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Firstbase.io Reviews: 5.0/5 — Highly Rated
Firstbase.io is a SaaS "Company OS" that helps founders form and operate U.S. companies from anywhere. It combines incorporation (LLC or C-Corp in Delaware or Wyoming), registered agent services, expedited EIN setup, banking onboarding via partners, virtual mail/address (Mailroom), compliance automation (Agent Autopilot), bookkeeping/accounting, payroll across all 50 states, sales-tax automation, and integrations/API for HRIS and IT workflows. Pricing includes a one-time formation package and a bundled subscription (Firstbase One) plus optional add-ons.
| Company | Firstbase.io, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 2019 |
| Company size | 51-200 employees |
| Headquarters | New York, NY, USA; São Paulo, Brazil |
| Capabilities |
API
|
|---|---|
| Segment |
Small Business
Mid Market
Freelancer
Enterprise
|
| Deployment | Cloud / SaaS / Web-Based |
| Support | 24/7 (Live rep), Email/Help Desk, Knowledge Base |
| Training | Documentation, Webinars |
| Languages | English |
Firstbase.io Pros and Cons
- Combines incorporation, compliance, banking onboarding, accounting, tax filing and payroll in one platform.
- Supports non-U.S. founders and global onboarding to form U.S. companies.
- Bundled option (Firstbase One) provides broad coverage and integrations.
- Public API and robust partner integrations for HRIS/IT workflows.
- Compliance automation (Agent Autopilot) reduces risk of missed filings.
- Base formation price can increase significantly with required add-ons (registered agent, mailroom, accounting, filings).
- Some users report delays or difficulties obtaining banking services via partners.
- Multi-state handling beyond DE/WY and foreign qualification details can be unclear.
- Some customer reports of support or refund issues and unexpected fees.
Firstbase.io advertises “Save up to $1950 annually with Firstbase One”, and for once the arithmetic backs it exactly. Buy Accounting, Tax Filing, Mailroom Premium and Agent Autopilot separately and you pay $4,338 a year; the bundle is $2,388. The difference is $1,950, to the dollar — one of the few bundles in this review series that genuinely beats à la carte. The number to be careful with is the other one: $399 is not what it costs to incorporate, because the registered agent that incorporation requires is a separate $299 a year.
- What it is: A “Company OS” for forming and running a US company from anywhere.
- Best for: Non-US founders incorporating a Delaware or Wyoming entity remotely.
- Pricing: $399 one-off to incorporate; $199/month for the operating bundle. Verified August 2026.
- The honest catch: Registered agent is mandatory and charged separately.
What Is Firstbase.io?
Firstbase.io forms US companies for founders anywhere in the world and then sells the services that company needs to keep running. It reports 30,000+ companies incorporated across 190+ countries.
The product line splits cleanly. Firstbase Start handles the one-off event: LLC or C-Corp formation in Delaware or Wyoming, expedited EIN setup, the founding documents (stock purchase agreement, bylaws), and help opening a US business bank account through banking partners. Around it sit the recurring services — Agent (registered agent and compliance filings), Mailroom (US address and virtual mailbox), Accounting, Tax Filing, Sales Tax and Loop (a deals and rewards programme advertised at more than $350K in deals).
Firstbase One is the bundle that packages the four recurring essentials into one monthly price.
There is also an Incorporation API for partners, and a set of genuinely free tools — business name search, an LLC vs C-Corp comparison, a VC database, headcount and compliance calculators — that are useful whether or not you buy anything.
How Firstbase.io Works
- Start — a one-off $399 to incorporate in Delaware or Wyoming.
- Agent — registered agent, required, $299 per state per year.
- Firstbase One — the four recurring services bundled at $199/month.
- 30,000+ companies incorporated across 190+ countries.
- Free founder tools with no purchase needed.
- Lifetime expert support included with Start.
