Firstbase Review 2026: Pricing, Features, Pros and Cons for Global Founders
$399
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Firstbase forms LLCs and C-Corps in Delaware or Wyoming for founders anywhere, with EIN, banking help and investor-ready documents. Start costs $399 one-time; the registered agent ($299/yr) and US address ($315+/yr) are extra. Our 2026 review covers real yearly costs, Form 5472 and the best alternatives.
Firstbase Review: Firstbase is one of the best-known ways for founders outside the US to set up a US company, and the go-to choice for many startups that plan to raise money. It forms LLCs and C-Corps in Delaware or Wyoming and wraps them in a set of add-on services: registered agent, US address, banking, accounting and tax filing.
In this Firstbase review, we cover everything you need to know before you sign up: what Firstbase is, every service, the 2026 pricing for Start, Agent, Mailroom, Accounting, Tax Filing and Firstbase One, what you will actually pay each year, how the EIN and banking work for non-residents, Form 5472, real customer reviews, pros and cons, who should and shouldn’t use it, and the best alternatives.
What Is Firstbase?
Firstbase is a US company formation and back-office platform built for founders anywhere in the world. Founded in 2019 and backed by Y Combinator, it forms LLCs and C-Corps in Delaware and Wyoming, gets your EIN, helps you open a US business bank account, and then sells the services a company needs to keep running: a registered agent, a US mailing address, bookkeeping, tax filing, payroll and sales tax compliance.
Firstbase works as a set of products you can buy separately: Start (formation), Agent (registered agent and compliance), Mailroom (US address), Accounting, Tax Filing and Loop (banking and partner apps), or bundled as Firstbase One.
Its main difference from Doola is the audience. Doola is designed around small non-US LLCs such as e-commerce sellers and freelancers. Firstbase is designed around startups, especially Delaware C-Corps that want to raise investment, and it is priced accordingly.
Firstbase Review: Quick Verdict
Firstbase is the best choice for international founders building a fundable startup, but it is one of the more expensive options for a simple LLC. The Start package is straightforward, and the $899 tax filing package for foreign-owned single-member LLCs is good value. The yearly cost of the registered agent and mailroom adds up quickly, so small LLCs usually pay less elsewhere.
| Our score | 3.9 / 5 |
| Best for | Non-US startup founders, Delaware C-Corps |
| Formation price | $399 one-time (Start) |
| States | Delaware and Wyoming |
| Entity types | LLC and C-Corp |
| EIN without SSN | Included in Start |
| Registered agent | $299/year per state (required) |
| US mailing address | From $315/year (required for non-US founders) |
| Form 5472 filing | $899/year (non-US single-member LLC) |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.4/5 from more than 1,000 reviews |
Firstbase Service Overview
Here is every Firstbase product and what it costs in 2026.
| Product | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Start | LLC or C-Corp formation in Delaware or Wyoming, EIN, legal documents, bank account help | $399 one-time |
| Agent | Registered agent, compliance dashboard, annual report and franchise tax filing | $299/year per state |
| Mailroom | US business address with mail scanning; Premium adds NYC, San Francisco or Florida addresses | $315–$350/year |
| Loop | One-click applications to banks, payroll and partner apps, plus partner discounts | Free with Start |
| Accounting | AI-assisted, human-reviewed bookkeeping with live bookkeeper chat | $599/month or $5,990/year |
| Tax Filing | Federal and state returns, Form 5472, 1099s, IRS extension | $899–$1,799/year |
| Sales Tax | Registrations, nexus monitoring and automated filings (needs Stripe) | Custom |
| R&D Tax Credit | Claims the federal R&D credit | 15% of credit |
| Firstbase One | Bundle of Mailroom Premium, Agent, Accounting and Tax Filing | $199/month, billed $2,388/year |
Firstbase Features and Services
Firstbase covers the full life of a US company: forming it, connecting it to banks and tools, and keeping it compliant. Here is how each product works.
