Firstbase Answers
Direct, honest answers to the questions people actually ask about Firstbase, the US incorporation and business-operations platform: what it costs, what the $399 fee includes, US banking for non-residents, LLC vs C-corp, taxes and bookkeeping, and how it compares to doola and Stripe Atlas. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Pricing & Plans
How much does Firstbase cost?
Firstbase charges a one-time $399 formation fee (plus state fees). Ongoing costs are separate: registered agent from $299/state/year, the Mailroom mailbox from $35/month, and tax filing around $1,799/year. All-in over three years runs roughly $3,276 with tax filing.
What is included in the Firstbase $399 formation fee?
The $399 covers forming a US company in Wyoming or Delaware, a US EIN, a US business address, a Mercury bank account setup, and unlimited support including legal and tax consultation. State filing fees are separate.
Is Firstbase worth it?
For founders who want a clean, tech-native, all-in-one stack (formation, banking, compliance, accounting) from day one, yes. The one-time $399 formation plus reasonable recurring costs is competitive. Bare-minimum, cost-only founders can find cheaper piecemeal routes.
For Founders & Non-Residents
Can non-US residents use Firstbase to form a company?
Yes. Firstbase supports non-US citizens and non-residents forming a US company, including a single-member LLC, and you do not need to be a US resident. It obtains your EIN and sets up US banking, the usual blockers for founders abroad.
Does Firstbase set up a US bank account for me?
Yes. Firstbase includes a US business bank account setup with Mercury as part of formation, which is a major advantage for non-residents, who normally struggle to open US accounts. Your EIN and US address (also included) make the account possible.
Should I form an LLC or a C-corp with Firstbase?
Firstbase forms both. Choose a C-corp (usually Delaware) if you plan to raise venture capital, since investors expect it. Choose an LLC (often Wyoming) if you are bootstrapping a lean or ecommerce business. The choice is about fundraising plans, not the service.
What You Get & How
What does Firstbase actually do?
Firstbase is an all-in-one platform to incorporate and run a US company: formation (LLC or C-corp), EIN, US address, Mercury banking, plus ongoing registered agent, a virtual mailroom, compliance updates, and integrated bookkeeping and tax filing.
Does Firstbase handle taxes and bookkeeping?
Yes, through Firstbase Accounting: integrated bookkeeping plus annual tax filings, priced around $1,799/year depending on structure. Formation includes tax consultation, but the actual filing is the separate accounting service.
Which state should I incorporate in with Firstbase: Wyoming or Delaware?
Delaware for a C-corp raising venture capital (investors expect it). Wyoming for a bootstrapped LLC (low fees, privacy, no state income tax). Firstbase supports both; the choice follows your fundraising plans and structure.
Comparisons
Firstbase vs doola: which is better?
Both form US companies for non-residents with EIN, banking, and tax filing. Firstbase leans into a clean, tech-native all-in-one platform with a one-time $399 formation and ~$1,799/year taxes. doola offers more state options (including New Mexico) and the strongest non-resident support, but pricier full compliance ($1,999/year). Pick by platform feel vs breadth of non-resident support.
Firstbase vs Stripe Atlas: which should I choose?
Stripe Atlas is the safest path to a guaranteed Stripe account and is built for VC-track Delaware C-corps, but it is the most expensive and thinner on ongoing operations. Firstbase is the broader, tech-native all-in-one platform (banking, compliance, accounting). Pick Atlas for guaranteed Stripe or fundraising, Firstbase for an integrated operating stack.
Is Firstbase legit and safe to use?
Yes. Firstbase is an established, widely used incorporation and business-operations platform with transparent pricing, unlimited support, and integrated banking and accounting. It is a legitimate choice for both US and non-US founders forming a US company.
Incorporate your startup in minutes with Firstbase
Firstbase registers your US company (LLC or C-Corp), gets your EIN, and sets up banking and compliance, from anywhere in the world. Founder-friendly and built for startups raising or selling in the US.
Affiliate link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.