Firstbase is a legitimate US formation service, not a scam, and it suits founders who want a fast, guided US LLC or C-corp with optional back-office add-ons. The common complaint is cost surprise: the headline formation price excludes the registered agent, address, tax and compliance services most founders end up buying, so budget the full first-year total before you commit.
- Non-US residents who want formation, EIN and back-office handled in one guided flow
- Founders forming a Delaware C-corp who may later add bookkeeping or tax support
- People who value speed and a dashboard over the lowest possible sticker price
- Budget-first founders who are comfortable filing directly with the state
- Anyone whose real blocker is banking eligibility in their residence country - no service can guarantee approval
- Founders who only need a registered agent (buying that alone is far cheaper elsewhere)
What Firstbase actually costs
The advertised price is the entry point, not the total. This is every line that typically appears for a non-resident founder in year one, so you can build a realistic budget before you check out.
| Cost item | Typical cost | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Formation package (advertised entry price) | From $399 + state fee | The headline number. State filing fees are separate and vary - Wyoming $100, Delaware $110. |
| State filing fee | $100 - $500 | Paid to the state, not Firstbase. Varies by state; Massachusetts and Nevada are the expensive outliers. |
| Registered agent (annual) | Recurring | Required in your formation state. Renews yearly - check whether year one is bundled or discounted. |
| US business address / virtual mailbox | Recurring add-on | Optional but commonly bought by non-residents. Note that banks often reject mailbox addresses as an operating address. |
| Tax filing / bookkeeping | Recurring add-on | Priced separately. Compare against an independent CPA who specialises in foreign-owned entities. |
| Compliance filings (franchise tax, annual report) | Varies by plan | Confirm exactly which filings are included versus billed per filing. |
Prices are a research snapshot and change often. Always confirm the current total on Firstbase's own checkout before paying - this page is not a quote.
Is Firstbase worth the $399 formation fee?
The answer turns on what you are actually buying. The $399 buys a guided formation flow, document preparation, filing with the state, and an EIN application, plus a dashboard where your company documents live. If you have never formed a US company, do not want to research state requirements, and value having one place to manage it, that convenience has real value.
What it does not buy is a permanently lower cost. Direct state filing costs only the state fee - $100 in Wyoming, $110 in Delaware - and a standalone registered agent can be bought for a fraction of a bundled plan. A founder who is comfortable reading a Secretary of State website and faxing Form SS-4 can form the same company for far less.
The honest framing is this: you are paying for coordination and speed, not for a better company. The LLC you get through Firstbase is legally identical to the one you file yourself. So the question is whether the time and uncertainty you save is worth the difference over three years, not just year one.
- Worth it if: you want one guided flow, plan to use add-on services, and value time over money.
- Not worth it if: you only need the entity and can handle the EIN and agent yourself.
- Always compare the three-year total, not the first-year sticker.
Is Firstbase a scam? Understanding the billing complaints
No - Firstbase is a real, established company that forms real US entities. But the recurring complaint on founder forums is genuine and worth understanding before you buy: people report expecting to pay the advertised entry price and ending up with a materially higher total once add-ons, the registered agent and compliance services are included.
This is a pricing-architecture problem rather than fraud. Formation services are typically sold as a low entry price plus a stack of near-essential extras. A founder reads $399, checks out with the recommended options, and sees a much larger charge. The second common surprise is the year-two renewal: the registered agent and any compliance plan bill again, and founders who budgeted only for formation feel blindsided.
The way to protect yourself is mechanical. Before paying, write down the full first-year total including the state fee and every recurring line, then write down the year-two total when only renewals bill. If the checkout total does not match your own arithmetic, stop and query it. Keep the confirmation email showing what you agreed to pay.
- Screenshot the checkout page showing your selected services and total.
- Ask support in writing which items renew annually and at what price.
- Diarise the renewal date so year two is never a surprise.
How do I cancel Firstbase and get a refund?
Cancellation is one of the highest-frequency questions founders ask, and the answer has two parts: cancelling future billing, and recovering money already paid. Cancelling future renewals is generally the straightforward part - do it from the account dashboard where subscriptions are managed, and follow up in writing so you have a timestamped record.
Refunds are harder. Once the state filing has been submitted, that work and the state fee are genuinely spent, so a full refund is unlikely. Refund windows on formation services are typically short and measured from purchase, not from delivery, which catches out founders who wait to see how things go before deciding.
There is also a step people miss: if you cancel the registered agent, you must appoint a replacement agent with the state, or your company falls out of good standing. Cancelling the service does not cancel the legal requirement. File the change with the state, confirm it has been recorded, and only then stop paying.
- Cancel in the dashboard and confirm in writing by email.
- Appoint a replacement registered agent with the state before you lapse.
- If a charge is disputed, raise it with support in writing before going to your card issuer.
Can a non-US resident use Firstbase?
Yes. Non-US residents can own and form US LLCs and C-corps, and Firstbase explicitly serves international founders forming in states such as Delaware and Wyoming. You do not need US citizenship, US residency, or an SSN to own a US company.
