Guide 2026
Starting price: No pricing available
Free plan: No
Free trial: No
Paid plans:
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Pricing: $427 one-time fee
Best for:
Small owners that need legal documents or services occasionally without committing to a full package
The Pay-Per-Use plan is a fantastic approach for startups that are okay with flexibility in their legal documents but not yet in a position for a long-term commitment at this stage of their startup journey. The Pay-Per-Use plan enables businesses to access legal services at their desired schedule or needs, meaning you can still pay for important legal service needs that most start-ups need, without needing to have all your comprehensive legal structure set up at the outset. Founders can utilize the incorporation services, post-incorporation startup documents, stock issuances, fundraising documents, hiring agreements, as they need it. Because you are paying per use, your startup can pay for your legal services use only when you use the services. This approach increases the amount of capital you have in your startup, without unnecessary spends. While there is no provision of ongoing legal support or bundle legal options offered in this plan, it provides the convenience of having access to essentials required for legal compliance while you grow your business. The Pay-Per-Use plan is great for stretching business capital for lean startups or startups that would also like to control unnecessary expenses if and when legal services would come into play in their business.
Main features
Purchase legal services individually as needed
Covers incorporation, fundraising, hiring, and compliance
No long-term commitment or bundled costs
Pricing: $819 one-time fee
Best for:
Businesses looking for a comprehensive and long-term legal documentation solution
For startups that are seeking a comprehensive, unlimited legal documentation solution for the full life cycle of your company, the Company Lifetime Package offers an all-in-one solution. Instead of purchasing services separately, you get unlimited access to each of Clerky's core legal products with the Company Lifetime Package including incorporation (Company Formation), startup fundraising (Seed Fundraise), hiring (Hiring Employees & Independent Contractors), maintenance products (Business Maintenance), and with the entire life cycle of your company in mind. The Company Lifetime Package is a perfect fit for high-growth startups likely to have legal needs arise frequently and that want to centralize their documentation processes without sacrificing cost. The Company Lifetime Package includes priority support as well so the founders get immediate help whenever it is needed, allowing them to keep their focus, at least for that problem. Ultimately, startups using the Plan can refrain from worrying about complying with business and legal regulations as they scale their business and have a fully thought out document with support approach, which ultimately makes for a more efficient and inexpensive means for companies expecting to continually grow to take legal care of their needs.
Main features
Unlimited access to all major legal services.
Includes priority support for faster assistance.
Designed for long-term, scalable startup growth.
The main distinction between the Clerky Pay-Per-Use plan and the Company Lifetime Package is how startups pay for and obtain legal services under the pricing plans, and how they budget for their legal services costs. The Pay-Per-Use plan is flexible, and allows startups to pay for each legal document they want separately, whether that legal document represents incorporation ($427), the post-incorporation setup ($299), stock issuance ($199), or fundraising document (from $9 use). The Pay-Per-Use plan is really only appropriate for startups that only need the occasional legal document, and then only when required. Usually, these startups just want to know what to expect in terms of the cost (e.g., $427 for incorporation). At this early stage, it is not worth spending upfront to buy a lot of documents when they don't have any idea if they are going to need that document or not! However, as startups scale and start developing the need for standard legal documents (e.g., fundraising), it will get less predictable. Paying for documents may work, but separate costs can really add up for startup costs.
The Company Lifetime Package is better for continually giving access to the complete suite of common legal documents that Clerky provides for one upfront cost. Even though it is probably not a valid public listing of costs, this package is ideal for businesses that expect they will need continued legal documents (i.e., hiring people frequently, raising money frequently, and managing their corporate governance frequently). Instead of paying for one document at a time, the startup is also giving some predictability to their legal expenses with a single upfront payment! In this case, what is probably more valuable is the access, because legal document access is always better than wondering if you should have, or could have, or if it was worth the money! And it is quicker, because you get priority support. That means if you need anything, you get your ass to the top of the queue time after time!
Selecting the appropriate plan for your business is largely based on your startup's needs, budget, and growth expectations.
