9 Top Virtual Assistant Companies for Executives in the US

Most lists of top virtual assistant companies treat every option the same: here are ten companies, here are their prices, pick one.

That framing is a problem for executives.

A task-based VA who handles scheduling and data entry is a very different hire than a fractional executive assistant who owns your calendar, manages your inbox, and thinks strategically.

Both get called “virtual assistants.” But the support they deliver is not the same.

This article covers both. You’ll get a curated list of top VA companies in the US, plus a framework to help you compare them before you hire.

TL;DR: Top 9 Virtual Assistant Companies

If you’re short on time, here’s where each company sits.

• ProAssisting: Premium fractional EA service for C-suite executives, board members, and entrepreneurs.
• Belay: US-based VA matching service covering a wide range of administrative and operational tasks.
• Boldly: Subscription-based service that hires assistants as W-2 employees.
• Athena: Full-time Philippines-based executive partners working US hours, popular in tech and VC.
• Prialto: Managed-service model with a primary assistant, backup, and engagement manager included.
• BaseHQ: US-based EA paired with a proprietary software platform built around executive workflows.
• Double: Premium fractional EA support through a clean subscription model with a strong app experience.
• Zirtual: US-based, college-educated VAs at accessible price points, good for entrepreneurs.
• Time Etc: Vetted US-based fractional support with a flexible credit-based model, running since 2007.

What Executives Often Miss When Comparing Assistant Providers

When you’re comparing VA companies, price and features are easy to evaluate. What’s harder to see, and what tends to matter more, are the 4 things below.

• Your assistant’s client load: VA companies spread 1 assistant across 8 to 12 clients. You think you have dedicated support. You don’t.
• Task support vs. strategic support: A VA does what you ask. A fractional executive assistant anticipates what you need, represents you, and gets better the longer you work together. Both get called “virtual assistants,” which is why you can end up with the wrong one.
• Matchmaker vs. managed service: Some companies match you with an assistant and disappear. If things go wrong, you’re on your own. A managed service handles training, backup, and replacement for you.

What Top Virtual Assistant Companies Should Have in Common

Before looking at specific companies, here’s the baseline. Any executive support options worth hiring should be able to answer these clearly.

Service Scope and Support Depth

A great provider knows exactly what their assistants can handle and will tell you honestly when something is outside that scope. Vague promises like “anything you need” are a red flag.

If you need more than someone to manage your calendar and inbox, pay attention to whether the provider can speak to things like sitting in on meetings, owning projects end-to-end, and handling personal tasks.

If all they talk about is email and scheduling, that’s probably all you’re going to get.

Talent Quality and Vetting Rigor

Acceptance rates give you a rough signal.

ProAssisting only engages with assistants who have 5+ years of real C-suite or senior entrepreneurial experience before any placement happens.

But acceptance rates only matter if the vetting is testing the right things.

• Does it screen for judgment under pressure?
• For how a candidate handles confidentiality.
• For stories about managing crises when the principal was unreachable.

Hard skills can be taught. The soft skills, the emotional intelligence, the hospitality mindset that separates a good assistant from an exceptional one, those cannot.

US-Based vs. Offshore Support Models

US-based assistants in your time zone bring cultural fluency, shared context, and the ability to represent you in real-time conversations with your clients, board members, and vendors.

That matters more than most executives realize until their offshore VA sends an email that lands wrong with a major client.

Offshore providers can offer meaningful cost savings. The trade-off is the circadian rhythm. An assistant working nights on your behalf is not operating at peak judgment.

For low-stakes, well-defined tasks, that might be fine. For anything requiring discretion, speed, or nuance, it’s worth thinking through.

Cost Structures and Contract Terms

Here’s the pricing ranges you might expect from different types of services:

One thing most companies don’t advertise is what percentage of your payment reaches your actual assistant.

At ProAssisting, about 75% goes directly to the ProAssistant. At most VA agencies, the number is closer to 30 to 40%. That gap determines how long a good assistant sticks around.

Also, look hard at contract terms before signing anything. Some providers lock you in for 12 months and charge steep penalties if you want to exit early.

9 Top Virtual Assistant Companies

There’s a wide range of options out there, and the right fit depends on what you actually need. Here’s an honest look at each one.

