If your VA leaves or isn't performing, your Customer Success Manager coordinates a replacement at no cost. Managed plans include free replacements, forever.
Quick answer: Time Etc reviews are strongly positive. The company holds a 4.8 out of 5 TrustScore on Trustpilot from more than 280 reviews (checked October 13, 2026), and most reviewers praise experienced U.S.-based assistants and flexible plans that start at $390 a month for 10 hours. The complaints that do appear are mostly about billing after plan changes and about canceling. Time Etc suits buyers who need 10 to 60 hours of help a month, while Stellar Staff is the better alternative for a full-time assistant at $1,999 a month for 160 hours.
Disclosure: Stellar Staff publishes this article, and we are a virtual assistant staffing company ourselves, so we compete with Time Etc for some buyers. Every fact about Time Etc below comes from its own website or from the review platform named, checked on October 13, 2026, with links so you can confirm it.
What Time Etc Sells, and Who Does the Work
Time Etc sells monthly blocks of hours with an experienced, remote VA. You book a consultation, get matched with a named assistant, and send tasks through Time Etc's platform, which tracks the time spent on each one by the second.
The company was founded in 2007 and has grown without outside funding, according to its press page. Barnaby Lashbrooke is the founder and CEO, and the about page says Time Etc has helped more than 22,000 entrepreneurs. The U.S. terms name the contracting company as Time etc USA Limited, list a contact address in Birmingham, England, and apply English law. A separate UK site sells UK-based assistants.
Who the assistants are. Time Etc says its U.S. assistants are "100% U.S. based," have an average of 12 years of experience, and need at least 5 to 8 years of relevant experience to apply. Its assistant page says "98% don't make it in." The terms describe the assistants as independent contractors engaged by Time Etc, and the press page describes a team of more than 500 freelance assistants in the U.S. and UK.
What "dedicated" means here. Each plan includes a dedicated U.S. assistant: one named person who learns your preferences. That person is not exclusive to you. Time Etc's recruiting FAQ tells applicants they will be introduced to between three and six clients, and says the average assistant works about 39 hours a month through Time Etc. That setup is efficient for a few hours of work a week. It is a different product from an assistant working on your tasks all day.
Matching. After the consultation call, you review a suggested assistant's profile and talk with them before you decide, and you can change assistants at no charge. Time Etc publishes no matching timeline; its comparison table calls the start "Instant."
Time Etc Pricing: Four Published Plans, Plus Team Plans
Time Etc publishes its U.S. prices, which many VA companies do not. All four plans renew monthly.
| Time Etc plan | Monthly price | Hours a month | Per hour (Time Etc's figure) | Unused hours roll over? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ten hours | $390 | 10 | $39 | Not listed |
| Twenty hours | $760 | 20 | $38 | Yes |
| Forty hours | $1,480 | 40 | $37 | Yes |
| Sixty hours | $2,160 | 60 | $36 | Yes |
Source: Time Etc plans and pricing, U.S. site, checked October 13, 2026.
A few additional pricing details matter. Time Etc says it does not charge a setup fee; you pay for the first month to start. Charges are billed in advance by card or PayPal. Extra hours for a busy month are available, but their rate is not published, and plans above 60 hours are quoted after a consultation. Before you pay anything, Time Etc offers to do your first task free, with no credit card required.
The team plans are worth a look if you have staff. Time Etc's teams page lists a Team of 15 plan at $290 a month with 10 hours of support, a Team of 30 plan at $560 with 20 hours, and a Team of 75 plan at $1,080 with 40 hours, each with two or three U.S. assistants. Those are lower monthly prices than the individual plans for the same hours, so ask which plan applies to you. On the UK site, the same four individual plans run from £310 to £1,680 a month, before 20% VAT.
For how these rates compare with freelancers, offshore assistants, and in-house staff, see our guide to what a virtual assistant costs.
Time Etc Ratings We Could Verify
We recorded only figures we could see on each platform's own page, and we do not give Time Etc a score of our own.
| Platform | What it shows | Number of reviews | Date checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.8 out of 5, labeled "Excellent" | 280 to 282 (the count changed between two page loads) | October 13, 2026 |
| G2 | No meaningful average | 1 review, from 2021 | October 13, 2026 |
| BBB, Capterra, Clutch, Google | We could not verify a Time Etc rating | Not verified | October 13, 2026 |
Trustpilot carries almost all of the public feedback. The profile, which Time Etc claimed in 2019, shows 93% five-star reviews and 2% one-star reviews, with roughly 50 new reviews in the past 12 months. Time Etc replies to its negative reviews, usually within seven days. G2 has a single review, too few to read anything into. We could not confirm a Time Etc profile on BBB, Capterra, Clutch, or Google, so we left those out.
