AVA vs Time Etc: Pricing, VAs, and Hiring Model Compared
AVA places bilingual college-educated VAs from Latin America and Europe at $10.99-$14.99/hr with placements closing in 1-2 weeks. Time Etc places US-based dedicated VAs at $37-$39/hr with hour rollover. AVA is the cheaper option for full-time dedicated work. Time Etc fits when US-based VAs with hour rollover are non-negotiable.
AVA vs Time Etc at a glance
Time Etc has been one of the longest-running dedicated VA services for US small businesses, with a clear pricing page (rare in this category) and a hour-rollover model that helps clients with uneven workloads. AVA’s pitch is different: lower hourly rates by placing bilingual college-educated VAs from LATAM and Europe who work US hours.
If you’ve been on Time Etc for a while and the bill is starting to feel heavy, AVA is a direct cost-reduction move with the same dedicated-VA model. If you specifically value US-based status or the rollover mechanic, Time Etc stays competitive.
Feature comparison
| Feature | AVA | Time Etc |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10.99/hr (40 hrs/wk) | $37/hr (60 hrs/wk plan) |
| Highest published rate | $14.99/hr (5 hrs/wk) | $39/hr (10 hrs/wk plan) |
| VA location | LATAM and Europe | United States |
| Education | College degree or final term | College degree (varies) |
| Bilingual (EN+ES) | Yes, every VA | Not standard |
| Hiring model | Managed placement | Managed placement |
| Time to placement | 1-2 weeks | 1-2 weeks (after consultation) |
| Contract minimum | Monthly, adjustable with 30 days notice | Monthly plan, cancel anytime |
| Hour rollover | No | Yes (unused hours roll forward) |
| Replacement guarantee | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated vs shared VA | Dedicated | Dedicated |
Pricing comparison
| Plan | AVA price | Time Etc price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 hrs/week | $12.99-$14.99/hr | $39/hr ($390/mo) | Dedicated VA, US hours |
| 20 hrs/week | $12.99-$14.99/hr (~$1,040-$1,200/mo) | $38/hr (~$3,040/mo) | Dedicated VA, US hours |
| 40 hrs/week | $10.99-$12.99/hr (~$1,760-$2,080/mo) | $37/hr (~$5,920/mo) | Dedicated VA, US hours |
| 60 hrs/week | Not standard; contact AVA | $36/hr (~$8,640/mo) | Dedicated VA, US hours |
At full-time hours, AVA is roughly $4,000/month less than Time Etc for the same dedicated-VA model.
When to choose AVA vs Time Etc
Choose AVA when:
- You want a dedicated VA for full-time or near-full-time work and the per-hour cost matters.
- Bilingual coverage in English and Spanish is useful for your customers or vendors.
- You don’t need hour-rollover because your workload is steady.
Choose Time Etc when:
- US-based VA status is a hard requirement.
- Your workload swings hard month to month and hour rollover saves you money on the gap.
- You only need 5-10 hours a month and don’t want to manage a part-time placement.
How the hiring process compares
Both companies pre-vet, both match you with candidates, both manage employment on their end. Time Etc’s onboarding includes a free consultation call where they recommend a plan size. AVA does a similar discovery call but presents matched candidate profiles within 24-48 hours.
The most useful frame: Time Etc and AVA are doing the same job (managed dedicated VA placement). The difference is geography and price. If you’ve been with Time Etc and the work has been solid, you’ll get the same quality from AVA at significantly lower cost, provided you’re okay with the VA being in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, or one of the other LATAM/Europe countries AVA recruits from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Time Etc cheaper than AVA?
No. Time Etc starts at $39/hr for the 10-hour plan and drops to $36/hr at 60 hours per week. AVA starts at $14.99/hr for 5-hour plans and drops to $10.99/hr during onboarding for 40-hour placements. Even comparing their lowest published rate to AVA's highest, AVA is roughly 60% cheaper.
Does Time Etc offer bilingual VAs like AVA?
Bilingual coverage is not Time Etc's standard. Their VAs are US-based, English-first. AVA's entire roster is bilingual in English and Spanish, which matters if you serve Spanish-speaking customers or need an assistant who can handle LATAM-based vendors.
Can I roll over unused hours with AVA like Time Etc?
No. AVA uses a weekly-commitment model where you pay for the hours your VA works at the agreed minimum. Time Etc's appeal is that unused hours roll into the next month. If your workload is highly seasonal or unpredictable, the rollover model can be useful. For steady ongoing work, AVA's lower rate usually wins on total cost even with no rollover.
Can I switch from Time Etc to AVA?
Yes. The most common path is a 1-2 week parallel period where the AVA VA shadows your Time Etc assistant on recurring tasks. Once tools, calendars, and SOPs are handed off, you cancel Time Etc. Clients moving over typically save 60-70% on the same hours of coverage.
Are Time Etc's VAs based in the US?
Yes, Time Etc places US-based dedicated VAs. AVA places VAs from Latin America (the majority) and Europe. Both work US business hours. The location difference is mostly about cost and tax residency, not work product.
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