Stripe Atlas vs Clerky

Agent access

1. ai-native userPoint an agent at llms.txt or agent-oriented docs

   weight 2 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas✓fullprobed8/10

   Probes confirm docs.stripe.com serves a working llms.txt (HTTP 200) and .md versions of Atlas docs pages (e.g., atlas.md, signup.md, 83b-election.md), enabling agents to fetch agent-oriented documentation directly. Missing for 10: no independent third-party confirmation of agent usage/testing against these files, and no explicit Atlas-specific llms.txt (it's site-wide for Stripe docs).

   • [probe] “PROBE llms.txt: HTTP 200 at https://docs.stripe.com/llms.txt # Stripe Documentation When installing Stripe packages, always check the npm r…”
   • [probe] “PROBE docs-md: HTTP 200 at https://docs.stripe.com/atlas.md # Stripe Atlas Start a US company from anywhere in the world. Stripe Atlas inc…”
   • [claimed-docs] “It also gives you access to legal documents developed with Cooley (a law firm for startups), 50,000 USD in partner perks, and 2,500 USD in S…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky✓fullprobed9/10

   Clerky's developer docs site serves a valid llms.txt (HTTP 200) with structured links to markdown-formatted docs pages, confirmed by direct probe evidence, satisfying the ability to point an agent at agent-oriented documentation. missing for 10: independent third-party confirmation of an agent successfully consuming the llms.txt in practice.

   • [probe] “PROBE llms.txt: HTTP 200 at https://developers.clerky.com/llms.txt - [Lifecycle](https://developers.clerky.com/getting-started/lifecycle/ind…”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Introduction The Clerky Partner API lets partners bring a Clerky-powered formation workflow into their own product. It currently supports …”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Lifecycle A [document set][document-sets] moves through four partner-facing steps: create it, collect [form][forms] values, submit those v…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

2. ai-native userDrive the product through a documented public API

   weight 3 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   No evidence of a documented public API for Atlas itself (company incorporation, SAFE creation, EIN, 83(b) filing, etc.); the OpenAPI probe returned 404s across all candidate paths, and docs only describe Dashboard-based workflows. Stripe's general payments API exists but is a separate product, not evidence Atlas's incorporation/fundraising features are API-driven.

   • [probe] “PROBE openapi: all candidate paths 404 (https://docs.stripe.com/openapi.json, https://docs.stripe.com/swagger.json, https://docs.stripe.com/…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Stripe Atlas incorporates your startup and gives you everything you need to open a bank account, accept payments, and fundraise in two busin…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Learn how you can fundraise for your startup by creating, sending, and tracking Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) from your Dashbo…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialprobed6/10

   Clerky publishes real developer documentation for a Partner API (developers.clerky.com, discoverable via llms.txt) covering document-set lifecycle, form schemas, and endpoints like POST /v1/document_sets and GET forms, which is genuine documented programmatic access. However, the docs themselves state OAuth-based authentication is 'coming soon' and not yet live, meaning the API isn't fully operational for external partner integration yet, and scope is limited to Delaware C-Corp formations only. Missing for 10: live/functional authentication flow, evidence of broader API scope, and independent developer reports of successful integration.

   • [claimed-docs] “# Introduction The Clerky Partner API lets partners bring a Clerky-powered formation workflow into their own product. It currently supports …”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Lifecycle A [document set][document-sets] moves through four partner-facing steps: create it, collect [form][forms] values, submit those v…”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Authentication The Clerky Partner API will use OAuth 2.0 bearer tokens. OAuth-based access is coming soon; client registration, URLs, scop…”
   • [probe] “PROBE llms.txt: HTTP 200 at https://developers.clerky.com/llms.txt - [Lifecycle](https://developers.clerky.com/getting-started/lifecycle/ind…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Agentic features

1. ai-native userGet AI-generated insights and suggestions from my data inside the product

   weight 2 · round drawn
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   No evidence that Stripe Atlas provides AI-generated insights or suggestions from user data; the evidence pack covers incorporation, banking, equity, and legal services with no mention of AI analytics or recommendations features.

   ⚑ flag

   Clerky—none0/10

   Clerky is a legal document/formation platform with an MCP server and partner API for workflow automation, but there is no evidence of AI-generated insights or suggestions surfaced from the user's own data (e.g., analytics, recommendations, anomaly detection) inside the product. The MCP server exposes tools for AI assistants to act on data, not the product itself generating insights.

