The short answer
- Choose doola if you want one annual price that already includes the agent and a US address, in any state.
- Choose Firstbase if you want Delaware or Wyoming, a one-time formation fee, and a cheaper dedicated Form 5472 package ($899/yr vs $1,999/yr).
- Without tax filing, the two land within a few hundred dollars over three years; with tax filing, Firstbase is clearly cheaper.
doola and Firstbase are the two providers non-resident founders compare most often, and online threads tend to end in a draw. The honest answer is that each is better for a specific kind of founder — and the deciding factor is usually whether you need annual tax filing.
Side by side
| Feature | doola | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront price | $297/yr Starter plan, billed annually, plus state fees. | $399 one-time List price for "Start" (formation + expedited EIN), plus state fees. A $99 promotional price was shown in October 2026. |
| Ongoing cost | $297/yr (Starter). Tax & Compliance is $1,999/yr. | Registered agent $299/yr; Mailroom from $315/yr; non-US single-member LLC tax filing $899/yr. |
| Entity types | LLC, C-corp | LLC, C-corp |
| States | All 50 states | Delaware, Wyoming |
| EIN without SSN | Included (no SSN needed) | Included (expedited EIN setup) |
| Registered agent | Included while subscribed | $299/yr per state (required) |
| US address | Virtual business address included | Mailroom Basic $315/yr; Premium $350/yr |
| Form 5472 / taxes | Federal and state filings in the $1,999/yr Tax & Compliance plan | $899/yr for non-US-owned single-member LLCs (Form 5472 + pro forma 1120) |
| Banking help | Guidance and partner introductions (e.g. Mercury) | Partner marketplace (Mercury, Brex, Ramp, Payoneer and others) |
| Best for | Non-residents who want formation, EIN, agent, address and (optionally) taxes handled by one company. | Tech founders who want a polished dashboard, Delaware or Wyoming, and pay-as-you-need add-ons. |
| Skip it if | Founders who only need a filing and will manage EIN, mail and taxes themselves — you pay every year for things you would not use. | Budget founders: the registered agent and mailroom add-ons make year-two costs among the highest here. |
| Visit doola | Visit Firstbase |
Prices checked Oct 28, 2026 against each provider’s published pricing. State fees are extra unless stated.
The real difference: how you pay
doola charges one annual subscription. Starter ($297/yr) includes the registered agent, a virtual address and the EIN, so year one has few surprises — but you pay it again every year.
Firstbase charges once for formation, then sells the recurring pieces separately: a registered agent ($299/yr), a mailroom (from $315/yr) and tax filing ($899/yr). Year one can look cheaper, especially during promotions; years two and three depend on which add-ons you keep.
Three-year cost, Wyoming LLC
| doola | Firstbase | |
|---|---|---|
| Formation, agent and EIN only | $1,111 | $1,516 |
| Including annual Form 5472 filing | $6,217 | $3,314 |
Assumes Firstbase at its $399 list price, doola Starter (upgraded to Tax & Compliance in the second row), Wyoming state fees, and no mailroom. A Firstbase promotion narrows the first row; adding a Firstbase mailroom widens it. Try your own mix in the calculator.
Which should you choose?
Pick doola if you want everything — agent, address, EIN, banking introductions — in one bill, need a state other than Delaware or Wyoming, or are a first-time founder who values guidance over price.
Pick Firstbase if you are a startup-minded founder in Delaware or Wyoming, prefer paying once for formation, and plan to buy annual Form 5472 filing — its $899 package is the better deal.
Frequently asked questions
Is doola or Firstbase cheaper?
It depends on what you add. With formation, agent and EIN only, doola’s Starter plan is usually cheaper over three years. Once you add annual Form 5472 filing, Firstbase’s $899 package beats doola’s $1,999 tier.
Which is better for a Wyoming LLC?
Both form in Wyoming. doola includes the registered agent and address in its annual plan; Firstbase charges $299/yr for the agent and offers a mailroom separately.
Which has better support for non-residents?
Both are built with international founders in mind. doola leans toward hands-on help and bundled services; Firstbase toward self-serve tools and a partner marketplace.
Sources
Read next
doola review (2026): the all-in-one option for non-US founders
An independent doola review for non-residents — what the $297/yr Starter plan includes, the $1,999 tax tier, EIN delays, and who should pick cheaper.
Read →Firstbase review (2026): polished, à la carte, and pricier than it looks
An independent Firstbase review for non-US founders — the one-time Start fee, $299/yr registered agent, $899 Form 5472 package, and the real year-two cost.
Read →Best LLC formation services for non-US residents (2026)
An independent ranking of LLC services for non-residents — doola, Firstbase, Northwest, Stripe Atlas and Bizee — on EIN, banking, taxes and 3-year cost.
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