Stripe Atlas, doola, and Firstbase are the three most-used services for non-US residents to form a US company (typically a Delaware LLC or C-corp). All three produce the same legal outcome — a properly-formed US entity with EIN and registered agent — but they differ on pricing, bundled services, banking facilitation, and post-formation support. For founders outside the US, the choice often comes down to "which one gets me to a working US bank account fastest."
Quick verdict
| Factor | Stripe Atlas | doola | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year-1 all-in cost | $500 flat | $297–$999 (tier-dependent) | $399–$999 (tier-dependent) |
| Includes state filing fee? | Yes (Delaware) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered agent (year 1) | Included | Included | Included |
| EIN assistance | Included (2-6 weeks typical) | Included | Included |
| Entity types | Delaware C-corp (only) | LLC or C-corp, multiple states | LLC or C-corp, multiple states |
| Bank account facilitation | Mercury or Brex (seamless) | Mercury pipeline | Mercury pipeline |
| Stripe account setup | Automatic, fast | Manual after formation | Manual after formation |
| Bookkeeping add-ons | No (Atlas is formation-only) | Yes (Bookkeeping, Tax) | Yes (Bookkeeping, Tax, Cap Table) |
| Post-formation support | Community + docs | Dedicated specialist (higher tiers) | Dedicated specialist |
| Foreign founder fit | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
One-line verdict: Stripe Atlas for VC-path C-corps with Stripe-native businesses. doola for LLC-path or multi-state needs with bundled compliance. Firstbase for LLC-path with ongoing bookkeeping and tax needs.
Stripe Atlas — the VC default
Atlas is Stripe's in-house formation product. Flat $500 (paid once) includes:
- Delaware C-corporation incorporation (only — no LLC option)
- Registered agent (Harvard Business Services, first year)
- EIN filing (typically 2-6 weeks)
- Founder stock issuance (common structure)
- 83(b) election filing support
- Automatic Mercury or Brex bank account pre-approval
- Stripe account that accepts payments globally from day 1
Atlas strengths
- Flat pricing. No tier game. $500, all in.
- Banking pipeline. Mercury and Brex both pre-approve Atlas-formed entities. Account typically live within 3-5 business days of incorporation.
- Stripe integration. Your Stripe account starts the day your EIN is issued. No banking hurdle.
- VC compatibility. Delaware C-corp with standard founder stock structure = immediately investor-ready.
- Paperwork quality. Atlas's board consent templates and founder agreements are used as reference documents by most startup lawyers.
Atlas limitations
- C-corp only. Can't form an LLC through Atlas.
- Delaware only. Can't form Wyoming, New Mexico, etc.
- No ongoing bookkeeping / tax add-ons. Formation-only.
- Limited post-formation support. Docs and community rather than dedicated specialists.
doola — the LLC bundler
doola's pitch: end-to-end LLC setup plus ongoing compliance for non-US residents. Pricing tiers:
- Starter ($297): Formation + registered agent + EIN
- Total Compliance ($999): Everything in Starter + bookkeeping + annual tax filing + 1:1 specialist
doola strengths
- LLC support. Most non-US founders starting solo businesses want LLC, not C-corp. doola supports both.
- State flexibility. Delaware, Wyoming, New Mexico, and others. Wyoming is popular for privacy-focused founders.
- Compliance bundles. Bookkeeping + tax filing + compliance calendar included on higher tiers. Hands-off year-round operations.
- Non-US founder expertise. Built specifically for non-residents. Their team handles EIN-without-SSN via Form SS-4 mail filing fluently.
- Mercury pipeline. doola-formed entities are pre-approved for Mercury accounts.
doola limitations
- Higher cost at scale than Atlas flat pricing.
- Not optimized for VC-path C-corps. Founder stock structure is less standardized.
- Tier confusion. Multiple plans create decision friction.
Firstbase — the operational extension
Firstbase is similar to doola but more operationally-focused:
- Formation tier: $399 (includes EIN, RA, state fees)
- Full-service tier: higher price with bookkeeping, tax filing, cap table management
Firstbase strengths
- Cap table management. Stock issuance tracking, option pools, equity management tools built-in. Better than doola's equivalent.
- Clean dashboard. UI/UX is modern; compliance reminders surface clearly.
- Mercury + Wise partnership. Both accounts pre-approved. Wise support for non-US founders is stronger than Atlas or doola.
- Flexible entity support. LLC or C-corp, multiple states.
Firstbase limitations
- Slightly less-known brand than Stripe Atlas.
- No flat-price option; tier-based complexity.
- Fewer VC investor relationships than Atlas.
Decision tree
| If you're… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Planning to raise VC from US investors | Stripe Atlas |
| Bootstrapping a solo SaaS / e-commerce LLC | doola Starter ($297) |
| Running international business needing ongoing US tax compliance | doola Total Compliance ($999) |
| Founding a startup with co-founders and need cap table management | Firstbase |
| US-only C-corp, no need for formation bells and whistles | Northwest Registered Agent ($39 + state fee) + DIY EIN |
| Forming Wyoming LLC for privacy, not selling to US customers | Northwest ($39) or doola Starter |
What all three share
- No US SSN or ITIN required for formation.
- No need to visit the US.
- EIN obtained via Form SS-4 mail or fax (the IRS process for non-residents). All three handle this.
- Mercury pre-approval pipeline.
- Standardized compliance calendars (annual franchise tax, annual report).
FAQ
Can I start with cheaper options (Northwest + DIY) and upgrade later?
Yes. Northwest Registered Agent charges $39 for formation + $125/year RA. You DIY the EIN (Form SS-4 mail filing, 6-8 weeks). Total year-1: $164 + state fee. Then add bookkeeping separately via Osome, Bench, or Pilot. Cheaper but more manual.
Which one actually gets me to Stripe + Mercury fastest?
Stripe Atlas. 3-5 business days to operational. doola and Firstbase typically land at 2-3 weeks.
Do I need a Delaware C-corp, or is LLC OK?
For VC path: C-corp. For bootstrap / lifestyle SaaS / consulting / e-commerce: LLC is simpler and saves ~$800/year in Delaware franchise tax. Converting LLC → C-corp later is possible but messy.
What about LegalZoom or ZenBusiness?
Higher price + more upsell pressure + less optimized for non-US founders. Atlas, doola, or Firstbase are meaningfully better for international founders despite the "big brand" feel of LegalZoom.
Last verified April 2026.