Contents
Doola Registered Agent VS LegalZoom/ZenBusiness/Breeze/Northwest
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Why Doola is the Best Choice for International Founders
When it comes to forming a US LLC as a non-US resident, Doola stands out as the only service provider 100% dedicated to serving international founders. While competitors like LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, Breeze, and Northwest Registered Agent offer LLC formation services, they're primarily designed for US domestic customers and fall short when it comes to the unique needs of international entrepreneurs.
The Reality: Most LLC formation services "also support" international clients, but you'll quickly discover:
- Customer service doesn't understand non-residents' unique challenges
- EIN application process is complex (they assume you have an SSN)
- Bank account opening is entirely up to you—no assistance provided
- Tax consulting mainly focuses on US tax law, not international tax situations
Doola's Solution: Built from day one exclusively for international founders, Doola provides a complete solution that goes far beyond just LLC formation.
Doola's Core Advantages
1. Process Optimized for Non-US Residents
Doola has served only international clients from day one. This means:
- ✅ No SSN Required: Doola has a dedicated IRS fax process for EIN applications—no SSN needed
- ✅ International-Focused Support: Customer service team understands every pain point of non-residents
- ✅ Pre-Configured Documents: All forms and documents are pre-optimized for international client situations
- ✅ Global Experience: Supports founders from 175+ countries with proven track record
2. True One-Stop Service Loop
From company registration to daily operations, Doola covers everything:
Registration Phase:
- LLC or C-Corp registration (all 50 states available)
- Preparation and submission of Articles of Organization
- EIN tax number application (2-4 weeks, no SSN required)
- Drafting Operating Agreement
- Registered Agent service (included)
- US business address (included)
Ongoing Operations:
- Bank account opening assistance (deep partnerships with Mercury, Wise)
- Free 30-minute CPA tax consultation
- Annual report filing reminders
- Compliance monitoring and alerts
- Optional bookkeeping and tax filing services
Comparison:
- LegalZoom only handles registration—everything else is up to you
- ZenBusiness's "one-stop" requires additional fees for each service
- Northwest and Breeze don't provide bank account assistance at all
3. International Founder-Friendly Banking Partnerships
This is Doola's most critical advantage. Doola has official partnerships with digital banks like Mercury and Wise:
- ✅ Higher Approval Rates: Mercury account applications through Doola have significantly higher success rates
- ✅ Faster Review Process: Doola prepares all necessary documents in advance
- ✅ Direct Bank Communication: If issues arise, Doola can communicate directly with the bank on your behalf
Real Case: Many people register their LLC themselves, then get rejected when opening a Mercury account because documents are incomplete or business description is unclear. Through Doola, these issues are avoided in advance.
4. Transparent Pricing, True Value
Doola's pricing model is straightforward—no hidden fees, no upsells:
Starter Package - $297/year + state fee:
- ✅ LLC or C-Corp registration
- ✅ EIN application (no SSN required)
- ✅ Operating Agreement
- ✅ Registered Agent service (worth $149/year)
- ✅ US business address
- ✅ Bank account opening assistance
- ✅ Free tax consultation (30 minutes)
- ✅ Compliance reminders
Essential Package - $597/year + state fee:
- All Starter contents
- ✅ Bookkeeping software (QuickBooks integration)
- ✅ Unlimited CPA consultations
- ✅ State report preparation
Total Compliance Package - $1,999/year + state fee:
- All Essential contents
- ✅ Complete IRS tax filing
- ✅ Dedicated accountant
- ✅ Annual report preparation and filing
5. Y Combinator-Backed Credibility
Doola received investment from Y Combinator, the world's top startup accelerator. YC only invests in companies it believes can change the world.
Currently, Doola has served tens of thousands of founders from 175+ countries, with a TrustPilot rating of 4.8/5 (over 1,000 reviews).
6. Fast Processing, Respects Your Time
As a solo entrepreneur running a one-person company, time is money.
- Doola standard processing time: 7-10 business days
- LegalZoom standard processing time: 20 business days
- ZenBusiness: Fast (1-2 days) but subsequent EIN application and bank opening are entirely up to you, potentially taking weeks
Doola's end-to-end time (from registration to bank account): about 6-8 weeks, including:
- Company registration: 7-10 days
- EIN application: 2-4 weeks
- Mercury account opening: 1-2 weeks
This is the fastest overall speed international founders can get in the market.
