6 Free Virtual Assistant Courses Online for 2026

Becoming a virtual assistant is a great work-from-home opportunity for many people. Virtual assistants are often independent contractors who set their own hours, making this a good option for college students, stay-at-home parents, and other professionals who can't work full-time.

It's also relatively cheap to become a virtual assistant, as there are many free virtual assistant courses online to help you grow your skills.

Are There Free Virtual Assistant Courses Online?

Yes, there are free virtual assistant courses online offered through a variety of platforms such as Alison, Virtual Assistant Academy, and even YouTube. Some courses may require a small fee for you to download your certificate of completion, but the coursework is entirely free.

Skills You Can Learn Through Free Courses

Being a virtual assistant requires many skills that you can learn through free online courses. Some of the basic skills required of a virtual assistant include:

• Administrative skills: A good virtual assistant has strong administrative skills, often including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Suite, and WordPress. Online courses can also teach soft administrative skills, such as strong communication, time management, and organization.
• Project and task management: Virtual assistants often juggle several projects at once, and being able to organize your tasks effectively and efficiently is an important skill.
• Basic marketing and social media skills: Virtual assistants also typically handle basic marketing and social media skills. This includes crafting social media posts that algorithmically reach a wide audience and creating appealing visuals.
• Intro to freelancing and client work: As an independent contractor, it's important to learn how to manage your schedule and client work. Online courses can teach you the basics of freelancing, including marketing yourself, tax documentation as a freelancer, and managing multiple clients at once.

10 Best Free Online Virtual Assistant Courses

Below are some of the best free online virtual assistant courses. Some require a small fee to purchase your certificate of completion, while others are entirely free.

1. Working as a Virtual Assistant � Alison

This free course offered by Alison covers the basics of working as a virtual assistant. The three-course modules cover the fundamentals of being a virtual assistant, training and business setup, and a comprehensive assessment to test your knowledge.

Graduates of the course praise its short duration, easy-to-follow design, and in-depth information.

• Program cost: Free; $25 for a digital certificate of completion
• Program length: Three hours

2. Introduction to Virtual Assistance � Virtual Assistant Academy

This introductory course covers the basics of being a virtual assistant, including setting up your business, fundamental skills, and building strong client relationships. Many other courses are offered through Virtual Assistant Academy, but this introductory course is a great place to start.

Students can also access free live webinars to learn from industry professionals in real time.

• Program cost: Free
• Program length: Three hours

3. Virtual Assistant Management Course � Udemy

Udemy offers a free virtual assistant management course taught by certified virtual assistants to give you firsthand knowledge of the industry. This course includes free forms and documents to help you manage your business, as well as a 45-minute webinar taught by professional virtual assistants.

Students of the course praise its interactivity and thorough, detailed explanations.

• Program cost: Free
• Program length: One hour

4. Email Marketing � HubSpot Academy

This email marketing certification course teaches the fundamentals of email marketing, an essential skill for virtual assistants. Course information includes email design and copywriting, analyzing metrics, and automation tactics to maximize your audience reach.

This course includes a free certification upon completion of its 12 lessons.

• Program cost: Free
• Program length: Four hours

5. Virtual Assistant Business Management Course � Prime Personal Assistant

Prime Personal Assistant offers a business management course for virtual assistants covering all the essential systems needed to be successful. Students will learn how to manage emails, finances, clients, and other tasks.

There is a free mini-course, as well as the option to book a one-on-one extended course with private mentorship from a professional virtual assistant.

• Program cost: Free mini-course; $270 for a one-on-one private extended course
• Program length: Two hours

6. People Management � edX

This management course from edX is perfect for virtual assistants who plan to work with a large team. Communication skills, prioritization, and self-management are all taught over the course of six modules in this free course.

• Program cost: Free; $150 optional certificate
• Program length: Six weeks; two to four hours per week

How We Rank Programs

Learn.org has a specific set of criteria that we use to choose the best programs for you. The above courses were all chosen with these criteria in mind.

• Program cost: We look for courses that are either entirely free or very low-cost. Many of the above programs have a small fee for your certification, but the education itself is free.
• Program value and skills: All of the courses listed above teach the essential skills of being a virtual assistant, including time management, communication skills, and managing multiple clients.
• Flexibility and online format: We feature flexible, online courses that anyone can enroll in. This helps working professionals, students, and family-oriented individuals advance their careers in their own time and at their own pace.

How Free Courses Compare to Paid Training Programs

Free courses are typically shorter than paid training programs and may not offer as many in-depth explanations. Paid training programs typically conclude with a certification, while some free courses do not.

FAQs About Free Virtual Assistant Courses

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about free online virtual assistant courses.

Are Free Virtual Assistant Courses Enough To Start a Career?

Free virtual assistant courses are a good way to help advance your career or lay the foundation for one. It can be helpful to have other certifications and work experience as you embark on the journey of becoming a virtual assistant.

Do Free Courses Provide Certificates?

Some free courses provide certificates. These can either be free or may be purchased for a small fee.

Where Can I Find Clients After Training?

After training, you can find clients on sites like UpWork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. It can also be helpful to create your own website and market yourself through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Can I Transition From Free to Paid Training Programs?

You can transition from free to paid training programs on sites such as Udemy and Prime Personal Assistant. Many introductory courses are free, while niche topics such as tax documentation may have paid courses.

Discover Online Courses

Becoming a virtual assistant is a great way to supplement your income, or even work full-time, from the comfort of your own home. Online courses can help you develop your expertise and become a marketable virtual assistant. To further your knowledge and enhance your skills, explore more free online courses here on Learn.org.