The 10 Best Incorporation Services for Startups in 2026

The 10 Best Incorporation Services for Startups in 2026

Compare the 10 best startup incorporation services, including Rho, Clerky, Stripe Atlas, and more, on pricing, attorney review, and processing time.

You’ve decided to incorporate. You know you want a Delaware C Corporation, or you’ve just figured out you should. Now you need to pick a service.

The short answer: Rho is best for founders forming a Delaware C-corp who want their company formed and a business account opened in the same flow, subject to approval. Rho forms Delaware C-corps for $400. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included. The nine other options below fit different needs, from fundraising-focused document packages to $0 formation tiers.

Quick Highlights

Here are our ten best options in 2026:

  1. Rho: Best for founders forming a Delaware C-corp who want their company formed and a business account opened in the same flow, subject to approval (C-corp $400). Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.

  2. Clerky: Best for VC-backed founders raising capital

  3. Stripe Atlas: Best for founders who want the Stripe ecosystem

  4. Firstbase: Best for international founders who want formation plus back-office services

  5. Doola: Best for founders who want formation and an ongoing compliance plan in one subscription

  6. LegalZoom: Best for founders who want optional attorney access alongside formation

  7. ZenBusiness: Best for simple setups, LLCs, and founders who want to choose their own add-ons

  8. Northwest Registered Agent: Best for privacy-focused founders

  9. Bizee (formerly Incfile): Best for budget-conscious founders forming an LLC

  10. Startup attorney: Best for complex situations, co-founder disputes, or non-standard structures

How to Incorporate a Startup: The 10 Best Incorporation Services in 2026

This is a straightforward guide. Each service is covered with what it costs, what it includes, and who it’s for. If you’re planning to raise venture capital, the choice matters more than many founders realize: the documents you generate at incorporation follow you into every SAFE, term sheet, and due diligence process.

Optimizing purely for price? We compare every option on cost in our incorporation service cost guide.

Before the comparison: if you don’t know when to incorporate or what a Delaware C Corporation actually is, skip to the "When to incorporate" section and the "What you actually get" section below the comparison. The FAQ at the bottom covers the questions founders ask most.

One of the best all-in-one platforms to incorporate a Delaware C-corp and open a business bank account

Rho is one of the best all-in-one platforms to incorporate a Delaware C-corp and open a business bank account in one flow. When you incorporate a Delaware C-corp with Rho, your Rho business account opens in the same flow, subject to approval, before your EIN arrives. Funds can move once the EIN is issued and attached. Banking, invoicing, cards, and bill pay, all live the moment your account is approved. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.

Best for founders forming a Delaware C-corp who want their company formed and a business account opened in the same flow, subject to approval.

The details founders ask about most:

What you pay. A Delaware C-corp is a flat $400, and your first year of registered agent service is covered. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included. Delaware franchise tax applies to Delaware corporations and is separate from your formation fee, whichever service forms your company.

What you get. When you incorporate a Delaware C-corp with Rho, licensed attorneys review every formation document and your EIN application is filed for you. Delaware C-corp filing takes about 24 hours, and the clock starts the next business day after you submit. Your Rho account opens in the same flow as your Delaware C-corp formation, subject to approval, before your EIN arrives. Funds can move once the EIN is issued and attached.

Who it fits. When you incorporate a Delaware C-corp with Rho, opening your business account in the same flow requires at least one US-based owner or officer, a physical US operating address, and a business in an eligible industry. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.

Incorporate your Delaware C-corp with Rho, with your account application in the same flow, subject to approval. Or read the launch announcement.

Rho is our product. Here is how five other options compare, using each company’s own website as of October 17, 2026. We compared them on whether they offer incorporation and a business bank account in one flow, which entity types they support, their stated price, and who each option fits.

Best for, option by option

  • Rho: founders forming a Delaware C-corp who want their company formed and a business account opened in the same flow, subject to approval, with licensed attorneys reviewing every C-corp formation document.

  • Stripe Atlas: founders who want the Stripe ecosystem. Atlas lists a $500 one-time setup fee that includes government fees and the first year of registered agent service, and says you will be incorporated and ready to bank within two business days.

