❦ Review · Last updated Apr 25, 2026
Clerky
If you're going to raise from US VCs, Clerky is the cleanest paper trail. Less polish than Atlas, more flexibility for ongoing legal work.
❦ Score breakdown
8.0 / 10
Incorporation in 1–2 weeks (slower than Atlas).
7.5 / 10
UI is utilitarian; legal terminology is unavoidable.
9.0 / 10
Clear annual fee, no surprise upsells.
7.0 / 10
DocuSign baked in; cap-table tools (Carta) link out.
8.5 / 10
Annual plan justifies itself after 2–3 docs/year.
Strengths and tradeoffs
Strengths
- ●Template library matches what YC and most VCs expect
- ●Annual plan unlocks unlimited docs — pays off after ~3 documents
- ●SAFE round paperwork is genuinely one-click after first round
- ●All docs are DocuSign-ready, no paper signatures
Tradeoffs
- ●Slower incorporation than Stripe Atlas (1–2 weeks vs ~7 days)
- ●No bank account integration — you handle that separately
- ●Older UI; some users find the navigation dated
What it does
- ●SAFE notes, board consents, 83(b) elections — done in minutes
- ●Default templates that YC and most VCs already accept
- ●Annual plan covers every doc you'll need pre-Series A
Features at a glance
| Feature | Clerky |
|---|---|
| Delaware C-corp | ● Included |
| Delaware LLC | ● Included |
| Other state entities | ● Included |
| SAFE note templates | ● Included |
| Priced round docs | ● Included |
| Board consents | ● Included |
| 83(b) election | ● Included |
| Stock issuance | ● Included |
| DocuSign integration | ● Included |
| Bank account | — Not available |
| EIN application | Annual tier |
| Cap-table management | no (links to Carta) |
Pricing
| Tier | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | $199 one-time | C-corp with standard equity setup |
| Annual Plan | $400/yr | Unlimited docs after incorporation |
| Premium | $1,500/yr | Lawyer-reviewed templates, priority support |
Who it's for
| Founder type | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Founder | Strong fit | Annual plan ($400) covers everything pre-Series A. |
| Small Team | Strong fit | Where Clerky earns its keep — multiple funding rounds. |
| Agency | Not the right fit | Built for startups, not for agency client legal work. |
Known limitations
- — No bank account or EIN handling — incorporation only
- — Slower than Atlas for first-time incorporation
What founders say
“Used Clerky for our SAFE round. Investors didn't ask a single question about the docs.”
“Saved $8k in legal fees in year one.”
“Template library is what you're really paying for.”
What users say
8.0 / 10
Editorial · how we score
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Compared to
All Clerky alternatives →Frequently asked
- Is Clerky worth it?
- If you're going to raise from US VCs, Clerky is the cleanest paper trail. Less polish than Atlas, more flexibility for ongoing legal work.
- How much does Clerky cost?
- Clerky is paid. Paid plans start at $199 one-time on the Incorporation plan.
- Who is Clerky best for?
- Clerky is best for Founders planning to raise from US institutional investors; Teams replacing $400/hr lawyers with $400/yr software for routine docs.
- What are the best alternatives to Clerky?
- Top alternatives include Stripe Atlas. FoundersHub publishes side-by-side comparisons of each.