Are Athena Executive Assistants Better than Wishup?

Considering Athena for your Executive Assistant needs?

Before you commit to a $3,000/month decision, here’s a no-fluff breakdown of how Athena stacks up against Wishup on pricing, quality, onboarding speed, and real user feedback.

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

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

Additionally, we provide virtual assistants for dentists, optometrists, photographers, coaches, content creators, Airbnb property managers, therapists, dermatologists, pediatricians, insurance agencies, etc. No matter your industry, we have a solution for all.

We operate in your time zone, serving global locations such as San Diego, Denver, Las Vegas, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Paris, Austin, and other global locations.

Scope of Tasks: Versatility That Speaks Volumes

Athena executive assistants focus on executive tasks, such as calendar management, meeting coordination, email handling, etc.

Wishup executive assistants go beyond basic task management as they 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

Get Trusted EAs from Wishup, Handpicked for Visionary Founders

• Expertly aligned with 1000+ founders in 2025 so far
• 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.

“Hiring her made me 10x productive! I assumed EAs were only for CEOs. I was wrong.” — @pritika_mehta on hiring an Executive Assistant from Wishup.

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.

Where are Athena executive assistants based?

Athena hires executive assistants based in the U.S. and the Philippines. This may ensure cultural alignment and support businesses with global operations.

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 60 minutes. Our fast onboarding process ensures you don’t lose valuable time waiting for support.

How long does it take to hire Athena executive assistant?

Hiring an Athena Executive Assistant typically takes 2–3 weeks. The process includes a short intake survey, a 90-minute onboarding call, matching with your Executive Partner (and Executive Coach for Plus members), a kick-off call, and Delegation Foundations training—about 2–5 hours of prep in total. During busy periods, it might take a bit longer, but you'll know the timeline upfront.

Yes, we believe in our executive assistant. But we’ve also always believed that customers should try before they buy. Therefore, you can avail of our 7-day money-back guarantee option. No questions asked.

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

Can we hire an Athena executive assistant with a free trial?

No, there's no mention of hiring an Athena executive assistant with a free trial. You can always reach out to their support team for more information on this.

Wishup offers transparent and 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.

Can you cancel an Athena executive assistant after onboarding?

Yes, Athena allows cancellation after onboarding.

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 executive 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.

How much does Athena virtual assistant cost?

Athena virtual assistant costs around $3,000 per month (as of July 2025), according to a customer who posted on Reddit. It includes VAs working 40 hours per week.

If you feel the cost is very high, try Wishup's virtual assistants for just $999 per month with better quality and a 7-day money-back guarantee option.

For Athena's monthly cost of $3000, here's what you can get:

• Dedicated Support: Each assistant is assigned exclusively to you and works a 40-hour week.
• Training Included: Athena provides ongoing training to upskill assistants regularly.
• Client Coaching: Clients receive coaching on how to collaborate effectively with their EA.

Wishup Reviews:

Wishup is rated 4.7 on TrustPilot and 4.9 on Clutch. With global founders saving up to 20+ hours every week and with a VA retention rate of 36 months (3 years), Wishup VAs have earned the trust of their customers.

Athena Executive Assistant Reviews:

Athena executive assistants are positioned as premium executive support professionals, but user feedback suggests a mix of high-end appeal and operational concerns.

Positive Reviews:

• Premium talent offering: Athena EAs are pitched as elite, executive-level assistants.
• Full-suite support: Can manage inboxes, calendar, travel, and admin operations.
• AI-savvy professionals: Athena EAs are trained to use tools like Notion, ChatGPT, and Loom.

Negative Reviews:

• Education mismatch: Reddit reports indicate some Athena executive assistants are only 12th-grade graduates, not college-educated.
• Onboarding delays: A Reddit user reported paying the full monthly fee without being matched to a VA.
• EA compensation issues: Only 30% of the fee reaches the assistant, according to user feedback on Reddit, raising concerns about motivation and pay fairness.

Wishup takes 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 via Android and iOS platforms.

Additionally, the app provides access to the top 0.1% of executive assistants, allowing you to review work samples, check availability, and onboard talent in just 60 minutes.

There are no tools displayed in public that talk about tracking the productivity of the Athena executive assistant. You can contact their team for accurate information.

Wishup offers a remote-first model with no waitlist, designed to scale as your business grows, at the same affordable cost of just $9.99 per hour. Plus, you get specialized services for professionals like doctors, realtors, startup founders, plastic surgeons, dietitians, psychiatrists, etc.

On the other side, Athena's executive assistant service could be a bit expensive for small-scale companies (around $3000 per month for an EA). It might make scalability challenging for them.

What are the benefits of an Athena Executive Assistant?

The benefits of Athena Virtual Assistant are:

• Athena accepts only the top 0.5% of applicants, ensuring clients are paired with exceptionally qualified assistants.
• Assistants undergo a four-week bootcamp covering essential skills and tools, followed by continuous mentorship and access to an accredited five-year MBA program, fostering ongoing professional growth.
• Athena assistants utilize AI tools weekly, enhancing efficiency in tasks such as drafting communications and managing workflows.
• Athena offers flexible memberships without long-term commitments, allowing clients to adjust services as their needs evolve.
• Athena provides assistants with competitive pay, health insurance, pet support, and mental health resources, contributing to high job satisfaction and performance.

