How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Several formation services now charge $0 plus state fees for basic LLC filing, so the real comparison is registered agent renewals, compliance tools, and support.
- ZenBusiness, Bizee, Inc Authority, and Tailor Brands all offer $0 starting tiers, while Northwest and LegalZoom compete on service and attorney access.
- State filing fees are always separate and vary by state, from under $50 to several hundred dollars.
- This article compares services for education only and is not legal advice: complex ownership or tax situations deserve a licensed attorney in your state.
Quick comparison
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Northwest Registered Agent built its reputation on privacy and people: no outsourcing, no shareholders, and support from real Corporate Guides who answer by phone or email, often within two hours according to customer reviews. Formation includes privacy protection that keeps your home address off public records, plus a free domain name, website, phone number, and email address.
The trade-off is price transparency: formation pricing is not published on the homepage, and Northwest bundles fewer extras than the $0 services. It suits founders who value privacy and human support over the lowest headline price.
What we like- Privacy-first approach with your address kept off public filings
- Real human Corporate Guides, not outsourced support
- Largest corporate filing service in the country
- Free domain, website, phone, and email to start
Watch out for- Formation pricing is not on the homepage
- Fewer bundled extras than ZenBusiness or Bizee
- Premium feel costs more than $0 services
#2LegalZoom
Best for: Attorney-backed brand3.1/5 on
G2 (16 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit legalzoom.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
LegalZoom is the best-known legal services brand, with step-by-step guided tools plus attorney guidance from a network of vetted attorneys averaging 17 years of experience. Its accurate filing guarantee promises to correct any filing rejected or incorrect due to its error at no additional cost, and pricing is shown upfront before you begin.
Formation pricing is not published on the homepage, and attorney consultations add cost beyond basic filing. LegalZoom suits founders who want a household name plus access to real attorneys for questions beyond formation.
What we like- Trusted by millions with over 9 million legal milestones supported
- Attorney guidance from vetted lawyers averaging 17 years of experience
- Accurate filing guarantee
- Flat-fee pricing shown before you begin
Watch out for- Formation pricing is not on the homepage
- Attorney services add cost
- Larger company feel with less personal support
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
ZenBusiness forms LLCs in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., starting at $0 plus state filing fees, with a 100 percent accuracy guarantee and Velo, a free AI guide that builds a step-by-step formation plan. The Pro package costs $199 per year plus state fees and adds 1-business-day processing and Worry-Free Compliance, while Premium at $299 per year adds digital presence tools such as a domain, website, and email.
The Starter package uses standard processing of 7 to 10 business days, and attorney consultations are not bundled as they are at LegalZoom. ZenBusiness suits budget-conscious founders who want guided formation with strong compliance follow-through.
What we like- Starter package at $0 plus state fees
- Over 950,000 businesses formed
- 4.8 Trustpilot rating
- Pro and Premium file within 1 business day
- Free AI guide Velo in every package
Watch out for- Registered agent renews at $199 per year on some comparisons
- Starter uses standard 7 to 10 business day processing
- Attorney consultations are not bundled
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
Bizee, formerly Incfile, was named the 2026 best overall LLC formation service by NerdWallet, and its value is clear: the Basic package costs $0 plus state fees and includes LLC filing, a first year of registered agent service free, and a first month of virtual mail free. Standard at $199 plus state fees adds an EIN, operating agreement, and S-corp election filing, while Premium at $299 adds expedited filing and business contracts.
The catches are renewal pricing: the registered agent and virtual mail renew at their own prices after the free periods, and annual report filing is a separate paid service. Bizee suits founders who want the best-reviewed $0 starting point with room to upgrade.
What we like- Basic package at $0 plus state fees with first-year registered agent free
- Named 2026 best overall LLC formation service by NerdWallet
- 1.5 million businesses served
- Lifetime compliance alerts in every package
Watch out for- Standard and Premium cost $199 and $299 plus state fees
- Annual report filing is a separate paid service
- Registered agent and virtual mail renew at their own prices
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
Inc Authority waives service charges, labor costs, and overhead: you pay only mandatory state filing fees and get free LLC filing, a free EIN, a free first year of registered agent service, free 24-hour processing, a free custom website, and a funding analysis. The company reports over 30 years of formation experience and a 4.8 rating from more than 49,000 customers.
The free tier leads into a menu of premium services, and phone support runs weekdays 9am to 5pm Pacific. Inc Authority suits founders who want the most included for $0, including the EIN that other services charge extra for.
