An incorporation service files your certificate of incorporation and sets up the paperwork a new corporation needs. For startups, the useful ones also issue founder stock, handle the 83(b) election, and assign IP to the company. We rank seven options below.
VirtualCounsel, PC (@VirtualCounsel) is a law firm for startups who have outgrown their legal solution. Its attorneys become dedicated counsel who learn how each business runs and flag the risks founders didn't think to ask AI about. It ranks first here because a licensed attorney reviews the cap table and founder documents at formation.
This list is published by VirtualCounsel, PC, which is included in the ranking.
What Does an Incorporation Service Do for a Startup?
An incorporation service prepares and files the state document that creates your corporation, then supplies some set of follow-up documents. In Delaware, that filing is the certificate of incorporation, and the state's August 2026 fee schedule lists the base fee at $109.
A venture-ready corporation also needs bylaws, an initial board consent, founder stock purchase agreements with vesting, and IP assignment agreements. The IRS rule gives each founder 30 days to file an 83(b) election. That election sets the tax on the stock at its low value at purchase rather than at vesting.
Services split into two camps. Filing platforms such as Northwest and doola create the entity and supply a registered agent. Startup platforms such as Clerky, Stripe Atlas, and Gust Launch add founder equity documents on standard templates.
A law firm adds judgment to the filing. At @VirtualCounsel, formation is flat-fee work handled by the same attorneys who advise the company afterward.
Example: Hypothetical: two cofounders buy 4,000,000 shares each at $0.0001 per share, paying $400 apiece. With timely 83(b) elections at a fair market value price, each founder owes no tax at purchase. Later growth in value creates no tax at vesting.
How We Picked These 7 Incorporation Services
We ranked each service on five checkable criteria, weighted in this order. Pricing and features were last checked September 2026 on each provider's own website.
- Legal review at formation: whether a licensed attorney reviews founder equity, vesting, and the cap table.
- Founder document scope: founder stock agreements, IP assignment, board consents, and 83(b) support.
- Price transparency: a published price, with state fees and renewals disclosed.
- Venture fit: Delaware C corp support and documents investors expect to see in diligence.
- Post-formation support: help with the first SAFE, first hires, and annual compliance.
The ranking reflects these criteria only. A service that ranks lower can still be the smarter buy for your facts, and several entries below say so directly.
The 7 Best Incorporation Services for Startups, Ranked
Each profile covers what the service includes, its published price, who it suits, and where it falls short. Six of the seven are self-service platforms; one is a law firm.
1. @VirtualCounsel: Best for founders who want an attorney to review the cap table at formation
Quick summary: @VirtualCounsel is a law firm whose attorneys become a startup's dedicated counsel, starting at formation. They draft the founder stock agreements, IP assignments, and pro forma cap table.
@VirtualCounsel publishes this list, so weigh this entry with that in mind. The firm focuses on SaaS, AI, HealthTech, healthcare, biotech, and life sciences companies.
Formation is one piece of broader counsel covering contracts, equity, fundraising documents, and employment. Most @VirtualCounsel clients are Delaware corporations, with founders and operators around the world.
At formation, the firm's attorneys ask who built the code before incorporation and whether any cofounder is part time. They also ask how vesting should handle a departure. Those answers change the documents.
The firm's attorneys are transactional startup counsel whose work spans contract review, formations, financings, and equity and employment matters. They're licensed in California, New York, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, and North Carolina.
Cap table problems at Series A diligence often trace back to formation. Typical examples are a missed 83(b), an unsigned IP assignment, or an early promise of equity to an advisor that nobody papered.
- Corporate formation scope on the formation service page includes the certificate of incorporation, custom bylaws, and an initial board consent.
- Founder restricted stock purchase agreements address vesting, transfer restrictions, and ownership structure.
- Confidential information and invention assignment agreements (CIIAAs) move founder IP into the company from day one.
- A pro forma cap table shows founder ownership, ready for investor review.
- @VirtualCounsel is a Carta Partner Law Firm.
- Consultation covers 83(b) elections, foreign qualification, EIN registration, and corporate banking setup.
Pricing: See pricing page. Hourly is @VirtualCounsel's default for new relationships and open scope, with itemized invoices. Flat fees cover clearly defined work, formation above all, and subscriptions are also available.
Of the subscriptions, only @VC Launch is month to month. Higher tiers carry an annual commitment and are offered by invitation once the fit is clear. For plan names, prices and inclusions, see the @VirtualCounsel pricing page.
