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The Best VA Services For Your Business

As a business owner, your time is valuable. Why get bogged down with routine tasks when you could focus on growth and innovation? Virtual assistants (VAs) offer an efficient solution, handling tasks like scheduling, email management, and social media, so you can concentrate on what really matters.

With numerous VA platforms available, finding remote help has never been easier. Skip the headaches of onboarding and payroll-most services offer a simple, flat-rate model, taking care of everything from HR to taxes. Whether you need administrative support, marketing expertise, or customer service, there’s a VA service that fits your needs.

We’ve reviewed the top virtual assistant services, evaluating pricing, skills, and industry expertise, to help you make the best choice for your business.

Categories

Best for leveraging Al over human interaction
Best for Enterprise-Level Support
Best Quality of Assistants
Best for Specialized Services
Best Budget Option
Best for US-based Virtual Assistants

Best for leveraging Al over human interaction

Magic

Magic offers executive assistant services with a focus on executive support, customer service, and general administrative tasks. Each assistant utilizes proprietary software and Al tools, including ChatGPT, for various tasks such as strategic planning, image creation, programming, and document summarization. While clients have access to a dedicated account manager and 24/7 support, the primary support model is text-based, leveraging Al extensively, which may not suit all business needs. For those who prefer minimal human interaction, the model may be particularly appealing.

Magic has an additional product called Magic 24/7 which lets customers delegate work to a team of trained assistants available 24 hours a day. This service costs $35 per hour spent on the task, but you get 20 hours per month included if you have a full-time Executive Assistant service.

However, Magic has limitations, including a lack of specialization in niche business areas and a workforce located in the Philippines, potentially leading to delays due to timezone differences. Moreover, their TrustPilot and Indeed reviews show mixed reactions from clients and assistant alike. These factors could make Magic less suitable for specialized or time-sensitive business requirements.

Pricing

  • All EAs start at $15/hour
  • Magic 24/7 costs $35/hour

PROS

  • Competitive pricing
  • 24/7 support availability
  • Dedicated account managers

CONS

  • High dependency on Al for task management
  • Lack of specialization in niche areas compared to other VA services
  • Possible delays due to time zone differences.
  • Lacking in human interaction.
  • Mixed reviews on TrustPilot

Best Quality of Assistants

Helm

Helm’s remote assistants are hungry, humble and highly intelligent professionals who can support you and your team in virtually any function. They work in your time zone and integrate with your team as deeply as you would like.

Helm’s assistants are specialists in a vast array of fields including executive support, sales development, bookkeeping & accounting, project management, account management, customer support, and more! Helm prides itself on the caliber of assistants it places. Each assistant is vetted through a 5-stage vetting process with only 1 in every 3000 assistants being hired. Moreover, Helm provides their assistants with access to a host of training materials so that they are well-placed to assist your business in any new ventures or tasks.

Helm’s calling card is its ability to place superior A-player assistants whose skills and capabilities can satisfy a spectrum of client needs, unlike some lower-cost services. A challenge for those who need immediate help comes with Helm’s average placement time of 3 weeks

Pricing

  • Helm’s assistants range in price depending on specific skills needed but average $22/hour.
  • Marketing support costs $24/hour.

PROS

  • Stringent screening and vetting process to deliver top-tier talent
  • Highly accessible management| team that coaches assistants
  • Widest range of assistants in specialized business areas
  • Free trial available
  • Availability on weekends and holidays
  • Relatively inexpensive

CONS

  • Don't expect to start your assistant within 2 weeks. It typically takes 3 weeks.

Best Budget Option

GetFriday

GetFriday, the virtual assistant division of Your Man in India (YMII), operates out of Bangalore, India and offers virtual administrative services such as appointment setting, travel arrangements, and website moderation. Plans range from Pay-As-You-Go at $15/hour to Full-Time at $7/hour (160 hours a month). While offering flexibility, the sign-up process is noted to be cumbersome, involving steps like phone verification and contract handling that are not typical of other VA companies. Tasks can be submitted via email, chat, or phone, and are handled by a personal virtual assistant through a CRM system.

This structure positions GetFriday as an effective choice for small businesses seeking assistance at a lower cost, though it may not provide the full range of services offered by more expensive competitors.

