At doola, we believe the world deserves more founders, no matter where you’re from. Whether you’re a digital nomad, a creator in Lagos, a Shopify seller in São Paulo, or a SaaS founder in Berlin, launching a US business shouldn’t hold you back.
And once you’re ready to take that step, choosing the right support system is key.
This blog is your zero-detour roadmap to picking the perfect doola plan: Starter vs. TC vs. Business-in-a-Box™, based on where you are and where you’re going with your business.
Because this isn’t just about choosing a service. It’s about building with clarity, confidence, and the kind of infrastructure that turns big ideas into legit businesses.
Let’s doola it!
Starter vs. TC vs. Business-in-a-Box™: An Overview
Not all founders start at the same line, and not every business needs the same toolkit.
That’s why doola’s plans are designed to support your stage, whether you’re starting lean or scaling fast. However, if you’re feeling stuck, rest assured. We are here to help you make the smartest choice for your business.
Let’s break it down with a simple side-by-side snapshot so you can spot the best fit at a glance:
| Plan | Ideal For | Offerings | Price | Key Benefits |
| Starter | First-time founders, creators on a budget | Company Formation, Registered Agent, EIN, operating agreement. | $297/year | Access to doola dashboard, US LLC setup |
| TC (Tax Compliance) | Founders earning revenue, billing US clients | Everything in Starter + Annual State Compliance + IRS Filings (1120 + 5472) | $1,999/year | End-to-end tax filing and compliance handled |
| Business-in-a-Box™ | Scaling businesses, solopreneurs,e-commerce founders who want it all done | Everything in TC + US Address, Bookkeeping, Banking, Expense Tracking, Invoicing | $2,999/year | Done-for-you operations, plug-and-play backend. |
Note: All plans include US company formation, access to the doola dashboard, and compliance reminders. Each tier is designed to meet you where you are and grow as you do.
🔖 Related Must-Read: Can You Really Start an LLC for $0?
The Starter Plan: Best for Lean Founders Just Getting Started
When you’re bootstrapping your first business, every dollar counts. We’ve been there; dreaming big while checking the bank balance twice.
The Starter Plan was built for exactly that phase. It gets you the essentials: a legit US business, an EIN to start collecting payments, and the structure to grow from side hustle to real company, without needing a hefty budget.
Who Is This Plan For?
Not everyone starts with investors, a CFO, and a team of advisors. Some start with Wi-Fi, a dream, and a global client in their DMs. That’s who the Starter Plan is for: the builders, the doers, who are making moves before the world notices.
If you’re laying the groundwork and want something solid (without a Silicon Valley-sized price tag), this plan is your launchpad.
1. Side Hustlers and Creators
You could be a motion designer in São Paulo, a music producer mixing tracks in Lagos, or a content strategist crafting campaigns from Manila.
Your skills are global and so are your clients. Maybe a few US brands are already in your inbox. Maybe you’ve even sent out a couple of invoices.
So, what’s missing? A legit US business setup to match your hustle.
The Starter Plan helps you get set up with an LLC and EIN, so you can confidently charge through Wise, PayPal, or Stripe and start building serious credibility.
2. Bootstrapped Freelancers
You’ve built your client base from scratch; no investor decks, no startup hype, just skill and grind. But to keep leveling up and landing US contracts, you need the right structure.
With doola’s Starter plan, you’ll form a US LLC, get your EIN, and be able to accept payments through Stripe, PayPal, and more, all while showing clients that you’re not just freelancing, you’re building a brand.
3. Global Entrepreneurs Testing the Waters
If you’re exploring the US market to gauge the viability of your business, you need more than a Stripe link. Whether you’re validating your SaaS concept, experimenting with digital product sales, or piloting a service, the Starter Plan by doola gives you a fully legit US business structure with minimal upfront cost.
It’s the smartest way to test demand, gather feedback, and iterate, without overcommitting before proof of traction.
Let’s now find out what the doola Starter Plan brings to the table and why it’s more than just a starting point.
