Function drawer · Customer service · Updated October 2026

Best Customer Service Outsourcing Companies for Small Businesses (2026)

Most customer service outsourcers are built for contact centers with hundreds of seats. These four specialists say they work with startups and growing brands, and one of them starts at a single agent. We compare their published prices, minimums, contract terms and how each team is managed.

By the Outsourcing Insider editorial team · Updated October 2026

Best overallHugoFrom $9/hr · Managed support team (BPO)Easiest to start smallVA MASTERSParent company$6.50–$10/hr · Managed remote staffing

The register

Published by Outsourcing Insider, a VA MASTERS company. VA MASTERS is ranked here using the same rubric as every other company. About us

No.CompanyPriceSmallest startTrialReplacementScore
File 01Hugo
Managed support team (BPO)		From $9/hrEngagements start at a single dedicated agent (full-time)No free trial publishedNo replacement policy published; the pricing page says trained backup agents…8.3
File 02VA MASTERSParent company
Managed remote staffing		$6.50–$10/hrOne person; 80 hours/month recommended, fewer hours possible30-day trial: end anytime, no noticeFree; new candidates usually in about 2 business days7.6
File 03Horatio
Managed support team (nearshore BPO)		Not publishedNot published (Clutch lists a $5,000+ minimum project size)Not publishedHires more associates than required in the early phases of a program to…6.5
File 04Boldr
Managed support team (BPO)		Not publishedNot published (Clutch lists a $1,000+ minimum project size)Not publishedNot published6.3
File 05Enshored
Managed support team (BPO), including shared teams		Not publishedNot published as a seat countNot publishedNot published6.3

Score strip, left to right: Talent talent & screeningPrice pricing transparencyStart small-business accessTerms terms & guaranteesRecord track recordMgmt management & reporting

The files

File 01 · Customer service

Hugo

8.3/10

Filed under Managed support team (BPO) · HQ: Chicago, IL, United States · Staff in: Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Cape Verde and Ghana

Hugo runs dedicated customer support teams from hubs across Africa and publishes a starting rate of $9 per hour per agent. It starts at one agent on month-to-month terms, which makes it one of the easier support outsourcers for a small business to try.

Price
From $9/hr
Smallest start
Engagements start at a single dedicated agent (full-time)
Trial
No free trial published. Its FAQ says most programmes begin with a focused pilot before scaling (described for sales programmes)
Replacement
No replacement policy published; the pricing page says trained backup agents keep coverage uninterrupted
Notice
Month-to-month contracts; teams scale up or down with 24 hours' notice
Fees
Not published. Onboarding, management, QA, training and workforce management are listed as included
Founded
2017
Reviews
5/5 on Clutch (28 reviews)

What we like

  • Publishes a starting rate: dedicated support teams from $9/hr per agent
  • Starts at a single dedicated agent on month-to-month contracts, scaling with 24 hours' notice
  • Team leads, onboarding, QA, training and workforce management included

What to watch

  • The $9/hr is a starting rate; the full price is set per team plan and setup fees aren't published
  • Agents are full-time, so a part-time or few-hours-a-week need may not fit
Score breakdown and sources
Talent & screening (20%)
Publishes a 2% acceptance rate and hires 4-year and advanced degree holders
8/10
Pricing transparency (20%)
Starting hourly rate published; final pricing depends on the team plan
8/10
Small-business access (15%)
Starts at a single dedicated agent on month-to-month terms
9/10
Terms & guarantees (15%)
Month-to-month with 24-hour scaling; no trial or replacement policy published
7/10
Track record (15%)
Founded 2017, 4,500+ employees (company figure), Clutch 5.0 from 28 reviews
8/10
Management & reporting (15%)
Team leads, QA and reporting, training, workforce management and a dedicated account manager included
8/10
Fit for this page (30% of the page score)
Customer support is its core service, with a dedicated support pricing page
9/10

Sources: Hugo's service, FAQ and about pages; Clutch profile. Checked October 2026.

Full Hugo profile: pricing, terms and alternatives →

File 02 · Customer service

VA MASTERSParent company

7.6/10

Filed under Managed remote staffing · HQ: Global company · Staff in: Philippines (assistants and specialists); Ukraine (developers)

A managed remote-staffing agency that places dedicated assistants, specialists and developers, with published rates, a 30-day trial and free replacements. VA MASTERS is the parent company of this site's publisher and is scored with the same rubric as everyone else.

