Wishup vs Athena Executive Assistant: Which is the Better Choice?

As a small business owner, you're constantly trying to balance the day-to-day grind with your long-term vision for growth.

You’re pulled in every direction—client meetings, financial planning, team coordination—and somewhere along the way, you realize that you can't do it all.

You know you need help, and executive assistants (EAs) offer a lifeline for overwhelmed founders.

But with so many executive agencies at your disposal today, choosing the right one can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.

My company, Wishup, and Athena are some of the most popular names in the space, so they are often compared.

In this blog, I’ll break down the key differences between Wishup and Athena, considering factors like pricing, hiring process, scope of tasks, and overall value for your money.

So, let’s take a closer look at these two executive assistant companies.

Wishup vs Athena Feature Overview

Here’s a bird’s-eye view of all the features and the cost of both executive assistant companies.

I’ll go over most of these in greater depth in the rest of the article.

No-Code Expertise: The Productivity Game-Changer

Wishup executive assistants are faster than the deadline.

They use state-of-the-art software for efficient remote management, including CRM systems and financial tools.

They are proficient in over 70 no-code tools, including popular platforms like:

• Zapier for automating repetitive workflows
• Mailchimp for email marketing campaigns
• QuickBooks for bookkeeping

One of our clients, a digital marketing firm, automated their lead generation and reporting processes using Zapier, saving them over 15+ hours per week.

In contrast, Athena’s executive assistants do not offer similar technical capabilities, limiting their ability to support automation and specialized tasks.

Scope of Tasks: Versatility That Speaks Volumes

One of Athena’s biggest drawbacks is its limited scope of services. Athena assistants focus solely on executive tasks, which include calendar management, meeting coordination, and email handling.

You would need to hire additional virtual assistants for creative tasks like content writing or graphic designing.

Wishup, however, goes beyond basic task management. Our EAs are equipped with over 200+ skills, enabling them to handle a broader range of responsibilities, such as:

• Prompting and AI tools for improved productivity
• Strategic decision-making for growth-oriented planning
• Time and project management software for seamless operations

Our assistants are proactive and strategic, anticipating the needs of your business, handling complex projects, and even assisting in growth strategies.

Whether it’s assisting in market research, client outreach, or stakeholder management, these assistants become critical business partners, not just assistants.

Get Trusted EAs, Handpicked for Visionary Founders

• Expertly aligned with 100+ founders in 2024
• 200+ high-ownership EAs to choose from
• 5000+ tasks managed monthly
• 99% reliability rate in meeting deadlines
• 98.8% client satisfaction rate

With Wishup, hiring additional specialists is unnecessary. Your EA can handle everything—saving you time, effort, and costs.

Here’s a post from one of our clients sharing her experience on how hiring a Wishup EA boosted productivity tenfold.

Global Talent vs. Regional Limits

Wishup provides access to the top 0.1% of the global talent pool. Whether you need assistance in your time zone or specialized expertise, Wishup has an EA for you.

In contrast, Athena restricts its hiring to assistants based in the U.S. and the Philippines. While this may ensure some cultural alignment, it limits flexibility for businesses with global operations.

Hiring Time: Instant Access vs. Long Waitlists

Time is of the essence, especially for growing businesses.

Wishup enables clients to hire a pre-vetted and pre-trained executive assistant by ex-entrepreneurs within 30 minutes. Our fast onboarding process ensures you don’t lose valuable time waiting for support.

Hiring an executive assistant from Athena, on the other hand, is a lengthy process. It takes at least one week to onboard an executive assistant and often involves waitlists based on demand and availability.

Free Trial: Risk-Free Onboarding

Yes, we believe in our executive assistant. But we’ve also always believed that customers should try before they buy.

Hire the top 0.1% executive assistant and experience their services without commitment.

Hear out how our EA articulates the client's vision and values.

Athena's executive assistant don't come with a free trial period, leaving clients to rely on testimonials and reviews without firsthand experience.

Cancellation Policies

Wishup has transparent, flexible pricing with no long-term commitments. No fee is charged for canceling the contract or if you put your account on hold for a month.

