Virtual assistant and remote staff providers

A virtual assistant (VA) is a remote worker who supports your business from another location, often another country. The term can also mean AI software; see virtual assistant in the ACXPA glossary for both meanings.

This page covers people. Common VA roles include:

• Customer service: email, chat and phone support, order and booking management.
• Administration: inbox and calendar management, data entry, document preparation and research.
• Sales support: lead research, CRM updates, appointment setting and follow-up.
• Finance support: bookkeeping, invoicing and accounts payable.
• Marketing: social media, content and website updates.

Looking for AI that handles customer conversations instead? See AI and automation.

• Dedicated remote staff: a full-time person who works only for you, employed and managed by the provider. You direct their day-to-day work.
• Shared or part-time VAs: a VA who splits their time across clients. Good for small, steady workloads.
• Managed teams: the provider supervises the work, sets quality checks and covers leave. Closer to outsourcing than to hiring.
• Freelance marketplaces: you find and manage individuals yourself. Cheapest, but you carry the hiring, management and continuity risk.

For larger, process-driven workloads, compare back-office outsourcing providers too.

Location affects cost, working hours, language and how easily a VA fits your business.

• The Philippines is the largest market for English-speaking virtual assistants, with many providers offering dedicated staff for clients worldwide.
• India has a large pool of VAs for administration, finance and technical support.
• Onshore VAs (in your own country) cost more but share your time zone, culture and local knowledge, which matters for customer-facing roles.

Use the Based in filter above the list to compare providers by country.

• Who employs the VA, and what pay, leave and benefits do they receive?
• What happens if our VA is sick, on leave or leaves the company?
• How do you recruit and test VAs, and can we interview candidates?
• How do you protect our data and systems, and which privacy laws do you follow?
• What equipment, internet back-up and workspace does the VA have?
• What is included in the monthly fee, and what is the notice period?