If you are just launching your company or have a limited legal need, the Pay-Per-Use plan may be more appropriate for you. This plan allows you to pay only for the legal services you want, like incorporation, fundraising, or hiring documents, without committing to a larger, more expensive package. The Pay-Per-Use plan is a great fit for early-stage startups that may be still experimenting or have irregular legal needs. It will allow you to avoid unnecessary costs and offer flexible access to essential legal tools. Still, as your business grows and your legal requirements solidify, the per-service cost may add up. Over time, your use of the Pay-Per-Use plan may be less economical than taking the plunge with a company lifetime package.
If you are planning for growth and have anticipated ongoing legal needs for things like persistent fundraising, hiring, oversight of employees, and other corporate governance issues, a Company Lifetime package is definitely a solid investment. This plan provides unlimited access to all of Clerky's services—post-incorporation set-ups, stock issuance, legal compliance, etc—while offering a fixed price. The beauty of a Company Lifetime Plan is that you can grow your business without worrying about incurring legal service costs for individual services as you go, priority support to ensure that you get to focus on building your company while the legal issues are handled professionally whenever you need them! This plan works best for those high-growth startups that would benefit from speeding up their legal needs to alleviate unpredictability in the costs of legal needs.
If you expect there to be recurring legal needs and save on both time and money in the long run, the clearly preferred option is the Company Lifetime Package. However, if your applicable legal needs are less immediate and not as clearly complicated with your budget in mind, then the Pay-Per-Use Plan will be a more flexible way to still access the tools you need, while keeping your costs low. In either case, it would be good to take into consideration what your company's requirements are presently and what you think they could be in the future, and perspective whether your needs better align with a consumable, pay-as-you-go model, or a comprehensive all-in-one choice.
Whether Clerky is better than Stripe Atlas hinges on your entrepreneurial priorities. If your main concern is hands-on legal paperwork, Clerky stands out with its lawyer-built workflows and document customization. It's worth noting that IP protection is not a Clerky exclusive, though: Stripe Atlas's standard formation includes Cooley-drafted assignment agreements covering founder IP, so your intellectual assets are assigned to the company on either platform.
In contrast, Stripe Atlas offers a more extensive range of services encompassing business formation, banking setup, and tax resources, providing a holistic approach to startup support. Its incorporation documents are drafted by Cooley LLP, ranked number one globally for venture capital transactions by PitchBook, so choosing Atlas doesn't mean trading away legal quality. Clerky remains the stronger choice for founders who want a documents-first workflow with lawyer collaboration built in, while Stripe Atlas excels in providing a broader set of resources for launching and growing your business.
Clerky vs Stripe Atlas
The assessment of whether Firstbase outperforms Clerky is subjective and largely depends on specific business requirements. Firstbase stands out by offering an all-inclusive suite of services for launching a business. For instance, it not only facilitates incorporation but also extends support to banking solutions, grants access to legal and tax consultations, and even provides discounts on relevant software tools crucial for startups. In contrast, Clerky's main forte lies in equipping startups with essential legal documentation tools.
The choice between Firstbase and Clerky hinges on the extent of services you need. If you seek a broader spectrum of assistance encompassing legal, financial, and software-related aspects, Firstbase may offer a more comprehensive solution tailored to your startup's specific demands.
Firstbase vs Clerky
Determining whether Clerky is better than Carta depends on your specific business needs. Clerky excels in simplifying legal processes, making it an excellent choice for startups and early-stage businesses seeking efficient company formation and compliance support. On the other hand, Carta specializes in equity management and financial solutions, making it suitable for larger, more established companies dealing with complex financial structures and investor relations.
While Clerky offers user-friendly simplicity, Carta's strength lies in its comprehensive financial reporting and dedicated customer support. Ultimately, the choice between the two platforms should align with your business's stage and the nature of your legal and financial requirements.
Clerky vs Carta
Clerky is a comprehensive legal platform tailored for startups, but there are several alternatives to consider based on your specific business needs.
Firstbase is an excellent choice for startups that need a streamlined incorporation process with a focus on ease of use. Firstbase offers a simple, user-friendly interface for incorporating your business, including automated state filings, business bank accounts, and EIN applications. Unlike Clerky, Firstbase also provides additional tools for managing international businesses, making it ideal for founders looking to incorporate and scale globally. However, Firstbase lacks the extensive legal document library and customization options that Clerky offers, which might be a limitation for startups with more complex legal requirements.
