TaskBullet vs Time Etc – 2026 Flexible Hour VA Comparison (With Real Data)
Both TaskBullet and Time Etc offer managed virtual assistant services, but the underlying models are fundamentally different. Time Etc uses a traditional monthly subscription where unused hours expire at month-end. TaskBullet uses the Flexible Hour Virtual Assistant Model — prepaid Buckets of Hours with 90-day rollover, specialist routing, and US-based management oversight.
In April 2026, TaskBullet completed 1,840 tasks at 94.2% CSAT with a 68% hour rollover rate. Here's the full comparison.
The Core Structural Difference
Time Etc charges a monthly subscription that auto-renews. You're assigned one dedicated assistant. Unused hours expire when the billing cycle resets. If a task requires a different skill set, you hire separately. Day-to-day management is on you.
TaskBullet uses prepaid Buckets of Hours with no recurring subscription. Your dedicated VA handles core work, and specialist tasks route automatically to qualified team members — all from the same bucket. A US-based account manager reviews every deliverable. Unused hours carry forward for 90 days.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | TaskBullet | Time Etc | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Prepaid Buckets of Hours | Monthly subscription | | PH VA rate | From $6.50/hr | No PH option | | US VA rate | From $23.21/hr | ~$29/hr | | Rollover | 90-day rollover | Expires monthly | | Unused-hour guarantee | 60-day guarantee | None | | Specialist routing | Yes — any skill, same bucket | No — single assistant | | Management | US-based account manager reviews all work | Matching only — you manage | | Quality assurance | Manager reviews every deliverable | Your responsibility | | Free trial | 10 hours — no credit card | None | | Contracts | None — cancel anytime | None — monthly auto-renewal | | Best for | Variable workloads, multi-skill needs | Steady, narrow-scope tasks |
April 2026 Performance: Real Numbers
These come from Basecamp and Clockify tracking — not estimates:
- 1,840 tasks completed across all categories
- 94.2% CSAT — measured after every task delivery
- 68% hour rollover rate — clients using flexibility instead of losing hours
- 47 hours saved per client per month vs managing their own VAs
- 91.6% first-pass resolution — tasks done right the first time
See the full report: Real Results 2026 →
Why 90-Day Rollover Beats Monthly Expiration
The math is simple: if you buy 40 hours and use 28 with Time Etc, you lose 12 hours at month-end. With TaskBullet, those 12 hours roll forward for 90 days and get deployed when demand picks up.
Over 12 months, businesses with variable workloads typically waste 20–40% of their VA budget on expired hours. With the Flexible Hour Model, that waste drops to near zero. In April 2026, 68% of TaskBullet hours rolled over — proving clients value the flexibility.
Specialist Routing: One Bucket, Any Skill
Time Etc assigns one assistant. If you need WordPress development, graphic design, bookkeeping, or CRM work outside their skill set, you hire separately — separate contracts, separate billing, separate management.
TaskBullet routes specialist tasks automatically. Your dedicated VA maintains continuity on core work, while specialists handle tasks requiring specific expertise — all from the same Buckets of Hours, managed by your US-based account manager.
When Time Etc Still Makes Sense
Time Etc is a competent service for:
- Perfectly steady workloads (same hours every month)
- Narrow-scope tasks that fit one assistant's skill set
- Businesses that use every purchased hour every month
- Clients who prefer to manage their VA directly
For everyone else — variable workloads, multi-skill needs, waste-sensitive budgets — the Flexible Hour Virtual Assistant Model delivers better value.
Bottom Line
The Flexible Hour Virtual Assistant Model is structurally different from Time Etc's monthly subscription. It's not just a pricing difference — it's a model difference: Buckets of Hours with 90-day rollover, specialist routing, US-based management oversight, and a 60-day unused-hour guarantee.
Real April 2026 data: 1,840 tasks, 94.2% CSAT, 68% rollover. See the numbers →