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Delaware vs Wyoming LLC: Which State is Better for Your Business?

A detailed comparison of Delaware and Wyoming for LLC formation. Learn the pros, cons, costs, and which state is right for your business type.

S

Sarah Johnson

Author

November 15, 20248 min read

The Great LLC State Debate

Delaware and Wyoming are two of the most popular states for LLC formation. But which one is right for your business? Let's break it down.

Quick Comparison

| Factor | Delaware | Wyoming | |--------|----------|---------| Filing Fee$140$100 Annual Fee$300$60 State Income TaxNone (LLC)None PrivacyGoodExcellent | Best For | VC-backed startups | Small businesses |

Delaware: The Corporate Capital

Pros of Delaware

  • Court of Chancery: Specialized business court with experienced judges
  • Investor Familiarity: VCs prefer Delaware due to established precedent
  • Flexible Laws: Delaware LLC Act allows maximum customization
  • Fast Processing: Same-day filing available
  • Cons of Delaware

  • Higher Annual Costs: $300/year franchise tax
  • Foreign Qualification: May need to register in your operating state too
  • Overkill for Small Business: Benefits mainly help larger companies
  • Best For

    - Companies seeking venture capital - Businesses planning to go public - Complex multi-member LLCs - Tech startups with sophisticated structures

    Wyoming: The Small Business Champion

    Pros of Wyoming

  • Lowest Ongoing Costs: Only $60/year
  • Strong Privacy: Best-in-class privacy protections
  • No Franchise Tax: No tax regardless of revenue
  • Asset Protection: Strong charging order protection
  • Simplicity: Straightforward formation and maintenance
  • Cons of Wyoming

  • Less Known: Some investors less familiar
  • Smaller State: Less business law precedent than Delaware
  • Best For

    - Small businesses and solo entrepreneurs - E-commerce and online businesses - International business owners - Privacy-conscious entrepreneurs - Anyone wanting to minimize costs

    Cost Comparison Over 5 Years

    Delaware LLC

    | Year | Annual Fee | Total | |------|-----------|-------| 1$140 + $300$440 2$300$740 3$300$1,040 4$300$1,340 5$300$1,640

    Wyoming LLC

    YearAnnual FeeTotal |------|-----------|-------| 1$100 + $60$160 2$60$220 3$60$280 4$60$340 | 5 | $60 | $400 |

    5-Year Savings with Wyoming: $1,240

    Our Recommendation

    Choose Wyoming if you: - Are a small business owner - Want to minimize ongoing costs - Value privacy - Don't plan to raise venture capital

    Choose Delaware if you: - Plan to raise VC funding - Are building a company to go public - Need complex governance structures - Have investors who prefer Delaware

    Still Unsure?

    Take our State Selection Quiz → or Schedule a Free Consultation →

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    Delaware vs Wyoming LLC: Which State is Better for Your Business? | LLCPad Blog | LLCPad