Near vs Stellar Staff (2026): Latin American Recruiting or a Full-Time VA?
Near is a recruiting and staffing firm for full-time hires in Latin America; it does not publish its fees and charges only if you hire. Stellar Staff places dedicated full-time assistants, primarily from the Philippines, for $1,999 or $2,999 a month, or recruits a hire for you from $4,999 one-time through Custom Recruitment.
Stellar Staff vs Near at a glance
Near, which operates as Hire With Near, recruits full-time professionals in Latin America for U.S. companies. It offers two models. Direct Hire charges a one-time placement fee, and you employ the person yourself or through your own employer of record. Staffing bills monthly for salary plus Near's fee, and Near handles payroll and compliance. Near describes itself as a staffing and recruiting firm, not a VA subscription service, and it does not publish fee amounts.
Stellar Staff also offers both models, with published prices. Its managed plans place one dedicated full-time assistant for $1,999 (Pro) or $2,999 (Executive) a month, and Stellar Staff handles recruiting, payroll, HR, tracking, and replacements. Its Custom Recruitment service costs the greater of $4,999 or 20% of first-year pay, one time, with a $500 search deposit per role credited toward the fee, a shortlist of 2 to 4 candidates, and a 3-month replacement guarantee.
Compare the model, not just the monthly price.
How do Near's hiring models compare with Stellar Staff's?
Five practical factors reveal where the two services stop looking alike.
- Region. Near recruits in Latin America, which shares most working hours with U.S. teams. Stellar Staff recruits primarily from the Philippines.
- Fee transparency. Near says it is free to interview and you pay only if you hire, and it shares fee details on the first call. Stellar Staff publishes both its managed rates and its Custom Recruitment fee.
- One-time placement. Near's Direct Hire fee is not published. Stellar Staff's Custom Recruitment costs the greater of $4,999 or 20% of first-year pay, with a credited $500 deposit.
- Replacement window. Near replaces a Direct Hire free within 180 days and covers Staffing hires for the whole engagement. Stellar Staff's Custom Recruitment includes a 3-month replacement guarantee, renewed on each replacement, and its managed plans include free replacements, forever.
- Timeline. Near says the first shortlist arrives in under 5 days and a hire in under 21 days. For Stellar Staff, the search takes 5 to 10 business days.
Which option fits your business?
Stellar Staff
- You want a published monthly price before you talk to anyone.
- You want a dedicated assistant for $1,999 a month with payroll and HR handled.
- You want a one-time recruiting fee you can work out in advance.
- You want free replacements, forever, on a managed plan.
Near
- You want hires in Latin American time zones.
- You are hiring across many functions; Near lists more than 20 industries.
- You want a 180-day free replacement window on a direct hire.
- Third-party scores matter to you: Near displays G2 4.9/5 and Clutch 4.8/5.
Near and Stellar Staff, model by model
| Decision point | Stellar Staff | Near |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2022 | 2021, per its company page; began as a job board in May 2020 |
| Talent region | Primarily the Philippines | Latin America |
| Managed monthly option | $1,999 Pro; $2,999 Executive | Staffing: salary plus Near's fee; amounts not published |
| One-time recruiting option | Custom Recruitment: greater of $4,999 or 20% of first-year pay | Direct Hire: one-time placement fee, not published |
| Upfront payment | Custom Recruitment: $500 search deposit per role, credited toward the recruitment fee | Free to interview; pay only if you hire |
| Candidates you see | 2 to 3 finalists (managed); shortlist of 2 to 4 (Custom Recruitment) | First shortlist in under 5 days |
| Timeline | The search takes 5 to 10 business days | Hire in under 21 days |
| Replacement | Free, forever (managed); 3 months, renewed on each replacement (Custom Recruitment) | 180 days (Direct Hire); whole engagement (Staffing) |
| Who runs payroll | Stellar Staff, on managed plans | You or your EOR (Direct Hire); Near (Staffing) |
| Ratings shown | #2 VA agency on Clutch | G2 4.9/5; Clutch 4.8/5 |
What roles can you fill through each?
Near recruits across many functions. Stellar Staff focuses on assistant and support roles, through managed plans or one-time recruitment.
| Area | Stellar Staff | Near |
|---|---|---|
| Role scope | Executive, administrative, bookkeeping, sales, customer service, and industry-specific assistant roles | Full-time professionals across 20+ industries |
| Employment setup | Managed plan or one-time Custom Recruitment | Direct Hire or Staffing |
| AI tools | Trained on AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Zapier) | Depends on the candidate |
| Bilingual option | +$200 a month | Depends on the candidate |
| Daily direction | You direct the work | You direct the work |
What you pay with Near versus Stellar Staff
Near shares fees on the first call, so only Stellar Staff's side comes from published figures.
| Cost item | Stellar Staff | Near |
|---|---|---|
| Managed monthly price | $1,999 or $2,999 | Salary plus Near's fee; not published |
| One-time recruiting fee | Greater of $4,999 or 20% of first-year pay | Not published |
| Custom Recruitment deposit | $500 per role, credited toward the recruitment fee | None to interview |
| Payroll and compliance | Included in managed plans | Included in Staffing; yours in Direct Hire |
| Replacement | Free, forever (managed); 3-month guarantee (Custom Recruitment) | 180 days or the whole engagement |
Ask Near for the placement fee or monthly fee for the exact role, then compare it with the same role through Stellar Staff's managed plan or Custom Recruitment.
