Best Virtual Assistant Companies (2026): 10 Compared

Hiring a virtual assistant is the moment many business owners finally get their evenings back. The hard part isn't finding someone; it's finding someone reliable, who'll still be there in six months, and who can cover when they're off sick.

That's what a managed company is for. The ten below cover US, UK and international assistants, from executive support to everyday admin. They're listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the company's own website, read this week. If you'd like to write the brief first, my guide to a good virtual assistant job description will help.

Virtual assistant companies at a glance

I checked the last column on each company's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free trial, consultation, assessment or call before you commit. Not stated means the pages I read didn't name one. Offers change often, so confirm on the company's own page before you book.

Service	Type	Good for	Free trial or call named
Athena	Executive assistant company	Founders learning to delegate	Yes
BELAY	US-based assistant services	US-based assistants by industry	Not stated
Boldly	Subscription executive assistants	Premium support for senior leaders	Not stated
Delegated	US-based virtual assistants	College-educated US assistants	Not stated
Magic	Remote virtual assistant agency	Dedicated human assistants by role	Not stated
Prialto	Managed virtual assistant service	Managed support with continuity	Not stated
Time etc	US-based virtual assistants	Flexible task-based help	Yes
Virtalent	UK virtual assistant company	Dedicated UK-based support	Yes
Wing Assistant	Managed VA service	Assistants by business function	Yes
Wishup	Virtual assistant and bookkeeper hiring	Pre-vetted assistants in an hour	Yes

Ten virtual assistant companies worth a look

Athena

Best for: Founders and executives who want to be matched with a dedicated executive assistant and coached on what to hand over.

BELAY

Best for: Leaders who want US-based executive, marketing or client services assistants, with options for churches, nonprofits and real estate.

Boldly

Best for: Senior leaders, small businesses and nonprofits who want premium executive assistants on a subscription staffing model.

Delegated

Best for: Entrepreneurs and executives who want a US-based, college-educated assistant trained to work with small businesses.

Magic

Best for: Companies that want a dedicated human assistant for sales, marketing, ecommerce or customer support, matched by industry.

Prialto

Best for: Busy professionals and enterprise teams who want a managed assistant backed by a team for continuity and security.

Time etc

Best for: Small business owners who want an experienced US-based assistant for everyday tasks, starting with a no-obligation consultation.

Virtalent

Best for: UK founders and small businesses who want a dedicated virtual assistant based in the UK, after a free consultation.

Wing Assistant

Best for: Small businesses that want managed assistants for admin, sales, marketing, finance or HR, with no long-term contract.

Wishup

Best for: Founders who want pre-vetted, pre-trained virtual assistants or bookkeepers quickly, plus an app for daily reports.

Which VA company fits your business

• Executives learning to delegate: Athena or Boldly.
• US-based assistants: BELAY, Delegated or Time etc.
• UK-based assistants: Virtalent.
• Managed support with backup cover: Prialto.
• Assistants by business function: Wing Assistant or Magic.
• Fast hiring of pre-vetted VAs: Wishup.

Why the employment question matters before you hire

The Internal Revenue Service explains that whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor depends on evidence of control and independence, which it groups into three categories: behavioral control, financial control and the type of relationship. It says businesses must weigh all these factors.

This is the part most first-time hirers miss. If you hire a freelancer direct, then set their hours, tell them exactly how to work and treat them like staff, you may have an employee on your hands, with everything that brings. Going through a company puts the assistant's working relationship with that company instead. It doesn't remove every risk, so read the contract, but it's a big reason founders choose a managed service.

Dedicated assistant, shared team or on-demand help?

A dedicated assistant works with you every week and learns how you like things done. It's the best route for inbox and calendar work, where trust and context matter most.

A shared or managed team gives you one main assistant with backup from colleagues. You lose a little of the personal touch but gain cover when your assistant is away.

On-demand help works task by task. It suits occasional research, bookings and data entry, but it's harder to hand over anything that needs your judgement.

Six questions to ask a virtual assistant company

1. Where are your assistants based, and which hours do they work?
2. How do you vet and train assistants before matching them?
3. What happens if my assistant leaves or is off sick?
4. Can I switch assistants if the match isn't right?
5. How do you protect access to my email and accounts?
6. What's the notice period if I want to stop?

Signs you're ready for a virtual assistant

• Your inbox runs your day. Hand over the triage.
• You're doing the same admin every week. Write it down and delegate it.
• Client follow-ups slip. An assistant can own them.
• You work evenings to catch up. That's the clearest sign.

Do you make virtual assistant or delegation services? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice before you hire a virtual assistant

List every task you did last week and mark the ones only you can do. Everything else is a candidate for your assistant. Start with three tasks that repeat every week, write down how you do each one, and hand those over first. You'll learn more about working with an assistant in that first month than in any sales call.

If you're curious what the work looks like from the assistant's side, my piece on what real estate virtual assistants do shows how one specialism works.

Related guides live in the Remote Jobs and Work From Home: 47 Guides to Real Jobs, Pay and Spotting Scams.

Frequently asked questions

What does a virtual assistant company do?

It recruits, vets and manages remote assistants, then matches you with one, so you don't have to hire and manage a freelancer yourself.

Is a VA company better than hiring a freelancer?

It's easier and usually more reliable, with cover when your assistant is away. A freelancer gives you more direct control.

Where are virtual assistants based?

It depends on the company. Some only use US-based or UK-based assistants, while others hire internationally.

What tasks can a virtual assistant handle?

Common tasks include email, calendar, travel, research, data entry, customer support and social media scheduling.

How quickly can I start with a VA company?

Some match you within days, and a few say within an hour. Ask about onboarding before you commit.

Do I need a contract with a virtual assistant company?

Yes. Read the notice period, data protection terms and what happens if your assistant changes.