Start: US Company Formation
Start is Firstbase’s formation package. You choose an LLC or a C-Corp and a state (Delaware or Wyoming), and Firstbase files the formation documents, prepares your post-incorporation paperwork (operating agreement for LLCs, bylaws and stock purchase agreements for C-Corps), applies for your EIN, and helps you open a bank account through its partners. Formation is usually completed within a few business days of filing, depending on the state. Not sure which entity to pick? Firstbase has a “Help me choose” quiz, and our guide to Delaware C-Corp or LLC explains the trade-offs.
Agent: Registered Agent and Compliance
Every LLC and corporation needs a registered agent in its formation state, and Firstbase requires one for incorporation. Firstbase Agent costs $299 per year per state and includes a compliance dashboard, deadline reminders, and filing of your annual report and franchise tax. It is available in all 50 states, which also helps if you later register your company in another state. At $299, it is priced well above many standalone agents; compare options in the best registered agent services.
Mailroom: US Business Address
Firstbase requires a US address for incorporation, so most non-US founders buy Mailroom. Mailroom Basic ($35/month or $315/year) gives you an address in your formation state with unlimited mail scanning and storage. Mailroom Premium ($50/month or $350/year) adds a premium address in New York, San Francisco or Florida and lets you send paper mail from the app. If you only need an address, compare cheaper options in the best virtual mailbox services.
Loop: Banking and Partner Apps
Loop connects your new company to partner services in one click, pre-filling your company details so you don’t repeat the same forms. It covers business banking, payroll, payments and accounting tools, plus Firstbase’s partner deals, which it values at more than $350,000 in discounts and credits. Loop itself is free; you pay the partner’s fees.
Accounting: Bookkeeping
Firstbase Accounting combines automated categorisation with human bookkeepers. It syncs your bank accounts, cards and payment processors, reconciles transactions automatically, and gives you real-time financial statements and a live chat with your bookkeeper. Standalone, it costs $599 per month or $5,990 per year, so it suits funded startups or businesses with real transaction volume rather than a new single-member LLC.
Tax Filing: Federal and State Returns
Firstbase’s tax team files your federal and state returns after you complete a questionnaire. There are two packages: $899 per year for non-US-owned single-member LLCs (Form 5472, pro forma Form 1120, unlimited 1099s and an IRS extension if needed), and $1,799 per year for C-Corps and multi-member LLCs (Form 1120 or 1065, Form 5472, K-1s, unlimited state returns and 1099s). Catch-up bookkeeping for past years is extra. See how to file Form 5472 and 1120.
Sales Tax and R&D Credits
For growing startups, Firstbase also offers sales tax compliance (registrations, nexus monitoring and automated filings, for companies using Stripe) on custom pricing, and an R&D tax credit service that charges 15% of the credit it claims for you.
BOI Reporting Update
Firstbase still lists BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) filings as part of Agent. Since March 2025, FinCEN has exempted all US-formed companies from BOI reporting, so an LLC or C-Corp formed through Firstbase doesn’t need to file a BOI report.
How to Get Started With Firstbase
Ordering takes about 15 minutes. Have your passport, company name and the names of all founders ready.
Step 1: Click “Start my business”
Go to Firstbase’s website and start the formation flow.
Step 2: Choose your company type
Pick an LLC or a C-Corp. An LLC suits founders who want low costs and simple taxes; a C-Corp suits founders who plan to raise investment. Use the “Help me choose” quiz if unsure.
Step 3: Select your state
Choose Delaware or Wyoming. Delaware is the standard for venture-backed C-Corps; Wyoming has lower yearly fees and suits most LLCs.
Step 4: Add required services
Add a registered agent and, if you live outside the US, a Mailroom address, then any optional services like tax filing.
Step 5: Review and pay
Check your details and pay. Firstbase files your company and starts the EIN application.
Step 6: Open your bank account
Once your EIN arrives, apply to a partner bank through Loop.
