Published May 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Time Etc uses a shared-VA fractional model starting around $360/month for 10 hours -- not full-time dedicated
- Stealth Agents offers full-time dedicated VAs starting at $0-5/hr -- significantly lower cost per hour
- The main reason people look for Time Etc alternatives: fractional models create attention-split issues
- Full-time dedicated VAs build knowledge of your business that fractional models cannot replicate
- All Stealth Agents VAs are dedicated full-time -- no shared-time arrangements
Time Etc is a well-known UK-founded virtual assistant service that matches US and UK businesses with experienced VAs. They are known for quality and professionalism, but their model has limitations that lead many clients to explore alternatives.
Here are the best Time Etc alternatives in 2026, including a direct comparison on cost, model, and fit.
What Time Etc Offers
Time Etc places US and UK-based VAs with business clients on fractional hour packages:
- Plans: Starting around $360/month for 10 hours, scaling to $1,400+/month for more hours
- VA model: Fractional (VAs serve multiple clients simultaneously)
- VA location: US and UK
- Specialization: Executive assistant, admin, research, social media
- Commitment: Monthly plans
The strengths: native English speakers with strong executive assistant backgrounds. The limitations: fractional availability (your VA serves other clients), higher per-hour cost than offshore services, and no full-time dedicated model.
The most common reason clients leave Time Etc: they need more hours than the plan supports, or they find the attention-split model creates inconsistency in a role that requires deep familiarity with their business.
1. Stealth Agents
Best for: Businesses wanting full-time dedicated support at the lowest managed rate
Stealth Agents places Filipino VAs in full-time dedicated roles starting at $0-5/hr. Unlike Time Etc's fractional model, your VA works exclusively for you.
Cost comparison:
- Time Etc: $360/month for 10 hours (~$36/hr effective rate)
- Stealth Agents: $640-$800/month for 160 hours (~$4-5/hr effective rate)
For businesses that need more than 10-20 hours per month, Stealth Agents is dramatically more cost-effective.
Coverage includes: admin, customer support, social media, bookkeeping, research, and industry-specific roles. Vetting includes English assessment, skills testing, and background verification. Replacement guarantee included.
All Stealth Agents VAs are full-time and dedicated to one client.
2. Belay
Best for: Executives needing US-based executive assistants with high experience levels
Belay places US-based executive assistants, bookkeepers, and social media managers. Like Time Etc, they use experienced domestic VAs at premium rates.
Cost: Starting around $1,400/month for part-time support -- higher than Time Etc and significantly higher than offshore alternatives.
Best for: Senior executives or highly public figures where US-native communication and availability is a firm requirement.
3. Boldly
Best for: Businesses wanting the highest-quality US-based executive assistant experience
Boldly places senior US-based VAs with 12+ years of average experience in a dedicated model. Premium pricing ($1,500-$3,000+/month) reflects the premium positioning.
Unlike Time Etc, Boldly emphasizes dedicated relationships -- your VA does not serve other clients simultaneously.
4. Fancy Hands
Best for: Quick one-off task completion without ongoing commitment
Fancy Hands operates as a task-based service where you submit requests and VAs complete them. Plans start around $30/month for 5 tasks.
Not a substitute for ongoing VA support -- better for sporadic, low-complexity tasks. No dedicated VA relationship.
5. WoodBows
Best for: Businesses wanting a US-based dedicated VA with a satisfaction guarantee
WoodBows places US-based dedicated VAs at rates from $699/month for part-time. They offer a satisfaction guarantee and dedicated VA model.
More expensive than offshore options but less expensive than Belay or Boldly. Their dedicated model is closer to Stealth Agents' approach than Time Etc's fractional model.
Time Etc vs. Stealth Agents: Direct Comparison
| Factor | Time Etc | Stealth Agents |
|---|---|---|
| Starting cost | ~$360/month (10 hrs) | $640-$800/month (160 hrs) |
| Effective hourly rate | ~$36/hr | $4-5/hr |
| VA location | US, UK | Philippines |
| Dedicated model | No (fractional) | Yes (full-time) |
| English fluency | Native | Professional |
| Replacement guarantee | Yes | Yes |
| Full-time option | No | Yes |
The case for Time Etc: US-native English speakers for executive-level verbal communication, or businesses that genuinely need fewer than 20 hours per month with flexibility.
The case for Stealth Agents: Any business needing 20+ hours per month of ongoing support. The cost difference is 8-9x at the same task coverage. Full-time dedicated VAs also build deeper familiarity with your business than fractional models ever can.
FAQ
Q: Does Time Etc guarantee the same VA for every session?
A: Time Etc attempts to assign the same VA consistently, but their fractional model means your VA works with other clients simultaneously. Continuity is better than some fractional services but less reliable than a fully dedicated model.
Q: Can a Filipino VA handle executive-level communication professionally?
A: For written communication -- email drafting, scheduling, document preparation -- yes, at a high professional standard. For native English verbal communication in sensitive contexts (board calls, high-stakes client conversations), US or UK-based VAs have an advantage. For most business owners, written communication covers the vast majority of VA work.
Q: Is there a minimum commitment for Stealth Agents?
A: Stealth Agents recommends approaching the relationship as a long-term hire. The onboarding investment in weeks 1-2 pays back over months, not days. Short-term placements are less efficient for both parties. Contact Stealth Agents directly to discuss your specific timeline.
Q: What happens if I need to increase hours with Stealth Agents?
A: Because Stealth Agents places full-time dedicated VAs, the relationship is already at 40 hours per week. For additional hours or an additional VA placement, contact Stealth Agents to discuss expansion.
Time Etc delivers solid quality for US-based fractional executive assistance, but the cost per hour is high and the fractional model has inherent limitations for ongoing business support. Stealth Agents provides full-time dedicated VAs at $0-5/hr -- 8-9x more cost-effective for businesses that need consistent, ongoing support.