Looking for a Privatily alternative?
Privatily is a newer competitor also serving non-residents, with fast turnaround but a smaller track record.
All 50 states • $399 one-time to form • Built for non-residents
Trusted by founders, operators, and global businesses in 150+ countries
StartGlobal vs Privatily
What's actually included, side by side. (See the full first-year cost below.)
| What's included | StartGlobal | Privatily |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Registered agent | Included | Included ($99/yr) |
| business tax number (no SSN) | Yes, no SSN | Yes, no SSN |
| US bank account setup | Included | Yes |
| Operating agreement | Included | Unclear |
| Bookkeeping | Included (managed) | Not offered |
| Federal tax filing | Included | Referral only |
| Annual report & compliance | Included | Limited |
| Built for non-residents | Built for it | Built for it |
| Money-back guarantee | 100% money-back | — |
The cost to run an LLC, not just to start one.
Every founder needs formation, a registered agent, a business tax number, 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
- business tax number
- US business bank account setup
- Operating agreement
- Annual report & compliance
- Bookkeeping
- Federal tax filing
Privatily
3 separate services to manage
- Formation, registered agent & business tax number (Basic) $329
- Bookkeeping, via 3rd party (est.) $2,400
- Federal tax filing (5472 + 1120), via 3rd party (est.) $800
Privatily only handles part of it.
To actually run your LLC you would stitch together 3 separate services: Privatily 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, ~1,000 transactions / ~$100k revenue, with state fees included on both sides so the comparison is like for like. Where Privatily 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. Competitor pricing as of 2026-06 and may change.
Why founders switch to StartGlobal
Real concerns reported by Privatily users, and how we fix them.
Limited Track Record
Privatily is a newer company with less established history. Fewer reviews make it harder to assess long-term reliability.
StartGlobal has helped 5,000+ companies from 150+ countries, backed by investors including Twitter co-founder Biz Stone.
Basic Platform
Privatily offers a simpler platform that may lack the full-service features needed for ongoing LLC management.
StartGlobal provides a full-featured dashboard for formation, compliance tracking, document storage, and business management.
Limited Compliance Features
Ongoing compliance management tools may be limited compared to more established platforms.
StartGlobal offers complete compliance tools: deadline reminders, annual report filing, and proactive compliance management.
Bank Setup Support Only
Privatily provides guidance on bank account setup but may not have the same partnerships and hands-on assistance.
StartGlobal partners with US banks to provide streamlined account opening, included with your $399 one-time formation.
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
Privatily vs StartGlobal, answered
How does StartGlobal compare to Privatily?+
Both serve non-residents, but StartGlobal has a longer track record (5,000+ vs 1,800+ companies), more complete platform features, and backing from notable investors including Twitter co-founder Biz Stone.
Is Privatily cheaper than StartGlobal?+
Privatily's base price (~$300) is lower, but StartGlobal provides more features, with $399 one-time formation plus $149/month fully managed compliance (or a la carte from $99/year), a full compliance platform, bank account setup partnerships, and extensive support.
Which has better support: StartGlobal or Privatily?+
StartGlobal guarantees 24-hour response times from human experts. As a more established company with a larger team, we can provide more consistent, reliable support.
Should I choose the cheaper option (Privatily)?+
Price shouldn't be the only factor. Consider track record, platform features, support quality, and long-term value. StartGlobal's full-service platform and established history may provide better value for serious businesses.
Can StartGlobal help if I started with Privatily?+
Yes! We can take over as your registered agent and manage your LLC compliance. Contact our team to discuss transferring your LLC management to StartGlobal.
Still weighing up providers?
We put the main providers for non-resident founders side by side, with what each one actually includes and what the first year really costs.
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.