Magic is useful when you need flexible assistant capacity. Far Out Scout is for when the work has become a real role and you want one person to own it.
Comparison current as of June 2026. Magic details are from public sources and may change. Check their site for the latest.
| Far Out Scout | Magic | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A dedicated person you employ directly | On-demand assistant time from a shared team |
| Pricing | One-time contingency fee on hire, then the salary you set | $199-$540/week plans, billed every four weeks (June 2026) |
| Best for | A consistent, ongoing role | Ad-hoc, variable, or 24/7 task coverage |
| Continuity | Same person learns and stays | Team-based, can rotate |
| Long-run cost | Lower for a full-time ongoing role | Ongoing subscription adds up over time |
Magic is a virtual assistant service with recurring support plans. As of June 2026, Magic lists a 10-hour-per-week Magic 24/7 plan at $199 per week, a 20-hour-per-week part-time assistant at $270 per week, and a 40-hour-per-week full-time assistant at $540 per week. Plans are billed every four weeks.
Choose Magic for ad-hoc work, variable task volume, or coverage you do not want to manage as a hire. It is built for flexibility and speed.
Choose Far Out Scout when the work is steady enough to justify a dedicated person. The hire works for you, learns your business, and stays with your team. You pay a one-time placement fee, then their salary, instead of keeping a subscription running forever.
If your needs are occasional, variable, or need 24/7 coverage, Magic's on-demand model is convenient. If you have a consistent role to fill, hiring a dedicated person through Far Out Scout usually costs less over time and gives you someone who learns your business and stays.
Yes. Far Out Scout recruits and you hire the person as your own team member. With Magic, the assistant works through Magic's platform rather than for you directly.
For a full-time ongoing role, usually yes. Magic's 40-hour weekly plan lists at $540 per week as of June 2026, billed every four weeks. With Far Out Scout you pay a one-time placement fee and then the salary you agree with your hire.
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.