The Human Capital vs Athena: Honest Comparison
Choosing the right VA service matters. Here's how we compare to Athena across pricing, quality, flexibility, and support — without the marketing spin.
Side-by-Side Comparison
THC vs Athena: Feature by Feature
| Feature | The Human Capital | Athena |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $700–$1,300 | $3,000+/month |
| Contract Length | Month-to-month | 12-month minimum |
| Dedicated VA | Yes — always | Yes |
| Client Manager Included | Yes (Full-Time plan) | No |
| Background Check | Checkr verified | Unknown |
| Industry Specialization | 6 verticals + spoke sites | Executive support focused |
| Vetting Process | 5-step, top 3% | Rigorous but unpublished |
| Backup VA Coverage | Yes — during all leave | No |
| Client Portal | Yes (via Asana) | No |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | No |
| Published Training Resources | 2 books by founder | None published |
Honest Analysis
Where THC Wins. Where Athena Might Be Right.
Athena targets top executives and charges accordingly. They focus on executive assistant matching and have a strong reputation for quality, but the 12-month lock-in and $3,000+ pricing make them inaccessible for most small and mid-size businesses.
Where The Human Capital wins
- ✓THC starts at $700/month vs Athena's $3,000+
- ✓No lock-in — cancel anytime with THC vs 12-month contract with Athena
- ✓THC includes a dedicated Client Manager in Full-Time plan
- ✓THC specializes across 6 industries including healthcare (HIPAA) and legal
- ✓THC provides backup VA coverage during leave
When Athena might be the right choice
- →Strong executive assistant reputation
- →High-quality talent pool
- →Good for Fortune 500 executives
Who should choose The Human Capital?
THC is the right choice if you want: a dedicated VA who knows your business, industry-specific matching across real estate, healthcare, legal, startups, and accounting, month-to-month flexibility with no lock-in, a Human Success Manager who oversees your account, HIPAA and GDPR compliance, backup VA coverage, and a starting price of $700/month. If you're a growing business that needs real operational leverage without a 6-12 month commitment, THC is built for you.
Try THC Risk-Free — Month-to-Month, Cancel Anytime
Unlike Athena's 12-month minimum commitment, The Human Capital is month-to-month from day one. No lock-in, no penalties, no risk. Your dedicated VA is matched within 48 hours of your strategy call.
Start Your Comparison Call
Common Questions
THC vs Athena — FAQs
Is The Human Capital cheaper than Athena?
The Human Capital starts at $700/month. Athena starts at $3,000/month. On price alone, THC is significantly more cost-effective — and includes features like a dedicated Client Manager and backup VA coverage that Athena does not.
Does Athena have a dedicated VA like THC?
Athena does provide a dedicated VA. However, the contract terms (12-month minimum) and the lack of a Client Manager for account oversight create meaningful differences in day-to-day service quality.
Which service is better for small businesses?
For most small and mid-size businesses, THC offers better value: lower starting price ($700/month), no lock-in contract, dedicated VA, Client Manager oversight, and industry-specific matching. Athena may be better suited for strong executive assistant reputation.
Can I switch from Athena to The Human Capital?
Yes. THC offers month-to-month contracts with no lock-in. Most clients transitioning from another VA service are matched and operational within 48 hours. We handle a structured onboarding so your new VA is fully briefed before day one.