Firstbase vs doola: which is better?

Firstbase and doola are the two leading choices for non-resident US formation, and they are close, with the differences in emphasis rather than capability. Firstbase is the cleaner, more tech-native, all-in-one platform: a one-time $399 formation fee, Mercury banking, and integrated accounting with tax filing around $1,799 per year, positioned for founders who want a startup-style operational stack.

doola leans into flexibility and non-resident support: more state options including New Mexico, entity types up to DAO LLCs, EIN without an SSN, and particularly strong onboarding for founders in markets like India and Pakistan. Its formation is cheaper ($297) but its full compliance bundle is pricier ($1,999 per year), and its three-year all-in with Total Compliance runs higher than Firstbase.

The practical split: choose Firstbase if you want the cleanest integrated platform and a one-time formation fee, and doola if you want maximum state flexibility and the strongest hand-holding for non-US founders, especially outside the usual markets. Both handle the essential Form 5472 filing that foreign-owned LLCs need.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Compare each service's current scope against your specific needs and confirm with a professional before choosing.