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

December 26, 2025

When you compare StartFleet and ZenBusiness, you’re really asking what kind of founder you are and what support you need.

Maybe you’re outside the U.S. and want everything handled for you, from LLC to bank account.

Or maybe you’re in the U.S. and just want a simple, cheap setup, then figure out the rest later.

Each path has trade-offs in cost, time, and peace of mind… and that’s where things get interesting.

Criteria

When you’re choosing between Startfleet and ZenBusiness, you don’t want to just trust your gut—you want clear criteria that make the decision feel solid.

You’re not just buying a tool. You’re choosing who’s in your corner as you grow.

Start with features. Ask, “Does this help me form my company, stay compliant, and handle tax reporting?”

Look at what’s included by default and what’s hidden behind extra fees.

Then check price. Don’t stop at the headline number.

Compare yearly costs, renewals, and add‑ons, so you’re not surprised later.

Next, look at support. Will real people have your back when you’re stuck? or you'll be stuck with chatbots!

Finally, ask, “Will this still fit me a year from now?”

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?

Instead of drowning you in legal jargon, Starfleet focuses on people like you who just want a simple way to get a U.S. company set up and start earning.

If you’re a solo freelancer, small team, or online seller, you’ll feel at home here.

Starfleet fits you if you run an e‑commerce store, service business, or Amazon FBA brand and don’t want to deal with banks in person.

You follow a few clear steps online, then get back to real work.

  • You live outside the U.S. but sell to U.S. customers
  • You want Stripe or PayPal without flying anywhere
  • You like simple checklists, not legal puzzles

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 ZenBusiness?

ZenBusiness is a U.S. company formation service built to simplify LLC and corporation filings. It focuses on ease-of-use, guided steps, and plug-and-play compliance tools for new founders. But if you’re deciding whether ZenBusiness fits your workflow, you’re really asking three questions:

  • Who is it best for?
  • Where does it genuinely help?
  • And where do the real limitations and hidden costs show up?

Who is it Best For?

ZenBusiness is a good fit if you want a simple, beginner-friendly way to form a U.S. company and you prefer clear checklists over doing paperwork on your own.

It works best for U.S. residents who want templates, reminders, and a clean dashboard

If you’re a non-US founder, you can still use ZenBusiness, but you’ll need extra services (like EIN and banking setup) — and that’s where costs add up quickly.

Pros

  • Smooth LLC & corporation filings with beginner-friendly instructions
  • Compliance reminders to help you avoid missing state deadlines
  • Fast turnaround times compared to DIY filings

Cons

1. Registered Agent service is not included

  • You must have a registered agent to operate an LLC.
  • ZenBusiness charges $199/year, even on paid plans.
  • So the real cost of forming an LLC is much higher than the pricing suggests.

2. EIN is not included in any plan

  • An EIN is mandatory for banking, Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, tax filings — everything.
  • ZenBusiness charges $99 extra for it.
  • Without it, your LLC cannot function.

3. Add-ons stack up fast

  • If you need compliance, an operating agreement, worry-free guarantee, domain, or website tools, the total price can climb far beyond the advertised entry plan.

4. Renewal costs are often the real budget hit

  • Founders typically think the first-year price is the total cost — but Year 2 renewals can be significantly more expensive than competitors.

5. Not ideal for non-US founders

  • International founders need EIN, banking help, registered agent, and extra compliance support. With ZenBusiness, each of those becomes a separate fee.
  • Services like StartFleet, for example, bundle these essentials specifically for non-U.S. residents, reducing the stack of surprise costs.

StartFleet vs ZenBusiness

Although both Starfleet and ZenBusiness promise to help you form an LLC, they’re very different once you look at what you actually get.

With ZenBusiness, you’ll form an LLC, but key pieces are missing. You don’t get an EIN or registered agent included. The registered agent costs $199 per year. An EIN isn’t in any plan and costs $99 extra.

Those two pieces aren’t “nice to have.” Without them, you can’t open a bank account, file taxes, or connect tools like Stripe. Your LLC just sits there.

With StartFleet, you get the full setup from day one: LLC, registered agent, EIN, plus help with bank and Stripe. You’re actually ready to do business.

Conclusion

At this point, it’s pretty clear that StartFleet sets you up to actually run a business, while ZenBusiness mostly just files the paperwork.

You’re not just chasing an LLC. You’re building something real, and you deserve support that sticks around after the forms go through.

With StartFleet, you get more value for less money year after year.

You get registered agent, the EIN, and support for non-Residents. All in one simple package.

That means you can put more of your budget toward things that actually grow your business, like better tools, marketing, or your first hire.

You’re not stuck paying extra every time you need a basic update or a simple answer.

If you want a partner that feels like part of your team, not just a filing service, StartFleet fits that role.

Best zenbusiness alternatives for LLC registration

If you like the idea of guided U.S. company formation but Zenbusiness pricing , no EIN or registered agent approach, doesn’t feel right for you, here are the best zenbusiness alternatives — starting with the strongest option for non-U.S. founders.

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

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

Unlike zenbusiness's $199 registered agent addon, or $99 extra for EIN, StartFleet gives you a complete formation including registered agent and EIN.

Startfleet is specialized in registering U.S. LLCs for Non-US residents. We offer:

  • 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 zenbusiness— period.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 Zenbusiness 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
  • Registered agent included
  • Transparent pricing
  • Year-round compliance help
  • Support for Non-US residents

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 now you’re at the fork in the road.

If you’re a non‑U.S. founder who wants a “land, plug in, and start” setup, StartFleet is your best starship.

It bundles your LLC, EIN, and bank so you can launch fast.

If you’re a U.S. resident and don’t mind add‑ons, ZenBusiness can still work (but you still need to pay extra for registered agent and EIN).

Either way, you’re not stuck in port.

Pick the path that gets you building, not just filing.

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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