Thinking about hiring a virtual assistant? Congratulations!
You’re joining the many business leaders and busy entrepreneurs who hire virtual assistants to reclaim their time and focus on what matters most.
A top virtual assistant can be a game-changer, taking administrative and repetitive tasks off your plate so you can concentrate on strategic growth. But with so many options out there, how do you find the right fit? Outsourcing virtual assistant services requires careful consideration of your business needs, budget, and the level of support you’re seeking.
The best virtual assistant companies attract top virtual assistants, making it essential to know where to look.
If you’re searching for US-based virtual assistant companies, we’ve done the hard work for you. Below, you’ll find a list of the top virtual assistant providers to help you make the best choice for your business.
Looking for a remote executive assistant? Check out our list of the Best Companies For Remote Executive Assistants.
The Best US-Based Virtual Assistant Services of 2026
We’ll also cover a few virtual assistant FAQs, like:
- Other notable VA platforms
- Are US-based assistants better?
- Should you use virtual assistant freelancers through sites like Upwork?
- How To Compare Virtual Assistant Services
- The benefits and drawbacks of using contractors
- How do I find the best virtual assistants?
Before we begin, it’s important to note that some virtual assistant staffing agencies will match you with a 1099 contractor. Turnover can be higher at these agencies, but they are often a great solution for project-based work. However, relying on contractors for ongoing support may put you at risk for legal compliance issues.
1. BELAY
- Snapshot: BELAY is a virtual assistant company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with nearly 1,800 team members in 48 states.
- Services: Their VAs typically have 5+ years of experience and can help with various tasks like: travel arrangements, marketing support, calendar management, project research, social media management, data presentations, recurring tasks, first impressions and voicemail, email management, and more.
- Process: BELAY personally matches clients with a contractor VA that will fit their needs. They offer a dedicated virtual assistant service, which means you will work with the same VA consistently. You will also be offered a relationship manager, who will help you with any outside needs that may arise.
- Why They Stand Out: BELAY is big on company values, well-rated, and well-established. Established in 2010, their client list and team have steadily grown.
- Pricing: Pricing starts around $2,000 per month plus a startup fee, but can vary based on client needs so it’s best to contact their team for a direct quote.
You can learn more about BELAY here.
2. Boldly – Premium Executive Assistants
- Snapshot: Boldly is a premium subscription staffing company with employees in the US and UK — a higher-end alternative to virtual assistant staffing agencies. Companies turn to Boldly when they need highly experienced, long-term support on a fractional basis.
- Services: Boldly provides ridiculously talented, premium executive assistants on a flexible monthly subscription, enabling clients to avoid the hassle of recruiting and the costs associated with hiring employees. Boldly staff have a wide range of work experience at Fortune 500 companies, a wide variety of expertise, and are available Monday through Friday, for as few as 40 hours per month.
- Process: Boldly takes a highly curated, personalized approach. After sharing your requirements, Boldly sets up a short, productive meeting with your dedicated account manager to ensure they suggest the right staff member that will match both you and your business. You will get a chance to review your candidate’s profile and meet the staff first to make sure it’s a good fit before you sign up.
- Why They Stand Out: Great option for demanding execs who can spend a bit more for quality, longevity, legal compliance, and flexibility. Boldly’s hiring process is thorough. They retain their US-based talent with W2 employment, benefits, and a thriving, supportive work culture. As a result, you can count on your dedicated assistant to be part of your team for the long term. Boldly also offers a buy-out program should you want to hire your assistant full-time in the future. Boldly has been rated as a Top Inclusive Workplace, Great Place to Work, Fortune’s Best Company, and more.
- Pricing: Boldly offers flexible staffing – subscribe to one or multiple dedicated staff (like a fractional executive assistant), for the number of hours you need them each month, without a contract. Pricing starts at $2,600 for a 40 hours per month plan with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You can choose and adjust our monthly plans based on changing needs.
Learn more about our services at Boldly here.
3. Prialto
- Snapshot: Although Prialto is managed from a headquarters in Portland, OR, its workforce is not based in the United States. Prialto works with English-speaking staff in Asia and Central America. Regardless of the location of your VA team, they do offer support during the client’s business hours and hire their workers as employees.
- Services: Prialto provides individuals, teams, and enterprise organizations with a team (a project manager, primary assistant, and backup assistant) of virtual assistants who can take on a variety of administrative tasks. These include everything from digital marketing to sales to operations to admin support.
- Process: The Prialto team onboards clients with a discovery needs assessment, assigns your support team, and then improves their service via an engagement manager over time.
- Why They Stand Out: Prialto boasts over 10 years in business with over 1 million clocked hours of professional support. They also invest in training and continuing education for their VAs.
- Pricing:Prialto prices its services in “Prialto Units” that equal 55 hours of support each month, with some allowances for overflow time. Individual rates begin at $1,450 per month per Prialto Unit, plus a setup fee. Team rates use three Prialto Units. Clients who need more may contact them directly for pricing. They do not require contracts, but ask clients for a three-month commitment to give the working relationship a chance before you pay on a month-to-month basis. Clients who sign up for an annual contract will have the setup fee waived.
