ZenBusiness Alternative for Non-Residents (2026)
Annual plans, packaged compliance, the non-resident case officially documented.
The verdict in three sentences
ZenBusiness offers formation at $0 plus state fees, then annual plans — Pro at $199/year, Premium at $399/year — that package compliance, and it is one of the few generalists to explicitly document the non-resident founder case. One important nuance: it prepares Form SS-4 but does not file it for you, and its built-in bank account requires a U.S. mobile number. Statecove carries the EIN application end to end, in French, within an all-in price of €2,000.
ZenBusiness vs Statecove
The same criteria for both, with no box ticked lightly. ZenBusiness amounts are in dollars, ours in euros.
| Criterion | ZenBusiness | Statecove |
|---|---|---|
| Formation price | from $0 + state fees | €2,000 one-timeNew Mexico from €1,850 |
| State fees | Not included | Included in the Formation Pack |
| Recurring annual cost | $199 / yr | €450 / yr (Maintenance Pack, from year 2) |
| EIN (IRS tax number) | $99 extra | Included, even without an SSN |
| Stated EIN timeline without an SSN | ZenBusiness prepares Form SS-4 for non-residents but does not file it: filing is yours to do (immediate by phone, within 4 business days by fax, 4–5 weeks by mail), and 7–11 weeks if an ITIN is needed first. | Application prepared and followed up by us. The timeline depends on the IRS and is not guaranteed. |
| Registered agent | $199 / yr | First year included, then covered by the Maintenance Pack |
| Annual compliance | Included | 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 | ZenBusiness Banking (Thread Bank) | 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 ZenBusiness is the better choice
ZenBusiness offers good value for scope if you accept doing part of the work. It will suit you better if:
- You want a single annual plan covering formation and ongoing compliance across all 50 states.
- You are comfortable filing Form SS-4 yourself and want to save on formation.
- You want Worry-Free Compliance: annual report, BOI report and alerts bundled into one subscription.
- You want a low entry price with the option to move up tiers gradually.
When Statecove suits you better
Our support fits better if:
- You want the EIN application carried by someone, not merely prepared for you to file.
- You have no U.S. mobile number and want support opening a bank account.
- You prefer a one-time payment upfront over an annual subscription that renews for as long as the company exists.
- You want a French-speaking contact rather than a dashboard and a help center in English.
The real prices, verified on 19 August 2026
How to read these prices
The Starter plan is $0 + state fees and does not renew; the EIN is extra ($99), as is the operating agreement. Pro ($199/year) and Premium ($399/year) are annual subscriptions: Pro includes the EIN and Worry-Free Compliance, Premium adds the registered agent for the first year.
What it looks like over time
The Starter plan at $0 plus state fees does not renew, but the EIN is billed $99 there and the operating agreement $99. The Pro ($199/year) and Premium ($399/year) tiers are renewing annual subscriptions: over three years Pro comes to $597 excluding state fees, plus the registered agent at $199/year where your tier does not include it. At Statecove: €2,000 at formation with state fees, EIN and the first year of registered agent included, then €450/year — €2,900 over three years, annual report filing covered.
Sources
- ZenBusiness — plans de formation
- ZenBusiness — registered agent
- ZenBusiness — LLC pour non-résident
- ZenBusiness — EIN sans SSN
- ZenBusiness Banking — Overview & Setup
- ZenBusiness Banking — More Info About Banking Applications
Every amount above comes from an official ZenBusiness 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.
- Tax Obligations of a Non-Resident LLC: What You Actually Have to File with the IRSThe filing obligations of a U.S. LLC owned by a non-resident: Form 5472 + pro forma 1120, Form 1065 + K-1, deadlines and penalties. Filing is not paying. Factual, 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.