6 Best Virtual Assistant Companies for 2022
Charlette has over 10 years of experience in accounting and finance and 2 years of partnering with HR leaders on freelance projects. She uses this extensive experience to answer your questions about payroll.
This article is part of a larger series on Hiring.
If you could use some administrative help but can’t afford another employee, a virtual assistant may be the answer. Virtual assistant (VA) companies provide remote administrative and business support resources covering everything from managing your calendar or social media to developing your website. They can handle simple tasks or help streamline your business operations. Plus, with VAs, you don’t pay overhead or payroll.
We looked at 30 virtual assistant services and narrowed it down to the best six:
- MyTasker: Best overall virtual assistant services
- Time etc: Best for teams and businesses needing highly qualified, US-based VAs
- Upwork: Best for businesses needing individuals for project work on a gig basis
- Prialto: Best for businesses in the sales and insurance industries
- Hello Rache: Best for the doctors, dentists, and veterinarians
- Fancy Hands: Best for personal and quick tasks
Best Virtual Assistant Services Compared
Hourly pricing | Plans | Roll over unused hours | Pay-as-you-go plans | Dedicated assistant | Specializations | VAs based in | Average years of experience | VA work location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$9–$18 | Monthly (10 hours to full-time) | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | Biz dev, answering service, IT, accountants | India | Unspecified | In remote office | |
$26–$29 | Monthly (10–60 hours) | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | Administrative | US | 12 | From home | |
$19–$65 (for VAs) | By project + $0–$49/monthly subscription | N/A | N/A | ✔ | Depends on freelancer | Worldwide | Varies by project | From home | |
$24.54 | Monthly (55–440 hours), plus $250 setup | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | Real estate, insurance | US | 10 | In remote office | |
$9.50 | Hourly | N/A | ✔ | ✔ | Medical | Philippines | Unspecified | From home | |
$15–$18 | Monthly (3–30 tasks*) | N/A (tasks do roll over) | ✖ | ✔ | Purchasing | US | Unspecified | From home |
*Represents 20 minutes per task
Need a full-time employee? Some VA services offer dedicated, full-time employees or let you hire your VA away from their company. However, if you want a dedicated assistant in your office, you’ll need to hire one yourself. Check out these articles to get you started:
- How to hire employees
- How to find employees you’ll love
- How to advertise for a job
- Best recruiting software
MyTasker: Best Overall Virtual Assistant Service
MyTasker
Overall Score: 4.05
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Inexpensive
- Access to IT, accounting experts
- Backups, additional support available
- Business setup (India only)
What's Missing
- Can’t rollover hours to next month
- No Spanish-speaking VAs
- Experience varies
MyTasker Pricing
- $1 Trial plan (1 task)
- 10 hours: $140/month
- 20 hours: $250/month
- 40 hours: $450/month
- 60 hours: $600/month
- 100 hours: $900/month
- Full-time: $1,200/month, for 5 days a week, business hours
- Pay-as-you-go: $18/hour
MyTasker provides 24/7 services in the areas of administration, accounting, writing and editing, web design and development, digital marketing, and IT support. It is based in India, and all the employees work in a single office. As such, you get a VA that has a trained backup or, if needed, an entire team of VAs.
With 4.05 out of 5 stars in our evaluation, MyTasker takes the top spot. The prices are cheaper than most on our list but still good wages for India (it was, however, dinged for not allowing rollover hours). The VAs are fluent in English, and only a few real-world users commented on accent issues, most saying it did not hinder communication, and only one saying it created a negative image with their customers.
MyTasker can help you set up a business in India. (Source: MyTasker)
MyTasker Features
- 24/7 service: MyTasker runs 24/7, which is great for international businesses with offices in different time zones. You can have a VA for your Los Angeles office and another for your London office on the same plan. It’s also good when you have a project that needs to be done quickly. No others on our list offer 24/7 service.
- Business startup (India only): If you’re ready to start your own business—or are starting a new one, MyTasker can handle all the administrative tasks, as well as setting up infrastructure, human resources, training, and more. Although this only applies to starting businesses in India, it is still a unique service not found in any of the VA companies we explored.
