Best Virtual Assistant Services You Need To Know About in 2025

Running a business can easily get overwhelming, especially when you and your team are stretched thin. Hiring additional in-house talent may seem like the answer, but the costs of hiring a full-time employee can be sky-high.

In addition to base salary costs, payroll taxes, insurance, benefits, and equipment costs need to be covered. It usually adds up to significantly more overhead than the cost of hiring a virtual assistant (VA). 

VAs can handle a range of tasks, from specialized to administrative tasks (and even personal tasks), helping you streamline operations without the hefty price tag. But where do you find the best VA services?

In this guide, we’ll cover what services you can outsource, the best websites to hire VAs, and the costs involved.

What VA Services Can You Outsource?

VA service providers can handle a wide range of responsibilities.

Here are just some of the key tasks you can outsource to a VA:

• Bookkeeping: Keeping track of financial records and managing your accounts.
• Email management: Organizing, prioritizing, and responding to emails efficiently.
• Data entry and database management: Ensuring accurate data input and upkeep of your databases.
• Calendar management: Scheduling and tracking your appointments so you’re never double-booked.
• Copywriting: Creating engaging written content for various digital marketing needs, including email marketing.
• Content creation: Writing articles and other assets for you content marketing needs.
• SEO-related tasks: Optimizing web content to improve search engine rankings.
• Social media management: Planning, scheduling, and engaging across your platforms.
• Website management and maintenance: Keeping your website updated and running smoothly.
• Live chat support: Providing real-time customer support and assistance.
• Lead generation and sales outreach: Identifying potential customers and generating leads.
• Customer service: Providing responsive support to your customers by handling inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring a positive customer experience across email, phone, and live chat platforms.

It’s important to keep in mind that a VA isn’t a superhero, so don’t expect them to offer all the most in-demand VA services above. To maximize outsourcing benefits, find the right VA for your needs.

Top 5 Virtual Assistant Providers for US Businesses

We’ve compiled a mix of companies that help you hire VAs as well as those offering a range of VA services suitable for various business sizes and needs. 

Here’s our list of the five best VA platforms for US businesses (not ranked in any specific order):

1. Near

At Near, we’re known for helping US mid-market businesses and fast-growing startups find and hire top LatAm talent.

Hiring a dedicated VA allows you to choose the person you want to work with every day instead of being assigned one from a larger VA firm. Plus, the lower cost of living in Latin America means you can save between 30% and 70% on salaries compared to hiring in the US.

Just ask ORBA, who hired an executive assistant (and two staff accountants) in just 13 days with our help. They’re saving over $150,000 a year compared to filling the same roles with local candidates.

2. Time etc

With over 500 UK and US-based virtual assistants, Time etc offers professionals with extensive experience. They specialize in tasks like social media management, data entry, content writing, and travel bookings.

Time etc’s best features include clear, transparent pricing and terms. Its hour-based packages allow you to add extra VAs for free during especially busy periods to get work done faster. 

3. OkayRelax

OkayRelax strives to reduce your daily stress by offering VA services tailored to both work and lifestyle management. It features three packages, which all include calendar management, scheduling, research, and handling phone calls.

This platform uses a credit-based system, where tasks consume credits from your package for flexible, per-minute billing with no long-term commitments. It’s great for small businesses or individuals needing on-demand help.

4. Woodbows

With VAs based in the US, the Philippines, and India, Woodbows’ assistants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, covering a broad range of services that fit diverse business needs. Its assistants, all college graduates with over 10 years of experience, can manage tasks like email handling, social media, research, content writing, and accounting.

Beyond virtual assistants, Woodbows also offers graphic and web designers, marketing experts, and customer support staff—making it a solid option for businesses needing more comprehensive support.

5. Magic

Magic was originally launched in 2015 out of the NASA Ames Research Center into the world’s first 24/7 demand assistant. A decade later, it is an ideal option for lean startups or small businesses.

You can easily add or remove assistants and train dedicated assistants to fit your company’s needs. Magic also offers its clients a user-friendly dashboard and mobile app to streamline communication, task management, time tracking, and billing. 

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Virtual Assistant?

Outsourcing VA services generally gives you the same level of expertise at a more reasonable cost than hiring in-house. But those costs can vary based on experience level, the type of work you need, and where the VA is located.

The Philippines and India are some of the most cost-effective countries to hire virtual assistants from. They have a large amount of skilled talent at competitive rates. But if time zone alignment or geographical proximity is important, nearshoring to LatAm is a better option.

You can save up to 70% on salaries by hiring a LatAm virtual assistant compared to US-based VAs, who usually charge an hourly rate between $20 and $40. For specialized tasks like SEO or content creation, expect to pay at the higher end of the spectrum.

LatAm VAs tend to have lower salary expectations due to the region’s cost of living but offer the same high-quality support as local hires. For example, US-based administrative assistants have average salaries of $56,100, while a similarly-experienced LatAm VA costs just $24,000. 

How To Choose the Right Virtual Assistant

Choosing the right virtual assistant can seriously impact your business operations and productivity. Consider the following factors when selecting the ideal VA for your business:

• Skills and expertise: Make sure the VA has the necessary skills for the specific tasks you need assistance with.
• Experience level: Look for someone with relevant experience in your industry.
• Communication style: Choose a VA you’ll get along with easily for a smooth working relationship.
• Availability: Confirm that the VA’s availability aligns with your business hours and deadlines.
• Cultural fit: Consider if the VA’s work ethic and values align with your company culture.

Even with a highly qualified VA, effective management is crucial. You’ll need to establish clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and maintain open communication so your assistant can help you achieve your business goals effectively.

Final Thoughts

Whether you need basic marketing tasks completed or everyday administrative services, securing the best VA services for your business doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. 

At Near, we’ll find you a VA that fits your unique situation—and fast. Our pool of pre-vetted candidates means you can fill roles within 21 days.

Ready to discover how a virtual assistant can enhance the way you operate? Book a free consultation call with us today, and let’s find the perfect solution!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire a virtual assistant on a flexible basis?

Yes. Many of the best VA services offer options for hourly work, project-based tasks, or monthly retainers, so you can scale the support according to your needs. Businesses with fluctuating workloads or seasonal demands can benefit from this flexibility.

What key elements should I review in a contract when hiring a virtual assistant for my business?

When reviewing a virtual assistant contract, consider the scope of work, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, termination clauses, and any noncompete or nondisclosure agreements. The contract should clearly outline expectations and responsibilities to avoid misunderstandings.

Will I be able to manage my virtual assistant directly, or will there be supervisors from the outsourcing partner overseeing them?

In most cases, you’ll be able to manage your VA directly. However, some outsourcing partners may have supervisors on hand to ensure that quality standards are met. To be sure, clarify this aspect during the hiring process.