Price
$6.50–$10/hr
Smallest start
One person; 80 hours/month recommended, fewer hours possible
Trial
30-day trial: end anytime, no notice
Replacement
Free; new candidates usually in about 2 business days
Notice
None during the trial; notice period after
Fees
No recruitment or setup fees; a refundable deposit is part of the first invoice
Founded
2021
Reviews
Average 5/5 on Trustpilot, Indeed and Glassdoor

What we like

  • Published rate card by role category, plus a plain-English terms summary
  • Start with one person, part-time if needed; no seat minimum
  • 30-day trial with no notice period, then free replacement if the fit isn't right
  • 6-stage screening; about 1 in 508 applicants accepted (Jan 2025–Jul 2026)

What to watch

  • Costs more than hiring a freelancer yourself through a job board, because screening, replacement and support are included
  • Asks for your input early on (role brief, interviews) to get the match right
  • After the 30-day trial a notice period applies, and the first invoice includes a refundable deposit
  • Founded in 2021, younger than most companies in these rankings
  • Places dedicated individuals, not large seat-based teams with a floor supervisor
Score breakdown and sources
Talent & screening (20%)
6-stage screening, 400,000+ applicant database, published acceptance rate of about 1 in 508; background-check details not published
8/10
Pricing transparency (20%)
Rate card by role category and terms summary published; deposit amount not published
9/10
Small-business access (15%)
One person, part-time possible (80 hours/month recommended, fewer allowed); no seat minimum
8/10
Terms & guarantees (15%)
30-day trial with no notice, free replacement, no recruitment or setup fees; notice period after the trial and a refundable deposit
8/10
Track record (15%)
Founded 2021; 1,000+ placements and 500+ clients; average 5/5 on Trustpilot, Indeed and Glassdoor
7/10
Management & reporting (15%)
Ongoing support and replacement handling from the recruitment team; no account-manager tier or reporting dashboard published
7/10
Fit for this page (30% of the page score)
Dedicated customer service and chat support staff, one person at a time rather than a shared queue
7/10

Sources: VA MASTERS' pricing, service and about pages. Checked October 2026.

Full VA MASTERS profile: pricing, terms and alternatives →

File 03 · Customer service

Horatio

6.5/10

Filed under Managed support team (nearshore BPO) · HQ: New York, NY, United States · Staff in: Dominican Republic, Colombia and Honduras

Horatio is a nearshore support outsourcer started to help startups and small businesses keep up with customer demand, with teams in the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Honduras. It puts a full management layer around every team but doesn't publish prices.

Price
Not published
Smallest start
Not published (Clutch lists a $5,000+ minimum project size)
Trial
Not published
Replacement
Hires more associates than required in the early phases of a program to cover vacations, absences and early attrition, at no additional cost
Notice
Not published
Fees
Not published
Founded
2018
Reviews
5/5 on Clutch (5 reviews)

What we like

  • Nearshore teams working US Eastern and Atlantic time, with English and Spanish
  • Extra associates hired as backup during the early phases, at no additional cost
  • Each team gets a client services manager, customer success manager, trainer, QA analyst and workforce manager

What to watch

  • No prices published; Clutch lists a $5,000+ minimum project size
  • Only 5 Clutch reviews
Score breakdown and sources
Talent & screening (20%)
Training and QA described (reports a 98% QA score); no selectivity figures published
6/10
Pricing transparency (20%)
Quote only
3/10
Small-business access (15%)
No seat minimum published; Clutch lists a $5,000+ minimum project size
5/10
Terms & guarantees (15%)
Backup associates at no extra cost; trial, notice and fees not published
5/10
Track record (15%)
Founded 2018 and reports 3,500+ professionals; Clutch 5.0 but from only 5 reviews
6/10
Management & reporting (15%)
Client services, customer success, training, QA and workforce management from day one, with weekly and monthly performance reviews
8/10
Fit for this page (30% of the page score)
Customer support specialist founded for startups and small businesses
9/10

Sources: Horatio's service page; Clutch profile. Checked October 2026.

Full Horatio profile: pricing, terms and alternatives →

File 04 · Customer service

Boldr

6.3/10

Filed under Managed support team (BPO) · HQ: Santa Monica, CA, United States · Staff in: United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa and the Philippines

Boldr is a values-led outsourcer founded in 2017, with 1,500+ team members across five countries and a dedicated customer experience practice. It suits brands that want a managed support team plus seasonal cover, but pricing is quote-only.

Price
Not published
Smallest start
Not published (Clutch lists a $1,000+ minimum project size)
Trial
Not published
Replacement
Not published
Notice
Not published (contract with monthly billing)
Fees
One-time setup fee (amount not published), then monthly billing
Founded
2017
Reviews
4.8/5 on Clutch (10 reviews)

What we like

  • Seasonal support teams for peak periods, alongside year-round core teams
  • Recruiting, onboarding, team management and KPI reporting included in managed outsourcing
  • Reports a 4.5-year average client tenure and 98% team member retention (company figures)