Benefits of hiring an executive assistant from Wishup

• With Wishup, you get a virtual assistant who is trained in 200+ skills, 70+ no-code, and 50+ AI tools.
• We hire only 1 out of 1000. Thus, only the top 0.1% make it through our vetting process.
• All the virtual assistants at Wishup undergo ongoing training sessions to keep them updated with the latest tools and technologies.
• All the virtual assistants at Wishup are college graduates with a minimum of 3 years of working experience.
• Virtual assistants at Wishup come with a complimentary account and VA manager.
• Wishup also provides all its virtual assistants with competitive pay, health insurance, pet support, and mental health resources, contributing to high job satisfaction and performance.

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

1. High Pricing

Athena is said to charge $3,000 per month, including the assistant's salary and training. For businesses operating on a tighter budget, this price tag might be a major deterrent.

2. Lengthy Onboarding Process

The onboarding process can take 2-3 weeks and often involves a waitlist. For busy entrepreneurs needing immediate solutions, such delays might be challenging.

In conclusion, Athena is a premium executive assistant service and is a good match for businesses ready to navigate these challenges.

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.

Wishup is the top Athena executive assistant alternative. While Athena markets elite executive assistants, Reddit reviews reveal issues like underpaid talent, 12th-grade education, and inconsistent onboarding. Wishup offers college-educated, founder-trained assistants with 3–5 years of experience, all at 1/3rd the cost and ready to support fast-moving teams.

So, Wishup or Athena? Have you decided?

Wishup offers a 60-minute onboarding process, access to a highly skilled global talent pool of 1500+ EAs, and transparent, cost-effective pricing tailored to fit growing businesses. Wishup gives you premium support at a fraction of the cost.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours do Athena executive assistants work?

Athena executive assistants work 40 hours per week for their clients. All the assistants at Athena are available for 5 days a week, excluding Saturday and Sunday.

Is Athena genuine?

Athena is a genuine company that has been helping businesses delegate their work to elite executive assistants.

Additionally, EAs working at Athena have been vocal about getting the following benefits:

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) for the Assistant and their family
• Training and programs for upskilling
• Pet reimbursement program
• Mental health support

Just like Athena, Wishup also takes care of its executive assistants' mental health support, provides health insurance, and invests in their ongoing training, learning, and personality development. Having served 900+ clients in different business niches, Wishup stands strong as an alternative to Athena's executive assistant.

What is Athena EA price?

Athena EA pricing starts at $3,000 per month. They are positioned as a premium service for high-level executives. If you need EAs of similar skills at an affordable price, check Wishup’s $999 per month plan with a 7-day money-back guarantee. 

How much does Athena EA cost?

Athena executive assistants cost around $3,000 per month, positioning them among the most expensive remote assistant options.

However, Reddit users report low EA motivation, citing underpaid staff and assistants with minimal qualifications, including some as young as 12th-grade graduates.

Wishup offers a stronger value alternative with college-educated EAs with 3–5 years of experience and founder-led training — all at just $999/month.

How much does Athena cost per month?

Athena costs $3,000+ per month for a dedicated executive assistant, which is costlier than Wishup's $999 per month plan for the same quality and skillset.

How much does Athena cost per hour?

Athena doesn’t advertise hourly pricing, but based on monthly rates, the hourly cost averages $18–$20, assuming full-time work hours. For half the price - $9.99 per hour - you hire a pre-vetted Wishup executive assistant with a 7-day money-back guarantee. 

I’m looking for a reliable Athena Assistant alternative. What should I consider?

Wishup is a trusted Athena Assistant alternative for founders and small businesses who need dependable virtual support at an affordable price. Some challenges reported with Athena Assistants highlight why many businesses are exploring alternatives:

• Education mismatch: Reddit reports indicate that some Athena executive assistants have only completed high school, rather than holding a college degree.
• Onboarding delays: A Reddit user shared that they were paying the full monthly fee without being matched to a VA.
• EA compensation issues: Only 15% of the fee reportedly reaches the assistant, raising concerns about motivation and fair pay.

With Wishup, you avoid these issues. Wishup assistants are stringently vetted, fluent-English professionals, trained on 120+ AI and low-code tools, and ready to start in just 60 minutes. Dedicated account managers ensure every VA is matched to your business needs. This combination makes Wishup a strong Athena Assistant alternative for businesses seeking reliable, skilled, and motivated virtual assistants.

What are Athena EA Services?

Athena EA services include calendar management, inbox zero, research, and travel, mainly for executives from startups and small businesses.

What is Athena EA?

Athena Executive Assistants is a U.S.-based company that provides trained executive assistants to busy founders and CEOs.

What is Wishup?

Wishup Inc. is a Delaware-based American virtual assistant company that offers remote talent to busy founders and executives across the world. It's the most affordable US-based virtual assistant company, trusted by 1000+ founders.

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal opinions of a guest contributor and does not reflect the official views of Wishup. While we strive for accuracy, company details, offerings, and data presented may change over time. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Wishup assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The references included in this article by the guest author are from Athena's website at the time of writing, and user comments from 3rd party online platforms like Reddit, etc. Accuracy of the information cited from such platforms cannot be guaranteed.