Once a business decides it needs a virtual assistant, the next decision is usually where to find one.

Search online and you will quickly find marketplaces, freelance platforms, recruitment agencies, offshore staffing providers and managed virtual assistant services. They can all look fairly similar at first because they ultimately connect businesses with remote talent.

The real difference is not necessarily where the VA sits. It is how much responsibility the service takes before and after the person starts.

What is the difference between the three models?

At a simple level:

• A marketplace gives you access to people you can hire.
• A recruitment agency helps you find and assess someone.
• A managed VA service generally stays involved after the match.

Individual providers vary, so you should always confirm the exact service rather than relying on the label.

What is a VA marketplace?

A marketplace allows businesses to browse and engage freelancers or independent professionals through an online platform.

You may be able to view:

• Profiles.
• Skills.
• Reviews.
• Previous work.
• Rates.
• Availability.

For businesses that know exactly what they need, marketplaces can be very useful. If you want someone to complete a defined research project, update a spreadsheet or prepare a group of graphics, you may be able to find the right freelancer relatively quickly.

What does the client usually manage with a marketplace?

Typically, more of the responsibility remains with the business.

• Writing the role.
• Reviewing applicants.
• Interviewing.
• Selecting the person.
• Onboarding.
• Training.
• Setting priorities.
• Quality control.
• Performance conversations.
• Leave.
• Replacement.

This is not necessarily a negative. If your business already has strong systems and remote management experience, direct access to talent may be exactly what you want.

What does a recruitment agency do?

A recruitment agency takes more of the candidate search off your plate. Depending on the service, an agency may help with:

• Role definition.
• Candidate sourcing.
• Screening.
• Interviews.
• Reference checks.
• Shortlisting.
• Placement.

Once the person starts, however, the ongoing working relationship may sit mainly with the client.

This model can suit a business that already knows how to onboard and manage remote staff but does not want to run the recruitment process itself. You are effectively saying: “Help us find the person. We will take it from there.”

What is a managed VA service?

A managed service generally provides support beyond the introduction. The exact service differs between providers, but it may include:

• Role scoping.
• Candidate matching.
• Screening.
• Onboarding support.
• Account management.
• VA support.
• Performance support.
• Leave coordination.
• Replacement assistance.
• Continuity planning.

The business still directs the work. You know your customers, priorities and operations better than an external provider ever will. The difference is that you are not carrying every part of the people and process side alone.

Which model gives you the most control?

All three can give the client meaningful control over the actual work. What changes is how much operational responsibility sits around that work.

With a marketplace, you generally have greater direct responsibility for the full arrangement. With an agency, recruitment support is added. With a managed service, support usually continues further into onboarding and the ongoing relationship.

The right amount of support depends on your business.

How should you compare the models?

Role definition

Do you already know exactly what the person needs to do? If yes, you may not need much help scoping the role. If your starting point is “we are overwhelmed”, role-scoping support may be useful before recruitment.

Candidate assessment

Are you comfortable screening remote candidates? If you have hired offshore staff before, you may know which questions to ask and how to assess the match. If not, a more structured selection process may save time.

Onboarding

Who will teach the VA how your business operates? Even an experienced person needs business-specific context.

Management

Who will deal with performance concerns, workload changes or communication issues?

Continuity

What happens if the VA is away or leaves? These practical questions often matter more than the provider category itself.

Marketplace vs agency vs managed service

Individual providers vary. Use this as a question guide rather than a universal rule.

Which option suits a first-time offshore employer?

There is no single right answer. A first-time offshore employer may prefer more support because remote recruitment and onboarding are new to them. Another business may already have distributed teams and simply want access to a wider candidate pool.

Ask yourself:

• Do we know what role we need?
• Can we confidently assess candidates?
• Do we have documented processes?
• Who has time to onboard them?
• Who will manage performance?
• What happens if the role changes?

Your answers will tell you more than a generic recommendation.

Watch for unrealistic promises

Regardless of the model, be cautious if a provider suggests:

• Every VA can do everything.
• No onboarding is necessary.
• You will never need to provide direction.
• Every role can be filled immediately.
• The cheapest rate guarantees the best value.
• A new VA will understand your business from Day One.

A good provider should be able to explain what they do, what you still need to do and where responsibilities sit.

Frequently asked questions

Is a marketplace always cheaper?

The visible cost can be lower, but you may be taking on more recruitment and management responsibility internally.

Does a recruitment agency manage the VA afterwards?

Some do, some do not. Ask exactly where the service ends.

Do clients still manage work with a managed VA service?

Yes. The client still sets business priorities and provides business-specific context. The provider supports the broader working arrangement.

Which option is best for a small Australian business?

The best model depends on your internal capacity, recruitment experience and how much support you want around onboarding and management.

Choose the operating model, not just the person

Hiring a VA is not only about finding someone with the right CV. You are also choosing how the relationship will be recruited, onboarded and supported.

Explore Linkora’s managed model

Linkora Talent is an Australian-owned managed VA service based in Queensland. We help businesses scope the role, match suitable Filipino VA talent, structure onboarding and support the relationship beyond the initial placement.

Book a Free Strategy Call with Linkora Talent.