Go Hire Virtual vs. HireSmart Virtual Employees: Placement Fee or All-In Hourly Rate?
If you are comparing Go Hire Virtual and HireSmart Virtual Employees, you are thinking carefully about total cost, which is smart. An upfront placement fee can make sense for the right long-term hire, and it can be a costly lesson if the role or the person is not the right fit.
HireSmart Virtual Employees recruits, tests and certifies full-time virtual employees for a one-time placement fee, and you pay the employee's wages separately. Go Hire Virtual charges one all-in hourly rate from $12/hr with no placement fee, no long-term contract and ongoing U.S. account management. Here is our Go Hire Virtual vs. HireSmart comparison of costs and models.
Book a Free 15-Min Task AuditSee the ComparisonWe are Go Hire Virtual, one of the two companies compared on this page. HireSmart Virtual Employees details come from its public website, reviewed October 2026.
Is Go Hire Virtual or HireSmart better?
They are built for different owners. HireSmart suits owners who want to recruit a full-time virtual employee once, pay a placement fee, and then manage that person directly; over a long period, its lower wage floor can cost less. Go Hire Virtual suits owners who want no upfront fee, the option to start part-time, and a U.S. account team that stays involved after the hire. In the first several months, and for any part-time need, Go Hire Virtual usually costs less.
- HireSmart lists a one-time fee of $2,995 (Gold) or $3,495 (Platinum); virtual employee wages are not included and start at $9.50/hr.
- Go Hire Virtual charges $12/hr General or $14/hr Professional, all-in, with no placement fee.
- At $12/hr vs. $9.50/hr plus a $2,995 fee, Go Hire Virtual costs less for roughly the first 1,200 hours (about seven months full-time).
- Go Hire Virtual includes ongoing management and lets you start part-time.
Go Hire Virtual vs. HireSmart Virtual Employees: Side by Side
How the two compare on the things business owners ask about most.
| Go Hire Virtual | HireSmart Virtual Employees | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing and value | ||
| Upfront fee | None | $2,995 (Gold) or $3,495 (Platinum) |
| Hourly cost | $12/hr General, $14/hr Professional, all-in | VE wages not included; start at $9.50/hr depending on experience and skills |
| Getting started | ||
| Schedule | Part-time, full-time or specific shifts | Full-time virtual employees |
| Recruiting and vetting | Shortlist of pre-vetted VAs in 48–72 hours; you interview | DISC profile, background check, English, math and writing tests; 3 curated candidates |
| Training | Onboarding plan with industry playbooks | 40 hours of hands-on training and certification |
| Tools and integrations | ||
| Works in your tools | Logs in to your existing software: ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro, Jobber, QuickBooks, your EHR and more | Confirm integrations with HireSmart Virtual Employees |
| Support and flexibility | ||
| After the hire | U.S. account manager stays involved: check-ins, task changes, rematch | Dedicated customer relationship manager, templates and coaching sessions |
| Replacement | Account manager can rematch as needed | 90-day (Gold) or 180-day (Platinum) full replacement |
| Specialization | ||
| Industry playbooks | Trades and home services, healthcare, real estate, startups | 16+ industry-specific certification classes listed |
HireSmart Virtual Employees details are based on HireSmart Virtual Employees's public website as reviewed in October 2026. Plans and prices change, so confirm current terms directly with HireSmart Virtual Employees. For a benchmark on in-house costs, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2025 median receptionist wage of Plans and prices change, so confirm current terms directly with HireSmart Virtual Employees.8.27 per hour before taxes and benefits.
What These Differences Mean for Your Business
The table shows two cost structures. HireSmart charges a one-time placement fee of $2,995 or $3,495 and you pay the virtual employee's wages separately, starting at $9.50 per hour. Go Hire Virtual charges one all-in hourly rate from $12/hr with no placement fee, and our account team stays involved after the hire.
