How to Register a US Company — Service Comparison for Foreign Founders
Compare Stripe Atlas, Doola, Firstbase, and DIY Wyoming. Costs, timelines, and which is best for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Stripe Atlas: $500 ($350 via Mercury), Delaware, slow EIN (~1 month)
- Doola: $297+, Wyoming option, faster EIN, bookkeeping add-ons
- Firstbase: $399, Y Combinator backed, comprehensive
- DIY Wyoming: $154 total, cheapest, more self-management
- For most founders, a formation service saves significant time
Before You Start
Important Warning
Registering a US company is a real legal commitment. You must:
- File annual tax returns (Form 5472 at minimum)
- Pay state annual fees
- Maintain good standing
- If you stop operating, formally dissolve the company
What You Need
- Passport
- Home address with proof (utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
- Business description or website
Quick Comparison Table
Here is how the four most popular formation options stack up for foreign founders.
| Feature | Stripe Atlas | Doola | Firstbase | DIY Wyoming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 ($350 w/ Mercury) | $297+ | $399 | $154 |
| State | Delaware | WY/DE/other | DE/WY | Wyoming |
| EIN Timeline | ~1 month | 1-2 weeks | 1-2 weeks | DIY (1-2 days via Fiverr) |
| Registered Agent | Included 1yr | Included | Included | Included 1yr |
| Annual State Fee | $300/yr (DE) | $60/yr (WY) | Varies | $60/yr (WY) |
| Stripe Credits | $2,500 | None | None | None |
| Best For | Stripe integration | Budget + service | VC startups | Maximum savings |
Stripe Atlas
Price: $500 ($350 w/ Mercury)
State: Delaware
EIN Timeline: ~1 month
Annual Fee: $300/yr (DE)
Best For: Stripe integration
Doola Recommended
Price: $297+
State: WY/DE/other
EIN Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Annual Fee: $60/yr (WY)
Best For: Budget + service
Firstbase
Price: $399
State: DE/WY
EIN Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Annual Fee: Varies
Best For: VC startups
DIY Wyoming
Price: $154
State: Wyoming
EIN Timeline: DIY (1-2 days via Fiverr)
Annual Fee: $60/yr (WY)
Best For: Maximum savings
Option 1: Stripe Atlas
Stripe Atlas is the most well-known formation service. It includes company formation, EIN application, registered agent (1 year), operating agreement, Stripe account setup, and Mercury bank integration.
Stripe product credits: $2,500 (was $100K — significantly reduced).
Pros
- Seamless Stripe integration
- Clean dashboard
- One-stop setup with Mercury
Cons
- EIN takes ~1 month currently
- Payment during signup often gets declined (try Apple Pay on mobile)
- Delaware = $300/year franchise tax
- Credits reduced from $100K to $2,500
Payment Tip
Use direct internet (no VPN/proxy). If your card gets declined, try Apple Pay or Google Pay on a mobile browser.
Option 2: Doola (Recommended)
Doola offers company formation, EIN, registered agent, and operating agreement. Optional add-ons include bookkeeping, tax filing, and compliance monitoring — making it a good choice for founders who want ongoing support.
Pros
- Faster EIN than Atlas (1-2 weeks)
- Wyoming option ($60/yr vs $300/yr)
- Bookkeeping and compliance add-ons
- Real customer support
Option 3: Firstbase
Firstbase provides company formation, EIN, registered agent, and mail forwarding. Backed by Y Combinator, it has a strong reputation and comprehensive service.
Pros
- Comprehensive package
- Strong reputation (Y Combinator backed)
- Mail forwarding included
Option 4: DIY Wyoming
Through Wyoming Agents (wyomingagents.com), you can form a Wyoming LLC for $154 total. This includes company formation, registered agent (1 year), and Certificate of Formation.
What's NOT Included
- EIN (use Fiverr $20-50, takes 1-2 days)
- Bank account setup
- Operating agreement (use a template)
Annual cost: $60/year (Wyoming annual report).
Pros
- Cheapest option by far
- Wyoming = best privacy + lowest annual fees
- Full control over the process
Cons
- More DIY work required
- EIN application is separate
- No hand-holding or customer support
DIY Steps
Go to wyomingagents.com → Form a Company
Enter company name (primary + backup)
Select LLC, Member Managed
Fill in founder details
Pay by credit card
Wait for Certificate of Formation email
Get EIN separately (Fiverr or IRS directly)
Which One Should You Choose?
Use this decision tree to find the best option for your situation:
Cheapest?→ DIY Wyoming ($154 + $60/yr)
Full service + low annual?→ Doola ($297 + $60/yr WY)
Need Stripe specifically?→ Stripe Atlas ($350-500 + $300/yr)
Premium + VC credibility?→ Firstbase ($399)
Planning VC funding?→ Delaware (Atlas or Firstbase)
Solo dev / small team?→ Wyoming (DIY or Doola)
After Registration — Next Steps
Once your company is formed, here is what to do next:
Get EIN — EIN Guide
Open bank account — Mercury Bank Guide
Get US phone number — Phone Guide
Activate Stripe — Stripe Setup
Understand tax obligations — Start Your Business
Confirm the BOI exemption for your US-formed LLC — BOI Status
Set up compliance reminders
FAQ
Do I need to be in the US to register?
No. All four options support 100% remote registration. You do not need to visit the US at any point during the formation process.
LLC or C-Corp?
LLC for most solo founders and small teams — simpler taxes with pass-through treatment. C-Corp only if you are planning to raise venture capital funding.
Wyoming or Delaware?
Wyoming for lower costs ($60/yr vs $300/yr). Delaware for VC fundraising or complex equity structures. See our Best States guide for a detailed comparison.
Can I change states later?
Yes, through a process called domestication, but it is complicated and involves additional fees. Choose wisely upfront to avoid the hassle.
What about New Mexico?
New Mexico has a $0 annual fee, making it the cheapest state to maintain long-term. See our Best States guide for details.