Who should choose @VirtualCounsel:
- Founding teams with pre-formation IP, unequal contributions, or a cofounder who might leave early.
- Companies planning a priced round within 12 to 18 months.
- Founders who want the same legal team for the first SAFE, first hires, and first customer contracts.
Limitations: @VirtualCounsel costs more than Clerky or Stripe Atlas for a plain formation. Its attorneys are licensed in five jurisdictions, so matters governed by another state's law may need local counsel.
2. Clerky: Best for low-cost, venture-standard Delaware C corp paperwork
Quick summary: Clerky is a startup paperwork platform that forms Delaware C corps for $427, including expedited state fees.
Clerky builds guided workflows for Delaware C corps and the documents that follow: founder stock, SAFEs, board consents, and offer letters. Clerky's site says Y Combinator partners recommend it and that startup law firms such as Gunderson Dettmer and Orrick endorse it.
Clerky's pricing page says Clerky isn't an attorney or law firm and provides self-help services at your direction. It also describes itself as a bonded legal document assistant registered in Santa Clara County, California.
- Incorporation at $427 includes $203 in Delaware expedited filing fees and a $125 first-year registered agent fee, per Clerky's pricing page.
- Post-incorporation setup ($299) adds restricted stock purchase agreements and pre-filled 83(b) forms with deadline reminders.
- Clerky typically returns the filed certificate within 2 to 3 business days, per its pricing page.
- Delaware public benefit corporation formation is supported, with a dedicated PBC page.
- An in-house EIN application is available for non-US founders.
Pricing: $427 for incorporation, $299 for post-incorporation setup, or $819 for the Company Lifetime Package, per Clerky's pricing page.
Who should choose Clerky:
- Two or three cofounders with clean facts and equal commitment.
- Founders who already have a lawyer to review the output.
Limitations: Clerky's documents come without legal advice on whether your vesting terms or share split fit your situation. Foreign qualification in other states carries extra third-party costs.
Clerky vs @VirtualCounsel
Clerky wins on price and speed for a standard two-founder Delaware C corp. @VirtualCounsel wins when the facts need judgment, since an attorney drafts founder agreements and reviews the cap table before signing.
If you're weighing other platforms in this tier, see 7 Best Clerky Alternatives.
3. Stripe Atlas: Best for fast Delaware setup with the 83(b) filed for you
Quick summary: Stripe Atlas forms a Delaware C corp or LLC for a one-time $500 fee and files each founder's 83(b) election.
Stripe Atlas is a formation product from the payments company Stripe. Atlas says its documents were created in collaboration with Cooley LLP and that more than 100,000 founders have used it.
The standout feature is the 83(b) filing. Atlas files the election for you, which removes the risk of a missed 30-day IRS deadline.
- The $500 fee covers government filings and the first year of registered agent service, per the Stripe Atlas page.
- Founder equity issuance, stock purchase agreements, and an EIN are included.
- Atlas says companies are incorporated within two business days.
- Atlas reports founders from over 175 countries, which makes it a strong option for non-US teams.
- First-year perks include $2,500 in Stripe product credits and partner discounts.
Pricing: $500 one time, then $100 per year for registered agent service, per the Stripe Atlas page.
Who should choose Stripe Atlas:
- Founders who plan to take payments through Stripe from day one.
- Non-US founders who want a Delaware entity and EIN without a US address.
Limitations: Atlas says it isn't a law firm, and that Atlas or Cooley information doesn't amount to legal, tax, or accounting advice. It forms Delaware C corps and LLCs only.
Stripe Atlas vs @VirtualCounsel
Stripe Atlas is faster and far cheaper, and it files the 83(b) for you. @VirtualCounsel drafts founder agreements around your facts and reviews the cap table, which matters most when ownership or IP history is complicated.
4. Gust Launch: Best for formation bundled with cap table and fundraising tools
Quick summary: Gust Launch is an annual plan that incorporates a Delaware C corp with founder stock and a digital cap table. Higher tiers add fundraising documents.
Gust Launch sells formation as the first step of a yearly plan. The Start tier covers incorporation, post-incorporation setup, founder stock issuance with 83(b), a digital cap table, and a Delaware registered agent.
Gust Launch also connects founders to startup law firms. Its pricing page describes a legal network with waived initial retainers and monthly legal bill credits.
- Start costs $450 per year, per Gust Launch's pricing page, with the Delaware registered agent included.
- Accelerate ($1,250 per year) adds IP assignment, NDAs, contractor and advisor agreements, SAFEs, and convertible notes.
