Firstbase Review 2026: Pricing, Fees, and Who It Is Actually For
Firstbase is a legitimate US company formation service, not a scam: 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. The real criticism is cost creep after checkout: the registered agent is a separate $299 per year product, and bundles like Firstbase One run $199 per month. If you decline the add-ons you do not need and calendar your renewal date, it is a solid, banking-ready way to form, especially for non-residents.
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
Watch out for
- 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
The complaints you will find on Reddit, and the reality
Search Firstbase and you will hit threads with real frustrations. Here is what they actually mean for you, without spin.
"They quoted me $399 but I got charged way more. What are the hidden fees?"
The $399 covers formation, filing fees, and the EIN. Charges beyond that come from add-ons: the $299/yr registered agent, mailroom, bookkeeping, or the $199/mo One bundle. None of it is hidden in the fine-print sense, but the checkout makes add-ons easy to accept. Uncheck everything you did not come for, and screenshot your order summary.
"Is Firstbase a scam? Reddit has threads saying so."
It is a real company that has formed a large number of startups, and the EIN and formation do arrive. The scam-flavored threads trace back to two things: surprise add-on charges and slow support during disputes. Both are avoidable with the checklist below. A scam does not deliver a real EIN letter from the IRS; billing friction is a different problem, and it is manageable.
"I asked for a refund inside their window and they refused."
Once a state filing is submitted, the state fee portion is genuinely unrecoverable by anyone, which is where most refund disputes start. If you may change your mind, ask support in writing what is refundable BEFORE paying, and act within the stated window. Card chargebacks exist as a last resort but will close your account with them.
"Firstbase auto-charged my annual renewal after I emailed to cancel."
Email alone is the weakest way to cancel any subscription. Cancel inside the dashboard, do it at least 30 days before the renewal date, and keep the written confirmation. Put the renewal date in your calendar the day you sign up; that one habit prevents the single most repeated complaint.
"Support ignored me for weeks."
Slow support is the most credible recurring criticism, especially during busy periods. For routine formation it rarely matters because the flow is automated. It matters most in edge cases (rejected filings, banking issues), so if your situation is unusual, weigh Doola, whose paid tiers include more hand-holding, or a lawyer.
Protect yourself before you buy
- 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