Pricing and Services Comparison
| Service | Doola | LegalZoom | ZenBusiness | Breeze | Northwest Registered Agent | IncFile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation Fee | $297/year + state fee | $0 + state fee | $49 + state fee | $49 + state fee | $39 + state fee | $0 + state fee |
| Registered Agent Service | Included | $249/year | Free for 1st year, $99/year | $99/year | Free for 1st year, $125/year | Free for 1st year, $119/year |
| EIN Application | Included | $79 | $70 | Not included | $50 (with SSN) / $200 (without SSN) | $70 (Silver package) / Included (Gold+) |
| Operating Agreement | Included | $99 | $99 | Included | Included | Included |
| Bank Opening Assistance | ✅ Included | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| Address Privacy | ✅ Included | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Included | ❌ No |
| Tax Consultation | ✅ Included (30 min) | ❌ Must purchase | ❌ Must purchase | ❌ Must purchase | ❌ Must purchase | ❌ Must purchase |
| Customer Support Rating | 4.8 stars (Trustpilot) | 3.6 stars (Google) | 4.8 stars (Google) | 4.5 stars (Google) | 4.6 stars (Google) | 1.5 stars (Trustpilot) |
| Turnaround Time | 7-10 business days | 30 business days | 1-2 days | 1-3 business days | 3-5 business days | 1-3 weeks |
| International Support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Upsells | ✅ None | ❌ 7 upsells | ⚠️ 1 upsell | ⚠️ Minimal | ✅ None | ❌ 8 upsells |
| Privacy Policy | ✅ Does not sell customer data | ❌ Sells customer data | ✅ Does not sell customer data | ✅ Does not sell customer data | ✅ Does not sell customer data | ⚠️ May sell customer data |
| Actual First Year Cost | $297 + state fee | $477 | $418 | $148 + state fee (without EIN) | $239 + state fee (with EIN for international) | $70 + state fee (Silver with EIN) / $199 + state fee (Gold) |
Key Differentiators
Doola is the ONLY service that provides:
- ✅ Bank account opening assistance (critical for international founders)
- ✅ International-focused customer support (175+ countries experience)
- ✅ No SSN required for EIN application
- ✅ True one-stop service from registration to operations
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Why Not Choose Other Service Providers?
LegalZoom: The Big Brand, But Not for International Founders
LegalZoom is the biggest US brand, but completely targeted at US customers.
Problems for International Clients:
- ❌ Customer service often doesn't understand your questions
- ❌ EIN application assumes you have SSN
- ❌ No bank account opening assistance
- ❌ Slow processing (30 business days)
- ❌ 7 aggressive upsells
- ❌ Sells customer data
When LegalZoom Makes Sense: Only if you're a US resident with SSN and don't need bank account assistance.
ZenBusiness: Attractive Pricing, But Hidden Costs
ZenBusiness offers attractive initial pricing ($0-49), but many hidden fees.
Problems:
- ❌ Basic package $0-49, but actual use requires purchasing almost all services separately
- ❌ No bank account opening assistance
- ❌ EIN application costs extra ($70)
- ❌ Operating Agreement costs extra ($99)
- ❌ Registered Agent costs $199/year after first year
- ❌ Actual first year cost: $418 (more expensive than Doola)
When ZenBusiness Makes Sense: If you're a US resident who can handle bank account opening yourself and don't mind managing multiple service providers.
Breeze: Fast But Limited
Breeze offers fast processing (1-3 business days) and competitive pricing.
Problems:
- ❌ No bank account opening assistance
- ❌ Limited international support
- ❌ Registered Agent costs $99/year
- ❌ EIN application not included (extra fee)
- ❌ No tax consultation included
When Breeze Makes Sense: If you're a US resident who needs fast registration and can handle everything else yourself.
Northwest Registered Agent: Great for US Residents, Not for International Founders
Northwest Registered Agent is excellent for US domestic customers, with transparent pricing and great customer service.
Problems for International Clients:
- ❌ No bank account opening assistance
- ❌ Limited international support
- ❌ No tax consultation included
- ❌ EIN application costs extra ($200 for non-SSN holders)
- ❌ Doesn't provide bookkeeping, tax, and other ongoing services
When Northwest Makes Sense: If you're a US resident who only needs LLC formation and registered agent service, and can handle everything else yourself.
IncFile: Cheap But Poor Quality
IncFile offers free LLC formation, but quality is questionable.
Problems:
- ❌ Very poor customer support rating (1.5 stars)
- ❌ No bank account opening assistance
- ❌ EIN application costs extra ($70 for Silver package)
- ❌ 8 aggressive upsells
- ❌ May sell customer data
- ❌ Slow processing (1-3 weeks)
When IncFile Makes Sense: Almost never—the poor quality isn't worth the low price.
Customer Reviews
Doola Reviews
Sarah M. (Trustpilot): "As an international founder from Singapore, Doola made the entire process seamless. The bank account opening assistance was a game-changer—I couldn't have done it without them. Highly recommended!"
