One of the more well-known brands in the VA industry is Fancy Hands, which is especially well-liked by American startups and independent contractors seeking prompt, task-based support. However, as companies expand and their requirements increase, many begin looking for Fancy Hands substitutes that offer specialized support, security, flexibility, and dedicated support.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
✅ What Fancy Hands offers
✅ Why companies seek alternatives
✅ The top alternatives to Fancy Hands in 2025 — starting with Tasks Expert
✅ Comparison of service models, pricing, security, and flexibility
✅ Final insights to help you choose the right VA partner
What Fancy Hands Offers
Fancy Hands provides a task-based virtual assistant service focused on handling simple admin work quickly. Instead of assigning a dedicated assistant, tasks are routed to the next available team member. Services include:
- Scheduling appointments
- Making calls
- Data entry
- Basic research
- Travel bookings
- Email follow-ups
Clients purchase a monthly plan with a set number of task credits (typically 15–20 minutes per task), and unused task credits roll over.
Why Businesses Seek Fancy Hands Alternatives
While Fancy Hands works well for basic, occasional tasks, it falls short for businesses that need:
1️⃣ A dedicated VA who understands your operations
2️⃣ Support for complex or long-term projects
3️⃣ VAs with industry-specific knowledge
4️⃣ Flexible engagement models — beyond just task credits
5️⃣ Data security compliance (VAs work from home, often unsupervised)
6️⃣ Custom onboarding and workflow alignment
As business needs grow, companies look for VA partners rather than task responders — someone who can integrate into their team, build knowledge, and handle sensitive tasks securely and efficiently.
Top Alternatives to Fancy Hands for Virtual Assistants in 2025
Here are three of the best Fancy Hands alternatives for 2025, starting with the most secure, flexible, and scalable provider: Tasks Expert.
⭐ 1️⃣ Tasks Expert — A Secure, Scalable, and Industry-Focused Alternative
Tasks Expert is a fully managed virtual assistant company offering customized support, specialized VAs, and enterprise-level data protection. Rather than short, one-off tasks, Tasks Expert offers end-to-end VA partnerships built for growth.
✅ Flexible Engagement Options
- Select project-based plans, hourly, or monthly
- No task-credit limitations
- Adjust support levels as your business evolves
✅ VAs with Industry Expertise
Tasks Expert works across 20+ sectors, including:
- Healthcare (HIPAA-compliant)
- Legal
- Finance & accounting
- E-commerce & retail
- Real estate
- SaaS & IT
- Executive assistance & operations
Unlike Fancy Hands, where tasks go to any available rep, you’ll be matched with a VA trained in your domain, who works with you long-term.
✅ Personalized Onboarding & Dedicated Support
- 1-on-1 onboarding process with a setup consultant
- Direct VA matching based on goals, tools, and tasks
Use Slack, Zoom, Email, MS Teams, and other such tools for communication
Task quality is continuously monitored by the Client Success Manager, including timelines and performance
✅ Transparent Pricing
- No hidden charges
- No limits on the number of tools, complexity, or collaboration
- Transparent models suited for startups, SMBs, and agencies
✅ Data Security: The Major Differentiator
Unlike Fancy Hands — where assistants work from home and use personal devices — Tasks Expert offers an enterprise-grade security setup:
- All VAs work from a secure, monitored office environment
- Mobile phones are prohibited during work
- IT and CCTV surveillance monitors all systems 24/7
Data practices aligned with HIPAA, GDPR, and international security standards
Tasks Expert is the trusted, compliance-focused solution if your business handles client-sensitive data.
✅ Global Coverage
VAs are available for the US, UK, EU, AU, and Asia time zones
24/7 availability based on your business hours and geography
2️⃣ Zirtual — Dedicated U.S.-Based Executive Assistants
Zirtual provides U.S.-based dedicated assistants focused on helping professionals and executives with:
- Calendar & inbox management
- Meeting coordination
- Research
- Social media
- Business support
Zirtual’s assistants are employees, not freelancers, and clients are paired with a dedicated VA.
Pros:
- Consistency from having one dedicated assistant
- S.-based team
- High professionalism and communication
Cons:
- Premium pricing
- No support outside of U.S. hours
- Assistants work from home — no centralized security monitoring
No support for specialized or technical VA needs
Best for:
Executives and solo entrepreneurs looking for U.S.-based help with general admin work.
3️⃣ Upwork — Freelance Platform for Self-Managed VA Hiring
Upwork is a large freelance platform that allows businesses to post job listings and hire virtual assistants directly.
Pros:
- Massive talent pool
- Flexible pricing- project-based or hourly
- Access to VAs in all countries and specialties
Cons:
- No managed service or support
- You must handle hiring, onboarding, and communication yourself
- Freelancers often work from home with no data control or supervision
- Varies wildly in quality and professionalism
Best for:
Businesses are comfortable with hiring and managing freelancers directly, but it is not ideal for long-term, secure VA partnerships.
Tasks Expert vs Fancy Hands: Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | Fancy Hands | Tasks Expert |
Engagement Model | Task-based credits | Hourly, monthly, project-based |
VA Relationship | Task pool, no dedicated assistant | Dedicated, long-term assistant |
Industry Specialization | None | 20+ industries |
Onboarding | None | Personalized onboarding |
Support Channels | App & email only | Zoom, Slack, MS Teams, Email |
Data Security | Remote work, no controls | Office-based, 24/7 IT + CCTV |
Global Coverage | U.S. hours only | Global (timezone-aligned) |
Client Success Support | No | Dedicated Success Manager |
Scalability | Task limits | Fully scalable across departments |
Who Should Choose the Tasks Expert?
Choose Tasks Expert if you’re looking for:
✅ A dedicated VA aligned with your industry
✅ Secure working conditions (not home-based freelancers)
✅ Custom engagement models — from short-term to ongoing
✅ VAs available in multiple time zones
✅ Long-term scalability and relationship-based support
✅ Full control over task quality, workflows, and communication
Fancy Hands Reviews: What Users Are Saying
Looking at reviews on G2, Trustpilot, and Reddit:
Pros:
✅ Easy to get started
✅ Good for basic tasks like booking, research, or emails
✅ U.S.-based team
Cons:
❌ No continuity — task-based system leads to inconsistency
❌ Limited to basic admin tasks only
❌ VAs work from home, raising data concerns
❌ Doesn’t scale well as businesses grow
❌ No specialized industry support
Final Thoughts:
Fancy Hands Alternative- Choose the correct one
Fancy Hands provides quick support with simple admin tasks, which works well for individuals and small teams. But if you’re looking for:
- A dedicated assistant
- Security and compliance
- Specialized experience
- Flexible and scalable support
... then it’s time to explore a more advanced alternative.
✅ Zirtual — great for U.S.-based executive admin support
✅ Upwork — suitable for self-managed, one-time freelance hiring
✅ Tasks Expert — the best all-around solution for:
- Long-term VA partnerships
- Data-secure environments
- Global coverage
- Transparent pricing and custom workflows
If your business is ready to elevate its VA strategy, Tasks Expert is here to help. Let’s build a virtual support system tailored to your growth.