Freelance VA From a Job Board vs a Managed Full-Time Hire
J. DubanUpdated July 14, 2026 · 7 min
On this page
There are two main ways to hire a remote assistant in the Philippines. You can post on a job board and hire someone directly, or you can go through a provider that recruits, employs and supports the person for you. Both work. They suit different owners.
How does hiring directly from a job board work?
You post a job, screen applicants, interview, agree pay and pay the person yourself, usually monthly by international transfer. The job board charges a subscription; everything else is on you. Done well, it's the cheapest route.
What you take on:
- Screening: popular posts get hundreds of applications.
- Verification: confirming identity, experience and references.
- Pay and admin: transfers, records, and any local obligations.
- Continuity: if the person leaves or goes quiet, you start again.
What does a managed full-time hire include?
The provider recruits and screens candidates, you interview and choose, and the provider employs the person, handling pay, benefits, equipment and HR. You manage the day-to-day work; they handle everything around it, including replacement if the hire doesn't work out.
How do they compare?
| Compared on | Job board, hire directly | Managed full-time hire |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Lowest | Higher, usually all-in |
| Your time to hire | High: you screen everyone | Low: you meet a short list |
| Vetting | Whatever you do yourself | Skills tests, interviews and references before you meet anyone |
| Pay, benefits, equipment | You arrange it | Included |
| If they leave or go quiet | You start over | Provider replaces them |
| Support after hiring | None | Account manager |
What do Filipino virtual assistants earn?
Pay varies widely by role, experience and whether the work is full-time. When comparing, be wary of very low offers: experienced professionals have options, and pay that's well below market is the most common reason good people leave. Paying fairly is also simply the right thing to do.
Which route is right for you?
Hire directly if you have time to screen properly, you're comfortable handling international pay, the role is straightforward, and you can absorb the disruption if the person leaves.
Use a managed hire if your time is the constraint, the role is business-critical, you want someone who stays, or you've been burned by a hire who disappeared.
How to hire well, whichever route you choose
- Write the job around outcomes, not tasks: "inbox at zero by 5 p.m.", not "manage email".
- Test on real work from your business, live on video.
- Check references yourself.
- Start with a 30-day plan: what they'll own in week 1, week 2 and month 1.
- Pay fairly, and agree the arrangement in writing.
At StaffRight, we screen over 300 applicants for each role, test them on the tools the job uses, and introduce you to a short list to interview. If the person isn't right, we replace them.
FAQ
Is it safe to hire a virtual assistant from the Philippines?
Yes, with sensible checks: video interviews, ID matching, live skills tests, references and named logins with limited access.
Can I hire a Filipino assistant full-time?
Yes, either directly or through a provider. Full-time arrangements tend to produce more continuity than part-time ones.
What's the difference between a virtual assistant and a freelancer?
"Freelancer" usually means someone working for several clients on their own terms. A full-time assistant works only for you, on your schedule.
To compare the all-in cost for your role, try the cost calculator.