Stripe Atlas is a great alternative for businesses that are looking for an easy way to set up a U.S. entity from anywhere in the world. Stripe Atlas offers a quick and efficient setup for incorporation, including an EIN, a U.S. bank account, and access to Stripe’s payment processing system. It’s perfect for international founders who want to break into the U.S. market. However, unlike Clerky, Stripe Atlas doesn’t provide the same level of ongoing legal support or detailed legal document generation. For startups needing a broader range of legal tools beyond just incorporation, Clerky remains a stronger choice.
LegalStart is ideal for businesses seeking a low-cost option for basic legal services. LegalStart offers incorporation, contracts, and other essential legal documents at competitive prices. It’s particularly attractive for small businesses or early-stage startups that have more straightforward legal needs. However, it doesn’t provide the same comprehensive service suite or the level of customization that Clerky offers, especially for companies looking for ongoing legal support or specific funding and equity documents. LegalStart’s pricing is more affordable, but it might not be suitable for startups looking for more advanced or specialized legal tools as they grow.
Ownr
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No, Clerky does not offer a free plan. It operates on a pay-per-use model for individual services like incorporation, stock issuance, and fundraising documents, as well as a Company Lifetime Package for ongoing access to all of its legal services. While there are no free plans, you only pay for the specific services you need with the Pay-Per-Use option, or you can opt for the Lifetime package for comprehensive, long-term access to Clerky's legal tools.
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Get your legal paperwork done easily
$100 off the Company Lifetime Package
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Hannah Gilbert
“Clerky’s pricing is definitely worth it for the peace of mind it gives us. We started with the Pay-Per-Use plan, and being able to pay only for the services we needed, like incorporation and stock issuance, really helped us manage costs in the early days. Now that we’re scaling, I’m considering the Company Lifetime Package to save on long-term legal fees. It’s a solid investment.”
Xiu Ling
“Clerky’s Company Lifetime Package was a game changer for us. As we began raising funds and hiring, the cost of individual legal services with the Pay-Per-Use model was starting to add up. The Lifetime Package gave us unlimited access to all the legal docs we needed without constantly worrying about new charges. It’s an upfront cost, but I can already tell it will save us a lot in the long run.”
Sanya Kulkarni
“I was hesitant about the pricing at first, but honestly, Clerky’s Pay-Per-Use plan has been great for our small team. We only paid for what we needed—incorporation, and a few documents for our first round of funding. It’s affordable for a startup and doesn’t feel like a huge commitment. When we need more, I’ll definitely consider upgrading to a package that gives us more flexibility.”
Is Clerky expensive?
The cost of using Clerky is relative to your startup's requirements. For early-stage startups with limited legal needs, the Pay-Per-Use plan is probably affordable because you can pay for just the services that you require like incorporation or financing document services. For growing startups with ongoing legal needs individual costs can quite quickly add up. At this point you will realize that the Company Lifetime Package presents better long-term value even though you pay for the package up front. This is because you have truly unlimited access to legal services and support.
Clerky may be a more affordable option than a traditional law firm or other platforms, especially with their startup-friendly legal tools. In general, I believe Clerky offers good value when matched to both the stage of the business and its legal needs.
Why should I use Clerky?
Clerky is a great value at its price point, especially for early stage startups that need simple legal needs. The Pay-Per-Use price structure works well for businesses, which may not have ongoing legal work and just need to periodically access specific documents, such as their incorporation papers or stock issuance. Plus, since you only pay for the work you need, you can avoid a recurring expense, which may help startups that don’t have much of a runway.
If a business anticipates using legal services frequently as they are scaling and developing their startup, the Company Lifetime Package is a compelling option. The Company Lifetime Package has unlimited access to Clerky's entire range of legal tools, all for an upfront one-time payment, which can potentially save a business money over the long run. This option is great for companies that know they will eventually raise funding or hire employees, or if they need ongoing legal services, since they can potentially remove any concerns about the per service price, which is a major help for startups developing their budget.
