10 Best Executive Assistant Staffing Agencies (2026): For Startups, CEOs & Founders

By Michael Bervell CEO and Founder of Test Party

Key Summary: Finding the right executive assistant staffing agency can save founders 10–20 hours each week—but only with well-vetted, dedicated talent. We compared 10 leading providers based on vetting, AI readiness, timezone coverage, pricing, and overall value. Hire Overseas ranked first, while other providers stood out for U.S.-based support, managed services, or budget-friendly hiring.

I hired my first executive assistant the week I realized I'd spent an entire Tuesday manually rescheduling investor meetings instead of shipping product. As a founder, that was the moment I recognized that administrative work had started competing with the work that actually grew the business. If you've built a startup, you've probably experienced the same tradeoff.

That experience is why I wrote this guide. There are genuinely excellent executive assistant staffing agencies in today's market, but they aren't all built the same. A full-time U.S.-based executive assistant typically costs $80,000–$125,000 per year once salary, payroll taxes, benefits, recruiting, and equipment are included. By comparison, a dedicated offshore executive assistant hired through a managed staffing agency often costs $18,000–$30,000 annually, making the value proposition difficult to ignore. 

To keep this comparison objective, I evaluated every executive assistant staffing agency using the same five-point rubric, highlighting each provider's strengths, tradeoffs, pricing, and publicly available review data so readers can make an informed decision based on evidence rather than marketing claims.

How We Ranked Executive Assistant Staffing Agencies

To keep this comparison as objective as possible, every executive assistant staffing agency was evaluated using the same five criteria. Rather than relying on marketing claims, we reviewed publicly available pricing, service offerings, customer reviews, and company documentation to assess each provider's strengths and tradeoffs.

Our evaluation focused on:

• Dedicated vs. shared support: Is the executive assistant dedicated to one client or shared across multiple businesses?
• Candidate vetting: How rigorous and transparent is the agency's recruitment and screening process?
• Timezone coverage: Can the executive assistant reliably work during your business hours?
• AI and technology readiness: Does the agency train executive assistants to use modern AI tools and workflow automation?
• Overall value: How much capability, flexibility, and ongoing support do you receive for the price?

Where available, we also considered third-party review platforms such as G2, Clutch, and Trustpilot to provide additional context. Pricing and product information reflect publicly available sources as of mid-2026 and may change over time.

Executive Assistant Staffing Agency vs. Freelance Marketplaces: Which Hiring Model Is Right?

Before comparing executive assistant staffing agencies, it's important to choose the right hiring model. You can hire an executive assistant through a staffing agency or recruit directly from a freelance marketplace like Upwork. For startup founders, CEOs, and executive teams, the decision usually comes down to one question: “Do you want to manage the hiring process yourself, or work with a partner that manages it for you?”

• Executive Assistant Staffing Agencies: An executive assistant staffing agency is typically the best option for businesses that need a dedicated executive assistant without investing weeks in sourcing and screening candidates. Agencies handle executive assistant recruitment, skills assessments, interviews, reference checks, onboarding, and, in many cases, replacement guarantees if a hire isn't the right fit. Many agencies also operate under staff augmentation or Employer of Record (EOR) models, making it easier to hire internationally while managing payroll, HR, and compliance.
• Freelance marketplaces like Upwork give businesses access to a large pool of independent contractors. They're well suited for short-term projects or founders who only need a few hours of executive support each week. The downside is that every stage of the hiring process remains your responsibility. Quality varies considerably, and replacing a freelancer often means starting the search again.

A staffing agency is typically the best choice when you need a dedicated executive assistant for long-term, high-impact support—here are the top providers to consider: 

10 Best Executive Assistant Staffing Agencies: Quick Comparison 

1. Hire Overseas

Best for: startup founders, CEOs, and executives looking for a dedicated, AI-trained offshore executive assistant with full-service recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and HR support

Why Hire Overseas? 

Hire Overseas is a global executive assistant staffing agency that places dedicated, full-time executive assistants from the Philippines, Latin America, and South Africa. It reports accepting fewer than 1% of applicants, with a vetting process focused on communication skills, technical ability, and culture fit. The company staffs for real-time timezone overlap, including nearshore talent from Latin America for businesses requiring U.S. business hours.

AI readiness is one of Hire Overseas' strongest differentiators. Through their Hire Overseas University, executive assistants receive ongoing training in ChatGPT, Claude, Zapier, Make, AI workflow automation, and AI video tools such as Google Veo 3 and Runway, enabling them to support both administrative work and operational workflows.

