Filenow
Quick & Affordable Business Formation with 24-Hour Processing
Firstbase
All-in-One US Business Platform for Global Founders
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
Filenow
HQ: New York, NY (small team of experts)
Ownership: Private (independent; founder-led team of entrepreneurs/lawyers)
Employees: Small team (1-10)
Formations: Thousands (growing; focus on quality)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2018 by team of entrepreneurs, lawyers, tax pros
- Grew via affordable formation model
- Launched Incorporation Wizard for entity selection
- Achieved 4.8/5 on ShopperApproved (600+ reviews)
- Expanded to full compliance add-ons
Firstbase
HQ: New York, NY (51-200 employees)
Ownership: Private (YC-backed; founder-led)
Employees: 51-200
Formations: 30,000+
Key Milestones
- Founded 2019 in NYC by Mark Milastsivy
- YC Winter 2021 batch
- Hit 30k+ companies formed
- Launched Firstbase One (all-in-one bundle)
- Expanded Agent Autopilot to all 50 states
Core Services
Filenow Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- 24-hour order processing (no extra cost)
- Error-free guarantee (money back if errors)
- Transparent, no-hidden-fees pricing
- Incorporation Wizard (entity selector)
- Unlimited expert support (phone/email/chat)
Firstbase Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- All-in-one: formation + compliance + bookkeeping + taxes
- Bank account for non-residents (no SSN needed)
- Agent Autopilot (own entities in 50 states)
- $350k in founder perks (Stripe credits, legal, etc.)
- 24/7 human support from anywhere
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | Filenow | Firstbase | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$49-$199 + state fees (RA included in Premium) | ~$399 + $299 (Start + Agent; full One ~$2,388/yr) | Firstbase |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1 (Premium); $119/year renewal | $99-$299/year (Agent Autopilot; bundled in One) | — |
| Value Score | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | Firstbase |
Speed & Performance
Filenow
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time (fastest standard)
Expedited: Included (24-hour); same-day in select states
Firstbase
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (automated + expedited)
Expedited: Included in Start (fast processing)
Pros & Cons
Filenow — Pros
- ✓ 24-hour processing included
- ✓ Starter from $49 + state
- ✓ Error-free money-back guarantee
- ✓ Free RA Year 1 (Premium)
- ✓ Unlimited expert support
Filenow — Cons
- ✗ Small team (emerging)
- ✗ RA $119 renewal
- ✗ Fewer add-ons
- ✗ Low review volume
- ✗ No enterprise tools
Firstbase — Pros
- ✓ All-in-one (formation to taxes)
- ✓ Non-resident bank accounts
- ✓ 50-state Agent Autopilot
- ✓ 24/7 global humans
- ✓ $350k perks
Firstbase — Cons
- ✗ Premium pricing
- ✗ Bundle-heavy
- ✗ Limited domestic focus
- ✗ Payroll setup variability
- ✗ Newer (2019)
The Verdict
Choose Filenow if: Excellent for founders who want fast, affordable setup with pro help—great alternative to giants if you prioritize transparency and speed.
Choose Firstbase if: The ultimate platform for non-US founders—handles everything from formation to taxes in one place. Perfect if you're building remotely and want zero hassle.
Higher rating: Firstbase (8.4/10)