Prialto vs Stellar Staff (2026): Monthly Units or a Dedicated Full-Time Hire?
Prialto offers fractional support in 55-hour units and dedicated full-time assistance from $3,600 per month, with an Engagement Manager and backup support. Stellar Staff Pro costs $1,999 per month and Executive costs $2,999, each for 160 hours with one dedicated assistant. Compare commitment terms and coverage.
Stellar Staff vs Prialto at a glance
Prialto was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Its assistants are full-time Prialto employees working from Prialto offices in the Philippines, Kenya, and Guatemala. Support is sold in units of 55 hours a month. A fractional assistant (one or more units) supports two or three clients, by Prialto's own description, while a full-time dedicated assistant (three or more units, 165+ hours) starts at $3,600 a month and works only for you. Every unit includes an Engagement Manager and two backup assistants.
Stellar Staff places one dedicated full-time assistant per plan, primarily from the Philippines. Pro costs $1,999 a month and Executive $2,999, each for 160 hours, month to month with 14 days' notice to cancel. The comparison comes down to structure: Prialto builds coverage and process around the assistant, while Stellar Staff gives you a dedicated full-time hire at a lower full-time price and lets you choose that person.
Compare the model, not just the monthly price.
How does Prialto's unit model compare with a dedicated Stellar Staff hire?
Five practical factors reveal where the two services stop looking alike.
- Pricing unit. Prialto bills per 55-hour unit: $1,600 per unit on its pricing card, $1,500 in its FAQ. Stellar Staff bills per full-time assistant: $1,999 or $2,999 a month for 160 hours.
- Full-time cost. Prialto's full-time dedicated assistant starts at $3,600 a month for 165+ hours. Stellar Staff's Executive plan is $2,999 for 160 hours, and Pro is $1,999.
- Shared or dedicated. Prialto's fractional assistants support two or three clients. Every Stellar Staff assistant is dedicated full-time to one business.
- Commitment. Prialto requires a 90-day minimum per unit, a three-month pilot, before moving to month to month, plus a $250 setup fee waived with a one-year agreement. Stellar Staff is month to month from the start, with 14 days' notice to cancel.
- Coverage. Prialto includes an Engagement Manager and two backup assistants, with backup coverage starting at 80% on fractional plans. Stellar Staff handles recruiting, payroll, HR, tracking, and replacements, and replacements are free, forever, on managed plans.
Which option fits your business?
Stellar Staff
- You want a full-time dedicated assistant for less than $3,600 a month.
- You want month-to-month terms with 14 days' notice to cancel.
- You want to interview 2 to 3 finalists and choose your assistant.
- You want your assistant to work only for your business at every plan level.
Prialto
- You need about 55 hours a month, not a full-time assistant.
- Built-in backup coverage during absences matters to you.
- Your vendor review requires SOC 2 Type 2.
- You want assistants who are employees working from a provider's offices.
Prialto and Stellar Staff plan by plan
| Decision point | Stellar Staff | Prialto |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2022 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Newport Beach, California | Portland, Oregon |
| Pricing unit | One full-time assistant, 160 hours | 55-hour unit |
| Fractional option | Full-time plans only | From 1 unit; assistant shared with 2 to 3 clients |
| Fractional price | Full-time plans only | $1,600 per unit (pricing card); $1,500 (FAQ) |
| Full-time price | $1,999 Pro; $2,999 Executive | From $3,600 for 3+ units (165+ hours) |
| Minimum term | Month to month; 14 days' notice to cancel | 90 days per unit, then month to month |
| Where assistants work | Remote, primarily the Philippines | Prialto offices in the Philippines, Kenya, and Guatemala |
| Search or onboarding timeline | The search takes 5 to 10 business days | Onboarding typically begins in 3 to 5 days |
| Choosing the assistant | Interview 2 to 3 finalists | Matched by Prialto |
| Backup and replacement | Free replacements, forever, on managed plans | Two backup assistants; you can change assistants |
| Security | Background checks during vetting | SOC 2 Type 2; criminal, credit, and employment checks |
Can each service handle executive and sales support?
Prialto focuses on executive assistance and sales support for professionals. Stellar Staff places full-time assistants across executive, operations, and industry roles.
| Area | Stellar Staff | Prialto |
|---|---|---|
| Executive assistance | Executive plan, $2,999 | Core service |
| Sales support and CRM | Yes | Virtual sales assistant |
| Bookkeeping and customer service | Yes, as full-time roles | Light bookkeeping and invoicing listed; confirm customer service scope |
| Industries | Medical, legal, real estate, and more | Finance, venture capital, insurance, real estate, biotech, and accounting firms |
| Workflow setup | You direct the assistant's daily work | Engagement Manager analyzes and documents workflows |
| AI tools | Trained on AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Zapier) | Not specified on the pages reviewed |
How do Prialto and Stellar Staff compare for full-time support?
