Firstbase.io vs Northwest Registered Agent
Last updated July 2026
Firstbase.io
Startup formation and back-office tools built for international founders
Advantages
- $399 base for Delaware C-corp or LLC formation
- Especially strong for international founders (documentation for non-U.S. residents)
- Includes registered agent for year one plus ongoing compliance tools
- Bank account setup via Mercury included
- Bookkeeping and tax filing available as add-ons
Drawbacks
- Fewer post-incorporation legal templates than Stripe Atlas
- Bank account depends on Mercury approval
- Ongoing $99/mo Firstbase subscription for full compliance tools
Northwest Registered Agent
Privacy by default
Advantages
- Privacy-first: uses their address on filings by default
- Registered agent service half the price of LegalZoom
- No hidden upsells or aggressive marketing
- Excellent customer support, humans, not phone trees
- Free mail forwarding and scan-to-email included
Drawbacks
- Weaker brand recognition than LegalZoom
- Less polished checkout UX
- Narrower document catalog beyond formation
Firstbase.io and Northwest Registered Agent both play in business formation services, but they're aimed at different buyers. Firstbase.io is built for international founders and startups that want back-office tools bundled. Northwest Registered Agent is built for founders who value privacy, price, and specialist support. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Firstbase.io | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $399 base | $39 + state filing fees |
| Entity Type | Delaware C-corp or LLC | -- |
| Standard Share Structure | 10M authorized shares for C-corp | -- |
| EIN Included | Yes | -- |
| Bank Account | Mercury business banking | -- |
| Legal Review | Standard templates; not law-firm branded | Not included |
| Registered Agent | First year included; $199/yr renewal | $125/yr |
| International Support | Strong, built for non-U.S. founders | -- |
| Privacy Protection | -- | Included, their address used by default |
| Document Access | -- | Basic document catalog |
| Customer Support | -- | Direct phone with actual employees, no phone trees |
| Additional Services | -- | Mail forwarding, EIN, compliance calendar |
| Renewal Cost | -- | $125/yr registered agent |
Northwest Registered Agent Wins
Northwest Registered Agent takes it overall (9/10 vs 8/10), but Firstbase.io is still the sharper pick for international founders and startups that want back-office tools bundled.
Northwest Registered Agent's standout strength: Privacy-first: uses their address on filings by default. Its biggest drawback (weaker brand recognition than LegalZoom) is easier to live with than Firstbase.io's (fewer post-incorporation legal templates than Stripe Atlas). Firstbase.io isn't out of the running though — its own standout strength is $399 base for Delaware C-corp or LLC formation. If you fit the profile of international founders and startups that want back-office tools bundled, that alone can flip the decision.
Related Comparisons
LegalZoom vs Northwest Registered Agent
The consumer-facing legal brand against the privacy-focused specialist trusted by lawyers.
ZenBusiness vs Northwest Registered Agent
Fast, affordable business formation against the privacy-focused registered agent trusted by lawyers.
Rocket Lawyer vs Northwest Registered Agent
Subscription-based legal document access against the privacy-first registered agent specialist.