   • [claimed-docs] “# Clerky MCP Server Clerky works with AI assistants that support remote [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/…”
   • [probe] “PROBE remote MCP initialize (no token): {"error": "invalid_token", "error_description": "Authentication required"} HTTP 401 — live OAuth-gat…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Api quality

1. ai-native userDownload a machine-readable API spec (OpenAPI or equivalent)

   weight 2 · round drawn
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   Stripe Atlas docs provide markdown/llms.txt but the explicit probe for OpenAPI spec files at docs.stripe.com returned 404 for all candidate paths, and no other evidence pack item shows a machine-readable API spec being offered for Atlas.

   • [probe] “PROBE openapi: all candidate paths 404 (https://docs.stripe.com/openapi.json, https://docs.stripe.com/swagger.json, https://docs.stripe.com/…”
   • [probe] “PROBE llms.txt: HTTP 200 at https://docs.stripe.com/llms.txt # Stripe Documentation When installing Stripe packages, always check the npm r…”
   • [probe] “PROBE docs-md: HTTP 200 at https://docs.stripe.com/atlas.md # Stripe Atlas Start a US company from anywhere in the world. Stripe Atlas inc…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky—none0/10

   Clerky has a documented Partner API with REST endpoints and JSON schema forms, but explicit probes for OpenAPI/Swagger spec files (openapi.json, swagger.json, .well-known/openapi.json) all returned 404, and no docs page offers a downloadable machine-readable spec.

   • [probe] “PROBE openapi: all candidate paths 404 (https://handbooks.clerky.com/openapi.json, https://handbooks.clerky.com/swagger.json, https://handbo…”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Introduction The Clerky Partner API lets partners bring a Clerky-powered formation workflow into their own product. It currently supports …”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Lifecycle A [document set][document-sets] moves through four partner-facing steps: create it, collect [form][forms] values, submit those v…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Audit

1. legal-ops leadRely on a tamper-evident audit trail and completion certificate for every signed document

   weight 2 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   Evidence covers incorporation, document storage, SAFEs, and legal templates, but nothing addresses tamper-evident audit trails or completion certificates for signed documents (e.g., e-signature integrity verification), which is what a legal-ops lead would need.

   ⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialclaimed2/10

   Clerky documents that it logs every change made to a document set or workspace so admins can see who did what, which is a basic audit-log capability, but there is no mention of tamper-evidence (e.g., cryptographic sealing, hash-chained logs) or of a signing completion certificate being issued for executed documents. Missing for 10: tamper-evident/cryptographic audit trail mechanics, completion certificate artifact, and any independent verification of these claims.

   • [claimed-docs] “We log every change anyone makes to a document set or workspace, so you can always see who was responsible for what.”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Compliance

1. founderFile annual reports and franchise tax on time through the platform

   weight 2 · round drawn
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   No Stripe Atlas documentation claims automated filing of annual reports or Delaware franchise tax on the founder's behalf; the only related community evidence explicitly states the opposite — founders must proactively manage franchise tax bills themselves with 'no warnings' from Atlas, and state/city-level legwork is left to the user.

   • [community] “Atlas companies are optimized to 'receive investments' where it's setup with a high share count which attracts obscenely large Delaware fran…”
   • [community] “I set up an LLC via Atlas. The process was simple, but there's a lot of legwork at the state/city level that they don't do and you'll need t…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky—none0/10

   No evidence anywhere in the pack mentions annual report filing, franchise tax filing, registered agent services, or compliance deadline tracking; Clerky's documented scope is formation, equity, hiring, banking, and IRS forms only.

   ⚑ flag

2. legal-ops leadSee a compliance calendar of upcoming filing deadlines and get reminders before each one

   weight 2 · round drawn
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   No evidence Atlas provides a compliance calendar or deadline reminder system; docs cover incorporation, EIN, 83(b) filing, and equity but nothing about ongoing filing deadline tracking. Community evidence actually notes the opposite—one founder reports being blindsided by Delaware franchise tax bills with 'no warnings' from Atlas, and another notes Atlas doesn't handle state/city-level ongoing compliance legwork.

   • [community] “Atlas companies are optimized to 'receive investments' where it's setup with a high share count which attracts obscenely large Delaware fran…”
   • [community] “I set up an LLC via Atlas. The process was simple, but there's a lot of legwork at the state/city level that they don't do and you'll need t…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky—none0/10

   No evidence in the pack of any compliance calendar, filing-deadline tracking, or reminder feature; Clerky's evidence covers document formation, collaboration, task assignment, and API/MCP integrations but nothing about deadline tracking or reminders.

   ⚑ flag

3. founderUse the platform as my registered agent and receive scanned legal mail and service of process digitally

   weight 2 · round drawn
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   No evidence in the pack mentions registered agent services, scanned legal mail, or service-of-process handling; Atlas documentation covers incorporation, EIN, 83(b), bank accounts, and SAFEs but nothing about acting as a registered agent or forwarding legal mail digitally.

