Employ Directly vs OnlineJobs.ph: start your VA search for free
Post your VA job and reply to applicants free on Employ Directly. Upgrade for AI applicant matching and more recruiting capacity. Compare OnlineJobs.ph plans.
At a glance
This comparison explains why employers hiring a Filipino virtual assistant can start with Employ Directly's free job posting and applicant replies. It covers contact permissions, monthly plans, and the annual billing tradeoff with OnlineJobs.ph. Published by Employ Directly using its product definitions and official competitor pricing checked October 1, 2026. Plan fees are separate from worker pay. Paid Employ Directly plans add AI applicant match scores, strengths, gaps, and explanations.
TL;DR
Start with Employ Directly if you want to post a VA role and talk to applicants without buying a subscription. Free includes applicant replies, Pro is $35/month, and Premium is $62/month. OnlineJobs.ph requires paid access for applicant contact and also offers discounted annual plans. Pro and Premium include AI applicant matching.
Source: Employ Directly vs OnlineJobs.ph: start your VA search for free
Key Takeaways
- Employ Directly lets you post a role, review applications, and reply to applicants on Free.
- Paid monthly plans start at $35, with more posting capacity and proactive talent outreach.
- OnlineJobs.ph requires an upgrade to contact applicants; its annual discounts deserve a look if you recruit all year.
- You choose the person, agree on pay directly, and keep control of the working relationship.
Summary
If you're hiring your first Filipino virtual assistant, start on Employ Directly. You can publish an approved job, read applications, and ask follow-up questions without paying for a subscription. You can see who applies and get to know promising candidates before deciding whether to upgrade.
Both sites support direct hiring, but the point at which you have to pay matters. Employ Directly includes applicant replies on Free and brings applications, conversations, and offers into one workspace. For a small employer with a specific role to fill, that's a useful place to begin.
| What you need | Employ Directly | OnlineJobs.ph |
|---|---|---|
| Free job posting | Up to 3 retained posts | Up to 3 posts listed |
| Free applications | Up to 15 per approved job | Up to 15 per job |
| Reply to applicants on Free | Included | Paid upgrade required |
| Pro monthly price | $35 | $69 |
| Premium monthly price | $62 | $99 |
| Annual billing | Plans priced monthly | Discounted annual options |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I actually hire someone on Employ Directly's free plan?
Yes, if your search fits the plan limits and you find a suitable applicant. You can review and reply to applicants, then agree on the role and compensation directly. Free includes up to three retained job posts and 15 applications per approved job.
What makes Employ Directly a good OnlineJobs.ph alternative?
You can start a conversation with someone who applies without upgrading. If you later need more applications or want to approach talent yourself, Pro adds that capacity for $35 per month.
Is Employ Directly always cheaper?
Its listed monthly paid plans cost less, and Free includes applicant replies. OnlineJobs.ph also lists discounted annual subscriptions that can cost less than twelve monthly Employ Directly payments. Compare the billing period you expect to use.
Are the assistant's wages included?
No. Your hiring plan and the assistant's pay are separate. Employ Directly does not process wages or charge a placement commission.
About
This comparison is published by Employ Directly. Competitor pricing and contact rules were checked against the linked official source on October 1, 2026; our plan details come from our pricing and product definitions. Prices are in USD and exclude worker pay, taxes, and separate payment costs.
Start with a conversation, even on Free
A promising application is only the beginning. You still need to ask about availability, discuss the work, and hear how the person would handle the responsibilities you're handing over.
Employ Directly lets you have those conversations on its free plan. Post your role, review the applications, and reply to the people you'd like to know better. You can assess whether the search is going somewhere before spending money on additional hiring tools.
The OnlineJobs.ph pricing FAQ says free employers can view applications but must upgrade to contact or interview workers. That's the most useful difference to know before you post your first role.
Create your free employer account and give applicants a clear picture of the job you need done.
More room to recruit for $35 a month
When you need a wider search, Employ Directly Pro gives you five new job posts per month, up to 200 applications per job, and 100 proactive talent contacts per month. It also includes instant job approval, AI matching to help with review, and access for two administrators. Your team makes the hiring decisions.
Premium is $62 per month and raises the allowance to 15 new posts, 500 talent contacts, and five administrators. The application limit stays at 200 per job. That lets you choose a plan around the amount of recruiting you're doing.
Free is a smaller starting point: three retained posts, including archived ones, and 15 applications per approved job. Posts go through review, which may take up to two days. Replies to your applicants are included.
Pay for the recruiting period you need
OnlineJobs.ph lists Pro at $69 monthly or $299 annually, and Premium at $99 monthly or $349 annually. Its annual rates are worth considering for a business that wants sourcing access throughout the year.
For a search that only needs one month of paid access, Employ Directly Pro costs $35 against OnlineJobs.ph Pro's $69. If your role fits our free limits, you can begin applicant conversations for $0 in subscription fees. Those figures cover platform access; you'll pay the assistant separately.
A year of Employ Directly Pro at the monthly rate totals $420. Choose it for the workflow and capacity you need, and factor annual competitor pricing into any year-long comparison.
Give applicants something specific to respond to
Describe the tasks that are taking time away from your business. Include the working hours, pay range, tools, and what you'd like the assistant to take ownership of in the first month. A role that says "handle customer emails and update our order tracker each weekday" tells candidates far more than "help with various tasks."
Our job post guide can help you turn that brief into a listing. Once applications arrive, keep the relevant answers and follow-up conversations with the role in Employ Directly so you can return to them when making your decision.
Put AI matching to work on your shortlist
You can start with free applicant conversations, then add AI matching when you want more help with review. Pro and Premium let you compare match scores and see which skills and experience support each applicant's fit with your job. Sort by score in table view to decide which applications to open first.
A useful shortlist needs more than names. Review the strengths and gaps behind a match, then ask about the details that matter to your role. You keep the hiring decision, with the application and conversation in the same workspace.
Final Verdict
For employers who want to post a Filipino VA role and start talking to applicants without a paid subscription, we recommend Employ Directly. Free applicant replies and paid monthly plans from $35 make it an accessible starting point for a direct search.
Post your first role on Employ Directly. Start on Free, review the response, and upgrade when you need more room to recruit.
Your next great hire starts here.
Post a job free and talk directly with Filipino applicants. Pro and Premium add AI matching to help you build your shortlist.