Best Recruiting Agencies For Hiring Virtual Assistants (2026)

Recruiting agencies find and screen virtual assistants for a placement fee. These are the ones owners mention most, with what each does well.

How To Compare Agencies

International recruiting agencies differ in what they actually do. Some send resumes. Some vet and shortlist. Some also handle payroll and compliance. Before you choose, ask each one the same questions:

1. Sourcing: Which regions and roles do you cover?

2. Vetting: How do you test English, skills, and work history?

3. Speed: How long until I see a shortlist?

4. Support: What happens after hiring? Are replacements included?

5. Pricing: Is it a placement fee, retainer, or monthly rate? See agency pricing models.

6. Compliance: Who handles contracts, payroll, and taxes? See EOR glossary.

Company details change, so confirm current information directly.

1. Globaltize

Globaltize is a managed international recruiting firm. It sources, vets, and introduces candidates in Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Africa, and the U.S. and Canada, and you choose who to hire. That curated approach is designed for owners who do not want to sort through piles of resumes.

Explore how it works:

• Recruitment services

• Pricing

• Regions guide

• Roles it hires for

• Industries served

• Hire by tech stack

• Contractor payments and EOR

• How it compares to alternatives

• Client testimonials

2. Bruntwork

A staffing company known for building remote teams in the Philippines. Suited to businesses that want a dedicated offshore team member.

3. Wing Assistant

Provides managed virtual assistants, useful for teams that want work delivered without managing individuals directly.

4. Athena

Focused on executive assistants who support leaders, with a strong emphasis on training and process.

5. Time Etc

An assistant service oriented around flexible, hourly administrative help.

Quick Comparison

What Sets A Great Agency Apart

• Transparent pricing and process

• Real vetting, not just resume forwarding

• Clear replacement policy

• Regional expertise

• Client references. Look for a testimonials page or verified reviews on sites like Trustpilot

Should You Use An Agency At All?

Agencies save time and reduce risk, but cost more than searching yourself. Compare in virtual assistant vs. freelancer vs. agency and the Upwork versus agency comparison.

A Real-World Example

A logistics startup needed three support agents in six weeks. They tried a marketplace first and spent two weeks screening. Then they used a recruiting agency that vetted candidates and sent a shortlist of five. They interviewed all five in one afternoon and hired three. The agency handled contracts and payments.

The cost was higher than the marketplace, but the time saved paid for it twice over.

A year later, all three agents were still with the company.

A Quick Checklist Before You Start

Before you choose an agency, ask:

• Do you vet candidates, or just list them?

• Who handles payroll and compliance?

• What is the replacement policy if someone leaves?

• Do I interview and choose the person?

• What is the total cost including all fees?

Compare Upwork vs a virtual assistant agency or see how our process works.

Questions Owners Ask

Are bigger agencies better?

Not always. Look for vetting quality, transparent pricing, and the regions you need.

Can I use an agency for one hire?

Yes. Many businesses start with a single role and add more later.

Related Reading

• Best virtual assistant companies for small business

• Top outsourcing companies

• Best countries to hire virtual assistants

Next Steps

Shortlist two or three agencies, compare answers, and tell us who you need.