In practice, Go Hire Virtual costs less for roughly the first seven months of full-time work and for part-time needs. HireSmart can cost less over a longer full-time engagement if you are comfortable managing the employee directly.
What HireSmart Virtual Employees Does Well
HireSmart Virtual Employees publishes transparent placement pricing. Its Gold plan is $2,995 and covers recruiting and screening, training and certification, ongoing business support and a 90-day replacement guarantee. Its Platinum plan is $3,495 and adds a 180-day guarantee, a training map and KPIs, and additional coaching. HireSmart notes that virtual employee wages are not included and start at $9.50 per hour, depending on experience and skill set.
HireSmart's process is thorough: DISC profiles, national criminal background checks, home office and technology confirmation, skills testing, three curated candidates, and 40 hours of hands-on training. For an owner who wants to build an in-house-style relationship with a full-time virtual employee and manage them directly, it is a solid model.
Why Business Owners Choose Go Hire Virtual Over HireSmart Virtual Employees
An upfront placement fee and a full-time commitment are not right for every business.
No upfront fee
Start without paying a placement fee. Your first month costs only the hours you use.
Start part-time
Begin with 10 or 20 hours a week, or just your busiest shifts, then grow.
All-in hourly rate
$12/hr or $14/hr covers the assistant and our management. No separate wage arrangements to set up.
Management that continues
Your U.S. account manager checks in, helps adjust tasks and hours, and handles rematching if needed.
Built for service businesses
Call answering, dispatch, estimate follow-up and invoicing in field service software.
Spanish-speaking support
Bilingual English and Spanish VAs available.
How Our Approach Differs From HireSmart Virtual Employees
For each difference: how HireSmart Virtual Employees approaches it, what Go Hire Virtual does instead, and why it matters to you.
Upfront cost
HireSmart Virtual Employees: A one-time placement fee of $2,995 (Gold) or $3,495 (Platinum).
Go Hire Virtual: No placement fee; you pay only for hours worked.
Why it matters: Lower risk if you are hiring your first remote assistant or testing a new role.
How you pay the assistant
HireSmart Virtual Employees: Virtual employee wages are paid separately, starting at $9.50/hr.
Go Hire Virtual: One all-in rate: $12/hr General or $14/hr Professional.
Why it matters: A single invoice is simpler than setting up separate wage payments.
After the hire
HireSmart Virtual Employees: Coaching sessions, templates and a 90- or 180-day replacement guarantee.
Go Hire Virtual: Ongoing U.S. account management with check-ins and rematching as needed.
Why it matters: Support continues for as long as you work with us, not only during a guarantee window.
A Real Cost Example
Using HireSmart's published Gold plan fee and starting wage, and Go Hire Virtual's General rate (October 2026). Full-time is 40 hours a week.
| Time on the job | Go Hire Virtual ($12/hr) | HireSmart Gold ($2,995 + $9.50/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months full-time (520 hrs) | $6,240 | $7,935 |
| 6 months full-time (1,040 hrs) | $12,480 | $12,875 |
| 12 months full-time (2,080 hrs) | $24,960 | $22,755 |
| 6 months at 20 hrs/week (520 hrs) | $6,240 | Full-time model; confirm part-time availability with HireSmart |
HireSmart figures use its lowest listed wage ($9.50/hr); actual wages depend on experience and skills and may be higher. They do not include any payment, payroll or software costs you may incur paying a virtual employee directly. The break-even point is about 1,200 hours, or roughly seven months of full-time work.
Pros and Cons: Go Hire Virtual vs. HireSmart Virtual Employees
Go Hire Virtual
Pros
- No placement fee
- Part-time options
- Ongoing account management
- Lower cost for roughly the first seven months full-time
Cons
- Higher hourly rate than HireSmart's starting wage
- Can cost more over multi-year full-time engagements
HireSmart Virtual Employees
Pros
- Thorough vetting, including DISC profiles and background checks
- 40 hours of training and certification
- Lower starting wage of $9.50/hr for long-term hires
Cons
- $2,995–$3,495 upfront placement fee
- Full-time model with wages paid separately
What Clients Say About Go Hire Virtual
As of October 2026, Go Hire Virtual has a 4.9-star rating from 48 reviews on its Google Business Profile.