What to watch

  • No prices or minimums published, and a one-time setup fee applies (amount not published)
  • Contract length, notice and replacement terms aren't published
Score breakdown and sources
Talent & screening (20%)
Describes recruiting, onboarding and career development; no selectivity figures published
6/10
Pricing transparency (20%)
Quote only, plus a setup fee with no published amount
3/10
Small-business access (15%)
No minimum published; Clutch lists a $1,000+ minimum project size
5/10
Terms & guarantees (15%)
Contract with a setup fee; trial, notice and replacement terms not published
4/10
Track record (15%)
Founded 2017, 1,500+ team members and 100+ clients (company figures), Clutch 4.8 from 10 reviews
8/10
Management & reporting (15%)
Team management, performance management and KPI reporting included; reports 97% client CSAT
8/10
Fit for this page (30% of the page score)
Customer experience is a core practice, alongside employment and engineering services
8/10

Sources: Boldr's service and about pages; Clutch profile. Checked October 2026.

Full Boldr profile: pricing, terms and alternatives →

File 05 · Customer service

Enshored

6.3/10

Filed under Managed support team (BPO), including shared teams · HQ: Long Beach, CA, United States · Staff in: Philippines (Pasig and Cebu) and Portugal (Lisbon)

Enshored, founded in 2014, builds customer service teams in the Philippines and Portugal for venture-backed and fast-growing brands. Its Grow plan uses shared teams so startups can begin with a few hours of cover.

Price
Not published
Smallest start
Not published as a seat count. Enshored Grow offers shared teams for startups with availability from a few hours to 24/7
Trial
Not published
Replacement
Not published
Notice
Not published. Enshored Grow is offered without long-term commitments
Fees
Not published
Founded
2014
Reviews
4.8/5 on Clutch (11 reviews)

What we like

  • Enshored Grow: shared support teams for startups, from a few hours to 24/7, without long-term commitments
  • Dedicated Client Success Manager and an on-site Team Manager
  • Experience with common help desks, including Zendesk, Gorgias, Freshdesk and Kustomer

What to watch

  • No prices published; Clutch lists a $50,000+ minimum project size
  • Grow agents are shared across clients rather than dedicated to one account
Score breakdown and sources
Talent & screening (20%)
Recruits college-graduate-level staff; no selectivity figures published
6/10
Pricing transparency (20%)
Quote only
3/10
Small-business access (15%)
Shared Grow teams from a few hours, though Clutch lists a $50,000+ minimum project size
6/10
Terms & guarantees (15%)
Grow has no long-term commitment; trial, notice and replacement terms not published
5/10
Track record (15%)
Founded 2014, 2,000+ team (Clutch), Clutch 4.8 from 11 reviews
7/10
Management & reporting (15%)
Dedicated Client Success Manager, on-site Team Manager and regular reporting
7/10
Fit for this page (30% of the page score)
Customer service is its lead service, alongside content moderation, sales and back office
8/10

Sources: Enshored's about and service pages; Clutch profile. Checked October 2026.

Full Enshored profile: pricing, terms and alternatives →

What businesses outsource here

  • Email and help-desk ticket support
  • Live chat and in-app messaging
  • Inbound phone support
  • Order, return and refund questions for online stores
  • Tier 1 technical support for software products
  • Seasonal and holiday overflow cover

Before you sign: what to check

  1. Minimum team size or contract value, and whether shared (part-time) agents are available
  2. The hourly or per-agent rate, plus any setup fee
  3. Contract length, notice period and how quickly you can scale up or down
  4. Who manages the team day to day: team lead, QA, training and workforce planning
  5. Where the agents are based and which hours and languages they cover

FAQ

How much does outsourced customer service cost?

Of the four companies here, only Hugo publishes a rate: dedicated support teams starting at $9 per hour per agent. Boldr, Horatio and Enshored quote by team size and scope, and Boldr adds a one-time setup fee.

Can a small business outsource support with just one agent?

Yes. Hugo says its engagements start at a single dedicated agent on month-to-month terms, and Enshored's Grow plan uses shared teams available from a few hours to 24/7. Boldr and Horatio don't publish minimums, though Clutch lists minimum project sizes of $1,000+ for Boldr and $5,000+ for Horatio.

Should I choose dedicated or shared agents?

Dedicated agents work only on your account and build deep product knowledge. Shared agents split their time across clients, which can suit low or uneven ticket volumes. Hugo and Horatio describe dedicated agents, while Enshored's Grow plan is a shared model.

Where are the agents based?

It varies by company. Horatio's teams are in the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Honduras and work US Eastern and Atlantic time. Enshored's are in the Philippines and Portugal, Hugo's are in hubs across Africa, and Boldr's span the US, Canada, Mexico, South Africa and the Philippines.

Scores blend our six-criteria rubric (70%) with fit for this page (30%). Prices and terms are as published by each company and checked in October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.

Other drawers

Real estateHealthcare practicesE-commerceAccounting & bookkeepingRecruitment (RPO)Dedicated dev teamsPhilippine BPOsFor UK businessesFor Australian businesses