StartFleet vs Doola - US LLC Formation for Non-US Residents

December 2, 2025

If you’re thinking about forming a U.S. company, you’ve probably seen names like StartFleet and Doola and wondered which one actually fits your situation.

Maybe you’re a solo freelancer who just wants a simple LLC, or a digital nomad who needs more hand-holding and extras.

The catch is that the price and support level are very different, and choosing the wrong one can quietly drain your budget…

Criteria

When you’re choosing between StartFleet and Doola, it helps to look at a few clear criteria:

what features you get,

how much you pay,

what kind of customer support they offer, and the real benefits for your business long term.

You’re not just picking a name; you’re picking a partner.

Start with features. Look at how each platform handles online incorporation services and whether they bundle in registered agent services or charge extra.

Then compare price. Don’t just check the headline fee; look at ongoing costs and upsells.

Next, test customer support. Can you reach a real person quickly when you’re stuck? or you are at a mercy of a bot.

Finally, think about benefits. Ask, “Will this make launching and running my business easier every month, not just today?”

What is Starfleet?

StartFleet is the best U.S. LLC formation service for non-U.S. residents — built for founders who want a fast, simple, and fully guided way to set up a U.S. company from anywhere in the world.

Think of StartFleet as your all-in-one launch system: it handles company formation, expedited EIN, U.S. bank account setup, payment-processor readiness, and the legal essentials most global founders struggle with. You don’t have to juggle five different services or figure out IRS forms on your own — their team walks you through everything with clean steps and real human support.

When you look at StartFleet, you’re really answering three questions:

  • Is it right for you?
  • What does it excel at?
  • Where might it fall short?

You’ll see why StartFleet is such a strong fit for non-U.S. founders who need a compliant, bank-ready company without the headaches.

You’ll also get a clear breakdown of its main advantages — ease, speed, transparency, perks — along with honest limitations like the areas where you may still need external tools or support.

Who is it Best For?

If you’re a solo freelancer, small team, or online seller who wants business formation and LLC formation services, Starfleet can fit you well. It’s built for people who want a fast way to set up a U.S. company and move on with real work.

You’ll like Starfleet if you run an e‑commerce store, service business, or Amazon FBA brand and need U.S. payment access.

It also works if you’re a global entrepreneur who wants Stripe or PayPal but doesn’t want to fly to the States. If you prefer clear steps, online forms, and minimal back‑and‑forth, Starfleet’s straightforward style will feel natural to you.

Pros

  • A true “done-for-you” launch pad — perfect if you’re outside the U.S. and want everything handled without juggling multiple services.
  • One simple Startup Plan that bundles formation, Expedited EIN, U.S. bank account setup, and compliance guidance into a single workflow.
  • Registered agent included — no need to shop around or pay an extra yearly fee for legal mail handling.
  • Smooth, guided setup: choose your state + company type, fill a clean form, and the team completes the filings for you.
  • Extremely strong track record with non-U.S. founders — especially with EIN applications where many competitors cause IRS delays.
  • Fast EIN turnaround: usually 8–12 business days vs the usual 20–30 day wait many non-residents face.
  • Transparent, upfront pricing — no hidden upsells or confusing add-on traps.
  • Responsive human support — real explanations, real guidance, no canned robotic replies.

Cons

  • No phone support — communication happens through email, live chat, Telegram, WhatsApp, or Apple Messages instead.

What is Doola?

Doola is a U.S. business formation and compliance platform designed for founders who want step-by-step guidance rather than a DIY setup. Instead of just filing your company paperwork, Doola positions itself as a “done-with-you” partner that helps you form your LLC or corporation, stay compliant, and manage ongoing tasks like bookkeeping and tax filings.

If you’re trying to understand where Doola fits into your world as a founder, you’re essentially looking at three things:

  • Who is it best for?
  • Where does it genuinely shine?
  • Where might it fall short for your situation?

Who is it Best For?

You’ll like Doola if you want bookkeeping service alongside company formation.

Pros

  • Provides structured hand-holding during LLC or corporation formation, making the process easy even if you’re new to U.S. business rules.
  • Includes a registered agent by default, so you don’t need a separate provider to receive legal mail.
  • Comes with compliance reminders, checklists, and beginner-friendly guides, helping you stay on track throughout the year.

Cons

  • That guidance and hand-holding comes with a heavy price tag — plans at $1,999/yr + state fees or $2,999/yr + state fees.
  • For most small, early-stage, or international entrepreneurs, that’s a big budget hit every single year.
  • The real question: do you need to pay $2,000–$3,000 annually just to keep the company running? In many cases, no.
  • Essentials like annual reports, basic compliance, and straightforward tax filings don’t require premium packages — and many founders don’t fully use those high-tier features.
  • If you’re bootstrapping or testing a new idea, those recurring costs can slow growth. That money could go into ads, product development, tools, or your first hire instead.

