FormationCompare · 78 providers

The best LLC formation services, compared on true cost.

FormationCompare is the formation-service comparison database: the best LLC formation services (doola, Stripe Atlas, Firstbase, Sleek, BBCIncorp) on base pricing, annual renewal fees, EIN filing and bank account support, plus formation timelines. True two-year costs, not teaser prices. Already formed? I handle the unglamorous post-formation setup: EIN, banking, registered agent.

78providers
20+countries
0to compare
78 providerscompared 20+ countriescovered

Sample preview of the formation service database.

•Direct answers

Quick answers

Straight answers to the questions founders actually ask.

01

What is the best LLC formation service?

The best service is the one that fits your situation, not the cheapest headline price. Compare base pricing against renewal fees, registered-agent costs and what is actually included. We lay out the true two-year cost for every major provider, right here.

02

doola vs Stripe Atlas: which is better?

Both form US companies, but they differ on pricing structure and included services. The right pick depends on whether you need help with banking, taxes and ongoing compliance or just the filing. Our head-to-head breaks down doola vs Stripe Atlas on features, timelines and renewals.

03

What is the cheapest way to form an LLC from abroad?

Usually a budget filing service plus a separate registered agent, but you handle the EIN and bank account yourself. The cheapest route that skips banking help can cost more in delays. If you are forming from abroad, read the international-founder breakdown before optimizing for price alone.


•Features

The best LLC formation services, compared on true cost

Base pricing, renewal fees and included features for doola, Stripe Atlas, Firstbase and more. In one table, no sales pitch.

doola vs Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase

doola vs Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase

Head-to-head comparisons of the biggest formation services on pricing, included features and formation timelines. doola vs Stripe Atlas, doola vs Firstbase, Firstbase vs Stripe Atlas: settled.

Base price + renewal fees

Base price + renewal fees

Annual renewal fees and registered-agent costs tracked, so you compare the true long-term price of every service instead of the teaser.

Built for international founders

Built for international founders

Which services include EIN filing, bank account help and mail forwarding for non-US residents forming a US LLC from abroad.

Included-features checklists

Included-features checklists

Every service rated on what you actually get: operating agreement, compliance reminders and support quality.


•The dataset

Inside the FormationCompare dataset

What we track, and what each provider record actually contains.

Table 1: LLC formation service reviews: provider coverage by segment (launch dataset).
SegmentProvidersKey fields
US LLC services35+Base price, renewals, EIN and banking help
Non-US formation25+UK, EU and Asia-Pacific providers and coverage
Offshore providers10+BVI, Cayman and other offshore specialists
Registered agents & add-ons8+Standalone agent, mail and compliance services
Table 2: Fields in each provider record (sample values shown).
FieldWhat it meansSample value
Base priceAdvertised filing priceFrom $0 + state fees (sample)
Renewal feeAnnual cost after year oneSample annual rate
EIN includedUS tax ID filed for youYes / Add-on
Bank supportHelp opening a business accountPartner banks (sample)

Key terms, defined

Registered agent
A US-state requirement: a local address that receives legal mail for your LLC. Usually billed as an annual fee.
EIN
Employer Identification Number, the US tax ID your LLC needs for banking and taxes. Non-residents can apply; it just takes longer.
Operating agreement
The internal document spelling out who owns the LLC and how it's run. Banks and partners often ask for it.
Annual report
A yearly state filing confirming your LLC's details. Miss it and you risk penalties or even dissolution.
Franchise tax
A yearly state tax for the privilege of existing there. Delaware's version is the famous one, and yes, it applies with zero revenue.
Mail forwarding
A US address that scans or forwards your business mail. Essential if you're forming from abroad.

•Preview

A sneak peek inside FormationCompare

A peek under the hood. This is the data I work from.


True cost, not teaser prices

What formation services actually charge. The invoice, not the ad.

The cheapest LLC formation service on paper is rarely the cheapest after two years. FormationCompare shows why: headline prices usually cover only the state filing, while the annual registered agent fee, compliance reminders and mail forwarding get billed separately. Our LLC formation service reviews break down base pricing, renewal fees and included features for every major provider. Head-to-head matchups tell the real story. doola vs Stripe Atlas, doola vs Firstbase and Firstbase vs Stripe Atlas differ more in what's included (EIN filing, operating agreement, bank account support) than in the filing itself. We lay out Stripe Atlas pricing, doola pricing and every Stripe Atlas alternative in one comparison table. Forming from outside the US? The best LLC service for non-US residents is the one that handles the EIN and banking, not just the paperwork. We track which providers support international founders and show how to form an LLC as a foreigner without overpaying for add-ons. Finish my setup to put this data to work for you.


•FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Pricing, renewals and international founders. The greatest hits.

How do LLC formation service prices compare?
Most providers advertise a low base price for the state filing, then charge an annual registered agent and compliance fee that varies widely. Our comparison table lists base pricing, what is included, and renewal fees side by side, so you compare the true two-year cost, not just the headline price.
doola vs Firstbase vs Stripe Atlas: which is best?
All three target founders forming US companies, but they differ on pricing structure, included services, and how much help you get with banking and taxes. Our head-to-head breaks down doola vs Firstbase vs Stripe Atlas on features, timelines and renewal costs, so you can judge the best LLC formation services on facts instead of marketing.
Which formation services are best for international founders?
The best choice for non-US founders bundles the EIN, a US business bank account option, mail forwarding, and ongoing compliance reminders, not just the LLC filing. We flag which formation services are built for international founders and what each includes for founders forming from abroad.
What are the annual renewal fees for formation services?
Renewal fees vary far more than base prices. Some services charge a small annual compliance fee while others bundle expensive registered-agent and mail-forwarding plans. We track annual renewal fees per service so you see the real long-term cost before you commit.
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC from abroad?
The cheapest path is usually a budget filing service plus a separate registered agent, but you'll handle the EIN and bank account yourself. We compare the cheapest LLC formation services for non-US residents and show exactly what is and isn't included at each price point.

•References

Sources & further reading

Where the numbers come from.

01
U.S. Small Business Administration : Official US guidance on choosing a business structure.
02
IRS : Federal tax rules for LLCs and corporations. The primary source.
03
GOV.UK: Set up a limited company : The UK's official company-formation process.
04
European Union : The official EU portal for business and company rules.

●Work with me

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  • ✓ First-year compliance calendar
  • ✓ Completion checklist
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