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
- The advertised formation price is only part of the cost. State filing fees are separate, and the registered agent renewal is the fee you pay every year after.
- Northwest Registered Agent has the lowest long term cost in this list: $39 plus state fees to form, with the first year of registered agent service included and renewals at $125 per year.
- Bizee, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Tailor Brands, and Swyft Filings all start at $0 plus state fees, but their registered agent renewals range from $149 to $249 per year.
- If you want attorney access and legal documents after formation, LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are the natural picks, though both rely on subscriptions.
- This guide gives general information only and is not legal or tax advice. For a complex ownership setup or a regulated business, talk to a licensed attorney or tax professional in your state.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Northwest Registered Agent | Lowest long term cost and privacy | $39 plus state fees | No |
 Bizee | Lowest cost first year bundle | $0 plus state fees | Yes |
 ZenBusiness | Guided formation with compliance help | $0 plus state fees | Yes |
 LegalZoom | Attorney access and legal documents | $0 plus state fees | Yes |
 Tailor Brands | Branding and website bundled with formation | $0 plus state fees | Yes |
 Swyft Filings | Fast mid priced packages | $0 plus state fees | Yes |
 CorpNet | Accountant and professional friendly filings | $99 plus state fees | No |
 Rocket Lawyer | Ongoing legal membership | See website | Free trial |
Is your product missing or out of date?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.
The best LLC filing companies
Starting price$39 plus state fees
Free planNo
Northwest Registered Agent is the best value over time in this list, and the reason is simple math. Formation costs $39 plus your state fee, the first year of registered agent service is included, and renewals run $125 per year. Compare that with $199 to $249 per year at several rivals, and Northwest saves hundreds of dollars over the first few years, even though its entry price is not $0.
Privacy is the other draw. Northwest lists its own address on public state filings where allowed, so your home address stays off the public record. Support comes from named Corporate Guides, and reviewers consistently praise fast, personal help. The trade offs are modest: there is no $0 tier, an EIN and a prepared operating agreement are add ons, and cancelling the agent service takes a call or email. If you want the cheapest total cost across three years and a service that rarely tries to upsell you, start here.
What we like- $39 formation with first year of registered agent service included
- $125 per year agent renewal, lower than most rivals
- Privacy by default, using its address on public filings
- Real human support from Corporate Guides
Watch out for- No $0 entry tier
- EIN and operating agreement cost extra
- Cancellation needs a phone call or email, not a dashboard button
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
Bizee, formerly Incfile, is the cheapest way to get a complete first year bundle. The Basic plan costs $0 plus your state fee and includes the LLC filing, a free first year of registered agent service, and a free first month of virtual mail. The Standard plan at $199 plus state fees adds an EIN, an operating agreement, and an S corporation election filing, while Premium at $299 adds expedited filing, contracts, a domain, and a business phone number.
Bizee also gives lifetime compliance alerts, so you hear about state deadlines even on the free tier. The costs to watch are the agent renewal at $149 per year and annual report filing, which is sold separately. Standard processing is slower than the one business day filing at ZenBusiness Pro or Swyft Premium. For founders who want the lowest first year cost with a solid bundle, Bizee is hard to beat.
What we like- Basic plan is $0 plus state fees with first year of registered agent service free
- Standard at $199 adds EIN and operating agreement
- Clear pricing shown before checkout
Watch out for- Agent renews at $149 per year
- Annual report filing is a separate paid service
- Standard processing can take weeks
#3ZenBusiness
Best for: Guided formation with compliance help2.4/5 on
G2 (4 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zenbusiness.com
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
ZenBusiness is the most beginner friendly service here. The Starter plan costs $0 plus state fees and covers a name search, articles of organization, and a 100 percent accuracy guarantee, plus Velo, a free AI guide that builds a step by step formation plan. The Pro plan at $199 per year adds one business day filing, required documents, and Worry Free Compliance, which tracks deadlines and files annual reports. Premium at $299 per year adds digital presence tools such as a domain, website, and email.
ZenBusiness has formed more than 950,000 businesses and holds a high Trustpilot rating, and its dashboard makes post formation tasks easy to follow. The main cost to note is the agent renewal at $199 per year, which is higher than Northwest or Bizee. If you want guidance, compliance handling, and a clean dashboard, and you are willing to pay more in year two and beyond, ZenBusiness is a strong pick.
What we like- Starter plan is $0 plus state fees with a 100 percent accuracy guarantee
- Pro at $199 per year adds one business day filing and Worry Free Compliance
- Helpful dashboard and AI formation guide
Watch out for- Registered agent renews at $199 per year
- Starter processing takes 7 to 10 business days
- No attorney consultations bundled
#4LegalZoom
Best for: Attorney access and legal documents3.1/5 on
G2 (16 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit legalzoom.com
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
LegalZoom is the best known name in online legal services, and its strength is everything after formation. Beyond the LLC filing, you get access to legal documents, trademarks, and a network of attorneys with flat fee pricing for guidance. The entry LLC plan starts at $0 plus state fees, with Pro at $249 and Premium at $299 plus state fees adding an EIN, an operating agreement, and compliance features.
