Force Multipliers vs. Belay

Q: Is Belay or Force Multipliers cheaper?

It depends on time horizon. Belay bills monthly. Third-party reviews in 2026 put a full-time Belay assistant in the range of roughly $2,500 to $3,500 per month, which is about $30,000 or more in the first year. Force Multipliers is a one-time placement fee of $3,500, after which you pay the assistant directly with no agency markup. Past the first month or two, direct placement is dramatically cheaper.

Q: Does Belay use US-based assistants?

Yes. Belay's differentiator is US-based talent, which is a genuine advantage if you specifically require a US-based assistant. Force Multipliers places vetted, custom-matched assistants and charges a one-time placement fee rather than a recurring managed rate.

Own the relationship, or rent it.

Belay places a US-based assistant and bills you every month. Force Multipliers places a vetted assistant you hire directly, once.

By Kirk Alexander, Fractional COO and Founder of Methodize

The short answer

Belay: US-based VA, managed by Belay, billed monthly (reported around $2,500 to $3,500 for full-time in 2026).
Force Multipliers: you hire the VA directly, one-time $3,500 fee, no markup.
Belay fits buyers who specifically need US-based talent managed for them.
Force Multipliers fits operators who want leverage they own at a fraction of the recurring cost.
Year-one gap: roughly $30,000 or more recurring vs. $3,500 once.

Side by side

	Belay	Force Multipliers
Pricing model	Monthly retainer	One-time fee
Cost (full-time, year 1)	~$30,000+ (reported)	$3,500, once
Employs the VA	Belay (you're their client)	You, directly
Markup on hours	Yes	None
Talent	US-based	Vetted, custom-matched
Pricing transparency	Not public (sales call)	Published
Best for	Want US-based + fully managed	Want ownership + low one-time cost

Belay does not publish pricing. Belay figures are third-party estimates reported in 2026 and vary by role, hours, and specialization. Confirm current rates with Belay directly.

The first-year cost

Belay, year 1

~$30,000+ (reported)

Force Multipliers

$3,500

Belay is recurring every year after. Force Multipliers is paid once.

Which fits you

Go with Force Multipliers if you

Want leverage you own.

Want to own the relationship, no markup, no lock-in
Prefer one fee over a recurring monthly bill
Have a real backlog and will run a simple system
Want pricing you can see before a sales call

Go with Belay if you

Need US-based and hands-off.

Specifically require a US-based assistant
Want the agency to manage and replace for you
Prefer a monthly arrangement to a one-time hire
Value a large, established managed brand

The honest take

Belay's US-based talent is a real edge. The model is the trade-off.

If a US-based assistant is a hard requirement, Belay earns the look. The catch is structural: you never own the relationship, the markup runs every hour, and the bill never stops. Force Multipliers places a vetted assistant you employ directly for one fee, then hands you the Operating Playbook and steps out. You trade managed convenience for ownership and a fraction of the cost.

Common questions

Is Belay or Force Multipliers cheaper?+

It depends on time horizon. Belay bills monthly, reported around $2,500 to $3,500 for a full-time assistant in 2026, roughly $30,000 or more in year one. Force Multipliers is a one-time $3,500 fee, then you pay the assistant directly with no markup. Past the first month or two, direct placement is dramatically cheaper.

Does Belay use US-based assistants?+

Yes, that is Belay's main differentiator and a genuine advantage if you specifically need US-based talent. Force Multipliers places vetted, custom-matched assistants for a one-time fee rather than a recurring managed rate.

Can I hire my Belay assistant directly?+

With Belay you are a client of the agency and the assistant is managed through them, so bringing the person in-house is governed by the agency agreement. With Force Multipliers you hire the assistant directly from day one, so there is nothing to buy out.

Want leverage you own.

Need US-based and hands-off.

Belay's US-based talent is a real edge. The model is the trade-off.

Find out which model wins on cost and control.