- Raise ($3,500 per year) adds an option plan, a 409A valuation, and option issuance.
- Gust says you can be up and running in as few as three days.
Example: Hypothetical: a solo founder expecting a pre-seed SAFE within six months picks Accelerate at $1,250 per year. That one fee covers IP assignment, the SAFE template, and the cap table update.
Pricing: $450, $1,250, or $3,500 per year, per Gust Launch's pricing page.
Who should choose Gust Launch:
- Founders who want formation, cap table, and SAFEs in one tool.
- Teams that expect to need a 409A and option plan within a year.
Limitations: IP assignment starts on Gust Launch's Accelerate tier rather than the $450 Start plan. Legal advice comes through the startup law firms in its network.
Gust Launch vs @VirtualCounsel
Gust Launch costs less per year and bundles software @VirtualCounsel doesn't sell, including 409A valuations. @VirtualCounsel provides attorney-drafted documents and ongoing counsel from one legal team.
5. Firstbase: Best for non-US founders who want formation plus back office
Quick summary: Firstbase forms Delaware or Wyoming companies and sells registered agent, mailroom, accounting, and tax services on one platform.
Firstbase describes itself as "the software platform for running your US business." Firstbase's homepage lists more than 30,000 companies incorporated and founders from 191 countries.
Firstbase also reports $3 billion in total funding raised by its customers. Formation is the entry point to its back-office services. That suits a founder abroad who needs a US address, bookkeeping, and tax filings from one vendor.
- The Start package lists a $399 price, discounted to $99 when we checked, plus state fees, per Firstbase's pricing page.
- Formation covers Delaware or Wyoming, with expedited EIN setup and banking assistance.
- Registered agent service costs $299 per year per state.
- Firstbase One bundles agent, mailroom, accounting, and tax filing at $199 per month, billed yearly.
Example: Hypothetical: a founder in Lisbon selling to US customers needs a Delaware entity, EIN, US mail, and a US tax return. Firstbase sells each piece, or bundles them in Firstbase One.
Pricing: $399 list for formation plus state fees, per Firstbase's pricing page.
Who should choose Firstbase:
- Founders outside the US who want one login for formation, mail, and taxes.
- Solo founders who don't expect to raise venture capital soon.
Limitations: Founder stock agreements, vesting, and 83(b) filing aren't listed on the pricing page we checked. Registered agent service is a separate $299 annual fee per state.
Firstbase vs @VirtualCounsel
Firstbase is the stronger choice for ongoing accounting and tax operations, which @VirtualCounsel doesn't provide. @VirtualCounsel covers the legal side: founder equity, IP assignment, and a reviewed cap table.
6. doola: Best for international founders on a tight first-year budget
Quick summary: doola forms Delaware or Wyoming C corps for $297 per year plus state fees. The plan includes an EIN, a US mailing address, and a registered agent.
doola focuses on founders forming a US company from abroad. The company's site says it serves founders in 175+ countries and answers "no" to whether you need to be a US citizen.
The C corp product is built for speed and low cost. Higher tiers add bookkeeping, annual state reports, and IRS tax filings.
- The Starter plan costs $297 per year plus state fees, per doola's pricing page.
- C corps can be formed in Delaware or Wyoming, per doola's C corp page.
- One year of registered agent service and a US mailing address are included, with formation in 1 to 2 business days.
- The Tax and Compliance plan ($1,999 per year) adds annual state reports and IRS filings.
Example: Hypothetical: a solo founder in Bangalore selling a Shopify app forms a Wyoming C corp through doola for $297 plus state fees. If US investors show up later, a Delaware conversion may follow.
Pricing: $297 per year plus state fees, per doola's pricing page.
Who should choose doola:
- Non-US solo founders selling online who need a US entity and bank access.
- Founders who want tax filings bundled with formation.
Limitations: doola's C corp page doesn't list bylaws, founder stock agreements, or 83(b) filing. Founders who use doola typically paper founder equity separately before raising.
doola vs @VirtualCounsel
doola costs much less than a law firm engagement and bundles US tax filings for founders abroad. @VirtualCounsel drafts the founder equity and IP documents investors check first.
7. Northwest Registered Agent: Best for a basic home-state corporation with address privacy
Quick summary: Northwest Registered Agent forms a corporation in any US state for $39 plus state fees, bylaws included.
Northwest Registered Agent is a registered agent company that also files formations. Its main selling point is privacy, since Northwest lists its own address on public filings wherever possible.
