CorpNet vs Firstbase: pricing and features compared
Data last updated: Apr 21, 2026CorpNet starts at $99 plus state fees. Firstbase starts at $399 plus state fees. Sticker-price differences between LLC formation services rarely tell the full story, since the cheapest tier usually excludes the EIN filing and operating agreement most filers need.
The registered agent renewal is the line item that actually matters over time: CorpNet is $149 per year, Firstbase is $299. Over five years that delta adds up to $600, which is typically a larger swing than the formation-tier sticker price.
For most filers, the decision between two services is decided by three things: whether you need a $0 tier or can absorb a mid-tier to get the EIN and operating agreement bundled, how much the registered agent will cost you in year two and onward, and whether the support quality matters to you (it matters more if you're paying $200+ for the service in the first place).
Key differences at a glance
- CorpNet is $300 cheaper at the starting tier (both charge upfront).
- CorpNet has the cheaper registered agent renewal ($149/yr vs $299/yr). Over five years that is a $600 difference.
- Firstbase includes a free operating agreement; CorpNet charges for it as an add-on. For a single-member LLC that can use a template, this matters less. For anything with multiple members, a proper operating agreement is not optional.
- Firstbase includes EIN filing in its default price; CorpNet sells it as a paid add-on. You can always get an EIN directly from the IRS in five minutes for free.
- Firstbase offers live chat support; the other relies on phone and email only.
- Firstbase includes mail scanning (physical mail delivered to the registered agent gets scanned and forwarded digitally). The other does not.
- Firstbase supports non-US founders without a US SSN. The other is primarily US-resident oriented.
Where each service fits
Pick CorpNet when
Pick CorpNet when you want the lowest possible day-one sticker price; you're optimizing for lower long-term cost (RA renewal is cheaper).
Pick Firstbase when
Pick Firstbase when you want the operating agreement bundled at no extra cost; you need mail scanning bundled with the registered agent; you're a non-US founder; you want live chat support.
What each service offers that the other does not
Only CorpNet
- Phone support
Only Firstbase
- EIN included free
- Operating agreement included free
- Mail scanning
- Banking partner integration
- Non-US founder support
- Live chat support
Both services
- Compliance dashboard
What it costs under your specific situation
Running the same LLC through three common scenarios. Year-1 and 5-year totals exclude state fees, which are identical for both services.
| Scenario | CorpNet Year 1 | Firstbase Year 1 | CorpNet 5-year | Firstbase 5-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just the basics: state filing, RA year 1, nothing else You file the EIN yourself at irs.gov and skip a written operating agreement. | $99 | $399 | $695 | $1,595 |
| You want EIN and operating agreement handled too Most new LLCs end up here. Assumes $70 EIN and $99 OA add-ons where the service charges for them. | $268 | $399 | $864 | $1,595 |
| Standalone registered agent only (no formation) You already formed the LLC elsewhere. Just swapping to this service's RA. | $149 | $299 | $745 | $1,495 |
Full feature comparison
| Dimension | CorpNet | Firstbase |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price Cheapest tier, excludes state fees | $99 | $399 |
| Registered agent year 1 | Not included | Not included |
| Registered agent renewal Year 2 onward, annual | $149/yr | $299/yr |
| Free $0 tier | No | No |
| EIN application | Paid add-on | Included free |
| Operating agreement | Paid add-on | Included free |
| Compliance dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Mail scanning | No | Yes |
| International founders | No | Yes |
| Banking partner | None | Mercury |
| Phone support | Monday-Friday 7am-5pm PT | No |
| Live chat | No | Yes |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.9/5 (1,205 reviews) | 4.8/5 (1,045 reviews) |
Pricing tiers side by side
CorpNet
- Basic — $99
- Deluxe — $219
Includes RA year 1 · renews $149/yr - Complete — $269
Includes RA year 1 · renews $149/yr
Firstbase
- Start — $399
- One (Start bundle) — $399 · renews $2,388/yr
Includes RA year 1 · renews $299/yr
Support and ratings, interpreted
CorpNet offers phone, email. Firstbase offers email, live chat. Firstbase is the only one of the two with live chat, which matters if you anticipate back-and-forth questions during filing. Trustpilot: CorpNet is 4.9 across 1,205 reviews; Firstbase is 4.8 across 1,045. A high-volume sample with a 4.5+ rating is the strongest signal; a small sample with either extreme rating is the weakest.
