Time Etc

Time Etc has been in the virtual assistant business since 2007, making it one of the longest-running services in the space. That longevity shows in the polish of their operation. The matching process is efficient, the platform is intuitive, and the assistants are consistently experienced professionals rather than entry-level workers.

One of Time Etc's biggest selling points is flexibility. With plans starting at 10 hours per month and unused hours rolling over, it is one of the most accessible options for solopreneurs and small business owners who do not yet need a full-time assistant. This low barrier to entry makes it easy to test the waters and scale up as your needs grow.

The quality of assistants is generally high. Time Etc claims its VAs have an average of 12 years of professional experience, and in our evaluation, the assistants demonstrated strong competence in email management, scheduling, research, and general administrative tasks. They are comfortable with common business tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and various project management platforms.

The onboarding process is straightforward. After signing up, you complete a brief questionnaire about your needs and work style, and Time Etc matches you with an assistant within a day or two. If the match is not right, they will reassign you without hassle.

On the downside, Time Etc is squarely focused on general administrative support. If you need bookkeeping, social media management, graphic design, or any specialized skill, you will need to look elsewhere. The service is designed for the bread-and-butter tasks of running a business: inbox management, calendar coordination, research, data entry, and travel planning.

The communication model can also feel limiting. Interactions happen primarily through the Time Etc platform, and while you can also communicate via email, some clients prefer the flexibility of Slack or direct phone calls, which are not standard here.

Pricing is competitive for US and UK-based talent, though it is not the cheapest option if you are open to offshore assistants. At roughly $36 per hour, you are paying a premium for native English speakers with professional backgrounds, which is worthwhile for client-facing tasks but may be overkill for basic data entry.