Starting price: From $2,500/month, month-to-month, with a 14-day replacement guarantee.

Trade-off: If you specifically need a U.S.-based executive assistant, this may not be the best fit.

Reviews: Hire Overseas holds a 5.0/5 rating on G2, based on verified customer reviews. Clients consistently highlight the quality of talent, responsiveness of the team, and the effectiveness of the onboarding process.

2. Belay

Best for: Businesses that prefer a U.S.-based executive assistant with native business-hour coverage and are willing to pay a premium for domestic talent.

Why Belay?

Belay is a well-established U.S. executive assistant agency known for serving entrepreneurs and small businesses. Its U.S.-based assistants offer strong timezone alignment and familiarity with American business culture, though support may be shared depending on the engagement.

Starting price: Custom pricing (approximately $2,600–$3,800/month).

Trade-off: U.S.-based talent commands significantly higher pricing than offshore providers, and many engagements are part-time rather than full-time dedicated support.

Reviews: BELAY holds a 4.0/5 rating on Trustpilot

3. Prialto

Best for: Executives and growing businesses that value standardized processes and a fully managed executive assistant service.

Why Prialto?

Prialto uses a managed-service model, assigning a primary executive assistant supported by a team and engagement manager to ensure continuity and reduce downtime.

Talent is sourced from the Philippines, Guatemala, and Kenya, with U.S.-based client management. The focus is on standardized processes and service continuity rather than AI automation.

Starting price: From $1,500/month for a 55-hour monthly service plan. Full-time support typically requires multiple service units.

Trade-off: The managed-service model provides excellent continuity but can become expensive for businesses needing full-time executive assistant support.

Reviews: Prialto holds a 5.0/5 rating on G2, based on 3 verified customer reviews

4. MyOutDesk

Best for: Businesses that want an established offshore executive assistant provider

Why MyOutDesk?

Founded in 2008, MyOutDesk is a long-running offshore staffing company that has placed thousands of virtual assistants for U.S. businesses. Its executive assistants, primarily based in the Philippines, work U.S. hours. The company focuses on rigorous recruiting, background checks, and role-specific training.

Starting price: From $1,788/month (pricing varies by role and engagement).

Trade-off: Businesses looking for assistants skilled in modern automation tools and AI may find newer providers better aligned with those needs.

Reviews: MyOutDesk holds a 5.0/5 rating on Clutch, based on 68 verified client reviews.

5. Wing Assistant

Best for: Startups and small businesses looking for an affordable dedicated executive assistant with built-in task management and flexible support.

Why Wing?

Wing is a global virtual assistant company offering dedicated assistants, customer support, and back-office staff through a subscription model. It combines a dedicated assistant with a productivity platform for managing tasks in one place. Most assistants are based in the Philippines and work flexible hours to match client schedules. 

Starting price: Approximately $699–$1,099/month

Trade-off: Wing offers excellent affordability, but its assistants are generally geared toward general administrative work rather than senior executive support and less focused on vetting AI skills.

Reviews: Wing holds a 4.6/5 rating on G2, based on 26 verified customer reviews. 

6. Time Etc

Best for: Entrepreneurs and executives who need part-time executive assistant support on a flexible monthly plan.

Why Time Etc?

Time Etc provides experienced U.S.- and UK-based virtual assistants through monthly hour packages rather than full-time placements. Its assistants are best suited for calendar management, inbox organization, scheduling, research, and other recurring administrative tasks.

Starting price: From $390/month.

Trade-off: Time Etc is an excellent option for light workloads, but hourly plans become expensive compared with dedicated full-time executive assistants as your support needs grow.

Reviews: Time Etc holds a 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot based on verified customer reviews.

7. Zirtual

Best for: Businesses looking for a dedicated U.S.-based executive assistant on a part-time monthly plan.

Why Zirtual?

Zirtual provides college-educated U.S.-based virtual executive assistants who support scheduling, travel coordination, inbox management, and administrative work. Its plans are designed for businesses that need ongoing support without hiring a full-time employee.

Starting price: From $599/month.

Trade-off: While Zirtual provides native U.S. business-hour coverage, monthly plans include relatively few hours, making it less cost-effective for businesses needing full-time executive support.

Reviews: Zirtual holds a 3.8/5 rating on Trustpilot based on customer reviews.

8. Wishup

Best for: Businesses looking to hire a dedicated executive assistant quickly with flexible engagement options.