CorpNet
Phone: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm PT.
Email: yes.
No live chat.
Trustpilot: 4.9/5 from 1,205 reviews.
Firstbase
No phone support.
Email: yes.
Live chat: Firstbase markets 24/7 global support for founders; no public phone number is listed..
Trustpilot: 4.8/5 from 1,045 reviews.
Before you pick either service
A few things apply no matter which one you choose. These catch enough first-time filers to be worth stating plainly.
The state fee is identical. Whether you use CorpNet, Firstbase, or neither, your state charges the same formation fee. Nothing a service does lowers that number. The fee ranges from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts depending on where you form. See the state-by-state guide for exact numbers.
You can get an EIN for free at irs.gov in five minutes. Both CorpNet and Firstbase either bundle EIN filing or sell it as a paid add-on. You're never required to pay for EIN filing; the IRS charges nothing and the online form takes about five minutes. If a service is pitching "we'll handle your EIN" as a headline feature, that's convenience pricing, not necessity.
The registered agent renewal is what matters long-term. The formation fee is a one-time cost. The registered agent is what recurs every year for as long as you keep the LLC open. Over five years, the RA renewal cost usually exceeds the formation fee. Compare on that number, not just the day-one sticker.
Operating agreements are separately priced at most services. Any LLC with more than one member, and any LLC relying on its liability shield, should have a written operating agreement. It governs ownership percentages, profit splits, management structure, and dissolution. California, Maine, Missouri, and New York require it by statute; every other state treats it as strongly recommended. Don't skip it to save $99.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is cheaper, CorpNet or Firstbase?
CorpNet is cheaper at the starting tier ($99 vs $399). Over 5 years including RA renewals, the gap is about $900.
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Does CorpNet or Firstbase have better support?
CorpNet offers phone, email. Firstbase offers email, live chat. Firstbase is the only one of the two with live chat, which matters if you anticipate back-and-forth questions during filing. Trustpilot: CorpNet is 4.9 across 1,205 reviews; Firstbase is 4.8 across 1,045. A high-volume sample with a 4.5+ rating is the strongest signal; a small sample with either extreme rating is the weakest.
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Can a non-US founder use CorpNet or Firstbase?
Firstbase supports non-US founders without a US Social Security Number. The other service is primarily US-resident oriented and may require additional workarounds for the EIN application, since non-US applicants need to file paper Form SS-4 rather than use the instant online path. For heavy non-US founder needs, services like Doola, Firstbase, or Stripe Atlas are purpose-built for that market.
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Should I just file the LLC myself instead of using CorpNet or Firstbase?
You can. The state fee is identical whether you use a service or not. What these services sell is convenience: a handled registered agent (which you can also buy standalone), a bundled operating agreement, compliance reminders, and in some cases banking and tax integrations. If your time is worth more than $50 an hour and you would rather not research your state's specific filing quirks, a service pays for itself. If you like DIY administrative work, file directly at your state's Secretary of State portal.
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How much does the registered agent cost with each service from year 2 onward?
CorpNet renews at $149/yr. Firstbase renews at $299/yr. This number matters because it recurs every year for as long as you keep the LLC. Over a five-year window, the registered agent renewal cost typically exceeds the formation fee, so it's worth more attention than most reviews give it.
