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How Virtustant pricing works · $0 placement fees
The Zero-Fee Model is Virtustant's pricing structure: US companies pay no recruitment fee and no recruiter commission, ever. One all-in hourly rate covers your hire's pay, payroll, and compliance, starting at $7/hr. It's the model behind every one of our 2,000+ hires since 2021.
Trusted by 1,000+ US companies
The definition
The Zero-Fee Model means the hourly rate you agree to is the entire cost of your hire. There is no recruitment fee when you hire, no percentage of first-year salary, and no monthly subscription. Sourcing, vetting, payroll, compliance, and the lifetime replacement guarantee are all included inside that one rate, which is why we can publish our rates in the open.
Traditional recruiters charge 15–35% of salary per hire; subscription VA services run $699–$3,000+ per month; marketplaces take a platform cut on every hour. Under the Zero-Fee Model, the rate is the price, and it starts at $7/hr.
One all-in rateZero-Fee Model
Starting at$7/hr
Already inside that rate
Never on your invoice
The Zero-Fee Model applies to every role we place: assistants, sales, support, bookkeeping, creative, and more. The work clients most often hand over first:
Inbox, calendar, scheduling, data entry, research
Calendar defense, travel, meeting prep for founders and execs
Outbound follow-up that fills your calendar
Bilingual support on email, chat, and phone
QuickBooks, AP/AR, reconciliations
Content calendars, posting, community
Pricing, in the open
You pay one quoted all-in hourly rate. That is the total hourly price for your hire, with no additional recruitment or placement fee.
| Role | Starting all-in rate | Full-time estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual assistant | From $7/hr | ≈ $14,560/yr |
| Administrative assistant | Role-specific quote | Quoted on your call |
| Appointment setter | From $8/hr | ≈ $16,640/yr |
| Sales development rep (SDR) | From $8/hr | ≈ $16,640/yr |
| Executive assistant | From $8.50/hr | ≈ $17,680/yr |
| Social media manager | From $8/hr | ≈ $16,640/yr |
| Bookkeeper | From $8.50/hr | ≈ $17,680/yr |
These are current starting prices. Your quote depends on the role, experience and agreed schedule. The all-in rate is the total hourly price you pay, with no separate recruitment or placement fee. See our pricing page for what is included. Full-time estimate = starting rate × 2,080 hours (40 hours a week, 52 weeks).
Full role-by-role data lives in the 2026 Nearshore Rate Report and on our official facts page; get a personalized range on the pricing page.
Compare the models
Every other way to hire adds a fee somewhere: up front, every month, or on every hour.
| Model | Typical cost | What you take on |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance marketplace | Hourly rate + platform fees | You vet, manage, and handle payments yourself |
| Subscription VA service | $699–$3,000+ per month | Plans often cap hours; assistant may be shared |
| Recruiter-model agency | Placement fee (flat or % of salary) + salary | Fee due up front; payroll often separate |
 Managed staffing | One all-in rate from $7/hr, $0 fees | You interview and manage the work; we handle the rest |
Traditional recruiters charge 15–35% of salary per hire. Set the salary of the role and see the fee you skip.
$15,000
stays in your budget. Under the Zero-Fee Model, the rate is the price.
That's per hire. Three hires at this salary would cost $45,000 in recruiter fees.
Illustrative: fee = salary × the percentage you pick.
See the detailed head-to-heads: Virtustant vs Upwork and Virtustant vs Near.
From first call to first day
Shortlist in 48 hours. Start in 72 hours. Both timelines run from your first call, in calendar hours including weekends.
Tasks, tools, schedule: a 30-minute call is enough. No upfront payment.
Every candidate passed a live English screen, skills testing, reference checks, and a recruiter interview: about the top 1% of applicants (across a four-stage funnel, 100% apply, 22% clear the recruiter screen, 9% pass cognitive (IQ), skills and English testing, 3% reach a live interview, and 1% are hired).
We handle contracts, payroll and tooling, and your hire can start within 72 hours of your first call.
If your hire ever leaves, we reopen the search at no additional cost. A lifetime replacement guarantee with no time cap.
