Force Multipliers/Force Multipliers vs. Athena
The comparison

Force Multipliers vs. Athena

Same talent pool, opposite model.

Athena rents you a managed executive assistant for $3,000 a month. Force Multipliers places one you own, once.

By Kirk Alexander, Fractional COO and Founder of Methodize
The short answer
Side by side
AthenaForce Multipliers
Pricing$3,000/mo ($36,000/yr)$3,500, one-time
Commitment12-monthNone
Employs the assistantAthena (managed)You, directly
Buyout to hire directlyUp to $24,000 (reported)None, you already own it
Onboarding100+ day program, coachingOperating Playbook, yours to keep
Best forWhite-glove managed programOwnership at a one-time cost

Athena pricing as published in 2026 ($3,000/month, 12-month term). Buyout figure reported by third-party reviews and may change. Confirm current terms with Athena directly.

The first-year cost
Athena, year 1
$36,000
Force Multipliers
$3,500
Athena recurs every year. Force Multipliers is paid once.
$36,000
Athena, year one
$3,500
Force Multipliers, once
$24,000
Athena buyout you avoid
The buyout math

With Athena, hiring the person you work with daily can cost up to $24,000.

Both models draw from the same offshore talent pool, so the real difference is not the assistant. It is the model. Athena rents you a managed EA and charges a buyout if you ever want to own the relationship. Force Multipliers places an assistant you employ directly from day one, for a one-time fee, then hands you the Operating Playbook and steps out. Same caliber of help, opposite ownership.

Which fits you
Go with Force Multipliers if you

Want to own the relationship.

  • Want one fee, not $36,000 a year
  • Don't want a 12-month lock or a $24,000 buyout
  • Want to employ the assistant directly from day one
  • Will run a simple onboarding system (we hand you one)
Go with Athena if you

Want a white-glove program.

  • Want delegation coaching and AI tooling bundled in
  • Prefer the agency to manage everything for you
  • Have budget for $36,000 a year
  • Value a long, structured onboarding program
Common questions
How much does Athena cost compared to Force Multipliers?+
As of 2026, Athena publishes $3,000 per month for a dedicated full-time EA on a 12-month commitment, about $36,000 in year one. Force Multipliers is a one-time $3,500 fee, then you pay the assistant directly with no markup and no monthly fee.
Does Athena charge a buyout fee?+
Yes. Athena reportedly charges a buyout of up to $24,000 to hire your assistant directly. With Force Multipliers there is no buyout, because you hire the assistant directly from day one and own the relationship outright.
Is Athena worth it over direct placement?+
It depends on what you are buying. Athena bundles a full-time dedicated assistant with coaching, AI tooling, and a long onboarding program, all managed for you at a recurring price. If you want that and have the budget, Athena is strong. If you want to own the relationship at a one-time cost with no markup and no buyout, Force Multipliers fits better.
Related comparisons
Force Multipliers vs. Belay → Direct-hire VA vs. managed agency: the full breakdown →
Next step

Find out which model wins on cost and control.

A 45-minute call. We look at the real cost difference, the markup you would keep paying, and who ends up owning the relationship. Then we tell you straight which model fits.

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