Alex K. (Trustpilot): "Doola's international support is outstanding. They understood my situation from day one and guided me through every step. The Mercury account opening was smooth thanks to their preparation."
Maria L. (Trustpilot): "I compared Doola with LegalZoom and ZenBusiness. Doola was more expensive upfront, but when I calculated the total cost including bank account assistance and tax consultation, Doola was actually cheaper and much more comprehensive."
LegalZoom Reviews
John D. (Google Reviews): "LegalZoom is fine if you're a US resident, but as an international customer, I found their support lacking. They didn't understand my EIN application situation and couldn't help with bank account opening."
ZenBusiness Reviews
Lisa T. (Google Reviews): "ZenBusiness looks cheap at first, but you end up paying for everything separately. By the time I added EIN, Operating Agreement, and Registered Agent, it cost more than Doola's all-inclusive package."
Final Thoughts
For International Founders: Doola is the clear winner.
While other services may look cheaper initially, Doola provides:
- ✅ The only bank account opening assistance (critical for non-residents)
- ✅ True international support (175+ countries experience)
- ✅ No SSN required for EIN
- ✅ Complete one-stop service from registration to operations
- ✅ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
The Real Cost Comparison:
- Doola: $297/year + state fee (everything included)
- LegalZoom: $477 first year (plus no bank account help)
- ZenBusiness: $418 first year (plus no bank account help)
- Breeze: $148 + state fee (without EIN, plus no bank account help)
- Northwest: $39 + state fee + $200 EIN (for international founders) = $239 + state fee (plus no bank account help)
- IncFile: $70 + state fee (Silver with EIN) or $199 + state fee (Gold, includes EIN)
When you factor in the value of bank account opening assistance and international support, Doola is not only the best choice—it's often the most cost-effective.
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Real Examples
Real Example 1: International SaaS Founder
Background
Raj from India wanted to start a SaaS business serving global customers. He needed a US LLC to accept payments via Stripe and PayPal, which weren't available in his country.
Challenge
Raj's primary challenge was finding a service that could:
- Register his LLC without requiring SSN
- Help him get an EIN
- Assist with opening a US bank account (the hardest part)
- Provide ongoing support for international tax questions
Solution
Raj chose Doola for their comprehensive international support:
- No SSN Required: Doola's IRS fax process allowed Raj to get his EIN without an SSN
- Bank Account Assistance: Doola prepared all documents and guided Raj through Mercury account opening—this alone saved him weeks of frustration
- Complete Service: Everything from registration to bank account was handled in one place
- Ongoing Support: Doola's tax consultation helped Raj understand his international tax obligations
Result
Raj's SaaS business is now live, accepting payments from customers worldwide. The entire process took 6 weeks from registration to first payment, thanks to Doola's streamlined process.
Cost: $297 (Doola) Starter) - $30 (LLCCLASS10 discount) = $267 net cost + state fee
Real Example 2: E-commerce Seller
Background
Emma from the UK wanted to sell on Amazon FBA and needed a US LLC to access US marketplaces and payment processors.
Challenge
Emma initially tried LegalZoom because of the brand name, but quickly discovered:
- They couldn't help with EIN application (assumed she had SSN)
- No bank account opening assistance
- Customer service didn't understand her international situation
Solution
Emma switched to Doola:
- International Expertise: Doola's team understood her situation immediately
- Complete Solution: Doola handled LLC registration, EIN application, and Mercury bank account opening
- Faster Overall: While LegalZoom was faster for registration (but not really—20 days vs Doola's 7-10), Doola's end-to-end time was much faster because of bank account assistance
Result
Emma's Amazon FBA business is now operational. She estimates Doola saved her 3-4 weeks compared to doing it herself or using LegalZoom.
Cost: $297 (Doola) Starter) - $30 (LLCCLASS10 discount) = $267 net cost + state fee
Real Example 3: Digital Nomad Freelancer
Background
Carlos from Brazil is a digital nomad working remotely. He needed a US LLC to accept payments from US clients via Stripe and PayPal.
Challenge
Carlos needed:
- Fast registration (he had clients waiting)
- Bank account opening (critical for receiving payments)
- Ongoing compliance support (he travels frequently)
Solution
Carlos chose Doola:
- Fast Registration: 7-10 days for LLC formation
- Bank Account Success: Doola's Mercury partnership ensured his account was approved on first try
- Compliance Support: Doola's reminders and support help Carlos stay compliant even while traveling
Result
Carlos can now accept payments from US clients seamlessly. His business is fully operational and compliant.
Cost: $297 (Doola) Starter) - $30 (LLCCLASS10 discount) = $267 net cost + state fee
Review Sources: Trustpilot, Doola+reviews)
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