Doola vs Clerky: Side-by-Side Comparison
Side-by-side comparison across 11 dimensions. Data is approximate and for informational purposes only.
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| Dimension | Doola | Clerky |
|---|---|---|
| Entity Types | LLC, C-Corp | C-Corp |
| Setup Fee | $297/yr + state fees (Starter) | $819 (one-time) |
| Annual Fee | $297/yr (Starter; same subscription as formation) | $125/yr DE registered agent (yr 2+) |
| Timeline | 1–2 business days | 1–3 business days |
| States Available | All 50 states | Delaware only |
| EIN Filing | Included | Included (fax path; no US taxpayer ID needed) |
| Registered Agent | Included | Included (first year only; $125/yr after) |
| Banking Integration | Guidance to open a US bank account; Mercury and Relay are Marketplace partners | Apply flow: Mercury/Brex/Rho/JPM/Arc/Ramp |
| Compliance Support | Partial (GS assessment) | Minimal (GS assessment) |
| Non-Resident Support | Full (GS assessment) | Partial (GS assessment) |
| Platform Type | Full-service | Full-service |
Key Notes
Doola
Full-service formation for non-US founders, and the clearest published answer in this table on the questions that decide it: no SSN needed, no US address needed, and doola obtains the EIN either way. Registered agent is bundled free with formation. Two things to hold it to, though. doola publishes FOUR mutually inconsistent no-SSN EIN timelines across live pages — 4-6 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 2-4 months, and 2-3 weeks expedited — so no single figure is quotable; on the $297 Starter plan, expect the non-expedited one. And on compliance it reminds reliably but files ambiguously: the "we file your annual report for you" promise is attached to a "Premium Plan" that no longer exists, while the current $2,999 top plan describes the same thing as "reminders and guided help".
Clerky
Specialized for VC-backed startups. One-time fee covers incorporation, bylaws, stock issuance, and founder agreements. Used by Y Combinator companies. It has the clearest no-taxpayer-ID EIN path of anyone here — "You do not need a US taxpayer ID to apply by fax", and Clerky walks you through it — though the IRS side takes "a month or more". Two caveats for a non-resident: Clerky says it has no geographic restrictions but adds that "our standard products are designed for U.S. founders", and Indian FEMA residents are told to contact them rather than sign up. On compliance it sells reminders, not filings: "no ongoing platform fees" is true of Clerky but not of your company, which still owes the Delaware registered agent fee ($125/yr, invoiced directly by CSC from year two) and Delaware franchise tax (~$400+ for early-stage startups) — and you file those yourself.
What Real Users Say
Anonymized and paraphrased observations from founder communities, review platforms, and forums.
Doola is an all-in-one for non-resident LLC founders. Clerky is legal doc automation for funded C-Corps. These serve completely different founders at different stages.
Source: Founder communitiesClerky does not support LLC formation. If you want an LLC, Clerky is not an option — full stop.
Source: Reddit r/startupsDoola handles bookkeeping and tax filing. Clerky handles equity paperwork and board consents. Zero overlap in what they actually do.
Source: G2 reviewsFrequently Asked Questions
How We Compared
We collected pricing, included services, non-resident support levels, and formation timelines from each provider's public website. Costs are compared at initial setup and annual renewal rates.
Disclaimer: All data on this page is approximate and for informational purposes only. Pricing, features, and availability change frequently. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify all figures directly with each provider before making decisions. Data reflects conditions as of early 2026.
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