“I have a bilingual Spanish / English VA who has been handling most of my cleaning company's operations.”J Brady, Google review
“Handling rescue calls from customers with professionalism and urgency… assistance is dispatched quickly and efficiently.”Merinda Pickett, Google review
“Handles customer inquiries, schedules service appointments, and follows through with all tasks asked of her.”Christina P., family-owned business for 75+ years
Read more client stories and testimonials, see our reviews page, or check current pricing.
Which Is Right for Your Business?
Choose Go Hire Virtual if…
- You want to start without an upfront fee
- You need part-time or shift-based coverage
- You want an account team involved after the hire
- You run a trade, healthcare or service business
HireSmart Virtual Employees may fit if…
- You are sure you need a full-time virtual employee for the long term
- You are comfortable paying a placement fee and managing the employee directly
- You want structured coaching on managing virtual staff
How switching to Go Hire Virtual works
Free 15-minute task audit
We map what your current provider handles today and what is falling through the cracks.
Shortlist in 48–72 hours
You interview pre-vetted assistants who fit your industry, tools and hours.
Overlap and hand-off
Your new VA shadows your current process, then takes over, following our 30-day onboarding timeline.
Go Hire Virtual vs. HireSmart: The Bottom Line
The Go Hire Virtual vs. HireSmart math depends on how long and how many hours you need help. With no placement fee, Go Hire Virtual costs less for roughly the first seven months of full-time work and for any part-time arrangement, and your U.S. account manager stays involved after the hire. If you are certain you want a full-time virtual employee for years and prefer to manage them directly, HireSmart's model can cost less over time.
Go Hire Virtual vs. HireSmart Virtual Employees: FAQs
Is Go Hire Virtual a good alternative to HireSmart Virtual Employees?
Yes, if you want to avoid an upfront placement fee or need part-time help. Go Hire Virtual charges an all-in $12/hr with ongoing account management. If you want a full-time virtual employee for years and prefer managing them directly, HireSmart's model can work well.
What does HireSmart Virtual Employees do better than Go Hire Virtual?
HireSmart offers detailed vetting, including DISC profiles, background checks and skills testing, plus 40 hours of training and structured coaching. Its lower starting wage of $9.50 per hour can make it cheaper than Go Hire Virtual over a long full-time engagement.
How do I switch from HireSmart to Go Hire Virtual?
Book a free task audit. We review your current virtual employee's duties, deliver a shortlist within 48–72 hours and plan an overlap. Because Go Hire Virtual has no placement fee or long-term contract, switching does not require another upfront payment.
How does Go Hire Virtual pricing compare with HireSmart?
Using published numbers, three months of full-time work costs about $6,240 at Go Hire Virtual versus $7,935 with HireSmart Gold. Twelve months costs about $24,960 versus $22,755. Break-even is roughly 1,200 hours, assuming HireSmart's lowest listed wage.
What is the best HireSmart alternative for contractors?
Contractors with seasonal demand often prefer Go Hire Virtual because they can add or reduce hours without an upfront fee. Our assistants handle call answering, dispatch, estimate follow-up and invoicing in field service software, starting at $12/hr.
What type of company is Go Hire Virtual best for?
Owners hiring their first remote assistant, seasonal service businesses and growing companies that want to start part-time, avoid upfront fees and keep a U.S. account team involved after the hire.
More Comparisons
Go Hire Virtual is not affiliated with HireSmart Virtual Employees. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Competitor information comes from publicly available sources and was accurate to the best of our knowledge when reviewed in October 2026.
See How Go Hire Virtual Compares in Your Workflow
Start without a placement fee. Get a shortlist of pre-vetted assistants in 48–72 hours, from $12/hr all-in.
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