ZenBusiness vs Firstbase
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. Firstbase is designed for VC-backed tech startups with equity and cap table needs. Here is how they compare.
Start Your LLC with ZenBusinessWho Should Choose Which Platform?
Choose ZenBusiness if you are...
- ✓ A first-time business owner or solopreneur
- ✓ Transitioning a side hustle to a real business
- ✓ Running a service business, retail, or local company
- ✓ Wanting formation + banking + website in one place
- ✓ Looking for an affordable, all-in-one platform
Choose Firstbase if you are...
- → A tech startup seeking VC funding
- → A SaaS founder who needs cap table management
- → Building a company with equity and investors
- → Needing payroll and equity management for a team
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 Premium plan | 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 | Partner integrations | Yes |
| Target Customer | SMB owners, solopreneurs | VC-backed startups |
| Starting Price | $0 + state fees | Higher — startup-stack pricing |
Where ZenBusiness Wins
- ✓
Full platform for Main Street businesses
LLC formation designed for solopreneurs and small business owners, not VC-funded startups.
- ✓
Worry-free compliance guarantee
ZenBusiness handles your compliance automatically so you never fall out of good standing.
- ✓
Banking, bookkeeping, website + Velo AI in one dashboard
No need to stitch together multiple tools — everything lives in one platform.
- ✓
5-star customer support
Human experts available via phone, chat, and email for the life of your business.
- ✓
Significantly lower price point
Starts at $0 + state fees — far more accessible for bootstrapped small business owners.
Where Firstbase Wins
- →
C-Corp and cap table tooling
Purpose-built for venture-backed companies that need equity management and investor-ready structures.
- →
Payroll and equity management
Built-in payroll and equity tools for teams with investors and option grants.
- →
Banking integration for fundraising
Banking setup optimized for startup fundraising workflows with Mercury and Brex integrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ZenBusiness replace Firstbase?
No — ZenBusiness and Firstbase serve different audiences. ZenBusiness is built for Main Street small business owners, solopreneurs, and side-hustle-to-business transitions who need a complete formation and operations platform. Firstbase is designed for VC-backed tech startups that need cap table management, equity tools, and startup-stack integrations. If you are starting a small business or LLC, ZenBusiness is the better fit.
Can I use ZenBusiness and Firstbase together?
In most cases, you would choose one or the other based on your business type. If you are a VC-backed startup, Firstbase may better serve your equity and cap table needs. If you are a small business owner or solopreneur, ZenBusiness covers everything from formation to banking, bookkeeping, website builder, and AI-powered guidance through Velo — all in one platform.
Does ZenBusiness offer cap table and equity management like Firstbase?
No. ZenBusiness does not offer cap table management or equity tools. These are features designed for venture-backed startups raising investment rounds. ZenBusiness is built for small business owners who need formation, compliance, banking, bookkeeping, a website, and day-to-day operational support — not startup fundraising infrastructure.
Does ZenBusiness include banking and bookkeeping?
Yes. ZenBusiness includes business banking and bookkeeping directly in the platform — not as third-party integrations. You can form your LLC and open a business bank account in the same place, with bookkeeping and invoicing available through the native Money Pro add-on.
What is Velo by ZenBusiness?
Velo is ZenBusiness's AI business assistant, trained on small business formation and operations data. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Velo is purpose-built to guide new business owners through formation, compliance, banking setup, and ongoing business decisions. It is the only AI assistant that lives inside the platform actually running your business.
Ready to Start Your LLC?
ZenBusiness handles formation, compliance, banking, bookkeeping, your website, and AI-powered guidance — all in one place. Starting at $0 + state fees.