VA Index — The Virtual Assistant Index
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
HelpSquad Portiva
Published rate $8.00/hr Verified
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/hr Verified
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 None Verified
i

None comes from this sentence on their site:

“No setup fees, no replacement costs.” https://helpsquad.com/
Checked 2026-07-25
None Verified
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 disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
No minimum Verified
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 disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Replacement guarantee Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Assistants based in Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Qualifications held Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Dedicated or shared Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Works your time zone Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Background checks Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Fastest stated start Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
2 to 3 weeks Verified
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 disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//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 associate Stated
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 2026-07-25 We report this claim as published. We have not audited it — ask for written proof before you sign.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Claims HIPAA training Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Yes Stated
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 2026-07-25 We report this claim as published. We have not audited it — ask for written proof before you sign.
EHR systems named Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 2 pages and found no statement about this:
//how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
Not disclosed Not stated
i
Nothing published. We looked at 6 pages and found no statement about this:
//pricing/faq/about/about-us/how-it-works

That the company does not publish this is itself worth knowing.
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

← All healthcare VA companies · What they cost