ZenBusiness
AI-Powered Business Formation & Compliance
Firstbase
All-in-One US Business Platform for Global Founders
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
ZenBusiness
HQ: Austin, Texas
Ownership: Private (VC-backed; Public Benefit Corporation)
Employees: 600+
Formations: 850,000+
Key Milestones
- Founded 2015 in Austin, TX
- Raised significant VC funding
- Became Public Benefit Corporation
- Launched AI assistant 'Navi'
- Surpassed 850k businesses formed
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
ZenBusiness Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- AI-powered platform (Navi assistant)
- 100% Accuracy Guarantee
- Worry-Free Compliance
- Modern, intuitive dashboard
- Lifetime alerts & 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 | ZenBusiness | Firstbase | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$0 + state fees (Starter); $199 + RA (Pro) | ~$399 + $299 (Start + Agent; full One ~$2,388/yr) | ZenBusiness |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1 (Premium); $99 first year then $199 renewal | $99-$299/year (Agent Autopilot; bundled in One) | — |
| Value Score | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | ZenBusiness |
Speed & Performance
ZenBusiness
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (higher tiers); 7-14 days (Starter)
Expedited: Included in Pro & Premium
Firstbase
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (automated + expedited)
Expedited: Included in Start (fast processing)
Pros & Cons
ZenBusiness — Pros
- ✓ AI-powered modern platform
- ✓ 100% Accuracy Guarantee
- ✓ Excellent support
- ✓ Free Starter plan
- ✓ Worry-Free Compliance
ZenBusiness — Cons
- ✗ RA $199 renewal
- ✗ Add-ons increase cost
- ✗ No free Year 1 RA on lower plans
- ✗ Some billing issues
- ✗ Premium gets expensive
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 ZenBusiness if: One of the strongest modern players in the space. ZenBusiness excels with its beautiful AI-powered platform, strong guarantees, and top-tier customer support. Highly recommended for founders who want a premium experience without the corporate feel.
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: ZenBusiness (8.8/10)