Firstbase.io Pricing
| Product | Price | Billing |
|---|---|---|
| Start (incorporation) | $399 | One-time |
| Firstbase One (bundle) | $199/month | Billed yearly at $2,388 |
| Accounting | $189/month or $1,890 | Annually — priced by expense tier |
| Tax Filing | $1,799 | Annually, per package |
| Mailroom | $35/month or $315 | Annually (Premium listed at $350 in the bundle) |
| Agent | $299 | Annually, per state |
| R&D Tax Credit | 15% of the credit received | Invoiced separately |
| Sales Tax | Custom pricing | Monthly |
What actually decides your cost:
- $399 does not incorporate you — $698 does. The Start plan’s own feature list ends with the line “Registered agent services are required for incorporation”, and registered agent is not among the things it includes. It is a separate product at $299 per state per year. So the realistic first-year cost of getting a company formed and legally able to operate is $399 + $299 = $698, not the advertised $399. Firstbase does disclose the requirement on the same card, which is better than hiding it, but the headline price omits a mandatory component.
- The bundle saving is real and exactly as advertised. Accounting $1,890, Tax Filing $1,799, Mailroom Premium $350 and Agent Autopilot $299 total $4,338 a year. Firstbase One costs $2,388. The gap is $1,950, which is precisely the “save up to $1950 annually” the page claims. The advertised 45% off ($199 against $362) is likewise accurate to within a rounding cent. In a review series where discount claims routinely shrink under a calculator, this one holds.
- Accounting is metered on your expenses, so the bundle maths moves with you. The Accounting product carries a slider — $0–10k, $10k, $25k, $50k, $75k, $100k, $200k+ of expected monthly expense — and the $189/month figure is the bottom bracket. Every comparison above therefore reflects the cheapest case. Before relying on the $1,950, check what your own expense bracket costs, because both the standalone price and the bundle’s value shift with it.
- Agent is charged per state, which multiplies for anyone operating across state lines. $299 annually, per state. A Delaware entity actually trading in California needs foreign qualification there too, and the page notes that state fees for foreign qualification and any taxes owed are paid separately. Two states means $598 a year before any of it.
- State government fees are not addressed by the $399 headline. Start advertises “Zero filing fees for all required documents”, which reads as Firstbase not charging its own filing markup. What the page does not say anywhere is whether Delaware or Wyoming’s own state incorporation fees are covered by the $399 or billed on top. Given that the only explicit “paid separately” note concerns foreign qualification and taxes, this is genuinely ambiguous — ask before paying, because state formation fees are a real and unavoidable cost.
- A live promotion offers Accounting free with incorporation. The Start page carries a “Limited time offer — Get Firstbase Accounting for free when you incorporate with us”, with a dedicated bookkeeper. Given Accounting lists at $1,890 a year, that is a substantial giveaway if it lasts more than a token period — and the page states no duration at all. Worth asking exactly how many months are covered before treating it as part of the value.
- Tax Filing is a fixed $1,799 package covering a lot. Corporate return (Form 1120), unlimited state or city returns, unlimited 1099-NEC/MISC, Forms K1 and 1065, Form 5472 for non-US-owned single-member LLCs, and extension filing. For a non-US founder, Form 5472 alone is the kind of obligation that carries heavy penalties for getting wrong, and having it in a fixed-price package is worth something.
- R&D credits are contingency-priced at 15%. “We charge 15% of your total credit received, invoiced separately.” That is a normal structure for this service, and it means no cost if nothing is recovered — but on a large credit the fee scales without limit.
- Sales Tax pricing is not published. Two tiers exist — Startups (up to $5M ARR) and Scale-Ups — both custom priced, and access is “subject to valid Stripe connection and eligibility requirements”. Expect a sales conversation.
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Who Should Use Firstbase.io
- Non-US founders forming a US entity. This is the core case and the product is built around it.
- Founders who want one vendor. The bundle genuinely undercuts assembling the same services.
- Companies needing Form 5472 handled. Non-US-owned single-member LLCs have real exposure here.
- Anyone comparing LLC against C-Corp. The free tools answer that without a purchase.
It fits poorly for founders whose only need is formation, since cheaper one-off incorporation services exist; for companies with high monthly expenses, where metered accounting changes the sums; and for multi-state operations, where per-state agent fees stack up quickly.
Honest Pros and Cons
Strengths
- The $1,950 bundle saving is exactly accurate.
- 45% off claim verifies to the cent.
- Fixed-price tax filing covering Form 5472 and K1/1065.
- Free founder tools — name search, VC database, calculators.
- Lifetime expert support included with incorporation.
- 30,000+ incorporations across 190+ countries.
Limitations
- $399 excludes the mandatory registered agent ($299/year).
- State government fees are not addressed on the pricing page.
