Stripe Atlas vs Clerky: Side-by-Side Comparison
Side-by-side comparison across 11 dimensions. Data is approximate and for informational purposes only.
| Dimension | Stripe Atlas | Clerky |
|---|---|---|
| Entity Types | C-Corp, LLC | C-Corp |
| Setup Fee | $500 | $819 (one-time) |
| Annual Fee | $100/yr | $125/yr DE registered agent (yr 2+) |
| Timeline | 1–2 business days (EIN: 1–3 days with SSN, 15–45 without) | 1–3 business days |
| States Available | Delaware only | Delaware only |
| EIN Filing | Included (1–3 days with SSN; 15–45 days without) | Included (fax path; no US taxpayer ID needed) |
| Registered Agent | Included (first year; $100/yr after) | Included (first year only; $125/yr after) |
| Banking Integration | Stripe Treasury + Mercury/Brex/Rho/Novo | Apply flow: Mercury/Brex/Rho/JPM/Arc/Ramp |
| Compliance Support | Minimal (GS assessment) | Minimal (GS assessment) |
| Non-Resident Support | Full (GS assessment) | Partial (GS assessment) |
| Platform Type | Full-service | Full-service |
Key Notes
Stripe Atlas
Designed for tech startups and SaaS businesses. Includes Stripe payments integration, 409A valuation discount, and legal document templates. Delaware C-Corp is the default path. Atlas does NOT file your annual report or Delaware franchise tax — its Terms put that squarely on you ("You alone are responsible for all corporate, tax, securities and other legal reporting"), and Stripe publishes a DIY walkthrough of the Delaware portal; end-to-end franchise-tax filing is a paid service from partner Legalinc, which is also your registered agent. The registered agent address cannot be used as your company address. One live vendor contradiction to know about: the signup page still lists "SSN or ITIN" as a required founder field, while the 83(b) guidance describes what Atlas does when you have neither.
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.
Clerky is pure legal tooling — incorporation documents, board consents, equity issuance. Atlas is formation + banking + Stripe. Clerky assumes you already have a lawyer.
Source: Reddit r/startupsClerky is popular with YC companies because the documents are battle-tested for VC fundraising. Atlas is popular with solo founders because it is simpler.
Source: Founder communitiesClerky does not provide a registered agent, EIN filing, or banking intro. It is document automation, not a formation service. Different category entirely.
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.
Not sure which service fits your situation?
Choosing between services depends on where you live, where your clients are, and how your income flows. Our free risk check maps your structural exposure in 3 minutes.