Updated May 23, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Delegated is a US-based EA service - the main reasons businesses look for alternatives are cost and whether US-based is actually required for their tasks.
- If US-based is not required, Stealth Agents offers comparable support at a fraction of the cost: $10/hr vs Delegated's $30-40+/hr range.
- If US-based is required, Belay and Time Etc are the primary alternatives in the same market segment.
- For high-volume or full-time needs, dedicated offshore VAs provide the strongest ROI at any budget.
- The US-based vs offshore decision should be driven by genuine task requirements, not default assumptions.
Delegated is a US-based virtual executive assistant service designed for busy professionals who need high-quality, same-timezone support. It sits in the premium US-based EA market alongside Belay and other domestic VA services.
If you are evaluating Delegated and want to compare alternatives - either because of cost, service model, or geographic flexibility - here is how the landscape breaks down.
Delegated: Service Overview
Delegated pairs clients with dedicated US-based executive assistants. The service targets professionals and executives who want domestic, experienced support with strong communication skills and context-building.
Pricing: Approximately $30-$45/hr or $1,500-$3,000+/month depending on hours. Premium pricing for US-based quality.
Best for: Executives, professionals, and business owners for whom US-based is a genuine requirement - whether for client interaction, US-specific tasks, or preference.
Best Delegated Alternatives
Stealth Agents (Best for Cost Efficiency)
What it is: Dedicated Philippines-based virtual assistants with agency-managed placement and oversight.
Pricing: Starting at $10/hr. Full-time (160 hrs/month) runs $1,600-$2,000/month.
Why it is the strongest Delegated alternative for most SMBs: If US-based is not a strict requirement, the cost difference is significant. Delegated at $30-$40/hr full-time runs $4,800-$6,400/month. Stealth Agents at $10/hr full-time runs $1,600-$2,000/month - a $3,000-$4,000/month difference.
The VAs are Philippines-based, English-proficient, and experienced across the same task categories (scheduling, inbox management, research, customer communication, content support). For most administrative and operational tasks, Philippines-based VAs deliver equivalent quality at 25-30% of the US-based cost.
When this is the wrong choice: If you have frequent client-facing calls where the assistant speaks on your behalf, need deep US market context, or specifically require domestic employment for compliance reasons.
Best for: SMBs, founders, and operators for whom US-based is not a hard requirement.
Belay
What it is: US-based virtual assistants and bookkeepers.
Pricing: Starting around $1,400-$2,000/month for 15-20 hours.
Why consider it: Direct US-based Delegated alternative. Strong quality, experienced assistants, well-established service. If you want to stay in the domestic market and compare options, Belay is the natural comparison.
Limitations: Similar price range to Delegated. The choice between Belay and Delegated comes down to specific features, assistant match, and client experience preferences.
Best for: Executives who need US-based support and are directly comparing domestic EA services.
Time Etc
What it is: US-based virtual assistants with flexible plan-based pricing.
Pricing: Starting around $360/month for 10 hours, scaling to $2,000+ for higher tiers.
Why consider it: More accessible entry point than Delegated or Belay for businesses that need occasional US-based support rather than a full-time commitment.
Limitations: Assistants work across multiple clients. Less context depth than a dedicated service.
Best for: Business owners who want US-based support with a lower monthly commitment.
Boldly (formerly Worldwide101)
What it is: Premium US-based virtual assistants with strong track records.
Pricing: Starting around $1,200/month for part-time.
Why consider it: Comparable to Delegated in quality and positioning. Good reputation for EA-level support.
Limitations: High price point. Appropriate when quality of US-based support is the primary criterion.
Best for: Executives who want premium US-based support and are comparing top-tier domestic services.
Wing Assistant
What it is: Dedicated virtual assistants (US and offshore) with software-based task management.
Pricing: Starting around $599/month for part-time.
Why consider it: Dedicated model at lower cost than US-based services. The software interface adds structure to task management.
Limitations: Less name recognition in the market; quality can vary.
Best for: Businesses that want the dedicated model with built-in task management at a mid-range price point.
The US-Based vs. Offshore Decision
The most important decision when comparing Delegated alternatives is whether US-based support is genuinely required or assumed.
Tasks that typically require US-based VAs:
- Client-facing calls where the assistant speaks on your behalf
- Tasks requiring deep US cultural or regulatory context
- Employment relationships requiring domestic classification
Tasks that work well with offshore VAs:
- Email and calendar management
- Research and data tasks
- Content scheduling and publishing
- Customer support (written)
- CRM updates and reporting
- Social media management
Most business owners who evaluate this honestly find that 80%+ of their task set does not require US-based support. In those cases, the cost case for offshore dedicated VAs is compelling.
Stealth Agents is built for businesses that reach that conclusion - offshore dedicated VAs at $10/hr with agency oversight, comparable quality for the task categories that matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Delegated Alternatives and how does it work?
A Delegated Alternatives is a remote professional who handles specialized tasks to support your business operations. They work within your systems and workflows, delivering reliable support without the cost of in-house staff. Stealth Agents connects businesses with pre-vetted assistants ready to start within 48 hours.
How much can businesses save with Delegated Alternatives?
Businesses typically save 60-80% compared to hiring in-house when using delegated alternatives. You eliminate payroll taxes, benefits, office space, and recruitment costs. Stealth Agents clients report recovering 15-25 hours per week on average, which translates to thousands in recovered productivity monthly.
Why choose Stealth Agents for Delegated Alternatives?
Stealth Agents has placed thousands of assistants across industries since 2014. Every assistant is pre-vetted through rigorous skills testing and background screening. You get a dedicated account manager, a satisfaction guarantee, and the flexibility to scale up or replace your assistant if your needs change. Book a discovery call to get matched with your ideal assistant.