Northwest fits the founder forming a local corporation who has no venture plans yet. It won't build founder vesting or a cap table.
- Corporation formation costs $39 plus state fees, per Northwest's corporation page.
- The package includes one year of registered agent service, corporate bylaws, and a business address.
- Northwest files in all 50 states plus DC.
- The corporation package also lists a free domain name, website, business email, and phone line.
- Registered agent renewal is $125 per year, per Northwest's registered agent page.
Example: Hypothetical: a two-owner consulting firm in Oregon with no investors forms an Oregon corporation through Northwest for $39 plus the state fee. The owners avoid Delaware franchise tax and a second registered agent.
Pricing: $39 plus state fees, per Northwest's corporation page.
Who should choose Northwest Registered Agent:
- Owners forming a home-state corporation for a services business.
- Founders who want their home address off public records.
Limitations: Northwest doesn't provide founder stock agreements, IP assignment, 83(b) support, or legal advice.
Northwest Registered Agent vs @VirtualCounsel
Northwest is the cheapest way on this list to get a corporation on file in any state. @VirtualCounsel builds the founder equity and IP structure a startup needs before taking investor money.
For agent-only comparisons, see 7 Best Registered Agent Services for Startups.
How the 7 Incorporation Services Compare on Price, Scope, and Turnaround
The table below compares all seven services on the criteria founders ask about most. Prices come from each provider's site as of September 2026.
Which Incorporation Service Is Best for a Delaware C Corp?
Clerky and @VirtualCounsel are the strongest Delaware C corp options on this list, for different founders. Clerky's $427 price includes expedited Delaware fees, and @VirtualCounsel adds attorney review of the charter, founder stock, and cap table.
Every Delaware C corp takes on two recurring obligations. Delaware requires an annual report and franchise tax by March 1, and the Division of Corporations charges a $200 penalty for a late annual report.
Key data point: Delaware's minimum franchise tax is $175 under the authorized shares method, per the Delaware Division of Corporations. The assumed par value capital method has a $400 minimum.
Founders with millions of authorized shares often receive a large first franchise tax estimate under the authorized shares method. Recalculating under the assumed par value capital method often brings that bill down sharply. Founders in this position typically have counsel or their accountant run both methods.
Best Incorporation Services for Venture-Track Founders
Venture-track founders need documents that survive diligence, so founder stock, vesting, and IP assignment outrank filing speed. Clerky, Stripe Atlas, and Gust Launch all issue founder stock on standard templates; @VirtualCounsel adds attorney judgment.
For two equal cofounders with no prior code or outside promises, Clerky or Stripe Atlas is the better buy. Founders with messier facts typically bring in an attorney at formation, since template documents can't see those facts.
Example: Hypothetical: a CTO wrote the core product at a prior employer's hackathon before incorporation. A template CIIAA assigns the code to the new company. The template can't flag the prior employer's possible IP claim, which investors will ask about.
For a broader comparison of legal partners after formation, read 7 Best Startup Law Firms for Founders, or see @VirtualCounsel's equity services.
Best Incorporation Services for Non-US Founders
Stripe Atlas, Firstbase, and doola are the strongest options for founders outside the US. Each forms a US entity remotely, obtains an EIN, and supplies a registered agent.
Stripe Atlas reports founders from over 175 countries and files the 83(b) for you. Firstbase and doola add mail handling and US tax filings. Those extras matter most to a solo founder selling online.
Non-US founders face extra tax questions at formation, including how their home country treats a US corporation. Founders in this position typically ask a tax advisor in both countries before choosing between a C corp and an LLC.
Best Incorporation Services for Public Benefit Corporations
Clerky and @VirtualCounsel are the two options on this list that address public benefit corporations directly. Clerky supports Delaware PBCs, and @VirtualCounsel handles benefit corporation and social purpose corporation formation.
A Delaware PBC is a for-profit corporation that must balance stockholder value with one or more public benefits.
Under 8 Del. C. § 362, the certificate must name the specific public benefit. Its heading must also state that the company is a public benefit corporation.
A PBC also carries reporting duties. Delaware Code § 366 requires a statement to stockholders at least every two years on the company's progress toward its public benefits.
Pro tip: B Corp certification from B Lab and PBC status are separate things. A company can be a PBC without certification, and founders usually settle which one investors and customers expect before filing.
What Should Incorporation Cost a Startup?
Based on the published prices above, a Delaware C corp costs roughly $400 to $900 through a startup platform. State fees start at $109 in Delaware, per the Delaware fee schedule, and expedited service adds $50 to $1,000.