  • Clerky: founders who want a Delaware C-corp with a document package built around fundraising. $427 pay per use or $819 for the Company Lifetime Package. Clerky also offers a pre-filled 83(b) election and pre-filled applications for popular startup banks.

  • doola: founders who want formation and an ongoing compliance plan. Starter is $297 a year plus state fees, and doola says US LLC or C Corp formation is filed in 1 to 2 business days.

  • ZenBusiness: founders who want to choose their own add-ons. C-Corp incorporation starts at $0 plus state fees, and ZenBusiness offers business banking provided by Thread Bank.

  • Firstbase: founders who want formation and a bank account opened through a banking partner, in Delaware or Wyoming. Firstbase lists its Start bundle at $99.

Option

Best for

Entity types

Stated price (as of Oct 17, 2026)

Rho

Founders forming a Delaware C-corp who want their company formed and a business account opened in the same flow, subject to approval

Delaware C-corp, LLC

C-corp $400. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.

Stripe Atlas

The Stripe ecosystem

C corporation, LLC, subsidiary

$500 one time, includes government fees and first-year registered agent

Clerky

A fundraising-ready Delaware C-corp document package

Delaware C corporation

$427 pay per use; $819 Company Lifetime Package

doola

Formation plus an ongoing compliance plan

LLC or C Corp

Starter $297 a year plus state fees

ZenBusiness

Choosing your own add-ons

C-Corp, LLC

Starting at $0 plus state fees

Firstbase

Formation with a banking-partner account, in Delaware or Wyoming

LLC or C-Corp

$99 Start bundle

Forming a Delaware C-corp and want one flow from filing to a working business account, subject to approval? Start with Rho. Want to compare prices and terms side by side first? The table above lines up these options, and the full comparison below goes deeper. For a head-to-head on Stripe Atlas and Clerky, read Stripe Atlas vs Clerky.

Comparison at a glance

Service

Formation cost

Entity types

Best for

Rho

C-corp $400. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.

DE C-Corp, LLC

Founders forming a Delaware C-corp who want their company formed and a business account opened in the same flow, subject to approval

Clerky

$427 (pay per use) / $819 (Company Lifetime Package)

Delaware C corporation

VC-backed startups raising capital

Stripe Atlas

$500, then $100 a year

C-Corp, LLC, or subsidiary

The Stripe ecosystem

Firstbase

$99 Start bundle; registered agent $299 a year

DE or WY, C-Corp or LLC

International founders, back-office services

Doola

Starter $297 a year plus state fees

C-Corp or LLC

Formation plus an ongoing compliance plan

LegalZoom

From $149 plus filing fees

C corp, S corp, LLC

Founders who want attorney access available

ZenBusiness

From $0 plus state fees

LLC or C-Corp

Simple setups, LLCs, choosing your own add-ons

Northwest

$39 plus state fees

Corporation

Privacy-focused founders

Bizee

Basic LLC package $0 plus state fee

LLC or C-Corp

Budget-conscious founders forming an LLC

Startup attorney

Varies by firm and scope

Any entity type

Complex structures, co-founder disputes, non-standard setups

Delaware also charges a state filing fee, and some services include it in their quoted price. Verify current fees at the Delaware Division of Corporations website.

Why Delaware? The short answer

Before the comparison, the state question: most venture-backed startups incorporate in Delaware, and the reasons are structural, not sentimental.

Delaware Court of Chancery. A specialized business court with expert judges (no juries) that has handled corporate disputes since 1792. Over 200 years of established case law means outcomes are predictable. Investors rely on this predictability when structuring preferred stock, governance rights, and liquidation preferences.

Investor preference. Many VC fund structures are designed around Delaware corporate law, and many institutional investors prefer to invest in Delaware C-Corps. If you raise from VCs later after incorporating elsewhere, you may need to redomesticate, a legal process that costs money.

No state income tax on out-of-state revenue. Delaware doesn’t tax Delaware corporations on revenue earned outside the state.

Annual costs. Delaware corporations file an annual report with a $50 filing fee and pay franchise tax, both due March 1. According to the Delaware Division of Corporations, the minimum franchise tax is $175 under the Authorized Shares method and $400 under the Assumed Par Value Capital method. For many startups with a large number of authorized shares, the Assumed Par Value Capital method produces a lower bill.

