ZenBusiness vs Firstbase (2026): Full Platform Comparison

ZenBusiness is built for the 33M+ small business owners who need formation done right, ongoing compliance handled, and a full suite of tools to operate — without the complexity of a VC-stack platform.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature	ZenBusiness	Firstbase
LLC Formation	Yes — all 50 states, fast filing	Yes — US + some international
C-Corp Formation	Yes	Yes (primary focus)
Registered Agent	Yes — included in plans	Yes — add-on
Compliance Monitoring	Yes — worry-free guarantee	Yes
Business Banking	Yes — built-in	Integrated (Mercury/Brex)
Bookkeeping / Invoicing	Yes — native app	Third-party only
Website Builder	Yes — included	No
AI Business Assistant	Yes — Velo	No
Cap Table / Equity	No	Yes
Payroll	No (partner integrations)	Yes
Target Customer	SMB owners, solopreneurs	VC-backed startups
Starting Price	Competitive — formation bundles	Higher — startup-stack pricing

Where Each Platform Wins

Where ZenBusiness Wins

✓ LLC formation designed for Main Street businesses, not just VC-funded startups
✓ Worry-free guarantee: ZenBusiness handles compliance so owners never fall out of good standing
✓ Built-in banking, bookkeeping, website builder, and Velo AI in one dashboard
✓ 5-star customer support — human help when it matters
✓ Significantly lower price point for the formation + compliance bundle

Where Firstbase Wins

★ C-Corp and cap table tooling for venture-backed companies
★ Payroll and equity management for teams with investors
★ Banking integration optimized for startup fundraising workflows

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose ZenBusiness if you are...

→ First-time business owners and solopreneurs
→ Side-hustle-to-business transitions
→ Service businesses and retail
→ Anyone who wants one platform for formation, compliance, banking, bookkeeping, and website

Choose Firstbase if you are...

→ Tech startups building for VC funding
→ SaaS founders who need cap table management
→ VC-backed companies needing payroll and equity tools

Pricing Comparison

ZenBusiness Pricing

ZenBusiness starts at $0 + state fees for LLC formation, with bundled plans that include registered agent, compliance, banking, bookkeeping, and website builder.

Firstbase Pricing

Firstbase pricing is built around the startup stack — C-Corp formation, cap table, and payroll — at a higher price point geared toward funded companies.

For a small business owner who needs LLC formation plus ongoing tools to run their business, ZenBusiness offers significantly more value at a lower total cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ZenBusiness replace Firstbase?

For most small business owners, yes. ZenBusiness covers LLC and Corp formation, registered agent, compliance, banking, bookkeeping, website builder, and AI business guidance — everything a Main Street business needs. Firstbase is better suited for VC-track startups that need cap table management and equity tools.

Can I use ZenBusiness and Firstbase together?

They serve different audiences, so most businesses would choose one or the other. If you started with Firstbase for C-Corp formation and later need compliance monitoring or bookkeeping, ZenBusiness can complement your stack for those services.

Does ZenBusiness offer cap table and equity management?

No, ZenBusiness does not offer cap table or equity management tools. These features are designed for venture-backed startups and are Firstbase's primary strength. ZenBusiness focuses on the full operational stack for small business owners.

Does ZenBusiness include banking and bookkeeping?

Yes. ZenBusiness includes built-in business banking and a native bookkeeping and invoicing app as part of its platform. You can open a business bank account and manage your books without any additional subscriptions.

What is Velo by ZenBusiness?

Velo is ZenBusiness's AI business assistant, trained on small business formation and operations data. It helps business owners navigate formation decisions, compliance requirements, and day-to-day business operations — all from within the ZenBusiness dashboard.