Clerky is one of the most respected incorporation platforms in the startup world. It is run by startup attorneys, and Clerky says more than 20,000 startups have incorporated through it. Founders still compare alternatives for three common reasons: they want an LLC, they want banking set up alongside formation, or they want a different pricing shape. This guide covers seven alternatives, what each costs in 2026, and who each one fits. For the full picture of Clerky itself, start with our Clerky review.
Clerky's Company Lifetime Package is $819 and its pay-per-use incorporation is $427, both for Delaware C corporations, including public benefit corporations.
When you incorporate a Delaware C-corp with Rho ($400), your business account opens in the same flow, subject to approval. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.
Stripe Atlas is $500 for a Delaware C corp or LLC, including government fees and the first year of registered agent service.
Founders typically pick an alternative for LLC support, banking alongside formation, or a non-US founder workflow.
If you are choosing between Stripe Atlas and Clerky specifically, see our three-way Stripe Atlas vs Clerky vs LegalZoom comparison.
The short answer
The main Clerky alternatives in 2026 are Rho, Stripe Atlas, Firstbase, doola, Bizee, LegalZoom, and Northwest Registered Agent. Rho forms a Delaware C-corp for $400 and opens your business account in the same flow, subject to approval, and also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included, while Stripe Atlas forms a Delaware C corp or LLC for $500. Clerky itself is $819 for its Company Lifetime Package or $427 for incorporation alone, and it remains a strong choice for venture-track founders who want a long-term legal document library.
Best for: 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. Clerky is best for founders who want startup legal paperwork from formation through fundraising and hiring.
We assess formation options on price, what's included, and whether a business account can open in the same flow as formation.
Why founders consider Clerky alternatives
Clerky is deliberately focused. It incorporates Delaware C corporations, including public benefit corporations, and offers post-incorporation, fundraising, hiring, and maintenance documents. Founders who compare alternatives usually want one of these:
A different entity type. Founders who want pass-through taxation as an LLC choose a provider that forms LLCs. Our Delaware LLC formation guide covers that path.
Banking alongside formation. Some founders want their business account set up in the same flow as the filing.
A different pricing shape. Clerky offers both a $819 lifetime package and pay-per-use pricing, with incorporation at $427. Founders who only need the formation sometimes compare one-time fees across providers.
The 7 best Clerky alternatives in 2026
1. Rho (yes, that's us)
Rho forms Delaware C-corps for $400. For a C-corp, every formation document is reviewed by a licensed attorney, the registered agent is covered for year one, your EIN application is filed for you, and you get 83(b) election support. C-corp filings take about 24 hours, with the clock starting the next business day after you submit. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.
When you incorporate a Delaware C-corp with Rho, your business account opens in the same flow, subject to approval: banking, invoicing, cards, and bill pay, all live the moment your account is approved. For the C-corp flow, account opening requires at least one US-based owner or officer, a US operating address, and a business in an eligible industry.
Best for: 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. Details at Rho Incorporation, or see how we compare in our best incorporation services roundup.
2. Stripe Atlas
$500 forms a Delaware C corp or LLC and covers government fees and the first year of registered agent service, which then renews at $100 per year. Atlas includes a company tax ID, founder equity issuance, 83(b) election filing, document templates, and $2,500 in Stripe product credits for your first year after incorporation. Clerky announced on August 26, 2026 that it is joining Stripe. Read our full Stripe Atlas review or the broader list of Stripe Atlas alternatives.
3. Firstbase
Firstbase lists its Start formation package at $399 and, on October 17, 2026, showed an offer price of $99 with the state fee paid separately. Start covers formation in Delaware or Wyoming and expedited EIN setup. Firstbase Agent, its registered agent and compliance product, is $299 per year per state, and Firstbase also sells a mailroom, accounting, and tax filing. Best for founders who want formation and an operations layer from one vendor.
4. doola
doola's Starter plan is $297 per year plus state fees for US LLC or C corp formation, with registered agent service included in Starter. doola works with founders from around the world, and US citizenship is not required.
5. Bizee (formerly Incfile)
Bizee's Basic package is $0 plus the state fee, with Standard at $199 and Premium at $299, and each package is eligible for one free year of registered agent service. A fit for founders forming a straightforward LLC.
6. LegalZoom
LegalZoom's corporation packages are Economy at $149, Standard at $329, and Express Gold at $349, each plus state filing fees. Packages include 30 days of LegalZoom's Business Attorney Plan, which then renews at $49 per month unless you cancel. A fit for small businesses that want a well-known brand and access to attorney help.
7. Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest forms LLCs for $39 plus state fees, and its registered agent service is $125 per year. Northwest highlights privacy by default and real human support. A good fit for founders who mainly want a registered agent and a light-touch formation.
Comparison at a glance
Service | Formation cost | Entity types | Registered agent | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clerky | $819 lifetime package, or $427 incorporation | DE C corp, including PBCs | First-year fee included | Venture-track legal paperwork |
Rho | C-corp $400; LLC $349 all in, state filing fee included | DE C-corp, LLC | Covered for year one (C-corp) | Delaware C-corp formation and a business account in one flow, subject to approval |
Stripe Atlas | $500 | DE C corp, LLC, subsidiary | First year included, then $100/yr | Stripe ecosystem |
Firstbase | $399 list; $99 offer shown Oct 17, 2026, plus state fee | DE or WY | $299/yr per state | Formation plus an operations layer |
doola | Starter $297/yr plus state fees | US LLC or C corp | Included in Starter | Founders outside the US |
Bizee | $0 plus state fee | LLC | One free year | Straightforward LLCs |
LegalZoom | From $149 plus state fees | Corporation | Available | Brand name and attorney access |
Northwest | $39 plus state fees (LLC) | LLC | $125/yr | Agent-first service |
When Clerky is the right choice
If you are raising from institutional investors and want your formation documents, SAFEs, board consents, and hiring paperwork done the way startup lawyers expect, Clerky is a top-tier choice. Its lifetime package includes unlimited use of its standard fundraising, hiring, commercial, and maintenance documents, which adds value as you keep using them through your first rounds. A simple way to decide: choose Clerky for a deep legal-document workflow, choose Atlas for the Stripe ecosystem, and choose Rho if you are forming a Delaware C-corp and want formation and your business account in the same flow, subject to approval. If you have already formed elsewhere, switching platforms after incorporating is usually unnecessary; your documents are portable, and our guide to setting up a Delaware C corp covers what matters after the filing.
Related incorporation guides
The full ranking: See our roundup of the best incorporation services for startups, scored on price, speed, and what comes after filing.
Clerky, reviewed: Read our full Clerky review for what the $819 lifetime package includes.
The three-way matchup: Our Stripe Atlas vs Clerky vs LegalZoom comparison covers the classic head-to-head.
Beyond Stripe Atlas: Browse the best Stripe Atlas alternatives for providers with banking, bookkeeping, or lower fees built in.
Firstbase, reviewed: Read our full Firstbase review for how its pricing adds up.
Ready to incorporate? Rho Incorporation forms Delaware C-corps for $400, and when you incorporate a Delaware C-corp with Rho, your business account opens in the same flow, subject to approval. Rho also forms LLCs for $349 all in, state filing fee included.
