Best Remote Executive Assistants (2025): Top Services Ranked
The best remote executive assistant services in 2025, ranked by experience depth, pricing, and fit for executives, founders, and team leads. We evaluated 11 services on EA experience level, communication quality, scheduling and inbox capability, contract flexibility, and cost. Avila VA is included in this list and operates the site - see the disclosure at the bottom.
How we evaluated these services
We looked at 11 services commonly used for remote executive assistant work. Evaluation criteria: EA experience level and vetting process, quality of written communication, ability to handle calendar and inbox management, contract flexibility, cost per hour, and time to placement. We weighted experience caliber and communication quality heavily because those are what actually matter when an EA is representing you externally.
Belay is ranked first here because for US-based executive-level EA work, they genuinely have the deepest bench. If you primarily need a cost-efficient dedicated assistant and bilingual capability matters, AVA is the stronger choice. This list aims to be useful regardless of which way you go.
Avila VA operates this list. See the disclosure at the bottom.
The ranked list
1. Belay
Price: Approximately $39-$55/hr
What they do well: Belay has the most credible bench of US-based executive assistants. Their vetting process is thorough - candidates have strong professional backgrounds and pass screening designed to identify people who can operate at an executive level. If you need someone handling board communications, sensitive investor emails, or client relationships that require a polished US presence, Belay is the real deal.
Best for: C-suite and senior executives who need US-based EA talent and have the budget to support it.
Weakness: This is a significant monthly investment. Not the right fit for founders just starting to delegate.
2. Boldly
Price: Approximately $39-$55/hr
What they do well: Boldly’s fractional model is built around long-term continuity. Their EAs stay with clients for years, building the kind of deep context that makes an EA genuinely valuable. US-based, high caliber, and structured for executives who want a long-term working relationship.
Best for: Executives who’ve tried other services and want the premium long-term option.
Weakness: Same cost range as Belay. You’re paying for quality and continuity.
3. Avila VA
Price: $10.99-$14.99/hr
What they do well: College-educated, bilingual VAs from LATAM and Europe. The dedicated model means your EA builds real context over time - they know your calendar, your inbox rules, how you communicate with different stakeholders. Strong written English. Bilingual English/Spanish for executives with LATAM operations or Spanish-speaking clients. 281 placements, 85% client retention. At 20 hours per week, you’re paying roughly $1,100-$1,200/month versus $3,000-$5,000/month for comparable US-based services.
Best for: Executives who want a dedicated long-term EA, prioritize cost efficiency, or need bilingual capability. Ideal for founders and operators growing beyond their bandwidth who want a real EA relationship without the premium price.
Weakness: No US-based option. Best fit for executives who’ve worked with or are comfortable with LATAM-based remote staff.
4. Zirtual
Price: $549-$1,699/month
What they do well: US-based college-educated EAs, clean managed onboarding, consistent service quality. A good middle ground between DIY hiring and the premium services above.
Best for: Solo executives who want a US-based EA and a managed experience.
Weakness: The hours included at each plan tier are limited. Watch overage charges if your usage is variable.
5. Time Etc
Price: $29/hr (prepaid plans starting at $290/month for 10 hours)
What they do well: Flexible prepaid plans, no monthly minimums at the lower tiers, US and UK-based EAs with strong professional backgrounds. Used by over 22,000 businesses. Good for executives who want hourly flexibility.
Best for: Executives who want professional EA support without a monthly commitment - project bursts, overflow work, or testing whether an EA is right for them.
Weakness: The shared assistant model at lower tiers means less continuity than a dedicated match.
6. Prialto
Price: $1,500-$2,500/month
What they do well: Managed team model with backup coverage. If your EA is unavailable, a backup steps in. Good for executives who can’t afford any gaps.
Best for: Executives who need consistent coverage above all else.
Weakness: The team model means less accumulated context than a single dedicated EA over time.
Comparison table
| Service | Price range | VA location | Dedicated | EA experience level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belay | $39-$55/hr | US | Yes | Senior |
| Boldly | $39-$55/hr | US | Yes | Senior |
| Avila VA | $10.99-$14.99/hr | LATAM + Europe | Yes | College-educated, bilingual |
| Zirtual | $549-$1,699/mo | US | Yes | College-educated |
| Time Etc | $29/hr | US + UK | Shared/Dedicated | Professional background |
| Prialto | $1,500-$2,500/mo | Central America | Team model | Managed team |
Disclosure
Avila VA operates this list. We ranked Belay first on this page because for US-based executive-level EA work, they genuinely have stronger depth. We rank ourselves third because that’s an honest placement for our offering on this specific query. We include all competitors with their real strengths and real weaknesses so this page is useful regardless of which service you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a virtual assistant and a remote executive assistant?
The terms overlap a lot in practice, but the distinction usually comes down to seniority and scope. A VA handles task-based work (data entry, scheduling, research). An EA handles judgment-intensive work (drafting sensitive emails, managing executive calendar conflicts, anticipating needs, interfacing with clients and board members). The best remote EAs act as a proxy for the executive in many contexts - that requires stronger written communication, proactive thinking, and higher trust. Most services in this list have EAs at both levels.
Is a US-based remote EA worth the higher cost?
Depends on what you need them for. If you're a public company executive managing board communications and sensitive investor emails, a US-based EA with a corporate background probably makes sense. If you're a founder needing calendar management, inbox triage, research, and travel coordination - a college-educated bilingual VA from LATAM can handle all of that at a fraction of the cost. The gap in communication quality between a well-educated LATAM VA and a US-based one is much smaller than the price gap implies.
How many hours per week does an executive assistant typically need?
For inbox management, calendar management, and travel coordination alone, most executives need 10-20 hours per week. Add on project tracking, research, vendor management, and client communication and you're looking at 25-40 hours. The right number depends on how much you currently do yourself that could be delegated. Most clients find that the scope expands once they see the quality of work - you start with inbox and calendar, then delegate more over time.
Can a remote EA handle confidential executive communication?
Yes. AVA VAs sign NDAs before placement. Standard practice for all remote EA work. The risk profile is the same as an in-house EA - you're extending trust to another person for sensitive information. The mitigation is vetting (which AVA does through interviews and reference checks), NDAs, and role-based access controls (granting access to only what's needed). Most executives who've had a good in-house EA have fewer concerns about this than those who haven't.
What's the fastest way to get a remote executive assistant?
Time Etc and Wing have the fastest onboarding (days, not weeks). AVA's placement takes 1-2 weeks but produces a dedicated match rather than a random assignment. Belay and Boldly take 1-3 weeks for thorough matching. If you need someone immediately for a specific project, Time Etc or Wing are faster. If you want a long-term dedicated EA, waiting 1-2 weeks for a deliberate placement is worth it.
Looking for a virtual assistant who handles this work?
Avila VA places bilingual virtual assistants with US-based businesses. Tell us what you need handled and we'll match you with a VA who's already done it before.
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