- Access to additional VAs: When you train your VA, you’ll also train a backup so you don’t lose coverage if your primary gets sick. (Most on our list will provide backups, but they may not be trained in your company’s procedures.) In addition, if you have a task beyond the skill of your VA, MyTasker can find you a better match for that project. (Prialto also does this.) Either way, you are billed at the same rate on the same plan.
- IT and accounting: While several VA services on our list said they can do light bookkeeping and work with software, only MyTasker specifically said they have employees qualified for accounting and IT services. Accounting includes bookkeeping, pre-filing taxes, and business account management.
- Inexpensive: MyTasker is among the least expensive on our list, with the hourly rates coming to between $9 and $14 per hour with a monthly plan. Unlike Fancy Hands and Time etc, MyTasker does not let you roll over hours. You can upgrade or downgrade as needed or get a pay-as-you-go plan for $18/hour. Only Hello Rache is cheaper.
- Confidentiality: MyTasker’s employees work in an office that offers 24-hour monitoring by CCTV with computers monitored by its IT. You can also monitor your VA if desired. Your business passwords are encrypted in the portal. Employees undergo background checks and sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). This is standard for the best virtual assistant services.
Time etc: Best for Teams & Businesses Needing Highly Qualified, US-based VAs
Time etc
Overall Score: 3.86
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Hours roll over each month
- VAs average 12 years’ experience
- VAs chosen for attitude as well as experience and education
- Additional assistants as needed, free
What's Missing
- No specializations
- No 24/7 service
- Not suited for single tasks/projects
Time etc Pricing
- First task free
- 10 hours: $290/month
- 20 hours: $560/month
- 40 hours: $1,080/month
- 60 hours: $1,560/month
Larger plans available
Time etc is an excellent virtual assistant service, and the ability to share a VA within your office makes it great for teams. Based in the US, it has employees all across the country so it can work in your time zone, and you get native speakers with a more local accent. It has a strict vetting process with only 2% of applicants qualifying (with an average 12 years’ of experience as assistants). While more expensive than most on our list, its pricing is on the lower end of the US-based virtual assistant companies we explored, plus you can try your first task for free.
Earning 3.86 out of 5 in our evaluation, Time etc ranked high with real-world users as well as for pricing and functionality. It lost points for VA tools because it does not have specializations such as accounting (like MyTasker) or medical transcription (like Hello Rache), but sticks to general administrative and marketing duties.
Time etc virtual assistants can perform a wide range of administrative tasks. (Source: Time etc)
Time etc Features
- Team VA: While many of the services we explored only allow one user per plan, Time etc lets you share your VA with multiple people. This is perfect for a small team or office that needs to share. Prialto’s team plan costs more and limits how many people you can share with.
- Rollover hours: If you don’t use any hours, they roll over to the next month, something MyTasker does not allow.
- Delegation support: If you’re used to doing it all yourself, a virtual assistant may seem baffling. Time etc can help. Answer a few questions, and it will suggest exactly what tasks you can confidently offload to your new VA. Some, like Prialto, also consult with you, but Time etc also assigns you a client happiness manager to work with you through the process.
- Experienced, US-based VAs: Time etc has a strict vetting process so that only 2% of its applicants qualify. They often have experience in Fortune 500 companies and are selected for positive attitude and reliability as well as education and technical qualifications. Plus, they are based in the US, and Time etc will find you one in your time zone. Only Prialto VAs compare, with an average of 10 years’ experience.
- Research: Most VAs can find you a restaurant or hotel, but Time etc also does research into marketing concepts, potential customers, and content marketing. (Fancy Hands also does some market research, as a separate program.) Further, if you have a specific topic, your Time etc VA can research it for you.
Upwork: Best for Project-based VA Work
Upwork
Overall Score: 3.83
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Wide choice of freelancers
- Multiple areas of expertise
- Hire by project
- Choose your own VA rather than having one assigned
What's Missing
- You seek, interview, vet candidates
- Most freelancers want short term
- Extra fee if you want talent sourcing
Upwork Pricing
- Post a job: Free
- Plus Plan $49.99/month: Dedicated account manager, talent sourcing assistance
- Rates vary by job and may be hourly or by project.
