The best Wishup alternative for most businesses is Assist World: a full-time assistant from $1,800 a month (about $12 an hour), chosen by you from matched candidates, with no lock-in contract and industry-trained VAs. Wishup lists $1,999 a month for its Prime VA and $2,999 for Elite. For the lowest monthly price, compare Wing Assistant. For a weekly plan at a lower hourly rate, compare Magic.
Wishup sells managed virtual assistants on month-to-month plans: Prime VA at $1,999 a month, Elite VA at $2,999 a month and a US-based VA at $5,400 a month. Prime includes free replacement, a dedicated VA manager and 8 weeks of training; Elite adds a customer success manager, a backup VA and custom automations. Wishup also sells dedicated bookkeepers ($1,799 a month) and an AI and automation expert ($2,999 a month).
Wishup isn’t covered in the Forbes Advisor roundup, so there is less independent data to lean on. People compare it for practical reasons: the pricing page shows a 4 hour and 8 hour toggle without matching each price to a number of hours, its own page description shows different figures ($2,849 for full time and $1,899 for part time), and its FAQ says non-US VAs work night shifts from India and can’t make cold calls.
One disclosure up front: this is Assist World’s site, so we list ourselves first. Every price and rating below comes from each provider’s own site or from Forbes Advisor where it is covered, checked in October 2026, and we say plainly where Wishup is the better fit.
Wishup alternatives at a glance
| Provider | Best for | Starting price | Assistants based | Guarantee or exit | Forbes Advisor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assist World | Industry-matched support you choose yourself | $1,800/mo full time (about $12/hr) | Vetted global talent pool | 100% satisfaction guarantee, no lock-in | 4.5/5, Best for Specific Industries |
| Wing Assistant | Lowest monthly price | $999/mo (160 hrs) or $699/mo (80 hrs) | Not specified on homepage | Free replacement, cancel anytime | Not rated (featured partner) |
| Magic (GetMagic) | Dedicated human assistants on weekly plans | $360/week for 40 hrs a week (about $9/hr) | Not stated | No contracts, pay after you pick your assistant | Not in Forbes roundup |
| MyOutDesk | Dedicated full-time staff in a defined role | From $1,988/mo | Philippines, Latin America, Africa | Rematch or replacement at no extra cost | 4.0/5 |
| Prialto | Team support with backup assistants | $1,500 to $1,600/mo for 55 hrs | Not published (US and UK hours) | 90-day minimum per unit | 4.5/5 |
| Wishup (for comparison) | Managed assistants with an optional backup VA | From $1,999/mo (Prime VA) | India (night shifts cover US hours); US-based tier available | Month to month, free replacement on Prime | Not in Forbes roundup |
Prices and terms from each provider’s own pricing page and the Forbes Advisor roundup, October 2026. Where a provider doesn’t publish a price, we say so instead of estimating.
Now the detail on each one, starting with the option most Wishup prospects compare first.
01Assist World: Matched to Your Industry, Chosen by You
Where Wishup assigns a VA through its managed process, Assist World lets you pick. You meet at least two candidates matched to your role and industry, and you decide. A VA who has already supported a property management firm or an accounting practice doesn’t need the basics explained, which cuts the weeks it takes to become useful.
Full-time support typically costs $1,800 to $3,000 a month (about $12 to $17 an hour), depending on role and experience. That range starts below Wishup’s Prime plan and tops out at Elite’s price. You also get a dedicated account manager, a management dashboard, a 100% satisfaction guarantee and no lock-in contract. Forbes Advisor rated Assist World 4.5 out of 5 and named it Best for Specific Industries.
To be fair about the trade: Wishup’s Elite plan includes a backup VA and a customer success manager, and Assist World doesn’t promise a built-in backup. What you get here is a stated monthly range, a person you picked and an account manager who steps in if the fit isn’t right. If your work is mostly admin, see our administrative virtual assistant support.
What works
- You meet at least two matched candidates and choose who you work with
- Industry-trained VAs across 18 service lines
- Dedicated account manager and a dashboard to manage your assistant
- No lock-in contract and a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Watch for
- Pricing varies by role and experience, so use the instant quote for a firm number
- A vetted global talent pool, so not the pick if you require US-based assistants only
- A placement agency across many industries: ask about your exact tools before you commit
Versus Wishup: Start at $1,800 a month with a known role, choose your own assistant and skip any lock-in. Wishup wins on a built-in backup at Elite and a US-based tier. Assist World wins on choice, industry fit and a satisfaction guarantee.