What Time Etc Reviewers Praise
Reading the Trustpilot reviews posted between mid and late 2026, the same points come up again and again. We summarize them in our own words rather than quoting reviewers.
- The assistants themselves. Reviewers describe their assistants as organized, professional, and proactive. That fits Time Etc's focus on experienced U.S. hires.
- Choice during matching. Clients mention choosing between candidates, or switching when the first match was not right.
- Small plans that flex. Many reviewers started with a few hours and moved up or down as their workload changed, month to month.
- An easy start. Sign-up, the client platform, and help resources get frequent mentions.
- Support staff who answer. Clients say the support team responds quickly when something needs fixing.
Where Time Etc Reviews Turn Negative
Critical reviews are a small share, about 3% at one or two stars. Treat them as questions to ask before you sign.
- Billing after plan changes. Some reviewers report charges that continued after they reduced their plan or turned off auto-renewal. Time Etc's public replies say it corrected the plans and issued refunds.
- Canceling. One reviewer could not cancel inside the platform and found the follow-up calls, texts, and emails excessive. Time Etc replied that it was refining its cancellation and outreach process.
- Turnover and fit. One client describes a series of assistants coming and going. Another felt their assistant was not proactive enough to use the hours they had paid for.
That last point connects to the shared model. When an assistant splits the week across several clients, your requests sit alongside other people's, and keeping the queue full is usually your job.
Contract Terms Worth Reading Before You Sign
Time Etc's plans page is short. Its terms and conditions are longer, and in a few places they say something different.
Notice to cancel. The pricing page says "there's no notice period and one email or call to our team is all it takes." Clause 14.2 of the terms says either side may end the agreement with notice of at least one full monthly billing period, and that notice given partway through a month ends the agreement on the second billing date after it. Ask Time Etc to confirm in writing which rule applies to you.
The guarantee and refunds. The site promises a complete satisfaction guarantee for the lifetime of your account. Clause 8.2 says "Refunds are at the sole discretion of Time Etc." The guarantee sits alongside free assistant changes, but it is not written as an automatic refund.
Rolled-over hours. Unused hours roll over on the 20, 40, and 60-hour plans, and the 10-hour plan does not list rollover. Neither the pricing page nor the terms say how long rolled-over hours last, or what happens to them when you downgrade or cancel.
Hiring your assistant directly. While an assistant works with you, and for nine months after the agreement ends, you need Time Etc's written consent to hire them. If you go ahead, the terms set a transfer fee of 50% of the annualized fees billed for that assistant over the previous year. The alternative is to keep the assistant through Time Etc for another 12 months.
Work quality. Clause 5.1 says Time Etc does not guarantee that work will be error-free. That is normal, and it means your own review step stays.
Small inconsistencies. The how-it-works page mentions a "10-stage selection process," while the assistant page lists seven numbered steps. The pricing page's comparison table shows a monthly cost of "$380+," but the lowest plan is $390.
Time Etc vs BELAY vs Stellar Staff
Buyers researching Time Etc usually compare it with BELAY, which also offers U.S.-based assistants, and with full-time agencies.
| Provider | Published price | Hours | Where assistants are based | Terms | Matching | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time Etc | $390 to $2,160 a month ($36 to $39 an hour) | 10 to 60 a month; larger plans by consultation | U.S. (UK on its UK site); independent contractors | Monthly; plans page says no notice, terms say one full billing period | Consultation, then meet a suggested assistant; free switch; no published timeline | Light or variable workloads |
| BELAY | Not published; quoted after a consultation | Support typically begins at 45 a month | U.S. | Month to month; notice period not stated in its FAQ | Most clients matched within about a week; free rematch under its Right Fit Guarantee | A U.S. assistant for a heavier load |
| Stellar Staff | Pro $1,999 a month (about $12.50 an hour); Executive $2,999 a month | 160 a month, full-time | Primarily the Philippines | Month to month, 14 days' notice | You interview 2 to 3 finalists; the search takes 5 to 10 business days | One full-time assistant on your work every day |
Sources: Time Etc pricing and terms; BELAY FAQ. Checked October 13, 2026.
Time Etc vs BELAY. Both sell U.S.-based assistants by the hour. Time Etc publishes its prices and starts at 10 hours a month, so it is the easier one to try at a small scale. BELAY does not publish prices, and its FAQ says support typically begins at 45 hours a month, so it suits a heavier load. Our Stellar Staff vs BELAY page covers BELAY in more detail, and our Stellar Staff vs Time Etc comparison compares the two providers line by line.
Who Time Etc Fits Best, and Who It Doesn't
Time Etc is the better pick in several common situations:
- You have roughly 10 to 60 hours of delegable work a month, not a full week's worth.
- You want an assistant based in the U.S. or the UK, working in your time zone and your first language.
- Your workload rises and falls, and rollover hours help even it out.