1. ProAssisting

ProAssisting was founded in 2018 by Ethan and Stephanie Bull, who, between them, bring more than 30 years of C-suite EA experience across Hollywood, finance, healthcare, and advertising. 

They built the company because they saw firsthand how broken the traditional VA model was and decided to do it differently.

This is what makes it different from every other service on this list:

• 3:1 ratio: Each ProAssistant supports a maximum of 3 clients, so when you reach out, your assistant isn’t juggling 8 other people.
• Under 1-hour response time: During US business hours, with after-hours coverage available for atypical needs.
• 75%+ pass-through: About 75% of your retainer goes directly to your ProAssistant, which is why these relationships tend to last for years rather than months.
• 5 performance multipliers: Your ProAssistant works across all 5 roles from The 29-Hour Work Day: business partner, chief of staff, project manager, assistant/scheduler, and personal assistant.
• Business and personal: They handle board prep and dry cleaning pickup. They represent you on a call with your biggest client and coordinate your kid’s birthday dinner.

Plans start at $3,300 per month for one-third of a ProAssistant’s resources.

Best If: You’re a C-suite executive, non-executive board director, or entrepreneur who wants top-tier EA experience without the overhead of a full-time hire.

2. Belay

Belay is a familiar name in the space. It was founded in Atlanta in 2010. They work with roughly 1,800 US-based independent contractors and report a 93% first-match rate. Beyond EA support, they also offer bookkeeping, marketing, and social media services.

Pricing runs roughly $42 to $50 per hour, with monthly packages from about $2,000 to $3,800. They use a 1099 contractor model.

Best If: You want a US-based VA with a wide range of administrative skills and don’t need a dedicated full-service EA.

3. Boldly

Boldly hires assistants as W-2 employees. This is actually rare in this space, which is mostly dominated by independent contractors.

They focus on hiring experienced professionals with backgrounds in Fortune 500 companies. Pricing starts at $2,600 per month for 40 hours, with specialized work at $79 per hour.

Best If: You prefer the stability and compliance of an employee model over a contractor arrangement.

4. Athena

Athena pairs you with a Philippines-based executive partner who works US hours. Each package includes an executive coach, a partnership manager, and access to AI tools. Founded in 2019 by the co-founder of Thumbtack.

The commitment is 12 months at $3,000 per month. If you decide to hire your executive partner directly, a significant buyout fee applies.

There are lock-in terms in place. If the relationship doesn’t work out, getting out becomes expensive.

Best If: You’re a founder or operator in tech, VC, or private equity who wants full-time dedicated offshore support and is comfortable with the commitment.

5. Prialto

Prialto uses a managed-service model with team-based coverage. You get a primary assistant, a backup assistant, and an engagement manager.

They hold SOC 2 Type 2 certification and run a 4-week internal training program for all staff. Particularly strong in CRM and sales operations support.

Best If: You run a sales-heavy organization or need built-in backup coverage and want security documentation you can point to.

6. BaseHQ

BaseHQ pairs you with a US-based EA and adds a proprietary software platform on top. It covers your calendar briefings, contact management, and decision tracking.

Best If: You lead a tech-forward team and want both human support and a structured software layer around it.

7. Double

Double offers premium fractional EA support through a subscription model with a polished app experience. Strong on user experience and compensation for their assistants, which tends to attract experienced talent.

Best If: You want a modern, app-driven experience paired with solid human judgment behind it.

8. Zirtual

Zirtual gives you access to US-based, college-educated VAs. Plans run from $599 to $1,699 per month, depending on how many hours you need, ranging from 12 to 45.

Best If: You’re an entrepreneur who needs US-based task support at a friendlier price point.

9. Time Etc

Time Etc has been around since 2007 and only accepts about 2% of applicants. You get a flexible credit-based model with US-based VAs who are well-regarded for getting things done.

Best If: You want vetted US-based fractional support for a mix of administrative and personal tasks without a long-term commitment.

How to Choose the Right Support for Your Needs

The right choice depends on your situation. These 5 factors will help you figure out what kind of support actually makes sense for you.