StartFleet vs Doola

If you’re a foreign founder or a small online business, paying $1,999 or $2,999 every year can crush your budget fast.

With StartFleet, you pay $329 per year, and that already includes a registered agent and year-round support.

You don’t need to bolt on a bunch of extras just to stay compliant.

Their tax reporting services for a single‑member LLC run about $299–$499, which is far more reasonable than Doola or Firstbase at $800+.

You keep more cash for marketing, tools, and growth instead of admin.

A comparison table between Startfleet and Doola.

Verdict

So after stacking the costs and support side by side, the winner for most founders over the long haul is pretty clear:

StartFleet gives you more value for less money year after year.

Doola’s $297 starter plan looks cheaper at first, but it doesn’t even include Expedited EIN, and its higher tiers get pricey fast.

With StartFleet, you pay a bit more upfront, but you avoid brutal renewals. StartFleet basic plan at $399 and the startup plan at $499 stay reasonable, and the annual plan at $329 is hard to beat.

You protect your cash, keep admin simple, and know what you’ll pay next year.

  • Lower long‑term cost
  • Clear, simple pricing
  • No surprise renewals
  • Solid essentials included
  • Easier to plan your budget

Best doola alternatives for LLC registration

If you like the idea of guided U.S. company formation but Doola’s pricing or approach doesn’t feel right for you, here are the best doola alternatives — starting with the strongest option for non-U.S. founders.

1. StartFleet (Best Alternative to Doola — Especially for Non-US Residents)

StartFleet is the #1 Doola alternative if you want a fast, bank-ready U.S. LLC with transparent pricing and hands-on support.

Unlike Doola’s $1,999–$2,999/yr tiers, StartFleet gives you a complete formation experience at a fraction of the cost:

  • LLC formation in any U.S. state
  • Expedited EIN (8–12 business days) for non-U.S. residents
  • U.S. bank account + debit card setup
  • Stripe/PayPal consultation
  • Registered agent included
  • Annual compliance handled for you
  • Clear, upfront pricing with no upsell traps

If you’re outside the U.S. and want reliable support, fast turnaround, and a fully “launch-ready” business, StartFleet is the strongest, most cost-efficient alternative to Doola — period.

2. ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a low-cost, beginner-friendly alternative that works well if you just need simple LLC paperwork filed quickly.

  • Affordable starter plans
  • Good for budget-conscious founders
  • Less international-focused support compared to StartFleet

Best for: U.S.-based entrepreneurs and simple filings.

3. Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest is known for strong privacy protections and solid customer support.

  • Excellent registered agent services
  • Transparent fees
  • No banking or payment-processor support for non-U.S. founders

Best for: Privacy-focused founders comfortable with DIY banking.

4. Bizee (formerly IncFile)

Bizee offers some of the cheapest formation packages, even free + state fees in some cases.

  • Great for extremely tight budgets
  • Upsells can add up
  • Weak international founder support

Best for: Basic LLC formation with minimal guidance.

5. LegalZoom

A well-known legal service provider with broad offerings.

  • Trusted brand
  • Slower turnaround times
  • Higher pricing on add-ons

Best for: Founders who want legal templates and don’t mind paying more.

Which Doola Alternative Should You Choose?

If you’re a non-U.S. founder looking for the simplest, fastest, and most reliable way to form a U.S. LLC and open a bank account — StartFleet is the clear winner.

The other platforms are solid options, but none match StartFleet’s combination of:

  • International founder support
  • Fast EIN handling
  • Banking + payment integrations
  • Transparent pricing
  • Year-round compliance help

How to form an LLC with Starfleet

Once you’ve picked StartFleet as your launchpad, forming your LLC is more like filling out a simple online order than wrestling with legal paperwork.

You just follow five quick steps on their site.

  1. First, you pick your state and choose “LLC” as your structure. This sets up your limited liability company in the right place from day one.
  2. Next, you choose a plan that fits you, like Freelancer or Startup.
  3. Then you add your company name and company details, like what you do and where you’re based.
  4. After that, you add a contact person so StartFleet knows who to reach.
  5. Last step: payment. You check out, they handle filings, and you get back to building your business.

Wrapping it up

So here’s the gentle truth: you don’t need a gold-plated spaceship to launch your business.

If you’re a solo freelancer or a startup, StartFleet gives you what you need without draining your runway.

Visit this page: Form your US company or send us an email at hello@startfleet.io to get started.

Need Help Setting up your SMLLC or MMLLC?  

StartFleet helps you with your US Company formation. Apartfrom helping you to register a US company we offera lot more:

  • LLC and Corporation formation in Wyoming, Delaware, Florida and all other US States
  • Over $500,000 perks from our partners
  • US Business Bank Accounts Opening
  • Expedited EIN Application
  • Stripe/Paypal application consultation
  • Shopify and Amazon FBA setup consultation
  • Customized Website Policies for your website
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