   ⚑ flag

   Clerky—none0/10

   No evidence anywhere in the pack that Clerky offers registered agent services or digital mail/service-of-process scanning; its documented scope is document generation, e-signature, IRS filings, banking, and API/MCP integrations. Registered agent service is a plausible offering for a startup-formation platform, so absence of evidence yields 'none' rather than 'na'.

   ⚑ flag

Compliance agentic

1. ai-native userDelegate an annual report or compliance filing to an agent that prepares it through the platform with minimal human input

   weight 2 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   Evidence shows Stripe Atlas handles incorporation, EIN, 83(b) elections, and tax filing as a human-facing dashboard/paperwork service with lawyer/accountant support, but there is no evidence of any agent-accessible API, delegation mechanism, or AI-agent workflow for compliance filings; community notes even highlight ongoing manual legwork and need for accountants/lawyers. Missing for 10: any API/agent interface for filings, evidence of autonomous or minimal-human-input agent delegation, documentation of an agent-facing workflow for annual reports or compliance filings.

   • [claimed-docs] “Atlas files 83(b) elections for all C-corp founders”
   • [claimed-docs] “gets your company tax ID (EIN) from the IRS, issues founders equity, and files your 83(b) election”
   • [community] “I set up an LLC via Atlas. The process was simple, but there's a lot of legwork at the state/city level that they don't do and you'll need t…”
   • [community] “SVB sucks, true. But $300/yr for a bank account should not be a deal breaker... Atlas also made filing 2017 taxes trivial, I never even spok…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialprobed4/10

   Clerky offers a remote MCP server and Partner API that let an AI assistant interact with document sets, forms, and workflow state (clerky-docs-19/20/22), and IRS forms can be completed and submitted online (clerky-docs-5/15), suggesting some agent-driven compliance work is possible. However, the probe shows the MCP tools are read-only with team-scoped OAuth access (clerky-probe-5), and there is no evidence of an actual 'annual report' or ongoing compliance-filing product, nor of an agent completing filings end-to-end with minimal human input. missing for 10: evidence of annual report/compliance-filing capability specifically, evidence the MCP/API can autonomously submit filings (not just read/collect data), and confirmation that human sign-off isn't required at each step.

   • [claimed-docs] “# Introduction The Clerky Partner API lets partners bring a Clerky-powered formation workflow into their own product. It currently supports …”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Lifecycle A [document set][document-sets] moves through four partner-facing steps: create it, collect [form][forms] values, submit those v…”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Clerky MCP Server Clerky works with AI assistants that support remote [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/…”
   • [probe] “PROBE remote MCP initialize (no token): {"error": "invalid_token", "error_description": "Authentication required"} HTTP 401 — live OAuth-gat…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Use Clerky to complete IRS forms and submit them to the IRS, completely online. No need for a fax machine.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Use Clerky to complete IRS forms and submit them to the IRS, completely online. No need for a fax machine. 100% in-house, not outsourced.”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Doc api

1. developerGenerate, populate, and send legal documents programmatically through a documented API

   weight 3 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   Atlas documents show SAFEs, 83(b) elections, and incorporation paperwork are created/sent/tracked via the Dashboard, not through a documented developer API, and an OpenAPI/spec probe returned 404s. Missing for 10: any documented REST/API endpoints for generating or sending legal documents programmatically, SDK examples, or API reference for Atlas document workflows.

   • [claimed-docs] “Learn how you can fundraise for your startup by creating, sending, and tracking Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) from your Dashbo…”
   • [claimed-docs] “After you form your company, you can view your incorporation documents in the Documents tab of your Atlas Dashboard.”
   • [probe] “PROBE openapi: all candidate paths 404 (https://docs.stripe.com/openapi.json, https://docs.stripe.com/swagger.json, https://docs.stripe.com/…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialprobed5/10

   Clerky publishes a documented Partner API with concrete lifecycle steps (create document set, GET forms with json_schema, POST values, poll state) covering document generation and population (clerky-docs-19, clerky-docs-20). However, the API currently only supports Delaware C-Corp formations, OAuth-based authentication is explicitly stated as 'coming soon' rather than live (clerky-docs-21), and 'sending' is really 'user signs on Clerky' rather than a programmatic send step, so the story is only partially realized in production. Missing for 10: live/production authentication for partners, broader document-type coverage beyond formations, and independent/hands-on evidence of a working end-to-end integration.

