• Doola helps non-U.S. citizen owners of businesses form a U.S. company.
• This one-stop-shop offers comprehensive solutions — from business formation to banking and phone services, while maintaining compliance.
• Owners of online businesses (like startups, DAOs, or ecommerce companies) would benefit the most from Doola’s offerings.
• Check out this Doola review to see if it’s the right business formation option for you.

What Business Owners Think About Doola 

Doola is a business formation startup that was founded in 2020 as StartPack, and then rebranded to its current name. Its services are best for entrepreneurs who aren’t U.S. citizens or residents. Non-resident business owners looking to start a U.S. business may benefit from the company formation, bookkeeping, and tax help from Doola. 

Reviews are overall positive for Doola. The company has great Trustpilot reviews (4.6 out of 5 stars at the time of writing) and well-rated customer support services. Doola is backed by powerhouses like Y Combinator and Harvard Management Company, so it’s a legitimate option for anyone who fits the customer base.

What Are the Best Aspects of Doola? 

The most interesting features of Doola include:

• Doola Formation: You can get business formation and incorporation services for an LLC in any state, a C corp in Delaware or Wyoming, or a DAO LLC in Wyoming. A registered agent service for one year as well as a U.S. mailing address is included. 
• Doola Books: If you form your business through Doola Formation, you can use Doola’s bookkeeping software. The software mostly helps small business owners manage their invoices, but this feature alone can be worth it for the current price of $60 per year.
• Doola Taxes: Doola can complete IRS tax filings for independent contractors, freelancers, startups, e-commerce companies, and service vendors. 
• Doola Account Management: This business service offers a dedicated account manager to help run and grow your business.

Other Doola Resources for Your Business Formation and LLC Needs 

If you choose the Total Compliance package, you’ll get the main features of Doola plus these other perk included:

• Business mailing address
• Employer identification number (EIN)
• Operating agreement
• State filing every year
• Dedicated account manager
• CPA tax consultation
• IRS federal tax filing

The Total Compliance package costs $300 per month, or $1,999 per year, at the time of writing.

What Are the Alternatives to Doola Business Formation? 

Stripe Atlas

Stripe Atlas is a business formation service from popular payment company Stripe. It allows you to start an LLC or C corp in a few days and open a U.S. bank account. At the time of writing, it costs $500 to set up a business then $100 for the annual administrative fee.

Firstbase

Firstbase is another option for non-resident owners. You can start and manage an LLC or C corp, ensure compliance, and handle all your business requirements online, from anywhere. At the time of writing, it costs $399 to use this business formation service. 

LegalZoom

ZenBusiness

Swyft Filings

Inc Authority

Why Does Business Formation Matter?

It might be tempting to stick with a sole proprietorship if possible, but forming an LLC or corporation helps business owners protect themselves (and grow) in many ways. You’ll get much better liability protection as an LLC or corporation. Also, separating your personal and business finances — and avoiding piercing the corporate veil — can give you better liability protection in case your business defaults or is involved in a lawsuit. Additionally, there are tax advantages, like taking LLC losses against your personal income tax.

Plus, you can more easily build business credit, which can help you qualify for business credit cards or small business loans.

(Learn how to establish business credit here and check out Nav’s guide on how LLCs raise money for more).

Finally, if you’re wondering how to franchise a business, you’ll need to start with becoming a fully formed business.

Can Doola Help Open My LLC Limited Liability Company? 

Doola can help business owners form a U.S. LLC, C corporation, or DAO LLC (a DAO is short for Decentralized Autonomous Organization and is a type of LLC). So if you’re looking for a formation service for your LLC, it’s one of a variety of companies that can help establish your business. 

Along with LLC formation services, Doola has add-on services like bookkeeping software and the Total Compliance package that ensures you’re compliant throughout the lifespan of your business. 

What Is the Doola Fee for Opening an LLC? 

The total cost of opening an LLC equals the Doola fee plus your U.S. state’s filing fee. The annual LLC fee for Doola is $297 at the time of writing. (Some business formation services only charge the state fees, so it’s important to compare options on business formation to see what else is out there before you decide on Doola).

State filing fees vary. For example, if you open a business in Oregon, you’ll pay $50 in filing fees, while you would pay $500 in Massachusetts. 

Business Formation in 5 Minutes with Doola Is Absolutely Possible

Doola makes business formation a lot faster than trying to do it on your own, especially if you’re not a U.S. citizen trying to form a U.S.-based company. It may be possible to form a business in a few minutes with Doola. 

If you fall into the right target market for Doola, the price might be worth it. However, if you’re already a U.S. citizen or resident, one of the alternative business formation services listed above will likely be more cost effective.