Firstbase vs Northwest Registered Agent: which is better value?

Value depends on how much you want to do yourself. Northwest charges $39 plus state fees to form, includes the first year of registered agent (then $125 per year), and has strong privacy practices. But EIN and banking are largely do-it-yourself with Northwest, which is fine for a US resident with an SSN and much harder for a non-resident.

Firstbase's $399 one-time price buys done-for-you outcomes: an expedited EIN, essential documents (operating agreement, bylaws, stock purchase agreements), and real guidance to open a US bank account through fintechs like Mercury. For a US resident who is comfortable getting their own EIN in minutes online, Northwest may be all you need. For a non-resident, the EIN and banking help is exactly what closes the gap.

Note the registered agent difference. Firstbase sells its Agent Autopilot separately at $299 per year per state, while Northwest bundles the first year free then charges $125 per year. If registered agent cost over time is a big factor, Northwest is materially cheaper on that line item, and you can even keep Firstbase formation while using a lower-cost agent elsewhere later.

So the honest answer: Northwest is the budget winner for confident do-it-yourselfers, and Firstbase is the better value when you count the hours and stress of getting an EIN and bank account on your own, especially from outside the US. Prices are 2026 figures; confirm each at checkout.

See where Northwest fits among all the options at /firstbase-alternatives and /best-us-company-formation-services. If cutting the registered agent bill later interests you, /switch-registered-agent-from-firstbase shows exactly how to do it without leaving your Firstbase-formed company.