   • [claimed-docs] “# Introduction The Clerky Partner API lets partners bring a Clerky-powered formation workflow into their own product. It currently supports …”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Lifecycle A [document set][document-sets] moves through four partner-facing steps: create it, collect [form][forms] values, submit those v…”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Authentication The Clerky Partner API will use OAuth 2.0 bearer tokens. OAuth-based access is coming soon; client registration, URLs, scop…”
   • [probe] “PROBE llms.txt: HTTP 200 at https://developers.clerky.com/llms.txt - [Lifecycle](https://developers.clerky.com/getting-started/lifecycle/ind…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Fundraising

1. founderGenerate and sign SAFEs or convertible notes on standard terms without drafting from scratch

   weight 3 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas~partialcommunity6/10

   Docs confirm Atlas lets founders create, send, and track SAFEs from the Dashboard, and provides Cooley-developed legal document templates plus equity issuance/83(b) filing, indicating standard-terms documents are generated rather than drafted from scratch. However, evidence doesn't detail convertible notes specifically, nor confirm e-signature workflows or full customization scope, and community feedback notes gaps requiring outside lawyers for other paperwork. Missing for 10: explicit convertible note support, signing/e-signature flow details, independent hands-on confirmation of SAFE generation quality.

   • [claimed-docs] “Learn how you can fundraise for your startup by creating, sending, and tracking Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) from your Dashbo…”
   • [claimed-docs] “It also gives you access to legal documents developed with Cooley (a law firm for startups), 50,000 USD in partner perks, and 2,500 USD in S…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Customize your vesting period, cliff, and start date to fit your needs.”
   • [community] “We really wanted to use Stripe Atlas for our startup but ended up using Clerky for various reasons... Atlas is getting closer and closer to …”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky✓fullcommunity8/10

   Clerky's core startup product explicitly supports issuing SAFEs and convertible notes on standard forms with customizable key terms, collaborative editing, attorney review, and e-signature—removing the need to draft from scratch. Community feedback corroborates ease of use and frictionless process for founders using Clerky's paperwork workflows. Missing for 10: independent hands-on account of actually generating/signing a SAFE end-to-end and specifics on which standard SAFE variants (YC, pre/post-money) are supported.

   • [claimed-docs] “Issue safes or convertible notes. Hire employees, consultants, and advisors, and issue stock or stock options as equity compensation.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Our software makes it easy to customize the key terms of the legal paperwork you're working on.”
   • [claimed-docs] “you can easily loop in your attorney to have them review and comment on the information you're entering.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Our software makes it easy to invite other people to collaborate on a document set, in real-time.”
   • [community] “Wow, this is great. Props to the Clerky team. If this had existed in 2015 we would have used it, instead we paid a few thousand extra.”
   • [community] “We were among the first companies to use this product at Crowdbotics... the process was almost totally frictionless and Clerky's support was…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Governance

1. legal-ops leadPrepare board consents and resolutions and collect approvals online

   weight 2 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   Evidence covers incorporation, equity issuance, SAFEs, 83(b) elections, and Cooley-developed legal document templates, but nothing describes preparing board consents/resolutions or collecting board approvals online. Missing for 10: any mention of board consent templates, resolution drafting, or an e-signature/approval-collection workflow for board actions.

   • [claimed-docs] “Learn how you can fundraise for your startup by creating, sending, and tracking Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) from your Dashbo…”
   • [claimed-docs] “It also gives you access to legal documents developed with Cooley (a law firm for startups), 50,000 USD in partner perks, and 2,500 USD in S…”
   • [claimed-docs] “After you form your company, you can view your incorporation documents in the Documents tab of your Atlas Dashboard.”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialcommunity5/10

   Clerky's docs describe document-set collaboration, inviting co-founders/attorneys to review and comment in real-time, and issuing stock/options (which typically requires board approval) — these features generally support drafting and collecting sign-off on corporate paperwork online. However, no evidence explicitly names 'board consents' or 'resolutions' as a document type or confirms an approval-workflow specifically for board actions. Missing for 10: explicit mention of board consent/resolution templates, a dedicated approval/e-signature workflow for board members, and independent confirmation that board-level approvals are collected through the platform.

   • [claimed-docs] “Issue safes or convertible notes. Hire employees, consultants, and advisors, and issue stock or stock options as equity compensation.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Our software makes it easy to invite other people to collaborate on a document set, in real-time.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Our software makes it easy to invite other people to collaborate on a document set, in real-time. Rest easy knowing everyone is looking at t…”
   • [claimed-docs] “you can easily loop in your attorney to have them review and comment on the information you're entering.”
   • [claimed-docs] “We've built features that let you easily assign tasks to co-founders and work on everything together.”
   • [community] “Clerky gives me management tools (including the post-incorporation package: Fundraising, Hiring and Maintenance) although this does not give…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Hiring

1. legal-ops leadRun hiring and equity paperwork — offer letters, confidentiality/IP agreements, and option grants — through the platform

   weight 2 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas~partialclaimed5/10

   Atlas documents cover founder equity issuance, vesting customization, and 83(b) election filing, plus general access to Cooley-developed legal documents, which touches option-grant paperwork. However, there is no explicit evidence of offer-letter templates or confidentiality/IP assignment agreement workflows being run through the platform. missing for 10: dedicated offer-letter generation, confidentiality/IP agreement templates, independent confirmation of hiring paperwork beyond equity/incorporation docs.