What works well about Near
Near is clear about its model. Clients interview for free and pay only if they hire, and they choose between owning the employment relationship or letting Near run payroll and compliance. Its replacement terms are generous: 180 days on a direct hire and the whole engagement on staffing.
Latin America is a practical region for U.S. teams that need overlapping working hours. Near says it delivers a first shortlist in under 5 days and a hire in under 21 days, recruits across more than 20 industries, and displays G2 4.9/5 and Clutch 4.8/5 ratings on its site.
Stellar Staff's two ways to hire
Stellar Staff gives buyers the same choice between a managed hire and a one-time recruit, with prices published for both. On a managed plan, Pro is $1,999 a month and Executive is $2,999 for a dedicated full-time assistant. Stellar Staff handles recruiting, payroll, HR, tracking, and replacements, and replacements are free, forever. You direct the daily work and can cancel with 14 days' notice.
With Custom Recruitment, the fee is the greater of $4,999 or 20% of first-year pay, one time. A $500 search deposit per role is credited to that fee. You get a shortlist of 2 to 4 candidates and a 3-month replacement guarantee, with a fresh 3 months on each replacement.
On managed plans, candidates come from the top 0.1% of applicants, primarily from the Philippines. The search takes 5 to 10 business days. You interview 2 to 3 finalists.
Choosing between Near and Stellar Staff
Go with Near if you want Latin American talent, plan to hire across functions, or want a long replacement window on a direct hire. Ask for the fee early, since it is not published.
Go with Stellar Staff if you want an assistant at a published monthly price with payroll and HR covered, or a one-time recruitment service with a fee you can calculate before the first call.
Near and Stellar Staff: buyer questions
Clear answers on pricing, hiring speed, replacements, specialization, and compliance.
How much does Hire With Near cost?
Near does not publish its fees. Its pricing page says it is free to interview and you only pay if you hire, with fee details given on the first call. Direct Hire carries a one-time placement fee, and Staffing is billed monthly as salary plus Near's fee.
Is Near a virtual assistant service?
Near describes itself as a staffing and recruiting firm, not a VA subscription service. It recruits full-time hires in Latin America. Stellar Staff places dedicated full-time assistants on monthly plans and also offers one-time recruiting.
Should I hire a virtual assistant in Latin America or the Philippines?
Talent location can affect working-hour overlap, but the agreed schedule and individual candidate matter more than geography alone. Near recruits in Latin America, while Stellar Staff recruits primarily from the Philippines. Ask both providers which hours the assistant will cover and compare candidates against the same tasks and communication requirements.
How fast can Near fill a role?
Near says it sends a first shortlist in under 5 days and completes a hire in under 21 days. For Stellar Staff, the search takes 5 to 10 business days.
What does Stellar Staff's Custom Recruitment cost?
Custom Recruitment costs the greater of $4,999 or 20% of first-year pay, one time. A $500 search deposit per role is credited toward the fee. You get a shortlist of 2 to 4 candidates and a 3-month replacement guarantee, with a fresh 3 months on each replacement.
What replacement terms does each company offer?
Near replaces a Direct Hire free within 180 days and covers Staffing hires for the whole engagement. Stellar Staff's managed plans include free replacements, forever, and Custom Recruitment includes a 3-month replacement guarantee, with a fresh 3 months on each replacement.
Is Near's description of Stellar Staff current?
Not entirely. Near's July 2026 roundup of virtual assistant companies lists older Stellar Staff prices and timelines and describes an EU-focused talent pool. Stellar Staff's current plans are Pro at $1,999 a month and Executive at $2,999, talent comes primarily from the Philippines, and the search takes 5 to 10 business days.
Do both companies have third-party ratings?
Near displays a G2 rating of 4.9/5 and a Clutch rating of 4.8/5 on its site. Stellar Staff is the #2 VA agency on Clutch. Read recent reviews on both profiles rather than relying on the score alone.
Stellar Staff
Stellar StaffNear
How we reviewed the providers
Near's pricing, FAQ, company story, and its virtual assistant roundup were reviewed on hirewithnear.com on October 5, 2026. Stellar Staff details reflect its current managed plan and Custom Recruitment terms. Sources: Near pricing, Near FAQ, Near company story, and Stellar Staff pricing. Near's fees are not published, so cost rows show its model rather than amounts. Confirm details with each company.