- Accounting is metered by monthly expense bracket.
- Agent is charged per state.
- Sales Tax pricing is quote-only.
- The free-accounting promotion states no duration.
Firstbase.io Alternatives and How It Compares
- Mercury covers the banking side and is free — worth pairing rather than replacing.
- doola targets the same non-US founder incorporating in the US.
- Stripe Atlas is the best-known competitor for Delaware C-Corp formation.
- A local registered agent plus direct state filing is the cheapest route if you are willing to do the paperwork.
The Verdict
Firstbase.io is a well-assembled product for a specific person: a founder outside the United States who wants a US company and does not want to learn US corporate compliance to get one. The formation package covers the things that are genuinely hard to do remotely — EIN setup, founding documents, a route to a US bank account — and the recurring products cover what comes after.
Its bundle deserves the credit it claims. Firstbase One at $2,388 a year replaces $4,338 of separately-bought services, a saving of exactly $1,950 — the precise figure advertised. The 45% off headline is equally accurate. Across this series, bundles more often lose to à la carte than beat it; this one wins, and by the amount stated.
The number to distrust is the one in the largest type. $399 gets you incorporated but not operational, because the registered agent that incorporation requires is a separate $299 a year. Firstbase says so on the same card — “Registered agent services are required for incorporation” — so this is disclosure rather than concealment, but the practical first-year figure is $698, and every comparison against a competitor should start there. Add the open question of whether Delaware or Wyoming’s own state fees sit inside the $399 or outside it, which the site does not answer anywhere we could find, and the real cost of formation needs a direct question to sales before you commit.
Two further things move the sums. Accounting is metered by monthly expense bracket, and the $189 rate is the bottom one, so anyone spending real money should re-run the bundle comparison at their own tier. And Agent is per state, so a Delaware company genuinely operating in another state pays twice, plus that state’s own fees.
Finally, if you are incorporating now, ask about the “Get Firstbase Accounting for free when you incorporate” promotion on the Start page. It is advertised with no stated duration, and against a $1,890 list price the difference between three months and a year is most of the bundle’s annual value. That is a question worth asking before, not after.
FAQ
How much does it cost to incorporate with Firstbase.io?
The advertised price is $399 as a one-time fee, covering LLC or C-Corp formation in Delaware or Wyoming, expedited EIN setup, founding documents and help opening a business bank account. However, registered agent services are required for incorporation and are not included — that is a separate product at $299 per state per year. The realistic first-year cost is therefore $698. Whether the state’s own government filing fees are included in the $399 is not stated on the site, so confirm it before paying.
Is Firstbase One worth it compared with buying products separately?
Yes, by a verifiable margin. The four services it bundles cost $1,890 (Accounting) + $1,799 (Tax Filing) + $350 (Mailroom Premium) + $299 (Agent Autopilot) = $4,338 a year individually. Firstbase One is $2,388, a saving of $1,950 — exactly the figure Firstbase advertises. The caveat is that Accounting is priced by expected monthly expense, so this comparison holds at the lowest bracket and both sides rise together above it.
What does Firstbase.io’s registered agent service cost?
$299 annually, per state. A registered agent is legally required to incorporate, so this is effectively mandatory rather than optional. The per-state pricing matters if you operate beyond your state of incorporation: foreign qualification in a second state means a second $299, plus that state’s own fees and any taxes, which Firstbase notes are paid separately.
Does Firstbase.io handle taxes for non-US founders?
Its Tax Filing package at $1,799 a year covers C-Corps and multi-member LLCs, non-US-owned single-member LLCs, Form 5472, the corporate return (Form 1120), unlimited state or city returns, unlimited 1099-NEC/MISC, Forms K1 and 1065, and filing an extension if needed. Form 5472 in particular carries substantial penalties for non-US owners who miss it, so having it inside a fixed-price package is a genuine benefit.
What is included free with Firstbase.io?
Several tools require no purchase: business name availability search, an LLC vs C-Corporation comparison, a VC database, a headcount planning calculator, an incorporation checklist, a compliance guide, and mission-statement and business-name generators. There is also a “limited time” offer of free Firstbase Accounting when you incorporate, though no duration is stated — worth confirming before counting it as value.
The process was very smooth and easy, the support amazing.