   • [claimed-docs] “Customize your vesting period, cliff, and start date to fit your needs.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Atlas files 83(b) elections for all C-corp founders”
   • [claimed-docs] “gets your company tax ID (EIN) from the IRS, issues founders equity, and files your 83(b) election”
   • [claimed-docs] “It also gives you access to legal documents developed with Cooley (a law firm for startups), 50,000 USD in partner perks, and 2,500 USD in S…”
   • [claimed-docs] “After you form your company, you can view your incorporation documents in the Documents tab of your Atlas Dashboard.”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky✓fullcommunity8/10

   Clerky's own product docs explicitly cover hiring paperwork (offer/hiring workflows), confidentiality/IP agreements implied via founder/employee onboarding docs, and equity issuance (stock, stock options, safes, convertible notes) via a stock plan, plus attorney oversight/collaboration features for legal-ops review. Community reviews corroborate real-world use of the hiring/fundraising/maintenance packages. Missing for 10: explicit mention of confidentiality/IP agreement templates by name and independent case studies detailing legal-ops workflows specifically.

   • [claimed-docs] “Issue safes or convertible notes. Hire employees, consultants, and advisors, and issue stock or stock options as equity compensation.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Adopt a stock plan to easily issue restricted stock or stock options to employees, consultants, and advisors.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Forming a startup on Clerky enables access to a legal dashboard that makes it easy to do additional legal paperwork.”
   • [claimed-docs] “you can easily loop in your attorney to have them review and comment on the information you're entering.”
   • [community] “Clerky gives me management tools (including the post-incorporation package: Fundraising, Hiring and Maintenance) although this does not give…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Formation

1. founderObtain a federal EIN for my new company through the platform

   weight 2 · round to Stripe Atlas
   Stripe Atlas✓fullcommunity9/10

   Stripe's docs explicitly state Atlas obtains the company's federal tax ID (EIN) from the IRS as part of incorporation, alongside issuing equity and filing 83(b) elections, and this is corroborated by community accounts of smooth incorporation/tax processes via Atlas. Missing for 10: independent hands-on confirmation specifically of EIN turnaround time or edge-case delays.

   • [claimed-docs] “gets your company tax ID (EIN) from the IRS, issues founders equity, and files your 83(b) election”
   • [claimed-docs] “Available immediately after incorporation before you receive your EIN.”
   • [community] “SVB sucks, true. But $300/yr for a bank account should not be a deal breaker... Atlas also made filing 2017 taxes trivial, I never even spok…”
   • [community] “I completely disagree with this post. I setup an LLC late last year and it was a very pleasant experience via Atlas. They clearly show a che…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky✓fullcommunity8/10

   Clerky explicitly advertises completing and submitting IRS forms (including EIN application, a core IRS form for new companies) fully online without fax, done in-house — clerky-docs-5/15. Community evidence corroborates general ease/friction of the incorporation process but doesn't specifically dispute the EIN step. Missing for 10: independent hands-on confirmation specifically of the EIN application step (vs. general process reviews) and detail on turnaround time.

   • [claimed-docs] “Use Clerky to complete IRS forms and submit them to the IRS, completely online. No need for a fax machine.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Use Clerky to complete IRS forms and submit them to the IRS, completely online. No need for a fax machine. 100% in-house, not outsourced.”
   • [community] “We were among the first companies to use this product at Crowdbotics... the process was almost totally frictionless and Clerky's support was…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

2. founderIncorporate a Delaware startup end-to-end online, including the filing, bylaws, and initial board approvals

   weight 3 · round drawn
   Stripe Atlas✓fullcommunity8/10

   Docs and community reports confirm Atlas handles Delaware C-corp/LLC incorporation, EIN, founder equity issuance, 83(b) filings, and provides Cooley-drafted legal docs (bylaws, vesting agreements) within days, with independent users confirming a smooth end-to-end filing/checklist experience. Missing for 10: explicit mention of formal 'initial board consent/board approval' documents and independent verification that board resolutions are auto-generated, plus some community reports note extra legwork (state/local filings, franchise tax) still required.

