In Short: BusinessAnywhere vs Firstbase
Firstbase forms companies in Delaware and Wyoming and sells add-ons for the agent, mail, accounting and tax. BusinessAnywhere forms in any state for $0 plus the state fee, with a lower-priced registered agent and mailbox.
- Choose Firstbase if you want a startup platform with bundled tax filing for a foreign-owned LLC and a banking marketplace.
- Choose BusinessAnywhere if you want the lowest cost to keep a US LLC and the freedom to form in any state.
- Registered agent: Firstbase charges $299 a year and requires it. BusinessAnywhere’s agent is free in year one and $147 a year after.
- Two-year cost: a Wyoming LLC costs $498 in year one and $359 a year after with Firstbase, against $197 and $207 with BusinessAnywhere.
- Tax filing: Firstbase files Form 5472 and a pro forma Form 1120 for $899 a year. BusinessAnywhere does not file federal returns.
Firstbase and BusinessAnywhere both form US companies online for founders who live abroad. Firstbase is a startup platform with formation, a banking marketplace, accounting and tax services. BusinessAnywhere is a formation and compliance service built around low running costs and a US address.
This comparison uses Firstbase’s own pricing page and help center and BusinessAnywhere’s published prices as of October 2026.
BusinessAnywhere vs Firstbase at a Glance
| Feature | BusinessAnywhere | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| Formation fee | $0 plus the state fee | Start package $99 plus the state fee |
| States | All 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico | Delaware and Wyoming |
| Registered agent | Free year one, then $147 a year | Required, $299 a year per state |
| EIN | $97, with or without an SSN | Included; about 20 to 30 business days without an SSN or ITIN |
| US mailing address | Virtual mailbox from $20 a month | Mailroom from $315 a year |
| Annual report filing | $50 a year plus the state fee | Included with the $299 registered agent |
| Federal tax filing | Not offered; $535 tax and residency consultation | $899 a year for a foreign-owned single-member LLC |
| Formation time | 10 to 14 working days; 2 to 5 days expedited | Wyoming about 3 to 7 business days |
| Entity types | LLC and corporation | LLC and C corporation |
What Firstbase Is
Firstbase is a software platform for starting and running a US company. Its site says founders in 188 countries have used it and more than 30,000 companies have been incorporated. It forms LLCs and C corporations in Delaware and Wyoming and offers registered agent service and foreign qualification in all 50 states.
Firstbase’s pricing page lists its Start formation package at $99, plus the state fee. Start includes Delaware or Wyoming formation, the EIN application, bank account setup with partners and formation documents. The registered agent is required and sold separately at $299 a year per state, including annual report and franchise tax filings. Mailroom costs $315 a year for the basic plan. Tax filing for a non-US-owned single-member LLC costs $899 a year and covers Form 5472, a pro forma Form 1120, 1099s and extensions. Firstbase One bundles the agent, Mailroom and accounting for $199 a month or $2,388 a year.
What BusinessAnywhere Is
BusinessAnywhere forms US LLCs and corporations for founders who live outside the United States, with no citizenship, residency, US visit or SSN required. Formation is $0 plus the state’s filing fee in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico. The first year of registered agent service is free and renews at $147 a year, with legal mail scanned to your dashboard. The EIN application service costs $97 and covers applicants with or without a Social Security number.
Every other service is priced on its own, so you pay only for what you use: a virtual mailbox from $20 a month billed annually with unlimited scanning, state annual report filing for $50 a year plus the state fee from year two, operating agreement and bylaws templates for $97 each, an S corporation election filing for $97, 5-day expedited filing for $57 and 2-day filing for $77. Standard filing takes 10 to 14 working days. There is no subscription and no minimum term.