What’s Included in the Starter Plan?
The Starter Plan is built for founders who want to move from idea to legit business without delays or guesswork. It’s a clean, affordable setup that clears the legal formalities and gets you operating like a pro in the US market.
Here’s what you get with this plan:
1. US LLC Formation: We’ll handle the paperwork so your business is officially and “legally” recognized in the US.
2. EIN (Employer Identification Number): This is your business’s tax ID, essential for getting paid through Stripe, PayPal, or opening a US bank account.
3. Registered Agent Service: A legal requirement for your LLC that ensures you stay compliant and never miss an important notice.
4. Operating Agreement: The document that outlines how your LLC runs, critical for structure and legitimacy, especially if you’re working with partners.
5. Access to the doola Dashboard: A central command center to manage your company docs, deadlines, and key updates.
Overall, it’s not just the price point or the paperwork, founders love the Starter Plan because it helps them launch smart.
Moreover, the Starter Plan keeps your launch costs predictable at just $297/year. Instead of piecing together legal help, formation services, and government applications yourself (and risking mistakes or delays), doola wraps it all up into a single, smooth process.
Here’s a comparison in cost if you went DIY instead of choosing our Starter Plan:
- LLC filing: $50–$500 depending on the state
- EIN: $0 (but can take 4–6 weeks solo if non-US resident)
- Registered Agent: $100–$300/year
- Operating Agreement: $50–$100 from online templates
- Legal and filing errors are potentially very expensive
With doola Starter, you get peace of mind and a professional setup in one go. It’s simple, scalable, and gives you a legit US business presence without burning through your budget.
But once the wins start rolling in and you’re dealing with invoices, tax questions, and expanding operations, it might be time to consider your next move.
So, let’s talk about when it’s time to trade up to something more robust.
📈 When You Might Want to Upgrade
The Starter Plan is great for getting off the ground. But here’s when you know you’re ready to level up to TC (Tax Compliance):
- You’re earning consistent income from US clients: Platforms like Payoneer or Stripe don’t file your taxes for you. Once money starts flowing, taxes and IRS filings come in.
- You’re confused about annual tax forms (5472, 1120, State Filings): Most global founders don’t realize there are forms due even if you made $0. TC ensures you stay compliant.
- You need reminders and support for annual compliance: Miss a deadline and you could face penalties starting at $25/day. TC takes the guesswork out of staying in good standing.
If you’re early-stage, lean, and focused on momentum over meetings, the Starter Plan is made for you. It gets your US business up and running, fast, clean, and stress-free, while giving you the flexibility to upgrade when the time’s right.
Real Founder Story: Sean Segal, Founder of Slumber
When Sean Segal set out to launch Slumber, a wellness brand dedicated to helping people rest better, he knew he needed more than just a great product. He needed the right business foundation to expand into the US and operate as a legal entity from day one.
With doola, Sean launched Slumber as a US business, complete with formation, tax ID, business banking, and ongoing compliance handled under one roof.
In fact, more than tools and services, doola offered clarity. Sean didn’t have to waste time figuring out what plan he needed or when to level up. As Slumber gained traction and his needs evolved, doola guided him through the right upgrades—so every stage of growth came with the structure to support it.
Today, Slumber is growing fast: stocked in boutique shelves, backed by solid financials, and poised for scale.
And if Sean can go from idea to legit business, so can you. Get ready to bring your idea to life with a solid US business setup with doola.
Schedule a demo with us today.
The TC Plan: For Founders Who Want to Stay Tax Compliant Without the Stress
It started with a few client calls. Then came payments, invoices, and a growing list of deliverables. Now, it’s more than a side hustle; it’s a real business.
The doola TC (Total Compliance) Plan makes sure your growth doesn’t get tangled in US compliance.
We’ll handle the tax stuff, so you can stay focused on scaling.
Who Is This Plan Perfect For?
