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By Mitchell Conquer · Updated September 2026
Eight services, compared on price, hours, where the assistant is based and the guarantee. For a full-time, AI-trained assistant you approve before paying anything, KeyPlayers is $2,397 a month. For a U.S.-based EA a few hours a week, choose Boldly; when SOC 2 is required, Athena; and for the lowest monthly price, Wing.
We’re KeyPlayers, one of the eight, so read our pick with that in mind. Every competitor figure comes from that company’s own website, checked September 2026, with the source linked, and we’ve said where each one is the better choice.
Quick picks
Best for a full-time assistant you approve before paying
KeyPlayersBest for a U.S.- or Europe-based EA a few hours a week
BoldlyBest when SOC 2 is a procurement requirement
AthenaBest for a U.S.-based assistant matched by a person
BELAYBest for a managed team with a built-in backup assistant
PrialtoBest for a few hours of help a month
Time etcBest for the lowest monthly price
Wing AssistantBest for a U.S.-hours option from one provider
WishupSide by side
| Service | Price | Hours | Based in | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KeyPlayers | $2,397/mo full-time, $1,497/mo for 20 hrs/week | Full-time (about 173 hrs/mo) or 20 hrs/week | Philippines, Latin America and beyond | Lifetime replacement guarantee |
| Boldly | $2,678/mo for 40 hrs | 40 to 100 hrs/mo, up to 160 on request | U.S. or Europe | Lifetime guarantee |
| Athena | $3,000/mo after a 90-day commitment | Full-time only | Not published | Rematch if the fit isn’t right |
| BELAY | Quoted individually | Part-time or full-time, by quote | U.S. | Right-Fit Guarantee: free rematch |
| Prialto | From $3,600/mo full-time | 55-hour units; 165+ hrs for full-time | Not published | Not published |
| Time etc | $390 to $2,160/mo | 10 to 60 hrs/mo | U.S. | Complete satisfaction guarantee |
| Wing Assistant | $999 to $1,999/mo full-time | Part-time or full-time | Not published | Free replacement |
| Wishup | $1,999 to $5,400/mo | Not published | Not published | Free replacement and money-back |
Competitor details are from each company’s own website, checked September 2026, and linked below. “Not published” means the company doesn’t state it. Offerings may have changed since.
The services
Best for a full-time assistant you approve before paying
KeyPlayers places a dedicated remote assistant for $2,397 a month full-time, or $1,497 a month for 20 hours a week. Fewer than 1% of applicants are hired, every KeyPlayer is AI-trained before day one, you meet and approve your match before they start, you pay $0 until they do, and every placement carries a lifetime replacement guarantee.
Best for a U.S.- or Europe-based EA a few hours a week
Boldly pairs executives with remote executive assistants who are U.S.- or Europe-based Boldly employees with 10 to 15 years of experience. Plans are sold by the hour: 40 hours a month is $2,678 and 100 hours is $6,694, which works out to about $67 an hour.
Best when SOC 2 is a procurement requirement
Athena places one dedicated, full-time executive assistant for $3,000 a month, billed monthly after an initial 90-day commitment. Its EAs are employed and equipped by Athena, supported by a Partnership Manager and a delegation training library, and Athena is SOC 2 Type II certified.
Best for a U.S.-based assistant matched by a person
BELAY has matched more than 25,000 leaders with U.S.-based assistants since 2010, drawing from a bench of over 2,000 professionals it describes as the top 3% of vetted U.S. talent. It prices each engagement individually rather than publishing a rate.
Best for a managed team with a built-in backup assistant
Prialto is a managed virtual assistant service. Its assistants are full-time Prialto employees who pass a background check and four weeks of training, supported by an Engagement Manager and a backup assistant. Full-time support starts at $3,600 a month for 165 or more hours.
Best for a few hours of help a month
Time etc has matched entrepreneurs with U.S.-based virtual assistants since 2007. Plans run from 10 hours a month for $390 to 60 hours for $2,160, or $36 to $39 an hour, and you can switch or cancel any time.
Best for the lowest monthly price
Wing Assistant offers dedicated virtual assistants in three tiers, Guided, Independent and Strategic, from $999 to $1,999 a month full-time depending on the role and tier. Every plan includes a Customer Success Manager, QA oversight and backup coverage.
Best for a U.S.-hours option from one provider
Wishup offers managed virtual assistants on three plans: $1,999 a month with a dedicated VA manager and eight weeks of training, $2,999 for assistants with 5 or more years of experience, and $5,400 for a U.S.-hours, U.S.-background-checked option. You can cancel any time.
How we compared
FAQ
It depends on what you need. For a full-time, AI-trained assistant you approve before paying anything, KeyPlayers is $2,397 a month. For a U.S.- or Europe-based EA a few hours a week, Boldly. When SOC 2 is a procurement requirement, Athena. For a U.S.-based assistant matched by a person, BELAY. For a managed team with a backup assistant, Prialto. For a few hours a month, Time etc. For the lowest monthly price, Wing.
From the prices these services publish: hourly plans run from $390 a month for 10 hours (Time etc) to $6,694 for 100 hours (Boldly). Full-time assistants range from $999 a month (Wing’s entry tier) to $3,600 a month and up (Prialto). KeyPlayers is $2,397 a month full-time and $1,497 for 20 hours a week. BELAY doesn’t publish prices.
BELAY and Time etc say every assistant is U.S.-based. Boldly offers U.S.- or Europe-based EAs. Wishup offers a U.S.-hours plan with U.S. background checks. KeyPlayers places remote assistants from the Philippines, Latin America and beyond.
Of these eight, Wing lists the lowest full-time price, from $999 a month depending on the role and tier. KeyPlayers is $2,397 a month, Athena $3,000 after a 90-day commitment, and Prialto from $3,600.
$0 until your KeyPlayer starts. Lifetime replacement guarantee.
