A founder I know once shared how his virtual assistant saved him from tanking a major client relationship. He was drowning in emails and missed a subtle but urgent complaint. His VA flagged it, drafted a thoughtful reply, and even booked a call to smooth things over. That client ended up renewing for another year.
I’ve seen the other side too, companies burning months on bargain-basement VA services, only to discover mismatched skills, endless retraining, and tasks bouncing back half-finished. The right VA can feel like an operations multiplier; the wrong one just adds more noise.
Choosing the best virtual assistant company isn’t just about finding cheap help. It’s about securing reliable talent who can work seamlessly in your systems, understand your business, and keep you focused on higher-value work. Let’s dig into how to make that choice and the agencies leading the pack for 2025.
Top 3 Quick Picks: 2025’s Best Virtual Assistant Companies
If you need a shortcut, here are three standout virtual assistant companies worth considering.
- Somewhere: Best for Global, Cost-Efficient Talent
- No upfront fees, pay on hire
- 6-month replacement guarantee
- Async-ready, vetted remote talent
- BELAY: Best for U.S.-Based Professional Assistants
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- U.S.-only talent pool
- High-touch onboarding process
- Focus on executive-level support
- Virtalent: Best for UK and European Small Businesses
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- Flexible monthly plans
- UK-based VAs with sector experience
- Strong client account management
Curious which is right for you? Keep reading for the full agency breakdowns and hiring insights.
How to Choose the Right Virtual Assistant Company
1. Know What You Actually Need
I recently worked with a client who wanted “a VA to handle everything.” The brief was vague; the results were predictable. The best agencies push you to define the scope clearly. Are you looking for inbox management? Customer support? Research? Different needs demand different screening and pay structures. If your recruiter can’t help you sharpen that brief, they’re not setting you up to succeed.
2. Ask About Screening and Vetting
Cheap VA agencies often boast about “thousands of assistants” but can’t explain how they vet them. A strong firm screens for async communication, time zone alignment, and role-specific skills like writing, customer service, or project management. If an agency can’t walk you through their vetting process, assume you’ll be doing that work yourself after you pay.
3. Evaluate Time Zone and Language Fit
I’ve seen businesses try to save money by hiring offshore without considering the practical reality of collaboration. Even excellent VAs can struggle if you’re not clear about your hours or communication expectations. Good agencies will advise on time zone overlap and test for language fluency, not just accept anyone with a LinkedIn profile.
4. Understand Pricing and Commitment Models
Some agencies charge high upfront retainers. Others are pay-on-hire or offer rolling monthly subscriptions. The best choice depends on your risk appetite and hiring frequency. A strong partner will be transparent about fees and won’t lock you in before you’re sure. If they dodge cost questions, that’s a red flag.
5. Check Their Post-Hire Support
Hiring a VA is not a one-off transaction. I’ve seen the best agencies step in weeks later when a client realized they needed different hours or skills. Look for firms that offer replacement guarantees, structured onboarding, and clear escalation channels. That follow-through can be the difference between leverage and frustration.
The 7 Best Virtual Assistant Companies
1. Somewhere: Best for Global, Cost-Efficient Talent
- Founded: 2009
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Why Somewhere is the best virtual assistant company: Somewhere focuses on helping startups and small businesses build remote teams without breaking budgets. They specialize in sourcing virtual assistants from regions like the Philippines and Latin America, where talent is high and costs are competitive. Unlike marketplaces that simply list freelancers, Somewhere runs a full recruitment process. Including sourcing, vetting, and skills testing, so clients only see prequalified candidates ready to slot into operations.
Their service model is particularly attractive because they charge no upfront fees; you only pay once you hire. They also offer a six-month replacement guarantee, signaling real confidence in their matches. For founders scaling fast but cautious about overhead, Somewhere offers a path to skilled, affordable support with far less hiring risk.
2. BELAY: Best for U.S.-Based Professional Assistants
- Founded: 2010
- Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
BELAY stands out for exclusively providing U.S.-based virtual assistants with strong professional backgrounds. Many of their assistants bring previous experience as executive assistants, project managers, or specialists in fields like bookkeeping and social media management. BELAY emphasizes rigorous vetting and high-touch matching, pairing each client with a dedicated relationship manager who helps clarify needs and facilitate onboarding.
