Looking for a Firmaway alternative?
Firmaway is a well-reviewed formation service focused on Latin American entrepreneurs. While they offer competitive pricing, their narrow regional focus and bank account guidance model may not suit founders outside LATAM.
All 50 states • $399 one-time to form • Built for non-residents
Trusted by founders, operators, and global businesses in 150+ countries
StartGlobal vs Firmaway
What's actually included, side by side. (See the full first-year cost below.)
| What's included | StartGlobal | Firmaway |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Registered agent | Included | Included (All-in) |
| EIN (no SSN) | Yes, no SSN | Yes, no SSN |
| US bank account setup | Included | Yes |
| Operating agreement | Included | Included |
| Bookkeeping | Included (managed) | Not offered |
| Federal tax filing | Included | Included (All-in) |
| Annual report & compliance | Included | Included |
| Built for non-residents | Built for it | Built for it (LatAm) |
| Money-back guarantee | 100% money-back | โ |
The cost to run an LLC, not just to start one.
Every founder needs formation, a registered agent, an EIN, an operating agreement, ongoing compliance, bookkeeping and a federal tax return. Here is the full first-year cost on identical scope.
StartGlobal
then $149/month fully managed, or a la carte from $99/year • one platform • everything included
- LLC formation + state filing fee
- Registered agent
- EIN (Tax ID)
- US business bank account setup
- Operating agreement
- Annual report & compliance
- Bookkeeping
- Federal tax filing
Firmaway
2 separate services to manage
- Formation, RA, EIN, compliance & tax filing (All-in plan) $1,299
- Bookkeeping, via 3rd party (est.) $2,400
Firmaway only handles part of it.
To actually run your LLC you would stitch together 2 separate services: Firmaway for formation, a separate bookkeeper, and a separate tax preparer. That is 2 logins, 2 bills, and 2 support teams to chase when something breaks. StartGlobal is all of it in one platform, one login, one bill, one team, for a one-time $399 to form, then a flat $149/month fully managed (or a la carte from $99/year).
First-year cost for a single-member, foreign-owned LLC in Wyoming (~$100 state fee), ~1,000 transactions / ~$100k revenue. Where Firmaway does not offer bookkeeping or tax filing, we use third-party benchmarks (bookkeeping $2,400/yr, federal tax filing $800/yr) so the scope matches. Competitor pricing as of 2026-06 and may change.
Why founders switch to StartGlobal
Real concerns reported by Firmaway users, and how we fix them.
LATAM-Only Focus
Firmaway primarily serves Spanish-speaking founders in Latin America. Their website is mostly in Spanish, and their support and documentation are tailored to the LATAM market. Founders from other regions may find limited relevance.
StartGlobal serves founders from 150+ countries with English-language support and a multilingual website. Whether you are in LATAM, Europe, Asia, or Africa, we are built for you.
Bank Account Is Guidance, Not Setup
Firmaway helps you apply to Mercury or Relay but does not guarantee account opening. You receive assistance with the application, but the outcome depends on the bank.
StartGlobal includes actual bank account setup assistance in your package. We work with banking partners to ensure your account is opened successfully.
Recurring Annual Cost
After the first year, Firmaway charges approximately $400/year for renewal of services including registered agent and compliance. This adds up over time.
StartGlobal forms your LLC for $399 one-time, then ongoing compliance is fully managed at $149/month or available a la carte from $99/year. Renewals are transparent and clearly priced, with no surprise bundles.
No Tax or Bookkeeping Services
Firmaway focuses on formation and basic compliance but does not offer tax filing or bookkeeping services. You will need to find separate providers for these essential services.
StartGlobal offers tax filing and bookkeeping as clearly priced add-on services, so you can manage everything through one platform.
LLC Formation
Everything you need to launch, in one package.
Registered Agent
IncludedEvery US LLC is legally required to have a registered agent: the official point of contact that receives legal documents, lawsuits, and state notices on your behalf. We act as your registered agent in your formation state and forward anything that arrives straight to you.
