The short answer
- $500 one-time includes Delaware state fees, the EIN, and a year of registered agent service ($100/yr after).
- Delaware only. Delaware’s LLC annual tax rose to $400 from tax year 2026.
- Excellent for venture-backed C-corps (equity issuance, 83(b) filing). Overkill for most solo LLCs.
- No address, bookkeeping or tax filing included.
Stripe Atlas does one thing extremely well: it turns a founder anywhere in the world into the owner of a properly documented Delaware company, ready for a Stripe account and, if it is a C-corp, ready for investors. It is also the provider most often chosen for the wrong reason — brand recognition — by founders who only need a simple LLC.
Who Stripe Atlas is for
- Founders forming a Delaware C-corporation to raise venture capital, issue founder shares and file an 83(b) election correctly.
- Teams with co-founders in different countries who need clean equity documentation from day one.
For a solo e-commerce seller, freelancer or agency owner, Atlas is rarely the best value. Delaware is the only state on offer, and Delaware is the most expensive state to keep an LLC in our comparison.
Pricing, explained
The $500 fee is genuinely all-in for formation: it includes the Delaware filing fees, EIN and the first year of registered agent service. After that you pay:
- Registered agent: $100 per year.
- Delaware annual tax: $400 per year for an LLC from tax year 2026 (it was $300), due June 1. C-corps pay Delaware franchise tax instead, which depends on the calculation method used.
For a Delaware LLC, Atlas comes to $500 in year one and about $1,500 over three years before any tax preparation. The same owner forming a Wyoming LLC through Northwest would pay about $709 over the same period, including a paid EIN.
How it handles the non-resident essentials
EIN. Included. Atlas applies on your behalf.
Address. Not included. You will need your own mailing address or virtual mailbox for banks and platforms.
Banking and payments. The big advantage: a Stripe account is set up as part of the process, and Atlas offers partner banks plus a large perk catalog.
Taxes. Not included. Atlas points you to partners. A foreign-owned single-member Atlas LLC still owes the annual Form 5472 filing.
What works
- Simple flat price that already includes Delaware state fees.
- Best-in-class equity paperwork (stock issuance, 83(b) filing) for venture-track C-corps.
- Stripe credits and a large partner-perk catalog.
What to watch
- Delaware only — the most expensive state to maintain an LLC in our comparison ($400/yr tax).
- No mail address, no bookkeeping and no annual tax filing included.
- No public affiliate program, so you will not see it pushed by most "best of" lists — which is not a reason to skip it.
Alternatives to consider
If you are not raising money, read our Stripe Atlas alternatives — most non-residents are better served by a Wyoming LLC. For a direct head-to-head, see doola vs Stripe Atlas and Firstbase vs 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.
How we reviewed Stripe Atlas: based on Stripe’s published Atlas pricing and documentation (checked on the date shown above) and Delaware’s current fee schedule. Stripe Atlas has no public affiliate program and we earn nothing if you choose it. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Stripe Atlas cost?
$500 one-time, which covers Delaware incorporation fees, the EIN and the first year of registered agent service. The agent then costs $100 per year, and Delaware’s annual tax is paid separately.
Can non-US founders use Stripe Atlas?
Yes. Stripe says you can apply from almost anywhere in the world. Check eligibility for your country during sign-up.
Should I form an LLC or a C-corp with Stripe Atlas?
If you plan to raise venture capital or issue stock options, a Delaware C-corp is the standard. If you are a solo business that will distribute profit to yourself, an LLC is usually simpler — and a Wyoming LLC through another provider is cheaper to maintain.
Does Stripe Atlas have an affiliate program?
Not a public one. That is one reason many affiliate-driven "best of" lists rank it low; it is not a judgement on quality.
Sources
Read next
Stripe Atlas alternatives for non-US founders (2026)
Stripe Atlas is Delaware-only and built for C-corps. These alternatives form a non-resident LLC in cheaper states, with three-year costs compared.
Read →doola vs Stripe Atlas (2026): LLC from anywhere or Delaware C-corp?
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Read →Firstbase vs Stripe Atlas (2026): the startup founder's comparison
Firstbase vs Stripe Atlas for non-US startup founders — Delaware or Wyoming, formation and agent costs, tax filing and a verdict by scenario.
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