Zirtual vs Time etc: A Comparative Comparison for Entrepreneurs

Choosing the right virtual assistant service is a crucial decision for entrepreneurs and businesses. The impact it has on your efficiency, productivity, and overall workflow is significant. This article provides an in-depth comparative study of two popular options in the market – Zirtual and Time etc. We will examine their features, strengths, weaknesses, and distinct offerings to help you make an informed decision.

What is Zirtual and what is Time etc?

Zirtual is a leading provider of dedicated virtual assistant services for entrepreneurs, professionals, and small teams. Their model focuses on providing clients with US-based, college-educated assistants who can handle a wide variety of tasks, from basic administrative work such as scheduling and email management to more complex duties like social media management, project coordination, and research. Zirtual aims to help its clients reclaim their time, enabling them to focus on what’s most important in their personal and professional lives.

On the other hand, Time etc is a virtual assistant company that offers a wide range of business support services to entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses. Time etc provides dedicated assistants who can help with tasks ranging from general administration to marketing, writing, and customer service. Their assistants are based in the United States and the United Kingdom. Time etc takes pride in their flexible pricing models and promises a strong emphasis on quality, with all their assistants having at least five years of professional experience.

Key differences between Zirtual and Time etc

1. Location of Assistants: Zirtual’s assistants are all based in the United States, while Time etc has assistants both in the United States and the United Kingdom.
2. Pricing Structure: Zirtual has a subscription-based pricing model with different packages based on the hours of assistance you need. Time etc, on the other hand, offers both subscription and pay-as-you-go pricing models, offering more flexibility.
3. Specializations: While both companies provide general administrative support, Time etc offers more specialized services, including marketing and writing.
4. Experience Level of Assistants: All Time etc assistants have a minimum of five years of professional experience, while Zirtual does not explicitly state an experience requirement, focusing instead on a college education.
5. Minimum Commitment: Zirtual requires a monthly subscription, meaning a longer-term commitment. Time etc allows for more flexibility, with the option to pay-as-you-go.

Key similarities between Zirtual and Time etc

1. Service Offerings: Both Zirtual and Time etc offer a wide range of services to support entrepreneurs and small businesses, including administrative tasks, scheduling, and social media management.
2. Target Audience: Both companies target their services towards busy professionals, entrepreneurs, and small teams needing assistance with their workload.
3. Dedicated Assistants: Both Zirtual and Time etc provide clients with dedicated virtual assistants, meaning you work with the same individual consistently.
4. Professional Background of Assistants: Assistants from both companies have a professional background, either through a college education (Zirtual) or at least five years of professional experience (Time etc).
5. Remote Work: Both Zirtual and Time etc operate virtually, with their assistants working remotely. This allows for flexibility and the opportunity to work with clients across various locations.

Pros of Zirtual over Time etc

1. US-based Assistants: All Zirtual assistants are based in the United States, which could be an advantage for businesses looking for assistants in the same time zone or with a specific cultural understanding.
2. Education Background: Zirtual assistants are college-educated, providing a level of knowledge and expertise that can be beneficial for certain tasks and roles.
3. Dedicated Assistance: Zirtual assigns each client a dedicated assistant, which ensures consistency and a better understanding of your business needs over time.
4. Wide Range of Services: Zirtual offers a broad spectrum of services, including email management, scheduling, and more complex tasks like project coordination and research.
5. Structured Packages: Zirtual’s subscription-based model provides structured packages based on the hours of assistance you need, simplifying the decision-making process.

Cons of Zirtual compared to Time etc

1. Pricing Flexibility: Unlike Time etc, Zirtual does not offer a pay-as-you-go model. This lack of flexibility could be a disadvantage for businesses with fluctuating support needs.
2. Minimum Commitment: Zirtual requires a monthly subscription, which implies a longer-term commitment than the flexible options offered by Time etc.
3. Specialized Services: Compared to Time etc, Zirtual offers fewer specialized services, such as marketing and writing, which might be necessary for some businesses.
4. Experience Requirement: Zirtual does not state a specific professional experience requirement for their assistants, unlike Time etc, which ensures all their assistants have at least five years of professional experience.
5. Assistant Location: Zirtual only has assistants based in the US, while Time etc has assistants both in the US and the UK, which could offer a wider variety of skills and experiences.

