I’d compare the full first-year bill – not just the formation fee. BusinessAnywhere lists $0 formation plus state fees, with $97 EIN help as an add-on. Firstbase Start costs about $399 and includes an EIN and first-year registered-agent coverage.
Both serve non-U.S. residents looking to form a company. My comparison covers entity choices, passport and EIN requirements, mailbox costs, renewals, annual reports, tax filings, documents, notary access, and remote support.
Quick Comparison
| What I’m comparing | BusinessAnywhere | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | $0 service fee plus state fees | About $399 for Start; confirm state charges |
| Entity choices | LLCs, corporations, and certain state-specific LLC types | LLCs and C corporations |
| EIN without an SSN | $97 add-on | Included in Start |
| Registered agent | First year included; then $147/year | First year included; renewal price not confirmed |
| Mailbox | From $240/year with annual billing | Mail handling listed; price and scope not confirmed |
| Compliance and tax support | Annual compliance: $50/year from year two; listed LLC tax filing service: $700 | Annual-report support listed; filing scope and tax fees not confirmed |
| Remote tools | Dashboard, document access, mail management, and $37-per-document notary service | Confirm tools, support, and document fees |
My takeaway: BusinessAnywhere offers separately priced services, while Firstbase bundles formation and EIN help. But the supplied pricing leaves gaps on Firstbase’s recurring costs, so I wouldn’t call either the cheaper choice yet. <u>Request itemized first-year and renewal quotes</u>, then check country eligibility, address rules, and who handles each filing.
BusinessAnywhere vs Firstbase: Formation and Eligibility
Formation Fees and Entity Types
BusinessAnywhere’s business registration page lists a $0 formation service fee plus state fees. Firstbase Start costs approximately $399 and includes formation, an EIN, and first-year registered-agent coverage.
| Formation detail | BusinessAnywhere | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| Formation service fee | $0 plus state filing fees | Approximately $399 for Start |
| Entity types | LLC, corporation, professional LLC, and series LLC; professional LLCs have state-specific licensing requirements, and series LLC availability varies by state | LLC and C corporation listed |
| First-year registered agent | Included with formation | Included with Start |
| EIN without an SSN or ITIN | Optional add-on: $97 | Included in Start for founders without an SSN |
Your entity type affects which states you can form in, so check availability before checkout.
Identity Checks and EIN Applications Without an SSN
With BusinessAnywhere, applicants without an SSN or ITIN can use a valid passport for EIN filing. Non-residents may also need to obtain an ITIN for tax compliance. The $97 fee covers preparation, submission, and follow-up. Firstbase includes EIN acquisition for founders without an SSN in its Start package.
You don’t need an SSN to form the company. The IRS issues EINs for free; provider fees pay for preparation and filing. Banks and payment processors still run their own checks.
Annual renewals are the next cost to check.
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First-Year Costs and Renewal Fees
BusinessAnywhere vs Firstbase: Setup and Renewal Costs
Formation fees are only part of the bill. Recurring services shape what you pay in year one and at renewal, so compare those subtotals alongside the setup price. All figures below are in USD.
Registered-Agent and Mailbox Fees
BusinessAnywhere includes the first year of registered-agent service with a new formation. After that, renewal costs $147/year. Its virtual mailbox requires a separate subscription.
| Recurring service | BusinessAnywhere | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| Registered agent | Included year one; $147/year thereafter | – |
| Basic mailbox | $25/month + $25 sign-up fee, or $240/year billed annually | – |
| Premium mailbox | $40/month + $25 sign-up fee, or $360/year billed annually | – |
| Advanced mailbox | $85/month + $25 sign-up fee, or $780/year billed annually | – |
| Annual compliance service | $50/year from year 2 onward | – |
The supplied sources do not confirm Firstbase pricing for these services.
Mailbox and compliance charges can add more to your total than the formation fee itself.
EIN, Documents, Taxes, and Other Add-On Fees
Formation fees don’t cover recurring support or filing costs. Budget separately for document templates, tax preparation, consultations, and other add-ons.
BusinessAnywhere charges $97 for an S-corp election filing. This service usually doesn’t apply to nonresident aliens, who generally cannot be S-corp shareholders.
| Optional service or charge | BusinessAnywhere | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| EIN assistance – one-time | $97 | – |
| Operating agreement template – per template | $97 | – |
| Online notary service – per document | $37 | – |
| U.S. LLC tax filing – per filing service | $700 | – |
| Tax and residency consultation | $535 flat fee | – |
| S-Corp tax election filing | $97 | – |
| State filing fees and annual state obligations | Additional government charges | Additional government charges |
The supplied sources do not confirm Firstbase pricing for these optional services.