The timing of getting the LLC, but that is something doesn't depend on firstbase but the state workload itself so, happy with all the process.
Firstbase is solving the problem of creating an LLC from abroad, they simplify the process and speed up all the paperwork you may have to do to get your LLC open and working. The support is also amazing an very fast, I'm very happy with the result.
It's a very easy and fast process. There's no misinformation.
I don't see anything I dislike. Not sure if the pricing is the best competitively.
Help international founders incorporate their company in the US, do so with a single payment. Also, provide all the tools / services needed once you've done so.
Hassle free solution for incorporating with good value
It is just perfect and the only thing could make it be more competitive is price
Firstbase helps startups like me to solve the problem for Incorporation in the US while we physically not there.
The entire user experience is elite and it's a huge benefit to have a done for you model where I didn;t have to worry throught the process which otherwise is complicated.
I didn't have any downsides to working with Firstbase start. The entire process was smooth and easy to naviagate.
Firstbase simplifies the process of company formation and setting up business plumbing for your business including creating all the documents your startup needs.
Very fast service and awesome customer support
I have found no downsides - maybe add the option of opening ITIN as well
Opening a new company in the USA
What I like best about FirstBase Start is their exceptional speed and responsiveness. They efficiently guide clients through the incorporation process, always replying promptly to inquiries, resulting in a seamless and efficient experience.
I have found no dislikes with FirstBase Start. Their exceptional service, efficiency, and prompt responsiveness have met all my expectations and made my experience thoroughly positive.
FirstBase solves the complex and time-consuming process of incorporating a company by providing expert guidance and efficient completion, resulting in streamlined operations and minimized risks for Nexus Tec LLC. Their prompt and responsive customer support ensures quick resolution of inquiries, saving valuable time and instilling confidence in their services.
The experience has been extremely straightforward and frictionless and it's pretty easy to figure out what needs to be done. Not the case at all with LegalZoom in my experience incorporating ~3 DE C corps there. It also has a Carta integration apparently which is something we will need in the future, so that's nice.
Cost is marginally higher than LegalZoom but worth it if you value not wasting tons of time figuring out how to file or what to file, if you're new to incorporating
Incorporating and keeping up with compliance/filings has been a headache in the past. I used to use LegalZoom for a few years. Firstbase makes it extremely easy to incorporate and see everything that I need to get my company going, such as compliance with state and federal filings. Their interface is smooth and pretty frictionless and the experience was pretty straightforward for me. LegalZoom was clunky and not that easy to navigate.
The customer experience, user experience, and overall responsiveness.
Well they are abit on the high end in terms of pricing, and I would love for it to be discounted given that I am in Africa where cash is tight ;)
In August 2022, I wanted to register my company in the US while being in Cameroon and a friend told me about firstbase.io I registered within a few mins and set up my account. I was pleasantly surprised after only 3 weeks, my company registration documents were ready and I was directed on how to set up a company bank account and that took another 2 weeks and bank account was setup. All this while being in Buea, Cameroon. This year, when it was time to file taxes and get a good standing, once more firstbase assigned me an agent that walked me through the whole process and our taxes were filed, paid and our company is in good standing in the US.
Easy to use, a lot of integrations with tools you need to help setting up the process
Nothing particular about Firstbase Start, but the process takes some time (governmental side)
Incorporating businesses in the US, the whole process is automated and integrated with banking as well.
Its incredible easy to start a company using Firstbase since they have a step by step defined process with all legal and compliant services atached. Furthermore they help you to keep up to date with local and federal requirements.
For me is working really well and at this moment we dont have somthing that we dislike.
The incorporation of a startup in USA from outside of the country.
Very Easy process and cost effective for start ups.
I like everything. They have solutions for every start up issues
My business is successfully registered in US and while I was struggling to get a US bank account, First base team helped me with my Mercury account setup and I am more than happy with my international transactions.
I had a fantastic experience with firstbase.io when registering my company. The entire process was incredibly smooth and efficient. The instant support provided was impressive, and the cost-effectiveness of their services was a major plus. I highly recommend firstbase.io to others looking to register their company.
Providing a video tutorial to explain about the unique tearms in field could have made the journey more smoother.
Its a cost effective method for offshore business to register business in USA haselfree.
