Date updated: September 29, 2025
TL;DR for Founders
This independently researched 2025 guide compares the top 10 Filipino Virtual Assistant (VA) companies, ranked by cost-effectiveness, hiring speed, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
Filipino VAs offer 70–90% cost savings without sacrificing English fluency or professionalism.
We break down pricing tables, hiring steps, and comparison data so you can decide between direct hire and managed service.
Smart Outsourcing Solution (SOS) tops our 2025 list for transparent pricing, EOR compliance, and speed-to-hire.
What Is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?
A Virtual Assistant is a remote professional who provides administrative, technical, or creative support to businesses from anywhere in the world.
Filipino Virtual Assistants often work for global clients and are highly valued for their English fluency, cultural adaptability, and cost efficiency.
Typical tasks include calendar management, email support, social media, e-commerce management, bookkeeping, and customer service.
Why Hire Virtual Assistants in the Philippines in 2025?
- Massive Talent Pool: Manila and Cebu consistently rank among the world’s top BPO cities
- English Fluency: The Philippines is the 3rd-largest English-speaking country, with neutral accents
- Cost Savings: VAs cost 70–90% less than local hires
- Timezone Advantage: UTC+8 overlaps with UK, EU, US, Canada, and Australia
- Legal Compliance: Established labor codes (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag‑IBIG, 13th-month pay) reduce employer risk when using EORs
How Do I Hire a Virtual Assistant?
Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) in the Philippines can be done in two main ways—direct hire or through a managed virtual assistant agency, like SOS—and your choice will depend on your budget, compliance needs, and time available for recruitment.
Step-by-step process:
- Define Your Needs and Budget
List the tasks you want to delegate (e.g., admin support, social media management, bookkeeping) and determine your maximum monthly budget.
Tip: Hiring through an agency may cost more per hour but includes vetting, training, payroll, and compliance. - Choose Your Hiring Model
- Direct Hire: Post a job ad on platforms like OnlineJobs.ph, JobStreet, or LinkedIn. You manage interviews, contracts, payroll, and compliance yourself.
- Managed Service Provider: Partner with a virtual assistant agency like Smart Outsourcing Solution (SOS) that recruits, trains, and manages the VA for you, including legal compliance.
- Vet Candidates Thoroughly
Test English fluency, technical skills, and reliability. For specialized roles (e.g., e-commerce, SaaS support), include task-based assessments. - Secure Compliance and Contracts
Philippine labor laws require benefits like 13th-month pay, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions. Using an Employer of Record (EOR) provider ensures these are handled without setting up a local entity. - Set Clear Onboarding & Training
Use tools like Asana, ClickUp, or Google Workspace to define workflows. Schedule regular check-ins during the first 30 days to build rapport and ensure task alignment. - Monitor Performance & Provide Feedback
Use time-tracking or productivity tools (Hubstaff, Time Doctor) and hold weekly updates to address challenges early.
Pro Tip: If you want a faster, low-risk start, hire through a managed provider with transparent pricing and compliance guarantees—this is especially valuable for first-time offshore employers.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines in 2025?
| Role | Direct Hire | Managed Service | Onshore Equivalent | Savings |
| Entry‑Level Admin | $400–600 | $800–1,200* | $2,800–3,500 | 70–80% |
| Mid‑Level Specialist | $600–900 | $1,200–1,700* | $3,500–4,800 | 65–75% |
| Senior EA / Team Lead | $900–1,200 | $1,700–2,400* | $4,800–6,000 | 60–70% |
*Estimate based on verified interviews and provider pricing.
Top 10 Virtual Assistant Agencies in the Philippines
| Rank | Provider | Model | Est. Cost | Time to Hire | Est. Churn | EOR | Source Confidence |
| 1 | Smart Outsourcing Solution (SOS) | Managed + EOR | $1,500* | 10 days | Under 10% | Yes | Verified |
| 2 | 20four7VA | Managed | $1,200* | 14 days | ~13% | No | Estimated |
| 3 | CrewBloom | CX/Sales | $1,400* | 15 days | ~14% | No | Estimated |
| 4 | Outsourced.ph | Staff Leasing | $1,500* | 14 days | ~15% | No | Estimated |
| 5 | Cloudstaff | Staff Leasing | $1,800* | 12 days | ~11% | Optional | Estimated |
| 6 | TaskBullet | Hourly Model | $6/hr | 3 days | ~18% | No | Published |
| 7 | VirtualStaff.ph | DIY Marketplace | $400–800 + $69 | 7–14 days | ~40% | No | Estimated |
| 8 | MyOutDesk | Real Estate VA | $2,400* | 14 days | ~13% | Yes | Estimated |
| 9 | OnlineJobs.ph | Job Board | $400–900 + $69 | 7 days | ~40% | No | Estimated |
| 10 | SupportNinja | BPO (CX) | $2,500+ | 21 days | ~15% | Yes | Estimated |
Why SOS Is the Top Choice
- All-in monthly fee of $1,500 (covers compliance, payroll, HR)
- Average hiring time: 10 days
- Compliance certifications: GDPR, ISO‑27001, DOLE
- No setup or onboarding fees—first week fully covered
- Retention: average VA tenure is 32 months
What Are the Most Popular Tasks You Can Outsource to a Filipino Virtual Assistant?