Firstbase Pricing Plans 2026
Firstbase is priced product by product. You pay once for formation, then yearly for the services your company needs. All prices exclude state fees.
| Product | Price | What’s included | Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | $399 one-time | Formation, EIN, legal documents, bank account help | Every new company |
| Agent | $299/year per state | Registered agent, compliance dashboard, annual report filing | Required |
| Mailroom Basic / Premium | $315/year or $350/year | US address with mail scanning | Required for non-US founders |
| Tax Filing | $899/year (non-US single-member LLC) or $1,799/year (C-Corp, multi-member LLC) | Federal and state returns including Form 5472 | Optional, but you must file somehow |
| Accounting | $599/month or $5,990/year | Bookkeeping with human review | Optional |
| Firstbase One | $199/month, billed $2,388/year | Mailroom Premium, Agent, Accounting and Tax Filing | Startups that want everything handled |
Promotions: Firstbase often discounts Start. In October 2026 its pricing page advertised formation for $99 (“formation is on us, pay only your state fee”). Check the current offer on Firstbase’s pricing page and our Firstbase coupon page before you order.
Firstbase One: the $2,388 yearly bundle saves money only if you need accounting. Without accounting, buying Agent, Mailroom and Tax Filing separately costs about $1,500–$1,600 a year.
What Firstbase Really Costs Per Year
Here is what a non-US founder pays for a Firstbase LLC with the required services (Start, Agent and Mailroom Basic), at Start’s $399 list price.
| State | State filing fee | Yearly state fee | Year 1 total | Each year after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming LLC | $100 | $60 minimum | $1,113 | $674 |
| Delaware LLC | $110 | $300 | $1,123 | $914 |
Start ($399) + Agent ($299) + Mailroom Basic ($315) + state fees, October 2026. Add $899 a year if Firstbase files your Form 5472. State fees are approximate; confirm them in our state guides.
For comparison, Doola’s Starter plan costs about $397 in year one and $357 a year after for a Wyoming LLC, including the registered agent and address. Firstbase costs more to run each year, but its $899 tax package is less than half the price of Doola’s $1,999 Tax and Compliance plan. If you need Form 5472 filed every year, the totals are much closer: about $1,573 a year with Firstbase versus about $2,059 with Doola. See LLC costs and fees and Wyoming vs Delaware.
Firstbase EIN Without SSN: How It Works
Firstbase includes the EIN application in Start and advertises it as expedited. Owners without an SSN or ITIN can’t use the IRS online application, so Firstbase files Form SS-4 for you. Third-party reviews report non-residents receiving their EIN in roughly two weeks, but timing depends on the IRS, so plan for some delay before you can open a bank account or connect Stripe.
Read our guide to getting an EIN as a foreign national, and see how to request an EIN verification letter (147C) if a bank asks for proof.
Firstbase and US Bank Accounts
Through Loop, Firstbase connects you to partner banks and fintechs such as Mercury, with your company details pre-filled. As with any service, the bank makes the final decision and can decline based on your country, industry or business model.
Firstbase doesn’t charge for the introduction, but bank and payment fees are separate. Compare non-resident banking options in how to open a US bank account as a non-resident.
Firstbase Taxes and Form 5472
A single-member LLC owned by a non-US person must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even with zero income. The IRS can charge a $25,000 penalty for each missed or incomplete form. C-Corps file Form 1120 and, if foreign-owned, Form 5472 as well.
This is where Firstbase is strong. Its $899 package for non-US single-member LLCs covers Form 5472 and the pro forma 1120 at a fair price, and the $1,799 package covers C-Corps and multi-member LLCs. Read how to file Form 5472 and 1120 and single-member vs multi-member LLCs.