The TC Plan is built for founders who’ve moved past the early hustle and are now managing real revenue, recurring clients, and growing responsibilities.
At this stage, staying compliant with US tax laws isn’t optional; it’s essential for sustainable growth and peace of mind.
Here’s a look at the types of founders who thrive with the doola Total Compliance Plan.
1. E-commerce Sellers Shipping to the US
Whether you’re shipping handcrafted jewelry from Nairobi or dropshipping from suppliers in Asia, if you’re selling to US customers, you’re in the system, and the IRS is watching.
The TC Plan helps you stay on top of compliance so your growth doesn’t come with tax-time headaches.
2. Freelancers Regularly Billing US Clients
If you’re a designer in Berlin or a copywriter in Cape Town sending recurring invoices to US brands, the doola TC plan ensures your income is reported correctly to the IRS.
You won’t have to decode complicated forms or wonder whether you’re missing deadlines.
3. Digital Consultants, Coaches, and Creators Scaling Up
From course creators to SEO strategists, if you’re scaling your personal brand and serving a US-based audience, the Total Compliance plan has your back.
You get clarity, structure, and the confidence that you’re building on a compliant foundation.
Up next, let’s break down what the doola TC Plan includes and why it’s more than just a compliance upgrade.
What You Get With TC: Everything in Starter, Plus These Upgrades
Once your business is up and running, staying compliant becomes non-negotiable.
The Total Compliance (TC) Plan by doola builds on the Starter foundation and enables you to operate worry-free, avoid penalties, and keep your business in good standing with US authorities.
Here’s what’s included in the doola TC plan:
1. Annual State Compliance Filing
Every LLC needs to file an annual report with its state to stay in good standing. Miss this, and your company can get dissolved or face penalties.
With TC, doola files it for you and helps you avoid guesswork or missed deadlines.
2. IRS Tax Filings (Forms 5472 + 1120)
These forms are mandatory for single-member LLCs owned by non-US residents. Forms 5472 and 1120 report your business activities to the IRS.
Forgetting them can result in penalties of $25,000+ or more. TC ensures they’re filed correctly, on time, and stress-free.
3. Year-End Filing Support
Tax season is challenging, especially with cross-border rules and IRS acronyms thrown around everywhere.
With the TC Plan, you’re always covered. You get access to expert support to guide you through the year-end process, helping you close your books with confidence.
Now you might be wondering:
“Why not just hire a CPA for all this?”
Hold that thought while we show you why the most strategic founders are going with doola’s TC Plan instead.
The Cost of NOT Using TC: Why Founders Switch from CPA to doola
Hiring a US-based CPA to handle compliance can cost you $1,000 or more per year, depending on complexity. And that’s without the additional cost of missed deadlines or misunderstood requirements.
The TC Plan gives you the same peace of mind for $1,999/year, fully integrated with your doola setup and backed by experts who know how to support global founders.
Real Founder Story: Robert Smith, Founder of Provenance Global
Robert runs Provenance Global, an operations consulting firm that supports venture-backed startups and scaling businesses. As his client roster grew and his revenue scaled, Robert needed more than just a US LLC, he needed a system that could grow with him.
With doola, he didn’t just launch his business in the US, he built a compliance engine behind it. From EIN acquisition to seamless tax filings and stress-free bookkeeping, doola helped him navigate every stage of growth without distractions.
As Provenance Global scaled, doola helped Robert align with the right plan for his business, offering exactly the right level of support when he needed it.
Today, he focuses on unlocking growth for his clients, knowing that doola’s handling everything from compliance to IRS deadlines in the background.
Ready to build smart, scale smoothly, and stay compliant at every stage just like Robert? Schedule a demo to get started today!
Business-in-a-Box™:The All-in-One Solution for Scaling Entrepreneurs
When the orders don’t stop, Stripe is pinging, Amazon’s demanding updates, and your inbox is a battlefield of receipts and payout alerts, it’s no longer just about running a business. It’s about running it smoothly.
