Firstbase review (2026): polished, à la carte, and pricier than it looks

Firstbase sells formation as a one-time fee and everything else à la carte. That makes year one look cheap and year two the number to check before you buy.

The short answer

  • Firstbase forms LLCs and C-corps in Delaware and Wyoming only.
  • Start is a one-time fee ($399 list; a $99 promotion was running in October 2026), but the registered agent is $299/yr on top.
  • Its $899/yr Form 5472 package for non-US single-member LLCs is one of the better-value bundled tax options.
  • Best for startup-minded founders who like the dashboard and partner perks; not the budget pick.

Firstbase positions itself as a “startup OS”: incorporation, EIN, registered agent, mailroom, accounting and tax filing, sold as separate products in one dashboard. For non-US founders that flexibility is genuinely useful — as long as you add up the recurring parts.

Who Firstbase is for

Founders building a software or internet business who want Delaware or Wyoming, a clean modern dashboard, and the option to add accounting and tax filing later. It suits people who prefer paying once for formation and choosing add-ons deliberately.

It is a poor fit for budget-first founders, or anyone who needs New Mexico, Florida or Texas.

Pricing, explained

ItemPriceBilling
Start (formation + expedited EIN)$399 listOne-time
Registered agent$299Per year, per state
Mailroom Basic / Premium$315 / $350Per year
Tax filing — non-US single-member LLC$899Per year
Firstbase One (bundle)$2,388Per year

In October 2026 Firstbase was advertising Start at $99, down from $399. Promotions come and go; our calculations use the list price so they do not understate what you may pay.

For a Wyoming LLC, Start plus the required registered agent comes to about $798 in year one and $1,516 over three years. Adding the $899 tax package from year two brings the three-year total to about $3,314.

How it handles the non-resident essentials

EIN. Included in Start as expedited setup. Like every provider, Firstbase submits through IRS channels for owners without an SSN.

Address. Not included in Start. A mailroom plan gives you a US mailing address; Premium adds NYC, San Francisco or Florida addresses. Budget for it if you need a US address for banking or platforms.

Banking. A partner marketplace with Mercury, Brex, Ramp, Payoneer and others. Useful introductions, but approval is still each bank’s decision.

Taxes. The standout: a $899/yr package specifically for non-US-owned single-member LLCs covering Form 5472 and the pro forma 1120. That is less than half of doola’s tax tier — though still more than many independent preparers.

What works

  • One-time formation fee rather than a subscription.
  • Dedicated $899/yr Form 5472 package for non-US single-member LLCs — cheaper than most bundled tax tiers.
  • Strong startup ecosystem: partner perks and a clean dashboard.

What to watch

  • Only Delaware and Wyoming.
  • Registered agent at $299/yr is two to three times what budget agents charge.
  • Promotional pricing changes often, so the price you see may differ from what a friend paid.

Alternatives to consider

  • doola for a single annual subscription that already includes agent and address, and any state.
  • Stripe Atlas for a Delaware C-corp headed for venture funding.
  • Northwest Registered Agent if you mainly want the lowest recurring cost.
Our verdict

A good fit for startup-minded founders who want Delaware or Wyoming and like à-la-carte pricing. Check the year-two total before you choose it on headline price.

How we reviewed Firstbase: based on Firstbase’s published pricing and product pages (checked on the date shown above) and its documentation for non-US founders. See our methodology and disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Firstbase cost?

The Start package lists at $399 one-time plus state fees and includes formation and expedited EIN setup. A registered agent is required at $299 per year per state; mailroom plans start at $315 per year. Promotional prices change frequently.

Does Firstbase work for non-US founders?

Yes. Firstbase serves founders worldwide and offers a dedicated tax filing package for non-US-owned single-member LLCs.

Which states does Firstbase support?

Delaware and Wyoming.

Is Firstbase cheaper than doola?

In year one it can be, especially during promotions. Over three years it is usually similar or higher, because the $299/yr registered agent and optional mailroom recur every year.

Sources

  1. Firstbase — Pricing
  2. IRS — Instructions for Form 5472