Book a free consultationSee pricing and get an instant quoteAssist World pricing and terms from our own rate card and site. Rating from the Forbes Advisor roundup, October 2026.
02Wing Assistant: Lowest Monthly Price
Wing Assistant publishes two general plans: $699 a month for 80 hours and $999 a month for 160 hours (about $8.74 and $6.24 an hour). Each is month to month and includes a customer success manager and free replacement.
Those prices state the hours. Wing’s $999 full-time plan costs half of Wishup’s $1,999 Prime plan, and Wing says in plain numbers what you are buying. The trade-offs are no star rating from Forbes Advisor (it lists Wing as a featured partner) and no stated guarantee beyond replacement.
What works
- Lowest published monthly price on this list
- Dedicated assistant, customer success manager and free replacement
- Month-to-month plans with no stated minimum term
- Plans published openly on the pricing page
Watch for
- Assistant location isn’t specified on the homepage
- No satisfaction or money-back guarantee stated, only free replacement
- Forbes Advisor lists Wing as a featured partner without a star rating
Versus Wishup: Pick Wing when you want a low price with the hours stated plainly.
Source: Wing Assistant pricing page, checked October 2026. Rating from the Forbes Advisor roundup.
03Magic: Weekly Plans for a Dedicated Human Assistant
Magic prices by the week: a virtual assistant is $360 a week and an executive assistant is $540 a week, each for 40 hours a week, billed every four weeks ($1,440 or $2,160). That is roughly $9 and $13.50 an hour on our math. Magic says you choose the assistant first and pay only afterward, with no contracts.
Like Wishup, Magic doesn’t appear in the Forbes Advisor roundup, and its pricing page doesn’t state where assistants are based or a guarantee. Unlike Wishup, the hours are stated plainly: 40 a week.
What works
- You pay only after selecting the assistant you want to work with
- No contracts and no hidden fees, per Magic
- Described as a dedicated human assistant, not AI
- Part-time plans are available
Watch for
- The pricing page doesn’t state where assistants are based
- No guarantee is stated on the pricing page
- Part-time prices and hours aren’t published
- Hourly rates aren’t stated, so the hourly figures here are our math
Versus Wishup: Pick Magic for a weekly plan with stated hours and a lower monthly spend.
Source: Magic pricing page, checked October 2026. Not covered in the Forbes Advisor roundup.
04MyOutDesk: Dedicated Full-Time Staff in a Defined Role
MyOutDesk places one dedicated person in a defined role, working 40 hours a week. The Managed tier starts at $1,988 a month and the Specialized tier at $2,500, covering administrative assistants, bookkeeping, real estate ISA, medical billing and virtual receptionist roles. Recruiting, payroll, HR and support are included. Staff are based in the Philippines, Latin America and Africa.
Its entry price is within $11 of Wishup’s Prime plan, and the hours are stated. Forbes Advisor rated it 4.0 out of 5, strongest for real estate and property management, with a note about a long hiring time.
What works
- One full-time dedicated person, eight hours a day, five days a week
- Long role list including real estate, medical and sales roles
- Recruiting, payroll and HR included in the monthly rate
- Rematch or replacement offered at no extra cost
Watch for
- Higher starting price than hourly-plan providers
- Forbes Advisor flagged a long hiring time, while MyOutDesk says most clients are matched within days
- Hourly rates and minimum commitment aren’t published
Versus Wishup: Choose MyOutDesk when you want one full-time person in a defined role at a similar price.
Source: MyOutDesk pricing page, checked October 2026. Rating from the Forbes Advisor roundup.
05Prialto: Backup Coverage for Teams That Can’t Afford Gaps
Prialto sells 55-hour units at $1,500 to $1,600 a month (about $27 to $29 an hour), each with a second assistant who knows your processes and a dedicated engagement manager. Assistants complete a month of training, and logins use SOC 2 Type 2 compliant sharing.
If Wishup’s Elite backup VA is the draw, Prialto builds backup into every unit and publishes its hours. The trade-off is a 90-day minimum per unit and no published assistant location. Forbes Advisor rated it 4.5 out of 5.