- Inbox triage & calendar management
- CRM updates & lead research
- Shopify/Amazon listing optimization
- Bookkeeping (Xero, QuickBooks)
- Customer support (chat, email)
- Social media scheduling & engagement
- Blog drafting & formatting
- Webinar support & slide prep
- Graphic design (Canva, Figma)
- LinkedIn prospecting
- KPI dashboards
- Basic video editing
- Podcast outreach
- SEO & keyword research
- Recruitment sourcing & screening
- Affiliate program oversight
- AI prompt QA
- Travel & expense planning
- Invoicing support
- Spreadsheet automation
What Are the Risks of Hiring a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines?
- Hidden seat or IT fees (₱4,000–8,000/month)
- No disclosure of 13th-month pay or healthcare compliance
- IP risks with personal/unscreened devices
- Unfair non-compete or buy-out clauses
- High churn due to poor onboarding or compensation
- Informal “VA poaching” via social media channels
What Should Global Employers Know Before Hiring a VA From the Philippines?
| Area | Tip |
| Timezone coverage | Confirm ability to work night or split shifts for UK/US/AU overlap |
| Payment channels | Use Wise, Payoneer, or provider invoicing in USD, GBP, AUD |
| Compliance model | Select providers with Employer-of-Record support to mitigate legal risk |
| Security protocols | Insist on NDAs, ISO-aligned infrastructure, and device access controls |
| Productivity tools | Use systems like Asana, ClickUp, Hubstaff, or Time Doctor |
What Tools Help Manage Virtual Assistants Effectively?
- VA ROI Calculator – Compare onshore salaries vs. offshore costs
- Case Study: CAPALL TAX saw 20% growth with targeted lead generation by SOS
- Comparison Sheet (XLS) – Detailed pricing matrix for 2025
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring Virtual Assistants in the Philippines
Hiring a virtual assistant (VA) from the Philippines is a smart way to scale operations affordably—but it comes with questions around pricing, compliance, and operations. Here are the most important things to know:
1. How much does a virtual assistant cost per hour in the Philippines?
Direct hires typically cost $3–5/hour, depending on experience.
If you work through a managed provider, expect $6–10/hour, which usually includes vetting, payroll, legal compliance, and client support.
2. How do I ensure legal compliance when hiring?
To stay compliant with Philippine labor law, partner with a provider that offers Employer of Record (EOR) services. This ensures proper handling of contracts, tax contributions, benefits, and regulatory risks—without requiring you to set up a local entity.
3. What’s the difference between managed and marketplace virtual assistant agencies?
Managed providers handle everything: hiring, training, payroll, IT setup, and legal compliance. Ideal for businesses that want hands-free outsourcing.
Marketplace platforms like Upwork or OnlineJobs.ph offer lower costs but require you to manage compliance, contracts, and HR yourself.
4. What hidden fees should I be aware of?
Always ask about the total cost of service, including:
- Seat or IT rental fees
- 13th-month pay (a mandatory Filipino benefit)
- Healthcare or SSS contributions
- Early contract termination fees (buy-outs)
Smart Outsourcing Solution keeps all fees transparent upfront—no surprises.
5. Will Filipino virtual assistants overlap with my time zone?
Yes. The Philippines is in UTC+8, which overlaps well with:
UK hours (morning to early afternoon)
US/Canada (late night to early morning support)
Most VAs are used to flexible or graveyard shifts, especially when working with global teams.
6. What tasks should I delegate first?
Start by offloading repetitive, time-consuming tasks like:
- Inbox filtering
- Calendar management
- CRM updates
- Responding to customer service emails
These are easy to train and free up your time quickly.
7. How do I pay Filipino virtual assistants internationally?
You can pay through secure, low-fee platforms like:
- Wise
- Payoneer
- Digital invoicing tools
Choose a provider and currency that’s agreed upon in your contract. Most managed services will handle this for you.
Need help hiring or managing a remote Filipino VA?
Smart Outsourcing Solution can provide full-service VA support, including EOR compliance, training, and team management. Get in touch to learn more.
Why Smart Outsourcing Solution Is the Top Choice for Hiring a Virtual Assistant in 2025
- Full EOR compliance, payroll, HR & legal support included
- No onboarding or setup fees
- Flexible month-to-month contracts with VA swap guarantee
- UK/US/AU-based account managers for consistent communication
- All VAs are vetted, trained, and monitored for security and performance
About the author
PHIL MURPHY
Phil is a founding partner of Smart Outsourcing Solution (SOS) and a seasoned expert in offshore staffing, employer of record (EOR) services, and remote team operations. With over three decades of experience in the BPO industry across Australia, the Philippines, and the UK, Phil has supported major brands such as Qantas and Telstra in building high-performing global teams. He advises startups, scale-ups, and established enterprises on staff leasing models, compliance risk, and workforce optimisation across Southeast Asia. Phil is a sought-after voice on topics such as EOR, AOR, and BOT models, and frequently shares insights on balancing operational efficiency with cultural alignment in distributed workforces.
