Choosing between Clerky and Inc Authority comes down to the kind of company you intend to build. Clerky is generally the better choice for founders creating venture-backed startups, particularly Delaware C corporations that will issue founder equity, raise investment, and hire employees. Inc Authority is generally better suited to entrepreneurs who want inexpensive business formation, especially an LLC, combined with a broader selection of startup and small-business services.

The two platforms overlap in company formation, but they are built around very different philosophies. Clerky focuses narrowly on startup legal infrastructure. Inc Authority takes a broader, more accessible approach to business formation and business services.

Clerky vs Inc Authority at a Glance

What Is Clerky?

Clerky is an online legal-paperwork platform built specifically for startups. Rather than treating incorporation as the end of the process, Clerky connects formation with the legal work a startup typically needs afterward. Its Delaware incorporation workflow supports founder stock issuance, vesting, bylaws, board consents, intellectual-property protection, and 83(b) election paperwork. The platform also covers later-stage startup requirements, including:

• SAFEs and convertible notes
• Fundraising board consents
• Employee and advisor agreements
• Stock and stock-option issuance
• NDAs
• Corporate amendments
• Director and officer changes
• EIN applications for non-U.S. founders
• Corporate bank-account applications. That makes Clerky particularly relevant to founders who expect their company to become an investable, equity-funded startup rather than simply a small operating business.

How much does Clerky cost?

Clerky currently lists its Company Lifetime Package at $819. The package includes Delaware incorporation, expedited incorporation filing fees, the first year of Delaware registered-agent service, and annual report and franchise-tax reminders. Certain maintenance, foreign-qualification, add-on, and third-party fees are separate.

What Is Inc Authority?

Inc Authority takes a much broader approach. The company offers business formation for both LLCs and corporations, with its headline offering currently promoting free online LLC or corporation formation—you pay the required state fees. Its free package includes business-name checking, preparation and filing, digital document storage, a first-year registered-agent service, and tax-planning consultation. Inc Authority also offers additional services such as:

• EIN applications
• Operating agreements and bylaws
• Business credit services
• Business plans
• Tax services
• Trademark services
• Website and marketing services
• Business funding analysis
• Registered-agent services. Its model is therefore closer to a one-stop business formation and small-business services provider than a specialized startup legal platform.

Clerky vs Inc Authority for Startups

Imagine two founders launching a software company. They plan to incorporate in Delaware, divide founder shares, establish vesting, assign intellectual property to the company, raise a seed round, and eventually create an employee option pool.

Clerky is the stronger match for this scenario. Its formation products are specifically designed around startup corporate structures, and its platform continues into fundraising and hiring. Founders can issue SAFEs or convertible notes, create board consents, handle employee paperwork, and issue stock or stock options.

This specialization matters because startup legal paperwork becomes increasingly important as outside investors and employees enter the company. Inc Authority can form corporations and provides corporate-related services, but its broader focus is business formation and general business support rather than the complete legal lifecycle of a venture-backed startup.

Inc Authority Is More Practical for Many Small Businesses

Now consider a different entrepreneur launching a consulting company. They need an LLC, EIN, registered agent, operating agreement, and perhaps help with business credit or a website. They don't expect venture capital investors or employee stock options. Inc Authority's broader service portfolio makes more sense here.

Its free formation package currently includes the state filing process, first-year registered-agent service, tax ID, document delivery and storage, and other introductory services, subject to the required state fees. For a conventional small business, Clerky's startup-specific equity and fundraising infrastructure may simply be unnecessary.

Founder Equity Is Where Clerky Pulls Ahead

Founder ownership is one of the biggest differences between these platforms. A startup with multiple founders often needs more than certificates showing who owns what. It may need restricted stock purchase agreements, vesting schedules, board approvals, intellectual-property assignments, and 83(b) elections.

Clerky specifically incorporates these tasks into its post-incorporation workflow. Its formation products include customizable founder vesting, stock-issuance notices, restricted stock purchase agreements, and pre-filled 83(b) election materials and filing instructions.

That can be especially important when the company expects investors to conduct due diligence later. A poorly maintained capitalization structure can become a serious problem during fundraising. For startup equity administration, Clerky has a clear advantage.

What About Fundraising?

Clerky is also designed around the fundraising process. Its platform supports SAFEs and convertible notes, including common structures involving valuation caps and discounts. It also provides financing board consents and workflows for collecting investor signatures.

Inc Authority offers business funding and credit-related services, but its positioning is much broader. It promotes services around business credit, funding analysis, business plans, taxes, websites, and other business needs. These are fundamentally different approaches.

If your goal is venture financing and startup equity, Clerky is the more specialized platform. If your goal is helping a conventional business get formed and become operational, Inc Authority's broader ecosystem may be more useful.

LLC Formation: Inc Authority Wins

For entrepreneurs specifically looking to create an LLC, Inc Authority has the stronger proposition. Its current offering advertises $0 business registration plus required state fees, and the company supports LLC formation as one of its primary services.

