Looking for an Inc Authority alternative?
Inc Authority advertises free LLC formation but uses aggressive upsell tactics during the process. Their Standard Bundle at $399 is where the real revenue comes from.
All 50 states • $399 one-time to form • Built for non-residents
Trusted by founders, operators, and global businesses in 150+ countries
StartGlobal vs Inc Authority
What's actually included, side by side. (See the full first-year cost below.)
| What's included | StartGlobal | Inc Authority |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Registered agent | Included | Yr1 free, $179/yr |
| EIN (no SSN) | Yes, no SSN | Paid bundle |
| US bank account setup | Included | No |
| Operating agreement | Included | Paid bundle |
| Bookkeeping | Included (managed) | Quote-only |
| Federal tax filing | Included | Quote-only |
| Annual report & compliance | Included | Paid bundle |
| Built for non-residents | Built for it | Limited |
| Money-back guarantee | 100% money-back | — |
The cost to run an LLC, not just to start one.
Every founder needs formation, a registered agent, an EIN, an operating agreement, ongoing compliance, bookkeeping and a federal tax return. Here is the full first-year cost on identical scope.
StartGlobal
then $149/month fully managed, or a la carte from $99/year • one platform • everything included
- LLC formation + state filing fee
- Registered agent
- EIN (Tax ID)
- US business bank account setup
- Operating agreement
- Annual report & compliance
- Bookkeeping
- Federal tax filing
Inc Authority
3 separate services to manage
- Formation, registered agent, EIN & OA (bundle) $300
- Bookkeeping, via 3rd party (est.) $2,400
- Federal tax filing (5472 + 1120), via 3rd party (est.) $800
Inc Authority only handles part of it.
To actually run your LLC you would stitch together 3 separate services: Inc Authority for formation, a separate bookkeeper, and a separate tax preparer. That is 3 logins, 3 bills, and 3 support teams to chase when something breaks. StartGlobal is all of it in one platform, one login, one bill, one team, for a one-time $399 to form, then a flat $149/month fully managed (or a la carte from $99/year).
First-year cost for a single-member, foreign-owned LLC in Wyoming (~$100 state fee), ~1,000 transactions / ~$100k revenue. Where Inc Authority does not offer bookkeeping or tax filing, we use third-party benchmarks (bookkeeping $2,400/yr, federal tax filing $800/yr) so the scope matches. *Some Inc Authority prices are quote-only and estimated. Competitor pricing as of 2026-06 and may change.
Why founders switch to StartGlobal
Real concerns reported by Inc Authority users, and how we fix them.
Aggressive Upselling Tactics
“The free formation is just a way to get you in the door. They bombard you with upsells for services that should be included.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
Inc Authority uses the free formation as a lead magnet, then aggressively pushes paid add-ons during the checkout process.
StartGlobal offers flat, predictable pricing: $399 one-time to form, then $149/month fully managed or a la carte from $99/year. No upsells, no pressure to upgrade.
Unexpected Auto-Renewal Charges
“I was charged for a registered agent renewal I never authorized. Cancelling the auto-renewal was extremely difficult.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
Customers report being automatically charged for service renewals without clear notification or easy cancellation options.
No surprise renewals at StartGlobal. All charges are transparent and clearly communicated before they occur.
Difficulty Changing Registered Agent
“After the free first year, I wanted to switch registered agents but they made it incredibly difficult to transfer.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
After the free first year of registered agent service, customers report difficulty switching to another provider.
StartGlobal makes it easy to manage your registered agent service with no lock-in tactics.
"Free" Is Not Really Free
“The free plan gets you a basic filing, but everything useful costs extra. By the time you add what you need, it is not free at all.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
The free tier lacks essential services, and the upsell pressure makes the actual cost of a functional LLC much higher.
StartGlobal is upfront about pricing. A flat $399 one-time formation includes registered agent, EIN, bank account setup, and operating agreement, with ongoing compliance from $99/year.
Not Designed for Non-Residents
“Inc Authority does not really support non-US founders. The process assumes you have a US address and SSN.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
Inc Authority is built for US residents and lacks specialized support for international entrepreneurs.
StartGlobal was built specifically for non-residents from 150+ countries. No SSN required, non-resident EIN assistance included.
