Head-to-Head

Northwest Registered Agent

Privacy. Service. Value.

VS

Firstbase

All-in-One US Business Platform for Global Founders

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

Founded
Northwest Registered Agent: 1998
Firstbase: 2019
Rating
9.1/10
8.4/10
First Year Cost
~$39 + state fees (RA included)
~$399 + $299 (Start + Agent; full One ~$2,388/yr)
Formation Speed
1-3 business days (10-min setup)
1-3 business days (automated + expedited)
RA Annual
Free Year 1; $125/year renewal (flat, no multi-year traps)
$99-$299/year (Agent Autopilot; bundled in One)

Company Background

Northwest Registered Agent

HQ: Spokane, Washington (522 W Riverside Ave Suite N)

Ownership: Private (family-owned)

Employees: 51-200

Formations: 3,000,000+ businesses maintained

Key Milestones

  • Founded 1998 in Spokane, WA
  • Expanded to offices in all 50 states
  • Pioneered Privacy By Default®
  • Launched Business Identity Package (address, mail, email, domain)
  • Hit 3M+ businesses maintained

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

Northwest Registered Agent Services

Formation types:

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

Differentiators:

  • Privacy By Default® (uses their address, no data selling)
  • Business Identity Package (address, mail, email, domain, hosting)
  • In-house experts & custom software
  • No upsells or aggressive marketing
  • Family-owned with dedicated Corporate Guides

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 Northwest Registered Agent Firstbase Winner
First Year Total ~$39 + state fees (RA included) ~$399 + $299 (Start + Agent; full One ~$2,388/yr) Northwest Registered Agent
RA Annual Fee Free Year 1; $125/year renewal (flat, no multi-year traps) $99-$299/year (Agent Autopilot; bundled in One)
Value Score 9.2/10 8.5/10 Northwest Registered Agent

Speed & Performance

Northwest Registered Agent

Avg formation: 1-3 business days (10-min setup)

Expedited: Same-day possible (included)

Firstbase

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

Expedited: Included in Start (fast processing)

Pros & Cons

Northwest Registered Agent — Pros

  • Privacy By Default®
  • Free RA Year 1 ($125 after)
  • Business Identity Package
  • In-house experts
  • No annoying marketing

Northwest Registered Agent — Cons

  • ✗ RA renewal required
  • ✗ Basic formation vs. bundles
  • ✗ Limited reviews depth
  • ✗ No 24/7 chat
  • ✗ Expedited varies

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 Northwest Registered Agent if: The gold standard for privacy-focused RA—perfect for founders who want real protection, expert help, and a fair price without the sales pressure. Top pick for most.


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: Northwest Registered Agent (9.1/10)