Us vs Stripe Atlas
Atlas forms the company. We model what it costs to keep. Here's the honest split, with Atlas pricing from stripe.com/atlas, checked September 2026.
| Stripe Atlas | StateDues | |
| Price | $500 once (includes Delaware filing fees and first-year agent), then $100/yr agent | Free calculators |
| Forms the entity + EIN | Yes: Delaware, expedited | No: planning only |
| Founder equity + 83(b) | Stock issuance and 83(b) filing included | Explained (guide), not filed |
| Multi-state tax modeling | Not a core feature | CA/WY/DE/TX/NV/NY/FL + nexus |
| Delaware APV | Documentation | Interactive calculator |
| Ongoing filings | Left to the founder | Deadline calendar + reminders |
What Atlas does well
Speed and completeness for a venture-track Delaware company: next-day expedited incorporation with state fees included, EIN, founder stock issuance, and 83(b) filing, the step founders most often miss, plus Stripe credits and partner discounts. Stripe refunds the $500 fee if you deposit $5,000 into a Stripe Treasury account.
What comes after formation
Every March 1 the Delaware corporation files its annual report and franchise tax: file under Assumed Par Value, or the notice for 10 million authorized shares reads $85,165 instead of about $400. The first employee in another state usually means registering there: in California, $100 to qualify and at least $800 a year. Those decisions sit outside Atlas.
Verdict
Venture-track Delaware C-corp → form with Atlas, then plan ongoing costs here, especially the day you hire outside Delaware (check nexus). Not raising venture → you may not need a Delaware entity at all; compare Wyoming vs Delaware and your home state first.
Sources
- stripe.com/atlas (checked September 2026); Delaware Division of Corporations franchise tax instructions