- VA rates: $19–$65/hour (based on freelancer prices posted on Upwork)
Upwork is not a traditional virtual assistant service. Rather, it’s one of the best freelance websites for small businesses, with freelancers and gig workers looking for everything from steady VA work to one-off projects an assistant may handle. As such, it ranks as the best choice when you need a highly talented individual for specific projects. To find a VA on Upwork, you can post the job, search the freelancers on the site, or get the Upwork Plus Plan, which assists you with talent sourcing.
Upwork earned 3.83 out of 5 in our evaluation. It got perfect scores for popularity and payment options. However, it is the most expensive of the services on our list, especially if you want Upwork’s assistance in finding a VA, as you’ll need the Plus Plan. You hire and pay your VA through Upwork, but it does not manage or vet the freelancers on its site. The site is not limited to administrative work—you can find a freelancer for just about anything you need.
You can find part-time workers and gig workers on Upwork. (Source: Upwork)
Upwork Features
- Excellent variety: Upwork is for freelancers in areas ranging from administration to engineering. Unlike the others on our list that don’t do sales, you can find sales reps on Upwork. Further, you can find someone for just a project or for contract work—and if you like their work, you are welcome to offer them a job. No other VA service we explored had so many options.
- Pay your way: While other VA services commit you to hourly plans or rates, with Upwork, you negotiate the pay with your prospect. That way, you can pay by a project or by the hour.
- Choose your own VA: Aside from Hello Rache, Upwork is the only VA service on our list that gives you complete freedom of choice. Of course, this means you do the work. You can create a job ad or search the existing freelancers with its intuitive search engine. You can then explore resumes, portfolios, and preferred pay scales of the candidates so you can select the best one for you.
- Experience and specialization: Upwork’s freelancers have a wide range of experience, and usually charge accordingly. For example, we found an executive assistant with 10 years’ experience in law asking for $65 an hour, and someone just starting out at $19 per hour. The others on our list offer the same price for all their VAs, regardless of expertise or experience.
Prialto: Best for Sales & Insurance Companies
Prialto
Overall Score: 3.70
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Get organization-level VA support
- Does not charge if you go over hours
- Specialists for real estate, insurance, and other industries
- Spanish-speaking services available
What's Missing
- No task-based work
- No pay-as-you-go option
- No accounting services
Prialto Pricing
- Setup fee: $250 (Waived for annual contract)
- 90-day minimum commitment
- Yourself $1,350: 1 user, 55 hours/month
- Your Team $4,050: 3+ users, 165+ hours/month (discounts for contract duration)
- Your Organization Custom Pricing: 8+ users, 440+ hours/month
If you need a virtual assistant for your sales or insurance office, one who can answer to several departments and has training in your field and software, then Prialto is your best bet. Prialto vets its VAs and matches them to your needs. Its VAs specialize not just in executive assistant duties like calendars, task management, and expense management, but also in sales, CRM management, and relationship management.
Its plans span from personal VAs to ones covering an entire organization. The rates are still competitive at $24.54 per hour. Even more, if you go over your hours one month, they don’t charge you for the extra time.
Prialto earned 3.7 in our evaluation. It got a perfect score for functionality, with skilled VAs trained in the latest technologies, Spanish-speaking services, and backup VAs as needed. However, it took a hit on pricing because it alone charges a setup fee of $250 and has a 90-day minimum. It also lacks a pay-as-you-go option or task-based pricing.
Prialto trains each VA and provides them with ongoing professional development. (Source: Prialto)
Prialto Features
- Specialized industries: Prialto has experience in the real estate and insurance industries as well as executive and sales assistant duties.
- Team and organization support: With Prialto’s team and organization plans, you can share one virtual assistant with several members of your company. VAs can help with reminders, organize workflows, handle the calendars of multiple users, and more. The Organization plan includes process design and a team of VAs, plus the ability to assign one-off projects.