Step-by-step detail in our guide: how to hire LATAM talent.
How selective we are
Every applicant runs the same funnel: recruiter screening, cognitive (IQ), skills and English testing, and a live interview. Only the best reach your shortlist.
∞ Lifetime guarantee
We find you a new one at no cost, for any reason, for as long as you work with us.
Your team's seatYear 3
Not the right fit? We reopen the search right away.
They resign for any reason? We still replace them.
Our clients, in their words
Every placement is a real US company. Estimated savings compare the US salary to the LATAM equivalent.
“These are the best recruiters I've ever worked with. I tested more than a dozen others over three years before finding Virtustant.”
“The bookkeeper they sent me is a treasure. I loved that they not only did the standard interview and background check, but also recorded it and had candidates take competency tests. A huge time saver.”
“I have been using these guys to source virtual labor for years. They do a great job.”
“The selection process was amazing, all the candidates are highly qualified and once selected it was easy to onboard and start working together.”
“They're very responsive and professional.”
“They seem to get better as we go, and that really stood out from any other recruiting agency we've worked with.”
“Virtustant helped us find a social media manager for our law firm. We are very pleased with who we have chosen to work with: pleasant, professional, reliable and resourceful.”
“Virtustant has been a great partner in sourcing international talent for us. They work hard to understand our expectations and help vet prospects according to our standards.”
“They've always delivered on time and are responsive to my needs.”
“By our standards their team is incredible. They continue to equip our company with some of the most exceptional talent there is. We wouldn't be able to operate without them.”
“Virtustant made it straight forward to find qualified candidates and to pick the best one. Thanks for making it easy for us.”
“My assistant has hit the ground running and has saved me so much time. For those of you spending countless hours on tasks you should be outsourcing: don't hesitate, hire today so you can focus on business development.”
“They have unlimited support whenever you need it.”
“What we value most is how responsive they are. We had a very smooth recruiting experience with them thanks to Angie.”
Nearshore, on your hours
LATAM virtual assistants work your business hours in real time, with no overnight handoffs, and are screened for professional, conversational English before anything else. Starting at $7/hr all-in, you can save up to 70% vs. a comparable US hire because of cost-of-living differences, not lower skill. That mix of time zone, English, and cost is why nearshore hiring keeps replacing both offshore teams and US admin hires; the full picture is in our nearshore staffing guide.
Real-time work, same-day answers, no overnight handoffs.
Screened for professional, conversational English before anything else.
Because of cost-of-living differences, not lower skill.
Hiring in a specific country? Start with hire staff in Argentina without opening an entity, or read our country guides for Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil.
FAQ
Questions about the model? Book a discovery call.
Yes. Virtustant charges no placement fee, no setup cost and no recruiter commission. Your only cost is your hire's all-in hourly rate, starting at $7 per hour.
The professional's pay, payroll processing in their country, compliance, HR support, and the lifetime replacement guarantee.
No. Month to month, cancel anytime, no penalties.
No. Only the top 1% of applicants pass Virtustant's funnel: 100% apply, 22% clear the recruiter screen, 9% pass cognitive (IQ), skills and English testing, 3% reach a live interview, and 1% are hired.
A recruiting agency charges a placement fee, either flat or a percentage of salary, usually due up front, and payroll is often handled separately. Under the Zero-Fee Model there is no placement fee: you pay one all-in hourly rate, starting at $7/hr, and Virtustant handles payroll, compliance and HR.
We reopen the search at no additional cost. Every hire is covered by a lifetime replacement guarantee with no time cap, whatever the reason they leave.
You get a shortlist of 3 to 5 vetted candidates within 48 hours of your first call, and your hire can start within 72 hours. Both timelines run in calendar hours, including weekends.
No. There is no charge for the discovery call, no upfront payment and no setup cost. Your only cost is your hire's all-in hourly rate.
For companies
$0 recruitment fees. Lifetime replacement guarantee. A 30-minute discovery call gets you a realistic salary range, a rough timeline, and 2 to 3 example profiles.
Book a discovery call
