Is Firstbase really $99?

That $99 is a one-time formation offer (normally $399) and covers the filing, EIN and banking-partner setup — a registered agent and the ongoing compliance pieces are priced separately. It is a genuine low entry price; it is not the running cost.

What does Firstbase cost per year to actually run?

Firstbase One bundles the running pieces at $2,388/yr, or à la carte you would add Agent ($299), Accounting ($1,890) and Tax Filing ($1,799, which includes Form 5472). Founders 8 Start includes the equivalent stack at $1,190/yr.

Do both file Form 5472?

Yes. Firstbase covers it in its Tax Filing package, and Founders 8 includes it in its base plan. Both are built for non-resident, foreign-owned LLCs.

Best LLC formation services for non-residents, compared

Guide · 2 min read

Founders 8 vs Firstbase: which fits a non-resident founder?

Firstbase has a striking one-time formation price. The real comparison is what it costs once the compliance pieces are added back on.

The short answer

Firstbase leads with a $99 one-time formation offer, then prices the running pieces separately — Agent $299, Accounting $1,890, Tax Filing $1,799 a year, or the Firstbase One bundle at $2,388/yr. Founders 8 folds those into one $1,190/yr plan. Low headline versus low all-in.

What each one is built around

Firstbase is a well-established platform (30,000+ companies, 190+ countries) with a low one-time formation price and a modular set of paid add-ons — Mailroom, Agent, Accounting, Tax Filing, Sales Tax. Founders 8 bundles the same essentials into one subscription with an operating dashboard, rather than as separate line items.

The plans, side by side

	Founders 8	Firstbase
Formation	In the subscription	Start $99 one-time (offer; normally $399)
Full stack (compliance + tax + books)	Start $1,190/yr	Firstbase One $2,388/yr, or à la carte
Registered agent	Included	Agent $299/yr per state
Accounting / bookkeeping	Simple in base; dedicated at Grow	Accounting from $1,890/yr
Tax filing (incl. Form 5472)	Included in base	Tax Filing $1,799/yr
Track record	Newer	30,000+ companies, 190+ countries

Prices verified 7 September 2026 from firstbase.io/pricing and founders8.com. Both change plans — check the live numbers.

Who should pick which

Pick Firstbase if the lowest one-time formation price is the priority, you want to add running services modularly, or its longer track record is decisive.
Pick Founders 8 if you would rather have formation, the 5472 filing, bookkeeping and banking help in one plan and one dashboard, at a lower all-in yearly price than assembling Firstbase's parts.

Frequently asked questions

Is Firstbase really $99?: That $99 is a one-time formation offer (normally $399) and covers the filing, EIN and banking-partner setup — a registered agent and the ongoing compliance pieces are priced separately. It is a genuine low entry price; it is not the running cost.
What does Firstbase cost per year to actually run?: Firstbase One bundles the running pieces at $2,388/yr, or à la carte you would add Agent ($299), Accounting ($1,890) and Tax Filing ($1,799, which includes Form 5472). Founders 8 Start includes the equivalent stack at $1,190/yr.
Do both file Form 5472?: Yes. Firstbase covers it in its Tax Filing package, and Founders 8 includes it in its base plan. Both are built for non-resident, foreign-owned LLCs.

Sources

Last reviewed September 7, 2026. Verify against the primary source before acting.

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