Full reviews
Sources
- Pricing: www.corpnet.com/about/pricing/ · verified April 21, 2026
Pricing page lists three LLC packages with standard/express/24-hour rush columns. LLC row: Basic $99/$249/$349, Deluxe $219/$369/$469, Complete $269/$419/$519. Footer note: 'Prices do not include state fees, shipping and handling, or our 3 percent convenience fee.' - Features: www.corpnet.com/about/pricing/ · verified April 21, 2026
Basic includes name check, Articles prep, compliance tool, and 60-day free RA. Deluxe adds EIN and free first-year RA. Complete adds certified copy, custom operating agreement, custom kit and seal, and lifetime customer support. - Registered agent only: www.corpnet.com/start-business/registered-agent/ · verified April 21, 2026
Registered agent landing page quotes $149/year retail with volume-tiered discounts starting at 20 units. - Features: www.corpnet.com/about/pricing/ · verified April 21, 2026
Online formation confirmed, phone signup also available. Pricing page lists annual report filing ($99), EIN filing ($69 online), DBA, change of RA, and many other post-formation services. No banking partner, mail scanning, or dedicated non-US founder program surfaced on public pages. - Support: www.corpnet.com/contact/ · verified April 21, 2026
Toll-free 1-888-449-2638 and local 805-449-2638. Monday-Friday 7am-5pm PT. Email info@corpnet.com, sales@corpnet.com, customerservice@corpnet.com. No live chat surfaced on contact page. Homepage top nav also shows 1.866.813.0637. - Founded: www.corpnet.com/about/ · verified April 21, 2026
About page states 'Founded in 2009, CorpNet is a family-owned, Westlake Village, California business run by serial entrepreneurs Philip and Nellie Akalp.' - Headquarters: www.corpnet.com/contact/ · verified April 21, 2026
Contact page lists 'CorpNet, Incorporated, 31416 Agoura Rd. Suite 118, Westlake Village, CA 91361.' - Ratings: www.trustpilot.com/review/www.corpnet.com · verified April 21, 2026
Trustpilot profile shows 4.9 out of 5 stars across 1,205 total reviews as of 2026-04-21. - Pricing: www.firstbase.io/pricing · verified April 21, 2026
Start is a one-time $399 formation fee. Firstbase One bundles Start with Mailroom Premium, Agent, Accounting, and Tax Filing at $199/month billed annually ($2,388/yr). - Registered agent renewal usd: www.firstbase.io/pricing · verified April 21, 2026
Firstbase Agent is $299 annually per state, sold as a standalone subscription and covered within Firstbase One. - Features: www.firstbase.io/ · verified April 21, 2026
Homepage states: 'Form your LLC or C-Corp. No paperwork or legal headaches. Our platform automates the entire company formation process.' Mailroom product offers mail scanning; Agent product offers compliance dashboard and annual report filings. - Banking partner: www.firstbase.io/pricing · verified April 21, 2026
Firstbase lists banking account opening assistance as part of Start. Mercury is the named partner surfaced consistently across the product pages and founder reviews. - International: www.firstbase.io/ · verified April 21, 2026
Marketed for founders in 188 countries; the $899/yr tax filing tier for single-member LLCs non-US owned is explicit on the pricing page. - Founded: www.ycombinator.com/companies/firstbase-io · verified April 21, 2026
Y Combinator profile and Crunchbase both place Firstbase's founding in 2019. Some sources cite 2018. - Headquarters: www.firstbase.io/about · verified April 21, 2026
About page references NYC and Sao Paulo offices; Crunchbase and LinkedIn list 447 Broadway, New York as HQ. - Support: www.firstbase.io/ · verified April 21, 2026
Homepage advertises 24/7 global customer support. No public phone number listed on the homepage or pricing page; support routed through help.firstbase.io. - Ratings: www.trustpilot.com/review/firstbase.io · verified April 21, 2026
Trustpilot shows Firstbase.io at 4.8/5 across approximately 1,045 reviews per the 2026 snapshot. Review count has grown from 650+ earlier in the year.