A UK virtual assistant typically costs from £1,000 per month for part time support, and from £1,500 per month for full time support. On demand or project based VA work is priced per task with no monthly commitment. Those are the headline numbers. Everything below explains exactly what changes the price and what you should expect to get for it.
UK Virtual Assistant Pricing at a Glance
| Engagement Type | Typical Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Part time VA | From £1,000/month | Under 20 hours a week of support |
| Full time VA | From £1,500/month | 35 to 40 hours a week, dedicated support |
| On Demand / project based | Priced per task, no monthly fee | One-off projects or testing VA support before committing |
What Actually Affects the Price
Not every VA engagement costs the same, even within the ranges above. The main factors that move the price are:
- Hours per week. This is the single biggest driver. More hours means a higher monthly fee, scaled roughly in proportion.
- Level of specialisation. A generalist VA handling inbox management and scheduling costs less than a VA with specific skills in bookkeeping, marketing execution or technical project management.
- Vetting and quality standard. Agencies that run proper background checks, skills assessments and AI tools training build that cost into the fee. Unvetted freelance marketplaces are often cheaper for exactly this reason.
- Ongoing account support. Some providers charge purely for the assistant's time. Others, including Apex, include an account partner who stays involved to make sure the placement is actually working.
Is a Virtual Assistant Cheaper Than Hiring an Employee?
In almost every case, yes. A UK employee on a salary of £30,000 typically costs an employer closer to £36,000 to £38,000 once National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment, holiday pay, sick pay and equipment are factored in. That is before recruitment costs or the time spent managing someone.
A virtual assistant has none of those additional costs layered on top of the quoted monthly fee. What you see is what you pay, and there is no notice period or redundancy process if your needs change.
Worth knowing: a deposit equivalent to one month of your chosen package is required before a VA is assigned. This is applied directly to your first month, not an additional charge on top.
What Should Be Included at This Price
Whatever provider you use, a fair monthly fee for a UK virtual assistant should include a properly vetted assistant, not just someone pulled from an open marketplace. At minimum, expect:
- Background verification and a genuine skills assessment before placement
- A matching process based on your specific business needs, not a random assignment
- Some form of replacement guarantee if the placement is not the right fit
- A point of contact beyond just the assistant themselves if something needs escalating
If a quote is significantly below the £1,000 to £1,500 range for meaningful weekly hours, it is worth asking what has been left out to hit that price, most commonly vetting, training or ongoing account support.
Common Questions
How much does a virtual assistant cost per month in the UK?
A part time virtual assistant typically costs from £1,000 per month, and a full time virtual assistant typically costs from £1,500 per month. On demand project support is priced per task with no monthly commitment.
Is a virtual assistant cheaper than a full time employee?
Yes, in most cases. A UK employee costs significantly more than their salary once National Insurance, pension contributions, sick pay, holiday pay and equipment are included. A virtual assistant has none of these additional costs.
What is included in a virtual assistant's monthly fee?
A vetted, background checked and AI trained assistant, matched to your specific business needs, along with ongoing account support and a replacement guarantee if the match is not right.
Want an exact quote for your business?
Book a free discovery call and receive matched VA profiles with pricing within 48 hours.
Book a Discovery Call →