You’ve got growth. Now you need the infrastructure to match.
That’s where Business-in-a-Box™ comes in: your all-in-one, done-for-you US back office built for entrepreneurs who’ve outgrown the DIY hustle.
Designed for founders scaling fast, this plan goes way beyond formation and compliance. It stacks everything you get in Starter and Total Compliance, then levels it up with integrated banking, real-time bookkeeping, invoicing, and a business concierge experience.
So essentially, Business-in-a-Box™ equips you with one dashboard and total control.
Because at this stage of your business, you don’t need more software; you need a system that runs with you.
Who Is Business-in-a-Box™ Built for?
doola’s Business-in-a-Box™ is designed for founders who are scaling fast and need a system that keeps pace. Once your product clicks, clients are paying, and growth is steady, it’s no longer sustainable to juggle invoices, taxes, and back-end chaos all by yourself.
This is where Business-in-a-Box™ steps in, so you can scale like a CEO, not a bookkeeper.
Let’s take a closer look at the types of founders scaling smarter with this plan.
1. Shopify and Amazon Sellers Scaling Fast
Managing inventory, processing US payments, and tracking platform-specific revenue streams can be a full-time job. Business-in-a-Box™ gives you a legit US address, banking, and hands-off bookkeeping, so you can stop stressing over operations and focus on fulfillment and growth.
2. Creators with Memberships or Subscriptions
This is for creators running a Patreon, Substack, or community-based platforms.
If you’ve got monthly recurring revenue, you’ve got monthly admin. This plan helps you handle recurring payments, invoice automation, and year-round expense tracking, while keeping your books clean for tax season.
3. Founders Ready to Delegate and Scale
If you’re done manually chasing receipts or switching between 5 different platforms to track cash flow, Business-in-a-Box™ is your growth partner.
You delegate the admin; we handle the back-end while you build the brand.
Up next, let’s unpack doola’s Business-in-a-Box™ and find out how it goes beyond the basics to power your next stage of scale.
What You Get With Business-in-a-Box™: TC, Plus Upgrades
Once you’re past the formation phase and tax basics, the real challenge begins: keeping operations tight as you grow.
Business-in-a-Box™ by doola takes everything from the Total Compliance (TC) Plan and levels it up with tools founders actually need to scale.
Here’s what you get with this plan:
1. US Business Address
You get a real, physical US street address (not just a P.O. box) critical for Amazon store setup, Stripe and PayPal verification, and establishing legitimacy with US vendors and partners.
With included mail forwarding, you can manage your business from anywhere in the world without missing a beat.
2. Business Banking (US Bank Account Setup)
Open a fully operational US business bank account without setting foot in the country. This setup is perfect for handling Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, and Amazon payouts.
Most importantly, it separates your business and personal finances with zero admin complexities.
3. Bookkeeping (Monthly Financial Tracking)
With Business-in-a-Box™, every transaction is automatically categorized and reconciled each month, so you have real-time visibility into your revenue, expenses, and profit.
Plus, you’re prepared and organized when tax season hits.
4. Invoicing and Expense Tracking Tools
You can now send branded invoices, track payments, upload receipts, and tag expenses, all from one dashboard.
5. Expert Guidance and Continuous Support
You will always have a dedicated success team to answer questions, guide you through transitions, and help you stay proactive. Whether it’s scaling operations, resolving banking issues, or prepping financial docs, doola’s experts are in your corner.
Bottom line, with Business-in-a-Box™, you’re not duct-taping platforms or hiring extra help just to stay organized. You get one clean, integrated solution that keeps your business legit, lean, and investor-ready.
Real Founder Story: Meet Krushan Abeyewardene
Krushan launched MySafePaws to give pet parents peace of mind with safety-first gear for their furry companions.
What started as a passion project quickly gained traction, and soon, Krushan was navigating everything from US inventory logistics to monthly revenue spikes and compliance obligations, all while scaling from abroad.
That’s when he turned to doola.
