Employ Directly vs Upwork: hire a VA without fees on their pay
Hire a Filipino VA directly on Employ Directly. Post free, use AI matching on paid plans to focus your shortlist, and pay your VA without platform wage commissions.
At a glance
This Employ Directly comparison recommends direct hiring for employers who want a Filipino virtual assistant and can arrange contracts and payments themselves. It compares free recruiting access and fixed employer plans with Upwork's client payment fees, using official sources checked October 1, 2026 and Employ Directly product definitions. The cost example holds worker pay constant and does not compare hiring outcomes or identical service packages. Paid Employ Directly plans add AI applicant match scores, strengths, gaps, and explanations.
TL;DR
Choose Employ Directly for a direct Filipino VA search with free applicant replies and no platform percentage on worker pay. Pro costs $35/month and Premium $62/month. Upwork adds client fees to covered payments and provides contract and payment tools that Employ Directly does not include. Pro and Premium include AI applicant matching.
Source: Employ Directly vs Upwork: hire a VA without fees on their pay
Key Takeaways
- Employ Directly's employer plans are priced independently of what you pay your VA.
- Start on Free with job posting, application review, and applicant replies within plan limits.
- Upwork charges client fees on covered freelancer payments, including ongoing hourly work.
- Direct hiring lets you agree on responsibilities, hours, and compensation with the person joining your team.
Summary
An assistant who handles your inbox, keeps your calendar straight, and knows your customers can become part of how your business runs. If that's the relationship you're looking for, Employ Directly gives you a practical way to hire a Filipino professional directly. You post the role, speak with applicants, and agree on terms together.
The cost stays easy to understand: choose a hiring plan, then pay your assistant separately. Employ Directly takes no placement commission or percentage of their pay. Upwork's contract and payment tools can be useful, but client fees on ongoing payments belong in your budget when comparing the two.
| Hiring consideration | Employ Directly | Upwork |
|---|---|---|
| Talent focus | Filipino professionals | Global freelance marketplace |
| Starting access | Free posting and applicant replies within limits | Basic has no monthly membership fee |
| Paid platform model | Pro $35/month; Premium $62/month | Client fees on covered payments |
| Percentage of worker pay | None charged by Employ Directly | Marketplace fee applies |
| Contracts and payments | Arranged directly by employer and worker | Managed through Upwork tools |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Employ Directly take a cut when I pay my VA?
No. We don't process wages or take a percentage of compensation. You and the professional arrange the contract, payment method, and pay schedule directly.
Can I post a VA job for free?
Yes. Free includes up to three retained job posts, up to 15 applications per approved job, and replies to applicants. Free posts require review before publication, which may take up to two days.
Can Upwork be used for an ongoing VA role?
Yes, including through hourly contracts. The reason to choose Employ Directly is its focused direct hiring process and pricing independent of worker pay; ongoing work is possible on either platform.
What client fees does Upwork charge?
Its Basic fee guide lists a fee of up to 7.99% on covered payments. Its pricing page also shows a 5% Basic figure in some sections and lists Business Plus at 10%, so check the rate shown for your account and contract. A contract initiation fee may also apply.
About
Employ Directly publishes this comparison for employers hiring Filipino virtual assistants. Official competitor sources were checked October 1, 2026, and our plans were checked against our pricing and product definitions. Cost examples are in USD, exclude taxes and separate payment costs, and use an illustrative work budget rather than a salary benchmark.
Hire around the work your business needs
Perhaps customer messages are piling up while you're handling sales. Or you're spending Friday afternoons fixing records that should have been updated all week. Those are responsibilities you can turn into a VA role with clear hours, expectations, and ownership.
On Employ Directly, that role becomes the starting point for your search. Applicants respond to the job you've described, and you can review their profiles, screening answers, and messages before deciding whom to interview. Applications, conversations, and offers stay together in the hiring workspace.
You know which tasks matter most and how your team works. Direct conversations give you space to discuss both before making an offer. Start your VA search on Free.
A percentage fee adds up over repeated payments
Suppose you've agreed on $1,000 for a month's work. At a 5% Upwork client fee, that payment becomes $1,050 before other charges; at 7.99%, it becomes $1,079.90. The applicable fee depends on your account and payment terms.
Through Employ Directly, the same agreed pay stays $1,000 between you and the assistant. Add $0 for Free, $35 for one month of Pro, or $62 for one month of Premium, within the chosen plan's limits. Your own payment service may charge separately.
The services differ: Upwork supplies contract and payment tools, while Employ Directly gives you hiring tools and leaves those arrangements to you. If you already have a way to contract with and pay remote professionals, our model gives you a reason to put your next job post here. The platform charge isn't tied to the size of your VA's pay.
Choose how much recruiting capacity you need
Pro at $35 per month includes five new posts per month, up to 200 applications per job, and 100 proactive talent contacts per month. You also get instant job approval, advisory AI matching, and two administrators so another member of your team can help review candidates.
Premium costs $62 per month, with 15 new posts, 500 contacts, and five administrators. Both paid plans have the same 200-application limit per job. For one smaller search, Free lets you start with applicant review, bookmarks, and replies.
Make your first job post useful
Be specific about the support you need: the inbox, schedule, customer queue, or records the assistant will handle. Include the hours you need covered and a realistic pay range for the responsibilities. Then add a few screening questions about relevant experience.
Before the person starts, agree on the contract, payment timing, access to your tools, and who will answer their questions. Employ Directly gives you control over the hire, and that preparation helps the relationship start well.
If you're also comparing direct recruitment sites, see our OnlineJobs.ph comparison.
Find relevant applicants without opening every profile first
Once applications arrive, Pro and Premium give you AI match scores based on your role and the applicant's evidence. Sort by score in table view and look at the strongest matches first. The explanation shows relevant strengths and gaps, giving you specific points to explore in an interview.
For example, a customer support role may need experience resolving order problems as well as availability for your working hours. Use the AI feedback to focus your review, then confirm those requirements directly with the applicant.
Final Verdict
We recommend Employ Directly if you're ready to hire a Filipino VA directly and handle the contract and pay yourself. You get a focused hiring workspace, free applicant conversations within plan limits, and no percentage charge on worker pay.
Create a free account and post your VA role. Put the responsibilities in front of applicants and start the conversation.
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.