When it comes to hiring a virtual assistant, both Stealth Agents and Zirtual promise business-class support. But behind the branding, the experience and value can be dramatically different.
Zirtual is known for its polished U.S.-based assistants, but that premium pricing often comes with strict limitations: limited hours, limited flexibility, and a VA who may not grow with your business. You’re paying more, but still doing the heavy lifting.
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That’s where Stealth Agents comes in.
With 10–15+ years of experience, industry-specific assistants, and a dedicated account manager, Stealth Agents delivers fully managed VA support without the premium cost. Whether you need a tailored virtual assistant package or a reliable general virtual assistant to handle day-to-day tasks, Stealth Agents has you covered.
From onboarding to performance tracking, it’s built for business owners who want results, not more responsibilities. Plus, the wide range of services ensures you’ll always have the right support, whether you’re scaling your operations or streamlining processes. It’s time to leave the stress behind and partner with a team that grows with you.
Platform Overview: Zirtual vs Stealth Agents at a Glance
Both Zirtual and Stealth Agents offer virtual assistant services but how they’re delivered makes a big difference in cost, flexibility, and long-term value.
Zirtual: Polished, Premium, and Hour-Limited
Zirtual provides U.S.-based virtual assistants on a subscription model. You choose from several pricing tiers based on hours per month (e.g., 12, 24, 36, or 50 hours). The VAs are skilled, professional, and polished ideal for founders who want English fluency and U.S. business hours.
However, once you hit your monthly hour cap, services pause unless you upgrade to a more expensive plan. This model can be restrictive for fast-moving businesses that need flexible, on-demand help throughout the week. Additionally, while Zirtual VAs are well-trained, their role often focuses on general admin, lacking the deeper alignment found in a robust executive virtual assistant job description.
Stealth Agents: Fully Managed Support Built for Growth
Stealth Agents matches you with a dedicated, full-time virtual assistant trained to integrate seamlessly with your systems, tools, and business processes. No hourly limits. No upcharges. Just consistent, long-term support powered by 10–15+ years of experience, a dedicated account manager, and a secure, cloud-based mobile and desktop platform.
Stealth Agents goes beyond basic task completion by offering a strategic, done-for-you onboarding process, internal performance monitoring, and a structure that supports scalability without disruption. You’re not just outsourcing work you’re gaining a team member who understands your goals and adapts over time. For founders looking for the best virtual assistant solution that evolves with their company, Stealth Agents delivers both expertise and peace of mind.
It’s not just about help it’s about hands-off management, business alignment, and the ability to scale without the cost curve.
Key Differences: Stealth Agents vs Zirtual
Use the table below to see how both services compare across the factors that matter most to business owners cost, flexibility, continuity, and overall support.
| Feature | Zirtual | Stealth Agents |
|---|---|---|
| VA Location | U.S.-based assistants. Ideal for businesses that prioritize same-time-zone support and fluent native English. | Philippines-based assistants with global experience working with U.S., UK, and Australian companies. All VAs are trained for international communication and cultural alignment. Many fulfill roles similar to an executive virtual assistant job description with precision and professionalism. |
| Pricing Model | Subscription tiers based on limited hours per month (e.g., 12, 24, 36, or 50 hours). You pay more for higher access. | Flat-rate pricing with full-time, unlimited support—no worrying about running out of hours mid-week. The model supports predictable budgeting and includes management and performance tracking at no additional cost. It’s designed for businesses scaling with the best virtual assistant support. |
| Assistant Experience | Experience varies, often with backgrounds in general administrative tasks. Not always specialized by industry. | 10–15+ years of experience with industry-specific expertise in admin, lead generation, marketing ops, and more. Each VA is handpicked and trained for high-performance support tailored to your niche. You’re matched based on skill set, not just availability. |
| Service Hours | Capped monthly hours limit how much work can be completed, even if the need is urgent. | Full-time coverage with no hourly limitations means your assistant is available every business day. You get consistent output and responsiveness without managing hours. Perfect for executives who need a reliable, daily VA. |
| Support Structure | You communicate directly with your VA and manage oversight yourself. No dedicated account manager included. | VA + Dedicated Account Manager oversee quality, task prioritization, and ongoing performance. You get a partner who checks in proactively and adjusts support to meet evolving needs. This helps avoid micromanagement. |
| Onboarding | Basic onboarding handled by you. You provide SOPs, expectations, and workflow setup. | Done-for-you onboarding, including SOP documentation, system access setup, and internal training. Your assistant arrives ready to execute from day one. This reduces friction and saves hours of prep time. |
| Continuity | VA availability depends on the plan you select, and VAs may rotate or change if hours run out. | Long-term, stable VA assignments with low turnover. If a VA needs to be replaced, Stealth Agents ensures a seamless transition to avoid business disruptions. Continuity is built into the service model. |
| Scalability | Scaling requires upgrading to a higher-tier plan or paying per additional hour. This creates friction as your needs grow. | Easily scalable with team-based solutions. Whether you need one VA or five, Stealth Agents can grow your support system without added hiring or training work. No per-hour cost spikes. |
| Tools & Security | Offers a secure client portal for document sharing and messaging. Basic security coverage included. | Secure desktop/mobile platform with centralized tools, access controls, and compliance features. Designed for professional, scalable remote team management. Your data and systems remain protected at every step. |
