Firstbase Review 2026: Pricing, Fees, and Who It Is Actually For
Firstbase is a solid, banking-ready way to form a US company, and it is a legitimate, well-established service that has incorporated tens of thousands of startups. The $399 Start package covers your Delaware or Wyoming formation, state filing fees, an expedited EIN, and core legal documents, with guidance to a US bank account, and non-residents can do it all with no SSN. The one thing to manage is add-ons: the registered agent renews separately at $299 per year, and the optional Firstbase One bundle runs $199 per month. Decline what you do not need and note your renewal date, and it is one of the smoothest ways to get formed and banking-ready.
Our verdict
Use Firstbase if
You want a fast, banking-ready formation (including as a non-resident), value the expedited EIN and clean dashboard, and are happy to manage add-ons deliberately.
Skip it if
You want the cheapest possible formation (Northwest or DIY beats it on price) or you want bookkeeping and tax filing bundled in, where Doola is the better fit.
What Firstbase costs (as of July 2026)
Figures from firstbase.io as of July 2026. Pricing and packaging change; always check the current checkout before you pay.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Start package | $399 one-time | DE or WY formation, state filing fees, expedited EIN, operating agreement / bylaws, bank account help |
| Agent Autopilot (registered agent) | $299/yr per state | Sold separately; their pricing page does not clearly state whether year one is included, confirm at checkout |
| Firstbase One bundle | $199/mo | Adds Mailroom, Agent, Accounting, and Tax Filing; only worth it if you would buy most of those anyway |
What you get
- Delaware or Wyoming LLC or C-Corp formation with state filing fees covered
- Expedited EIN, included in the core package
- Core documents: operating agreement, bylaws, stock purchase agreements
- Guidance to a US business bank account (Mercury referral flow)
- Works for non-residents with no SSN
Things to keep in mind
- Registered agent is a separate $299/yr product, pricier than Northwest's $125/yr
- Add-ons and bundles can stack quickly past the $399 headline
- Annual renewals auto-charge; cancellation needs to be done properly and early
- Support response times are the most common real complaint
What founders consistently praise
- Fast, expedited EIN, a big deal for non-residents
- Clean, modern dashboard that makes formation painless
- Genuinely works with no SSN or US address
- Smooth path into US banking and Stripe
- Real documents delivered: EIN letter, operating agreement, filings
- One of the most recognized names in startup formation
Is Firstbase legit? The honest answer to the common concerns
Short version: Firstbase is a real, established service that delivers what it sells, and most formations go smoothly. If you have seen the occasional frustrated thread, here is what those actually mean and how to make sure none of them happen to you. Worth remembering that forums mostly hear from the small share of people who hit a snag, not the many whose setup just worked.
"Is Firstbase legit, or is it a scam?"
It is legit. Firstbase is an established company that has formed tens of thousands of startups, and the formation, EIN letter, and documents genuinely arrive. The rare scam-flavored threads trace back to billing surprises from add-ons, not to the company failing to deliver. A scam does not send you a real EIN letter from the IRS. Follow the simple steps below and you get a clean, smooth experience.
"Will I be charged more than the $399 I saw?"
Only if you add optional services. The $399 covers formation, state filing fees, and the EIN. The registered agent ($299/yr) and the Firstbase One bundle ($199/mo) are separate, optional, and clearly listed. Nothing is hidden in the fine-print sense; just uncheck anything you did not come for at checkout and you pay the price you expected.
"How do I avoid an unexpected annual renewal charge?"
Simple habit: the day you sign up, put the renewal date in your calendar with a 30-day heads-up, and if you ever want to cancel, do it inside the dashboard rather than by email. Do that and renewals are never a surprise. This is the single easiest thing to get right, and it prevents the most common complaint entirely.
How to get the best experience
- Screenshot the order summary at checkout, including every line item
- Decline add-ons you did not come for; you can add them later if needed
- Confirm in writing whether year one of the registered agent is included
- Put the annual renewal date in your calendar, minus 30 days, the day you buy
- Download and store your formation documents and EIN letter off-platform