- Managed service: Prialto’s claim to fame is that it’s a managed service. Each virtual assistant is backed by an engagement manager, support teams, and trained primary and secondary backups. Like MyTasker, they work in a single office so they can provide immediate support. Further, they provide their VAs with the programs and training for the business software you use.
- Proactive support: Like Time etc, Prialto will meet with you first to discuss your needs and how its VAs can help. However, it goes the extra step by encouraging the VAs to proactively seek ways they can assist you further. Compare this to Fancy Hands, where your VA only handles the tasks you send. Users reviewing on Virtual Assistant Assistant give high praise to the initiative of Prialto’s VAs.
- Networking: Need a boost in expanding your network? Prialto’s VAs can provide professional networking support, from managing LinkedIn requests to setting up meetings.
Hello Rache: Best for Medical & Vet Offices
Hello Rache
Overall Score: 3.40
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- HIPAA-qualified VAs
- Most employees have been nurses
- Can be in exams virtually to take notes
- Inexpensive, hourly rates
What's Missing
- Not suited for other industries
- No trial
- Services limited to medical
Hello Rache Pricing
- $9.50/hour
While not the highest-ranking on our list, we chose Hello Rache because it was the only one specifically designed for the medical industry, with VAs qualified in the medical and veterinary fields who can handle the specific tasks for this highly regulated field. It’s also the cheapest on our list. The VAs live in the Philippines, so you’ll need to vet for accent issues if they’ll be a point of contact for customers or need to handle other critical verbal communication.
Hello Rache earned 3.4 out of 5 in our evaluation. Its lowest score was in popularity because we found few online reviews. However, it scored high for pricing and ease of use. Its hourly pricing and no monthly plans mean you pay as you go. It alone of those we reviewed has HIPAA-trained virtual assistants.
Hello Rache works with doctors, dentists, and veterinarians. (Source: Hello Rache)
Hello Rache Features
- Qualified in the medical field: Most of the Hello Rache virtual assistants were registered nurses at one point, and all have a background in the medical profession. Hello Rache then trains them in common and specialty medical terminology, medical scribing, phone skills, and more. They also have HIPAA training and have had an NBI (National Background Information) check. Hello Rache is unique in the qualifications of its team.
- You choose your VA: Most virtual assistant services select your VA for you or provide you with a shortlist. Aside from Upwork, Hello Rache is the only one that gives you complete control over whom you choose. You search their database and select for yourself.
- Medical-specific services: Your VA can join you in the examination room and take notes on a procedure. Like other VAs on our list, they can also take on receptionist duties of answering phones and setting up appointments, but are also qualified to verify insurance and make plans for referrals. Finally, as a virtual administrator, they can do reception duties, data entry, insurance processing, and more. (Prialto has insurance VAs, but not full-on medical VAs like Hello Rache.)
- Custom needs: Hello Rache is willing to train your VA to handle tasks outside of the company’s usual offerings. Others on our list, by contrast, will only train (or let you train) their VAs on how to do the approved tasks according to your company’s style.
Fancy Hands: Best for Personal or Task-based Assistance
Fancy Hands
Overall Score: 3.09
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Unused tasks roll over to next month
- Easy to create requests
- Spanish-speaking VAs available
- VAs can purchase for you
What's Missing
- No trial
- No 24/7 service
- Per-task limit of 20 minutes
Fancy Hands Pricing
- Small $17.99/month: 3 requests*
- Medium $29.99/month: 5 requests*
- Large $74.99/month: 15 requests*
- XL $149.99/month: 30 requests*
- Dedicated assistant: Custom
- Business growth team: Custom
*Each request constitutes 20 minutes of work
Ever wish you had an assistant on-hand that could just do you a quick favor? Fancy Hands has you covered. Unlike most virtual assistants we examined (including those not on our list), Fancy Hands is designed to tackle simple, 20-minute tasks with speed and thoroughness. Monthly plans are by the number of tasks as opposed to hours. However, it does offer dedicated assistants and specialized help for growing your business through leads and market research.
