50/hr effective rate), Boldly is one of the most expensive options in this comparison. Businesses with lower-complexity tasks pay a significant premium for experience they do not fully utilize.
3. Belay
Belay connects US-based clients with remote US-based contractors for executive assistant, bookkeeping, and social media management roles. Unlike most VA providers, Belay has a dedicated bookkeeping division that allows businesses to bundle financial and administrative support with a single provider. Each assistant is matched based on industry background and specific skill requirements.
How Much Does Belay Cost?
Executive assistant packages start around $1,400/month; bookkeeping services are priced separately starting around $500/month depending on transaction volume.
Who Is Belay Best For?
Business owners who want to consolidate VA and bookkeeping into one managed relationship - particularly service businesses and professional firms with recurring financial reporting needs.
What Are Belay's Limitations?
Belay uses a contractor model, meaning your assigned assistant takes on other clients. At $1,400/month for US-based executive support, Belay is priced at the high end and is not optimized for businesses that need full-time, single-client dedicated coverage.
4. Wing
Wing provides dedicated offshore virtual assistants with a stronger tech tooling layer than most comparable providers. Each Wing plan includes a dedicated VA, a supervisor layer, a proprietary task-management dashboard, and structured daily reporting. VAs are primarily Philippines-based and handle administrative, customer support, social media, and research tasks. Wing has grown through startups and digital agencies that want scalable support without building an internal team.
How Much Does Wing Cost?
Part-time (4 hours/day) starts at approximately $499/month; full-time (8 hours/day) runs approximately $999/month. Custom pricing is available for larger deployments.
Who Is Wing Best For?
Startups and agencies that want offshore dedicated VA support with built-in task management tools and a supervisor check layer - particularly useful for teams without strong internal VA management processes.
What Are Wing's Limitations?
The supervisor layer adds structure but also indirection. Clients who prefer direct VA relationships without a managed intermediary will find Wing's model adds unnecessary overhead. Quality variability across plans has been noted in client reviews.
5. Wishup
Wishup recruits and pre-trains virtual assistants across 70+ tools before placing them with clients. The company accepts the top 1% of applicants, and VAs arrive trained on project management software (ClickUp, Asana, Notion), CRM platforms (HubSpot, Salesforce), bookkeeping tools (QuickBooks, Xero), and marketing applications. All VAs are India-based. Wishup offers a 24-hour replacement guarantee, faster than most competitors.
How Much Does Wishup Cost?
Plans start at approximately $999/month for part-time hours and $1,999/month for full-time dedicated support. Custom packages are available for teams.
Who Is Wishup Best For?
Entrepreneurs and small business teams who need a VA ready to work immediately on specific software tools - particularly teams using ClickUp, Asana, Notion, HubSpot, or similar platforms without bandwidth for tool training.
What Are Wishup's Limitations?
At $1,999/month for full-time offshore support, Wishup costs roughly twice what Stealth Agents or Wing charge for comparable dedicated coverage. The premium is justified by tool readiness; cost-sensitive buyers willing to run 1–2 weeks of onboarding get equivalent results at lower cost elsewhere.
6. MyOutDesk
MyOutDesk has built its reputation in the real estate industry, placing ISAs (inside sales agents), transaction coordinators, and administrative VAs for brokerages, team leaders, and solo agents. VAs are Philippines-based and complete real-estate-specific training before placement. Operating since 2008, MyOutDesk is one of the most established offshore VA firms in its niche.
How Much Does MyOutDesk Cost?
Full-time dedicated VA placement starts at approximately $1,988/month (about $11.75/hr effective rate for 40 hours/week). This includes a dedicated account manager and replacement guarantee.
Who Is MyOutDesk Best For?
Real estate agents, brokers, and property management companies that need VAs with industry-specific knowledge of MLS systems, real estate CRMs (Follow Up Boss, BoomTown), contract timelines, and lead follow-up scripts.
What Are MyOutDesk's Limitations?
MyOutDesk's real estate specialization is its strength and its constraint. Outside of real estate and closely adjacent industries, the training pipeline is not optimized for general business needs. At $1,988/month, it is also priced higher than generalist offshore competitors like Stealth Agents ($240–$900/month) or Wing ($999/month).