What matters far more than the formation service is what happens after. A non-resident needs an EIN, a US business address that banks will accept, a bank or fintech that onboards residents of your specific country, and an annual Form 5472 filing if the LLC is foreign-owned and has reportable transactions - a filing whose failure-to-file penalty starts at $25,000.
This is the single most important thing to check before paying anyone: confirm that a bank or payment provider will actually accept someone resident in your country. Formation never guarantees banking. Founders from several countries form a company, then discover their target fintech declines applicants from their residence - and the entity, agent and address fees are already spent.
- Check banking eligibility for your residence country before you pay to form.
- Budget for the annual Form 5472 filing if the LLC is foreign-owned.
- A registered agent address is not an operating address for bank KYC purposes.
How long does Firstbase take to deliver documents and the EIN?
Formation itself is usually the fast part. State approval commonly takes from a day to a couple of weeks depending on the state and whether expedited processing is used - Wyoming and Delaware are both relatively quick, and some states approve online filings almost immediately.
The EIN is the step that dictates your real launch date. Applicants with an SSN or ITIN can often obtain an EIN online in minutes. Non-residents without one must apply using Form SS-4 by fax or phone, and international processing can stretch to several weeks. No formation service can override IRS processing queues, whatever the marketing implies.
Plan your launch around the slowest dependency. If your Stripe account, bank application and first invoice all wait on the EIN, treat the EIN as the critical path and start it as early as possible. Founders who assume a one-week end-to-end launch are the ones who end up frustrated.
Does Firstbase help open a US business bank account?
Firstbase offers banking introductions and partner routes, and having a properly formed entity with an EIN is a genuine prerequisite. But there is a critical distinction that causes most of the disappointment in this category: application support is not approval.
Banks and fintechs run their own KYC. They assess your residence country, the nature of the business, your documents, your website and the consistency of your details. A partner introduction can smooth the paperwork; it cannot override a provider's country policy or risk model. Founders resident in higher-risk jurisdictions are frequently declined regardless of who formed the company.
Never respond to a decline by masking your location or supplying an address you do not actually use. Providers cross-check IP, device, identity and billing data, and misrepresentation is how accounts get closed with funds inside. Use a provider that genuinely supports your country instead.
- Formation plus EIN is necessary but not sufficient for a US account.
- Confirm the provider supports your residence country before forming.
- Keep a second banking option in reserve - fintech policies change.
Delaware or Wyoming through Firstbase?
For a bootstrapped online business with no US office and no plans to raise US venture capital, Wyoming is a common low-maintenance baseline: a $100 filing fee, a minimum $60 annual report license tax, no state personal income tax and member privacy on the public record.
Delaware earns its premium in a specific case - when institutional US investors are in the plan. Its corporate law and court system are what venture investors expect, and a Delaware C corporation is the structure most US funds are set up to invest in. Delaware LLCs pay a flat $300 annual franchise tax and file no annual report.
The mistake to avoid is picking a state for prestige while operating somewhere else entirely. If you have real physical operations in another US state, forming in Delaware or Wyoming can mean registering as a foreign entity in your operating state too, doubling the fees and filings for no benefit.
Cheaper alternatives to Firstbase
There are three honest alternatives, and the right one depends on how much of the work you want to own. The cheapest is direct filing: pay the state fee yourself, buy a standalone registered agent, and apply for the EIN with Form SS-4. This is the lowest-cost route by a wide margin and is entirely feasible for a straightforward single-member LLC.
The middle path is a competing bundled service. doola is the closest direct competitor for non-resident founders and packages compliance more aggressively; Stripe Atlas is strong for Delaware C-corps aimed at fundraising. Prices, inclusions and support quality differ more than the marketing suggests.
The premium path is direct filing plus an independent specialist - a cross-border CPA who genuinely understands foreign-owned entities and Form 5472. This often costs less than a bundled tax add-on and gives you a named human who knows your situation.
For the deeper decision path, use the standalone guide to Firstbase alternatives for non-residents before comparing checkout totals.
Firstbase vs the main alternatives
Entry prices are close enough that they should not decide this. Compare what each is built for, then compare the three-year total including renewals.
| Option | Entry price | Strongest for | Watch closely |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firstbase | From $399 + state fee | Guided flow, LLC and C-corp, modular back-office add-ons | Add-ons and renewals drive the real total well above the entry price |
| doola | From ~$297/yr + state fee | Built around non-resident founders; compliance and bookkeeping bundles | Higher tiers escalate quickly; check what each tier actually includes |
| Stripe Atlas | $500 | Delaware C-corp with clean equity documents for fundraising | Non-refundable, plus recurring agent and Delaware franchise tax |
| Direct filing + specialist | State fee + chosen services | Lowest cost; you pick each provider independently | More founder time; you coordinate EIN, agent and tax yourself |
Before you pay: the three checks that prevent regret
Almost every complaint about formation services traces back to one of three things that were never checked before payment. Do these in order and the rest is routine.
- Banking eligibility first. Confirm that a bank or payment provider actually onboards residents of your country. Formation never guarantees banking, and an entity you cannot bank is an expensive mistake. Check your country in the free matcher.
