Harbor Compliance
Multi-State Compliance & Entity Management Platform
Firstbase
All-in-One US Business Platform for Global Founders
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
Harbor Compliance
HQ: Lancaster, Pennsylvania (812 N Prince St)
Ownership: Private (founder-led; Mike Montali CEO)
Employees: 51-200
Formations: 40,000+ clients served (focus on compliance, not pure formation)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2012 by regulatory specialists & tech experts
- Hit Inc. 5000 for 7th year in 2025
- Acquired Labyrinth Inc. (added nonprofits)
- Launched Compliance Core™ algorithm
- Grew to 40k+ clients across 50 states
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
Harbor Compliance Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
- ✓ Conversions & Mergers
Differentiators:
- Compliance Core™ scans 22,000+ requirements
- Air-Tight Onboarding™ (90% issue resolution)
- SaaS + managed hybrid for enterprises
- Direct SOS database feeds for real-time status
- Unlimited users & collaboration tools
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 | Harbor Compliance | Firstbase | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$99 + state fees (RA-focused; higher for full compliance) | ~$399 + $299 (Start + Agent; full One ~$2,388/yr) | Firstbase |
| RA Annual Fee | $99 first year; $149 renewal (multi-year discounts) | $99-$299/year (Agent Autopilot; bundled in One) | — |
| Value Score | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | Firstbase |
Speed & Performance
Harbor Compliance
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day document delivery (included)
Firstbase
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (automated + expedited)
Expedited: Included in Start (fast processing)
Pros & Cons
Harbor Compliance — Pros
- ✓ 22k+ regulatory scans
- ✓ SaaS + managed hybrid
- ✓ All 50 states RA
- ✓ Entity management suite
- ✓ Proven for enterprises
Harbor Compliance — Cons
- ✗ Premium pricing
- ✗ Mixed Trustpilot (3.5)
- ✗ Billing complaints
- ✗ Steep for startups
- ✗ Basic formation vs. specialists
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 Harbor Compliance if: The powerhouse for complex, multi-state compliance—ideal for growing businesses needing software + service. Skip if you're a solo founder on a budget.
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)