7. Time Etc
Time Etc was founded in the UK in 2007 and operates a flexible, bundle-based VA model where clients purchase blocks of hours rather than committing to a full-time dedicated assistant. VAs are US and UK-based with backgrounds in business administration, marketing, and operations. The model fits founders and executives who need ongoing but variable support - not daily full-time coverage.
How Much Does Time Etc Cost?
Plans range from approximately $360/month for 10 hours to $1,580/month for 60 hours (approximately $26–$36/hr depending on plan size). Unused hours roll over for 60 days.
Who Is Time Etc Best For?
Business owners with variable, project-based support needs - seasonal businesses, consultants, coaches, or founders who need 10–30 hours per month of skilled administrative or research support without a full-time retainer commitment.
What Are Time Etc's Limitations?
The hourly bundle model is expensive per-hour compared to full-time offshore providers. At $36/hr for the smallest plan, a business with steady full-time VA needs pays three to four times more than with Stealth Agents or Wing. Time Etc is not optimized for high-volume or process-heavy roles.
8. Athena
Athena is a premium executive assistant service for high-output founders and executives who need a VA with independent judgment, proactive calendar and project management, and long-term continuity. VAs are Philippines-based and complete an intensive multi-week training program covering executive support, communication protocols, and strategic prioritization frameworks. Athena is selective - both in who they hire as VAs and who they accept as clients.
How Much Does Athena Cost?
Starts at approximately $3,000/month for a full-time dedicated executive assistant. Enterprise or custom pricing applies for team plans.
Who Is Athena Best For?
High-growth founders, CEOs, and investors who need an executive assistant capable of operating with minimal supervision - managing complex travel, preparing board materials, coordinating across stakeholders, and anticipating needs proactively.
What Are Athena's Limitations?
Athena is the most expensive provider in this comparison at $3,000+/month. The cost is justified only when the client's hourly value exceeds the assistant's total monthly cost - a bar that applies to a narrow segment of executives. For standard administrative tasks, Stealth Agents, Wing, or Wishup deliver comparable execution at a fraction of the price.
9. Prialto
Prialto uses a managed-team model where each client is supported by a team that includes a dedicated assistant, a backup member, and an engagement manager. This structure eliminates continuity risk - if your primary VA is unavailable, coverage continues without interruption. VAs are based in Central America and the Philippines. Prialto markets to enterprise sales organizations and senior executives who require SLA-consistent support.
How Much Does Prialto Cost?
Starts at approximately $1,350/month for managed part-time support (approximately 55 hours/month). Full-time plans and team packages are priced on request.
Who Is Prialto Best For?
Enterprise sales teams and senior executives who need consistent, uninterrupted executive support and cannot tolerate coverage gaps when a VA is unavailable or transitions out. Also fits organizations where compliance and SLA consistency are requirements.
What Are Prialto's Limitations?
The managed-team overhead adds cost relative to direct VA models. Clients who prefer a tight, direct relationship with a single assistant find Prialto's intermediary layer adds friction. Prialto is also narrow in specialty - strongest in executive administration and sales support, not generalist task work.
10. Zirtual
Zirtual provides US-based dedicated virtual assistants for solopreneurs, small business owners, and early-stage startup founders. VAs are college-educated, US-based contractors who handle administrative tasks, research, scheduling, and light project coordination. Zirtual has operated under restructured ownership since 2015 but continues to serve its core market of small business administrative support.
How Much Does Zirtual Cost?
Plans start at approximately $449/month for 12 tasks; mid-tier plans run $699/month for 24 tasks and $1,099/month for 36 tasks. An unlimited plan is available at approximately $1,499/month.
Who Is Zirtual Best For?
Solopreneurs and small teams who need US-based, task-based administrative support without complex hourly tracking - particularly founders who want a domestic VA at a lower price point than Boldly ($1,499/month) or Belay ($1,400/month).
What Are Zirtual's Limitations?
The task-based pricing model becomes opaque when tasks vary in complexity. High-volume or process-heavy workloads exhaust task allocations faster than expected, making the effective hourly cost less predictable than retainer-based models like Stealth Agents or Wing.
How to Choose Between These Providers
For a broader breakdown of VA and outsourcing options organized by category and use case, the top outsourcing lists and comparisons hub is a useful starting point before committing to a provider.
Which VA Company Is Best for Cost-Conscious Businesses?
