What is Firstbase.io?

Firstbase.io is an all-in-one operations platform that lets you incorporate and run a US company from anywhere in the world. Instead of juggling a formation service, a registered agent, a mail-forwarding provider, a bookkeeper, and a tax firm, you handle the entire lifecycle of a US business — from filing the paperwork to staying compliant year after year — inside a single dashboard.

It is aimed squarely at founders, indie hackers, freelancers, and startups, including the large share of Firstbase customers who live outside the United States and need a legitimate US entity to access Stripe, US banking, and American customers. The company reports 30,000+ companies incorporated, founders from 191 countries, and over $3 billion in funding raised by businesses started on the platform, alongside a 4.8 rating from 650+ Trustpilot reviews.

Key Features & Products

Firstbase is really a suite of connected products. You can start with formation alone and add the operational pieces as your company grows:

• Firstbase Start: Automated LLC or C-Corp formation in Delaware or Wyoming, with all essential documents, expedited EIN setup, and help opening a US business bank account.
• Firstbase Agent: Registered agent service in all 50 states, plus a compliance dashboard that handles franchise tax, annual reports, and beneficial ownership (BOI) filings automatically.
• Mailroom: A real US business address with unlimited mail scanning, digital storage, and forwarding — premium addresses in New York, San Francisco, and Florida are available.
• Accounting: AI-assisted, full-service bookkeeping with a live bookkeeper, automatic transaction categorization and reconciliation, and tax-ready financial statements.
• Tax Filing: Federal and state tax preparation and filing, including Form 5472/1120 for C-Corps and non-US-owned single-member LLCs, unlimited 1099s, and IRS extensions.
• Firstbase Loop & Perks: One-click access to growth tools plus an exclusive network of deals and rewards worth $350,000+ (banking, software, and infrastructure credits), and a VC database for fundraising.

Accounting & Mailroom in action

Two of the most useful ongoing services are bookkeeping and mail handling. The Accounting product matches invoices to transactions and reconciles your books automatically, while the Mailroom digitizes every piece of physical mail — from IRS notices to state correspondence — so you never miss a compliance deadline just because you live overseas.

How Firstbase Works

Getting a US company off the ground with Firstbase is a guided, mostly hands-off process:

1. Choose your entity and state: Pick an LLC or C-Corp and whether to form in Delaware or Wyoming; Firstbase advises on the right fit for your goals.
2. Submit your details once: Enter founder and company information a single time — Firstbase prepares and files the formation documents for you.
3. Get incorporated and receive your EIN: Track each step (application sent, bank application, EIN received) on an incorporation timeline, with expedited EIN handling for non-US founders.
4. Operate and stay compliant: Add Agent, Mailroom, Accounting, and Tax as needed, and let the compliance dashboard remind you of annual reports and franchise tax deadlines.

Firstbase Pricing

Firstbase uses a one-time formation fee plus optional recurring services. Everything below is priced separately, which keeps the entry point low but means costs add up as you bolt on more products. As the official pricing page shows, the two core products are Firstbase Start (a one-time formation fee) and Firstbase One (a bundle that packages the ongoing services at a discount).

• Firstbase Start: $399 one-time — company formation, essential documents, expedited EIN, bank account assistance, and lifetime expert support.
• Firstbase One (bundle): $199/month billed yearly ($2,388) — combines Mailroom Premium, Agent Autopilot, Accounting, and Tax Filing, saving up to roughly $1,950 a year versus buying them separately.
• Agent Autopilot: $299/year per state — registered agent, compliance dashboard, and annual report/BOI filings.
• Mailroom: Basic from $35/month ($315/year); Premium $50/month ($350/year) with premium city addresses.
• Accounting: $1,890/year standalone (discounted inside Firstbase One) — integrated bookkeeping and tax-ready financials.
• Tax Filing: $899/year for non-US-owned single-member LLCs; $1,799/year for C-Corps and multi-member LLCs. Sales Tax compliance is custom-priced.

Prices can change — confirm the latest figures on the official pricing page: firstbase.io/pricing.

Pros and Cons of Firstbase

Advantages

• Genuinely all-in-one: formation, registered agent, mail, bookkeeping, and tax live in one dashboard.
• Built for international founders — expedited EIN and US banking help for non-US residents.
• Clean, beginner-friendly interface with a clear incorporation timeline and compliance reminders.
• Strong perks network ($350K+ in deals) and a VC database that add real value for startups.
• Transparent one-time formation fee and a well-rated support experience (4.8 on Trustpilot).

Disadvantages

• Costs stack up fast: registered agent, mailroom, accounting, and tax are all separate recurring fees.
• The $399 formation fee is higher than budget competitors that offer $0 + state fee formation.
• Accounting starts at $599/month, which is steep for very early or pre-revenue companies.
• Some reviews mention slower support and upsells once your company is up and running.

Who Should Use Firstbase?

Firstbase is the strongest fit when you value convenience and ongoing compliance over the absolute cheapest formation. It works especially well for:

• Non-US founders who need a legitimate US LLC or C-Corp to access Stripe, US banking, and American customers.
• Startups raising money, who benefit from C-Corp formation, a compliance dashboard, and the VC database and perks.
• Busy founders who would rather pay to have registered agent, mail, bookkeeping, and taxes handled in one place.

It is a weaker fit for bootstrappers on a tight budget who only need a bare-bones LLC and are happy to manage their own compliance and books.

Final Verdict

Firstbase.io is one of the most complete ways to start and operate a US company, and it is particularly compelling for international founders who would otherwise stitch together five different providers. The platform's real strength is what happens after formation: registered agent, mailroom, accounting, and tax all managed from a single, well-designed dashboard, backed by a generous perks network.

The trade-off is price — the $399 formation fee and the separate recurring services make Firstbase pricier than bare-bones competitors, so it pays off most for founders who will actually use the wider suite. If you want a US business set up correctly and kept compliant with minimal effort, Firstbase is well worth a look. Start your US company with Firstbase here and see which plan fits your stage.