2026 Pricing Guide
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?
Transparent pricing comparison — freelance VA rates, traditional retainers, and TaskBullet's Flexible Hour Virtual Assistant Model with 90-day rollover and 60-day guarantee.
The short answer
Virtual assistant costs in 2026 range from $5–$35 per hour depending on location, skill level, and service model. Philippines-based VAs typically cost $5–$15/hour. US-based VAs cost $20–$35/hour. TaskBullet's Flexible Hour Model starts at $10.50/hour (PH) and $27/hour (US) — with management oversight, specialist routing, 90-day rollover, and 60-day unused hour guarantee included in every bucket.
Virtual Assistant Pricing: Three Models Compared
| Factor | Freelance VA | Traditional Retainer | TaskBullet Flexible Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| PH hourly rate | $5–$15 | $8–$18 | $7.35–$10.50 |
| US hourly rate | $20–$40 | $25–$45 | $23.21–$27.00 |
| Unused hours | N/A (pay as you go) | Expire monthly | 90-day rollover + 60-day guarantee |
| Management included | No — you manage | Varies — often extra | Yes — US-based oversight |
| Specialist routing | No — hire separately | No — single VA | Yes — same bucket |
| Contracts | None | Often 3–12 months | None — cancel anytime |
| Hidden costs | Recruitment, training, QA | Wasted hours, management time | None |
TaskBullet Bucket Pricing — Transparent Rates
Philippines VA Buckets
| Bucket | Hours | Monthly | One-Time | Per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PH Starter | 20 | $210 | $220 | $10.50 |
| Light | 40 | $325 | $360 | $8.13 |
| PH Part-Time | 84 | $599 | $675 | $7.13 |
| PH Full-Time | 168 | $1,099 | $1,235 | $6.54 |
US VA Buckets
| Bucket | Hours | Monthly | One-Time | Per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Starter | 10 | $270 | $300 | $27.00 |
| US Light | 40 | $1,000 | $1,120 | $25.00 |
| US Part-Time | 84 | $2,050 | $2,265 | $24.40 |
| US Full-Time | 168 | $3,900 | $4,350 | $23.21 |
Every bucket includes: dedicated VA continuity, US-based account manager, specialist routing, 90-day rollover, 60-day unused hour guarantee, Basecamp access, and CRM tools. View full pricing →
The Real Cost: Rollover Math
Scenario: 40-hour PH bucket at $325/month
Month 1: You use 30 hours. 10 unused hours roll forward.
Month 2: You purchase another 40 hours. You now have 50 available hours. You use 35. 15 roll forward.
Month 3: 55 available hours. You use 40. The original 10 from Month 1 expire at 90 days, but you already used them in Month 2's surplus.
Net result: Zero wasted hours across three months.
With a traditional retainer at the same rate, you'd have lost 10 + 5 = 15 hours ($121.88 wasted) to monthly expiration.
For more detailed rollover calculations, read Rollover Math: Step-by-Step Savings →
Total Cost of Ownership: What Most Pricing Pages Hide
Freelance VA: Low rate, high overhead
The hourly rate looks low, but you carry recruitment costs ($200–$500+ per hire), training time (10–20 hours to onboard), quality management (ongoing), and replacement costs when a freelancer leaves. For businesses delegating 20+ hours per month, the total cost often exceeds managed services.
Traditional retainer: Predictable cost, unpredictable waste
Fixed monthly hours create a use-it-or-lose-it pressure. Months with lower workload mean wasted money. Months with higher workload mean paying overage rates or going without. Single-skill VAs create bottlenecks for diverse task loads.
TaskBullet Flexible Hour Model: Built for real workloads
Bucket pricing with 90-day rollover eliminates waste. Specialist routing eliminates skill bottlenecks. US-based management eliminates your oversight burden. The 60-day unused hour guarantee removes the risk entirely. Learn how the model works →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a virtual assistant cost per hour?
Virtual assistant costs range from $5–$15/hour for Philippines-based VAs and $20–$35/hour for US-based VAs. Freelance platforms often charge $8–$25/hour. TaskBullet's Flexible Hour Model starts at $10.50/hour (PH) and $27/hour (US) with management oversight, specialist routing, 90-day rollover, and 60-day unused hour guarantee included.
Is it cheaper to hire a freelance VA or use a managed service?
Freelance VAs have lower per-hour rates, but you carry recruitment, training, quality management, and replacement costs. A managed service like TaskBullet includes account management, quality oversight, specialist routing, and hour protection — reducing total cost of ownership for businesses that delegate regularly.
What happens to hours I don't use?
With most retainer services, unused hours expire at the end of the month. With TaskBullet's Flexible Hour Model, unused hours roll over for 90 days. A 60-day unused hour guarantee ensures you never lose paid time.
How much does TaskBullet cost per month?
TaskBullet's Philippines VA buckets start at $210/month for 20 hours ($10.50/hr). US VA buckets start at $270/month for 10 hours ($27/hr). Larger buckets reduce the per-hour rate further. All plans include dedicated VA continuity, management oversight, specialist routing, 90-day rollover, and 60-day guarantee.
Are there hidden fees with virtual assistant services?
TaskBullet has no hidden fees. The bucket price includes the VA, account manager, specialist routing, and all tools (Basecamp, CRM). There are no setup fees, no cancellation penalties, and no long-term contracts.
What is the cost difference between Philippines and US virtual assistants?
Philippines-based VAs cost roughly 40–60% less than US-based VAs. At TaskBullet, PH rates start at $10.50/hour and US rates start at $27/hour. Both include the same management oversight, specialist routing, 90-day rollover, and 60-day unused hour guarantee.
See the Pricing in Action — Free
10 free hours. No credit card required. No contracts. Test the Flexible Hour Model before you buy.