   • [claimed-docs] “Stripe Atlas incorporates your startup and gives you everything you need to open a bank account, accept payments, and fundraise in two busin…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Atlas files 83(b) elections for all C-corp founders”
   • [claimed-docs] “gets your company tax ID (EIN) from the IRS, issues founders equity, and files your 83(b) election”
   • [claimed-docs] “It also gives you access to legal documents developed with Cooley (a law firm for startups), 50,000 USD in partner perks, and 2,500 USD in S…”
   • [claimed-docs] “After you form your company, you can view your incorporation documents in the Documents tab of your Atlas Dashboard.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Stripe Atlas supports forming Delaware C corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and C corporation subsidiaries.”
   • [community] “I completely disagree with this post. I setup an LLC late last year and it was a very pleasant experience via Atlas. They clearly show a che…”
   • [community] “I set up an LLC via Atlas. The process was simple, but there's a lot of legwork at the state/city level that they don't do and you'll need t…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky✓fullcommunity8/10

   Clerky is purpose-built for online Delaware incorporation, covering formation filing, customizable bylaws/legal documents, board approvals, and post-incorporation paperwork, corroborated by positive hands-on founder accounts of using it for incorporation. missing for 10: independent verification of the full end-to-end filing-to-board-approval flow (vs marketing pages), and a documented step-by-step walkthrough showing bylaws/board consent generation explicitly.

   • [claimed-docs] “Forming a startup on Clerky enables access to a legal dashboard that makes it easy to do additional legal paperwork.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Our software makes it easy to customize the key terms of the legal paperwork you're working on.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Issue safes or convertible notes. Hire employees, consultants, and advisors, and issue stock or stock options as equity compensation.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Adopt a stock plan to easily issue restricted stock or stock options to employees, consultants, and advisors.”
   • [community] “I used Clerky in 2016. I found them pleasant and easy to work with. Took the time to answer all of my questions. Prices quite reasonable.”
   • [community] “We were among the first companies to use this product at Crowdbotics... the process was almost totally frictionless and Clerky's support was…”
   • [community] “I love Stripe Atlas overall for fast/excellent UX, but Clerky supports PBCs and a higher degree of customization (eg useful for incorporatin…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

3. founderComplete post-incorporation setup — founder stock purchases, IP assignment, and 83(b) elections — with correct standard paperwork

   weight 2 · round to Stripe Atlas
   Stripe Atlas✓fullcommunity8/10

   Stripe Atlas docs explicitly confirm it issues founder equity with customizable vesting, files 83(b) elections for all C-corp founders, and provides legal documents developed with Cooley, plus a dashboard to view incorporation documents — directly matching the story's core elements. Community evidence corroborates a smooth incorporation experience, though notes some legwork/gaps remain outside Atlas's scope (e.g., no IP assignment specifics mentioned, and one user needed Clerky for extra needs). Missing for 10: explicit documentation of IP assignment agreements as a named deliverable, and independent verification of 83(b) filing accuracy/timeliness.

   • [claimed-docs] “Customize your vesting period, cliff, and start date to fit your needs.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Atlas files 83(b) elections for all C-corp founders”
   • [claimed-docs] “gets your company tax ID (EIN) from the IRS, issues founders equity, and files your 83(b) election”
   • [claimed-docs] “It also gives you access to legal documents developed with Cooley (a law firm for startups), 50,000 USD in partner perks, and 2,500 USD in S…”
   • [claimed-docs] “After you form your company, you can view your incorporation documents in the Documents tab of your Atlas Dashboard.”
   • [community] “I set up an LLC via Atlas. The process was simple, but there's a lot of legwork at the state/city level that they don't do and you'll need t…”
   • [community] “We really wanted to use Stripe Atlas for our startup but ended up using Clerky for various reasons... Atlas is getting closer and closer to …”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialcommunity7/10

   Clerky's docs confirm founder stock/equity issuance (clerky-docs-9, clerky-docs-16) and completing/submitting IRS forms online (clerky-docs-5, clerky-docs-15), which covers 83(b) elections, and community confirms a post-incorporation 'Maintenance' package (clerky-comm-3). However, IP assignment agreements are not explicitly named in the evidence pack, so full coverage of that specific document isn't directly confirmed. missing for 10: explicit documentation of IP assignment agreement generation, independent verification that 83(b) filings are correctly executed, and hands-on account of the full post-incorporation flow.