Bottom line: If you plan to raise venture capital, incorporate in Delaware as a C-Corp. If you are bootstrapped with no VC plans, an LLC in your home state may be simpler.


When to incorporate

This is the question many guides skip. The answer matters because incorporating too early creates compliance drag and annual costs before you know the business should exist. Incorporating too late creates gaps in IP ownership that become expensive to clean up.

The practical rule: incorporate when the company needs to own something. Specifically:

  • When you need to assign IP to the company. If you’re writing code, building a product, or contracting work, that IP should belong to an entity, not a person. If a co-founder leaves before you incorporate, you may not own their work.

  • When you’re taking money. Any investor writing a check needs a legal entity to write it to. This includes friends-and-family checks and pre-seed SAFEs.

  • When you’re hiring anyone. Employment agreements, PIIAs, and option grants all require a corporate entity.

  • When you’re applying to an accelerator. Many accelerators expect a Delaware C-Corp at the time of funding.

Most founders should incorporate when they decide the company is real: before the first outside dollar, before the first contractor, and before the first line of code that will end up in the product.


What you actually get from a Delaware C-Corp formation service

Every service in this list produces some version of the same core output. Understanding what each document is helps you evaluate what you’re actually paying for.

Certificate of Incorporation. The document filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations that legally creates your company. It states your company name, authorized shares, par value, and registered agent. This is the founding document. Without it, your company does not legally exist. Once approved by the state, you receive a file-stamped copy.

EIN (Employer Identification Number). Your company’s federal tax ID, issued by the IRS. You need it to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. US founders with an SSN can apply for this online from the IRS at no cost. Non-US founders without an SSN must use a slower fax-based process, which is why some formation services offer EIN assistance.

Bylaws. The internal rules governing how your corporation operates: how board meetings are conducted, how decisions are made, voting thresholds. Not filed publicly. Required for corporate governance.

Founder stock issuance. The actual shares issued to founders, with vesting schedules. Many VC-backed startups issue founder stock with a four-year vesting schedule and a one-year cliff. Getting this right at formation is critical: undocumented or incorrectly issued founder equity is a common due diligence problem.

83(b) election. A letter filed with the IRS within 30 days of receiving restricted stock. It elects to pay tax on the current (near-zero) value of your shares now, rather than as they vest. If your company succeeds and your stock value grows, this election can save you a significant amount in taxes. Missing the 30-day deadline is irreversible.

PIIA (Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement). The agreement that assigns IP created by founders to the company. Every founder must sign this. If a founder leaves and hasn’t signed a PIIA, they may own a piece of the product. This is a common Series A due diligence blocker.

Registered agent. Every Delaware corporation must maintain a registered agent, a person or business with a physical Delaware address that receives service of process and state correspondence on behalf of the company. Required by law. Most founders don’t have a Delaware office, so they use a registered agent service. Cost varies by provider. Formation services typically provide or sell registered agent coverage.

Cap table. Not a document a formation service produces, but a record you set up immediately after incorporation showing who owns what percentage of the company. Many founders use cap table software. Your cap table should be accurate from day one: investors and acquirers will review it carefully.


QSBS: the incorporation decision worth millions

Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) is a provision of the US tax code (IRC Section 1202) that lets founders and early investors in a qualifying C-Corp exclude gain on that stock from federal income tax at exit. For stock issued after July 4, 2025, the per-company cap is the greater of $15 million (adjusted for inflation after 2026) or 10 times the stock’s basis. For stock issued on or before July 4, 2025, the cap is the greater of $10 million or 10 times basis.

To qualify, the stock must be:

  • Issued by a domestic C-Corporation (Delaware C-Corp qualifies; LLCs do not)

  • Held for at least 5 years for 100% exclusion (for stock issued after July 4, 2025, a 3-year hold qualifies for 50% exclusion and a 4-year hold for 75%)

  • Acquired at original issuance (not purchased from another stockholder)

  • Issued when the company’s gross assets were under $75 million (for stock issued after July 4, 2025; $50 million for stock issued on or before July 4, 2025)

Important state caveat: Some states do not follow the federal QSBS rules, so state tax may still apply to gain excluded federally. Consult a qualified tax advisor before relying on QSBS treatment.

