startyour.llc vs Stripe Atlas: a Delaware startup or a simple LLC?

The short answer

Stripe Atlas and startyour.llc solve different problems. Atlas is designed for founders building a startup that may raise money: a Delaware company, most often a C-corporation, with founder equity, the 83(b) election and SAFE templates handled for you. startyour.llc is designed for founders who want a US LLC for an online or service business, in the state of their choice, with the lowest running cost we can offer.

If you plan to raise venture capital, Atlas is a strong choice. If you want an LLC to invoice clients, sell online or get access to US payment providers, startyour.llc is usually the more economical fit.

Price over two years

• startyour.llc: $40 once for our work, EIN included, plus $45 for the first year of registered agent service. Year 2: $45. Two years: $130, plus the state fee.
• Stripe Atlas: $500 once, which includes the Delaware state fee and the first year of registered agent service. Year 2: $100 for the registered agent. Two years: $600, state fee for year 1 included.

Atlas includes the Delaware state fee and the other services exclude it, so compare like with like: a Delaware LLC with startyour.llc adds the Delaware filing fee to our $85. Delaware also charges every LLC a yearly tax of $300, whichever service you use. Prices checked on 2 November 2026; see the full side-by-side comparison on our Compare page.

What is included

Atlas includes Delaware incorporation with next-day expedited processing, the EIN, founder equity issuance and share purchase, the 83(b) election, document templates such as board consents and post-money SAFEs, and $2,500 in Stripe product credits for the first year. It offers a C-corporation, an LLC or a subsidiary. Prices checked on 2 November 2026; see the full side-by-side comparison on our Compare page.

startyour.llc includes:

• Name check and the formation filing, filed within 48 hours.
• The EIN application, also for owners without an SSN or ITIN.
• The first year of registered agent service, then $45 a year at cost.
• An operating agreement, which banks and payment providers ask for.
• Optional: CORA bookkeeping at $30 a month, which includes the yearly Form 5472.

EIN for non-residents

Both services obtain the EIN for owners without an SSN. Stripe's own documentation puts the wait at 10 to 35 business days after incorporation when the founder has no SSN, and Atlas companies can start accepting payments through Stripe before the EIN arrives. At startyour.llc the EIN application is part of the $40 fee and goes to the IRS as soon as the state has approved the LLC; the IRS sets the pace in both cases. Prices checked on 2 November 2026; see the full side-by-side comparison on our Compare page.

Registered agent and renewals

At Atlas the registered agent renews automatically at $100 a year from year two, and you can cancel. At startyour.llc it is $45 a year at cost, and we write two months before each renewal. Prices checked on 2 November 2026; see the full side-by-side comparison on our Compare page.

Who should choose Stripe Atlas

Founders who intend to raise from investors, issue stock or SAFEs, or join an accelerator that expects a Delaware C-corporation, and founders who want their company set up inside the Stripe ecosystem from day one.

Who should choose startyour.llc

Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce sellers and other online businesses that want an LLC rather than a corporation, would rather choose Wyoming or New Mexico for their lower yearly cost, or want help with the books and Form 5472 through CORA at $30 a month. Prices checked on 2 November 2026; see the full side-by-side comparison on our Compare page.

Frequently asked