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Virtual assistant vs VA agency
Both models deliver remote admin. The real difference is who actually does the work, how much of your fee reaches them, and what happens when they are away.
Talk it through — free 20 minsUK based, EnfieldFully insuredICO registeredUK GDPR compliantNo long tie-ins
Side by side
Where the real difference sits
Rates, availability and obligations vary between suppliers. Treat this as a framework for the conversation rather than a quote.
| Factor | VA agency | Independent VA |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | Often a pool of assistants; the person can change between tasks | The same person every time, who learns your business and preferences |
| Rate structure | Assistant's pay plus an agency margin and account-management overhead | One published rate — £35/hour, with fixed monthly packages available |
| Getting started | Account manager, matching process, then a handover to the assistant | One consultation with the person who will do the work, then a handover |
| Context and quality | Written process docs carry the knowledge; new assistants restart the curve | Context builds continuously; fewer instructions needed over time |
| Holiday and sickness cover | Genuine strength — another assistant can usually step in same day | Planned leave is flagged in advance and work rescheduled around it |
| Volume and scale | Better where you need many hours at once or several specialisms | Best up to a few days a week of defined, repeatable work |
| Confidentiality | Firm-wide policies, but more people touch your data | One signed NDA, one person, delegated access with no shared passwords |
| Accountability | Raised through an account manager | Direct — you speak to the person responsible |
Option A
Choose an agency if
- You need guaranteed same-day cover every working day of the year.
- The workload is large enough to occupy several people at once.
- You need multiple specialisms (design, bookkeeping, paid ads) under one contract.
- Procurement requires a supplier with a formal escalation structure.
Option B
Choose an independent VA if
- You want one consistent person who knows how you work.
- Your work is context-heavy — your clients, your tone, your systems.
- You would rather your fee pay for hours worked than an account layer.
- You want to talk directly to whoever is doing the task.
Rates are published in full on the pricing page, and the ROI calculator runs the numbers on your own hours.
Questions
Common questions
- Is a VA agency more expensive than an independent virtual assistant?
- Usually, because the rate has to cover the assistant, the account management layer and the agency's margin. An independent VA charges one rate for worked time. What you buy with the extra cost is depth of cover, not necessarily better work.
- What happens if an independent VA is ill or on holiday?
- Planned leave is flagged well in advance and recurring work is brought forward or rescheduled around it. For unplanned absence, urgent items are agreed in the scope up front so you know exactly what does and does not pause.
- Do agencies offer better data security?
- Not automatically. Security comes from how access is granted, not company size. Wise Resolutions works through delegated access and shared password-manager vaults rather than emailed credentials, is ICO registered, fully insured and UK GDPR compliant, with an NDA available on request.
- Can I switch from an agency to an independent VA?
- Yes, and it is straightforward if your processes are documented. The first two weeks are spent capturing how each recurring task runs, after which the handover is a matter of access rather than retraining.
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