Virtual assistant vs personal assistant is mainly about place and tasks. A personal assistant works in person and can run errands. A virtual assistant works online on email, calendars, research and records, for set monthly hours from $5.62 an hour. Pick in-person help for physical errands and a virtual assistant for online work.
Virtual assistant vs personal assistant is mostly a question of place and tasks. Both free up your time, but they work differently. This guide compares them in plain terms, says when each one is the better pick, and shows our prices. All prices are in US dollars. It is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Virtual assistant vs personal assistant in one line
A personal assistant works with you in person. A virtual assistant works online. If a task needs hands on site, such as a parcel, a car or a meeting room, you need in-person help. If the task happens on a screen, a virtual assistant can do it.
Virtual assistant vs personal assistant compared
| Question | Virtual assistant | Personal assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Where they work | Online, from their own location | In person, at your home or office |
| Typical tasks | Email, calendar, research, records, web upkeep | Errands, household help, travel logistics, on-site tasks |
| Hours | An agreed number of monthly hours | Often fixed working hours or a salary |
| Cover for absence | Ours has a standby pool | Usually none unless you hire another person |
| Extra costs | No desk or equipment to provide | Space, equipment and employer costs may apply |
| Phone calls | Not offered by us | Often included |
| Best fit | Online tasks for a busy owner | Physical errands and on-site help |
Personal errands a virtual assistant can and cannot do
A virtual assistant can book flights and tables, sort email, set reminders and research purchases. These are online tasks. It cannot pick up a parcel, drive you somewhere or wait at your home for a delivery. Those personal errands need a person on site. Many owners use both: a virtual assistant for the online load and local help for the physical jobs.
Virtual assistant vs executive assistant
An executive assistant supports a senior leader across email, calendar, travel and projects. A remote executive assistant is a virtual assistant who does that work online. If your needs are broad and steady, read remote executive assistant vs virtual assistant. For lighter personal work, see virtual personal assistant tasks.
What a virtual assistant costs
| Plan | Price | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 3-hour block | $33 | $11.00 |
| Pay-as-you-go | $12 an hour | $12.00 |
| Part-time, 80 hours a month | $500 | $6.25 |
| Full-time, 160 hours a month | $899 | $5.62 |
Unused hours roll over while your account is active, and a team lead reviews every task. Work out your own monthly hours with the cost calculator, or compare with hiring in person using the VA vs employee calculator.
Cover for absence and privacy
Quick test: which one do you need?
Ask three short questions. Does the task need a person in the room? Does it happen on a screen? Does it repeat every week? If the answer to the first is yes, hire in-person help. If the other two are yes, a virtual assistant fits.
The virtual assistant vs personal assistant choice is not either or. Many owners use both. A local helper handles the parcels and the school run. A virtual assistant handles the inbox, the calendar and the records. Each does the work it suits best.
Start small. Time your tasks for one week. Add up the minutes. Then pick a plan that matches your monthly hours. If the plan turns out too big, unused hours roll over while your account is active. Nothing is wasted.
A single in-person assistant leaves a gap when they are sick or away. Our standby pool can cover. For privacy, share only what each task needs, use shared calendars and limited access, and never share bank logins or main passwords.
How to choose
- List your weekly tasks and mark which ones need a person on site.
- Add up the online tasks and the hours they take.
- Start with a small plan or the 3-hour free trial. The trial runs for 2 days, then the plan you choose starts.
Helpful next steps
- What can a virtual assistant do? 25 tasks
- Virtual assistant vs BPO
- Dedicated virtual assistant plans
- See every plan and price
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between a virtual assistant and a personal assistant?
A personal assistant usually works in person and can do physical errands. A virtual assistant works online and handles tasks done on a computer, such as email, calendars, research and records.
Is a virtual assistant cheaper than a personal assistant?
A virtual assistant is paid for set monthly hours, with no office space or equipment to provide. Our plans run from $33 for 3 hours to $899 for 160 hours, or $5.62 an hour. Compare with your local pay and extra costs.
Can a virtual assistant do personal tasks?
Yes, online ones: booking travel, sorting email, reminders and research. It cannot collect parcels, drive or do anything that needs a person on site.
What about an executive assistant?
An executive assistant supports a senior person on a wide set of tasks. A remote executive assistant is a virtual assistant focused on that work. See the linked guide for details.
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.
Start for $1Written by the MyRemoteVA team. Search-trend figures come from Google Trends. Prices shown are our current plans. Last updated October 19, 2026. Questions or corrections? Contact us.