U.S. virtual assistant companies compared

Which U.S. virtual assistant companies should you compare?

For U.S.-based help, most small businesses compare BELAY, Boldly, Time Etc, Prialto, Athena, Zirtual and Peachtree VA. Wing Assistant is a global provider that people also weigh. The table above shows minimum hours, published price, employment model and contract terms. Every competitor cell links to the page we read in October 2026.

We run one of these companies, so read this page with that in mind. We tried to be fair and to link every claim. Where a company does something better than we do, we say so below.

For a one-to-one view of each company, read these pages:

• BELAY alternative
• Boldly alternative
• Time Etc alternative
• Zirtual alternative
• Athena alternative

How do the published prices compare?

Published U.S. plans in October 2026 run from about $36 per hour to about $65 per hour. Time Etc lists $36 to $39 per hour. Boldly’s 40-hour plan works out to $65 per hour. BELAY quotes a typical range of $1,200 to $3,000 a month. Prialto publishes no price.

The per-hour figures for Boldly and Zirtual below are our arithmetic from the monthly prices on their pages. Time Etc prints its own per-hour figures.

Peachtree VA does not publish a VA rate. We quote after a free discovery call, once we know your hours. The virtual assistant cost page explains what drives U.S. VA pricing, and the effective hourly rate calculator shows what your own time is worth.

What is the difference between W-2 and 1099 virtual assistants?

A W-2 company employs its assistants and handles payroll and benefits. A 1099 company works with independent contractors. Boldly, Prialto and Athena say they employ their assistants. BELAY refers to its assistants as contractors. Peachtree VA’s assistants are 1099 independent contractors, and we handle the contractual and compliance details.

The IRS says the keys are to look at the whole relationship and the right to direct and control the worker. This is general information, not tax advice. Confirm how it applies to you with your CPA or attorney. See our glossary entries on independent contractor and 1099 vs W-2.

Where are other companies stronger than Peachtree VA?

Other companies win on several points. Time Etc starts at 10 hours and lets unused hours roll over. Boldly and Athena employ their assistants and publish clear prices. Athena is SOC 2 Type II certified. BELAY lists payroll, tax and fractional CFO support next to bookkeeping. Zirtual says it can match you in as little as 24 hours.

Peachtree VA does not roll hours over, and most clients are matched in as little as 10 business days. If speed, a 10-hour start or a published security certification matters most, one of these companies may fit you better.

When is Peachtree VA a good fit?

Peachtree VA fits when you want an assistant from 25 hours a month, matched by a person, and one partner for bookkeeping and full-time hiring later. We are U.S.-based, month-to-month, and every assistant clears multi-stage interviews, skills assessments, reference checks and background checks and signs an NDA.

A real person matches you on skill set, personality, culture and capacity. We call it Method Matching. Our 100% Matching Guarantee means a rematch at no extra cost, with no expiration date. Clients get a dedicated Relationship Specialist. We hold a 5.0 rating across 25 Google reviews.

Peachtree VA is not the right choice for everyone. If you need a few hours a month, a certified security program or an employee-based team, look at the companies above.

Are offshore virtual assistants cheaper than U.S.-based ones?

Offshore and global providers usually cost less per hour. Wing Assistant, for example, lists 80 hours for $699 a month and says assistants go live in 48 hours. A U.S.-based assistant works inside your business culture, knows what your clients expect, and is reachable in your hours. If budget is the binding constraint, offshore support could work for you.

Peachtree says Wing, MyOutDesk, Prialto and Assistantly differ from Peachtree VA in talent location, matching and time to placement. Peachtree says offshore and global providers hire in the Philippines, Latin America and Africa, with a U.S. option at Wing, and match with AI plus human screening. Peachtree also says placement takes 48 hours to 14 days at these providers, against 10 business days or less at Peachtree VA.

What about premium U.S. companies that only place full-time assistants?

Peachtree says Great Assistant places full-time assistants only, and that Boldly starts at 40 hours a month. If you want to start smaller, Peachtree VA packages start at 25 hours. In our earlier comparison, we noted that Great Assistant’s qualification checklist lists “$1M/yr in revenue” among its signals, and that its founder track targets $5M+ businesses. We do not gate clients by revenue, headcount or stage.

What should you ask before you choose a company?

Ask every company the same short list of questions. The answers matter more than any brand name, and they are easy to compare side by side.

1. How many hours a month is the smallest package?
2. What does the monthly fee include, and what costs extra?
3. Are assistants employees or independent contractors?
4. Who picks the match, and what happens if it is wrong?
5. How much notice do you need to give to cancel or change hours?

Write the answers in one sheet. Book two or three discovery calls, because a call is the fastest way to learn how a company works.

How do you switch from another virtual assistant company?

Switching takes four steps. Check your current contract and notice period first. Then book a free discovery call with Peachtree VA, meet your Method Matched assistant, and hand over your documented tasks. Keep your current provider until your match is working so nothing drops.

1. Review your current terms. Look at notice periods and any commitment.
2. Book a free 30-minute discovery call. You leave with a delegation roadmap, whether you hire us or not.
3. Meet your match. Most clients are matched in as little as 10 business days.
4. Kick off and hand over. Share your checklists and examples. Your Relationship Specialist stays available.

Read how our virtual assistant services work, or start with the VA matching quiz.

Next step

Book a free strategy call and bring your shortlist. We will tell you honestly whether Peachtree VA is a fit. See our virtual assistant services for details.