- You want to test the service with a free first task before you pay.
It is a weaker match if you need someone through your whole workday, want an assistant who does not split time with other clients, or expect the work to grow well past 60 hours a month, where the full-time plans in the table above cost less per hour. Our breakdown of VA pricing models explains how hour blocks and full-time plans differ.
The Alternative for a Full-Time Assistant: Stellar Staff
If your list of delegable work fills a full week, a full-time assistant is the more sensible structure, and Stellar Staff is the alternative we recommend. We place one dedicated assistant for 160 hours a month. Pro costs $1,999 a month, about $12.50 an hour, and Executive costs $2,999 a month. A bilingual assistant adds $200 a month.
The search takes 5 to 10 business days. Stellar Staff accepts the top 0.1% of applicants, and candidates go through a 6-step application and 6 individual tests, written and spoken English verification, reference checks, an equipment check, professional interviews and skill assessments, internal QA, and background checks. You interview 2 to 3 finalists and choose the one you want.
Stellar Staff handles recruiting, payroll, HR, tracking, and replacements, and you direct the daily work. Replacements are free, forever. The plan is month to month with 14 days' notice, and Stellar Staff is the #2 VA agency on Clutch. Our talent comes primarily from the Philippines. If a U.S.-based assistant matters more to you than full-time hours, Time Etc or BELAY is the better choice.
Choose Stellar Staff if you have enough work for a full-time assistant, you want one dedicated person learning your business, and you prefer a fixed monthly price to buying blocks of hours. Current plans are on our pricing page, and you can read client reviews before you book.
Other Time Etc Alternatives to Compare
Providers differ most on three points: monthly hours, where the assistant is based, and how many clients each assistant serves.
We ranked the leading providers on published price, dedicated hours, contract terms, and replacements in our list of the best virtual assistant companies. Our comparison hub also has head-to-head pages for BELAY, Boldly, Wishup, and other providers.
Is Time Etc Legit, and Other Buyer Questions
Is Time Etc legit?
Yes. Time Etc has operated since 2007, says it has served more than 22,000 entrepreneurs, publishes its prices, and held a 4.8 out of 5 TrustScore on Trustpilot from more than 280 reviews when we checked on October 13, 2026. Read the terms before you sign, because the notice and refund clauses are firmer than the plans page suggests.
How much does Time Etc cost?
Time Etc's U.S. plans cost $390 a month for 10 hours, $760 for 20, $1,480 for 40, and $2,160 for 60, which works out to $36 to $39 an hour by its own figures. Larger plans are quoted after a consultation, and its team plans start at $290 a month with 10 hours of support.
Do unused Time Etc hours roll over?
Unused hours roll over to the next month on the 20, 40, and 60-hour plans. The 10-hour plan does not list rollover, and Time Etc does not publish a limit or expiration date for rolled-over hours, so confirm both before you buy.
How do you cancel Time Etc?
Time Etc's pricing page says you can cancel with one email or call and no notice period. Its terms say notice must cover at least one full monthly billing period. Send your cancellation in writing and ask Time Etc to confirm the end date.
Is Time Etc better than BELAY?
Time Etc is better for light workloads because it publishes prices and starts at 10 hours a month. BELAY suits heavier loads, since its support typically begins at 45 hours a month and prices come after a consultation. If you need a full-time assistant instead, Stellar Staff places one for 160 hours a month at $1,999.
Are Time Etc assistants dedicated to one client?
Each Time Etc client gets a named assistant, but that assistant typically works with three to six clients and averages about 39 hours a month through Time Etc, according to its recruiting FAQ. If you want one assistant working full-time on your business, Stellar Staff places a dedicated assistant for 160 hours a month.
What is the best Time Etc alternative for a full-time assistant?
Stellar Staff is the alternative we recommend when you need a full-time assistant. Pro costs $1,999 a month for 160 hours, about $12.50 an hour, the search takes 5 to 10 business days, and replacements are free, forever. Our talent comes primarily from the Philippines, so pick Time Etc if a U.S.-based assistant matters most.
Pick Time Etc for a Few Hours a Month, Stellar Staff for a Full-Time Assistant
Time Etc earns its reviews: clear prices, experienced U.S. assistants, and a 10-hour plan with a free first task. The trade-offs are a shared assistant, a rate of $36 to $39 an hour, and firmer notice and refund terms than the plans page suggests.
Count the hours you want to hand off each month. Under about 60, Time Etc is a strong option. If the list fills a full workweek, Stellar Staff places a full-time assistant at $1,999 a month, and the search takes 5 to 10 business days. Book a call to start your search.
Time Etc and BELAY details come from their own websites and from the review platforms linked above, checked on October 13, 2026. Plans and terms change, so confirm current figures with each provider. Stellar Staff pricing is current as of October 2026.