Athena allows cancellation after onboarding but charges a hefty buyout fee of up to $20,000 for bringing an EA in-house.

Pricing Plan

Affordability is another area where Wishup outshines Athena's Executive Assistant.

Wishup's pricing starts at $999/month and is designed to fit the budgets of small businesses, startups, and growing enterprises.

With Wishup, you gain access to highly trained virtual assistants at a fraction of the cost of Athena’s premium service. Here are the benefits of hiring from Wishup.

This makes Wishup the ideal choice for business owners seeking maximum value without overextending their budget.

On the other hand, if you ask me how much does Athena's executive assistant cost?

Athena Executive Assistant positions itself as a high-end service with a steep price tag of $3000.

Real-Time Access to EAs with Employee Management App

We take productivity and convenience to the next level with our all-in-one mobile app designed for small and midsize businesses for team management.

The app offers

1. Task tracking
2. Daily end-of-day reports
3. Providing feedback
4. Approving leave requests
5. Bookmarking tasks, etc

Wishup’s employee management app empowers you to manage your team efficiently—anytime, anywhere.

Additionally, the app provides access to the top 0.1% of virtual assistants, allowing you to review work samples, check availability, and onboard talent in just 30 minutes.

In contrast, Athena Executive Assistant lacks a comparable tool for tracking daily tasks, receiving EOD reports, or communicating in real time.

Although they facilitate feedback sessions and send out regular surveys, compared to Wishup's free mobile app and its features, Athena loses the battle in providing real-time data and access to the EAs.

Accessibility and Scalability

Wishup offers a remote-first model with no waitlist, designed to scale as your business grows.

On the other side, Athena's executive assistant service is limited by waitlists and high costs, making scalability challenging for mid-sized companies.

The Limitations of Athena

Athena markets itself as a high-end executive assistant service. However, a closer look reveals several limitations that might make potential clients think twice:

1. Exorbitant Pricing

Athena charges an eye-watering $3,000 per month, including the assistant's salary and training. For businesses operating on a budget, this price tag can be a major deterrent.

2. Steep Buyout Costs

Thinking about hiring your EA in-house?

Be prepared to shell out up to $20,000 in buyout fees.

This policy significantly limits flexibility and is a huge burden for companies considering long-term solutions.

3. Waitlist Delays

Athena’s popularity comes with a downside: long waitlist periods. If you’re looking for immediate support, this delay could disrupt your plans.

4. Lengthy Onboarding Process

The onboarding process can take 1-2 weeks and often involves a waitlist. For busy entrepreneurs needing immediate solutions, such delays can hinder productivity and leave tasks unresolved.

In conclusion, while Athena positions itself as a premium service, these limitations—especially the high costs and delays—may outweigh the benefits for businesses seeking flexible and efficient solutions.

The Real Difference: It’s About Partnership, Not Just Assistance

Choosing the right executive assistant service is about more than just having someone handle your calendar. It’s about having a partner who is invested in your success, who can contribute ideas, manage critical projects, and help you focus on what truly matters—growing your business.

With Wishup, you get strategic support, unmatched agility, and a personalized approach that empowers you to focus on the future, not just the day-to-day.

For entrepreneurs who are tired of managing everything themselves and want an assistant who’s as invested in their business as they are, Wishup is the clear choice.

Which Executive Assistant Service is Right for You?

When it comes to finding the right executive assistant service, Wishup is the smarter choice for business owners seeking efficiency, affordability, and top 0.1% talent.

Unlike Athena Executive Assistant, Wishup offers a 30-minute onboarding process, access to a highly skilled global talent pool of 1500+ EAs, and transparent, cost-effective pricing tailored to fit growing businesses.

Why settle for expensive, high-touch options when Wishup gives you premium support at a fraction of the cost?

Join thousands of satisfied business owners who have already transformed their productivity with Wishup.

Your time is your greatest asset—partner with Wishup and take your business to the next level.

Hire the top 0.1% of talent today and get $100 off.