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.