Last Updated: June 19, 2026

Clerky has helped tens of thousands of startups—including DoorDash, Coinbase, and Instacart—incorporate and handle legal paperwork without paying $5,000-$15,000 in lawyer fees.

But is Clerky right for your startup in 2026?

This complete guide covers Clerky's pricing ($427 vs $819), compares it against 8 alternatives (Stripe Atlas, Firstbase, Doola, Capbase), and breaks down exactly when you should use Clerky versus hiring a lawyer.

50% of Y Combinator startups in each batch choose Clerky. Here's why—and when you shouldn't.

Table of Contents

• What Is Clerky?
• Clerky Pricing 2026: $427 vs $819
• Pros & Cons
• 10 Key Features
• 8 Alternatives Compared
• When to Use Clerky (vs Alternatives)
• 5 Incorporation Mistakes Clerky Prevents
• Step-by-Step: What Actually Happens
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Clerky?

Clerky is an online legal service that automates incorporation and ongoing legal paperwork for Delaware C-corporations raising venture capital.

Founded by former Orrick startup attorneys, Clerky provides lawyer-reviewed documents for incorporation, stock issuance, SAFE agreements, board consents, and equity grants—at a fraction of traditional legal costs.

Who Uses Clerky:

• 50% of Y Combinator startups in each batch
• Thousands of venture-backed companies including DoorDash, Coinbase, and Instacart
• Startups specifically incorporating as Delaware C-corps to raise VC funding

What Clerky Does:

• Delaware C-corp incorporation (1-3 business days)
• 83(b) election filing
• Stock purchase agreements
• SAFE and convertible note agreements
• Option grants and advisor agreements
• Board and stockholder consents
• Annual compliance reminders

What Clerky Doesn't Do:

• LLC formations (Delaware C-corps only)
• Other state incorporations (Delaware only)
• Cap table management (you'll need Carta separately)
• Custom legal advice (documents are standardized)

Clerky Pricing 2026: $427 vs $819

Clerky offers two pricing models in 2026:

Package	Price	What's Included	Best For
Pay Per Use	$427	Incorporation, Delaware filing fees, first-year registered agent, 83(b) filing	Testing Clerky, minimal post-incorporation needs
Company Lifetime	$819	Everything in Pay Per Use + unlimited SAFEs, option grants, board consents, advisor agreements, priced rounds	Raising VC, issuing equity, growing team

Additional Services (Pay Per Use only):

• Stock plan adoption: $299
• Foreign qualification: $349 per state
• Individual SAFE issuance: $99 each
• Individual option grant: $49 each

Cost Comparison vs Lawyer:

Service	Clerky (Lifetime)	Traditional Lawyer	Savings
Incorporation	$819	$3,000-$5,000	$2,181-$4,181
4 SAFE issuances	Included	$1,000-$2,000	$1,000-$2,000
10 option grants	Included	$1,500-$3,000	$1,500-$3,000
Board consents	Included	$500-$1,000	$500-$1,000
Total	$819	$6,000-$11,000	$5,181-$10,181

Bottom Line: For VC-backed startups issuing equity, Clerky's lifetime package saves 83-95% versus hiring a lawyer.

Clerky Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Massive Cost Savings

Save $5,000-$10,000 compared to traditional startup lawyers while getting lawyer-reviewed documents designed to survive investor due diligence.

2. Built by Former Startup Lawyers

Founded by attorneys from Orrick (top Silicon Valley law firm), Clerky understands VC-backed startup needs intimately.

3. YC-Endorsed

50% of Y Combinator startups choose Clerky. YC officially recommends Clerky for stock plans and used it in stealth for 3+ batches.

4. Fast Incorporation (1-3 Days)

Expedited Delaware processing included automatically. Most incorporations complete within 3 business days.

5. Comprehensive Legal Document Library

Deepest post-formation template library: SAFEs, convertible notes, option grants, advisor agreements, board consents, priced rounds.

6. 83(b) Automation

Automatically handles critical 30-day IRS filing. Missing this deadline creates massive tax liability.

7. Collaboration Features

Share access with cofounders and lawyers. Everyone sees the same documents without email chains.

8. Compliance Reminders

Delaware franchise tax reminders (March 1 deadline), annual report notifications, ongoing compliance guidance.

Cons

1. Delaware C-Corps Only

No LLCs, no S-corps, no other states. If you're not raising VC or incorporating in Delaware, Clerky won't work.

2. No Cap Table Software

You'll need Carta or Pulley separately. Clerky generates equity documents but doesn't track ownership percentages.

3. Pay-Per-Document Can Add Up

If you choose Pay Per Use instead of Lifetime, costs compound fast. Each SAFE ($99), each option grant ($49) adds up.

