Athena vs Stellar Staff (2026): Comparing Full-Time Executive Assistant Services
Athena and Stellar Staff both offer dedicated full-time assistants. Athena's published prices range from $3,000 to $3,600 a month, with commitment terms that differ between its pricing page and FAQ. Stellar Staff Pro costs $1,999 and Executive costs $2,999 a month, both for 160 hours, with 14 days' notice to cancel.
Stellar Staff vs Athena at a glance
Athena, founded in 2021, matches clients with a full-time executive assistant who works 40 hours a week for one client only. Its assistants are located in Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, and the Philippines. Athena's how-it-works page says it receives 30,000 to 60,000 applications a month and accepts 1%; its FAQ instead reports nearly 1,000 applications a day and a 0.5% acceptance rate. Each client gets a Partnership Manager, a temporary assistant covers leave, and the company states SOC 2 Type II certification.
Stellar Staff also places one dedicated full-time assistant, with talent primarily from the Philippines. Its Executive plan costs $2,999 a month and Pro costs $1,999, both for 160 hours and both month to month. The main differences are commitment length, price, and the countries each company recruits from.
Compare the model, not just the monthly price.
What separates an Athena EA from a Stellar Staff assistant?
Five practical factors reveal where the two services stop looking alike.
- Commitment. Athena's pricing page lists $3,000 a month, billed monthly after an initial 90-day commitment. Its FAQ describes $3,000 with a 12-month commitment or $3,600 after 90 days. Stellar Staff has no long-term contract and requires 14 days' notice to cancel.
- Price. Stellar Staff's Executive plan is $2,999 a month, and Pro is $1,999. Athena publishes one plan, from $3,000.
- Talent pool. Athena recruits in Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, and the Philippines. Stellar Staff recruits primarily from the Philippines.
- Process timelines. Athena's pricing page says onboarding through kickoff takes one to two weeks; its FAQ says full onboarding typically takes two to three weeks. For Stellar Staff, the search takes 5 to 10 business days. These figures describe different stages, so confirm the actual start date.
- Selection and security. Athena's how-it-works page reports a 1% acceptance rate, while its FAQ reports 0.5%. Athena also states SOC 2 Type II certification. Stellar Staff accepts the top 0.1% of applicants and runs background checks. Each figure reflects the company's own process.
Which option fits your business?
Stellar Staff
- You want to avoid a 90-day or 12-month commitment.
- You want executive support for $2,999 a month, or general support for $1,999.
- You want to interview 2 to 3 finalists and pick one.
- You want free replacements, forever, on a managed plan.
Athena
- You want an assistant from Latin America or Kenya as well as the Philippines.
- SOC 2 Type II certification is required by your security review.
- You want a Partnership Manager and a temporary assistant during leave.
- You plan to keep the assistant for a year and are fine with the commitment.
Athena and Stellar Staff compared point by point
| Decision point | Stellar Staff | Athena |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2022 | 2021 |
| Assistant model | One dedicated full-time assistant | One full-time EA who works only with you |
| Hours | 160 a month | 40 a week |
| Price | $1,999 Pro; $2,999 Executive | $3,000 with a 12-month commitment; $3,600 after a 90-day commitment, per its FAQ |
| Commitment | Month to month with 14 days' notice to cancel | 90-day or 12-month commitment |
| Where assistants work | Primarily the Philippines | Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, and the Philippines |
| Selection | Top 0.1% of applicants | 1% acceptance rate on its how-it-works page; 0.5% in its FAQ |
| Search or onboarding timeline | The search takes 5 to 10 business days | Onboarding through kickoff: one to two weeks (pricing page); full onboarding: two to three weeks (FAQ) |
| Choosing the assistant | Interview 2 to 3 finalists | Matched by Athena |
| Account support | Stellar Staff handles recruiting, payroll, HR, tracking, and replacements | Partnership Manager |
| Replacement and cover | Free replacements, forever, on managed plans | Temporary EA during leave |
| Security | Background checks during vetting | SOC 2 Type II, per Athena |
Which work suits each executive assistant service?
Athena positions itself around executive assistance for leaders in investing, technology, and healthcare. Stellar Staff places executive assistants and other full-time roles.
| Area | Stellar Staff | Athena |
|---|---|---|
| Executive and calendar support | Executive plan, $2,999 | Core service |
| Industries highlighted | Roles across medical, legal, real estate, and more | VC and investors, tech and engineering, healthcare and biotech |
| Bookkeeping, sales, and customer service | Yes, as full-time roles | Not listed as separate roles on the pages reviewed |
| AI tools | Trained on AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Zapier) | Not specified on the pages reviewed |
| Bilingual option | +$200 a month | Not specified on the pages reviewed |
| Leave coverage and replacement | Free replacements, forever, on managed plans; ask about coverage during planned leave | Temporary EA covers leave |
How do Athena and Stellar Staff compare on monthly price and commitment?