What we like- Free LLC filing, free EIN, free first-year registered agent, and free 24-hour processing
- 4.8 rating from over 49,000 customers
- 30 years of formation experience
- Free custom website and funding analysis
Watch out for- Upsells for premium services
- Free tier is the entry to a broader services menu
- Support hours are weekdays only
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Harbor Compliance is the specialist for businesses operating in many states: its platform monitors secretary of state registrations, licenses, and tax obligations across jurisdictions, with direct data feeds and a Compliance Core database updated by analysts. It offers managed services, software, or a hybrid, and serves over 40,000 clients.
That depth is overkill for a single-state LLC, and formation pricing is not published on the homepage. Harbor Compliance suits growing companies that already face multistate registration, licensing, and tax complexity.
What we like- Purpose-built multistate compliance platform serving over 40,000 clients
- Direct feeds to secretary of state databases
- Managed services or software options
- Handles entity, licensing, and tax compliance together
Watch out for- Formation pricing is not on the homepage
- Built for multistate complexity, not single-state startups
- Minimum investment criteria apply to dedicated account teams
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
Tailor Brands combines formation with business building: the Lite plan costs $0 plus state fees with LLC formation processed within 14 business days, Essential at $199 per year adds 1-day processing and annual compliance, and Elite at $249 per year adds a domain, website, logos, and business cards. Its AI assistant Navi tracks filings and deadlines and suggests next steps.
The Lite plan is slow and excludes annual compliance, so the real value sits in the paid tiers. Tailor Brands suits first-time founders who want formation, branding, and bookkeeping in one dashboard rather than separate vendors.
What we like- Lite plan at $0 plus state fees
- Essential at $199 per year with 1-day processing
- Elite at $249 per year adds domain, website, and branding tools
- AI assistant Navi tracks filings and deadlines
Watch out for- Lite processing takes 14 business days
- Branding tools are the upsell, not the core
- Annual compliance is excluded from the Lite plan
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Rocket Lawyer is a legal membership rather than a pure formation service: plans from $12.41 per month billed yearly include unlimited AI legal Q&A, contract reviews, documents, and e-signatures, plus attorney consultations that scale with the tier. The company reports 38 million people in the US have relied on it, with a 4.7 Trustpilot rating and BBB A+ accreditation.
Formation pricing is not published on the homepage, and the membership model costs more over time than a one-time $0 filing. Rocket Lawyer suits founders who expect ongoing legal needs, contracts, and attorney questions beyond the initial LLC filing.
What we like- Membership from $12.41 per month billed yearly after a free 7-day trial
- Unlimited documents, e-signatures, and AI legal Q&A
- Attorney consultations included
- 38 million people have relied on it
Watch out for- Formation pricing is not on the homepage
- Membership is the product, not just formation
- Higher tiers cost up to $29.08 per month
How we chose
We verified all eight homepages by opening them and confirming each loads and belongs to the service listed. Prices were taken from vendor homepages where published, with $0 starting tiers confirmed for ZenBusiness, Bizee, Inc Authority, and Tailor Brands, and we used "See website" where pricing is not published rather than repeat secondary-source figures. We weighed formation cost, registered agent renewals, compliance tools, and support quality.
First, choose your state: most founders form where they operate, since forming elsewhere usually requires registering as a foreign entity at home anyway. Check your business name availability, pick a registered agent, and file articles of organization with the secretary of state.
Next, get an EIN from the IRS, which is free, and draft an operating agreement even if your state does not require one, since banks and partners often ask for it. Then set up a business bank account, track your state's annual report deadlines, and keep your registered agent current. A formation service handles the paperwork, but compliance after formation is your ongoing responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC?
With a $0 service tier, you pay only your state's filing fee, which varies by state. Paid tiers run $199 to $299 per year at most services here, plus state fees and registered agent renewals.
Do I need a registered agent?
Yes, every state requires an LLC to have a registered agent to receive legal notices. Most services include the first year free, then charge an annual renewal.
Can I form an LLC myself without a service?
Yes. Filing directly with your state costs only the state fee and takes a few hours for a simple business. Services add accuracy guarantees, registered agent service, and compliance tracking.
What is the difference between an LLC and a corporation?
An LLC offers liability protection with pass-through taxation and simpler operations, while a corporation has more formal requirements and can face double taxation. The right choice depends on your tax situation and growth plans.
Is this article legal advice?
No. This article compares formation services for education only. For complex ownership, tax, or liability questions, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com
- https://www.legalzoom.com
- https://www.zenbusiness.com
- https://bizee.com
- https://www.incauthority.com
- https://www.harborcompliance.com
- https://www.tailorbrands.com
- https://www.rocketlawyer.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Northwest Registered Agent
ZenBusiness
Bizee
Inc Authority
Harbor Compliance
Tailor Brands
Rocket Lawyer