Stripe Atlas: cost, perks, and alternatives
Stripe Atlas incorporates a US company (Delaware C-corp or LLC) online for a one-time $500, covering the state filing, EIN, share issuance, and first-year registered agent (about $100 per year after). It is open to founders anywhere, forms the company in one to two business days, and bundles legal templates, 83(b) help, and partner perks. You do not have to use Stripe payments to use it.
At a glance
- Max value
- $2,500 Stripe credits + $50,000+ in partner perks
- Referral
- Not required
- Review time
- 2-5 days
- Stages
- Bootstrapped, Pre-seed
How much does Stripe Atlas cost?
Stripe Atlas costs a one-time $500 to form a Delaware C-corp or LLC. That fee covers the state filing, your EIN, standard incorporation documents, share issuance for founders, and the first year of registered-agent service. After year one the registered agent runs about $100 per year. Delaware also charges an annual franchise tax that is separate from Atlas and paid to the state.
What do you actually get with Stripe Atlas?
You get a formed US company plus the paperwork founders usually forget: an EIN, a template cap table and founder stock issuance, Cooley-drafted legal templates, and guidance on the 83(b) election (the tax filing due within 30 days of receiving founder stock). Atlas also includes a partner perks catalog reportedly worth tens of thousands across cloud, banking, and SaaS. Treat the perks as a bonus, not the reason to choose it.
Who is Stripe Atlas best for?
Stripe Atlas is best for first-time and non-US founders who want a fast, standard Delaware C-corp without hiring a lawyer. The C-corp default fits startups that plan to raise venture capital and issue equity to a team. Founders who need heavy custom legal work, or who are forming a simple local business with no fundraising plans, get less from the startup-tuned defaults.
What are the downsides of Stripe Atlas?
The main downside is that Atlas is standardized: it forms a clean, conventional C-corp but does not replace a startup lawyer for anything bespoke. The $500 is one-time, but Delaware franchise tax, registered agent renewal, and ongoing compliance are recurring costs Atlas does not remove. A C-corp is also the wrong default for some founders (for example, a bootstrapped local service business), where an LLC or home-state entity is simpler.
Stripe Atlas vs Clerky, Firstbase, doola, and LegalZoom
Incorporation-service pricing changes often; confirm the current fee on each provider before you file. The right choice depends on whether you value speed and simplicity (Atlas), legal rigor (Clerky), international onboarding and compliance tooling (Firstbase, doola), or a general-purpose brand (LegalZoom).
| Option | Value | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Stripe AtlasThis guide | $500 one-time | Fast standard Delaware C-corp; non-US founders | EIN, share issuance, 83(b) help, and a partner perks catalog included. |
| From ~$799 + registered agent | Legal rigor; YC-track and lawyer-reviewed paperwork | Built around getting the legal documents exactly right; favored by startup lawyers. | |
| From ~$399 + registered agent | International founders wanting formation + compliance tooling | Bundles ongoing compliance and mailroom tooling around the formation. | |
| From ~$297 + state fees | Non-US founders forming an LLC on a budget | Formation plus bookkeeping and compliance; strong for LLCs and solo founders. | |
| Varies by package | General small-business formation | Broad, general-purpose; not tuned for startup equity or fundraising defaults. |
Amounts and pricing change often. Verify current terms on each provider's official page before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stripe Atlas worth it?
For a first-time or non-US founder who wants a standard Delaware C-corp fast and without a lawyer, the one-time $500 is generally worth it: you get the EIN, founder stock issuance, 83(b) guidance, and legal templates in one flow. If you need bespoke legal structuring or are forming a simple local business, a lawyer or a cheaper LLC route may fit better.
Do I need to be a US resident to use Stripe Atlas?
No. Stripe Atlas is open to founders in most countries and is a common route for non-US founders to form a US company. You will still handle US tax and banking steps separately, but Atlas sets up the entity, EIN, and share issuance, and non-resident founders are explicitly supported.
Do I have to use Stripe payments if I use Atlas?
No. Atlas is a company-formation product and does not require you to process payments with Stripe. Many Atlas companies use other payment processors. Atlas does include Stripe processing credits as one of its perks, but using them is optional.
What is the 83(b) election and why does Atlas mention it?
The 83(b) election is a tax filing you send the IRS within 30 calendar days of receiving founder stock. It locks in your tax basis while the equity is worth almost nothing, which can save a large amount later. The deadline is strict and not extendable, so Atlas surfaces it during formation to help you not miss it.
What are the best Stripe Atlas alternatives?
Clerky (legal-rigor focused, popular on the YC track), Firstbase and doola (strong for international founders and compliance tooling), and LegalZoom (general-purpose) are the main alternatives. Atlas wins on speed and startup-standard defaults; the others win on legal depth, budget, or international onboarding depending on your situation.
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