- Total cost, not sticker price. Write down the first-year total including the state fee and every recurring line, then the year-two renewal total. See the full cost breakdown.
- Know your filing obligations. A foreign-owned single-member LLC generally files Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120 - even when dormant - with penalties starting at $25,000. Check your obligations free.
Buyer questions
Firstbase FAQ
Is Firstbase worth the $399 formation fee compared to Stripe Atlas and doola?
It is competitive on entry price - Stripe Atlas is $500 and doola starts around $297/yr - but the entry price is not the decision. Compare the full first-year total including state fee, registered agent and any tax or compliance add-ons, then compare the year-two renewal. Firstbase suits founders wanting modular add-ons; Atlas suits Delaware C-corps raising capital; doola leans toward bundled non-resident compliance.
Is Firstbase a scam?
No. Firstbase is a real company forming real US entities. The recurring complaint is cost surprise rather than fraud: founders expect the advertised entry price and pay more once add-ons, the registered agent and renewals are included. Screenshot your checkout total and confirm in writing which items renew annually.
How do I cancel my Firstbase subscription and get a refund?
Cancel future billing from the account dashboard and confirm in writing. Refunds after the state filing has been submitted are unlikely, since that work and the state fee are already spent, and refund windows are short. Critically, if you cancel the registered agent you must appoint a replacement with the state or your company loses good standing.
Can a non-US resident use Firstbase to form an LLC or C-Corp?
Yes. Non-residents can own US LLCs and C-corps without US citizenship, residency or an SSN. The harder parts come after formation: the EIN via Form SS-4, banking eligibility for your residence country, and the annual Form 5472 filing for foreign-owned LLCs, which carries a penalty starting at $25,000 if missed.
Firstbase vs doola - which is better for a foreign founder?
doola is built more explicitly around non-resident founders and bundles compliance and bookkeeping; Firstbase offers a broader modular back office and supports C-corps well. If you want one predictable annual compliance bundle, doola fits; if you want to add services selectively, Firstbase fits. Compare the full annual totals, not the entry prices.
How long does Firstbase take to deliver formation documents and the EIN?
State approval typically ranges from about a day to a couple of weeks depending on the state and expediting. The EIN is the real bottleneck: applicants with an SSN or ITIN can get one online quickly, while non-residents applying by fax or phone on Form SS-4 can wait several weeks. No service can bypass IRS processing times.
Does Firstbase help open a US business bank account for non-residents?
It offers banking introductions and partner routes, but application support is not approval. Banks run their own KYC on your residence country, business model and documents. Confirm a provider actually onboards residents of your country before you pay to form, and never mask your location to force an approval.
What are the hidden or recurring annual fees with Firstbase after the initial $399?
The items that recur are the registered agent, any US address or virtual mailbox, and any tax, bookkeeping or compliance plan. The state fee is separate and paid to the state. Ask support in writing which items renew and at what price, and calculate your year-two total before buying.
Is Firstbase's registered agent service worth the annual renewal?
A registered agent is legally required in your formation state, so the question is price rather than necessity. Standalone agents are widely available and often cheaper than a bundled renewal. If you switch, you must file the change with the state before cancelling, or the company falls out of good standing.
Which state should I choose on Firstbase - Delaware or Wyoming?
Wyoming is a common low-maintenance baseline for bootstrapped online businesses: $100 to file, minimum $60 annual report, no state income tax and owner privacy. Delaware matters mainly when US venture investors are in the plan, and Delaware LLCs owe a flat $300 franchise tax. Do not form away from where you actually operate without checking foreign-qualification rules.
Does Firstbase include the EIN application?
EIN support is generally included in formation packages, but confirm it on the current checkout page. For non-residents without an SSN or ITIN, the application goes in on Form SS-4 by fax or phone, and international processing commonly takes several weeks regardless of who submits it.
Is Firstbase's tax filing or bookkeeping add-on worth the extra cost?
Compare it directly against an independent CPA who specialises in foreign-owned US entities. Bundled tax add-ons are convenient but not always cheaper, and a named specialist who understands Form 5472 and your home-country position is often better value for a cross-border founder.
What is the actual total first-year cost of using Firstbase?
Add four things: the formation package, the state filing fee, the registered agent, and any address, tax or compliance plans you select. A realistic first-year total for a non-resident using several add-ons lands well above the headline price. Then calculate year two, when renewals bill without the formation fee.
Does Firstbase support C-Corp formation for startups?
Yes, Firstbase supports C-corporation formation as well as LLCs, which matters if you intend to raise from US venture investors who typically expect a Delaware C-corp with clean equity documents. If fundraising is the goal, compare it against Stripe Atlas, which is purpose-built for that case.
Does Firstbase file the Delaware franchise tax or annual report automatically?
This depends on which compliance plan you hold - it is not automatic by default. Confirm in writing exactly which filings are included and which are billed per filing, and keep your own calendar of deadlines regardless. Delaware LLCs owe a $300 franchise tax by June 1.