Law firm formation sits in a higher bracket, because the fee covers drafting and review rather than a filled-in template. For @VirtualCounsel's current figures, see its pricing page.
The spread between the two approaches buys judgment on the founder documents. An unassigned codebase or an undocumented equity promise takes attorney hours to fix before a Series A. Those hours get billed either way, at formation or later.
For LLC pricing, see 7 Best LLC Formation Services for Startups.
Should a Startup Incorporate in Delaware or Its Home State?
Venture-backed startups usually incorporate in Delaware because investors and their counsel expect Delaware law. A company that won't raise outside capital can often incorporate at home and skip a second state's fees.
A Delaware corporation operating elsewhere pays twice. In California, the Franchise Tax Board says every corporation incorporated, registered, or doing business in California must pay the $800 minimum franchise tax.
Example: Hypothetical: a SaaS company operating in California formed in Delaware pays Delaware franchise tax and a $50 annual report fee. After registering in California, it owes the $800 minimum there too.
Switching later costs more than choosing well at formation. @VirtualCounsel handles Delaware corp-to-corp and LLC-to-corporation conversions; see its pricing page for current figures.
How to Choose an Incorporation Service for Your Startup
The right fit depends on fundraising plans and how messy the founding facts are. Founders usually sort it this way:
- Raising venture money with complex founder facts: a law firm is the stronger fit.
- Raising venture money with clean facts: Clerky or Stripe Atlas.
- Founding from outside the US: Stripe Atlas, Firstbase, or doola.
- No outside capital planned: a home-state corporation through Northwest.
These questions separate the providers, and founders usually ask them before paying:
- Is a licensed attorney reviewing my documents? A "no" means templates only, which is fine for simple facts.
- Who files the 83(b), and who reminds me? The IRS requires filing within 30 days of the stock transfer, per Form 15620 instructions.
- Are state fees and registered agent renewals included? Headline prices often exclude both.
- Do founders sign IP assignment agreements at formation? Missing assignments are a common diligence issue.
- Who owns and stores my documents if I leave? Companies need the signed originals for every future round.
Start Here: Four Things Founders Settle Before Incorporating
- Who built what before formation, including any code or designs.
- The founder share split and vesting schedule, written down.
- The 83(b) deadline, which the IRS sets at 30 days from the stock transfer.
- A conversation with counsel if any founder fact on that list is unresolved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Incorporation Services
What is the best incorporation service for startups?
@VirtualCounsel ranks first because its attorneys draft founder stock agreements, IP assignments, and a pro forma cap table. They then stay on as counsel. The ranking weighs legal review at formation, document scope, price transparency, venture fit, and post-formation support.
Is Clerky or Stripe Atlas better than a law firm for incorporation?
Clerky or Stripe Atlas is the better fit for two equal cofounders with no prior IP and a standard Delaware C corp. A law firm is worth the higher fee when facts involve pre-formation IP, unequal contributions, or early equity promises.
How much does it cost to incorporate a Delaware C corp?
Delaware's filing fee for a certificate of incorporation starts at $109, per the state's August 2026 fee schedule. Startup platforms charge roughly $400 to $900 all in. Law firm formation costs more; see @VirtualCounsel's pricing page for its current figures.
When is the 83(b) election due?
Per the IRS Form 15620 instructions, an 83(b) election must be filed no later than 30 days after the stock transfer. Stripe Atlas files it for you, and Clerky provides pre-filled forms with reminders.
Which incorporation service is best for non-US founders?
Stripe Atlas suits non-US founders who plan to raise venture capital, since it forms a Delaware C corp and files the 83(b). Firstbase and doola suit solo founders abroad who want US mail handling and tax filings bundled in.
Do I need to incorporate in Delaware?
No law requires a startup to incorporate in Delaware, and venture investors usually expect a Delaware C corp. A startup operating in California also pays California's $800 minimum franchise tax once it's registered or doing business there.
Can an incorporation service give legal advice?
Only a law firm or licensed attorney can give legal advice. Clerky, Stripe Atlas, Firstbase, Gust Launch, doola, and Northwest are software platforms, while @VirtualCounsel is a law firm.
Pick the service that matches your fundraising plans and the complexity of your founding facts.
This article is for general informational purposes only and isn't legal advice. Reading it doesn't create an attorney-client relationship with VirtualCounsel, PC. Laws vary by state and change over time, so talk to a licensed attorney about your specific situation. Attorney advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't DIY your legal anymore
Leave it to the pros.