| Best For | Founders needing U.S.-based assistants for small, recurring tasks or part-time availability. Great for entrepreneurs focused on light admin help. | Growth-focused businesses seeking hands-off, scalable virtual assistant support with robust infrastructure. Especially ideal for leaders who need more than just help—they need outcomes. |
Strengths & Weaknesses: Zirtual vs Stealth Agents
| Platform | ✅ Strengths | ❌ Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Zirtual | – U.S.-based VAs with excellent communication skills and familiarity with American business culture, making them ideal for founders who prefer same-time-zone collaboration. – Professional branding and structured subscription plans create a polished client experience. – Great for light admin tasks like inbox management, scheduling, and research perfect for busy executives who need polished yet simple support. |
– Strict hourly limits once monthly hours are used, support halts unless you upgrade, which can disrupt momentum. – Scaling becomes expensive with higher-tier pricing, especially if your support needs increase rapidly. – Oversight is client-managed, requiring you to handle training, track progress, and resolve issues yourself, which adds to your workload. |
| Stealth Agents | – Full-time, dedicated VAs with 10–15+ years of experience in executive support, operations, and admin making them a powerful extension of your internal team. – No hourly caps your assistant is embedded in your day-to-day operations and adapts to shifting workloads without extra cost. – Includes done-for-you onboarding, a dedicated account manager, and a secure cloud-based platform with desktop and mobile access for visibility and performance tracking. |
– VAs are Philippines-based, which may not suit clients needing deep U.S. cultural or market nuance, particularly in fields like legal or regulatory communications. – Better optimized for long-term business support and strategic delegation than one-off or hyper-specific microtasks. – May require initial adjustment for clients used to managing freelancers directly. |
Use Case Scenarios: When to Choose Zirtual, Stealth Agents, or Both
Choosing the right virtual assistant service depends on how you work, what you need, and how involved you want to be.
✅ Choose Zirtual If…
You want a U.S.-based assistant for a few hours per week and don’t mind managing the workflow yourself.
Zirtual is ideal for entrepreneurs who want light, localized help and are okay with limited hours. It’s polished and professional, but best suited for founders who want to stay hands-on.
Best for:
-
Founders needing U.S.-only support
-
Light administrative help (emails, travel, calendar)
-
Small-scale, short-term needs
✅ Choose Stealth Agents If…
You’re ready to scale and want a full-time VA who integrates seamlessly with your business.
Stealth Agents is built for growth-focused teams. From onboarding to task execution, everything is handled for you so you can focus on results, not reminders.
Best for:
-
Businesses seeking full-time, long-term VA support
-
Founders looking to offload operations and scale without hiring in-house
-
Teams that need industry-specific support and continuity
✅ Use Both If…
You want U.S.-based support for client-facing work but also need full-time backend support.
Some executives pair a Zirtual VA for external communication with a Stealth Agents VA for operations. It works, but requires management on your end to keep both aligned.
Recognized by Forbes: Why Stealth Agents Is a Top-Rated VA Service
In 2025, Forbes Advisor ranked Stealth Agents #2 among all virtual assistant services, recognizing its unique ability to deliver enterprise-quality support at small business prices.
While Zirtual appeals to executives who want U.S.-based help for limited hours, Stealth Agents offers a full-time solution designed for long-term business growth and at a fraction of the cost of premium platforms.
Why Stealth Agents Stood Out in Forbes’ Rankings:
1. Cost-Effective and Scalable
Ranked the most affordable virtual assistant outsourcing solution among managed providers in the 2025 Forbes list. Stealth Agents offers full-time support at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house or paying by the hour. As your business grows, you can easily scale your virtual assistant outsourcing support without worrying about added complexity or inflated pricing.
2. Experienced Talent
All assistants have 10–15+ years of experience and are carefully vetted for professionalism, communication, and execution. Based in the Philippines, these VAs bring deep familiarity with Western business workflows and industry-specific skills. You’re not just getting help you’re gaining a true extension of your team.
3. Dedicated Support
Each client is paired with a dedicated account manager who oversees onboarding, SOP integration, task alignment, and performance reviews. The included secure cloud platform ensures your files, processes, and communication are protected and organized. It’s business-grade support without the learning curve.
4. Consistent Outcomes
Unlike hourly gig services where VAs may rotate or leave suddenly, Stealth Agents provides long-term continuity with built-in coverage and performance oversight. Your VA is committed to your business and trained to deliver consistent output every day. This means less rework, fewer delays, and greater peace of mind.
When Forbes ranks you among the best, it’s not about promises it’s about performance that consistently delivers.
Final Thoughts:
Zirtual is a strong choice if you want U.S.-based virtual assistance for a few hours a week and don’t mind staying involved in the day-to-day. It looks and feels premium but the hours are limited, and scaling quickly gets expensive.
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Stealth Agents, on the other hand, are built for founders who want to offload operations entirely. With a dedicated assistant, full-time support, and a team handling onboarding, management, and performance, you get a system not just a service.
Add in the fact that Forbes ranked Stealth Agents #2 among all VA providers in 2025, and it’s clear who’s delivering more for your business, your time, and your bottom line.
Want to scale your business without the stress?
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