Virtustant vs Howdy
Two ways to hire remote talent from Latin America. One is a managed staffing agency for any role with an all-in hourly rate. The other is a developer-focused managed model that adds a fee on top of salary. Here is how they compare.
From $7/hr all-in · First shortlist in 48 hours · Zero placement fees · Lifetime replacement guarantee
Virtustant vs Howdy in one line: both place vetted LATAM talent with support, but Virtustant is a managed staffing agency for any remote role at one all-in rate from $7/hr, while Howdy focuses on Latin American software engineers and adds a Howdy fee on top of the salary you pay.
Choose Virtustant for any role with payroll and compliance handled in one rate. Choose Howdy if you are specifically hiring LATAM engineers and want its developer-focused model.
Same region, different way of hiring
Virtustant
Virtustant sources, vets, places, and manages remote professionals across Latin America and a global bench. You get one predictable hourly rate that covers the agent, payroll, and compliance.
- All-in hourly rate from $7/hr, blended median $8.00/hr
- Zero placement fees
- Payroll, contracts, and compliance handled for you
- Lifetime replacement guarantee with no time cap
Howdy
Howdy is a managed hiring service focused on software engineers in Latin America. It sources and vets developers and adds a Howdy fee on top of the employer cost, with performance coaches and local hubs.
- Focused on Latin American software engineers
- Pricing is a Howdy fee added to the total employer cost; exact fee not publicly stated
- Talent across 11 LATAM cities plus Austin, Texas
- Vetting via recruiters and AI tools; states a top 1% pool with 98% retention
The comparison, line by line
Comparison based on published information from both companies as of August 2026. Pricing and process are quoted per role and may vary.
What one managed rate gets you
Hard Evidence
Virtustant hires the top 1% of applicants and shows the funnel: 22% pass the recruiter screen, 9% pass skills and English, 3% reach a live interview.
Fully Backed
A lifetime replacement guarantee with no time cap. If a placement is not working, Virtustant replaces the agent.
Due Diligence
First shortlist in 48 hours and a 3-day average time to hire, so you add talent without stalling the roadmap.
Quietly Handled
Payroll, contracts, and compliance run in the background under one scoped hourly rate. You direct the work, Virtustant handles operations.
From discovery call to placed agent
Discovery call
Virtustant scopes the role, the workload, and the budget with you.
Shortlist in 48h
Virtustant delivers a vetted shortlist from the top 1% of applicants.
Interview
You meet the candidates you want and choose the fit.
Onboarding
Virtustant handles contracts, payroll setup, and compliance.
Ongoing support
Virtustant manages payroll and backs the placement for its lifetime.
Virtustant proves what other staffing firms only promise: vetted talent, a real guarantee, and one predictable rate.Trusted by 1,000+ US companies and 2,000+ placements
Frequently asked questions
Is Virtustant or Howdy cheaper?
Virtustant is one all-in rate from $7/hr with zero placement fees. Howdy adds a Howdy fee on top of the salary you pay, and the exact fee is not publicly stated.
What is the main difference between Virtustant and Howdy?
Virtustant is a managed staffing agency for any remote role at one all-in rate. Howdy focuses specifically on Latin American software engineers and layers a fee on top of the salary.
How fast can I hire with each?
Virtustant delivers a first shortlist in 48 hours with a 3-day average time to hire. Howdy does not publicly state a time-to-hire timeline.
What happens if the hire does not work out?
Virtustant offers a lifetime replacement guarantee with no time cap. Howdy does not publicly state a replacement guarantee.
Who should choose Virtustant instead of Howdy?
Teams hiring across many roles who want one all-in rate with payroll handled. Teams hiring specifically LATAM software engineers may consider Howdy's developer-focused model.
Add talent without adding risk
Tell Virtustant the role. Virtustant delivers a vetted shortlist in 48 hours, handles the operations, and backs the placement for its lifetime. No placement fees.
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