Virtual assistant pricing models fall into five types: hourly, monthly retainer, prepaid blocks, per-task and dedicated plans. This guide compares them, lists the hidden fees to ask about, and shows where our approved prices fit, from $5.62 an hour.
Written by the MyRemoteVA team. Prices and facts are checked before publishing. How we write and update guides.
Virtual assistant pricing models decide how much you pay and how much risk you carry. Two firms can quote the same hourly rate and still cost very different amounts a month. This guide compares the five common models, lists the questions to ask, and shows where our prices fit.
Virtual assistant pricing models at a glance
| Model | How you pay | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly (pay as you go) | A rate for each hour used | Small or irregular work | Higher rate per hour than a plan |
| Monthly retainer | A fixed fee for a set number of hours | Steady weekly work | Hours that expire each month |
| Prepaid blocks | A pack of hours bought up front | Trying a service, or bursts of work | Expiry dates on the pack |
| Per task or project | A fixed price for a defined job | One-off work with a clear scope | Extra charges when scope changes |
| Dedicated plan | A large monthly block for one assistant | Daily support across many tasks | Paying for hours you do not fill |
No model is best for everyone. The right one depends on how often your work repeats and how much of it you can plan. Per-task pricing looks simple, but the price can change when the scope grows. Hourly and monthly plans are easier to compare because the unit is the same.
Hidden fees to ask about before you sign
The hourly rate is only part of the cost. Ask each provider these questions and write down the answers.
- Is there a sign-up, set-up or platform fee?
- Is there a minimum term or lock-in?
- Do unused hours roll over or expire?
- Are payment fees or currency conversion added?
- Is rush or out-of-hours work charged extra?
- Who reviews the work, and is that time billed?
Compare the all-in monthly cost for the hours you really need. A low hourly rate with expiring hours can cost more than a higher rate that rolls over. This applies to a virtual staffing agency pricing sheet as much as to a freelancer.
How our plans map to each model
| Model | Our plan | Price | Per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Pay-as-you-go | $12 an hour | $12.00 |
| Prepaid blocks | 3-hour block | $33 | $11.00 |
| Prepaid blocks | Quarterly packs: 15, 45, 90 hours | $135, $360, $630 | $9.00, $8.00, $7.00 |
| Monthly retainer | Part-time, 80 hours a month | $500 | $6.25 |
| Dedicated | Full-time, 160 hours a month | $899 | $5.62 |
Pay-as-you-go hours never expire. On other plans, unused hours roll over while your account is active. Prices are in US dollars. We do not charge per task, because a fixed price for a loose task often hides the real cost. See the full list on the pricing page.
How to choose between virtual assistant pricing models
- Track your repeat work for one week and add up the hours.
- Under about 5 hours a month, start with pay-as-you-go or a 3-hour block.
- For steady weekly work, compare a monthly plan with the cost of the same hours at an hourly rate.
- For daily support, price a dedicated plan and plan how you will fill the hours.
Most small businesses end up with one of two virtual assistant pricing models: pay-as-you-go while the work is uneven, then a monthly plan once the hours are steady. The cost calculator does this comparison for you. To see the cost of each task, read virtual assistant cost per task.
Managed service or marketplace
Pricing is only one difference. A marketplace hands you a freelancer to manage. A managed service adds a team lead who reviews every task. Our virtual assistant vs freelancer guide and the best place to hire a virtual assistant guide cover the trade-offs.
How to start
- Pick one pricing model and three repeat tasks.
- Start small, or try the 3-hour free trial. The trial runs for 2 days, then the plan you choose starts.
- Review hours used after the first month and adjust the plan.
Helpful next steps
- How much does a virtual assistant cost
- Affordable virtual assistant monthly plans
- Dedicated virtual assistant
- Cheap virtual assistant services
Frequently asked questions
What are the main virtual assistant pricing models?
Hourly, monthly retainer, prepaid blocks of hours, per-task or per-project, and a dedicated full-time or part-time plan. Each suits a different kind of work.
Which pricing model is cheapest?
It depends on volume. Steady work usually costs less per hour on a monthly plan. Small or irregular work often suits pay-as-you-go or a prepaid block. Compare the all-in monthly cost, not only the hourly rate.
What hidden fees should I ask about?
Ask about sign-up fees, platform or payment fees, minimum terms, charges for rush work, and what happens to unused hours.
What does MyRemoteVA charge?
Pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour, part-time is 80 hours for $500, and full-time is 160 hours for $899, or $5.62 an hour. Hourly blocks start at $33 for 3 hours. Prices are in US dollars.
What is doing this yourself costing you?
Doing it yourself: $2,165 a month of your time.
The same hours at our $12/hr pay-as-you-go rate: $520. Dedicated plans start at $5.62/hr.
Simple maths from the numbers you enter. It assumes a VA can take on those hours.
Try 3 hours freeWritten by the MyRemoteVA team. Search-trend figures come from Google Trends. Prices shown are our current plans. Last updated October 20, 2026. Questions or corrections? Contact us.