Some links below are affiliate links — if you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend services we've used or vetted. Full disclosure.
These three all form a US company for founders abroad, but they aim at different people. Quick answer: Stripe Atlas if you're a startup raising money (Delaware C-corp), doola if you want an LLC to run a lean business hands-off, and Firstbase if you want an ongoing back office you grow with.
The key split: what are you building?
Stripe Atlas defaults to a Delaware C-corp — the right shape for issuing equity and taking investors. If you're a solo founder selling services or software and not raising a round, a C-corp is the wrong tool: more paperwork, double taxation, structure you won't use. That's where an LLC via doola or Firstbase fits.
Stripe Atlas — for VC-track startups
Clean, credible, tightly integrated with Stripe payments, and well understood by US investors. But it's comparatively hands-off on the non-resident pain points (EIN nuance, ongoing 5472 compliance) — it assumes you have advisors. Best when you're building a fundable startup, not a lifestyle business.
doola — for a hands-off LLC
doola forms the LLC, gets the EIN without an SSN, introduces banking, and manages compliance. It's the most “do it all for me” option for a non-resident running a lean business. See the full doola review.
Firstbase — for an ongoing back office
Firstbase covers formation and then keeps going — agent, mail, tax, and compliance tooling over time. Choose it if you want one platform to grow the company on, not just a one-time filing.
Side by side
| Service | Default entity | Best for | Non-resident friction handled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe Atlas | Delaware C-corp | VC-track startups | Partial |
| doola | LLC (or C-corp) | Hands-off lean business | Full |
| Firstbase | LLC or C-corp | Ongoing back office | Full |
Which should you pick?
Raising venture money → Stripe Atlas. Running a bootstrapped business and want it handled → doola. Want a platform for the long haul → Firstbase. From Brazil or Latin America, also look at Globalfy (accepts a W-8BEN). Then run the full setup with the non-resident LLC playbook.