Compare the monthly fee, included hours, and commitment period. Athena's pricing page and FAQ describe its terms differently, so request a written quote.
| Plan | Monthly price | Hours | Commitment and cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stellar Staff Pro | $1,999 | 160 a month | Month to month; 14 days' notice to cancel |
| Stellar Staff Executive | $2,999 | 160 a month | Month to month; 14 days' notice to cancel |
| Athena, pricing page | $3,000 | 40 a week | Billed monthly after an initial 90-day commitment |
| Athena, FAQ option 1 | $3,000 | 40 a week | 12-month commitment |
| Athena, FAQ option 2 | $3,600 | 40 a week | Billed monthly after an initial 90-day commitment |
Athena's pricing page also has an annual billing option but did not display a separate annual price on October 5, 2026. Confirm the price, commitment period, and cancellation terms before signing.
What Athena gets right
Athena is selective and well documented. Its how-it-works page reports 30,000 to 60,000 applications a month and a 1% acceptance rate, while its FAQ reports 0.5%. It recruits across four countries and states SOC 2 Type II certification. Each client gets one full-time EA who works with no one else, plus a Partnership Manager.
It also plans for absences: a temporary EA covers when the assistant is on leave. For an executive who wants continuity and a vendor with a formal security audit, those are strong reasons to consider Athena.
Where Stellar Staff takes a different route
Stellar Staff offers the same core arrangement, one dedicated full-time assistant, without a long commitment. Executive costs $2,999 a month, Pro costs $1,999, and both are month to month with 14 days' notice to cancel.
Stellar Staff accepts the top 0.1% of applicants. Vetting includes a 6-step application, 6 individual tests, written and spoken English verification, reference and equipment checks, professional interviews and skill assessments, internal QA, and background checks. You then interview 2 to 3 finalists and choose. The search takes 5 to 10 business days.
Stellar Staff handles recruiting, payroll, HR, tracking, and replacements, with free replacements, forever, on managed plans. You direct the assistant's daily work. Stellar Staff has placed 1,000+ remote hires since 2022.
Athena or Stellar Staff for your executive?
Athena may suit an executive who wants temporary EA coverage during leave, a vendor that states SOC 2 Type II certification, and access to talent across Latin America, Kenya, and the Philippines. Confirm the commitment period, since Athena's pages describe it differently.
Stellar Staff may suit a buyer who wants a dedicated full-time assistant and a choice among 2 to 3 finalists. Executive costs $2,999 a month and Pro costs $1,999, both with 14 days' notice to cancel.
Questions about Athena before you commit
Clear answers on pricing, hiring speed, replacements, specialization, and compliance.
How much does an Athena executive assistant cost?
Athena's pricing page lists $3,000 a month, billed monthly after an initial 90-day commitment. Its FAQ lists two options: $3,000 a month with a 12-month commitment, or $3,600 a month after a 90-day commitment. Stellar Staff's Executive plan is $2,999 a month, month to month.
Does Athena require a contract?
Athena's pricing page lists an initial 90-day commitment. Its FAQ lists $3,000 a month with a 12-month commitment, or $3,600 a month after an initial 90-day commitment. Confirm the applicable terms in writing. Stellar Staff has no long-term contract and operates month to month with 14 days' notice to cancel.
Where are Athena's assistants located?
Athena says its EAs are located overseas, in Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, and the Philippines. Stellar Staff recruits primarily from the Philippines.
What onboarding timelines does Athena publish?
Athena's pricing page says onboarding through kickoff takes one to two weeks. Its FAQ says full onboarding typically takes two to three weeks after signing and can take longer during high demand. For Stellar Staff, the search takes 5 to 10 business days. These figures cover different stages, so ask each provider to confirm your assistant's start date.
Is an Athena virtual assistant full-time?
Yes. Athena's EAs work 40 hours a week for one client. Stellar Staff's plans are also full-time, at 160 hours a month with one dedicated assistant.
Is Athena SOC 2 certified?
Athena states that it is SOC 2 Type II certified. If your security review requires a SOC 2 report, ask each provider for documentation. Stellar Staff runs background checks during vetting; ask about access controls for your specific role.
How do Athena and Stellar Staff compare on monthly price and commitment?
Stellar Staff Pro costs $1,999 a month and Executive costs $2,999, both for 160 hours with 14 days' notice to cancel. Athena's pricing page lists $3,000 a month after an initial 90-day commitment. Its FAQ lists $3,000 with a 12-month commitment or $3,600 after an initial 90-day commitment. Confirm Athena's applicable terms in writing.
Can I choose my assistant?
With Stellar Staff, you interview 2 to 3 finalists and pick one. Athena matches you with an EA; ask Athena whether you can meet more than one candidate before starting.
Stellar Staff
Stellar StaffAthena
How we reviewed the providers
This comparison uses Athena's pricing page, FAQ, how-it-works page, and security page as published on October 5, 2026 (athenago.com now redirects to athena.com). Stellar Staff details reflect its current plan and service terms. Sources: Athena pricing, Athena FAQ, Athena how it works, and Stellar Staff pricing. Where Athena's pages disagree, both versions are shown. Confirm current terms with each company before signing.