The short answer
- Best all-in-one: doola — formation, EIN, agent, address and optional taxes in one plan.
- Best value: Northwest Registered Agent — lowest sensible running cost if you handle the IRS side yourself.
- Best for startups: Firstbase (Delaware/Wyoming, à la carte) or Stripe Atlas (Delaware C-corps).
- Compare the three-year total, not the headline price: renewals, not formation fees, decide what you pay.
A formation service for a non-resident is not just a filing service. It decides how you get an EIN without an SSN, whether you have a US address that banks accept, who files your annual Form 5472, and what you pay in years two and three. We ranked five providers on exactly those things.
Our picks
doola
The most complete "done for you" option for non-residents. Worth it if you want one accountable provider; overkill if you are comfortable doing EIN and taxes yourself.
Firstbase
A good fit for startup-minded founders who want Delaware or Wyoming and like à-la-carte pricing. Check the year-two total before you choose it on headline price.
Northwest Registered Agent
The value pick for founders who are comfortable doing the IRS side themselves (or who get their EIN by phone for free).
Stripe Atlas
The default for venture-backable C-corps. For a typical non-resident LLC that just needs to sell online, Wyoming through another provider is usually cheaper to run.
Bizee
Cheapest way in on paper. Fine for a confident DIY founder; others will end up adding enough extras to erase the saving.
How we ranked them
Each provider was assessed against the needs that are specific to non-residents, using the same dataset that drives every price on this site:
- EIN without an SSN — included, extra, or left to you.
- US address — whether you get one banks and platforms will accept.
- Banking support — introductions or guidance for non-resident owners.
- Form 5472 and taxes — whether the provider can file the annual return a foreign-owned LLC must submit, and at what price.
- Three-year cost — formation, state fees, registered agent and subscriptions over 36 months.
- Transparency — published renewal prices and how hard checkout pushes add-ons.
Full details are in our methodology.
What you will actually pay
Three-year totals for a Wyoming LLC owned by someone without an SSN:
| Provider | Year 1 | 3 years | 3 years incl. Form 5472 |
|---|---|---|---|
| doola | $397 | $1,111 | $6,217 |
| Firstbase | $798 | $1,516 | $3,314 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $339 | $709 | $1,709 |
| Stripe Atlas (Delaware only) | $500 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Bizee | $100 | $518 | $1,518 |
| DIY (file it yourself) | $200 | $520 | $1,520 |
Wyoming LLC, owner with no SSN, provider handles the EIN where it offers to. “Incl. Form 5472” uses the provider’s own filing service where one exists, otherwise an independent preparer estimate of $500/yr. Model your own case in the cost calculator.
Two things stand out. First, a “$0” or “$39” formation fee says little about cost: the registered agent and any subscription dominate from year two. Second, the cost of Form 5472 compliance varies more than anything else — from free (filing it yourself) to $1,999 a year inside a bundled plan.
All providers at a glance
| Provider | Upfront | Ongoing | States | EIN (no SSN) | Form 5472 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| doola | $297/yr | $297/yr (Starter). Tax & Compliance is $1,999/yr. | All 50 states | Included (no SSN needed) | Federal and state filings in the $1,999/yr Tax & Compliance plan |
| Firstbase | $399 one-time | Registered agent $299/yr; Mailroom from $315/yr; non-US single-member LLC tax filing $899/yr. | Delaware, Wyoming | Included (expedited EIN setup) | $899/yr for non-US-owned single-member LLCs (Form 5472 + pro forma 1120) |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | Registered agent $125/yr from year two. | All 50 states | Add-on: $200 when the responsible party has no SSN | Not offered |
| Stripe Atlas | $500 one-time | Registered agent $100/yr from year two; Delaware annual tax/franchise tax is separate. | Delaware only | Included | Not included — referred to partners |
| Bizee | $0 + state fee | Registered agent renews after the free first year (third-party reports range $119–$149/yr; Bizee does not publish it on its pricing page). | All 50 states | Not in Basic; paid add-on or higher package | Partner add-ons |
Published prices checked Oct 28, 2026. State fees are extra except where included.
Which one is right for you?
- You want it handled, end to end: doola. Pay more each year, think about it less.
- You are comfortable with a phone call to the IRS and a separate tax preparer: Northwest Registered Agent.
- You are building a startup in Delaware or Wyoming and like à la carte: Firstbase.
- You are raising venture capital: Stripe Atlas, as a Delaware C-corp.
- You want the lowest possible upfront cost and will manage renewals carefully: Bizee.
Still deciding between two? Read doola vs Firstbase or doola vs Stripe Atlas, or model your own case in the cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best LLC service for a non-US resident?
For most non-residents who want everything handled, doola. For self-directed founders focused on cost, Northwest Registered Agent. For venture-backed C-corps, Stripe Atlas.
What is the cheapest way for a non-resident to form an LLC?
Filing directly with the state (or using Bizee’s $0 Basic package) and getting the EIN free from the IRS. Over three years, cheap formation matters less than the registered agent renewal and the state’s annual fee.
Do these services file Form 5472?
doola (in its Tax & Compliance plan) and Firstbase ($899/yr package) do. Northwest, Stripe Atlas and Bizee do not; you will need a separate preparer or to file it yourself.
Are these rankings paid placements?
No. Some providers pay us a commission when readers buy through our links, which funds this site. Rankings are decided before commissions are considered, and Stripe Atlas — which pays us nothing — is included on merit.
Sources
Read next
doola vs Firstbase (2026): which is better for non-US founders?
doola vs Firstbase for non-US founders — subscription vs one-time pricing, agent and address costs, Form 5472 filing, states, and a clear verdict.
Read →Three-year LLC cost calculator
Compare what each provider really costs over three years, by state, including EIN and Form 5472 options.
Read →How to form a US LLC as a non-resident (2026 guide)
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