4. No Custom Legal Advice

Documents are standardized templates. For unusual terms or complex situations, you still need a lawyer.

5. Email-Only Support

No live chat or phone support. Support is responsive but limited to email.

10 Key Features That Make Clerky Valuable

1. One-Click Incorporation

Answer questions about your company, Clerky generates all incorporation documents, files with Delaware, and handles registered agent setup automatically.

2. Name Availability Check

Clerky checks Delaware's database before you commit, preventing delays from unavailable names.

3. Automatic 83(b) Filing

Clerky prepares, mails, and tracks your 83(b) election filing with the IRS. Missing the 30-day deadline costs founders thousands in unnecessary taxes.

4. SAFE Agreement Generator

Generate YC-standard SAFE agreements in minutes. Lifetime package includes unlimited SAFEs—crucial for rolling closes and multiple investors.

5. Option Grant Automation

Issue stock options to employees and advisors with pre-filled templates. Includes vesting schedules, strike prices, and all required IRS paperwork.

6. Board Consent Templates

Pre-built templates for common board actions: approving option grants, authorizing financing, amending bylaws. No lawyer needed for routine governance.

7. Convertible Note Documents

Generate convertible note agreements with customizable terms (discount rate, valuation cap, interest rate, maturity date).

8. Hiring Paperwork

Employee offer letters, consultant agreements, and advisor agreements with standard terms for startups.

9. Stock Plan Adoption

Adopt a YC-standard equity incentive plan. Hundreds of YC companies use this exact plan.

10. Legal Dashboard

Centralized repository of all your company's legal documents. Share access with cofounders, lawyers, and investors without forwarding PDFs.

8 Clerky Alternatives Compared (2026)

Service	Price	Timeline	Best For	Key Limitation
Clerky	$427-$819	1-3 days	VC-backed startups issuing equity	No cap table, Delaware C-corps only
Stripe Atlas	$500	2-3 days	Need Stripe payments immediately	No ongoing legal support
Firstbase	Varies	3-5 days	International founders, all-in-one	Higher cost, less legal depth
Doola	$297	5-7 days	Tight budget, need bookkeeping	Less sophisticated legal docs
Capbase	$999/year	3-5 days	Want cap table + incorporation	Annual fee, shallower doc library
LegalZoom	$149-$349	5-10 days	Small business, LLC formation	Not startup-focused
ZenBusiness	$0-$399	5-10 days	Solopreneurs, service businesses	No VC-specific features
Northwest	$225-$350	7-14 days	Privacy-focused, registered agent	No equity/fundraising docs

When to Use Clerky vs Alternatives

Use Clerky If:

• Raising venture capital from angels, VCs, or accelerators
• Issuing SAFEs or convertible notes (need 4+ over time)
• Granting stock options to employees and advisors regularly
• Want lawyer-quality docs without $10K+ legal bills
• Already have cap table solution (Carta, Pulley) or don't need one yet
• Part of YC or similar accelerator (Clerky is the standard)

Use Stripe Atlas If:

• Need Stripe immediately for payment processing
• Want fastest setup (incorporated in couple days)
• Banking relationship matters (Mercury/SVB account included)
• Don't need ongoing legal docs (just incorporation)

Use Capbase If:

• Want all-in-one (incorporation + cap table + compliance)
• Prefer flat annual fee ($999/year) vs pay-per-document
• Need compliance calendar and automatic reminders
• Issuing moderate equity but not dozens of grants

Use Firstbase If:

• International founder incorporating US company from abroad
• Want guided experience with hand-holding through setup
• Need full business stack (banking, payroll, accounting) in one place
• Prefer ongoing compliance automation

Use Doola If:

• Tightest budget ($297 is lowest cost)
• Need bookkeeping and tax prep included
• Not raising VC (okay with less sophisticated legal docs)

Still Hire a Lawyer If:

• Complex cap table with multiple classes of stock
• Unusual deal terms not covered by standard templates
• Regulatory compliance (fintech, healthcare, heavily regulated)
• Multi-entity structure (parent company + subsidiaries)
• International tax complications or cross-border entities

5 Incorporation Mistakes Clerky Prevents

1. Missing the 83(b) Deadline

You have 30 days from receiving stock to file 83(b) election with the IRS. Miss it and you owe taxes on unvested shares.

What Clerky Does: Automatically prepares, mails, and tracks your 83(b) filing. Sends reminders for cofounders' deadlines too.

Cost of Mistake: $10,000-$100,000+ in unnecessary taxes when shares vest.

2. Incorporating Too Early

73% of foreign founders waste $50K+ incorporating before they have product-market fit, creating compliance drag with zero traction.

