Firstbase Start vs Clerky
Choose Firstbase Start if you want a choice of Delaware or Wyoming and need to form an LLC or C corporation; choose Clerky if you are forming a Delaware C corporation and want tools for startup legal paperwork after incorporation. Both offer online formation, EIN assistance for non-US founders, and help applying for a business bank account, but their scope and pricing differ.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Firstbase Start | Clerky |
|---|---|---|
| Formation states | Delaware or Wyoming | Delaware |
| Entity types | LLC or C corporation | C corporation, including PBCs |
| Formation price | $99 one-time listed price; promotional offers shown | $427 one-time incorporation fee |
| Registered agent | Firstbase Agent from $299 per year | First year in Delaware included |
| Post-formation paperwork | Essential operating and corporate documents | Founder stock, bylaws, 83(b) support, and more |
| Ongoing legal paperwork | Not published for Start | Fundraising, hiring, NDAs, and maintenance |
| Other pricing option | Optional services priced separately | $819 one-time Company Lifetime Package |
| Non-US founder EIN | EIN application assistance; no SSN or ITIN required | Online EIN application for non-US founders |
| Bank account application | Application through digital banking partners | Pre-filled applications with startup banks |
| Collaboration | Not published for Start | Co-founder teams and attorney review |
| Support | Lifetime expert support | In-house customer support |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Firstbase Start if
- Founders choosing between a Delaware and Wyoming formation
- Founders forming an LLC rather than a C corporation
- Founders who want optional mailroom and registered agent services
Choose Clerky if
- Founders forming a Delaware C corporation
- Startups planning to issue founder stock or adopt a stock plan
- Teams preparing fundraising, hiring, or NDA paperwork
- Founders who want their attorney to review paperwork in the service
The verdict
The deciding factor is what you need after formation. Firstbase Start fits founders who want more choice of entity and state, with optional services such as a business address and registered agent. Clerky fits founders who want to keep handling stock, fundraising, hiring, and other corporate paperwork in the same service. Compare the full cost, not just the formation fee: Firstbase lists its registered agent separately, while Clerky includes the first year of Delaware registered agent service in its incorporation price.
Firstbase Start vs Clerky: common questions
- Can I form an LLC with Firstbase Start or Clerky?
- Firstbase Start offers LLC and C corporation formation in Delaware or Wyoming. Clerky’s incorporation product is for Delaware C corporations, including public benefit corporations.
- How much do Firstbase Start and Clerky cost to incorporate?
- Firstbase Start’s pricing page lists a $99 one-time price and also advertises promotional offers. Clerky lists $427 as a one-time Delaware incorporation fee. Check the final checkout price and any separately priced services before buying.
- Is a registered agent included?
- Clerky includes the first year of Delaware registered agent service with incorporation. Firstbase Start lists Firstbase Agent separately, starting at $299 per year.
- Which service handles fundraising and hiring paperwork?
- Clerky publishes products for safes, convertible notes, offer letters, consulting agreements, and equity compensation. Firstbase Start publishes essential formation and post-incorporation documents, but does not list comparable ongoing legal-paperwork products as part of Start.
- Can founders outside the US get an EIN through either service?
- Yes. Firstbase Start offers EIN application assistance without requiring an SSN or ITIN. Clerky offers an online EIN application process for non-US founders.
- Can either service help me apply for a business bank account?
- Yes. Firstbase Start offers applications through digital banking partners, subject to partner approval. Clerky offers pre-filled applications for corporate bank accounts.
- Can my attorney work with me in either service?
- Clerky says founders can invite attorneys to review and comment on paperwork and add co-founders to a team. Firstbase Start does not publish a comparable collaboration feature on its Start page.