   • [claimed-docs] “Use Clerky to complete IRS forms and submit them to the IRS, completely online. No need for a fax machine.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Issue safes or convertible notes. Hire employees, consultants, and advisors, and issue stock or stock options as equity compensation.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Use Clerky to complete IRS forms and submit them to the IRS, completely online. No need for a fax machine. 100% in-house, not outsourced.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Adopt a stock plan to easily issue restricted stock or stock options to employees, consultants, and advisors.”
   • [community] “Clerky gives me management tools (including the post-incorporation package: Fundraising, Hiring and Maintenance) although this does not give…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

1. ai-native userDo everything through the API that I can do in the UI

   weight 2 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   No evidence Atlas exposes an API for incorporation, SAFE creation, 83(b) filing, or bank account setup; all documented workflows describe Dashboard-only actions, and a probe for an OpenAPI/swagger spec on the docs site returned 404s. missing for 10: any documented Atlas API endpoints, API reference docs, or programmatic equivalents of the incorporation/SAFE/dashboard workflows.

   • [claimed-docs] “Learn how you can fundraise for your startup by creating, sending, and tracking Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) from your Dashbo…”
   • [claimed-docs] “After you form your company, you can view your incorporation documents in the Documents tab of your Atlas Dashboard.”
   • [probe] “PROBE openapi: all candidate paths 404 (https://docs.stripe.com/openapi.json, https://docs.stripe.com/swagger.json, https://docs.stripe.com/…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialclaimed4/10

   Clerky has a Partner API but it explicitly 'currently supports Delaware C-Corporation formations' only, a narrow subset of the 40+ products, safes, stock plans, hiring, banking integrations, and legal dashboard features described in the UI docs. OAuth authentication is also still 'coming soon,' meaning the API isn't even fully live yet, and there's no evidence of API coverage for post-formation workflows (safes, convertible notes, hiring, stock issuance, IRS filing, banking apps) that are core UI capabilities. Missing for 10: API coverage for post-incorporation products (safes, hiring, equity issuance, IRS/bank filings), live OAuth access, and evidence of parity across the 40+ advanced products.

   • [claimed-docs] “# Introduction The Clerky Partner API lets partners bring a Clerky-powered formation workflow into their own product. It currently supports …”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Lifecycle A [document set][document-sets] moves through four partner-facing steps: create it, collect [form][forms] values, submit those v…”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Authentication The Clerky Partner API will use OAuth 2.0 bearer tokens. OAuth-based access is coming soon; client registration, URLs, scop…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Issue safes or convertible notes. Hire employees, consultants, and advisors, and issue stock or stock options as equity compensation.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Attorney accounts get access to over 40 advanced products that are not publicly available.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Apply for accounts with the most popular banks for startups. Pre-filled applications make it as easy as possible.”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

2. ai-native userExport all of my data in open formats and leave

   weight 3 · round drawn
   Stripe Atlas—none0/10

   Stripe Atlas is a company-incorporation/legal-paperwork service (EIN, incorporation docs, SAFEs, 83(b) filings); there is no evidence of a data export feature or open-format data portability for users to leave with their data. The only related item is viewing incorporation documents in a dashboard tab, which is not a bulk export in open formats, and no evidence discusses exporting or migrating data out of Atlas.

   • [claimed-docs] “After you form your company, you can view your incorporation documents in the Documents tab of your Atlas Dashboard.”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky—none0/10

   No evidence of any bulk data export in open/standard formats (e.g., document download bundles, JSON/CSV exports of legal data) for users to take their data and leave; the Partner API and MCP server are designed for partner integrations/AI assistants working within Clerky, not full data portability/exit. Probes also show no llms.txt/docs export or export-oriented endpoints beyond the legal-workflow API.

   • [claimed-docs] “# Introduction The Clerky Partner API lets partners bring a Clerky-powered formation workflow into their own product. It currently supports …”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Authentication The Clerky Partner API will use OAuth 2.0 bearer tokens. OAuth-based access is coming soon; client registration, URLs, scop…”
   • [probe] “PROBE llms.txt: HTTP 404 at https://handbooks.clerky.com/llms.txt”
   • [probe] “PROBE docs-md: HTTP 404 at https://handbooks.clerky.com/legal-concepts.md”
   • [probe] “PROBE openapi: all candidate paths 404 (https://handbooks.clerky.com/openapi.json, https://handbooks.clerky.com/swagger.json, https://handbo…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

Templates

1. founderAnswer guided questionnaires that fill in legal documents correctly and flag choices that need attorney review

   weight 1 · round to Clerky
   Stripe Atlas~partialcommunity5/10

   Atlas does offer guided steps that auto-generate certain legal docs (vesting terms, 83(b) elections, SAFEs, Cooley-drafted templates) and a checklist walkthrough praised by users, but there is no evidence of a questionnaire that explicitly flags decisions needing attorney review — community reports even note Atlas gave 'no warnings' about high-share-count franchise tax consequences and that 'Atlas does not remove the need for an accountant, or a lawyer,' meaning founders must proactively seek legal review themselves. Missing for 10: an explicit attorney-review-flagging mechanism in the questionnaire, and documentation showing how edge-case legal choices are surfaced to counsel.

