Short answer
DIY can be the lowest direct-cost path for a founder who understands every required step. WYOM is for non-US founders who want the company foundation organized in one workflow.
Not sure which state? Start with the non-US founder route.
Most founders do not start with a perfect state choice. They start with a practical goal: open a US LLC from abroad, request an EIN without SSN, keep official mail visible, and avoid a confusing upsell path.
Wyoming
Independent non-US founders who want a practical LLC route, EIN workflow, Registered Agent, official mail, and lower state-level maintenance.
Still needs federal tax review, home-country advice, truthful records, and provider-specific applications.
Delaware
VC, C-Corp, startup counsel, investor expectations, equity rounds, and Delaware-first legal workflows.
Can be unnecessary for founders who only need a simple remote LLC foundation.
Florida
Real Florida operations, local nexus, staff, inventory, customers, or Florida-specific founder facts.
Annual report costs and local obligations should be compared before choosing it from abroad.
New Mexico
Low-cost and privacy-oriented LLC research for founders ready to assemble the workflow themselves.
Registered Agent, EIN, address/mail, documents, and non-US founder workflow still need to be organized.
Real cost calculator
Compare total setup, not starting price. For non-US founders, the real first-year cost includes state fee, EIN workflow, Registered Agent, address/mail handling, documents, subscriptions, and annual renewal context.
| Route | Advertised | State fee | EIN | RA / mail | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WYOM.us | $499 one-time | Included | Included workflow without SSN | First-year Registered Agent + official mail | Optional annual service after year one |
| Low-start filing services | $0-$399 style entry price | Often separate | Tier or add-on varies | RA, address, and mail may be separate | Plan, RA, compliance, or add-on renewals may apply |
| Delaware startup route | Often one setup fee | May be included | Often included | Registered Agent renewal; mailroom varies | Delaware annual tax and RA renewal matter |
| DIY | $0 provider fee | Founder pays state directly | Founder handles IRS path | Founder hires and manages separately | Founder tracks all maintenance |
WYOM does not frame competitors as scams. The useful comparison is practical scope: what is included now, what renews later, and what the founder must still assemble.
DIY path
- Founder researches Wyoming LLC filing requirements.
- Founder selects and manages a Registered Agent.
- Founder handles EIN request details without SSN.
- Founder creates and stores documents independently.
- Founder tracks mail, annual report timing, renewals, and professional advice needs.
WYOM path
- One $499 package.
- Formation management.
- First-year Registered Agent service.
- EIN request workflow without SSN.
- Official mail handling, documents, dashboard, and status tracking.
Who should consider each path
DIY may fit founders who already understand US filings, Registered Agent requirements, EIN handling, mail, and ongoing maintenance. WYOM may fit founders who want the required pieces organized as a structured foundation without piecing together separate providers.
FAQ
Is DIY possible?
Yes, many filings can be handled directly by a founder. The tradeoff is that the founder must manage every step and ongoing obligation.
Does WYOM replace professional tax advice?
WYOM organizes and runs the company foundation. Tax advice should come from qualified professionals.