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Comparison Guide

Nacho vs. Base

Two US-based services with different answers to the same question: how much support do you actually need? Here's an honest look at how they compare.

A quick overview

The short version

Base is the better fit if you know you need a dedicated Executive Assistant for at least 40 hours a month, you want that person matched in days, or you eventually want to hire them onto your payroll. Nacho is the better fit if your budget starts smaller than a full 40-hour month, or if your work spans administrative, specialist, and strategic levels and you'd rather flex one budget than sign a second contract. Both companies staff US-based professionals in your time zone, so geography isn't the deciding factor here. The real differences are the floor and the scope: Base publishes a subscription starting at $2,800/mo for 40 hours (about $70 an hour), a $15K access fee plus $45/hr for its trial-to-hire track, and separately priced temporary and project support. Nacho publishes a $1,000/mo minimum Talent Budget with rates of $40/hr for Executive Assistants, $65/hr for Specialists, and $125/hr for Fractional Executives, drawn in any mix. Below is a side-by-side comparison. For the wider field, see our roundup of the best virtual assistant companies.

US-based Executive Assistants · From $2,800/mo · 40-hour monthly minimum
Flexible team · US-based · Scalable monthly budget

Run the numbers

Nacho vs. Base, head to head
Talent location US-based US-based
Starting price $1,000/mo minimum budget + $300 onboarding plan From $2,800/mo subscription
Effective hourly rate $40/hr EA, $65/hr Specialist, $125/hr Executive About $70/hr at the starting tier
Minimum hours No hour floor, about 25 EA hours at the $1,000 minimum 40 hours per month
Talent types EAs + Specialists + Executives Executive Assistants only
Contract commitment 3 months, then month-to-month Month-to-month from the start
Speed to match About a week of onboarding Matched in about 3 days
Path to a full-time hire Not offered, talent stays on the Nacho team $15K access fee plus $45/hr during the trial
Unused budget Up to $200/mo rolls over Not published
Pricing transparency Minimums and rates published on website Starting prices published on website
Scaling Spread one budget across multiple talent Add hours or add another assistant
Where your money goes Majority of fees go directly to talent Undisclosed split

Nacho leads in 7 of 12 categories. Want to see how it works for your business?

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The honest take

Which service fits you better?

Both are legitimate options. The right choice depends on what your business needs.

may be better if…
  • You want to try an Executive Assistant on contract and then hire them onto your payroll
  • You need someone matched in a few days rather than a week
  • Your work is Executive Assistant work and 40 hours a month is a floor you'll clear easily
  • You want month-to-month terms from day one with no initial commitment
  • You have a short-term project or a one-time inbox and calendar reset
is the better fit if…
  • Your budget starts closer to $1,000 a month than $2,800
  • You need fewer than 40 hours a month and would rather not pay for a 40-hour floor
  • You need a flexible mix of administrative, specialist, and strategic support, not Executive Assistant hours alone
  • You'd rather spread one budget across several people than sign a second contract for specialist work
  • You want unused budget to roll over instead of expiring at the end of the month
  • You need more than an EA, like content creation, CRM management, or operational strategy
  • You want built-in oversight with weekly reporting and account management
  • You care about working with talent that's fairly compensated and invested in your success

The difference

Why businesses choose Nacho

Real people, not ticket queues

You'll work with the same small team of people who know your business, not bots or rotating support reps. When you need something, you talk to a real person who already has context.

Three levels of talent

Access EAs, Specialists, and Executives from one monthly budget. No need to hire separately for admin, creative, or strategic work.

A budget, not an hour block

Start at $1,000/mo with no 40-hour floor to clear, and spend it in whatever mix the month calls for. Up to $200 of unused budget rolls over instead of expiring.

US-based professionals

Every person on your team is a vetted US-based professional working in your time zone, hired for judgment and ownership rather than task throughput.

Talent-first pay model

The majority of your budget goes directly to the people doing the work. That means better talent, lower turnover, and professionals who are genuinely invested in your success.

Built-in oversight

Weekly reporting and dedicated account management keep everything running smoothly so you can focus on your business, not managing your assistant.

Helping owners & execs

10+ yrs of matching fractional professionals
100% US-based fractional talent network
100K+ hours returned to clients
$10M+ saved through delegation

Keep comparing

Compare other services.

See how Nacho stacks up against other virtual assistant options.

Ready when you are

Want to see the difference?

Book a free discovery call to learn how Nacho's flexible model can support your business, without paying for hours you won't use. If the fit isn't right, the Nacho Guarantee means we re-match you for free.