How Firstbase Scores on Our Criteria
We score every formation service on the same five criteria, weighted by how much each matters to a founder outside the US. See our method.
| Criteria | Weight | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cost, first year and after | 30% | 2.8/5 | Start is reasonable, but the required $299 agent and $315+ mailroom make yearly costs high for small LLCs. |
| Support for non-US founders | 25% | 4.6/5 | EIN without SSN, banking via Loop, US address and C-Corp support, built for international founders. |
| Compliance after formation | 20% | 4.4/5 | Agent files annual reports and franchise tax; $899 Form 5472 package is good value. |
| Speed and ease of filing | 15% | 4.3/5 | Clear ordering flow and expedited EIN; limited to Delaware and Wyoming. |
| Support and reputation | 10% | 4.0/5 | 4.4/5 on Trustpilot; complaints about recurring costs and slow responses. |
| Overall score | 3.9/5 |
Firstbase Customer Reviews
Firstbase holds a 4.4 out of 5 TrustScore on Trustpilot from more than 1,000 reviews as of October 2026, with 84% five-star and 8% one-star ratings.
What customers like
- Fast, simple formation and EIN setup for non-US founders
- Clean dashboard with step-by-step guidance
- Built-in Mailroom for US mail
- Responsive support and useful deadline reminders
What customers complain about
- Recurring costs for agent, mailroom and tax filing not obvious up front
- Slow responses on some support and filing questions
- Occasional platform bugs and difficulty cancelling services
- A few reports of mailroom handling errors
Our take: reviews confirm that Firstbase delivers on formation. Most complaints are about cost after year one, so add up the yearly services before you order.
Firstbase Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Forms LLCs and C-Corps, including venture-ready Delaware C-Corps | ❌ Registered agent ($299/year) is expensive |
| ✅ EIN without SSN included in Start | ❌ Mailroom required for non-US founders, adding $315+/year |
| ✅ $899 Form 5472 tax package for foreign-owned LLCs | ❌ Formation only in Delaware and Wyoming |
| ✅ Banking and partner apps through Loop, plus partner credits | ❌ Accounting at $599/month is costly for small businesses |
| ✅ Products can be bought separately or as Firstbase One | ❌ Yearly costs add up past $1,500 with tax filing |
| ✅ Y Combinator-backed, 4.4/5 on Trustpilot | ❌ Still lists BOI filings, which no longer apply |
Who Should Hire Firstbase?
International startup founders
If you’re building a startup and may raise money, a Delaware C-Corp through Firstbase is set up the way US investors expect, with the stock documents included.
Founders who want the C-Corp option later
Firstbase handles both LLCs and C-Corps, which suits founders who expect their structure to change as they grow.
Funded startups that want books and taxes handled
Firstbase One or Accounting plus Tax Filing puts bookkeeping and returns in one place.
Non-US single-member LLC owners who want Form 5472 filed
The $899 tax package is one of the more affordable ways to have a specialist file your yearly returns.
Who should not use Firstbase
- Small e-commerce sellers and freelancers on a budget: Doola includes the registered agent and address for $297 a year, far less than Firstbase’s required add-ons.
- US residents with an SSN: Inc Authority forms your LLC for $0 plus the state fee.
- Founders who want a state other than Delaware or Wyoming: Firstbase only forms companies in those two states. See how to start an LLC for other states.
Top Alternatives to Firstbase
| Service | Best for | Non-US founders | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firstbase | Startups, LLC or C-Corp | Excellent | One-time fee + yearly services |
| Doola | All-in-one for small non-US LLCs | Excellent | Yearly subscription ($297+) |
| StartGlobal | Budget formation for non-residents | Good | Package fee |
| Inc Authority | US residents on a budget | Limited | $0 + state fee |
Doola
Doola is the better value for small LLCs: its $297 Starter plan includes the registered agent and US address that cost extra at Firstbase. Choose Firstbase for a fundable C-Corp; choose Doola for a simple LLC. Read our Doola review.
StartGlobal
StartGlobal focuses on international entrepreneurs who want a US LLC without paying for extras, with formation, EIN, registered agent and address in one package. Read our StartGlobal review.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority offers free LLC formation where you pay only the state fee. It is the best value for US residents, with less support for founders abroad. Read our Inc Authority review.