What works
- A backup assistant for every unit, so coverage doesn’t vanish on a sick day
- Dedicated engagement manager and month-long assistant training
- SOC 2 Type 2 compliant login sharing
- No overage fees
Watch for
- About $27 to $29 an hour on the 55-hour unit, well above hourly-plan providers
- 90-day minimum per unit
- Assistant location isn’t published (hours align to US and UK time zones)
Versus Wishup: Choose Prialto when built-in backup is the priority and you can accept a 90-day minimum.
Source: Prialto pricing page, checked October 2026. Rating from the Forbes Advisor roundup.
A price you can’t convert into hours isn’t a price you can compare.
Why people look for Wishup alternatives
Wishup’s managed plans work for many teams. The reasons people compare it with other providers are usually these:
- The hours aren’t clear. The pricing page shows a 4 hour and 8 hour toggle without clearly stating what each price covers, and the page’s own description lists $2,849 and $1,899 instead.
- Location and coverage. Wishup’s FAQ says non-US VAs work night shifts in India to cover 9am to 6pm US time. The US-based tier is $5,400 a month.
- No cold calling on the standard tiers. Per Wishup, outbound cold calls need the US-based tier.
- Backup costs more. A backup VA comes with Elite at $2,999 a month, not Prime.
- They want to choose. With Assist World you meet at least two matched candidates and pick who you work with.
What the price gap actually buys
Any virtual assistant is a bargain next to a local hire. For most US businesses the comparison that matters is against the salary they would otherwise pay:
Wishup’s Prime plan at $1,999 a month is well under a local hire, and so is Assist World, which starts at $1,800 a month. The real question is what the money buys: confirm the hours in writing, then decide whether an Elite backup VA is worth roughly $1,000 a month more than Prime.
Wishup’s plans decoded
Wishup’s pricing page lists several plans, and each price comes with a toggle for 4 or 8 hours. Here is what each plan includes, in the company’s own terms.
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual discount | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime VA | $1,999 | Saves $1,199 a year | 3+ years’ experience, dedicated VA manager, 8 weeks of training, free replacement |
| Elite VA | $2,999 | Saves $1,799 a year | 5+ years’ experience, customer success manager, backup VA, 3 custom automations, quarterly ROI audits |
| US-based VA | $5,400 | Saves $3,240 a year | US time zone and hours, native English, US background checks, US holidays observed |
| Dedicated Bookkeeper | $1,799 | Saves $1,079 a year | 4+ years’ experience, QuickBooks and Xero, monthly reports |
| AI and Automation Expert | $2,999 | Saves $1,799 a year | Zapier, n8n and HubSpot workflows, automated reporting |
Plans from Wishup’s pricing page, October 2026. The annual discounts work out to about 5 percent. The page doesn’t map each price to a number of hours.
One thing to watch: the toggle shows 4 or 8 hours for the same price, while Wishup’s page description lists $1,899 for a part-time assistant and $2,849 for a full-time assistant. These don’t match the $1,999 Prime price. Ask Wishup which figure applies to you before you pay.
What Wishup’s FAQ says about location and coverage
Wishup’s FAQ answers a question many pricing pages skip. Its non-US VAs are based in India and work night shifts to cover 9am to 6pm US time, Monday to Friday, and they aren’t required to work weekends. Wishup says they can’t make cold calls. If your business needs outbound calling, you would need the US-based plan at $5,400 a month, or a provider such as Zirtual, whose outbound plans start at $599 for 6 hours.
Wishup is fully remote, with a US office in Delaware. The page doesn’t mention a trial. It does mark replacement as included on Prime, and it says you can cancel anytime.
Where Wishup is the better choice
- You want a backup VA and a success manager. Elite includes both, plus quarterly ROI and performance audits.
- You need automation work. Wishup sells an AI and automation expert and says its VAs are trained in 150+ AI and no-code tools.
- You need a US-based assistant who can make outbound calls. The $5,400 US-based tier covers US hours and cold calling.
- You want bookkeeping from the same provider. A dedicated bookkeeper is $1,799 a month and a managed service starts at $300.
Questions to ask Wishup before you subscribe
- How many hours a day does my price cover: 4 or 8?
- Which figure applies, $1,999 or the $2,849 and $1,899 shown in the page description?
