Compare ways to hire a Philippines-based assistant
There are three common models. A managed service employs the assistant and bills you one monthly fee. A direct hire or recruiting service finds someone, and then you're on your own. A Team Overseas places the assistant on your payroll and keeps supporting you both through the first 90 days. Each page below is written by A Team Overseas, says who the other option fits, and lists its sources.
Want the numbers first? See what a Philippines-based assistant costs in 2026, by hiring route.
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| Direct Hire / Headhunter | Managed Service | ATO Membership | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Placement | Yes | No | Yes |
| Ongoing support included | No | Yes | Yes |
| AI training + continuing education | No | Varies | Yes |
| Talent paid market rate | Yes | Often not | Yes |
Side-by-side comparisons
- Hire Overseas vs A Team OverseasHire Overseas and A Team Overseas are separate companies. How their models, pricing, regions and support differ, with sources.
- Athena alternatives: how A Team Overseas comparesAn Athena alternative where the assistant is on your payroll and paid directly. Athena vs A Team Overseas on model, price, commitment and support, with sources.
- BELAY alternatives: how A Team Overseas comparesBELAY places US-based assistants for a flat monthly fee. How it compares with a Philippines-based assistant on your payroll through A Team Overseas, with sources.
- Time Etc alternatives: how A Team Overseas comparesTime Etc sells monthly blocks of US-based assistant hours. How it compares with a full-time, Philippines-based assistant on your payroll, with sources.
- Wing Assistant alternatives: how A Team Overseas comparesWing Assistant is a month-to-month managed VA plan. How it compares with a Philippines-based assistant on your payroll through A Team Overseas, with sources.
- Prialto alternatives: how A Team Overseas comparesPrialto is a managed assistant service priced per 55-hour unit. How it compares with a Philippines-based assistant on your payroll, with sources.
- Somewhere alternatives: how A Team Overseas comparesSomewhere (formerly Support Shepherd) offers direct hire for a one-time fee or a managed option. How it compares with A Team Overseas, with sources.
- OnlineJobs.ph vs A Team OverseasHiring a Filipino assistant yourself on OnlineJobs.ph vs a guided placement through A Team Overseas: cost, effort and support, with sources.
Meet a shortlist of 2–4 assistants, usually in your first week
Philippines-based executive, operations and marketing assistants on your payroll, with check-ins through your first 90 days.
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