Stripe Atlas
Stripe Atlas is Firstbase’s closest rival for Delaware C-Corps and is popular with startups already using Stripe. Read our full comparison, Firstbase vs Stripe Atlas, or see Stripe Atlas alternatives.
Want every option side by side? See the best LLC formation services.
Conclusion: Final Verdict
Firstbase is an excellent platform for international founders building a startup. Formation is quick, C-Corp paperwork is investor-ready, and its tax package for foreign-owned LLCs is fairly priced. Where it falls short is cost: the required registered agent and mailroom make it one of the more expensive ways to run a small LLC year after year.
Choose Firstbase if you’re forming a Delaware C-Corp or expect to raise money. If you’re a solo founder or e-commerce seller who just needs a working US LLC, Doola or StartGlobal will cost you less each year.
Start your company with Firstbase →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Firstbase legit?
Yes. Firstbase was founded in 2019, is backed by Y Combinator and holds a 4.4/5 TrustScore on Trustpilot from more than 1,000 reviews. Most complaints concern recurring costs after formation and slow support on some requests.
How much does Firstbase cost in 2026?
Firstbase Start costs $399 one-time, often discounted. The registered agent costs $299 per year per state, Mailroom costs $315–$350 per year, and tax filing costs $899 per year for non-US single-member LLCs or $1,799 for C-Corps. Firstbase One bundles everything for $199 per month, billed $2,388 per year.
Can non-US residents use Firstbase?
Yes. Firstbase is built for founders anywhere in the world. You don’t need an SSN, ITIN or US visit. Non-US founders must add a US address (Mailroom) and a registered agent.
Which states does Firstbase form companies in?
Firstbase forms companies in Delaware and Wyoming only. Its registered agent service covers all 50 states if you later register in another state.
Does Firstbase form LLCs and C-Corps?
Yes. Firstbase forms both LLCs and C-Corps and prepares the matching documents: an operating agreement for LLCs, and bylaws and stock purchase agreements for C-Corps.
Is the registered agent included in Firstbase Start?
A registered agent is required for incorporation and costs $299 per year per state through Firstbase Agent. Check at checkout whether the first year is bundled with your Start order.
How long does Firstbase take to get an EIN?
Firstbase includes an expedited EIN application in Start. For owners without an SSN, third-party reviews report around two weeks, but timing depends on the IRS.
Does Firstbase file Form 5472?
Yes, through its Tax Filing service. The $899 per year package for non-US-owned single-member LLCs includes Form 5472 and the pro forma Form 1120.
Does Firstbase still file BOI reports?
BOI reports are no longer needed for US-formed companies. Since March 2025, FinCEN has exempted companies formed in the US from beneficial ownership reporting.
Firstbase vs Doola: which is better?
Choose Firstbase for a Delaware C-Corp or a startup that may raise money. Choose Doola for a simple LLC: its $297 yearly Starter plan includes the registered agent and address that cost extra with Firstbase.
Related Guides
Alternatives
Best Alternatives For Firstbase
Firstbase offers fast and reliable LLC formation services but is more expensive than other options. If you’re looking for a service that is just as fast, secure, and more affordable, our RebelLink team recommends these alternatives over Firstbase. Check Our recommended services below:
1. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
Registered Agent Services
Tax & Banking Tools
Website Creation Support
Automated Compliance Solutions
2. Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent
Lifetime customer support
Local expert assistance
Registered agent service
Mail forwarding service
3. Inc Authority
Inc Authority
Easy checkout process
Free basic registration
Range of extra services
Registered Agent & tax consultant
4. StartGlobal
StartGlobal
Get A Registered Agent
Get Formation Service And EIN Number
Get US Address with Mail Forwarding
Get a US Business Bank Account
5. Doola
Doola
Get an EIN Number
US Bank Account + Payment Processor
US Mailing Address
US State + IRS Tax Filings
Stress-Free Annual Compliance Reminders
Digital Document Access
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