Staffify vs Time Etc: which one actually fits in 2026.
Time Etc is a US-based hourly VA service. Staffify pairs you with a full-time dedicated offshore VA. Here is when each one is the right call.
The short version
Pick Time Etc if you want a US-based VA on a small, predictable hour block (10 to 60 hours per month) at $36 to $39 per hour with month to month flexibility.
Pick Staffify if you need a full-time dedicated VA, want offshore pricing for the same monthly check, and you want one person trained deeply on your tone, your SOPs, and your inbox.
Who Time Etc is, accurately.
Time Etc (timeetc.com) has been running since 2007 out of the UK and US. They publish their pricing openly. Plans start at 10 hours per month for $390 (about $39 per hour) and scale to 60 hours per month at $2,160 (about $36 per hour). All VAs are US-based and dedicated to a single client, with unused hours rolling over and no setup fee.
The model is clean, the pricing is honest, and the company has been around for nearly two decades. For founders who genuinely need only a few hours a week, it is one of the better US-based options on the market.
Who Staffify is, accurately.
Staffify pairs you with a full-time dedicated virtual assistant based in the Philippines or Latin America. One VA, one client, trained on your tone and SOPs. Typical pricing is $2,000 to $4,500 per month for a full-time placement, depending on role and seniority.
Roles we staff most often: Executive Admins, Video Editors, Customer Service Reps, and Sales and Outbound. We back every placement with a lifetime replacement guarantee.
Side by side comparison.
| Staffify | Time Etc | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical pricing | $2,000 to $4,500 / mo (full-time) | $390 to $2,160 / mo (10 to 60 hrs) |
| Hourly equivalent | ~$12 to $28 / hr (full-time loaded) | $36 to $39 / hr |
| Talent location | Philippines and Latin America | United States |
| Dedicated vs shared | Dedicated, one VA per client | Dedicated |
| Hours | Full-time (160 hrs/mo) | 10 to 60 hrs/mo (custom higher) |
| Replacement | Lifetime replacement guarantee | Free replacement if not a fit |
| Contract | Month to month | Month to month, hours roll over |
| Best for | Service businesses needing full-time leverage | Light, predictable hourly needs |
When Staffify is the better choice.
If you need more than 40 hours of work done per month, the math on Time Etc falls apart. 80 hours per month on Time Etc would run roughly $2,800. The same monthly check gets you a full-time Staffify VA at 160 hours, with one person fully embedded in your business, trained on your tone, owning your inbox.
If you are running a service business (agency, real estate, home services, e-commerce, coaching), the bottleneck is rarely "we need 15 hours of admin a week." It is almost always "we need a second brain who lives in the business." Time Etc is the first; Staffify is the second.
If you have read our writing on first employee vs VA or minimum viable team, this is the same idea: you are not buying hours, you are buying capacity that compounds.
When Time Etc is the better choice.
Time Etc is the right pick when:
- You genuinely only need 10 to 40 hours per month, not 160. A solo consultant who wants help with calendar, travel, and the occasional research task fits here.
- You want a US-based assistant with strong time zone overlap and US English voice on calls or notes.
- You want to start small and scale without committing to a full-time hire. Time Etc lets you bump up plans without renegotiating a contract.
If those describe you, Time Etc is honestly priced, transparently published, and well run. Sign up.
Pricing reality check.
Time Etc is one of the few services in the category that publishes prices. That is a real plus. The catch is the hourly model can mislead you. At $38 per hour for 20 hours per week, you are spending about $3,300 per month and getting 80 hours. For roughly the same monthly check, a Staffify full-time VA gives you 160 hours of dedicated capacity, although offshore.
If the choice is "20 hours of US-based admin" vs "40 hours per week of dedicated offshore admin," that depends on what work you actually need done, not on a per-hour rate comparison.
Frequently asked questions.
Is Time Etc worth it?
Yes, for the right buyer. If you need a small, predictable block of US-based VA hours each month, Time Etc is well priced, transparent, and easy to scale. If you need full-time capacity, a dedicated offshore VA tends to win on dollar for dollar leverage.
How much does Time Etc cost?
Plans start at $390 per month for 10 hours (about $39 per hour) and scale to $2,160 per month for 60 hours (about $36 per hour). Custom plans are available above 60 hours. Pricing is published on their site.
Are Time Etc assistants US-based?
Yes. Time Etc places only US-based dedicated assistants for US clients.
Are Staffify VAs full-time?
Yes. Every Staffify placement is full-time and dedicated to one client. We do not pool or share VAs.
Can I switch from Time Etc to Staffify if my hours grow?
Yes, this is one of the more common paths. Founders start at 10 to 40 hours per month on a US-based hourly service, hit the ceiling, and graduate to a dedicated full-time VA. We can scope the handoff on a discovery call.
Not sure which one fits?
25 minutes. We will look at the hours you actually need and tell you whether Time Etc or Staffify is the better shape.
Book a 25-min discovery call