   • [claimed-docs] “Customize your vesting period, cliff, and start date to fit your needs.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Atlas files 83(b) elections for all C-corp founders”
   • [claimed-docs] “Learn how you can fundraise for your startup by creating, sending, and tracking Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) from your Dashbo…”
   • [claimed-docs] “It also gives you access to legal documents developed with Cooley (a law firm for startups), 50,000 USD in partner perks, and 2,500 USD in S…”
   • [community] “I completely disagree with this post. I setup an LLC late last year and it was a very pleasant experience via Atlas. They clearly show a che…”
   • [community] “I set up an LLC via Atlas. The process was simple, but there's a lot of legwork at the state/city level that they don't do and you'll need t…”
   • [community] “Atlas companies are optimized to 'receive investments' where it's setup with a high share count which attracts obscenely large Delaware fran…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialclaimed6/10

   Clerky's docs show forms with structured fields/json_schema that collect info to fill documents (clerky-docs-19, clerky-docs-20), easy customization of key terms (clerky-docs-11), and the ability to loop in an attorney to review and comment on entered information (clerky-docs-12). However, there is no explicit evidence of a system that automatically flags specific choices as needing attorney review versus a general 'invite attorney' collaboration feature. missing for 10: explicit automated flagging/warning UI for attorney-review-needed choices, independent user account of the questionnaire flow itself, and confirmation the guided form correctly maps answers to legal documents.

   • [claimed-docs] “# Introduction The Clerky Partner API lets partners bring a Clerky-powered formation workflow into their own product. It currently supports …”
   • [claimed-docs] “# Lifecycle A [document set][document-sets] moves through four partner-facing steps: create it, collect [form][forms] values, submit those v…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Our software makes it easy to customize the key terms of the legal paperwork you're working on.”
   • [claimed-docs] “you can easily loop in your attorney to have them review and comment on the information you're entering.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Our software makes it easy to invite other people to collaborate on a document set, in real-time.”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

2. founderStart from a library of vetted standard legal templates (NDAs, agreements, policies) instead of hiring counsel for routine documents

   weight 2 · round to Stripe Atlas
   Stripe Atlas~partialcommunity6/10

   Atlas provides legal documents developed with Cooley (a startup law firm), including incorporation docs, vesting agreements, and SAFEs, which covers a subset of standard founder legal templates. However, community evidence shows Atlas 'does not remove the need for an accountant, or a lawyer' and users still turned to alternatives like Clerky for gaps in coverage (e.g., broader NDAs/policies), indicating the library is narrower than a full standard-template suite. Missing for 10: explicit evidence of NDA templates, HR/policy documents, or a broader vetted template library beyond incorporation/vesting/SAFE docs, and independent confirmation of template breadth.

   • [claimed-docs] “It also gives you access to legal documents developed with Cooley (a law firm for startups), 50,000 USD in partner perks, and 2,500 USD in S…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Learn how you can fundraise for your startup by creating, sending, and tracking Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) from your Dashbo…”
   • [claimed-docs] “Customize your vesting period, cliff, and start date to fit your needs.”
   • [community] “I set up an LLC via Atlas. The process was simple, but there's a lot of legwork at the state/city level that they don't do and you'll need t…”
   • [community] “We really wanted to use Stripe Atlas for our startup but ended up using Clerky for various reasons... Atlas is getting closer and closer to …”

   proof ↗⚑ flag

   Clerky~partialcommunity5/10

   Clerky documents show a template-driven system for startup-specific legal paperwork (formation, safes/convertible notes, stock plans, hiring/equity agreements, IRS forms) that lets founders self-serve rather than hire counsel for those documents. However, the evidence never mentions NDAs, general contract templates, or company policy documents, which are explicitly named in the story. Missing for 10: evidence of NDA templates, general business agreement templates, and policy document templates beyond incorporation/equity paperwork.

   • [claimed-docs] “Issue safes or convertible notes. Hire employees, consultants, and advisors, and issue stock or stock options as equity compensation.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Adopt a stock plan to easily issue restricted stock or stock options to employees, consultants, and advisors.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Use Clerky to complete IRS forms and submit them to the IRS, completely online. No need for a fax machine.”
   • [claimed-docs] “Our software makes it easy to customize the key terms of the legal paperwork you're working on.”
   • [community] “Clerky gives me management tools (including the post-incorporation package: Fundraising, Hiring and Maintenance) although this does not give…”

   proof ↗⚑ flag