Though it will cost more than some DIY or less specialized tools and options, Clerky is a great value for its quality and reliable legal service for only startups and entrepreneurs. The platform and service is designed with entrepreneurs in mind, and since the platform is very user-friendly, businesses with limited experience with legal work are easily able to fulfill their legal obligations. As compared to hiring lawyers for any legal work, Clerky provides a cost effective and efficient way to take care of your copies of legal work while remaining compliant.
Who do you believe benefits the most from Clerky?
Clerky is particularly helpful for early-stage businesses, specifically those in the process of incorporating, raising funds, or managing equity. These businesses tend to have limited resources and often rely on legal services that are inexpensive, premium and streamlined. For startups in fields such as technology, SaaS, e-commerce, and, frankly, any field where innovation is useful and relevant, it's pretty common for them to utilize Clerky because it gives them essential legal documents and compliance items without the costs associated with law firms.
Clerky is also helpful for founders who are new to the legal world. The only thing that is designed for the founder and with the founder in mind, Clerky provides simple and easy-to-understand legal solutions for tasks like stock issuance, preparing fundraising documents, and post-incorporation setup. While taking some time to learn what solutions they have available, these features are ideal for founders that want to do their legal work efficiently, without feeling overwhelmed by legal words or terminology or the complicated traditional legal system.
Growing startups will also benefit from Clerky's Company Lifetime Package, providing unlimited access to legal documents and services. When startups are growing, they may be raising multiple rounds of funding, hiring employees, or issuing stock options, to mention off the top of my head a few issues they could need to address. Clerky help takes away the worry of incurring new costs for every document or service.
Clerky is specifically for startups needing high-quality legal services at reasonable prices to get their businesses started, and additionally continue managing legal compliance as they scale. Any situations that are simple, and scale with the founder/founding team when it becomes required, will and does lend to Clerky's program being successful, smooth, and Trouble-free as they navigate their new, and complicated world of business formation, fundraising, and managing the equity they have in their startup.
Does Clerky offer good value for its price?
Indeed, Clerky is a good deal relative to its price, especially for start-ups that need reliable and simple legal services. Clerky was designed with early-stage companies in mind, and delivers the tools that such companies require (incorporation, issuance of stock, fundraising documents, ongoing compliance, and etc.). One of the main advantages of Clerky's pricing model is its Pay-Per-Use plan, which enables a startup to pay on a per-use basis for legal services only when needed. Rather than paying a large package fee upfront, startup owner-operators can pay the fee for legal matters and associated documents each time when they arise. This plan has potential utility for small businesses, early-stage start-ups, and founder-entrepreneurs in a product-development stage who might not need or want a full-scale legal framework or plan and are seeking to cut costs on excessive legal fees.
For businesses who anticipate requiring a legal service, then the Company Lifetime Package is an inexpensive long-term plan. This package allows start-ups unlimited use of all of Clerky's legal documents and legal support, which will provide a level of comfort as they develop and scale their activity without having to worry about cost per service. When you consider how much you are being charged in legal fees or how much it would cost to retain external expensive lawyers to complete some of these services, Clerky's pricing is fairly inexpensive and offers great value for startups that are compliant legally and require general legality.
While not the cheapest, Clerky offers niche legal tools for startups at a low price point. They are also good value-for-money for businesses looking for professional quality legal services without the frantic hiring process. With transparent pricing and clearly stated terms and conditions, a focus on start-ups, and a simple pricing structure for transactional use, Clerky is a good reliable value for founders. Likewise, the flexibility of the Pay-Per-Use or Company Lifetime approach is scalable and grows with the business, lending credence to overall value.
Is Clerky cheaper than Carta?
Clerky is generally cheaper than Carta, especially for early-stage startups with basic legal needs. Clerky focuses on legal services like incorporation and fundraising documents, offering a flexible Pay-Per-Use model or a comprehensive Lifetime Package.
In contrast, Carta specializes in equity management—such as cap tables and stock options—and uses a subscription model, often at a higher cost. For startups just starting out, Clerky is usually the more affordable option, while Carta becomes more relevant as a company grows and its equity structure becomes more complex.
What’s the best way to save money on Clerky?
To optimize your savings with Clerky, consider the following strategies:
When it comes to saving money on Clerky, there are a few real strategies you can implement to reduce costs. However, Clerky doesn’t frequently offer discounts or special sales, but here are some practical ways to save: