Up
Marketplace
Upwork
The largest open freelance marketplace, with built-in contracts and payments.
Upwork is an open marketplace where you post a job, review proposals, and hire freelancers from anywhere. It handles contracts, time tracking, and payments, and charges fees on top of freelancer rates. Quality varies widely, so screening is on you.
Hire A Virtual Assistant
At A Glance
Headquarters
United States
Regions Served
Global
Pricing Model
Freelancer-set hourly or fixed rates plus platform fees
Best For
Owners who want to screen and manage freelancers themselves
Specialties
General assistants, admin, design, writing, development, marketing
What Upwork Does
You control the whole process: writing the post, screening, interviewing, and managing. Upwork's tools cover contracts, hourly time tracking, and payment protection.
Because anyone can apply, expect to spend real time filtering. Reviews and job success scores help but are not a substitute for a test task.
How Pricing Works
Upwork uses a freelancer-set hourly or fixed rates plus platform fees model. Marketplaces let workers set their own rates and add a platform fee on top. You pay only for the hours or projects you use, but you also do the screening and management yourself.
Who It Is Best For
Upwork is a strong fit for owners who want to screen and manage freelancers themselves. Its talent is based in Global, so check that the time zones line up with the hours you need covered.
Things To Check Before You Sign
Run a paid test task before committing to ongoing work.
Use the platform's contracts and payment protection rather than paying off-platform.
Check reviews, but weigh recent work more heavily than lifetime scores.
Profiles on this site are written from public information and are not endorsements. Confirm current pricing and terms on the company's website before you decide.
Roles They Commonly Fill
Similar Companies
VL
Virtual Latinos
Pre-screened Latin American assistants available through an agency or a self-serve marketplace.
FU
FreeUp
Curated freelancer marketplace that pre-screens applicants before listing them.
OJ
OnlineJobs.ph
Job board for hiring Filipino remote workers directly, with no agency markup.
Fv
Fiverr
Project-based marketplace where sellers list fixed-price packages.
Not Sure Which Model Fits?
Read how the five kinds of virtual assistant companies differ, then decide how much of the work you want to keep.
Before You Commit
Questions To Ask Any Virtual Assistant Company
Use these on the first call. Clear answers are a good sign. Vague ones tell you something too.
Who employs the assistant, and who pays them?
The answer decides your legal exposure, your costs, and who handles problems.
What exactly did you check before introducing this person?
Ask for the English test, the skills assessment, and the reference calls, not a summary.
What happens if it is not working after two weeks?
Replacement terms, refund windows, and notice periods should be in writing.
Which hours will they work, and in what time zone?
Overlap with your day matters more than the region name on the website.
How do you handle data security and access?
Passwords, customer data, and payment details need a process, not a promise.
What is the total monthly cost, including fees?
Placement fees, platform fees, and payroll charges add up. Get one number.
Prefer A Managed Search?
We recruit in Latin America, the Philippines, and South Africa, vet every candidate, and send you a shortlist. You make the final call.