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Ask HN: Is it worth using Atlas from Stripe?

• mattbgates 9y ago
  Nice name, ha. I do not work for Stripe and have no official affiliation other than the fact that I use it. While I have not personally used Stripe Atlas, I do use Stripe for all my web apps, specifically my SaaS and pay-as-you-go invoicing. Obviously, Stripe is a company that charges 2.9% + $0.30 so they are in it to make their own money while also providing something of great value to many companies and especially developers who had no other way to charge, but to use Paypal. I've since released a few web apps into the wild and it has caught a fraud charge, while also processing many other legitimate ones, so in what it does, Stripe actually makes the whole process of charging, subscriptions, recurring payments, and even catching of fraudulent easy. Pretty sure that they have your business interest as the heart of their own company goals because if you are successful in your business endeavors, they are obviously going to benefit from that as well. And opening it up to places outside of the United States can only drive even more business for you and for them.
  • jackdorsey 9y ago
    I understand that. However, I'm not sure if using Atlas is the best choice. For example, will they charge me more money after establishing my company and am I going to be 'trapped' in using SV bank and other services provided by Stripe.
    • mattbgates 9y ago
      What Stripe Atlas costs Complete package Stripe Atlas has been designed as a turn-key solution for entrepreneurs. Atlas components cannot be used individually (e.g., you can't use Atlas just to open a bank account without also incorporating a company.) Establishing and running any business has both initial and ongoing costs. Stripe Atlas has a one-time fee of $500 (all prices are in USD) that covers: * Incorporating your company in Delaware * Opening your business bank account at Silicon Valley Bank * Registering your company with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) * Your first year of Delaware registered agent services Source: https://stripe.com/docs/atlas https://stripe.com/docs/atlas I understand. It might sound steep and you will certainly want to look at other options, but getting business from the United States could definitely be very beneficial. I do some volunteer work for a company in Malaysia and I know they are using BrainTree and Paypal. This HN discussion might help your decision: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12070089 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12070089 Here is also an outside source comparing Stripe Atlas and BrainTree and others: https://www.business2community.com/finance/best-payment-platforms-stripe-vs-paypal-vs-square-vs-braintree-01944562 https://www.business2community.com/finance/best-payment-plat...
• T-A 9y ago
  I have never used Atlas, but would like to remind you that the US just passed a comprehensive tax reform which will also affect international taxation. It was essentially slapped together in a couple of months, it's big, and I doubt anybody has a handle on all the consequences yet. Based on cursory reports like https://home.kpmg.com/ie/en/home/insights/2017/12/us-tax-reform-agreement-reached-bill.html https://home.kpmg.com/ie/en/home/insights/2017/12/us-tax-ref... I don't think things like the new "base erosion anti-abuse tax" would affect you, but I don't know so, and I don't know what other surprises might be unearthed once lawyers and accountants get back to work in January and start combing through it.
• amingilani 9y ago
  The cost of Stripe Atlas is significantly lower than its components. I know because I'm in an unavailable country and had to incorporate manually. Just incorporating via Clerky is setting up the initial business can cost around $700. And this is without trying to get a bank account or legal advice.
• brianwawok 9y ago
  Looked into it for my bootstrapped business. Was going to save me a few $100 in setup fees, but cost me several thousand dollars in C-Corp over LLC fees, plus add a bunch of legal crap and cost me more at taxtime ever year. So basically... look into Atlas IFF you want/need a C-Corp.