GuideWho it is forUpdated October 1, 2026
A US company for developers and app makers
For developers who publish apps, sell SaaS or provide software services abroad, we set out where a US LLC helps and who does each step. It is process transparency, not legal, financial or tax advice.
Sections on this page
Who it is for
- Independent developers and small studios who want to publish on the App Store or Google Play under a company name.
- SaaS founders who sell subscriptions on the web and want to take card payments in dollars.
- Freelancers who build software for companies abroad and want to invoice from a US company.
Developer accounts and company details
To enrol as an organisation in the Apple Developer Program, Apple asks for a legal entity that can enter into contracts, a D-U-N-S Number, a working website associated with the organisation and an applicant with authority to bind it (developer.apple.com, as of 1 October 2026).
Google Play also asks organisation accounts for a D-U-N-S number and verifies the organisation (support.google.com, as of 1 October 2026). Dun & Bradstreet assigns D-U-N-S numbers; Apple and Google decide on the accounts themselves.
Platform field and the vault document
| Asked by the platform | Where it is in your vault |
|---|---|
| Legal name of the entity | Formation document (Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation) |
| Tax details (payment and tax forms) | The IRS EIN letter (CP 575) |
| The applicant’s authority to act for the company | Operating Agreement |
| D-U-N-S number | You apply to Dun & Bradstreet in the company’s name; the formation document and address details help. |
Taking subscriptions and payments on the web
If you sell outside the app stores, you apply to a payment provider in the company’s name and the provider decides. Applications often ask for company documents, an EIN and a bank account in the company’s name.
We set out the steps, with who does what, in the Stripe application guide.
Invoicing customers abroad
An invoice from a US company carries the company’s legal name, its address and, where needed, its EIN. US customers often pay over ACH. Ask your accountant about invoicing and tax rules.
Read how ACH payments work in getting paid by US clients over ACH.
If you plan to raise
For software start-ups planning to raise, the entity type and state are often discussed with the investor. Make that decision with your investor and your lawyer; we offer LLC formation in the panel and take C-Corp requests by e-mail.
See the Delaware side in the Delaware LLC guide and the criteria in Wyoming vs Delaware. Write to us about a C-Corp.
To apply for cloud and software credits, see the founder programmes guide.
Who does what, step by step
- You
- Enters the details, signs the SS-4, applies to the platforms and payment providers.
- LaunchUS
- Checks the details, shows the process in the panel, adds documents to your vault.
- LaunchUS Registered Agent
- Files the formation with the state, prepares the SS-4 and sends it to the IRS.
- State
- Reviews the formation and issues the formation document.
- IRS
- Issues the EIN.
- Platform
- Apple, Google or the payment provider reviews the account application and decides.
Formation details are on US LLC formation; for the EIN see EIN without an SSN.
Cost
On the LaunchUS side the line you pay is the service fee; the state fee is shown separately. Developer accounts and payment providers publish their own fees on their pages.
| Item | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| LaunchUS service fee | from $549 | LaunchUS |
| State fee (shown separately, may change) | The official formation fee; the exact amount is on the quote. | State |
All plans and annual services: Pricing and annual state fees.
What we do not do in this guide
- We make no promise that a developer or payment account will be opened; the platform decides.
- We do not apply for a D-U-N-S number on your behalf.
- We give no tax, accounting or entity-choice advice.
Questions about a US company for developers
What do I need for an App Store account in the company’s name?
Apple’s own page asks for a legal entity, a D-U-N-S Number, a website associated with the organisation and an applicant with authority to bind it. You apply and Apple decides.
Can I move my Google Play developer account to the company?
Google Play asks organisation accounts for a D-U-N-S number and organisation verification; Google publishes the rules for moving existing accounts on its own help pages. Google decides.
Wyoming or Delaware for a software company?
We will not answer that for you. We collected criteria such as investment plans, the yearly state task and budget side by side on the comparison page; the decision is yours.
What about my tax in my country of residence?
Your tax position depends on your activity and your country of residence. We give no tax advice; ask your accountant.
Does LaunchUS get the D-U-N-S number?
No. Dun & Bradstreet assigns the D-U-N-S number and you apply in the company’s name; your formation document and company details wait in your vault.
These answers are process transparency, not legal, financial or tax advice. Consult your own tax adviser about your obligations.
Start your order.
Create your account and enter your details. LaunchUS reviews them, prepares your filing and puts every document in your vault.
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