The sample budgets below show how these charges add up by year.
Sample Budgets for Remote Founders
These figures are service subtotals, not all-in totals. They assume annual mailbox billing and count EIN assistance only in year one.
| Setup | BusinessAnywhere: year one | BusinessAnywhere: year two onward | Firstbase: year one | Firstbase: renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formation + registered agent | $0 | $147/year | – | – |
| Setup + Basic mailbox + EIN | $337 | $387/year | – | – |
| Setup + Premium mailbox + EIN | $457 | $507/year | – | – |
| Basic setup + tax filing + notarization | $1,074 | $1,124/year | – | – |
The supplied sources do not confirm Firstbase pricing for these items. State fees and unlisted services cost extra.
Address, Compliance, and Remote Management Features
Beyond setup costs, compare how each service handles day-to-day tasks, compliance, and documents. Access to a service doesn’t always cover the filing work.
| Service | BusinessAnywhere | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| Registered agent | Included; renews at $147/year | Included |
| Mail handling | Paid add-on or included in higher-tier packages | Included |
| Compliance alerts | Included | Included |
| Annual report support | Separate fee | Included support; filing scope varies |
| Federal tax filing | Separate fee | Not confirmed |
Registered-Agent Addresses vs Business Mailboxes
A registered agent receives legal and official notices. A business mailbox handles general correspondence. They serve different purposes.
BusinessAnywhere’s virtual mailbox offers a real U.S. street address and worldwide forwarding, with unlimited scans and storage on higher tiers. Plans allow 2, 5, or 20 recipients. For non-resident founders, Understanding the virtual address vs. registered agent distinction matters when managing mail, receiving compliance notices, and setting up banking.
Annual Reports and Federal Tax Filings
BusinessAnywhere charges $50/year for annual compliance support starting in year two. Its U.S. LLC tax filing service costs $700 to prepare and file Form 5472 and pro forma Form 1120.
Firstbase lists annual-report support as included, but that doesn’t confirm whether filing work or state charges are covered. When budgeting for BusinessAnywhere’s federal filing support, use the $700 service cost, not the formation fee.
Dashboard, Notary Access, and Support
BusinessAnywhere’s dashboard lets users download documents, manage mail scans, register additional companies, and track compliance reminders – all in one place.
Support is available through email, live chat, and the dashboard. Remote online notary service costs $37 per document.
Conclusion: Choose by Total Cost and Service Needs
Once you’ve compared setup and recurring fees, focus on the support you’ll need after formation. Compare total first-year and renewal costs – not just the formation fee. Check address options, EIN access, and compliance support, too. If you have broader U.S. business needs, compare Firstbase’s service stack with the services you’ll actually use.
Your priorities will usually fit one of three founder profiles:
| Founder type | Practical priority |
|---|---|
| Budget-focused founder | Pay only for the services you need. |
| Remote service business | Focus on mailbox, notary, and management tools. |
| Multi-LLC investor | Use the dashboard to manage multiple entities. |
BusinessAnywhere works best for founders who want to pick services separately. Get written confirmation of who handles each filing and which fees apply.
Before checkout, check these details:
- Confirm eligibility for your country and passport requirements for getting an EIN without an SSN.
- Request separate first-year and renewal totals, including state fees, mailbox billing, registered-agent coverage, and selected add-ons.
- Verify that the address meets your needs and banking requirements. Confirm who tracks deadlines for state annual reports and federal filings.
FAQs
Can I use my BusinessAnywhere mailbox address for banking?
Yes, but acceptance depends on the financial institution. Fintech banks like Mercury and Relay often accept virtual mailbox addresses. Banks like Chase or Bank of America are more likely to reject Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) addresses.
Never use your registered agent address for banking. That address is reserved for official legal notices and government correspondence.
What if my EIN arrives after my LLC is formed?
LLC formation and EIN applications are separate processes. You don’t need an EIN to register your business initially.
For $97, BusinessAnywhere will prepare and file Form SS-4 with the IRS, then handle follow-up until your EIN is issued. You can use your EIN to open a U.S. business bank account, hire employees, and meet IRS compliance requirements.
Does my LLC need tax filings if it earns nothing?
Your LLC may still need to file paperwork even if it earns no income. State requirements, such as annual reports, may still apply to keep your LLC in good standing.
Federal filings may include Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities to report transactions with foreign owners, or Form 1065 for LLCs taxed as partnerships. Other federal reporting requirements may also apply.
