Human VAs cost $500-2,000/mo. AI employees work 24/7 and start with a refundable pilot. See which one saves you more money for email, social media, and SEO.
You need help running your business. The question is: do you hire a human virtual assistant or an AI employee? It's a real decision business owners face every day — and the gap between the two options is wider than most people realize. Here's an honest comparison of AI employee vs virtual assistant costs, capabilities, and which one makes sense for your business in 2026.
Let's start with the number that matters most: cost. Virtual assistant rates vary widely by country, experience and agency, so get quotes for your own tasks. For a US reference point, the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts median pay for secretaries and administrative assistants at $23.23 per hour in 2025 (BLS). An in-house hire also adds benefits and management overhead.
On the other side: Dooza's AI employees work 24/7, and pricing depends on the product. Every Dooza product starts with a refundable pilot — 100% refund within 14 days. See pricing.
Virtual Assistant: Limited to working hours; replies wait until they're online.
AI Employee (Maily): Manages your inbox on a routine, around the clock, with your approval on anything sensitive.
Virtual Assistant: Requires briefs and approvals, limited by their hours.
AI Employee (Somi): Researches, writes and posts to social media daily, on a routine you set.
Virtual Assistant: Most don't handle SEO. Specialists cost extra.
AI Employee (Ranky): Works on SEO and AI visibility around the clock and sends you reports.
Virtual Assistant: Manual prospecting, spreadsheet tracking, misses leads after hours.
AI Employee (Stan): Finds leads and runs sales outreach on a routine, 24/7.
The smartest strategy isn't AI or human — it's both. Let AI handle the volume so your human team focuses on strategy, relationships, and creative direction.
A virtual assistant's cost depends on hours, location and experience, so get quotes for your tasks. Dooza's AI employees work 24/7. Pricing depends on the product (see pricing), and every Dooza product starts with a refundable pilot — 100% refund within 14 days.
For digital tasks like email management, social media, SEO, and lead generation, AI employees can handle much of what a VA does, with faster response times. A human still does better on judgment calls and relationships.
AI employees work 24/7 and connect to your tools through 1,000+ app integrations.
Less than a VA. Dooza's AI employees come ready-made for their roles; you set their routines and connect your apps. Workforce employees can start working the same day.
Yes, for repetitive digital work. A 24/7 AI employee can take that load off a small team, and a refundable pilot lets you prove it on your own tasks first.
Automate your business with AI employees that work 24/7. Start with a refundable pilot: 100% refund within 14 days.
Comparing AI employees to human virtual assistants? Discover the pros, cons, costs, and when to use each—plus why a hybrid approach might be your best option.
Thinking of replacing your virtual assistant with AI? See what AI does better, what still needs a human, and how to transition safely.
Start with a refundable pilot — 100% refund within 14 days. A Dooza engineer scopes it with you on a free 30-minute call. Pricing depends on the product; see pricing.
Refundable pilot · 100% refund within 14 days · No contracts