Short answer: Both Firstbase and Doola will form your US LLC or C-Corp, get you an EIN, and give you a registered agent, from anywhere in the world, including as a non-US resident. Choose Firstbase if you want a clean, startup-grade formation platform and a straightforward path to a US bank account and Stripe. Choose Doola if you want formation plus ongoing bookkeeping, tax filing, and compliance handled by the same provider, so your admin lives in one place year-round.

If you're a founder who just validated an idea and needs a real US company to take payments, sign contracts, and look legitimate to customers, this is the step right after building your MVP. Here's how the two stack up.

Firstbase vs Doola at a glance

	Firstbase	Doola
Core service	US LLC / C-Corp formation + post-launch tooling	US LLC / C-Corp formation + bookkeeping & tax
Works for non-residents	Yes	Yes
EIN (tax ID)	Included	Included
Registered agent	Included	Included
Bank account & payments	Strong focus, US bank account + Stripe setup help	Supported, plus a "Total Compliance" bundle
Ongoing bookkeeping / tax	Available as add-ons	A core strength, bundled bookkeeping & filings
Best fit	Startups wanting a clean formation + banking runway	Global founders who want formation + finances in one place

What they both do (the non-negotiables)

Any legitimate formation service should handle these, and both do:

Company filing, registering your LLC or C-Corp, usually in Delaware, Wyoming, or your state of choice.
EIN, your federal tax ID, required to open a bank account and pay taxes. Both obtain this for you, including if you have no US Social Security Number.
Registered agent, a required US address to receive legal mail, included for the first year.
Operating agreement & filings, the founding documents and state paperwork.

So the decision isn't really "who can form my company", it's "what do I want handled after formation."

What they cost (as of July 2026)

Verified on both providers' pricing pages in July 2026. Both change pricing and run promotions, so confirm at checkout.

	Firstbase	Doola
Core price	$399 one-time, state filing fees included	$297/yr Starter + state fees
Registered agent	$299/yr add-on (year-one inclusion unclear on their pricing page, confirm at checkout)	Bundled in the annual plan
EIN	Included, expedited	Included
Bookkeeping + tax	Firstbase One bundle, $199/mo	Tax & Compliance $1,999/yr; Business-in-a-Box $2,999/yr or $329/mo
Pricing model	Pay once, add services if needed	Subscription, renews every year

The pattern to notice: Firstbase looks cheaper upfront but the registered agent add-on narrows the gap by year two, while Doola costs more over time but bundles the admin most non-residents end up paying for anyway.

Choose Firstbase if…

Firstbase is a clean, well-designed choice for founders who primarily want to get incorporated and banking-ready fast. It's popular with tech startups and comes with strong support for opening a US bank account and getting set up on Stripe, the two things that actually unblock you from taking your first dollar. If your bookkeeping is simple early on, or you already have an accountant, Firstbase keeps formation lean and gets you to "open for business" quickly.

Choose Doola if…

Doola is built for global founders who want formation and financial admin under one roof. Beyond forming the company, Doola offers bookkeeping, tax filing, and compliance packages, which is genuinely useful when you're a non-resident who doesn't want to figure out US tax deadlines alone. If the idea of one provider handling both "start the company" and "keep the company compliant every year" appeals to you, Doola is the more complete package.

Buying smart: renewals, cancellations, and support

Both are established, legitimate services that deliver, and most formations with either go smoothly. The occasional frustrated thread you will find online follows predictable, easily avoided patterns. With Firstbase, keep an eye on the optional add-ons so your total matches the $399 headline, and note your renewal date. With Doola, pick the subscription tier you actually need and skip the upsells you do not. Neither reflects on whether the company delivers, only on buying deliberately.

Three habits give you a clean experience whichever you choose: uncheck add-ons you did not come for at checkout, put the renewal date in your calendar with a 30-day heads-up on day one, and if you ever cancel, do it inside the dashboard. We break down each provider in depth in our Firstbase review and Doola review.

The 60-second decision

Want a lean, startup-grade formation + a clear path to a US bank and Stripe? → Go with Firstbase.
Want formation plus bookkeeping and tax handled year-round? → Go with Doola.
Still unsure? If you're pre-revenue and just need to be official and bankable, Firstbase is the simpler start. If you already know you'll dread the accounting, Doola's bundle earns its keep.

Not sure it's time to incorporate yet? You typically form the company once you have a product and are ready to take money. If you're still choosing what to build, start at the Idea Bank and read our guide to starting a US LLC as a non-resident. For granular buyer questions, see our Firstbase Q&A hub and Doola Q&A hub.

Frequently asked questions

Can I form a US company if I don't live in the US?

Yes. Both Firstbase and Doola specialize in helping non-residents form a US LLC or C-Corp, including obtaining an EIN without a US Social Security Number. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident to own a US company.

Do I need an LLC or a C-Corp?

Most solo founders and small teams start with an LLC for simplicity. Founders who plan to raise venture capital usually want a Delaware C-Corp because investors expect it. Both services form either, pick the LLC unless you're specifically raising from VCs.

Which is cheaper, Firstbase or Doola?

Pricing changes and both run tiers and promotions, so check current pricing on each site. The better question is total value: Firstbase keeps formation lean, while Doola bundles ongoing bookkeeping and tax that would otherwise be a separate cost.

What do I actually need before forming a company?

A validated idea and the intent to take payments or sign contracts. You don't need a company just to build or test an MVP, form it when you're ready to operate as a real business.

Firstbase vs Doola (2026): Best Way to Form a US Company as a Founder