- Where is my VA based, and which of my working hours will they cover?
- Does Prime include a backup, or only free replacement?
- Is there a trial or a refund if the first month goes badly?
- What exactly is in the three custom automations that come with Elite?
How to choose between Wishup and its alternatives
Run every provider through the same four checks before you compare price:
- Hours covered. Get the monthly hours in writing so you can work out an hourly rate.
- Location. Ask where the assistant is based and which hours they cover.
- Coverage. What happens when your assistant is sick or on holiday: a built-in backup, or a replacement after the fact?
- Role fit. Has this person done your exact task (scheduling, intake, bookkeeping, listing coordination) before?
Pin down the hours
Ask every provider for the exact hours per day behind each price so you can compare hourly rates.
Decide on coverage
Choose between replacement after the fact and a built-in backup, and price the difference.
Check location and tasks
Confirm time zones and whether outbound calling is in scope before you sign.
Start month to month
Use the first month to test fit, then review KPIs before any annual commitment.
How to switch from Wishup without losing momentum
Wishup says plans are month to month, so check your billing date, especially if you’re on annual billing. Prepare the handoff in advance:
- Ask your VA manager for the process documents and task lists built so far.
- Check whether you’re on monthly or annual billing before you plan the move.
- Move shared logins into a password manager so access can be reassigned in minutes.
- Write down the three outcomes you’ll judge the new assistant on after 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Wishup alternative?
It depends on what you’re optimizing for. For industry-trained assistants you choose yourself with no lock-in contract, Assist World (from $1,800 a month, rated 4.5 out of 5 by Forbes Advisor). For the lowest monthly price, Wing Assistant ($999 a month for 160 hours). For a weekly plan at a lower hourly rate, Magic ($360 a week). For built-in backup, Prialto.
How much does Wishup cost?
Wishup’s pricing page lists Prime VA at $1,999 a month, Elite VA at $2,999 a month and a US-based VA at $5,400 a month, on month-to-month terms with a discount for annual billing. The page doesn’t clearly state the hours each price covers, so confirm in writing. Prices checked in October 2026.
Does Wishup provide backup assistants?
Wishup lists a backup VA with its Elite plan. Prime includes free VA replacement. Assist World doesn’t promise a built-in backup; instead you choose your assistant from matched candidates and get a dedicated account manager.
Where are Wishup’s VAs based?
Wishup’s FAQ says its non-US VAs are based in India and work night shifts to cover 9am to 6pm US time. It also sells a US-based VA plan at $5,400 a month. The pricing page itself doesn’t state a location for Prime and Elite.
Can Wishup VAs make cold calls?
Per Wishup’s FAQ, its India-based VAs can’t make cold calls, while US-based VAs can. Zirtual sells outbound calling plans starting at $599 for 6 hours.
Is there a Wishup alternative with US-based assistants?
Wishup offers a US-based tier at $5,400 a month. Time Etc and Zirtual state that their assistants are US-based. Assist World recruits from a vetted global talent pool, so tell us your hours up front when you book a consultation.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Wishup?
Yes. Wing Assistant is $999 a month for 160 hours, Magic is $360 a week, and Assist World starts at $1,800 a month. Check each provider’s terms before you commit.
Is Wishup in the Forbes Advisor roundup?
No. Wishup isn’t covered in Forbes Advisor’s roundup of virtual assistant services. In that roundup, Assist World and Prialto score 4.5 and MyOutDesk 4.0, and Wing Assistant appears as a featured partner without a rating.
How much do Wishup’s annual plans save?
Wishup lists annual savings of $1,199 on Prime, $1,799 on Elite and $3,240 on the US-based plan. That is about 5 percent off the monthly price.
Keep comparing
Want an assistant you choose, with a clear monthly price?
Book a free consultation, tell us what is eating your week, and meet matched candidates within 24 to 48 hours. No lock-in contract.
Free ConsultationHow we checked. Pricing and terms come from each provider’s own site (Wishup, Wing Assistant, Magic, MyOutDesk, Prialto), reviewed in October 2026. Ratings come from the Forbes Advisor roundup of virtual assistant services. Where a provider doesn’t publish a price, we say so instead of estimating.
Disclosure. Assist World is our company, so we list it first. Prices and terms change, so confirm current details with any provider before you buy.