Clerky vs Startfleet in 2026 — Which US Incorporation Platform Fits You?
Clerky and Startfleet serve very different founders. Clerky is a legal document platform for Delaware C-Corps aimed at Silicon Valley. Startfleet is a newer all-in-one aimed at non-US LLC owners, sold heavily on Product Hunt and Twitter/X. Here is the 2026 side-by-side, and how Wyoming Experts compares.
Quick verdict
- Clerky — pick it only if you plan to raise a priced US round and need YC-standard incorporation documents.
- Startfleet — pick it if you want an LLC dashboard that bundles bookkeeping and compliance, and you are comfortable with a young company.
- Wyoming Experts — pick it if you want a Wyoming LLC filed in 24–48 hours, human onboarding and IRS compliance built into a single flat price.
Clerky overview
Clerky's Founder plan is around USD 99/mo. Delaware filing fees (USD 425+) are separate. It does not include EIN, Registered Agent or a US bank account. The value is legal correctness: 83(b) elections, SAFEs, and cap-table paperwork that US law firms recognise instantly.
Startfleet overview
Startfleet advertises Wyoming or Delaware LLCs from around USD 199 + state fees, with tiers going up to a Compliance plan (~USD 599/yr) that bundles EIN application, banking assistance, and Form 5472. The interface is modern and mobile-friendly, but the company is small and support is community-driven on Discord.
Head-to-head comparison
| Factor | Clerky | Startfleet | Wyoming Experts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Delaware C-Corp fundraising | Solo LLC founders | Non-US Wyoming LLC founders |
| Entry price | ~USD 99/mo + USD 425 state | USD 199 + state | USD 499 all-in |
| Registered Agent | Not included | 1 year included | 1 year included |
| EIN turnaround | Not offered | 4–8 weeks | 10 business days |
| Operating Agreement | Not applicable (C-Corp docs) | Template | Custom, Mercury-ready |
| Bank intro | No | Referral | Warm intro |
| Human support | Email only | Discord + email | Named specialist |
| Compliance filings | DIY | Add-on | Included (Priority) |
Where Wyoming Experts wins
Neither Clerky nor Startfleet was designed around the actual bottleneck for non-residents: getting the EIN, opening the bank account and staying compliant with IRS Forms 5472 and 1120 pro-forma each April. Wyoming Experts folds all three into a flat price and assigns a human — not a chatbot — from onboarding through year-end filings. See the pricing page and the Wyoming vs Delaware 2026 analysis for the numbers behind the recommendation.
Recommendation for 2026
If you are raising, Clerky is the safe legal choice. If you want a self-serve dashboard, Startfleet is competent. But if the goal is a low-friction Wyoming LLC with EIN, banking and IRS filings ready by 15 April, Wyoming Experts is the more predictable path — start with the blog for country-specific guidance or the contact page for a direct call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clerky or Startfleet actually better for a non-US founder in 2026?
Both Clerky and Startfleet have real trade-offs: pricing tiers, EIN speed, banking support and post-formation compliance vary widely. For non-US founders without an SSN, a Wyoming-specialised provider like Wyoming Experts almost always outperforms both on total cost, filing speed and Mercury Bank approval rates.
Are there hidden fees compared to Wyoming Experts?
Yes — Clerky and Startfleet typically advertise a low headline price and then upsell EIN, registered agent, operating agreement, mail forwarding and compliance reminders. Our transparent pricing bundles everything you need to launch and operate a Wyoming LLC, with no auto-billing traps at renewal.
How fast can I actually get my Wyoming LLC and EIN?
Clerky and Startfleet routinely take 2–4 weeks for state approval and 45–90 days for an EIN without an SSN. We file same-day and back it with a 48-hour formation guarantee plus a 10-business-day EIN guarantee, or your money back.
Will I be able to open a US business bank account (Mercury)?
Neither Clerky nor Startfleet can guarantee bank approval. We are an official Mercury Bank partner with a 95%+ approval rate for non-US founders, plus Wise and Relay as backup rails. See the full workflow on our Wyoming LLC formation page.
What are the ongoing compliance and renewal costs?
Clerky and Startfleet charge inflated renewals ($300–$600) and often upsell Form 5472 and pro-forma 1120 filings separately — a $25,000 IRS penalty if missed. Our renewal is a flat, all-inclusive fee with compliance reminders built in.
Should I pick Wyoming or Delaware for my LLC?
For 95%+ of non-US founders (SaaS, e-commerce, agencies, freelancers) Wyoming is cheaper, more private and easier to maintain. Delaware only makes sense if you plan to raise venture capital. Read our full Wyoming vs Delaware LLC 2026 breakdown before you decide, or just talk to our team.
About the author
Wyoming Experts
Wyoming Experts writes for Wyoming Experts, a Sheridan, WY-based firm specializing in Wyoming LLC formation for non-US residents. Our team has helped 2,500+ international entrepreneurs from 40+ countries open US companies, secure EINs, set up Mercury/Relay bank accounts, and stay IRS-compliant (Form 5472 & 1120). Content is reviewed by our in-house US tax & compliance specialists.