LLC Formation
Everything you need to launch, in one package.
Registered Agent
IncludedEvery US LLC is legally required to have a registered agent: the official point of contact that receives legal documents, lawsuits, and state notices on your behalf. We act as your registered agent in your formation state and forward anything that arrives straight to you.
- Required to form and keep your LLC in good standing
- Receives legal documents and state notices for you
- We forward everything to you right away
State Filing
IncludedWe set up your company in the state you choose and track everything through to approval. Your state fees are included in the price, with no separate charges to figure out later.
- File in any of the 50 states
- State filing fees included, no surprise charges
- We track your filing through to approval
Business Tax Number
IncludedBefore you can open a bank account, get paid, or file taxes, you need a business tax number. We take care of the entire application for you, even if you don't have a U.S. social security number.
- We handle the entire application for you
- No U.S. SSN needed
- Gets you ready to bank, get paid, and stay compliant
U.S. Business Bank Account
IncludedOpen a U.S. business bank account from anywhere in the world, with no U.S. travel required. We connect you with trusted banking partners like Mercury and Lili and guide you through the application.
- Apply from anywhere, no U.S. trip needed
- Partners like Mercury and Lili
- Guided setup from start to finish
One payment, no surprise charges at checkout.
Ongoing Compliance
Pay only for what you need.
Registered Agent
Pay as you goYour registered agent service continues year after year, keeping a verified U.S. address on file and forwarding every legal document and state notice so you stay in good standing.
- Verified U.S. address maintained
- Legal mail scanned and forwarded
- Renewed automatically each year
State Annual Report
Pay as you goMost states require an annual or biennial report to keep your LLC active. We prepare and file it on time, every year, so you never fall out of good standing or get hit with late penalties.
- Annual or biennial report prepared and filed
- Deadline tracking, no late penalties
- Keeps your LLC in good standing
Bookkeeping
Pay as you goWe keep your books organized and aligned with U.S. standards every month, so your finances are always accurate and ready for tax time, investors, or a loan.
- Monthly bookkeeping
- Transactions categorized and reconciled
- Reports ready for tax season
Federal Tax Filing
Pay as you goWe handle your annual federal tax filing for single-member and multi-member LLCs, including the forms non-resident owners need, filed accurately and on time with the IRS.
- Returns for single and multi-member LLCs
- Non-resident owner filings handled
- Accurate, on-time filing with the IRS
Starts with registered agent. Add annual report, bookkeeping, and federal tax filing as you need them.
The operating system
Formation is
just the start.
StartGlobal runs your whole company, not just the paperwork. One platform, every tool you need to operate.
Explore all productsLoved by founders in 150+ countries
Real customers, on camera, talking about their U.S. business journey
Inc Authority vs StartGlobal, answered
Is Inc Authority really free for LLC formation?+
Inc Authority offers free basic LLC filing (you still pay state fees), but they aggressively upsell during the process. Essential services like operating agreement and premium support require paid bundles ($399+). StartGlobal is $399 one-time to form, then $149/month managed or a la carte from $99/year, with no upsells.
Why do Inc Authority customers complain about auto-renewals?+
Inc Authority provides free registered agent for the first year, but it auto-renews at a higher rate. Customers report difficulty cancelling and unexpected charges. StartGlobal has transparent renewal processes with no surprises.
Is StartGlobal better than Inc Authority for international founders?+
Yes. Inc Authority is designed for US residents and does not specialize in non-resident formation. StartGlobal was built specifically for international entrepreneurs with non-resident EIN assistance, bank account setup, and support for founders from 150+ countries.
What does Inc Authority charge for their Standard Bundle?+
Inc Authority Standard Bundle costs $399+ and includes premium features. However, the upsell-heavy approach and auto-renewal practices concern many customers. StartGlobal offers straightforward pricing: $399 one-time to form, then $149/month managed or a la carte from $99/year, with no upsell pressure.
Can I switch from Inc Authority to StartGlobal?+
Yes! We can take over as your registered agent and handle all ongoing compliance. Contact our team to discuss transferring your LLC management from Inc Authority to StartGlobal.
Ready to start your U.S. business?
Join thousands of global founders who trust StartGlobal. Form your LLC in minutes and run it all from one place.