TL;DR
- Time Etc offers dedicated, part-time support for entrepreneurs who need flexible, part-time help from US or UK assistants.
- Hire With Near recruits dedicated, full-time Latin America (LatAm) assistants for growth-stage US companies.
- Boldly provides dedicated US and UK W2 executive assistants through monthly hour subscriptions.
- Viva Executive Assistants suits enterprises that need dedicated LatAm assistants, managed onboarding, and formal security controls.
- Howdy builds embedded capacity with vetted LatAm assistants and flexible COR, EOR, or direct-contract structures.
- Toptal fits specialized, project-based work when you want marketplace flexibility, although it is not primarily a virtual assistant marketplace.
- Enterprise BPO providers such as Remote CoWorker and MyOutDesk serve buyers that need high-volume support and industry compliance certifications.
What a virtual assistant agency does
A virtual assistant agency recruits, vets, and places remote professionals who handle administrative or executive work. Some agencies also employ the assistant, manage payroll, provide replacement coverage, or supervise ongoing performance. A marketplace usually limits its role to matching you with independent freelancers.
Four staffing models serve different needs. Nearshore agencies place dedicated assistants in nearby countries with substantial US business-hour overlap. US-based subscription firms sell a set number of support hours each month. Freelance marketplaces support short-term contracts and project-based work. Offshore business process outsourcing providers supply larger pools of assistants for standardized or high-volume tasks.
Compare providers first by pricing structure and vetting rigor. Hourly plans suit variable workloads, while monthly subscriptions and full-time placements create more predictable capacity. Vetting can range from basic profile checks to interviews, skills assessments, and reference checks.
Time Etc — best for flexible, part-time support
Best for. Time Etc suits founders who need recurring administrative help for a limited number of hours each month.
What it is. The company provides US and UK-based virtual assistants through monthly hourly plans. Clients receive recurring time from a matched assistant rather than hiring a full-time employee. An assistant may support multiple clients.
Pros. Time Etc offers a low-commitment way to delegate scheduling, inbox management, research, and other occasional tasks. The company states its vetting process is highly selective, screening candidates for administrative experience before matching them with clients.
Cons. A limited hourly plan provides less availability than a full-time hire, even when the same assistant handles recurring work. The model fits episodic work better than roles that require daily follow-through, close involvement in operations, or immediate responses throughout the workday.
Pricing. Plans start at $390 per month for 10 hours. Higher monthly hour packages increase capacity without requiring a full-time commitment.
Hire With Near — best for dedicated, full-time LatAm assistant recruiting
Best for Hire With Near suits growth-stage US companies that want a dedicated, full-time executive or virtual assistant in Latin America.
What it is Near provides full-service recruiting and staffing rather than shared subscription hours. Its recruiters source and vet candidates for long-term roles, with Latin American locations generally providing substantial overlap with US business hours.
Pros Near states it delivers a 97% placement rate, a candidate shortlist within three to five days, and a 180-day replacement guarantee. The guarantee gives employers time to assess performance after hiring. Near also estimates that employers can reduce salary costs by 30% to 70% when hiring in Latin America instead of the US. Actual savings vary by role, seniority, country, and employment structure.
Cons Near’s full-time staffing model requires more commitment than Time Etc’s part-time plans or Boldly’s fractional subscriptions. Companies with occasional tasks or sharply changing workloads may pay for capacity they do not consistently use. Near focuses on filling individual roles, while Howdy positions assistants within a broader embedded-team model.
Pricing Near does not publish a fixed monthly package in its comparison material. Employers should request a quote and compare the candidate’s compensation, Near’s fees, contract terms, and replacement coverage as separate cost items.
Boldly — best for US/UK-based W2 executive assistant subscriptions
Best for Boldly suits companies that want experienced US or UK executive assistants employed as W2 staff, particularly when direct employment and North American or European business-hour coverage take priority over lower-cost nearshore hiring.
What it is Boldly provides dedicated assistants through monthly hour subscriptions rather than contractor placements. Its staff work standard weekday hours across North America and Europe, and Boldly trains backup assistants to cover planned or unexpected absences.
