Firstbase Alternatives: 4 LLC Formation Services Worth Considering
Last updated: 2026-08-19
The short version
TL;DR: Firstbase works for non-US founders incorporating a C-Corp in Delaware, but the pricing is steep, the add-ons multiply fast, and the LLC support is thin. If you are a non-US founder who just wants a US LLC without the startup-oriented bundle, doola Starter at $297/year covers formation, EIN, a US business address, and registered agent in one annual price -- about $100 less per year than Firstbase's standalone registered agent alone. For US-based founders who want the cheapest entry, ZenBusiness starts at $0 plus state fees. See doola pricing.
Why are people looking for Firstbase alternatives?
Firstbase positions itself as the go-to for non-US founders incorporating a US company. The pitch is solid: form your company, get an EIN, open a bank account, handle mail -- all in one place. But the execution has real gaps. The Start plan covers formation in Delaware or Wyoming and expedited EIN setup, but the price is not published on the main page. The add-ons stack up: registered agent starts at $299/year, Mailroom from $350/year, and the full Firstbase One bundle runs $199/month billed yearly at $2,388.
Reddit threads and Trustpilot reviews surface consistent complaints: slow formation processing (some users report weeks, not days), billing disputes around auto-renewal, and support that can take days to respond. The service only supports Delaware and Wyoming, so founders who want a different state are out of luck. Here are four alternatives worth comparing.
How do Firstbase alternatives compare on price?
| Service | Formation fee | EIN (no SSN) | Registered agent | Non-US founders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| doola | $297/yr (Starter) | Included | Included | Yes (core market) |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state fee (Starter) | $70 add-on | $199/yr add-on | Limited |
| Northwest | ~$39 + state fee | $200 add-on | Included year one | Limited |
| LegalZoom | $0-$299 + state fee | Pro plan only | $249/yr add-on | Limited |
| Firstbase | $399 one-time (Start) | Included | $299/yr add-on | Yes (Delaware/Wyoming only) |
doola - the best non-US founder alternative to Firstbase
doola is the closest direct competitor to Firstbase for non-US founders. Both handle LLC formation without requiring a Social Security Number, both include EIN setup, and both connect you with banking. The difference is pricing and scope. doola Starter at $297/year bundles formation, EIN, a US business address, and registered agent. Firstbase charges $399 just for formation, then $299/year extra for registered agent -- you are looking at $698 in year one before any mailroom or compliance services.
doola supports formation in all 50 states, not just Delaware and Wyoming. Mercury banking integration is available to non-US founders (you need a passport, not US citizenship). Higher tiers add bookkeeping, tax filing, and quarterly estimated taxes. doola claims 15,000+ founders across 175+ countries and holds a 4.0-4.7 Trustpilot rating from 2,000+ reviews -- though the BBB rating is lower at 1 star, with complaints about billing and shared addresses.
ZenBusiness - cheapest entry for US-based founders
ZenBusiness starts at $0 in service fees plus your state filing fee. The Starter plan includes Articles of Organization filing, Velo AI guidance, a business name search, and a compliance dashboard. No EIN filing or registered agent -- those are separate.
The Pro plan ($199) adds 1-day processing, an operating agreement, and EIN filing. Premium ($399) includes registered agent for the first year and expedited filing. With 950K+ businesses launched and a BBB A+ rating, ZenBusiness has the track record. The catch: non-US founders get minimal support for cross-border setup -- no US address, no banking integration.
Northwest Registered Agent - privacy-first, no upsells
Northwest's brand is doing one thing well. Real street addresses (not PO boxes), your personal address stays off public filings, and no customer data selling. The formation fee is roughly $39 plus your state filing fee, and the registered agent is included for year one.
The tradeoff: no EIN assistance, no US business address, no bookkeeping, no tax filing. You are buying a registered agent that also does formation, not a formation platform with a registered agent bolted on.
LegalZoom - attorney network, subscription-heavy
LegalZoom is the most recognized name in online formation. The Basic plan genuinely costs $0 in service fees, but it only files the articles -- no operating agreement, no EIN help. Pro ($249) adds those. Premium ($299) adds a 30-day trial of the Business Advisory Plan with attorney consultations that renews at $49/month.
The registered agent is a separate $249/year add-on on every tier. Total first-year cost with registered agent lands between $289 and $1,048 depending on plan and state. LegalZoom does not specifically cater to non-US founders -- no US address, no banking setup, no EIN without Pro or higher.
Firstbase - best for C-Corp fundraising, not LLCs
Firstbase is not bad -- it is focused. Delaware and Wyoming C-Corp formation, expedited EIN, post-incorporation legal docs, VC discovery tools, and $350K+ in startup deals. If that is what you need, the $399 one-time Start plan is competitive.
But for LLCs, the math does not work. Registered agent is $299/year on top of the formation fee. The full One bundle at $2,388/year is overkill for most LLCs. And formation is limited to two states. doola Starter at $297/year includes more for less.
Quick recap -- which Firstbase alternative is right for you?
- Non-US founder wanting formation + EIN + US address + registered agent in one annual price? doola Starter at $297/yr.
- US-based founder wanting the cheapest possible first-year filing? ZenBusiness Starter at $0 + state fees.
- Privacy-focused founder who wants a real registered agent without the extras? Northwest at ~$39 + state fee.
- Need attorney access and do not mind subscriptions? LegalZoom Pro or Premium.
- Non-US founder forming a C-Corp for VC fundraising in Delaware? Firstbase Start at $399 one-time.
FAQ
Is doola better than Firstbase for non-US founders?
For LLC formation, yes. doola Starter at $297/year bundles formation, EIN, a US address, and registered agent -- everything Firstbase charges separately for. Firstbase is stronger for C-Corp formation in Delaware with VC-oriented legal docs, but for a simple LLC, doola is cheaper and more complete.
How much does Firstbase actually cost for an LLC?
The Start plan is $399 one-time for formation and EIN. But that does not include registered agent ($299/yr) or a US business address (part of the Mailroom at $350/yr). Your real first-year cost for an LLC with registered agent is at minimum $698, and closer to $1,048 if you add a US address.
Can non-US founders use ZenBusiness?
Technically yes, but the experience is not designed for you. ZenBusiness does not provide a US business address, does not offer banking setup for non-US founders, and EIN filing is a paid add-on. doola is built specifically for the non-US founder workflow.
What is the cheapest Firstbase alternative?
ZenBusiness Starter starts at $0 in service fees plus your state filing fee. Northwest is around $39 plus state fee and includes registered agent for year one. The cheapest option depends on whether you need EIN assistance and registered agent bundled in or can handle those separately.
Does LegalZoom support non-US founders?
LegalZoom does not specifically cater to non-US founders. There is no US address provision, no banking setup, and EIN filing is only on Pro or higher. For non-US founders, doola or Firstbase are more relevant.
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