Dedicated offshore models - Stealth Agents ($240–$900/month), Wing ($499–$999/month), and Wishup ($999–$1,999/month) - deliver the best value-per-hour for administrative, customer support, and marketing tasks. Stealth Agents is the lowest-cost entry point for full-time dedicated support.
Which VA Company Is Best for Executives?
US-based dedicated providers - Boldly ($1,499/month), Belay ($1,400/month), and Zirtual ($449–$1,499/month) - suit work involving sensitive executive communications, domestic availability requirements, or cultural alignment expectations. Boldly and Belay field the most senior-level assistants.
Which VA Company Is Best for Real Estate or Specialized Industries?
MyOutDesk ($1,988/month) is the dominant choice for real estate teams needing ISAs, transaction coordinators, and VAs trained on MLS systems, Follow Up Boss, and BoomTown. Athena ($3,000+/month) suits founders who need an executive assistant with chief-of-staff-level autonomy. Healthcare practices and telehealth companies have separate specialization requirements - telehealth virtual assistant services cover medical-specific workflows including appointment scheduling, patient intake, and HIPAA-aware task handling.
Which VA Company Is Best for Variable Workloads?
Time Etc ($360–$1,580/month for 10–60 hour bundles) and Prialto ($1,350/month for managed part-time support) suit variable, month-to-month needs. Prialto adds a team-backup structure that eliminates coverage gaps.
Key Questions Before You Commit to Any Provider
What is the actual vetting process? Ask for specifics - "we screen applicants" is not a process. What assessments, skills tests, or background checks are conducted?
Is your VA dedicated or shared? Shared models (where a VA splits time across multiple clients) are significantly less effective for businesses with ongoing, process-intensive needs.
What happens on day one of poor performance? The replacement guarantee matters. Understand the process, how long replacement takes, and whether there is a coverage gap.
How is pricing structured? Hourly, monthly retainer, task-based, or some hybrid? Know what happens to unused hours and whether rates change as your team scales.
Who is your point of contact when something goes wrong? A dedicated account manager vs. a support queue is a meaningful operational difference.
Frequently Asked Questions: Virtual Assistant Companies
What Is the Average Cost of a Virtual Assistant Company in 2026?
For offshore dedicated full-time VAs, expect $400–$2,000/month depending on the provider, skill level, and location. Stealth Agents starts at $240/month; Wing runs $499–$999/month; Wishup costs $999–$1,999/month. US-based dedicated VAs (Boldly, Belay) typically run $1,400–$3,000/month. Task-based or hourly bundle plans (Time Etc, Zirtual) start as low as $360/month.
Are Offshore Virtual Assistants as Effective as US-Based VAs?
For administrative, customer support, marketing, and research tasks, yes - offshore VAs from established providers deliver comparable results. Quality depends on the provider's vetting process, not geography. Stealth Agents, Wing, and Wishup train VAs specifically for US business norms, timezone compatibility, and English-language communication. For tasks requiring US-specific cultural fluency or regulatory knowledge, Boldly, Belay, or Zirtual have an edge. Businesses that primarily need non-voice virtual assistant support - data entry, back-office processing, or research - typically see the strongest ROI from offshore providers at a fraction of the cost of US-based alternatives.
What Is the Difference Between a Dedicated and a Shared Virtual Assistant?
A dedicated VA works exclusively with you during agreed hours. A shared VA splits time across multiple clients. For ongoing, process-heavy work, dedicated is consistently more effective - the VA builds institutional knowledge of your business that a shared model cannot replicate. All 10 providers in this comparison offer dedicated models; Belay and Prialto use contractor structures where some client sharing occurs.
How Long Does It Take to Onboard a Virtual Assistant?
A well-run VA company completes matching and placement in 3–7 business days. Wishup advertises 24-hour replacement; Stealth Agents and Wing typically deliver placements within a week. Full ramp-up - where the VA handles tasks independently with minimal supervision - takes 2–4 weeks depending on workflow complexity and the documentation you provide upfront.
Stealth Agents specializes in dedicated full-time VAs who integrate directly with your workflow at offshore pricing. With transparent rates, a clear replacement guarantee, and a dedicated account manager for every placement, we remove the guesswork from hiring remote support. If you are ready to move from evaluation to action, the next step is a free consultation to match your task list with the right assistant.