Pros Boldly manages employment and payroll for its W2 assistants. Candidates typically bring at least seven years of experience, and clients meet the proposed assistant before subscribing. Boldly also offers a satisfaction guarantee that refunds the current month when the service does not meet expectations.
Cons Monthly packages commit buyers to a fixed number of hours, and unused hours do not roll over. Because unused hours do not roll over, fixed monthly packages can leave buyers paying for unused capacity when workloads fluctuate. Assistants generally do not cover weekends or holidays.
Pricing Boldly’s 40-hour monthly plan starts at $2,600. Clients can change plans or cancel, subject to a 30-day notice period.
ExecViva (Viva Executive Assistants) — best for enterprise security and compliance requirements
Best for. Viva suits regulated and security-conscious companies that need a dedicated Latin American executive assistant. Its controls fit healthcare and financial services firms, as well as technology companies with strict security requirements.
What it is. Viva places pre-vetted, business-trained executive assistants with US executives. Latin American sourcing provides overlap with US business hours, and each engagement includes a named Customer Success Manager who supports onboarding, performance reviews, and replacement coverage.
Vetting. Viva evaluates executive assistant skills, communication, critical thinking, and adaptability. Recruiters also conduct background checks and verify references. Assistants complete training in business operations, calendar and email management, stakeholder communication, and project coordination before placement.
Pros. Viva states that its security program is ISO 27001 certified and supports SOC 2 Type I and Type II controls. Security practices include encrypted devices, VPN-secured transfers, and cloud-only storage. Its structured onboarding helps companies document preferences, grant tool access, and establish working routines.
Cons. Viva focuses specifically on executive assistants, so companies hiring across several job functions may need another staffing partner. Viva also does not publish retention figures or a specific timeline for starting candidate vetting.
Pricing. Viva does not list public rates. Viva provides pricing by quote, so buyers should confirm the included hours, management support, replacement terms, and security requirements during the consultation.
Howdy — best for embedded, dedicated LatAm executive and personal assistants
Best for. Howdy suits US midmarket and enterprise companies that want dedicated executive or personal assistants working as embedded capacity during US business hours.
What it is. Howdy recruits vetted assistants across Latin America (LatAm). Clients can use Contractor of Record (COR), Employer of Record (EOR), direct-contract, or custom employment structures based on their legal and operational needs. Howdy handles contracts, compliance, payroll, and tax obligations when the chosen structure requires that support.
Pros. Howdy reports a 98% retention rate, compared with the company’s benchmark of roughly 70% for the industry. Its 31 psychologist-trained recruiters use structured evaluations, and candidate vetting starts within 24 hours. Eleven physical Howdy Houses support in-person verification and local professional communities across the region. Western Hemisphere locations give assistants substantial overlap with US working hours.
Cons. Howdy focuses on dedicated, embedded capacity, so companies needing a few task-based hours may pay for more ownership than they require. A full recruitment cycle typically takes four to six weeks despite the fast vetting start.
Pricing. Howdy prices these roles annually by seniority. According to Howdy’s 2026 pricing data, all-in VA, EA, and administrative rates range from $16,000 to $20,000 for junior hires, $20,000 to $31,000 for midlevel hires, and $39,000 to $55,000 for senior hires. These figures include Howdy’s 15% management fee but do not include employee benefits for these non-technical roles.
Readers comparing this model with other regional providers can consult Howdy’s guide to the best nearshore personal assistant companies in Latin America.
Other service models
Toptal — best for specialized, project-based marketplace hiring
Best for. Toptal suits specialized, project-scoped work rather than routine virtual assistant coverage.
What it is. Toptal matches buyers with independent professionals and states that it accepts fewer than 3% of applicants. Toptal is not primarily a general administrative assistant marketplace.
Pros. Buyers gain flexible access to screened specialists without committing to a permanent role.
Cons. Toptal may not fit buyers seeking routine inbox, calendar, or personal assistant support. Freelancer availability can also provide less continuity than a dedicated agency hire.
Pricing. Toptal uses custom rates and a paid trial model.
Remote CoWorker — best for high-volume offshore virtual assistant staffing
Best for. Remote CoWorker suits companies that need to hire offshore virtual assistants at volume.