Fancy Hands earned 3.09 out of 5 but made our list because of its unique angle. Its pricing is excellent, and its basic plan is almost as cheap and easy as pay-as-you-go. Virtual assistants come with custom pricing, but do not include trained backups. Its user reviews were fair, with a mixed bag when it came to individual assistant performances.
Fancy Hands works best for specific directed tasks. (Source: Fancy Hands)
Fancy Hands Features
- Task-based assistance: This is a great VA for personal as well as business use. People have used it for everything from making travel arrangements to dealing with the cable company. They can even purchase items for you (up to $200).
- Task by text: While many virtual services require you to send tasks through their software, Fancy Hands is perfectly fine with texting that quick request. This is a great help when you’re at the airport and forgot that important email.
- Dedicated virtual assistant: If you need more steady support, Fancy hands has a dedicated VA program. Pricing is custom, but there’s no contract, and you get an extra project manager to help with larger projects. You are billed by the minute rather than the task. Like with Prialto, Spanish-speaking VAs are available.
- Business Growth: Like MyTasker has a specialized program for business setup, Fancy Hands has one for business growth. This plan has custom pricing and does lead management with personal calls and targeted outreach, marketing research with personal and automated tools, and document formatting that includes updates.
- Roll over unused tasks: Unlike MyTasker, you can roll over unused tasks in your plan.
- Give the gift of time: Know someone who has everything except the time to enjoy it? Fancy Hands is the only virtual assistant service we examined that specifically lets you gift its services to someone else.
How We Chose the Virtual Assistant Services
The virtual assistant industry has exploded post-pandemic. We examined over 30 virtual assistant services, eliminating those that didn’t have multiple years of experience or which were not well known in business circles. Next, we evaluated them using the criteria below. Those scoring 3.5 or higher or that stood out in another way made this list.
Overall, MyTasker scored highest, with 4.05 out of 5 stars. While based in India, it caters to multiple countries. It offers pay-as-you-go options, trained backups, and specialized tasks that set it apart from other services.
Click through the tabs below for our full evaluation criteria:
20%
Pricing
20%
VA Services
15%
Functionality & Other Attributes
10%
Popularity
10%
Payment Options
25%
Ease of Use
20% of Overall Score
Price considered hourly rate, although most services charge a monthly plan. We also gave points for a trial—whether a free task or a supervised evaluation period. Credit went to services that rolled over hours or charged hourly only. Time etc and Hello Rache all tied for top place here. Time etc is the only one with a free trial.
20% of Overall Score
This covered the scope of virtual assistant services. We gave the best marks for those that went beyond the standard administrative and marketing/social media functions that nearly all covered. We looked for bookkeeping, specialization, and 24/7 service. MyTasker got top marks with 4.5 out of 5.
15% of Overall Score
This looked at communication, security, backups in case your VA was sick, and multilingual services (aside from English and the VA’s native language). Prialto had a perfect score.
10% of Overall Score
We examined user reviews for overall rating and satisfaction with the assistant and support. Upwork, Prialto, MyTasker, and Time etc all got perfect scores.
10% of Overall Score
Most of the services we considered had monthly plans, so here, we looked for extras—a by-task or hourly option—as well as security of payments. We found them all secure, but Upwork alone earned a perfect score.
25% of Overall Score
We considered interface, ease of picking the right virtual assistant, and dashboard. Hello Rache had the highest score with 4.06, but the others were close.
*Percentages of overall score
Bottom Line
Administrative tasks are vital to keeping a business going, but they can also take away the time you need to focus on growing your business. A dedicated virtual assistant can free up your time by taking over simple tasks like calendar and email management, but many do much more—social media, marketing research, even website design. Others can handle special projects as well.
MyTasker ranked No. 1 for best virtual assistant service. Although located in India, its VAs speak fluent English and have strong communication skills. Further, they offer skilled services for administration, marketing, accounting, and IT. They cost less than most VAs and offer secure communication. Contact MyTasker to discuss your administration needs and get started.