From forming his US business to setting up the right financial systems, doola helped Krushan choose a plan that fit where his business was, and where it was headed.
As MySafePaws evolved, doola’s support evolved with him: taking the reins on bookkeeping, managing compliance filings, and giving him clarity on cash flow, taxes, and next steps.
Today, Krushan spends less time on spreadsheets and more time growing his brand and building community, confident that his US operations are handled by experts who understand what growth really takes.
How to Choose the Best doola Plan Based on Your Goals
Every business stage demands a different kind of support. If you’re building the foundation, bringing in US clients, or scaling continuously, there’s a doola plan designed to move with your business.
So, instead of juggling tools, guessing what’s next, or risking compliance slip-ups, use this founder-focused roadmap to match your current momentum with the perfect doola plan that keeps you building, earning, and scaling.
| Founder Scenario | Business Needs | Question to Ask | Best Plan |
| You’re just forming your US LLC and haven’t started earning yet. | US entity setup, EIN application, US bank account, compliance foundation. | Am I ready to launch a US business with no revenue yet? | Starter Plan |
| You’ve started billing US clients or receiving Stripe or PayPal payouts. | Federal & state tax compliance (5472 + 1120 filings), annual state reporting, tax ID setup. | Am I getting paid in the US and need to stay compliant with the IRS? | Total Compliance (TC) Plan |
| You’re managing multiple income sources (e.g., Amazon, Shopify) and want to automate your operations. | Monthly bookkeeping, expense tracking, US mail address, business banking, invoicing tools | Am I spending more time on admin than on growing my business? | Business-in-a-Box™ |
| You’re unclear about US tax filings or fear missing deadlines. | Done-for-you tax filings, expert compliance support, reminders and submissions. | Do I fully understand US compliance rules, or need hands-on help to avoid penalties? | TC or Business-in-a-Box™ |
| You’re overwhelmed by spreadsheets, receipts, manual financial tracking. | Automated financial tracking, integrated invoicing, categorized transactions. | Is my bookkeeping too messy to manage on my own? | Business-in-a-Box™ |
Remember, you can always upgrade as your business evolves. Many founders launch with Starter, move to TC once payments roll in, and then switch to Business-in-a-Box™ when growth gets real.
Schedule a demo to get personalized advice from our team of startup experts.
🔖 Related Must-Read: How doola Helped Naturalistica Go Global
Start Lean, Scale Smarter: Make a Difference With doola
Formation and compliance services are everywhere, but most leave you stranded right after your LLC papers come through. But while most platforms are built for paperwork, doola is built for do’ers like you!
We’re not just here to get you started, we’re built to grow with you!
And while so many other services clock out after formation, we go full throttle, automating your back office, untangling compliance, and translating financial clutter into clean dashboards investors actually want to see.
Trusted by 10K+ founders across 175+ countries, doola powers your banking, bookkeeping, compliance, invoicing, and every crucial moving part that turns your idea into an investable, scalable business.
Founders choose doola because we don’t just talk startup, we live it, and we’ve helped 100,000+ others do the same.
Book your free demo and experience the platform that powers tomorrow’s top founders, today!
FAQs
Can I upgrade from Starter to TC or Business-in-a-Box™ later?
Yes. You can upgrade anytime as your needs grow.
What happens if I skip the TC plan? Can I handle taxes myself?
You can, but it’s risky. If you miss filings like 5472/1120, you could face hefty penalties. TC handles this for you.
Is the Business-in-a-Box™ plan worth it for e-commerce sellers?
Absolutely. Our Business-in-a-Box™ plan streamlines operations, automates bookkeeping, and sets you up for scale.
Do these plans include Stripe or PayPal setup?
We guide you through it. Especially with Business-in-a-Box™, you’ll get support setting up Stripe, PayPal, and banking.
How does doola pricing compare to hiring separate services (lawyer, accountant, agent)?
Bundling everything through doola is often 3-5x cheaper than hiring standalone pros.
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