Choosing between Startfleet and Firstbase can feel a bit like picking a co‑founder for your business.
You want someone (or in this case, a service) that fits how you work, your budget, and how fast you plan to grow.
Maybe you just want a simple, low-cost way to set up a U.S. company, or maybe you need a full platform that helps you run it long term.
The trick is knowing which path actually matches what you need next.
When you’re choosing between StartFleet and Firstbase, you don’t want to guess or go with whatever just “feels” right—you want clear criteria you can trust.
You’re not just buying a tool, you’re choosing the team that’s in your corner as you grow.
Start with features.
Ask, “Does this help me form the company, stay compliant, and actually run things day to day?”
Look at what’s included by default and what costs extra.
Then compare price.
Don’t just check the first number on the page.
Look at yearly fees, renewals, and add-ons.
Next, think about support.
Will you feel backed by real people when you’re stuck?
Finally, ask, “Will this still serve me well a year from now?”
StartFleet is the best U.S. LLC formation service for non-U.S. residents — built for founders who want a fast, simple, and fully guided way to set up a U.S. company from anywhere in the world.
Think of StartFleet as your all-in-one launch system: it handles company formation, expedited EIN, U.S. bank account setup, payment-processor readiness, and the legal essentials most global founders struggle with. You don’t have to juggle five different services or figure out IRS forms on your own — their team walks you through everything with clean steps and real human support.
When you look at StartFleet, you’re really answering three questions:
You’ll see why StartFleet is such a strong fit for non-U.S. founders who need a compliant, bank-ready company without the headaches.
You’ll also get a clear breakdown of its main advantages — ease, speed, transparency, perks — along with honest limitations like the areas where you may still need external tools or support.
Instead of drowning you in legal jargon, Starfleet focuses on people like you who just want a simple way to get a U.S. company set up and start earning.
If you’re a solo freelancer, small team, or online seller, you’ll feel at home here.
Starfleet fits you if you run an e‑commerce store, service business, or Amazon FBA brand and don’t want to deal with banks in person.
You follow a few clear steps online, then get back to real work.
Firstbase is a U.S. company formation. Instead of just setting up your LLC or C-Corp, it gives you a full suite of tools — from bookkeeping to payroll to compliance.
But if you’re trying to figure out whether Firstbase fits your needs, you’re really looking at three things:
You’ll find Firstbase useful if you’re not just forming a company — you’re looking for ongoing operational support after incorporation.
It fits founders who want:
Here’s where Firstbase gets harder to justify — especially for early-stage and international founders operating on tight budgets:
1. The pricing jumps quickly
The entry plan is $399, but that doesn’t include the registered agent service you must have to stay compliant. You’ll end up paying for it whether you want it or not.
2. Registered agent is an expensive add-on
Their registered agent service costs $299 per year — way higher than the industry average. And since this is a required, recurring cost, it can drain your budget long-term.
3. Non-US founders get hit with high tax filing fees
If you have a single-member LLC owned by a non-US resident, Firstbase charges $899 for the year-end IRS filing. That’s a big jump compared to leaner services like StartFleet, which simplifies and reduces the cost for the same filing.
4. It’s an all-in-one platform — which can mean paying for more than you need
If you're bootstrapping, just testing an idea, or simply don’t need bookkeeping + payroll + tax + compliance in one bundle, you may end up paying for features you never use.
5. Costs compound as your business grows
The more tools inside Firstbase you activate, the higher your recurring costs. For many founders, a modular approach (choosing only what you need) is far more cost-efficient.
One big choice you’ll face as a founder is whether to go with StartFleet or Firstbase to set up and maintain your U.S. company.
If you’re a foreign founder or small online business, paying $2,388 or even $899 a year just to maintain an LLC can feel like you’re funding a military command structure, not a lean startup.
With StartFleet, you keep more of your budget for growth.
You’ve now seen how StartFleet and Firstbase stack up, from costs to tools to the kind of support you actually get.
So after stacking the costs and support side by side, the winner for most founders over the long haul is pretty clear:
StartFleet gives you more value for less money year after year.
Now it’s about what feels right for you and your next steps.
If you’re a non‑US founder who wants simple LLC formation, banking help, and real guidance, StartFleet probably feels like a better fit.
If you want a bigger, all‑in‑one platform with extra tools as you scale, Firstbase may speak to you more.
StartFleet basic plan at $399 and the startup plan at $499 stay reasonable, and the annual plan at $329 is hard to beat.
You protect your cash, keep admin simple, and know what you’ll pay next year.
If you like the idea of guided U.S. company formation but Firstbase pricing or approach doesn’t feel right for you, here are the best firstbase alternatives — starting with the strongest option for non-U.S. founders.
StartFleet is the #1 Firstbase alternative if you want a fast, bank-ready U.S. LLC with transparent pricing and hands-on support.
Unlike firstbase's $299 registered agent addon, StartFleet gives you a complete formation including registered agent. And, you don't need to pay $899 for SMLLC tax reporting. Startfleet offers SMLLC IRS tax reporting for $299-$499 (and 80% of our customers pay only $299).
If you’re outside the U.S. and want reliable support, fast turnaround, and a fully “launch-ready” business, StartFleet is the strongest, most cost-efficient alternative to Firstbase— period.
ZenBusiness is a low-cost, beginner-friendly alternative that works well if you just need simple LLC paperwork filed quickly.
Best for: U.S.-based entrepreneurs and simple filings.
Northwest is known for strong privacy protections and solid customer support.
Best for: Privacy-focused founders comfortable with DIY banking.
Bizee offers some of the cheapest formation packages, even free + state fees in some cases.
Best for: Basic LLC formation with minimal guidance.
A well-known legal service provider with broad offerings.
Best for: Founders who want legal templates and don’t mind paying more.
If you’re a non-U.S. founder looking for the simplest, fastest, and most reliable way to form a U.S. LLC and open a bank account — StartFleet is the clear winner.
The other platforms are solid options, but none match StartFleet’s combination of:
Once you’ve picked StartFleet as your launchpad, forming your LLC is more like filling out a simple online order than wrestling with legal paperwork.
You just follow five quick steps on their site.
Even though there are a lot of tools out there, your choice doesn’t have to be complicated.
You don’t need a gold‑plated spaceship to launch your business. You just need a path that feels clear, fair, and supportive.
If you’re a solo founder or small team, startfleet gives you the things that actually matter: a U.S. company, a registered agent, an EIN, and bank accounts so you can get paid.
You keep control, you keep more of your runway, and you still belong in the same arena as bigger startups.
If that sounds like the kind of community you want around your business, you’re ready to move.
Visit: Form your US company or email hello@startfleet.io and take the next step today.
StartFleet helps you with your US Company formation. Apartfrom helping you to register a US company we offera lot more:
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