Learn more about Prialto here.
4. Fancy Hands
- Snapshot: As a startup, Fancy Hands got a lot of early attention by cranking through long to-do lists with hangover tasks. As generalists, they’re an easy entry into working with personal virtual assistant services.
- Services: Their team of US-based virtual assistants helps with simple tasks like scheduling, personal shopping, research, making calls, customer service, and more.
- Process: While they offer dedicated support, their bread and butter is a pooled team instead of a dedicated assistant. This means you send tasks and someone on their team performs them with a quick turnaround — although it might not be the same person you used last time. You mainly communicate through their web app, but you can also request tasks via text messaging or assign recurring work.
- Why They Stand Out: This service works best for clients who know what they want, or have specific one-off requests like arranging travel or other personal tasks.
- Pricing: With rates starting at $35 per month (for 3 tasks that take an average of about 20 minutes), Fancy Hands stresses affordability and bases their pricing plans on your total number of “requests” per month.
Learn more about Fancy Hands here.
5. Time Etc.
- Snapshot: Time Etc was founded in 2007 and is both UK and US-based, hiring only college-educated VAs and personal assistants.
- Services: Their VAs help by managing email, coordinating schedules, doing data entry, formatting documents, cataloging expenses, and receipts, updating social media, and more.
- Process: Time Etc. offers both a dedicated VA option (you work with the same person consistently) or you have the option to match your work with a VA on their team you believe might be best suited. And like Fancy Hands, Time Etc works through a virtual platform that allows clients to assign tasks via a dashboard and mobile app.
- Why They Stand Out: Time Etc is one of the lowest-cost VA staffing companies and can be a great option if your budget is tight and you need support with simple, one-off tasks.
- Pricing: They offer pricing plans starting at $380 for 10 hours per month. Unused hours roll over to the next month, and plans suited for larger teams or needs are available, as well as custom plans for clients that need more than 60 hours a month.
Learn more about Time Etc here.
6. Zirtual
- Snapshot: Zirtual is part of the Startups.com platform, and offers US-based, dedicated, and college-educated virtual assistants.
- Services: Zirtual’s team of assistants, paralegals, and agents can handle tasks like scheduling, event planning, travel booking, invoicing, data entry, and research.
- Process: When you get in touch with their team, they will match you with a virtual assistant they feel will best suit your needs, and you’ll work with that VA one-on-one.
- Why They Stand Out: While Zirtual pairs you with a best-fit virtual assistant, they also share the workload for specialized tasks, like social media marketing. If your VA can’t handle a specific task, they have help from teammates or can even hand it off entirely.
- Pricing: Zirtual’s pricing plans range from 12–50 hours a month, with their 12-hours-per-month plan (limited to one user) starting at $599. Other plans increase the hours and number of users allowed.
Learn more about Zirtual here.
Other Notable VA Platforms To Consider In 2026
While the six providers above represent some of the most established options, the virtual assistant landscape has expanded significantly.
Depending on your specific needs, you might also explore:
Depending on your specific needs, you might also explore Tasks Expert, MyOutDesk, and Virtual Wizards for structured, process-driven teams; Wing Assistant and Magic Inc. for flexible, on-demand assistance with 24/7 availability; or WoodBows for industry-specific needs with strong security protocols.
Are US-Based Virtual Assistants Better?
Where a virtual assistant is located doesn’t automatically mean they’re better or worse. We’ve spoken with VAs around the world who are excellent at what they do!
There are some advantages to having a virtual assistant in the United States:
- It’s easier to find someone working in your timezone
- Easier to communicate, with fewer things lost in translation
- They’re often already familiar with your tools and processes
- Navigating international labor laws and tax regulations can be tricky
Bringing on any new assistant comes with a high degree of uncertainty, no matter where they’re located.
What matters far beyond location is how much time you have to assess these contractors and companies to vet the experience level and quality of their assistants. This is all on top of the added burden of ensuring you’re legally able to work with them.
Whether you’re working with a US-based company or not, you’re likely liable for employment compliance (unless it’s a subscription staffing company). This is especially compounded when working with international freelancers or contractors!
Should I Use Freelancers Through Sites Like Upwork?
On a similar note, there are gig sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
Using freelancers through these platforms works best for short-term, specialized, or budget-sensitive work, but it is usually not the best route for finding a VA you can trust.
Below are some key things to consider before making this hire:
When Upwork-Style Platforms Work Well
- One-off and short projects: Freelance marketplaces shine for tasks like a one-time CRM cleanup, lead list building, email template creation, or a defined research project, where you don’t need ongoing support.
- Access to niche skills: You can quickly find people with very specific skills (e.g., HubSpot setup, Zapier automation, advanced Excel, niche industry research) without committing to a full VA relationship.
- Tight budgets: Global talent and flexible contracts (hourly, fixed-price, project-based) make it easier to match spend to workload and to test support with low upfront commitment.
Downsides to Relying on Freelance Marketplaces
- High variance in quality: Skill and reliability vary significantly; ratings help but are not a guarantee, and clients carry the risk of mis-hires and inconsistent performance.