Pros of Time etc over Zirtual

1. Pricing Flexibility: Time etc offers both subscription and pay-as-you-go pricing models, providing flexibility to businesses with varying needs.
2. Specialized Services: Time etc provides more specialized services, such as marketing and writing, that could be crucial for businesses requiring more than just administrative support.
3. Experience Requirement: All Time etc assistants have a minimum of five years of professional experience, ensuring a certain level of expertise and understanding.
4. Flexible Commitment: Unlike Zirtual’s monthly subscription requirement, Time etc allows for more flexible engagement with the option to pay-as-you-go.
5. Geographical Diversity of Assistants: Time etc has assistants in both the United States and the United Kingdom, providing a wider scope of cultural and timezone coverage.

Cons of Time etc compared to Zirtual

1. College Education: Unlike Zirtual, Time etc does not require their assistants to have a college degree, which could be a disadvantage for businesses needing highly skilled assistance.
2. US-only Assistants: For businesses specifically wanting US-based assistance, Time etc’s UK-based assistants might not be a suitable option.
3. Lack of Structured Packages: Time etc’s flexible pricing model may seem overwhelming to some businesses preferring a simple, structured package system like that offered by Zirtual.
4. Inconsistent Assistance: As Time etc provides more specialized services, you may need to work with different assistants for different tasks, which could potentially lead to less consistency compared to having a dedicated assistant from Zirtual.
5. Limited Services: While Time etc does offer specialized services, Zirtual provides a broader range of general services, which might be more suitable for businesses needing extensive administrative support.

Situations when Zirtual is better than Time etc

1. US-based Assistance Requirement: If your business is located in the United States and requires assistants in the same time zone, Zirtual is the more suitable option as all their assistants are US-based.
2. Consistent Assistance: If you prefer to work with the same assistant consistently for all your tasks, Zirtual’s model of assigning dedicated assistants would work better.
3. College-educated Assistants: If a college education background of the assistant is important to you, Zirtual is the better choice.
4. Structured Pricing: If your business prefers a simple, subscription-based pricing model with clear packages, Zirtual would be more appropriate.
5. Wide-ranging General Services: If your business needs extensive general administrative support, Zirtual, with its broad range of services, might be more suitable.

Situations when Time etc is better than Zirtual

1. Flexible Pricing Requirement: If your business has fluctuating support needs and prefers a flexible pricing model, Time etc with its pay-as-you-go option would be the better choice.
2. Specialized Service Requirement: If your business requires specialized services such as marketing and writing, Time etc would be more suitable given their wide range of specialized offerings.
3. Professional Experience: If a minimum professional experience requirement of the assistant is essential for your tasks, Time etc, ensuring at least five years of professional experience for their assistants, would be the more ideal option.
4. UK-based Assistance: If your business is based in the UK or you prefer assistants from the UK, Time etc would be the better choice.
5. No Long-term Commitment: If your business isn’t ready for a long-term commitment and prefers a flexible engagement, Time etc with its option to pay-as-you-go would work better.

Zirtual vs Time etc Summary

In conclusion, both Zirtual and Time etc offer unique advantages, and the choice between the two will largely depend on your specific business needs and preferences. Whether it’s the college-educated, US-based assistants of Zirtual or the experienced and specialized services of Time etc, it’s clear that each has its own appeal. Ultimately, understanding your requirements, budget, and desired level of commitment will guide you in choosing the right service. Remember, the best virtual assistant service for your business is one that aligns seamlessly with your goals, demands, and work style.

Zirtual vs Time etc	Zirtual	Time etc
General Overview	A virtual assistant service providing US-based, college-educated assistants	A virtual assistant service offering a variety of business support services
Differences	US-based assistants, Subscription-based pricing, College-educated assistants	Assistants based in the US and UK, Subscription and pay-as-you-go pricing, Minimum of five years of professional experience
Similarities	Wide range of services, Target audience is professionals and small businesses, Provide dedicated assistants, Assistants have professional backgrounds, Operate virtually	Wide range of services, Target audience is professionals and small businesses, Provide dedicated assistants, Assistants have professional backgrounds, Operate virtually
Pros	US-based assistants, College-educated assistants, Dedicated assistant, Wide range of services, Structured packages	Pricing flexibility, Specialized services, Experienced assistants, Flexible commitment, Geographical diversity of assistants
Cons	No pricing flexibility, Monthly subscription required, Fewer specialized services, No specific experience requirement, Only US-based assistants	No college education requirement, Assistants based in US and UK, No structured packages, Different assistants for different tasks, Limited services
Situations better suited	US-based assistance requirement, Preference for consistent assistance, Requirement for college-educated assistants, Preference for structured pricing, Requirement for wide-ranging general services	Flexible pricing requirement, Requirement for specialized services, Preference for professional experience, UK-based assistance, No long-term commitment