Everything. Very clear process and excelente customer services when needed. All the Perks you get trough their partners Time to incorporation is outstanding
A versión in Spanish may help some people
Manage all incorporation related topics (from choosing the best fit -LLC or corp- to having a EIN and bank account
They provide clear steps with good documentation to open the company in the US. Making this a really nice process to go through.
So far nothing to dislike. Every step went smoothly while opening the company.
Really simple to create the company without traveling to the US. Clear steps with good documentation. Took 2 days to open the company and around 30 days to process the EIN. I cannot recommend it enough!
The standout feature of Firstbase.io is their expertise and knowledge in navigating the complex world of incorporation. They have a deep understanding of the legal requirements and local regulations, ensuring that entrepreneurs meet all necessary criteria without any room for error. This expertise saves entrepreneurs countless hours of research and provides peace of mind.
I must say that it's difficult to find anything to dislike about their services. They have truly excelled in providing a seamless experience for remote teams. Even when I actively tried to find something negative or any shortcomings, I couldn't find anything that would detract from the overall exceptional quality of their offerings. This level of perfection is remarkable and has left me feeling impressed and satisfied with their services.
As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Dida Nomad, Firstbase.io has solved the daunting and time-consuming process of business incorporation. They handle the paperwork, legalities, and logistical challenges, making it a smooth and hassle-free experience. The benefit is that it saves a significant amount of time and effort for entrepreneurs, allowing them to focus on other crucial aspects of their business.
Perks for startups (AWS credits, discounts on Deel, Carta and other useful services) Good looking interface Support of vesting schedule (useful, if you don't use Carta) Integration with Carta
Most of the things works well, so I have nothing to complain about.
Firstbase assists foreign founders in opening and maintaining companies in the USA. I have opened two companies using Firstbase and the process was clear and prompt.
It was so simple and intuitive and laid out all the steps for you.
I haven't found anything, but maybe a sample portal that you can see the interface before you purchase it.
I was looking for a solution to help me start my LLC quickly.
Firstbase offers an integrated service; I have everything to operate and create a company in one place. I have in my FirstBase panel access to the bank, MailBox, legal documents, access to a lot of discounts for many SaaS solutions, and much more.
I recently learned that FirstBase has partnered with a company that provides a good platform for accounting management. I would like that company to help with the tax presentation every year with the government.
I am not a United States Citizen living outside of the country, but I am an entrepreneur in the IT sector that needs to create a legal company in the USA.
Everything was explained in detail and the system is set to help you through the signup process
I really don't know I never had any problems
Firstbase helped to remove a lot of roadblocks for me when doing business with international clients. They were really helpful and patient with me as I did not have all my documents together, but now I have a fully incorporated company in the US.
The process is simple with clear steps to floow. The webpage guides you step by step on the process to stablish the company.
Nothing. The quiality was excelent every time.
Firstbase helped me to stablish my company in US being a nonResident living abroad.
I would probably have to say the support from the Firstbase team. It was fast, accurate, and helped me resolve the issues I was having.
I really wish the platform provided a mobile app.
Firstbase Start is a wonderful tool for startups looking to get their business formation process started. I really enjoy the self-service model, and the product information/description is great for learning about the various pros and cons of each incorporation type.
Simple process. friendly. You are directed and guided. A very pleasant experience.
There is nothing I can claim. I had certain expectations and they met them all.
Very efficient registration of a company in the USA. Everything was fast at the highest level. The legal paperwork was of a very high standard. Highly recommend it for those thinking of registering a company in the USA.
The finely detailed process with step by step instructions.
Nothing, everything has been good with Firstbase Start
We incorporated our company very quickly and also we had our bank account setup with Mercury.
The entire process was quick, easy and seamless. And their help centre and support team is very helpful.
I wish a tax filing support plan or product was included from the start. I wouldn't have had a problem paying for it then.
Firstbase helped me to register my US company.
Simplicity & ease of use. Prompt responses and excellent customer service.
Nothing I can think of as of now. So far the experience has been great.
One-stop shop for all your LLC needs.
Firstbase makes incorporation in the US easier.
But not faster. Our company formation was taking longer than promised. UPD: The delay was due to the busy holiday season - the IRS processed applications longer than usual. Customer Support contacted me for detailed feedback, offered a gift card for the inconvenience, and considered adding a banner in the app to warn about possible delays in busy seasons.
Makes company formation in the US and compliance easier.