Firstbase Review Review

Name: Firstbase Review Review
Item: Firstbase Review
Rating: 4.7
Author: TheBusinessTrades

Firstbase

Firstbase Review

★★★★★★★★★★4.7

Firstbase

Read review Try Firstbase

EASE OF USE4.7

VALUE FOR MONEY4.5

CUSTOMER SUPPORT4.8

FUNCTIONALITY4.7

Firstbase Overview

Firstbase is the all-in-one platform that helps international founders launch and operate a U.S. business from anywhere in the world. Since 2019, Firstbase has helped over 30,000 entrepreneurs from 175+ countries incorporate a Delaware or Wyoming LLC or C-Corp, secure an EIN, open a U.S. business bank account, and stay compliant with ongoing state and federal filings. The platform bundles incorporation (Firstbase Start), compliance automation (Firstbase Agent), and tax/bookkeeping (Firstbase Mailroom plus tax filing) into a single dashboard, so founders skip the usual maze of registered agents, CPAs, and state portals. Add-ons like virtual U.S. addresses, physical mail scanning, and payment processor integrations make Firstbase a true one-stop stack for non-residents building a U.S. company.

Firstbase is the clear leader for non-resident founders — but the platform is overkill if you're a U.S. citizen filing a single-state LLC. Here's an honest look at where it shines and where the cost adds up.

Pros: End-to-end U.S. incorporation without leaving your home country, EIN filed even without an SSN, free registered agent first year, integrated bank account intros (Mercury, Relay), compliance auto-filing, real U.S. business address with mail scanning, 30,000+ founders trust it.
Cons: State fees are not included in the $399 plan (add $89-$300 depending on state), annual Firstbase Agent is $199/year after year one, tax filings are a paid add-on (~$699+/year), and pricing is steep compared to filing yourself with the state.

Firstbase Pricing Plans

Stripe Atlas — $500 one-time for Delaware C-Corp + EIN + bank intro. Great for startups raising venture capital; weaker for solo LLCs.

doola — Direct competitor with LLC formation from $297, free EIN, and US tax filings. Slightly cheaper than Firstbase for basic LLCs.

Clerky — Founder-favorite for YC-style Delaware C-Corps. More lawyer-grade documents; less hand-holding for non-residents.

Bizee (formerly Incfile) — Free state LLC filing (pay only state fees). Best for U.S. citizens; weaker international support.

ZenBusiness — $0 LLC formation plans + worry-free compliance. Popular for U.S. founders; limited non-resident help.

Northwest Registered Agent — $39 + state fees. Premium registered agent service; manual onboarding but very transparent pricing.

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Firstbase offers transparent flat-fee pricing for US company formation, plus optional add-ons for ongoing compliance, banking and tax support. Pricing does not include state filing fees, which vary by state ($50–$500).

Firstbase Start (LLC Formation): $399 one-time — LLC formation, EIN, operating agreement, US business address, banking setup support and 1 year of registered agent service included
Firstbase Start (C-Corp): $549 one-time — same as above but for Delaware C-Corp with stock issuance and 83(b) election support
Registered Agent: $99/year — first year free with Firstbase Start; renews annually
Firstbase Mailroom: $35/month — virtual US mailing address, mail scanning, forwarding and check deposits
Firstbase Agent (Compliance): $99/year — annual report filing, state compliance reminders, document storage
Firstbase Tax: from $399/year — federal and state tax filings for single and multi-member LLCs and C-Corps

Bundles are available that combine formation, registered agent, mailroom and tax services at a discount. Firstbase also offers white-glove banking introductions to Mercury, Brex and Relay at no extra cost.

Firstbase Reviews

With a Trustpilot rating of 4.7/5 from 3,500+ reviews and strong coverage on G2 and Product Hunt, Firstbase is consistently praised for its concierge-grade support. Here's a representative review from a verified non-resident founder.

What real users say

Rohan P.

Founder, SaaS Startup (India) • November 2025

As an Indian founder, incorporating a Delaware C-Corp used to mean flying to the US or paying lawyers $5K+. Firstbase did it for $399 plus state fees in 14 business days — EIN came in another 3 weeks, and Mercury bank account opened without a single call. The dashboard keeps every document (certificate, EIN letter, operating agreement) in one place, which was exactly what Stripe and AngelList needed when we raised our pre-seed. Their compliance team caught a Delaware franchise tax deadline we would have missed, and the mail scanning has already delivered two IRS notices to my inbox the same day they arrived. Honestly worth every rupee.

Incorporation from India — zero travel0.0

Everything in one dashboard0.0

State fees not included3999089.0

Annual Agent fee is real199.0

Top Firstbase Alternatives

If Firstbase is not the right fit, the top 2026 company-incorporation alternatives are:

Stripe Atlas

Fast US company formation with banking.

doola

Formation plus bookkeeping and compliance.

Clerky

Startup-focused legal formation.

LegalZoom

Established business-formation service.

Firstbase FAQs

Common questions non-resident founders ask before incorporating a U.S. business with Firstbase.

Do I need a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) to use Firstbase?+

No. Firstbase specializes in helping non-residents incorporate a U.S. company without an SSN or ITIN. They file your EIN directly with the IRS via the SS-4 fax process, which is designed for foreign founders.

How much does Firstbase cost?+

The Firstbase Start plan is $399 one-time (plus state fees: ~$90 Delaware, ~$100 Wyoming). Annual compliance via Firstbase Agent is $199/year after the free first year. Tax filing add-ons start around $699/year.

Which state should I choose — Delaware or Wyoming?+

Delaware is standard for C-Corps raising venture capital (investor-friendly courts, proven corporate law). Wyoming LLCs are cheaper ($62 annual report vs $300 Delaware franchise tax minimum) and offer stronger owner privacy. Firstbase walks you through the choice.

How long does incorporation take?+

Company formation filings are typically submitted within 1–3 business days; state approval takes 5–15 business days depending on the state. EIN filings for non-residents take an additional 2–5 weeks via IRS fax.

Can Firstbase open a U.S. bank account for me?+

Firstbase doesn't operate a bank, but integrates with Mercury, Relay, and Wise Business. After your EIN arrives, you apply remotely through the Firstbase dashboard — approval typically takes 1–5 business days with no U.S. visit required.

What is Firstbase Agent and do I need it?+

Firstbase Agent is an optional compliance automation service ($199/year after the free first year) that files annual reports, franchise taxes, and BOI reports, and tracks state deadlines. It's highly recommended — missing deadlines triggers late fees and loss of good standing.

Does Firstbase handle my U.S. taxes?+

Basic incorporation does not include tax filings. Firstbase offers separate tax add-ons starting at $699/year that cover Form 1120 (C-Corp federal), Form 5472 (foreign-owned disregarded entity), and state income tax returns through partnered CPAs.

What is a registered agent and is it included?+

A registered agent is a legal requirement — someone with a physical address in your state of incorporation who receives lawsuits and official mail. Firstbase includes a registered agent free for the first year, then $199/year.

Can I use Firstbase if I'm already incorporated?+

Yes. Firstbase offers an "Already Incorporated" plan where you keep your existing company and add their Agent compliance, Mailroom address, and tax services on top.

Is there a refund policy?+

Firstbase offers a 7-day money-back guarantee before filing begins. Once your formation documents are submitted to the state, refunds are not possible because state filing fees are non-refundable.