Compare before you form: the decisions that shape your LLC
Before you register anything there are four questions that decide how much you pay, how much privacy you get and how much paperwork you carry every year: which state, with what structure, whether it beats your current setup, and whether it's worth moving an LLC you already have. Here we compare them with real figures for a non-resident running a single-member LLC.
Four comparisons, one informed choice
There's no "best" state or "correct" structure in the abstract: it depends on your business, where you're tax-resident and how much you value privacy over cost. Each comparison below breaks down the real case with three-year numbers, not slogans. Start with whichever one is pressing hardest.
They all start from the same profile: a single-member LLC owned by a non-resident who bills services or digital products. The figures are from 2026 and focus on the total cost of owning the entity, not just formation. Multi-member structures, a C-Corp with employees, or cases with US substance change the math and are covered in their own guides.
Common doubts before you decide
What's the best state for a non-resident LLC?
There's no universal answer. New Mexico stands out for privacy and because it has no annual report; Wyoming does have one with a low fee; Delaware adds a minimum franchise tax and is common when you're seeking investment. The full comparison breaks down the three-year cost of each.
Should I choose an LLC or a C-Corp?
For most non-residents billing services, the LLC avoids double taxation and carries less compliance —and it's the entity we form at Devil Club. A C-Corp only fits if you're going to raise capital from US investors or issue shares, and it brings its own obligations (21% corporate tax, its own filings and withholding on dividends); it is not an entity we set up. The "LLC vs C-Corp" piece compares the two with numbers so you can confirm the LLC is right for you.
Can I move my LLC to another state without losing the EIN?
There is no painless transfer. In practice, moving states means dissolving the old LLC and opening a new one —which means a new EIN and rebuilding your banking history from scratch. The guide explains when that fresh start is worth it.
Tell us your situation and we'll tell you which state and structure fit —without selling you smoke or the priciest entity.
See how we workRelated posts in this guide
Wyoming vs New Mexico vs Delaware: Best State for Your LLC 2026
Wyoming, New Mexico, or Delaware for your LLC: we compare 3-year cost, privacy, and banking with 2026 figures, and which state fits your profile.
ComparativaLLC vs C-Corp: Which One Fits You as a Non-Resident
LLC or C-Corp for your US business: we compare taxes, double taxation, investors and real cost. For the non-resident selling services, the LLC wins almost every time.
FiscalUS LLC vs. European Self-Employment: 2026 Real Cost Comparison
Taxes, social security, and admin overhead compared for digital operators and nomads.
OperativaMoving Your LLC From Wyoming to New Mexico: What It Really Means
Moving an LLC across states isn't relocating it: it's closing the old one and opening a new one, with a new EIN and a bank to reopen. When leaving Wyoming for NM is worth it.
BancaMercury Rejected Your LLC: 5 Real Reasons and How to Fix It
Five real reasons Mercury rejects non-resident LLC applications —address, activity, country, EIN, name— and how to fix each one before reapplying.
BancaWise vs Mercury vs Relay: A Real Case With Each
We run non-resident LLCs on all three. When Mercury, Wise or Relay fits — by setup speed, fees, currencies and international wires, with real cases.