Compare features, pricing, and discover why VirtualStaff.ph is the best choice to build remote teams in the Philippines.
Why Businesses Are Building Remote Teams in 2025
More businesses than ever are choosing to build remote teams. Whether you're running a marketing agency, an accounting firm, a healthcare business, or an e-commerce store — hiring virtual staff lets you lower costs, increase flexibility, and scale faster.
But here’s the challenge: not all platforms are the same.
Some are built for gig work. Others force you into bundled pricing. Some charge agency markups. And some leave you to figure out legal, HR, and payroll on your own.
In this blog, we’ll compare the top 5 platforms to build a remote team in 2025 — so you can decide which platform is right for your business.
You’ll learn:
- How each platform works
- What makes them different
- What to watch out for (hidden costs, lack of control, etc.)
- Why VirtualStaff.ph stands out as the best platform to hire virtual staff and build remote teams in the Philippines
1. VirtualStaff.ph — Best Platform to Build a Remote Team in the Philippines
If you're serious about building a long-term, cost-effective remote team in the Philippines, VirtualStaff.ph is the best choice.
It’s the only platform built specifically for small and medium businesses that want full-time or part-time virtual staff — without freelancers, salary markups, or admin headaches.
Why Choose VirtualStaff.ph?
- You choose who to hire and what to pay
- Hire part-time or full-time staff — not gig workers
- We handle HR, payroll, and compliance
- Transparent monthly seat pricing — just $99/month per staff
- Access 1M+ pre-vetted Filipino staff
- 100% legal and hassle-free — no need to set up a company
- 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
How It Works (Simple 3-Step Process):
Buy a Seat
Each seat lets you hire one part-time or full-time staff member. Add more seats to grow your team.
Post Your Role
Tell us what you're looking for. Pre-vetted staff will apply directly inside the platform.
Hire & Get to Work
You choose who to hire. We handle onboarding, payroll, HR, and compliance.
Ideal For:
- SMEs looking to build long-term remote teams
- Business owners who want to stay in control of hiring and salary
- Companies who want to hire skilled Filipino staff for $500–$1,500/month
- Entrepreneurs who don’t want to deal with legal or payroll issues
What You Can Use VirtualStaff.ph For:
- Hiring virtual assistants, customer support staff, bookkeepers, marketers, designers, and more
- Building dedicated remote teams in the Philippines
- Managing staff directly — while letting the platform handle HR, legal, and payroll
2. Upwork — Good for Freelancers, Not Ideal for Building a Remote Team
Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces in the world. It’s designed to help you find freelancers for short-term tasks or ongoing work. While it’s easy to post jobs and get applicants, it’s not designed for building a dedicated team.
Pros:
- Large global talent pool
- Suitable for finding freelancers quickly
- Hourly and fixed-price contracts
- Some agency options available
Cons:
- High service fees (up to 20%)
- You don’t get full-time staff — just freelancers
- Limited control over legal and compliance
- No payroll, HR, or tax support
- Time tracking and quality can vary
Ideal For:
- Short-term freelance tasks
- Businesses looking for one-off help
- Companies testing out remote work (but not building a team)
Not Ideal For:
- Businesses that want to build a dedicated remote team
- Employers who need payroll, HR, and compliance handled
- Companies hiring virtual staff in the Philippines full-time
3. OnlineJobs.ph — Access to Resumes, But You’re On Your Own
OnlineJobs.ph is a job board focused on the Philippines. You pay a monthly subscription to access resumes and post jobs. Unlike VirtualStaff.ph, however, they don’t handle HR, payroll, or compliance — you’re fully responsible after you make the hire.
Pros:
- Access to a database of Filipino workers
- Flat monthly subscription
- Direct communication with applicants
Cons:
- No payroll or HR support
- No legal or compliance help
- No onboarding tools or hiring guarantee
- No automation or support after hire
Ideal For:
- Business owners who want to DIY everything
- Those who understand Filipino labor laws
- Employers comfortable managing payroll, contracts, and onboarding
Not Ideal For:
- Businesses that want an end-to-end hiring solution
- Entrepreneurs who want legal peace of mind
- Companies new to hiring virtual staff in the Philippines
4. Freelancer.com — Gig Work Platform with Limited Team-Building Features
Freelancer.com is another global freelance platform. It works well for tasks or roles that don’t require long-term commitment. However, it falls short when it comes to building dedicated teams of virtual staff.