Why Wishup?

Wishup provides dedicated virtual executive assistants primarily based in India, with onboarding often completed within a few days. The company focuses on administrative support, scheduling, travel coordination, and customer communication for startups and growing businesses.

Starting price: From $1,299/month.

Trade-off: Wishup offers fast hiring and competitive pricing, but businesses requiring significant U.S. timezone overlap or advanced AI workflow expertise may need to evaluate candidates carefully.

Reviews: Wishup holds a 5.0/5 rating on G2 based on verified customer reviews.

9. BruntWork

Best for: Businesses seeking affordable offshore executive assistants with flexible scheduling and global coverage.

Why BruntWork?

BruntWork provides dedicated offshore executive assistants and remote professionals across multiple industries. The company offers flexible staffing models and can schedule assistants around client business hours, making it a popular option for companies that require overnight or extended coverage.

Starting price: Approximately $4–8/hour (full-time equivalent).

Trade-off: BruntWork prioritizes affordability and flexibility, but businesses may spend more time training assistants compared with providers offering more structured onboarding and ongoing development.

Reviews: BruntWork holds a 4.8/5 rating on G2 based on verified customer reviews. 

10. Somewhere

Best for: Companies looking to directly hire experienced remote executive assistants without paying recurring staffing fees.

Why Somewhere?

Somewhere is a recruitment agency that sources remote executive assistants and other professionals from Latin America, the Philippines, and other global talent markets. Unlike subscription-based staffing agencies, Somewhere charges a one-time placement fee while employees work directly for the client.

Starting price: $500 deposit plus a 25–35% placement fee.

Trade-off: Direct hiring provides greater long-term cost efficiency but requires clients to manage onboarding, payroll, performance management, and ongoing HR internally.

Reviews: Somewhere holds a 4.2/5 rating on Trustpilot.

What I’ve Learned Hiring An Exceptional Executive Assistant Through Staffing Agencies

Hiring an excellent executive assistant after much trial and error, I’ve come to learn that the hires that truly changed how I worked—the ones who gave me back my time and sharpened my focus—almost always came from the right agency. Here's what consistently separated the exceptional hires from the average ones:

• They took ownership immediately. Instead of spending weeks onboarding or explaining every detail, they stepped in and organized my calendar, managed my inbox, and clarified priorities with minimal direction.
• They gave me my time back. Within the first month, I was reclaiming 10–20 hours every week—time I could reinvest into strategy, customers, and growing the business.
• They anticipated instead of reacted. The best executive assistants spotted inefficiencies before I did and quietly improved how things ran behind the scenes. It felt less like delegating tasks and more like gaining a strategic partner.
• They came from agencies that invested in vetting. That level of performance didn't happen by accident. It started with agencies that thoroughly screened for communication, problem-solving, and real-world executive support experience.
• Today, they're also AI-fluent. More recently, I've noticed another shift. The best assistants aren't just organized—they use tools like ChatGPT to draft emails faster, summarize meetings, and automate repetitive work. Tasks that once took hours now take minutes, often with better results.

When you choose the right agency, you’re not just filling a role. You’re bringing in someone who changes how you operate—someone who multiplies your time and impact from day one.

If you're evaluating providers, Hire Overseas is the agency I'd start with based on the factors that mattered most in this review. Book a free consultation call with Hire Overseas to see how their vetting process, dedicated staffing model, and global talent network can support your business.

And once you've reclaimed those hours, put them toward improving the parts of your business that create long-term value. Run a free accessibility scan with TestParty to identify WCAG issues on your website and see where you can reduce accessibility and ADA compliance risk.

Pricing, features, and review data were sourced from publicly available company websites and independent review platforms (including G2, Trustpilot, and Clutch) and verified in July 2026. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can offshore executive assistants work U.S. business hours?

Yes. Many executive assistant staffing agencies hire talent from the Philippines, Latin America, South Africa, and India specifically to overlap with U.S. business hours. Some agencies also offer nearshore talent from Latin America for greater real-time collaboration.

Should I hire through a staffing agency or recruit directly?

A staffing agency is generally the faster and lower-risk option because it handles recruiting, vetting, onboarding, payroll, and replacement. Direct hiring can reduce long-term costs but requires significantly more internal time and management.

What skills should a modern executive assistant have?

Beyond traditional administrative skills, today's best executive assistants should be comfortable using AI-powered productivity tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Zapier, Make, and calendar or workflow automation platforms. These skills help reduce repetitive work and improve overall efficiency.