What it is. Remote CoWorker recruits and manages assistants through a standardized BPO model.
Pros. Remote CoWorker states that it supports rapid deployment and holds ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA certifications.
Cons. A standardized BPO model may provide less individual tailoring than a specialist executive assistant agency.
Pricing. Remote CoWorker prices services according to the role, workload, and contract scope.
MyOutDesk — best for dedicated support in real estate and healthcare
Best for. MyOutDesk suits companies seeking screened, dedicated assistants in industries such as real estate and healthcare.
What it is. MyOutDesk recruits and manages remote professionals through an offshore staffing model.
Pros. Its industry focus can help buyers seeking assistants familiar with common real estate or healthcare workflows.
Cons. Buyers should confirm the specific compliance controls, schedule, and management services included with their proposed role.
Pricing. MyOutDesk prices services according to the role, workload, and contract scope.
Comparing the models side by side
| Company/Model | Pricing Model | Vetting Process | Time Zone Coverage | Dedicated vs. Shared Support |
| Time Etc | From $390 monthly for 10 hours | About 2% of applicants accepted | US and UK | Dedicated, part-time |
| Hire With Near | Quote-based full-time staffing | Recruiter-led sourcing and candidate screening | LatAm with US overlap | Dedicated |
| Boldly | From $2,600 monthly for 40 hours | Experienced staff screened and matched | North America and Europe | Dedicated, fractional |
| ExecViva | Quote-based | EA skills screening, background checks, and training | LatAm with US overlap | Dedicated |
| Howdy | Annual all-in pricing by experience | Psychologist-trained recruiters and structured screening | LatAm with US overlap | Dedicated, embedded capacity |
| Toptal | Custom rates and paid trial | Marketplace screening with fewer than 3% of applicants accepted | Global | Project-based |
| Remote CoWorker | Pricing based on role, workload, and contract | Provider screening and compliance controls | Global | Dedicated or pooled, depending on contract |
| MyOutDesk | Pricing based on role, workload, and contract | Provider screening | Offshore coverage with schedule set by contract | Dedicated |
How to choose between a nearshore hire, a freelance marketplace, and a US-based firm
Choose a freelance marketplace when your workload is irregular and you can manage candidate selection, onboarding, and day-to-day direction yourself. Hourly or project-based hiring works well for research, data entry, and short administrative assignments. You may need to screen candidates yourself, and freelancer availability can change between projects.
Choose a nearshore agency when an assistant needs to work during US business hours and take ongoing ownership. A dedicated Latin America (LatAm) assistant can learn your calendar, communication preferences, and operating routines over time. Nearshore agencies usually require a larger recurring commitment than marketplaces, but they provide more continuity and often handle recruiting, payroll, and local compliance.
Choose a US-based firm when your company prefers W2 support or places strict limits on contractor arrangements. Firms such as Boldly employ assistants directly and sell support through monthly hour packages. Buyers generally pay more for US-based talent, and fixed packages may leave unused hours when workloads fluctuate.
Before contacting providers, document one month of expected tasks, required working hours, and decision-making authority. Send that same scope to providers in the model that fits, then compare matched candidates and total monthly pricing.
FAQs
How much do US-based and nearshore virtual assistants cost?
US-based firms generally charge more because they hire within the US labor market and may employ assistants as W2 workers. Nearshore agencies recruit in Latin America (LatAm), where lower local salary benchmarks can reduce client costs.
How do virtual assistant agencies vet candidates?
Most agencies assess work history, communication, role-specific skills, and references. More selective agencies may add background checks, structured interviews, practical exercises, or training before placement.
Do nearshore virtual assistants work US business hours?
LatAm time zones overlap substantially with US business hours, but an assistant’s schedule is set by the employment agreement rather than geography alone. You should confirm the expected schedule, holiday calendar, and availability before signing an agreement.
How do COR, EOR, and direct contracts differ?
A Contractor of Record (COR) manages the contractor agreement, payments, and related administration. An Employer of Record (EOR) employs the assistant through a local entity and handles payroll and employment administration. Under a direct contract, your company contracts with and pays the assistant without a COR or EOR intermediary. Howdy supports all three structures based on the client’s needs.