- Time-intensive vetting and management: You must write job posts, screen dozens of applicants (often including AI-generated proposals), interview, onboard, and manage performance yourself.
- Limited commitment: Freelancers often juggle multiple clients, which can mean slower responses, shifting priorities, and higher turnover compared with a dedicated, managed VA relationship.
How To Compare Virtual Assistant Services
When evaluating different providers, consider these key factors to find the right fit for your business:
- Service Model: Decide whether you need a dedicated assistant, managed team support, or flexible on-demand help. Premium providers like Boldly offer dedicated, strategic support, while platforms like Fancy Hands excel at on-demand tasks.
- Employment & Location: Understand whether you’re working with W2 employees (reduced compliance risks) or 1099 contractors (flexibility with legal considerations). US-based assistants often provide better alignment for executive-level work, while offshore options offer cost savings for repeatable workflows.
- Pricing & Specialization: Compare subscription models, hourly rates, and task-based pricing—don’t forget setup fees and minimum commitments. Match providers’ industry specializations to your specific needs.
3 Reasons Management Might Want To Use Contractors
- Quick access to specialized skills and experience
- Flexibility in cost and time commitments (no long-term contracts!)
- No need to pay for health insurance, 401(k), vacation time, or other full-time assistant benefits
3 Risks Of Using Contractors As VAs
When you don’t need full-time virtual assistants, using an independent contractor seems ideal. However, there are some serious risks attached.
- Contractors are often looking for their next gig and work quality varies significantly, you’ll need to carefully vet potential contractors and may be left without support if they become unavailable.
- You cannot dictate when, where, or how contractors work without risking employee misclassification.
- Misclassification of employees, even if it’s unintentional, can cost dearly. If found guilty of misclassification, employers are responsible for all past payroll taxes and unemployment taxes, plus interest and penalties.
Common FAQs About Finding The Best Virtual Assistant Companies
What types of services do virtual assistant staffing agencies typically offer?
Virtual assistant companies typically offer a range of services, from administrative support and customer service to specialized tasks like bookkeeping, marketing, and project management. Some may offer call center or sales support. While some companies may specialize, others may offer a range of services, so it’s important to review each company’s strengths. As tasks become more complex, specialized, or high-trust, you’ll want to consider looking for a remote executive assistant, who can partner with you for the long term.
How do I assess the quality of a top virtual assistant company?
This can take a bit of legwork. Consider client testimonials, years in business, company size, and industry expertise. Virtual Assistant Assistant specializes in reviewing VA companies, and checking Glassdoor can reveal whether a company invests in its team and culture, which typically means better, more stable support for you.
If you’re thinking of hiring on your own, we’ve put together a quick guide on how to hire the best virtual assistant.
Are virtual assistant services scalable?
Some companies offer flexible plans, allowing you to adjust the level of service based on your business needs, whether you require support on a part-time, full-time, or project basis. Turnover in the virtual assistant industry (especially for virtual assistance companies and agencies) is notoriously high, so you’ll want to make sure the company you work with has a plan for providing backup assistants and transition plans.
How do virtual assistant companies ensure confidentiality and security?
Reputable virtual assistant companies implement secure processes, from NDAs to secure data-handling policies, to safeguard client information. You’ll want to ask how this is handled when assessing companies. If confidentiality and security are a major concern for your industry, it may be a better option to hire an executive assistant as a W2 employee, which also avoids the common compliance issues of working with virtual assistant contractors.
Can I request a specific skill set from a virtual assistant company?
Many companies allow you to request assistants with particular skills, whether it’s expertise in certain software or experience in specific industries, to better match your needs. This works best with a dedicated virtual assistant (vs. pooled solutions).
What about AI virtual assistants?
As AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot become more advanced, they’re evolving as ‘virtual assistants’—especially as they integrate with existing productivity tools. These AI assistants can handle routine tasks, such as customer support, proofreading, and data entry, reducing workload. However, they still lack the nuanced judgment, creativity, and personal touch of human assistants.
Flexible Pricing And Immediate Access To Next-Level Virtual Assistants
So, how do you find the best virtual assistants? How do you know if you’re working with one of the best virtual assistant companies?
It really depends on what you need, but the subscription staffing model has changed the virtual assistant game.
Subscription staffing began taking shape in 2019 and is now used by companies like Apple, Facebook, Zendesk, Asana, and Google to fill fractional roles with highly experienced remote staff. Instead of contracts and locked-in commitments, you can subscribe to the exact number of hours you’ll need from your dedicated assistant staff member each month.
Your unique requirements—skills, experience, and culture fit—are taken into consideration to ensure the perfect match.
Subscription staffers, like at Boldly, are also the best tenured, often Fortune-500 trained, with 10–15 years of industry experience on average. And they integrate fully into their clients’ team, working with them one-on-one on a long-term basis. (There are even full-time options available.)
Better still, subscription staffers are W2 employees of their company. This removes every compliance liability associated with contractors.
For executives who want remote support from professionals who can handle more than basic administrative tasks or remote team members who can integrate into your business for the long term, consider Boldly.