At full-time hours, the published prices separate clearly.
| Item | Stellar Staff Pro | Stellar Staff Executive | Prialto Full Time Dedicated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $1,999 | $2,999 | From $3,600 |
| Hours | 160 | 160 | 165+ |
| Commitment and cancellation | Month to month; 14 days' notice to cancel | Month to month; 14 days' notice to cancel | 90-day minimum per unit, then month to month |
| Included support | Recruiting, payroll, HR, and tracking; free replacements, forever | Recruiting, payroll, HR, and tracking; free replacements, forever | Engagement Manager; two backup assistants |
Prialto charges a $250 setup fee, waived with a one-year agreement, and offers discounts for annual contracts. Its fractional unit price appears as $1,600 on the pricing card and $1,500 in the FAQ, so confirm the current rate.
Where Prialto excels
Prialto's model is built for continuity. Each unit includes an Engagement Manager who analyzes and documents your workflows, plus two backup assistants who step in if the primary assistant is out, leaves, or does not work out. Its assistants are full-time Prialto employees working from Prialto offices, and Prialto says they complete background checks and four weeks of Prialto's core program before meeting a client.
It also brings a long track record and a formal security posture: founded in 2009, SOC 2 Type 2 compliant, with criminal, credit, and employment background checks on all employees. Onboarding typically begins within 3 to 5 days, and there are no overage fees.
Stellar Staff's simpler full-time offer
Stellar Staff sells a full-time dedicated assistant for less than Prialto's full-time starting price: Pro at $1,999 a month and Executive at $2,999, each for 160 hours. There is no 90-day minimum; terms are month to month with 14 days' notice to cancel.
Selection is published. Stellar Staff accepts the top 0.1% of applicants, and candidates pass a 6-step application and 6 individual tests, written and spoken English verification, reference and equipment checks, professional interviews and skill assessments, internal QA, and background checks. You interview 2 to 3 finalists and choose the hire. The search takes 5 to 10 business days.
Stellar Staff handles recruiting, payroll, HR, tracking, and replacements, and replacements are free, forever, on managed plans. You direct the assistant's daily work.
Prialto or Stellar Staff: the deciding factors
Consider Prialto if you need fractional support, built-in backup coverage, documented workflows, or a provider that states SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. Confirm its initial 90-day commitment and the scope of backup coverage.
Consider Stellar Staff if you want one dedicated full-time assistant on a $1,999 Pro or $2,999 Executive plan, month-to-month terms with 14 days' notice to cancel, and the chance to interview 2 to 3 finalists.
Prialto buyer questions
Clear answers on pricing, hiring speed, replacements, specialization, and compliance.
How much does Prialto cost?
Prialto's fractional plan is priced per 55-hour unit: $1,600 per unit on its pricing card and $1,500 in its FAQ. A full-time dedicated assistant starts at $3,600 a month for 165+ hours. A $250 setup fee applies unless you sign a one-year agreement.
Is a Prialto fractional assistant shared?
Yes. Prialto's blog describes a fractional assistant as a shared assistant who supports two or three clients, while its full-time dedicated assistant works only for you. Stellar Staff assistants are dedicated full-time on every plan.
Does Prialto have a long-term contract?
Prialto's FAQ says there is no long-term contract, but each unit has a 90-day minimum, described as a three-month pilot, before moving to month to month. Stellar Staff is month to month from the start, with 14 days' notice to cancel.
What is an executive assistant service, and do both offer one?
An executive assistant service provides a remote assistant for inbox, calendar, travel, and follow-up work, usually through a monthly plan. Prialto sells executive assistance in 55-hour units, and Stellar Staff offers an Executive plan at $2,999 a month for a dedicated full-time assistant.
Where do Prialto assistants work?
Prialto's assistants work from Prialto offices in the Philippines, Kenya, and Guatemala, and Prialto is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Stellar Staff's assistants work remotely, primarily from the Philippines.
How do each provider's search and onboarding timelines compare?
Prialto says onboarding for individuals and small teams typically begins within 3 to 5 days. For Stellar Staff, the search takes 5 to 10 business days. You interview 2 to 3 finalists before choosing your assistant.
What happens if my assistant is out or leaves?
Prialto includes two backup assistants with every unit, and fractional plans start at 80% backup coverage. Stellar Staff's managed plans include free replacements, forever, if an assistant leaves or is not the right fit.
Is Prialto SOC 2 compliant?
Prialto's security page states SOC 2 Type 2 compliance and criminal, credit, and employment background checks on all employees. Stellar Staff runs background checks during vetting; ask both providers for documentation that matches your security review.
Stellar Staff
Stellar StaffPrialto
How we reviewed the providers
Prialto's pricing page, FAQ, security page, and its blog post on fractional and full-time assistants were reviewed on October 5, 2026. Stellar Staff details reflect its current plan and service terms. Sources: Prialto pricing, Prialto FAQ, Prialto security, Prialto on fractional assistants, and Stellar Staff pricing. Prialto's unit price differs between its pricing card and FAQ; both are shown. Confirm current terms with each company.