Firstbase vs Northwest Registered Agent: Side-by-Side Comparison
Side-by-side comparison across 11 dimensions. Data is approximate and for informational purposes only.
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| Dimension | Firstbase | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Entity Types | LLC, C-Corp | LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, Nonprofit |
| Setup Fee | $399 | $39 + state fees |
| Annual Fee | $299/yr per state (Firstbase Agent) | $125/yr per state (1–4 states; $100/yr each at 5+); 1st year included with $39 formation |
| Timeline | 1–3 business days | 1–5 business days |
| States Available | Delaware or Wyoming (foreign qualification in all 50 states post-formation) | All 50 states + DC and Puerto Rico |
| EIN Filing | Included | Add-on ($50 with SSN; $200 without SSN) |
| Registered Agent | Not included — Firstbase Agent required, from $299/yr per state | 1 year free |
| Banking Integration | Marketplace (apply/referral): Mercury, Payoneer, Relay, Brex — partner approval required | None (WY DIY guide, Wells Fargo) |
| Compliance Support | Full (GS assessment) | Partial (GS assessment) |
| Non-Resident Support | Full (GS assessment) | Full (GS assessment) |
| Platform Type | Full-service | Guided DIY |
Key Notes
Firstbase
Built specifically for non-US founders, and it does deliver every leg — but almost nothing is inside the headline price. The $399 Start fee does NOT include registered agent (Firstbase Agent is a separate $299/yr, charged per state), so year one is $698 plus state fees while every other service in this table bundles the first year. If you have no US address of your own, Firstbase Mailroom is mandatory, from $35/month. Firstbase will get your EIN without an SSN or ITIN, and says so plainly — expect 20-30 business days against 1-3 with one. Annual reports, franchise tax and BOI are filed for you only at Agent Autopilot ($299/yr/state); the cheaper Light tier only reminds you. Formation is Delaware or Wyoming only; other states require foreign qualification as a separate paid step afterwards. Tax filing (Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs) is a separate add-on at $1,799/yr per package. Firstbase also publishes a restricted list of 22 countries (including Venezuela) whose residents it cannot onboard.
Northwest Registered Agent
Best known for registered agent services. Low base price but fewer bundled features. Privacy by default — uses their address on public filings. US-based customer support. One of only four services here that will obtain an EIN for a founder with no SSN, and the only one that names the price: $200, versus $50 with an SSN (the IRS side takes ~120 days rather than 4 — Northwest files in about 2 either way). It also files your annual report for $100 plus state fees, though that is auto-added and auto-charged when you use their registered agent. Two limits worth knowing: the free use of their address covers official state filings and about five pieces of ordinary mail, not a primary mailing address (a usable one is Virtual Office from $29/mo), and Northwest does not help with banking at all — "Can Northwest Open a Bank Account For My U.S. Business? Definitely not."
What Real Users Say
Anonymized and paraphrased observations from founder communities, review platforms, and forums.
Firstbase is a concierge for international founders. Northwest is a registered agent that also files paperwork. The price difference ($399 vs $39) reflects that gap.
Source: Reddit r/EntrepreneurNorthwest gives you zero post-formation guidance. No banking intros, no compliance calendar, no EIN help beyond the filing itself. Firstbase holds your hand through all of it.
Source: G2 reviewsIf you have formed a US entity before and know the process, Northwest saves you hundreds. First-timers save time and headaches with Firstbase.
Source: Founder communitiesFrequently Asked Questions
How We Compared
We collected pricing, included services, non-resident support levels, and formation timelines from each provider's public website. Costs are compared at initial setup and annual renewal rates.
Disclaimer: All data on this page is approximate and for informational purposes only. Pricing, features, and availability change frequently. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify all figures directly with each provider before making decisions. Data reflects conditions as of early 2026.
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