Clerky, meanwhile, is centered on Delaware C corporations for high-growth startups. Clerky explicitly describes the Delaware C corporation as the standard structure for high-growth startups. So if you're forming:

• A consulting business
• An agency
• An ecommerce company
• A local service company
• A freelancer's LLC
• A family-owned business. Inc Authority is likely the more natural choice.

International Founders: Clerky Has a Stronger Startup Workflow

International entrepreneurs should evaluate more than the incorporation fee. A non-U.S. founder may need an EIN, banking support, registered-agent services, and help maintaining a U.S. corporate structure.

Clerky offers an EIN application workflow specifically for non-U.S. founders and corporate bank-account applications using information from the company's legal paperwork. That is particularly useful for an international founder establishing a Delaware startup remotely.

Inc Authority offers EIN assistance and broad business services, but its positioning is primarily centered on general business formation rather than the legal infrastructure of internationally operated, venture-backed startups. Neither platform should be considered a substitute for professional cross-border tax advice.

Which Offers Better Value?

On the surface, Inc Authority appears to have the price advantage. Its headline formation offering is free apart from required state fees, while Clerky's Company Lifetime Package costs $819. But these prices shouldn't be compared without considering what you're actually buying. For a small-business owner forming an LLC, paying $0 plus state fees for formation and receiving a first year of registered-agent service can be compelling.

For a technology startup that expects to need founder vesting, 83(b) documentation, SAFEs, employee equity, and corporate maintenance, Clerky's specialized ecosystem may justify its higher upfront cost. The better question is: Which platform is likely to reduce the amount of legal infrastructure you'll have to rebuild later?

Clerky vs Inc Authority: Pros and Cons

Clerky

Pros:

• Purpose-built for startups
• Strong Delaware C-corporation workflow
• Founder equity and vesting support
• 83(b) election support
• SAFE and convertible-note workflows
• Employee equity documentation
• Attorney collaboration
• EIN support for non-U.S. founders

Cons:

• Not designed primarily for LLC formation
• Narrower range of general business services
• Less compelling for traditional small businesses
• Some add-ons and third-party fees are separate

Inc Authority

Pros:

• Free formation apart from state fees
• Strong LLC focus
• Supports corporations
• First-year registered-agent service included
• EIN assistance
• Broad small-business services
• Business credit and funding services
• Website, marketing, tax and business-plan offerings
• Live U.S.-based support

Cons:

• Less specialized for venture-backed startups
• Startup equity workflows aren't its central focus
• Additional services may increase the total cost
• Entrepreneurs need to distinguish business-service support from actual legal advice; Inc Authority states that it is not a law firm or substitute for an attorney.

Which Platform Should You Choose?

Choose Clerky if you are:

• Building a venture-backed startup
• Forming a Delaware C corporation
• Working with multiple founders
• Establishing founder vesting
• Planning to raise outside investment
• Issuing employee stock or options
• Working with startup attorneys
• Building for rapid equity-funded growth

Choose Inc Authority if you are:

• Forming an LLC
• Starting a conventional small business
• Looking for low-cost formation
• Interested in registered-agent services
• Looking for EIN assistance
• Interested in business credit or funding services
• Looking for broader business-support products

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clerky better than Inc Authority?

For venture-backed startups, generally yes. Clerky is specifically built around startup legal paperwork, including Delaware incorporation, founder equity, fundraising, hiring, and corporate maintenance. For conventional small businesses and LLCs, Inc Authority can be the more practical option.

Is Inc Authority really free?

Inc Authority currently advertises free business formation, with customers paying the required state fees. Additional products and services may have separate costs.

Is Clerky good for LLC formation?

Clerky's primary focus is Delaware C corporations for high-growth startups, so it isn't the natural first choice for a conventional LLC.

Which is better for a Delaware startup?

Clerky is generally the stronger choice if the Delaware company is intended to raise venture capital, issue equity, and grow into an institutional startup.

Which is better for a first-time entrepreneur?

For a first-time entrepreneur starting an LLC or traditional small business, Inc Authority is generally more accessible. For a first-time founder building a venture-backed startup, Clerky is more specialized.

Does Clerky help international founders?

Yes. Clerky provides an EIN application workflow for non-U.S. founders and support for corporate bank-account applications.

Final Verdict: Clerky for Startups, Inc Authority for Small Businesses

There isn't a single winner for every entrepreneur. Clerky is the better platform when your company is a startup first and a business entity second. Its strength lies in the legal infrastructure surrounding Delaware C corporations: founder equity, vesting, fundraising, hiring, stock options, board actions, and ongoing corporate maintenance.

Inc Authority is the better fit when affordability and breadth matter more. Its free formation model, LLC support, registered-agent offering, EIN assistance, and wider collection of business services make it attractive to entrepreneurs starting conventional small businesses.

For a founder deciding between the two, the simplest rule is this: Building a venture-backed startup? Choose Clerky. Starting a traditional LLC or small business? Inc Authority is likely the better fit. The right decision ultimately depends less on today's formation fee and more on what you expect the company to look like two, three, or five years from now.