Head-to-Head

Firstbase

All-in-One US Business Platform for Global Founders

VS

US Registered Agents

Nationwide Registered Agent Services in All 50 States

Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.

Founded
Firstbase: 2019
US Registered Agents: 1998
Rating
8.4/10
7.8/10
First Year Cost
~$399 + $299 (Start + Agent; full One ~$2,388/yr)
~$129 + state fees (RA included)
Formation Speed
1-3 business days (automated + expedited)
1-5 business days standard
RA Annual
$99-$299/year (Agent Autopilot; bundled in One)
$129/year per state (multi-state discounts)

Company Background

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

US Registered Agents

HQ: Nyack, New York (407 N Highland Avenue)

Ownership: Private (independent)

Employees: 11-50 (small to mid-size team)

Formations: Hundreds of thousands (focus on RA; high WY volume)

Key Milestones

  • Founded 1998 in Pacific Northwest (now NY-based)
  • Expanded to full 50-state + territories network
  • Became major provider for incorporation wholesalers
  • Added Canada representation
  • Built multi-jurisdiction change-of-agent service

Core Services

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

US Registered Agents Services

Formation types:

  • LLC
  • Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
  • Foreign Qualification (all states)
  • Change of Registered Agent

Differentiators:

  • 50-state + territories coverage
  • Multi-state discounts & partner programs
  • Pays state fees for change of agent
  • Global network (Canada provinces)
  • Simple, wholesale-friendly model

Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.

Pricing & Value

Category Firstbase US Registered Agents Winner
First Year Total ~$399 + $299 (Start + Agent; full One ~$2,388/yr) ~$129 + state fees (RA included) Firstbase
RA Annual Fee $99-$299/year (Agent Autopilot; bundled in One) $129/year per state (multi-state discounts)
Value Score 8.5/10 7.9/10 Firstbase

Speed & Performance

Firstbase

Avg formation: 1-3 business days (automated + expedited)

Expedited: Included in Start (fast processing)

US Registered Agents

Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard

Expedited: Available (varies by state)

Pros & Cons

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)

US Registered Agents — Pros

  • All 50 states + territories
  • Multi-state/partner discounts
  • Pays change of agent fees
  • Canada representation
  • Simple RA model

US Registered Agents — Cons

  • ✗ Limited direct reviews
  • ✗ Basic support tools
  • ✗ RA $129/year
  • ✗ No free Year 1
  • ✗ Wholesale emphasis

The Verdict

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.


Choose US Registered Agents if: The specialist for nationwide and territorial RA needs—ideal for businesses spanning states or wholesalers. Reliable coverage at a fair price; great if you need broad reach without complexity.

Higher rating: Firstbase (8.4/10)