Comparison Guide

Nacho vs. Magic

Two virtual assistant services with different models for getting work done. Here's an honest look at how they compare so you can choose the right fit for your business.

A quick overview

The short version

Magic is the better fit if you need coverage outside business hours or want to cancel at any time. It's the only service we compare against that pairs a dedicated assistant with a 24/7 on-demand pool, at published rates of $1,080 to $2,160/mo billed weekly, with no long-term commitment. Nacho is the better fit if you want everyone on your account in your own time zone and the ability to move one budget between admin, specialist, and strategic work. Magic recruits from a global talent pool and sells fixed 20 or 40 hour weekly blocks. Nacho is 100% US-based, starts at a $1,000/mo Talent Budget, and asks for a 3-month initial commitment before going month-to-month. Below is a side-by-side comparison. Both services also appear in our roundup of the best virtual assistant companies.

Dedicated assistants + 24/7 pool · Global talent · $1,080 to $2,160/mo

Flexible team · US-based · Scalable monthly budget

Some of our US-based talent

Run the numbers

Nacho vs. Magic, head to head

Criteria
Talent location	US-based	Global talent pool
Pricing model	$1,000/mo minimum budget + $300 onboarding plan	$1,080 to $2,160/mo (billed weekly)
Contract commitment	3 months, then month-to-month	No long-term commitment
Talent types	EAs + Specialists + Executives	Dedicated assistants + 24/7 on-demand pool
Hours	Flexible, scale up or down	20 or 40 hrs/week fixed blocks
Pricing transparency	Minimums published on website	Published weekly rates
Onboarding	$300 Delegation Strategy Plan	Magic Match curated matching
Where your money goes	Majority of fees go directly to talent	Undisclosed split
Scaling	Spread budget across multiple talent	Add additional dedicated assistants

Nacho leads in 6 of 9 categories. Want to see how it works for your business?

Book a discovery call

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 need a full-time dedicated assistant working 40 hours per week
You want the flexibility to cancel anytime with no minimum commitment
You're comfortable working with talent from a global pool
You want 24/7 on-demand coverage for after-hours requests
Your work is primarily administrative and doesn't require specialized skills

is the better fit if…

You'd rather have fewer, better hours inside your own workday than 24/7 cover you rarely use
You need a flexible mix of administrative, specialist, and strategic support
You want US-based professionals in your time zone
You prefer to start with a smaller budget and scale as needed
You value month-to-month flexibility after an initial commitment
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.

Flexible monthly budget

Start at $1,000/mo and scale up or down as your needs change. No long-term contracts after your initial 3-month commitment.

US-based professionals

Every team member is a vetted, US-based professional. No timezone gaps, no cultural misalignment, no language barriers.

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

Nacho found me the best EA of my life!

Noah Kagan Chief Sumo & CEO

Our fractional COO from Nacho has been an incredible addition to our team. We're so grateful for her warmth, care, and how seamlessly she's stepped in.

Dorly Roy Creative Director

Nacho took the time to understand my needs and matched me with an exceptional Executive Assistant who's become invaluable. The process was thoughtful, seamless, and supportive from start to finish.

Melissa Dotson President/Owner

I tried hiring a full-time assistant on my own, and it was an epic fail. Using Nacho instead was one of the best investments I've made in my business.

Felicia Reed Owner

Nacho has figured out what the small business owner needs to thrive. The day I hired Nacho was the day when my personal productivity and job satisfaction began to soar.

Kathy Schwartz Founder

Nacho has become a trusted extension of my business, consistently connecting me with skilled professionals for everything from design and marketing to CRM support and AI projects.

Amy Wolfgang Owner + Executive Leadership Coach

When our ambition outpaced our bandwidth, Nacho connected us with someone we work with every week who's just as passionate about our projects as we are and truly feels like part of the team.

Kara Timmins Sr. Marketing Manager