Stripe Atlas vs Northwest Registered Agent: Side-by-Side Comparison
Side-by-side comparison across 11 dimensions. Data is approximate and for informational purposes only.
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| Dimension | Stripe Atlas | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Entity Types | C-Corp, LLC | LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, Nonprofit |
| Setup Fee | $500 | $39 + state fees |
| Annual Fee | $100/yr | $125/yr per state (1–4 states; $100/yr each at 5+); 1st year included with $39 formation |
| Timeline | 1–2 business days (EIN: 1–3 days with SSN, 15–45 without) | 1–5 business days |
| States Available | Delaware only | All 50 states + DC and Puerto Rico |
| EIN Filing | Included (1–3 days with SSN; 15–45 days without) | Add-on ($50 with SSN; $200 without SSN) |
| Registered Agent | Included (first year; $100/yr after) | 1 year free |
| Banking Integration | Stripe Treasury + Mercury/Brex/Rho/Novo | None (WY DIY guide, Wells Fargo) |
| Compliance Support | Minimal (GS assessment) | Partial (GS assessment) |
| Non-Resident Support | Full (GS assessment) | Full (GS assessment) |
| Platform Type | Full-service | Guided DIY |
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.
Northwest Registered Agent
Best known for registered agent services. Low base price but fewer bundled features. Privacy by default — uses their address on public filings. US-based customer support. One of only four services here that will obtain an EIN for a founder with no SSN, and the only one that names the price: $200, versus $50 with an SSN (the IRS side takes ~120 days rather than 4 — Northwest files in about 2 either way). It also files your annual report for $100 plus state fees, though that is auto-added and auto-charged when you use their registered agent. Two limits worth knowing: the free use of their address covers official state filings and about five pieces of ordinary mail, not a primary mailing address (a usable one is Virtual Office from $29/mo), and Northwest does not help with banking at all — "Can Northwest Open a Bank Account For My U.S. Business? Definitely not."
What Real Users Say
Anonymized and paraphrased observations from founder communities, review platforms, and forums.
Northwest is $39 to form + $125/yr registered agent. Atlas is $500 all-in. The price gap is real, but Northwest gives you zero guidance — you are on your own for EIN, banking, and compliance.
Source: Reddit r/smallbusinessNorthwest customer service is surprisingly good. Real humans answer the phone. Atlas support is email-only and can take days.
Source: Trustpilot reviewsIf you know what you are doing (have formed an LLC before, have a CPA), Northwest saves you $300-400. If this is your first US entity, Atlas or Doola is worth the premium.
Source: Reddit r/EntrepreneurFrequently 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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