Pros:
- Quick access to freelancers
- Bidding system keeps rates competitive
- Escrow system for payments
Cons:
- Not built for hiring full-time or part-time staff
- No HR, legal, or payroll support
- Freelancers often juggle multiple clients
- High competition means lower reliability
Ideal For:
- Freelance gigs, short-term assignments
- Businesses looking for one-off tasks
Not Ideal For:
- Building a long-term remote team
- Hiring virtual staff in the Philippines full-time or part-time
- Business owners who want compliance and payroll handled
5. Fiverr — Marketplace for Gigs, Not Remote Team Building
Fiverr is a platform that offers pre-packaged freelance services (gigs). It’s good for things like logo design, voiceovers, or quick writing jobs. But it’s not suitable for hiring full-time staff or building a remote team.
Pros:
- Fast turnaround for small tasks
- Fixed-price gigs
- Good for creative services
Cons:
- Not built for ongoing roles
- No payroll, HR, or compliance tools
- You don’t choose staff — you choose gigs
- No direct employee relationship
Ideal For:
- Small one-off tasks
- Design, video editing, or content pieces
Not Ideal For:
- Building remote teams
- Hiring virtual assistants, customer service reps, or admin staff
- Employers who want control over hiring and management
Why VirtualStaff.ph Is the Best Platform to Build Remote Teams in 2025
Let’s summarize the key differences:
Choosing the Right Platform to Build Remote Teams
Now that you’ve seen the top five platforms, the differences are clear. If your goal is to build a reliable, long-term, and cost-effective remote team — VirtualStaff.ph stands out as the best option.
Let’s break it down further.
When Should You Use VirtualStaff.ph?
- You want full-time or part-time staff — not freelancers juggling multiple clients
- You want to stay in control of hiring, salary, and management
- You want to build a team in the Philippines with staff you can train and work with long-term
- You want to avoid legal, payroll, and HR hassles
- You want to save money without sacrificing talent or reliability
- You want zero salary markups or agency fees — 100% of what you pay goes to your staff
Whether you’re hiring a single virtual assistant or building a 10-person back-office team, VirtualStaff.ph gives you the tools and support to do it right.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Virtual Staff with VirtualStaff.ph?
One of the biggest advantages of VirtualStaff.ph is affordability and transparency.
Here’s what you pay:
Team Seat: $99/month per staff
This includes:
- HR
- Payroll
- Legal & compliance support
- Platform tools and account management
You Choose the Salary
Most businesses pay:
- $500/month for entry-level full-time roles
- $800–$1,200/month for skilled professionals
- Up to $1,500/month for highly experienced staff
You set the salary. Your staff gets 100% of it. We don’t take a cut.
There are no hidden fees. No percentage-based markups. No commissions. Just one fixed seat price and full control.
Real Roles You Can Hire Through VirtualStaff.ph
Thousands of businesses use VirtualStaff.ph to hire for roles like:
- Virtual assistants
- Customer service reps
- Bookkeepers & billing assistants
- Marketing assistants (social media, email, content)
- Chat Support staff
- Admin support
- Appointment setters
- Telemarketers
- Content writers
- Graphic designers
Need help choosing the right role to hire first? Just talk to the team at VirtualStaff.ph — they’ll guide you.
Why Building a Remote Team in the Philippines Makes Sense
Hiring remote staff in the Philippines isn’t just about cost savings — although that’s a huge benefit.
It’s also about:
- High English proficiency
- Strong work ethic and reliability
- Cultural compatibility with Western businesses
- Availability of skilled professionals across industries
And with VirtualStaff.ph, you avoid the legal risks, compliance errors, and messy admin that come with hiring direct.
Why VirtualStaff.ph Is Better Than Traditional Outsourcing Companies
Many outsourcing companies in the Philippines offer “managed services” where they hire the staff, pay them a fraction of what you pay, and lock you into a bundled package.
With VirtualStaff.ph:
- You choose who to hire
- You decide how much to pay
- Your staff work for you — not for an agency
- We handle the admin — but you stay in control
No agency games. No bundled surprises. Just clear, predictable hiring.
Ready to Build Your Remote Team in the Philippines?
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Buy a Seat — Just $99/month per staff
Step 2: Post Your Role — Get applicants in days
Step 3: Hire and Start Working — We handle the rest
