Firstbase vs ZenBusiness: 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 | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Entity Types | LLC, C-Corp | LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, Nonprofit |
| Setup Fee | $399 | $0 + state fees |
| Annual Fee | $299/yr per state (Firstbase Agent) | $199/yr (Pro) – $399/yr (Premium); Starter $0 does not renew |
| Timeline | 1–3 business days | 2–3 weeks (standard) |
| States Available | Delaware or Wyoming (foreign qualification in all 50 states post-formation) | Unknown — ask vendor |
| EIN Filing | Included | Add-on $99 (Starter); included in Pro ($199) and Premium ($399) |
| Registered Agent | Not included — Firstbase Agent required, from $299/yr per state | Add-on +$199/yr (Starter/Pro); included only in Premium ($399/yr). $99 first year with formation, renews $199/yr |
| Banking Integration | Marketplace (apply/referral): Mercury, Payoneer, Relay, Brex — partner approval required | ZenBusiness Banking (Thread Bank), $5/mo |
| Compliance Support | Full (GS assessment) | Partial (GS assessment) |
| Non-Resident Support | Full (GS assessment) | Limited (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.
ZenBusiness
Free basic formation (pay only state fees), and compliance alerts are free at the $0 Starter tier. Files formations in all 50 states. Read the non-resident story carefully, because it is narrower than it first sounds: ZenBusiness says non-U.S. citizens and residents can form an LLC "with an ITIN in place of an SSN" — which assumes you have a US taxpayer ID. For a founder with neither an SSN nor an ITIN, its own EIN page answers the question by telling you to fill out an SS-4 and mail it to the IRS yourself, and it never states whether the $99 EIN service covers that path. Its pages also disagree on whether you need a US business address: the help centre says a foreign address is fine, the marketing page says a US business address is required, and the registered-agent product explicitly refuses to be that address. Annual reports are filed for you under Worry-Free Compliance; taxes are not, on their own words.
What Real Users Say
Anonymized and paraphrased observations from founder communities, review platforms, and forums.
ZenBusiness is another domestic-first service. Their non-resident process exists but it is not their core audience. Firstbase was built specifically for international founders.
Source: Reddit r/smallbusinessZenBusiness formation speed is fast (often same-day in most states). Firstbase is comparable. The difference is in what happens after formation.
Source: G2 reviewsZenBusiness renewal pricing increases significantly after year 1. The $0 formation is a loss leader. Check the annual renewal before committing.
Source: Trustpilot reviewsFrequently 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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