The holding period starts on the date the stock is issued, which means the clock starts at incorporation. If you convert from an LLC to a C-Corp later, the holding period starts at conversion, not at your original formation date.

This is why many startup attorneys recommend incorporating early as a Delaware C-Corp rather than starting as an LLC and converting.


1. Rho: Best for founders forming a Delaware C-corp who want their company formed and a business account opened in the same flow, subject to approval

Full disclosure: Rho is our product. It goes first because of what it bundles, and the facts below are the same ones we hold every other service on this page to. Judge for yourself. The Rho Incorporation launch announcement explains what is included and how the flow works.

Pricing: Rho forms your Delaware C-corp for $400. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.

For a Delaware C-corp, licensed attorneys review every formation document.

The other differentiator is timing. When you incorporate a Delaware C-corp with Rho, your Rho business account opens in the same flow, subject to approval, before your EIN arrives. You can start setup right away, and funds move once the EIN is issued and attached.

What’s included with a Delaware C-corp: formation, your first year of registered agent service, your EIN application filed for you, every formation document reviewed by a licensed attorney, and your Rho business account opening in the same flow, subject to approval. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included. See how Rho incorporation works.

Choose Rho if: You are forming a Delaware C-corp and want your company formed and a business account opened in one flow, subject to approval.


2. Clerky: Best for VC-backed founders raising capital

Pricing: $427 pay per use | $819 Company Lifetime Package (Clerky lists expedited Delaware filing fees and the first-year Delaware registered agent fee as included in the Company Lifetime Package, and expedited filing service and first-year registered agent service in pay per use)

Clerky builds its incorporation around a Delaware C corporation, the structure most venture investors expect. Clerky says it electronically files your certificate of incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State and typically returns the filed certificate within 2 to 3 business days. Its post-incorporation setup includes a pre-filled 83(b) election with filing instructions and automated reminders, and Clerky also sells maintenance products for the life of the company.

Want to see how Clerky compares to other options? Our Clerky alternatives guide puts the main alternatives side by side.

What’s included: Delaware C corporation incorporation, expedited filing, first-year registered agent service, annual report and franchise tax reminders, and a pre-filled 83(b) election with filing instructions.

Choose Clerky if: You are raising venture capital now or within 18 months and want a document package built around fundraising.


3. Stripe Atlas: Best for founders who want the Stripe ecosystem

Pricing: $500 one-time setup fee (Atlas says it includes government fees and your first year of registered agent service), then $100 a year after the first year

Stripe Atlas is an online incorporation service from Stripe. Atlas says that within two business days you will be incorporated and ready to bank, fundraise, and accept payments, and that Atlas gets your company tax ID, issues founder equity, and files your 83(b) election. Atlas legal documents are created in collaboration with Cooley LLP.

Considering a switch or comparing beyond Atlas? We break down the leading Stripe Atlas alternatives in a dedicated guide, or see how it compares head to head in our Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase breakdown.

The ecosystem matters for the total cost calculation. Atlas lists access to over $50,000 in partner discounts, on tools such as Google, Xero and AWS.

What’s included: C corporation, LLC, or subsidiary formation, next-day expedited processing and state filing fees, your company tax ID, founder equity issuance, 83(b) election filing, first-year registered agent service, and legal document templates created in collaboration with Cooley LLP. Atlas lists a $100 annual fee after the first year.

Choose Atlas if: You want the Stripe ecosystem and a guided online path to incorporation.


4. Firstbase: Best for international founders who want back-office services

Pricing: $99 Start bundle; registered agent service, which Firstbase says is required for incorporation, is $299 a year per state

Firstbase is an online platform for forming and running a US company. Its Start bundle covers company formation in Delaware or Wyoming and lets you open a business bank account with one of its banking partners. Firstbase says it serves US-based and international founders, and it also sells registered agent, mailroom, accounting, and tax filing services.

Budget for the full annual cost once you add the services you need.