Price Comparison: A Wyoming LLC Over Two Years
Wyoming charges $100 to form an LLC and at least $60 a year for the annual report, per our breakdown of Wyoming LLC costs. The table compares the same Wyoming LLC with Firstbase’s required registered agent and with BusinessAnywhere.
| Option | Year one | Each year after |
|---|---|---|
| Firstbase, formation and agent | $498: $99 Start, $100 state fee, $299 agent | $359: $299 agent plus $60 state fee |
| Firstbase with Mailroom | $813: adds $315 Mailroom | $674: adds $315 Mailroom |
| BusinessAnywhere, formation and EIN only | $197: $100 state fee plus $97 EIN | $207: $147 agent plus $60 state fee |
| BusinessAnywhere with mailbox and annual report filing | $437: adds a $240 mailbox year | $497: $147 agent, $60 state fee, $240 mailbox, $50 filing |
For formation, the EIN and the registered agent, BusinessAnywhere costs $301 less in year one and $152 less each year after. With a mailbox added on both sides, BusinessAnywhere costs $376 less in year one and $177 less each year after, including its $50 annual report filing.
Firstbase’s $299 agent includes the annual report filing, which BusinessAnywhere prices at $50. Firstbase also offers a federal tax filing package at $899 a year, a service BusinessAnywhere does not sell.
State Choice
Firstbase forms only in Delaware and Wyoming. Those are the two states most non-resident founders consider, so this limit matters less than it looks, but founders who need a company in a state where they operate, such as Texas, Florida or New York, form there directly with BusinessAnywhere instead of forming in Wyoming and registering as a foreign LLC.
EIN Timing Without an SSN
Firstbase’s help center gives about 1 to 3 business days for an EIN with an SSN or ITIN, and about 20 to 30 business days without one, starting after the state approves the company. BusinessAnywhere’s $97 EIN service covers founders with or without an SSN.
Banking and Startup Tools
Firstbase offers an automated bank application and a banking marketplace, names Mercury as a partner and lists more than $350,000 in partner perks. BusinessAnywhere offers a bank account opening referral at $0. Neither service can guarantee approval, because the bank decides.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Firstbase if
- You want federal tax filing for a foreign-owned LLC from the same provider.
- You want a startup platform with a banking marketplace and partner perks.
- You are forming in Delaware or Wyoming and want accounting in the same dashboard.
Choose BusinessAnywhere if
- You want the lowest cost to form and keep a US LLC.
- You need to form in a state other than Delaware or Wyoming.
- You want a registered agent at $147 a year and a mailbox from $20 a month.
- You prefer to choose your own tax preparer.
Comparing more providers? See our BusinessAnywhere vs Stripe Atlas comparison.
Start Your US Company With BusinessAnywhere
BusinessAnywhere forms your US LLC or corporation for $0 plus the state filing fee, includes a free first year of registered agent service so state notices reach you, and gets the EIN for non-residents without a Social Security number for $97.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BusinessAnywhere cheaper than Firstbase?
Yes, for formation and upkeep. A Wyoming LLC costs $197 in year one and $207 a year after with BusinessAnywhere, against $498 and $359 with Firstbase’s required $299 registered agent.
Does Firstbase require its registered agent?
Firstbase’s pricing page lists the registered agent as required and sold separately at $299 a year per state.
Which states does Firstbase form companies in?
Delaware and Wyoming. BusinessAnywhere forms in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico.
How long does Firstbase take to get an EIN without an SSN?
Firstbase’s help center gives about 20 to 30 business days without an SSN or ITIN, starting after the state approves the company.
Does Firstbase file Form 5472?
Yes. Firstbase’s tax filing package for a non-US-owned single-member LLC costs $899 a year and includes Form 5472 and a pro forma Form 1120. BusinessAnywhere does not file federal returns.
Can I switch from Firstbase to BusinessAnywhere?
Yes. BusinessAnywhere becomes your registered agent for $147 a year, files the change of agent for $37 and can file your annual reports. Appoint the new agent before cancelling the old one.
This comparison uses Firstbase’s own published pages, BusinessAnywhere’s published prices and state filing office figures as of October 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm current terms with each provider before you sign up. It is general information, not legal or tax advice.
