Firstbase Alternative: A Leaner Way to Form Your US LLC (2026)

Firstbase is a well-known, capable platform for starting a US company — especially if you want incorporation, compliance, bookkeeping, and taxes under one roof. But if you're a solo or non-resident founder who mainly needs a US LLC and an EIN to unlock Stripe and US banking, you may be paying for a stack you won't use. Here's an honest comparison.

What Firstbase actually costs

Firstbase's formation product, Firstbase Start, is $399 as a one-time fee (firstbase.io/pricing, 2026). That includes LLC or C-Corp formation in Delaware or Wyoming, expedited EIN setup, essential post-incorporation documents, and bank-account setup with partners.

To be clear and fair: Firstbase publishes these prices openly — this isn't about hidden fees. The question is whether you need everything around the formation. On top of the $399 you'll typically add:

• Registered agent — a required add-on if you don't already have one, billed annually. Firstbase quotes it differently across its pages (roughly $99 to $299+ per year depending on the tier and state), so check the exact figure for your state at checkout.
• US mailing address / mailroom — about $35–$50/month.
• Tax filing — around $899/year for a non-US-owned single-member LLC, more for C-Corps or multi-member LLCs.
• Bookkeeping — a separate monthly service, and an all-in "Firstbase One" bundle that runs into the low thousands per year.
• State filing fees — charged separately (as they are with most providers).

That's a great fit for a funded startup that wants one dashboard for everything. It's more than a lean, one-person business usually needs.

The leaner alternative

UpToNova is built for the opposite case: get the LLC and EIN done cleanly, for one flat price, with no subscription. It's $200 flat, one time, and includes:

• LLC formation (Wyoming or Delaware)
• EIN — no SSN required
• Registered agent — first year included
• Operating agreement
• US bank account walkthrough

State filing fees are passed through at cost (Wyoming about $102, Delaware about $110), and there's no platform to subscribe to afterward.

Side by side

Which should you choose?

Choose Firstbase if you want an integrated platform to run incorporation, bookkeeping, and taxes together — and you'll actually use those services. Choose a leaner option like UpToNova if your goal is simply to form the LLC, get the EIN, and open Stripe and a US bank account for a single flat price, without an ongoing subscription.

Both form real US LLCs — the difference is the price and how much platform comes attached. See our exact pricing, the how to form a US LLC guide, or compare with the doola and Stripe Atlas alternatives. Ready? Start your US LLC.