Pricing

GetFriday has multiple plans available billed monthly:
  • Basic 5: 5 hours a month at $13/hour
  • Basic 10: 10 hours a month at $12/hour
  • Basic 20: 20 hours a month at $10/hour
  • Plus 40: 40 hours a month at $9/hour
  • Plus 60: 60 hours a month at $8,5/hour
  • Plus 80: 80 hours a month at $8/hour
  • Plus 120: 120 hours a month at $7.5/hour
  • Plus 160: 160 hours a month at $7/hour
  • Pay-As-You-Go: $15/hour

PROS

  • Flexible support with scalable plans starting from $7/hour.
  • Four shifts available including EDT and PDT working hours.

CONS

  • The need to send tasks via chat, email, or phone might be less efficient for some users.
  • Limited capability for more complex or high-level tasks compared to pricier options.
  • Communication challenges noted in reviews which could impact task execution.
  • Cumbersome sign-up process

Best for Enterprise-Level Support

Boldly

Boldly markets itself as a premium global staffing solution tailored for executives and enterprises, emphasizing flexibility and high professionalism. It provides U.S.-based assistants experienced in a variety of corporate functions, supported by a subscription model that integrates staff seamlessly into client operations. Boldly’s team is trained to Fortune 500 standards, facilitating quick staffing without typical recruitment delays.

Pricing

Boldly offers four plans of 40, 50, 60, and 80 hours per month.
  • Each plan works out to $59/hour which is significantly higher priced than comparable alternatives.
  • Project Management, web development, blog writing, design and other specialist tasks are billed at $79/hr.

PROS

  • Experienced staff capable of integrating into complex business environments.
  • Customizable subscription plans to meet diverse enterprise needs.
  • Offers a wide range of specialized services including multilingual support.

CONS

  • Premium pricing may not align with all budgets.
  • Limited client reviews available online, meaning it is difficult to gauge service quality.
  • Not ideal for businesses needing only minimal or sporadic support.

Best for Specialized Services

Prialto

Prialto provides specialized virtual assistant services including Real Estate Virtual Assistants, Insurance Virtual Assistants and Venture Capital Virtual Assistants. These services are tailored to meet the specific needs of these industries, facilitating tasks such as client relationship management, investment tracking, and administrative duties. This specialized focus helps streamline operations within these niche markets. Prialto also offers more standard VA services such as travel planning. expense reports, task management, scheduling social media posts, and research.

Pricing

Prialto’s pricing model works on units with a 90 day minimum per unit and a $250 initial setup fee in the first month.
  • Individual (1-3 units): $1500 per unit per month.
  • Teams (3+ units): $1500 per unit per month.
  • Enterprise (8+ units): You have to contact Prialto for the cost of this plan.
One unit includes 55 hours of support per month which works out to around $27/hour.

Prialto’s targeted services are best suited for businesses in specialized sectors seeking expert assistance tailored to their industry’s unique dynamics.

PROS

  • Industry-specific support in real estate, venture capital, and more.
  • Deep understanding of sector-specific requirements and challenges.

CONS

  • Higher cost due to specialized expertise.
  • Less versatility in service compared to general VA providers.
  • Non-flexible hours and pricing plans.

Best for US-based Virtual Assistants

Virtual Assist USA

Virtual Assist USA offers a practical solution for businesses seeking U.S.-based virtual assistant services without the complexities of managing an employee. Their assistants handle tasks ranging from executive support and customer service to project management and administrative duties, ensuring comprehensive business support.

Virtual Assist USA distinguishes itself by employing W2 employees rather than contractors or freelancers, providing stability and security. Clients benefit from a hassle-free experience as the company manages salaries, benefits, paid time off, holidays, wellness packages, overhead costs, and compliance.

Pricing

  • Starter: $815 for 20 hours at $40.75 per hour
  • Core: $1,550 for 40 hours at $38.75 per hour
  • Premium: $2,196 for 60 hours at $36.60 per hour
Pay As You Go: $45.75 per hour, billed on the lst of the month

PROS

  • U.S.-based assistants ensure excellent communication
  • Comprehensive management of employee-related responsibilities.
  • Flexible, pay-as-you-go pricing with no monthly contracts.

CONS

  • Higher hourly rates compared to offshore options.
  • Limited availability for specialized niche services.
  • No 24/7 support, which may not suit all business needs.

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COMPANY DATE ESTABLISHED LOCATION HOURLY RATE DEDICATED ASSISTANT
Helm 2012 U.S $22 ✔
Magic 2015 U.S $15 ✔
GetFriday 2005 India $7-$15 ✔
Boldly 2012 U.S $59-$79 ✔
Prialto 2009 U.S $27 ✔
Virtual Assist USA 2008 U.S $36.60- $45.75 ✔
* If the task involves skills that GetFriday doesn’t have in-house, then the job will be outsourced to a specialist at extra premium charges after your approval.

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