One AI does things for you. The other hires a human who does things for you. They're both called "assistants," but the experience, pricing, and best use cases are very different.

Part of our AI Comparisons Hub: See all comparisons in Best AI Executive Assistants 2026. Related: KallyAI vs Lindy | AI vs Human VA | AI Assistant ROI Analysis

Magic (getmagic.com) matches you with a dedicated human virtual assistant trained to handle scheduling, email, travel, and research. Your VA uses AI-powered tools to work faster, but a real person is doing the thinking, communicating, and decision-making. Pricing starts around $13.50/hour with a monthly hour commitment.

KallyAI is a fully AI-powered executive assistant. You describe what you need—"Call the dentist and reschedule to Thursday" or "Research catering options for 50 people"—and the AI handles it end to end. Phone calls, emails, research, and coordination. No human in the loop unless you want one. Plans range from $9 to $199/month, flat rate.


The core difference: AI-first vs human-first

This is the fundamental split. KallyAI is AI doing the work. Magic is a human doing the work, aided by AI tools. Both can make calls, send emails, and do research—but the delivery model changes everything about speed, cost, and scalability.


What is KallyAI?

KallyAI handles calls, emails, research, and task coordination through AI. You type a request in plain language. The AI places real phone calls, navigates hold menus, talks to humans on the other end, and delivers results with full transcripts. It also sends emails, does web research, and coordinates multi-step tasks—all without you managing anything.


What is Magic?

Magic assigns you a trained remote assistant (a real person) who handles tasks over chat. Your VA manages your calendar, books travel, handles email, runs errands, and does research. They learn your preferences over time and build a working relationship with you. Magic's platform gives VAs AI tools for faster execution, but the core service is human labor.


Feature-by-feature comparison

FeatureKallyAIMagic
Who does the workAIHuman VA + AI tools
Phone callsAI places and handles callsHuman VA makes calls
Email managementAI drafts and sendsHuman VA manages inbox
ResearchAI web research with summariesHuman research with analysis
AvailabilityInstant, 24/7Business hours, async
Setup timeImmediate—describe task, doneOnboarding + briefing period
Learning curveNone—just describe what you needTrain your VA on preferences
Pricing model$9–199/month flat~$13.50+/hour (monthly minimums)
Proof of workTranscripts, confirmationsVA reports back via chat
Plan approvalAI shows plan before actingVA uses judgment or asks
ScalabilityHandles multiple tasks simultaneouslyOne VA, one task at a time

Pricing breakdown: flat rate vs hourly

Magic charges approximately $13.50/hour, with most plans requiring a monthly minimum of 20–40 hours. That's $270–540/month at the low end. Additional management overhead adds up—you need to brief your VA, review their work, and provide feedback. If your VA is unavailable (sick, vacation, turnover), you're stuck.

KallyAI charges a flat monthly rate: $9/month (Lite) up to $199/month (Executive). No per-hour billing, no management overhead, no onboarding costs. You also get 100 credits for $1 to try the service before committing.

Plan TypeKallyAIMagic
Entry price$9/month~$270/month (20 hrs)
Mid-tier$49/month~$540/month (40 hrs)
Full service$199/month$1,000+/month (80+ hrs)
Overage costsUpgrade planPer-hour billing
Trial100 credits for $1Varies

Want AI-powered execution at a fraction of the cost?

KallyAI handles calls, emails, and research starting at $9/month. Try for $1 with 100 credits—no commitment required.

Try KallyAI for $1

Real-world scenarios: which service wins?

Rescheduling a dentist appointment

KallyAI wins. You type the request, the AI calls the office, handles the conversation, and confirms the new time. Total effort: 30 seconds. With Magic, you message your VA, wait for them to see it, they make the call during business hours, and report back. Faster with AI.

Researching 10 vendors for a corporate event

KallyAI wins on speed. The AI can call multiple vendors, compare quotes, and summarize findings—all in parallel. A human VA handles them one at a time.

Building a relationship with a key client's EA

Magic wins. A human VA can develop rapport, remember personal details, and navigate social nuance that AI cannot match.

Managing a complex international move

Magic wins. The judgment calls, cultural awareness, and ongoing coordination across weeks benefit from a human who knows your full situation.


When to choose KallyAI

  • You make routine calls you've been putting off (appointments, billing, vendor inquiries)
  • You want instant results without briefing anyone
  • Your budget is under $200/month
  • You value predictable pricing with no hourly surprises
  • You need calls, emails, and research handled in one place
  • You prefer seeing a plan before the AI acts on your behalf

When to choose Magic

  • You need a long-term working relationship with someone who learns your preferences
  • Your tasks require significant judgment and social nuance
  • You have ongoing complex projects that need a human touch
  • You want someone who can represent you in communications with a personal feel
  • Budget isn't a primary concern

The hybrid approach: use both

Many professionals find the best setup is using both. Let KallyAI handle the routine—appointment scheduling, vendor research calls, billing disputes, reservation bookings. Use Magic for strategic work—relationship management, complex travel coordination, tasks that benefit from a person who knows you.

This hybrid approach keeps costs down (KallyAI handles 80% of tasks at a fraction of the cost) while preserving the human touch where it matters most.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can Magic make phone calls for me?

Yes. Your human VA can make calls on your behalf. The difference is speed and cost—a human VA handles calls one at a time during their working hours, while KallyAI's AI makes calls instantly, including off-hours.

Does KallyAI replace a human assistant entirely?

For routine tasks like scheduling, inquiries, and research—yes. For tasks requiring ongoing relationships, deep judgment, or personal representation, a human VA still has the edge.

What if I need something done right now?

KallyAI responds immediately. Magic depends on your VA's availability. For urgent, straightforward tasks, KallyAI is faster.

Can I try KallyAI before committing?

Yes. KallyAI offers 100 credits for $1 so you can test the service with real tasks before choosing a plan.

Is my information safe with both services?

Both services take privacy seriously. With KallyAI, AI handles your data—no human sees your requests. With Magic, a real person accesses your information as needed to complete tasks.


Ready to delegate your phone calls?

Let KallyAI handle your calls, emails, and research. Try for $1 with 100 credits—no commitment required.

Try KallyAI for $1