Why We Built EntityEngine: The LLC Formation Tool We Wished Existed

Most LLC formation services were built for accountants, not founders. You land on the site, get hit with a pricing table full of asterisks, and by the time you figure out what you actually need, you have spent 45 minutes and still are not sure if the $299 package covers your EIN or not.

That frustration is the entire reason EntityEngine exists.

The problem we kept running into

We talked to a lot of early-stage founders before writing a single line of code. The pattern was consistent. Domestic founders said the process felt opaque. International founders said it felt almost impossible. A Nigerian founder building a SaaS product told us he spent three weeks trying to understand whether he even could form a US LLC without a Social Security Number. (He can. The IRS handles EINs for foreign nationals through Form SS-4, and it takes about 4-6 weeks by fax, or sometimes same-day by phone if the lines cooperate.)

An American founder said that a US lawyer quoted him $2,000 just for an operating agreement in NY state, something that many vendors such as ourselves provide free of charge.

These are not edge cases. They are the default experience.

What existing services got wrong

Let us be specific about the three things that bothered us most.

Pricing that hides the real cost. A $49 formation package sounds great until you realise the registered agent service (required in every state) is $150/year extra, the EIN service is another $70, and the operating agreement costs $50 more. You entered thinking $49. You exited paying $319. We think that is a bad way to treat a customer who is already taking a financial risk by starting a company.

No real guidance on entity choice. Most services just ask 'LLC or Corporation?' and move on. But a lot of founders do not know yet. If you are raising a priced round from institutional VCs, a C-Corp in Delaware is almost certainly the right call. If you are a solo consultant or building a lifestyle business, an LLC with pass-through taxation probably makes more sense. That is a real decision with real tax consequences. It deserves a real explanation. Our LLC vs C-Corp breakdown is one of the most-read pages on our site for that reason.

International founders treated as an afterthought. The US LLC structure is genuinely useful for founders outside the US. It opens up Stripe, US bank accounts, and US investor relationships. But most formation services either ignore non-US founders or charge them premium prices for basic help. We built country-specific guides for founders in India, Nigeria, the UK, and more because the paperwork actually differs depending on where you live.

What we built instead

EntityEngine is a formation service with a clear price, no hidden add-ons, and plain-English explanations at every step. You can see exactly what you are getting on our pricing page before you enter a single piece of information.

We handle the state filing, the registered agent requirement, the EIN application via Form SS-4, and the operating agreement. Those are the four things every new LLC actually needs. We explain what each one is and why it matters. For example, most first-time founders do not know what an EIN is until they try to open a bank account and get turned away. We wrote a whole guide on EINs so that does not happen to you.

We also cover the downstream stuff that trips founders up after formation: banking options for new LLCs, the W-8BEN form that non-US members need to provide to US payers, and state-specific quirks like the New York publication requirement, which can cost $1,000-$2,000 if you do not plan for it.

Who EntityEngine is for

Honestly, two types of founders.

First, US-based founders who are just starting out and do not want to pay a lawyer $500-$1,000 for something that is mostly paperwork. Formation is not where your legal budget should go right now.

Second, international founders who want a US business entity to access US payment processors, US banking, and US investors. This is a real and growing group. The process has more steps for them (no SSN means the EIN process takes longer, and they need to understand forms like the W-8BEN), but it is absolutely doable. We built EntityEngine to make it feel that way.

A note on what we are not

We are not a law firm. We do not give legal advice, and we will always tell you when a situation is complex enough that you should pay for a real attorney. If you are raising a Series A, issuing stock options, or dealing with a multi-member LLC with complicated equity splits, please hire a lawyer. That is money well spent.

But if you are forming a single-member or simple multi-member LLC, handling the paperwork yourself through a service like EntityEngine is completely reasonable. Thousands of founders do it every year.

The honest pitch

We built the service we wanted when we were starting our own companies. Straightforward pricing, real guidance, and no condescending upsells. You can read more about the team and the thinking behind it on our about page.

If that sounds like what you need, the whole process takes about 10 minutes on your end.

Frequently asked questions

How long does LLC formation actually take with EntityEngine?

State processing times vary. Delaware is usually 1-3 business days for standard filing, 24 hours if you pay for expedited service ($50 extra at the state level). Wyoming is similar. California can take 3-5 business days. We show current state timelines before you file so there are no surprises.

Do I need a US address to form an LLC?

No. You need a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation. That is included in your EntityEngine package. Your own mailing address can be anywhere in the world.

Will EntityEngine get my EIN for me?

Yes. For US founders with an SSN, the EIN comes through quickly, usually same-day via the IRS online portal. For non-US founders, it requires Form SS-4 submitted by fax or phone, which takes 4-6 weeks on average. We handle the filing and keep you updated.

What states do you support?

EntityEngine supports all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. If you require support in offshore jurisidictions, we suggest you checkout our global site (www.entityengine.io).

Is an operating agreement really necessary for a single-member LLC?

Some states do not legally require one for single-member LLCs. But every banking institution will ask for it, and it is the document that proves you are the sole owner if anyone ever questions it. It takes us about 5 minutes to generate one for you. There is no good reason to skip it.

Ready to get your LLC filed? Start with EntityEngine and you can have your formation documents submitted today.