• Hours you actually need: If you need 40+ hours a week, a full-time hire makes more sense. If you’re in the 10 to 25 hours range, a fractional service saves you money without sacrificing quality. Check these signs for if it is time to hire an executive assistant, if you’re still figuring that out.
• Type of work you’re handing off: Simple, repeatable tasks work fine with a capable VA. But if your assistant will handle sensitive communications or make judgment calls on your behalf, you need someone with real executive-level experience.
• Whether you need US-based support: If your assistant will represent you to your board, clients, or senior team, time zone and cultural fluency matter. Think about that before going offshore to save a few hundred dollars a month.
• Whether you can trust them with full access: Your assistant will likely have access to your inbox, finances, and personal schedule. Check the vetting process, ask about the NDA, and look at how the company pays its assistants. Those things tell you a lot.
• What your time is actually worth: In The 29-Hour Work Day, Ethan Bull suggests a simple exercise. Take your annual net profit and divide it by 2,080. That’s your hourly rate. Spending an hour a day on tasks your assistant could handle costs you tens of thousands a year. A $3,300 monthly retainer looks very different from that angle.

Schedule a call to explore how our ProAssistants can help you enhance your productivity with expert support.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire Any VA Company

Picking the wrong provider is an expensive mistake. Before you commit, get clear answers to these 3 questions.

• What percentage of your fee reaches your assistant? Ask directly. If a company charges $55 per hour and pays its assistant $18, that gap tells you everything. Underpaid assistants leave, and you end up restarting the relationship every few months.
• What happens when your assistant is unavailable? Good assistants take vacations, get sick, and have emergencies. Ask what the backup plan looks like. Do you get someone who already knows your context, or do you start over with a stranger?
• What are the contract terms? Month-to-month with a clean exit process is a good sign. Long lock-in periods with steep exit penalties are a red flag. Read it before you sign.

These questions to ask an executive assistant provider go even deeper if you want a complete vetting checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are a few questions that come up often when executives start looking into virtual executive assistants.

Are Virtual Assistants in Demand?

Yes. The global virtual assistant services market is valued at $19.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $55.4 billion by 2035, growing at an 11% CAGR according to Future Market Insights’ virtual assistant services market report.

Asana’s 2024 State of Work Innovation report found that 53% of a typical knowledge worker’s day goes toward busywork. Demand for experienced support keeps going up.

What Is the Difference Between a Virtual Assistant and an Executive Assistant?

The term “virtual assistant” describes a delivery model. Remote, flexible, often task-based. “Executive assistant” describes a level of experience and a scope of responsibility.

A VA handles defined tasks. Scheduling, data entry, and basic email management. They’re usually working across a large number of clients and compensated accordingly.

A top-level EA, the kind you find at ProAssisting, brings C-suite or senior entrepreneurial experience. For a full breakdown, see virtual assistant vs. remote executive assistant.

When Does It Make Sense to Hire a VA Company vs. a Full-Time EA?

A full-time hire makes more sense if you need 40+ hours a week. A full-time US executive assistant costs around $72,508 a year in base salary. And that number climbs well above $100,000 once you add benefits and overhead.

If you need 10 to 25 hours per week, a fractional executive assistant model gives you the same quality of support at a fraction of that cost.

What Should I Expect in the First 30 Days with a Virtual Assistant Company?

In the first week, expect to spend time sharing context about your preferences, priorities, how you like to communicate, and what’s on your plate. Your assistant will start taking tasks off your hands right away, but the first 2 weeks are mostly about getting them up to speed.

A good assistant will be moving autonomously by week 3. They’ll start making calls without your direct input. That’s when you feel the weight lift.

Conclusion

Up to 30% of your working hours are going toward things you shouldn’t be doing yourself. That adds up fast. But it doesn’t have to.

If you want someone who can actually carry that weight, ProAssisting is worth a look. ProAssistants has supported executives at J.Crew, JPMorgan, Fidelity, Oracle, and Airbnb. Less than 5% of applicants make it through.

Every plan comes with a US-based ProAssistant, 5+ years of C-suite experience, under 1-hour response times, and no long-term commitment.

Executives who find the right match don’t look back. The ones who wait usually wish they hadn’t. See if ProAssisting is the right fit for you.