For a deeper look at pricing, pros, and cons, read our full Firstbase review. And if you’re weighing platforms as a non-US founder, our Doola vs Stripe Atlas comparison covers two more options.

What’s included: LLC or C-Corp formation in Delaware or Wyoming and a business bank account application with a banking partner. Registered agent, mail, accounting, and tax filing are separate services.

Choose Firstbase if: You want one platform for formation and back-office services, including as a founder based outside the US.


5. Doola: Best for founders who want formation plus an ongoing compliance plan

Pricing: Starter $297 a year plus state fees; Tax and Compliance $1,999 a year plus state fees

Doola forms US LLCs and C Corps and sells formation together with annual plans. Doola says formation is filed in 1 to 2 business days and that you don’t need to be a US citizen to use it. Its Tax and Compliance plan adds federal and state tax filing and a 1:1 tax consultation to the Starter plan, and its Business-in-a-Box plan adds bookkeeping.

Price out the full plan before you commit, since the annual cost depends on the tier you choose.

What’s included: US LLC or C Corp formation and an EIN on the Starter plan, with tax filing and bookkeeping on higher tiers.

Choose Doola if: You want formation and ongoing tax and compliance support in one annual plan.


6. LegalZoom: Best for founders who want optional attorney access

Pricing: Corporation formation starts at $149 plus filing fees; attorney help is billed separately

LegalZoom offers corporation and LLC formation alongside other legal services. Its incorporation page offers attorney guidance through a separate legal-help option, and you can appoint LegalZoom as your registered agent.

Looking beyond LegalZoom? We compare the strongest LegalZoom alternatives by use case, from budget filings to venture-track formations.

What’s included: C corp or S corp formation, with registered agent service and attorney help available.

Choose LegalZoom if: You want one vendor for formation plus broader legal services, and you are not planning to raise VC immediately.


7. ZenBusiness: Best for simple setups and LLCs

Pricing: C-Corp incorporation starts at $0 plus state fees; registered agent service is $199 a year, Worry-Free Compliance is $199 a year, and EIN service is $99

ZenBusiness is a business formation platform with Starter, Pro, and Premium packages. Its Worry-Free Compliance service handles state-required annual report and amendment filings. ZenBusiness also offers business banking provided by Thread Bank.

For an LLC, a bootstrapped company, or a solo founder who wants a simple formation, it is worth a look.

What’s included: LLC or C-Corp formation, with registered agent service, Worry-Free Compliance, and EIN service available as paid add-ons.

Choose ZenBusiness if: You’re forming an LLC, bootstrapping, or want to pick your own add-ons.


8. Northwest Registered Agent: Best for privacy-focused founders

Pricing: $39 formation plus state fees; registered agent service is $125 a year

Northwest forms corporations and includes one year of registered agent service with formation. Northwest lists itself as your registered agent and uses its business address on your formation documents, so your personal address stays off the public record. Its corporation package also lists a domain name, website, phone line, business email, and business address.

What’s included: Corporation formation, one year of registered agent service, Northwest’s address on your formation documents, and the domain, website, phone line, business email, and business address listed with its corporation package.

Choose Northwest if: You want a privacy-forward registered agent with published pricing.


9. Bizee (formerly Incfile): Best for budget-conscious founders forming an LLC

Pricing: Basic LLC package $0 plus state fee; Standard $199 and Premium $299, each plus state fee

Bizee, formerly Incfile, offers formation for LLCs and corporations. Each LLC package includes one year of registered agent service, after which you need a registered agent service unless you act as your own agent. It fits bootstrapped small businesses that want a simple formation.

For a closer look at Bizee’s pricing, upsells, and reputation, read our full Incfile (Bizee) review.

What’s included: LLC formation with one year of registered agent service. C Corporation formation is offered as a separate service.

Choose Bizee if: Budget is the primary constraint and you are forming a simple LLC.


10. Startup attorney: Best for complex situations

Pricing: Varies by firm, scope, and location

Hiring a startup attorney directly gives you full legal counsel from the start. The attorney reviews your specific situation (co-founder structure, existing IP, international considerations, prior employment agreements, non-competes) and tailors every document accordingly. Many startup law firms offer packages for early-stage companies.