- Required to form and keep your LLC in good standing
- Receives legal documents and state notices for you
- We forward everything to you right away
State Filing
IncludedWe set up your company in the state you choose and track everything through to approval. Your state fees are included in the price, with no separate charges to figure out later.
- File in any of the 50 states
- State filing fees included, no surprise charges
- We track your filing through to approval
Business Tax Number
IncludedBefore you can open a bank account, get paid, or file taxes, you need a business tax number. We take care of the entire application for you, even if you don't have a U.S. social security number.
- We handle the entire application for you
- No U.S. SSN needed
- Gets you ready to bank, get paid, and stay compliant
U.S. Business Bank Account
IncludedOpen a U.S. business bank account from anywhere in the world, with no U.S. travel required. We connect you with trusted banking partners like Mercury and Lili and guide you through the application.
- Apply from anywhere, no U.S. trip needed
- Partners like Mercury and Lili
- Guided setup from start to finish
One payment, no surprise charges at checkout.
Ongoing Compliance
Pay only for what you need.
Registered Agent
Pay as you goYour registered agent service continues year after year, keeping a verified U.S. address on file and forwarding every legal document and state notice so you stay in good standing.
- Verified U.S. address maintained
- Legal mail scanned and forwarded
- Renewed automatically each year
State Annual Report
Pay as you goMost states require an annual or biennial report to keep your LLC active. We prepare and file it on time, every year, so you never fall out of good standing or get hit with late penalties.
- Annual or biennial report prepared and filed
- Deadline tracking, no late penalties
- Keeps your LLC in good standing
Bookkeeping
Pay as you goWe keep your books organized and aligned with U.S. standards every month, so your finances are always accurate and ready for tax time, investors, or a loan.
- Monthly bookkeeping
- Transactions categorized and reconciled
- Reports ready for tax season
Federal Tax Filing
Pay as you goWe handle your annual federal tax filing for single-member and multi-member LLCs, including the forms non-resident owners need, filed accurately and on time with the IRS.
- Returns for single and multi-member LLCs
- Non-resident owner filings handled
- Accurate, on-time filing with the IRS
Starts with registered agent. Add annual report, bookkeeping, and federal tax filing as you need them.
The operating system
Formation is
just the start.
StartGlobal runs your whole company, not just the paperwork. One platform, every tool you need to operate.
Explore all productsLoved by founders in 150+ countries
Real customers, on camera, talking about their U.S. business journey
Firmaway vs StartGlobal, answered
How does StartGlobal compare to Firmaway?+
Both serve non-residents, but StartGlobal serves 150+ countries while Firmaway focuses on LATAM. StartGlobal includes actual bank account setup (not guidance), offers tax filing, and gives you one predictable plan: $399 one-time to form, then $149/month fully managed (or a la carte from $99/year). Firmaway is slightly cheaper upfront but charges ~$400/yr ongoing.
Is Firmaway a good service?+
Firmaway has excellent reviews (4.9/5 on Trustpilot, 287 reviews) and is well-regarded in the LATAM community. However, their LATAM-only focus, bank account guidance model, and lack of tax services may be limiting for founders who need comprehensive support.
Can LATAM founders use StartGlobal instead?+
Absolutely. StartGlobal serves founders from all Latin American countries. We offer our website in Spanish and Portuguese, and our team understands the specific needs of LATAM entrepreneurs forming US LLCs.
What about the price difference?+
Firmaway starts at $399 to form, the same as StartGlobal's $399 one-time formation. Firmaway charges ~$400/yr for renewals; StartGlobal keeps ongoing compliance fully managed at $149/month or a la carte from $99/year. Plus, StartGlobal includes actual bank account setup and a compliance dashboard.
Does StartGlobal offer Spanish-language support?+
Yes. StartGlobal offers a Spanish-language website and multilingual support. Our platform serves founders from 150+ countries including all of Latin America.
Ready to start your U.S. business?
Join thousands of global founders who trust StartGlobal. Form your LLC in minutes and run it all from one place.