doola Alternative for Non-Residents (2026)
Self-serve platform, all 50 states, EIN and registered agent included, all in English.
The verdict in three sentences
doola forms your LLC in any of the 50 states for $297 a year, EIN and registered agent included, state fees extra — but everything is driven in English, on your own, and annual report filing only arrives with the $1,999/year tier. Statecove is not one more platform: it is French-speaking human support at €2,000, state fees and an EIN without an SSN included, where you never fill in a U.S. form alone. If you are comfortable in English and want to drive it yourself, doola costs far less; if you want to delegate entirely and speak French, that is where we come in.
doola vs Statecove
The same criteria for both, with no box ticked lightly. doola amounts are in dollars, ours in euros.
| Criterion | doola | Statecove |
|---|---|---|
| Formation price | $297 / yr | €2,000 one-timeNew Mexico from €1,850 |
| State fees | Not included | Included in the Formation Pack |
| Recurring annual cost | $297 / yr | €450 / yr (Maintenance Pack, from year 2) |
| EIN (IRS tax number) | Included | Included, even without an SSN |
| Stated EIN timeline without an SSN | doola's help center states 9–12 weeks standard and 5–8 weeks expedited (+$300); its "Process" page shows 4–6 weeks on average. Timelines depend on the IRS. | Application prepared and followed up by us. The timeline depends on the IRS and is not guaranteed. |
| Registered agent | Bundled into the subscription | First year included, then covered by the Maintenance Pack |
| Annual compliance | Partial — reminders included, annual report filing extra | Included through the Maintenance Pack: annual report filing and deadline reminders |
| States offered | All 50 states | Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico (other states on request) |
| Banking support | Mercury | Optional account-opening support (from €250) |
| Support languages | English | French and English |
| Model | Self-serve platform (you drive) | Human support from end to end |
When doola is the better choice
doola does very well what it was designed for. In these situations it is the rational pick, and we say so plainly:
- You are comfortable in English and want to drive your own file: at $297/year the price gap is real and deliberate.
- You want to form in a state we do not offer as standard: doola covers all 50 states.
- You want a single platform for formation, bookkeeping and tax filing: the Tax and Compliance tier brings it all together.
- You would rather spread the cost across an annual subscription than pay a higher one-time amount upfront.
When Statecove suits you better
Conversely, our support saves time and avoids back-and-forth in these cases:
- You want your file handled in French, with a real person who answers, rather than English-only support.
- You have neither an SSN nor an ITIN and would rather not drive the EIN application with the IRS yourself.
- You want an all-in price from the start: state fees, EIN and the first year of registered agent included, with no tier to unlock.
- You want the annual report filed, not merely flagged: that is what the Maintenance Pack is for.
The real prices, verified on 19 August 2026
How to read these prices
The Starter plan is a $297/year subscription, state fees extra. Annual report filing and tax returns sit in the Tax and Compliance tier ($1,999/year); a Business-in-a-Box tier exists at $2,999/year.
What it looks like over time
Over three years, doola's Starter subscription comes to $891 ($297 × 3), excluding state fees and excluding annual report filing, which sits in the higher tier. At Statecove, the Formation Pack is €2,000 with state fees included, then €450/year from year two, i.e. €2,900 over three years with annual report filing covered and annual state fees on top. The gap is real and we are not hiding it: it pays for human time and full handling, in French.
Sources
Every amount above comes from an official doola page, consulted on 19 August 2026. Prices change regularly: the provider's current price prevails.
What people ask us before choosing
Dig deeper before deciding
Our in-depth guides on the points that weigh most in this choice.
- Best LLC Formation Services for Non-US Founders: doola vs Firstbase vs LegalZoom vs Stripe Atlas ComparedA factual comparison of the main LLC formation services for non-residents: doola, Firstbase, LegalZoom, Stripe Atlas, Northwest, ZenBusiness. Pricing verified 19 August 2026, what's included, and how to choose. No tax promises.
- How to Get an EIN Without an SSN: The Non-Resident GuideHow a non-resident gets an EIN for a U.S. LLC without a Social Security Number: what the EIN is for, Form SS-4, fax vs mail, real timelines, and the mistakes that get an application rejected. Factual, no tax promises.
- How Much Does a US LLC Really Cost? Formation and Annual Fees (2026)The real cost of a U.S. LLC for a non-resident: state fees by state (Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico), registered agent, free EIN, IRS compliance, hidden costs and done-for-you support. Verified 2026 figures, no tax promises.
Not sure this is for you?
Write to us and describe your project. If a self-serve platform is enough in your case, we will say so — that serves everyone better than a poorly matched client.
Statecove is an administrative support service for company formation. We facilitate your business formation and compliance steps. Statecove is not a law firm or an accounting firm, and does not provide personalized legal or tax advice. Accounting and tax services are handled by licensed partner professionals (CPAs). For any binding legal or tax decision, we recommend consulting a qualified professional.