Looking for a Firstbase alternative?
Firstbase targets international founders but has faced significant criticism for delays, support issues, and hidden costs.
All 50 states • $399 one-time to form • Built for non-residents
Trusted by founders, operators, and global businesses in 150+ countries
StartGlobal vs Firstbase
What's actually included, side by side. (See the full first-year cost below.)
| What's included | StartGlobal | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Registered agent | Included | Yr1 incl, $299/yr |
| business tax number (no SSN) | Yes, no SSN | Yes, no SSN |
| US bank account setup | Included | Yes |
| Operating agreement | Included | Included |
| Bookkeeping | Included (managed) | Managed (Firstbase One) |
| Federal tax filing | Included | Included (Firstbase One) |
| Annual report & compliance | Included | Included |
| Built for non-residents | Built for it | Built for it |
| Money-back guarantee | 100% money-back | None |
The cost to run an LLC, not just to start one.
Every founder needs formation, a registered agent, a business tax number, 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
- business tax number
- US business bank account setup
- Operating agreement
- Annual report & compliance
- Bookkeeping
- Federal tax filing
Firstbase
Single provider
- Formation, registered agent & business tax number (Start) $499
- Bookkeeping + federal tax filing (Firstbase One) $1,989
Everything in one platform, from $399 to form.
With Firstbase you pay $2,488 a year and still juggle the pieces yourself. StartGlobal bundles formation, registered agent, business tax number, bank setup, bookkeeping and federal tax filing into one plan: a one-time $399 to form, then a flat $149/month fully managed (or a la carte from $99/year). No add-ons, no separate logins, no surprise renewals.
First-year cost for a single-member, foreign-owned LLC in Wyoming, ~1,000 transactions / ~$100k revenue, with state fees included on both sides so the comparison is like for like. Where Firstbase 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 Firstbase users, and how we fix them.
Extreme Formation Delays
“It took over 2 months to get my LLC formed. Firstbase kept saying it was processing with no real updates.” Source: Trustpilot Review ↗
Multiple customers report 2+ month delays in LLC formation, far exceeding advertised timelines.
StartGlobal processes most LLCs within 24-48 hours with real-time status updates in your dashboard.
Unresponsive Support
“Their ticket system takes up to 14 days for appointments. By then, my deadline had passed.” Source: Trustpilot Review ↗
Firstbase's support queue can take up to 14 days to schedule an appointment, leaving urgent issues unresolved.
StartGlobal guarantees 24-hour response times. Real humans, not ticket queues, ready to help.
Generic, Unhelpful Responses
“When I finally got a response, it was a generic copy-paste that didnt address my actual question.” Source: Trustpilot Review ↗
Customers report receiving templated responses that fail to address their specific situations.
Personalized support from StartGlobal experts who understand your unique business situation.
Hidden Fees for Essentials
“Registered agent is $149/year, address is $315/year. The real cost is way more than the $399 base.” Source: Trustpilot Review ↗
Essential services like registered agent and US address are not included, significantly increasing total cost.
StartGlobal includes registered agent (first year) and business address in the $149/month managed plan.
Refund Issues
“They stole my money. I requested a refund within their policy period and they refused.” Source: Product Hunt Review ↗
Multiple customers report difficulty obtaining refunds, even when requested within stated policy periods.
100% money-back guarantee at StartGlobal. If you are not satisfied, we refund you with no hassle.
Missed Compliance Deadlines
“Firstbase missed my annual report deadline. Now I have penalties and my LLC is not in good standing.” Source: Trustpilot Review ↗
Some customers report Firstbase failing to meet compliance deadlines, resulting in penalties.
StartGlobal sends compliance reminders and handles filings proactively to keep your LLC in good standing.
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
Firstbase vs StartGlobal, answered
Is StartGlobal more reliable than Firstbase?+
Based on customer feedback, StartGlobal offers significantly more reliable service. We process LLCs within 24-48 hours (vs Firstbase's reported 2+ month delays), guarantee 24-hour support response (vs 14-day ticket queues), and have a clear 100% money-back guarantee.
Why is Firstbase so expensive when you add everything?+
Firstbase's $399 base doesn't include essentials: registered agent ($149/year), US address ($315/year), and premium support. Total first year: $863+. StartGlobal is $399 one-time to form, then $149/month fully managed (or a la carte from $99/year), with all of this handled for you.
Can StartGlobal help if Firstbase delayed my formation?+
If your Firstbase formation is stuck, contact our team. We can advise on options including potentially starting fresh with StartGlobal for faster processing.
How is StartGlobal support different from Firstbase?+
StartGlobal provides human support with a 24-hour response guarantee. Firstbase uses a ticket system that can take up to 14 days for appointments. We prioritize getting you answers quickly.
What if I need to transfer from Firstbase to StartGlobal?+
We can take over your LLC management including registered agent service and compliance. Contact our team to discuss the transfer process and get your business on solid footing.
Still weighing up providers?
We put the main providers for non-resident founders side by side, with what each one actually includes and what the first year really costs.
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.