Which service to choose between a private concierge, a private secretary, and an executive assistant? Detailed comparison: scope, cost, availability, legal status, ideal profile. Decision guide.
Comparison Guide · Private Services · 2026 Edition
Private concierge, private secretary, executive assistant — three services often confused, yet fundamentally different in scope, cost structure, legal status, and ideal client profile. This guide provides a clear, structured comparison to help you choose.
Quick Definition of Each Service
Private Concierge
A private concierge is an external company that handles personal and lifestyle requests on behalf of a client: travel planning, event organization, property management, household staff coordination, restaurant reservations, and crisis management. The concierge acts as a project manager for private life, coordinating a network of suppliers and specialists.
Private Secretary
A private secretary is a personal employee who manages correspondence, schedules, administrative tasks, and often financial record-keeping for an individual or family. They work from the client's home or office and handle sensitive personal and financial documentation.
Executive Assistant
An executive assistant (EA) is a professional — usually employed directly or through a staffing firm — who provides high-level administrative support, typically in a business context. They manage calendars, coordinate meetings, prepare reports, and handle professional communications.
⚡ Key point: The key distinction: a private concierge is an external service company, a private secretary is a personal household employee, and an executive assistant is a business support role. Different legal status, different scope, different cost structure.
Detailed Comparison Table
| Criteria | Private Concierge | Private Secretary | Executive Assistant |
|---|
| Legal status | External company (B2B) | Private household employee | Corporate employee or contractor |
| Primary scope | Lifestyle, logistics, project mgmt | Personal admin, correspondence | Professional admin, business support |
| Availability | 24/7 (team coverage) | Contractual hours (40-50h/week) | Business hours + overtime |
| Location | Remote / multi-city | Client's home or office | Corporate office |
| Monthly cost | €2,000-15,000 retainer | €3,000-7,000 salary + charges | €3,500-8,000 salary + charges |
| Scalability | Instantly scalable (team) | Limited (one person) | Limited (one person) |
| Absence coverage | Guaranteed (backup team) | None (vacation = gap) | Limited (colleague fill-in) |
| Confidentiality | Contractual NDA + insurance | Trust-based, loyalty clause | Standard employment clause |
| Ideal client | UHNWI, busy executives, families | UHNWI with complex personal admin | C-suite executives, entrepreneurs |
| HR management | None (external service) | Full (employer obligations) | Full (employer obligations) |
When to Choose Each Service
Choose a Private Concierge when:
- You need flexible, on-demand support without employer obligations
- Your needs span travel, events, property management, and lifestyle logistics
- You require 24/7 coverage across multiple time zones
- You want a team of specialists, not one generalist
- You prefer variable costs (retainer) over fixed costs (salary + charges)
Choose a Private Secretary when:
- Your primary need is personal administrative management (correspondence, schedules, filing)
- You need a trusted person with deep knowledge of your personal affairs
- You require a physical, on-site presence daily
- You handle sensitive financial or legal documentation that requires in-house management
Choose an Executive Assistant when:
- Your needs are primarily professional and business-related
- You need high-level calendar management, meeting coordination, and report preparation
- You operate in a corporate environment with structured processes
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The Complementary Approach
For UHNW families, the ideal setup is often a combination: a private secretary for daily personal administration, an executive assistant for business affairs, and a private concierge for lifestyle logistics, travel, and event management. The concierge acts as the "external special projects team" while the secretary and EA handle ongoing daily operations.
Discover our private concierge services
Adopte Une Conciergerie offers bespoke private concierge services for discerning individuals and families. Three offices: Strasbourg, Cannes, Prague.
Our Private Concierge
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a private concierge and a private secretary?
A private concierge is an external company providing lifestyle and logistics management (travel, events, property). A private secretary is a personal household employee handling daily administration, correspondence, and schedules. Different legal status, different scope.
How much does a private concierge cost compared to a private secretary?
A private concierge costs €2,000-15,000/month (retainer, no employer charges). A private secretary costs €3,000-7,000/month in salary plus 40-50% in employer charges. The concierge offers more flexibility; the secretary offers more presence.
Can a private concierge replace a personal assistant?
Partially. A concierge excels at project-based tasks (travel planning, event organization, crisis management) but doesn't replace the daily on-site presence and personal knowledge of a dedicated assistant. Many UHNW clients use both.
