Far Out Scout vs Belay
The main difference is where the talent sits and how you pay. Belay matches clients with US-based assistants and bookkeepers. Far Out Scout recruits vetted talent from the Philippines and South America that you hire directly.
Comparison current as of June 2026. Belay details are from public sources and may change. Check their site for the latest.
| Far Out Scout | Belay | |
|---|---|---|
| Talent location | Philippines and South America | United States |
| Typical cost | 75 to 82% below a fully-loaded US hire | Custom monthly quote, US-based talent |
| Model | Recruiter: you hire and employ the person directly | Managed staffing: assistant works through Belay |
| Pricing | One-time contingency fee on hire, then the salary you set | Custom-quoted monthly, not published |
| Time zones | South America overlaps US hours; PH can too | US time zones |
Who Belay is
Belay pairs you with a dedicated US-based assistant or bookkeeper and assigns a client success consultant to manage the relationship. As of June 2026, Belay describes pricing as a flat monthly fee customized to the scope of work, but does not publish exact assistant pricing on its site.
When Belay is the better choice
If you specifically need a US-based assistant working in US time zones with native-US business context, and you are comfortable paying US rates, Belay is a strong, reputable choice.
When Far Out Scout is the better choice
If the work can be done remotely and you care most about cost, continuity, and direct ownership of the hire, Far Out Scout is the better fit. We source from the Philippines and South America, where many candidates already work with US companies and many South American candidates overlap US hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is offshore talent through Far Out Scout lower quality than Belay's US assistants?
Not for most operational and support roles. The quality gap people worry about usually comes from weak screening, not from where the person lives. Far Out Scout interviews and reference-checks every candidate and endorses roughly the top 1%. The main reason to choose US-based talent is a specific need for US time zones or native-US context.
How much can I save versus Belay?
Belay staffs US-based talent and quotes pricing based on the scope of work. A vetted offshore hire through Far Out Scout typically costs 75 to 82 percent less than the fully-loaded cost of a comparable US role. See our salary guide for role-by-role figures.
Do Far Out Scout candidates work US hours?
Many can. South American candidates commonly overlap US business hours, and many Philippines-based candidates are willing to work partial or full US-aligned schedules. Put your required overlap in the role brief.
See what the role would cost
Far Out Scout sources, screens, and reference-checks candidates from the Philippines and South America. Start a search, or compare typical role costs in our salary guide.