BELAY’s services come at a premium, but their clients (often executives, entrepreneurs, and growing SMBs) consider it worthwhile for assistants who understand U.S. business norms and time zones. If you value cultural fit, impeccable English skills, and minimal training overhead, BELAY delivers reliable, professional support tailored for demanding roles.
3. Virtalent: Best for UK and European Small Businesses
- Founded: 2014
- Headquarters: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Virtalent is a UK-based agency designed for small and medium-sized businesses that want local cultural alignment and seamless communication. Their virtual assistants are all UK-based, bringing familiarity with British business practices, spelling, and customer service expectations. This makes them a strong fit for companies operating in regulated sectors or customer-facing roles where regional knowledge matters.
Virtalent offers flexible monthly packages starting at low-hour commitments, which is ideal for businesses that may need to scale usage up or down. They assign each client a dedicated account manager to ensure consistent support and handle any adjustments quickly. It’s a boutique service with a strong emphasis on client relationships and quality control.
4. Time Etc: Best for Flexible, Pay-As-You-Go Plans
- Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Time Etc is one of the longest-standing virtual assistant providers, offering a flexible model that appeals to business owners wanting minimal commitment. Instead of locking clients into large retainers, Time Etc uses a pay-as-you-go approach, allowing businesses to purchase a block of hours that can be used as needed.
Their assistants typically have at least 12 years of professional experience, ensuring a high baseline of competence and communication skills. The company emphasizes a personal matching process and assigns a client success manager to oversee ongoing relationships. This structure makes Time Etc an attractive choice for business owners who need experienced support but prefer to avoid big upfront costs or long-term contracts.
5. Prialto: Best for Managed Enterprise VA Teams
- Founded: 2009
- Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
Prialto operates more like a managed service provider than a traditional VA agency. Rather than simply placing a virtual assistant, Prialto provides entire teams trained to handle administrative processes, sales support, scheduling, CRM maintenance, and more. They handle hiring, training, management, and even quality assurance, making them a plug-and-play solution for enterprises and fast-growing businesses.
Prialto’s assistants are based in Guatemala, the Philippines, and Kenya, allowing for global coverage and cost efficiencies. Their model is ideal for executives and companies that want a managed service approach without needing to personally supervise every VA task. The higher price point reflects the comprehensive oversight and process-driven execution they provide.
6. Wing Assistant: Best for Startups and SMBs on a Budget
- Founded: 2018
- Headquarters: Berkeley, California
Wing Assistant targets startups and SMBs that want affordable virtual support without sacrificing quality. They provide dedicated VAs for administrative work, e-commerce tasks, customer service, and even specialized roles like social media management. Wing’s services come in flat-rate monthly subscriptions, making budgeting predictable for smaller businesses.
All Wing assistants are fluent in English, and the company emphasizes structured onboarding and task management tools to help clients track work and communicate efficiently. While they operate on leaner margins than premium agencies, Wing still invests in quality control and training. They’re a practical solution for businesses looking to stretch dollars further without endless trial-and-error.
7. OkayRelax: Best for Personal-Use and Lifestyle Tasks
- Founded: 2015
- Headquarters: Tampa, Florida
OkayRelax focuses on personal and lifestyle virtual assistant services rather than purely business tasks. Their assistants can handle activities like personal scheduling, travel planning, online research, reservations, and light business tasks, all under affordable monthly subscription plans.
Unlike some VA firms that demand high minimums, OkayRelax offers packages starting as low as 25 tasks per month, making them accessible for solopreneurs or busy professionals who simply want personal relief without hiring a full-time employee. They’re especially popular among individuals seeking a mix of professional and personal-life support without complex contracts or high costs.
Pick the Partner That Matches How You Work
Hiring a virtual assistant is not simply about cutting costs or ticking off to-do lists. It’s about creating leverage in your business and your life. The right partner understands your workflows, your pace, and the standards you expect.
Each of the agencies in this list brings something unique to the table, whether it’s global affordability, U.S.-based professionalism, or niche personal support. Don’t let price be your only filter. Instead, look for a firm that will challenge you to define what you really need and stand behind the quality of their match.
Your assistant should feel like an extension of how you work, not just an outsourced task-taker. Pick wisely, and you’ll reclaim time, mental bandwidth, and momentum you didn’t even realize you were losing.