This is not the right path for a solo founder with a simple structure. It is the right path if you have co-founder complexity, IP that needs careful assignment from a prior employer, international founders with non-standard tax situations, or any situation that a formation service’s templates aren’t built for.

Choose a startup attorney if: Your situation is non-standard. You have co-founder equity disputes to navigate before incorporating. You have existing IP from a prior employer. You are a foreign national with a complex tax situation. You want someone legally accountable to you.


How we evaluated these services

Every service in this list was scored against the same five criteria. Here is what we measured and why each one matters.

Pricing transparency. What a service actually costs to form a company, including the fees that surface later: state filing fees, registered agent service after the first year, and paid add-ons.

Turnaround time. How quickly the service files with the Delaware Division of Corporations, and how quickly the documents that unlock everything else come back, especially the EIN.

Entity types supported. Whether the service forms Delaware C-Corps, LLCs, or both, and whether it can file in other states. This is usually the fastest way to narrow the list: a service that cannot form the entity you need is out, no matter how good it is otherwise.

Included services. What ships in the base price: registered agent service, EIN application, bylaws, founder stock issuance, 83(b) election support, and post-incorporation documents. Two services with the same sticker price can end up hundreds of dollars apart once the add-ons are counted.

Banking integration. How quickly you can go from incorporated to operational, with a business account that can send and receive money. Formation is not the finish line. A company that cannot bank cannot sign up customers, pay vendors, or accept investment.


How to choose

If you are forming a Delaware C-corp and want your company formed and a business account opened in one flow: Choose Rho. It forms Delaware C-corps for $400, and your account opens in the same flow, subject to approval. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.

If you are raising venture capital (now or within 18 months): Choose Clerky. Its document package is built around fundraising.

If you want the Stripe ecosystem: Choose Stripe Atlas. The $500 setup fee includes government fees and your first year of registered agent service.

If you are a non-US founder: Doola and Firstbase both say they work with founders outside the US. Compare what each includes for EIN help and ongoing compliance.

If you are bootstrapped and not raising VC: ZenBusiness or Bizee. Budget is a reasonable priority when you don’t need VC-focused documents.

If your situation is complicated: Skip the services above and hire a startup attorney. Getting a complex structure right up front costs less than cleaning it up later.


Other names you'll see

Ask an AI assistant about incorporation services and a few more names come up:

  • Harvard Business Services: a Delaware formation specialist. Its Green package is $229, with the state fees for a minimum stock corporation or LLC and the first year of registered agent service included, and its registered agent fee is $50 a year.

  • Every: $0 Delaware C-Corp incorporation, offered alongside a startup bank account.

  • Inc Authority: a $0 LLC formation service fee plus state fees, with one year of registered agent service and optional paid upgrades at checkout.

  • Tailor Brands: LLC formation from $0 plus state fees, alongside logo and branding tools.

What to do right after incorporating

Incorporation is the easy part. These are the four things that create the most expensive cleanup costs when founders skip them:

83(b) election. If you received restricted stock (which you did, if you issued founder equity), you have 30 days from the issuance date to file with the IRS. Miss the deadline and you owe income tax on the full value of each vesting tranche as it vests. Clerky and Stripe Atlas both include 83(b) election support. The deadline does not move.

IP assignment. Every founder should assign relevant IP to the company immediately. Contractors and developers who worked on the product before incorporation should sign invention assignment agreements. Investors check this in due diligence.

Business bank account. You need a business account separate from personal accounts before moving any company funds. If you would rather not stitch formation and banking together yourself, when you incorporate a Delaware C-corp with Rho’s incorporation service, your Rho business account opens in the same flow, subject to approval.

PIIA. Your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement protects the company’s ownership of everything built by founders and employees. Check whether your formation service includes one.

Weighing the two most popular options in detail? See our full Stripe Atlas review and Clerky review.

Ready to incorporate? Rho Incorporation forms your Delaware C-corp, covers your first year of registered agent service, and opens your business account in the same flow, subject to approval. Banking, invoicing, cards, and bill pay, all live the moment your account is approved. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.

FAQs