Wyoming vs Delaware LLC for Non-US Founders: Which to Choose?

Short answer: for most solo non-US founders billing clients or running a SaaS, Wyoming is usually the better pick — lower cost, strong privacy, no state income tax. Delaware is worth it mainly if you plan to raise venture capital, since investors are most familiar with Delaware C-corps and LLCs.

What actually matters for a solo founder

You don't need the "best state for Fortune 500s" — you need low cost, low hassle, and credibility with banks/Stripe. On that basis:

Wyoming

• Low fees — cheap to form and a low annual report fee.
• Privacy — members/managers aren't listed publicly.
• No state income tax (you still handle federal obligations).
• Great default for freelancers, agencies, and bootstrapped SaaS.

Delaware

• Investor-familiar — if you'll raise from US VCs, they expect Delaware.
• Established case law — predictable for complex/equity situations.
• Slightly higher costs (e.g., franchise tax) and less privacy than Wyoming.

A simple decision rule

• Bootstrapping / freelancing / billing clients? → Wyoming.
• Raising VC or issuing equity soon? → Delaware (often a C-corp, not an LLC).

Don't forget what comes after formation

Whichever state you choose, a foreign-owned US LLC has the same federal obligations: get an EIN, file Form 5472 annually, and keep a registered agent. The state choice is the easy part; the compliance is what to stay on top of — which is exactly what FounderFi tracks for you.

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Educational guidance, not licensed legal or tax advice. Entity/state choice has real consequences — confirm with a qualified professional.