Side by side · every figure sourced

HelpSquad vs Portiva

Both companies publish a rate, so they can actually be compared. Everything below is quoted from each company’s own website with the date we read it. Blank means the company publishes nothing on that point — click ⓘ to see which pages we checked.

3/12HelpSquad publishes

4/12Portiva publishes

We do not pick a winner. We have no commercial relationship with either company, we are not paid by either, and we are not qualified to say which suits your practice. What we can do is put their own published claims next to each other, dated, so the differences are visible without sitting through two sales calls.

Before you decide

Ask both for the actual Business Associate Agreement, not a sentence about one.
Ask what happens on a sick day — the answer varies far more than the price does.
Ask which EHR, by name, and for how long.
If a figure here is out of date, tell us and we will re-check it within a day.

← All healthcare VA companies · What they cost

	HelpSquad	Portiva
Published rate	$8.00/hrVerified i $8.00/hr comes from this sentence on their site: “$8 to $13 per hour depending on the role.”https://helpsquad.com/ Checked 2026-07-25	$7.00/hrVerified i $7.00/hr comes from this sentence on their site: “Our standard rate is $7/hour with no setup fees, no contracts, and no hidden charges.”https://portiva.com/faq Checked 2026-07-25
Setup fee	NoneVerified i None comes from this sentence on their site: “No setup fees, no replacement costs.”https://helpsquad.com/ Checked 2026-07-25	NoneVerified i None comes from this sentence on their site: “One flat rate. No setup fees. No long-term commitments. Cancel anytime if it is not working for you.”https://portiva.com/pricing Checked 2026-07-25
Minimum commitment	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	No minimumVerified i No minimum comes from this sentence on their site: “One flat rate. No setup fees. No long-term commitments. Cancel anytime if it is not working for you.”https://portiva.com/pricing Checked 2026-07-25
Free trial	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Replacement guarantee	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Assistants based in	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Qualifications held	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Dedicated or shared	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Works your time zone	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Background checks	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Fastest stated start	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	2 to 3 weeksVerified i 2 to 3 weeks comes from this sentence on their site: “Our typical placement timeline is 2 to 3 weeks from initial consultation to VA start date.”https://portiva.com/faq Checked 2026-07-25
Cover when assistant is out	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
The BAA is between	With the provider — they are the business associateStated i With the provider — they are the business associate is what this company states, in these words: “Because HelpSquad is a US-based company, your Business Associate Agreement is with us, not with an offshore VA or agency.”https://helpsquad.com Checked 2026-07-25We report this claim as published. We have not audited it — ask for written proof before you sign.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Claims HIPAA training	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	YesStated i Yes is what this company states, in these words: “All Portiva virtual medical assistants receive HIPAA compliance training as part of their onboarding process.”https://portiva.com/faq Checked 2026-07-25We report this claim as published. We have not audited it — ask for written proof before you sign.
EHR systems named	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 2 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.	Not recordedNot recorded i No value recorded. This field has not been established in this source record. The record references 6 checked pages; this does not mean the provider never publishes it: `//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works` That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.