What Clerky Prevents: Lower upfront cost ($427-$819 vs lawyer's $3K-$5K) means less wasted if idea pivots.

When to Incorporate: When raising money, issuing equity to cofounders, or signing major contracts. Not "just because."

3. Improper Equity Issuance

Wrong vesting schedules, missing acceleration clauses, improper valuations—all painful when adding cofounders or raising a SAFE.

What Clerky Does: Pre-built templates with YC-standard terms. 4-year vesting with 1-year cliff is default, acceleration triggers included.

4. Forgetting Delaware March 1 Deadline

Delaware franchise tax and annual report due March 1 every year. Late fees and penalties add up fast.

What Clerky Does: Sends email reminders starting in January. Provides step-by-step filing instructions.

5. Paying for Unnecessary Compliance

Many incorporation services upsell compliance packages you don't need yet, or miss critical items you do need.

What Clerky Does: Lifetime package includes exactly what VC-backed startups need, nothing more. No upsells.

Step-by-Step: What Actually Happens with Clerky

Day 1: Setup (30 minutes)

1. Create Clerky account, choose package ($427 or $819)
2. Answer questions: company name, founders, stock allocation, business address
3. Clerky checks name availability with Delaware
4. Review and approve generated incorporation documents
5. Submit payment

Days 2-3: Delaware Filing

1. Clerky files Certificate of Incorporation with Delaware (expedited processing included)
2. Delaware processes filing (typically 1-3 business days)
3. Registered agent service activated

Day 3-5: Post-Incorporation

1. Receive stamped Certificate of Incorporation from Delaware
2. Clerky generates bylaws, initial board consent, stock purchase agreements
3. Sign and execute all documents
4. Clerky prepares and mails 83(b) election to IRS

Ongoing: Legal Dashboard Access

• All documents stored in centralized dashboard
• Share access with cofounders, lawyers, investors
• Generate new documents as needed (SAFEs, option grants, board consents)
• Receive compliance reminders (Delaware franchise tax, annual reports)

Total Timeline: 3-5 days from signup to fully incorporated with all legal docs complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clerky Worth It in 2026?

Yes, if you're incorporating a Delaware C-corp to raise venture capital. Clerky saves $5,000-$10,000 versus hiring a lawyer while providing lawyer-reviewed documents designed to survive investor due diligence. 50% of Y Combinator startups choose Clerky.

Not worth it if you need an LLC, incorporating outside Delaware, or not raising VC funding.

How Long Does Clerky Incorporation Take?

1-3 business days for Delaware to process your incorporation (expedited filing included). Complete end-to-end process including all post-incorporation paperwork: 3-5 days total.

Does Clerky Include a Registered Agent?

Yes. First year of registered agent service included in both packages ($427 and $819). Renewal costs $100/year after first year.

Can I Use Clerky If I'm Not Raising VC?

Clerky is built specifically for VC-backed Delaware C-corps. If you're bootstrapping or building a lifestyle business, consider Doola ($297) or ZenBusiness ($0-$399) instead. You likely want an LLC, not a C-corp.

What's Not Included in Clerky?

Cap table software (you'll need Carta or Pulley separately), custom legal advice, other state incorporations, LLC formations, and ongoing accounting/bookkeeping.

How Does Clerky Compare to Stripe Atlas?

Stripe Atlas ($500) is faster for incorporation and includes banking setup, but provides no ongoing legal support. Clerky ($819 lifetime) includes unlimited SAFEs, option grants, and board consents—critical for startups raising money and hiring. Choose Atlas if you need Stripe payments immediately; choose Clerky if you're raising VC.

Can I Switch from Pay Per Use to Lifetime Package?

Yes. Pay the difference ($819 - $427 = $392) to upgrade anytime. Makes sense if you issue 4+ SAFEs or 8+ option grants (each costs $99 and $49 respectively in Pay Per Use).

Does Clerky Work with Carta?

Yes. Clerky generates equity documents, Carta tracks cap table. They integrate seamlessly—many startups use both. Recommended stack: Clerky (legal) + Carta (cap table) + Mercury (banking).

What Happens After Incorporation?

You get lifetime access to Clerky's legal dashboard. Generate SAFEs when raising money, option grants when hiring, board consents for governance, and receive annual Delaware compliance reminders.

Is Clerky Good for International Founders?

Clerky works for international founders incorporating US Delaware C-corps, but Firstbase provides more hand-holding and international-specific support. Clerky assumes you understand US incorporation basics.

Ready to incorporate? Check out our Stripe Atlas vs Clerky comparison or see our guide on launching a SaaS in 2026.