The catch is the registered agent price: $249 per year, well above Northwest at $125 or Bizee at $149, and compliance filings are a separate $199 per year add on in some plans. Processing can also take 5 to 14 business days on lower tiers. LegalZoom fits founders who expect to need ongoing legal help and value a familiar brand. If you only need a filing and an agent, cheaper options here do the same job for less.
What we like- Largest brand in this list with a wide legal ecosystem
- Entry LLC plan at $0 plus state fees
- Attorney network with flat fee guidance
- 100 percent accurate filing guarantee
Watch out for- Registered agent costs $249 per year, the highest here
- Higher tiers at $249 and $299 plus state fees
- Plans auto renew yearly
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
Tailor Brands is the only service here that treats formation as the start of a brand, not just a filing. The Lite plan costs $0 plus state fees and files your LLC within 14 business days. Essential at $199 per year adds one business day processing, annual compliance, and an operating agreement. Elite at $249 per year adds online branding tools: a one year free domain, a DIY website, logos, a digital business card, and a social media post maker.
That bundle suits founders launching a customer facing business who would buy a logo and website anyway. The costs to check are the registered agent at $199 per year, sold separately, and the annual renewal of the Essential and Elite plans. Read the renewal terms closely, since reviews often mention billing and cancellation. If branding matters as much as the filing, Tailor Brands is the natural choice.
What we like- Lite plan is $0 plus state fees
- Essential at $199 per year adds one day processing and compliance
- Elite at $249 per year adds a domain, website, logos, and business cards
Watch out for- Registered agent is a $199 per year add on
- Lite processing takes up to 14 business days
- Recurring plan billing needs careful reading before checkout
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
Swyft Filings is a solid mid range option with clear package tiers and live support. Basic costs $0 plus state fees and covers preparation and filing of your articles of organization with a 100 percent accuracy guarantee. Standard at $169 plus state fees adds organizational minutes, a banking resolution, an EIN, and an operating agreement, and processes in 3 business days. Premium at $269 plus state fees adds same day processing, a professional business address, a digital kit, compliance monitoring, and attorney consultations.
Every filing is reviewed by a business specialist before submission, which helps catch errors that would cause a state rejection. The gap to check before ordering is the registered agent price, which Swyft does not publish on its main pricing page, so confirm it at checkout. For founders who want a mid priced package with fast processing and human support, Swyft Filings is a dependable pick.
What we like- Basic plan is $0 plus state fees
- Standard at $169 adds EIN, operating agreement, and minutes
- Premium at $269 adds same day processing and attorney consultations
Watch out for- Registered agent price is not published on the main pricing page
- Basic processing takes 7 to 10 business days
- Premium attorney consultations carry conditions
Starting price$99 plus state fees
Free planNo
CorpNet has served accountants, lawyers, and tax professionals for years, and that shows in how it works. Formation starts at $99 plus state fees, with higher tiers at $219 and $269 adding more documents and faster handling. Registered agent service runs $149 per year, and annual report filing is $99 plus the state fee. CorpNet also handles tax registrations, foreign qualifications, amendments, and dissolutions, which makes it useful for existing businesses, not just new ones.
The audience matters here. If you are a founder working with an accountant, CorpNet fits that workflow well. If you are a first time founder on a tight budget, the $0 entry plans at Bizee or ZenBusiness will look better. CorpNet is the professional grade option: less marketing, more filing depth, and support from people who handle business filings all day.
What we like- Trusted by accountants and tax professionals
- Registered agent at $149 per year
- Annual report filing at $99 plus state fees
- Live US based experts
Watch out for- No $0 entry tier, formation starts at $99
- Interface and checkout feel more professional than beginner friendly
- Some services carry a convenience fee
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Rocket Lawyer works differently from the rest of this list. Instead of selling a one time formation package, it sells a legal membership that includes documents, e signatures, AI legal Q and A, and attorney consultations. Membership plans start at about $12.41 per month billed yearly after a 7 day free trial on the entry tier, rising to about $20.75 and $29.08 per month on higher tiers. Registered agent service is about $125 per year with a Plus or Pro membership, so the full cost is membership plus agent.
That model fits founders who will use legal documents and attorney advice regularly, for contracts, hiring, leases, or disputes. If you only need an LLC filed and an agent, a filing only service costs less. But if legal help is part of your plan from day one, Rocket Lawyer bundles it more cheaply than buying documents and consultations one by one.
What we like- Membership includes legal documents, e signatures, and attorney questions
- 7 day free trial on membership plans
- Large attorney network with fast response times
Watch out for- LLC formation is tied to a membership, not a one time filing fee
- Agent service is about $125 per year plus membership
- Total cost is higher than a filing only service
How we chose
We compared services that form LLCs in US states today, publish an entry price or a clear membership model, and include or sell registered agent service, which every state requires. We weighed the entry formation price, the registered agent renewal price, what each tier includes (EIN, operating agreement, compliance filing), processing speed, and support quality. Where a price was not published on the vendor's main pricing page, we marked it as "See website" and said so in the review, rather than guessing. We also favored services with a clear accuracy guarantee and a published refund window where available.
How to choose an LLC filing company
Start with total cost over three years, not the headline price. Add the formation fee, three years of registered agent renewals, and any EIN, operating agreement, or compliance filing you actually need. A $0 plan with a $249 agent renewal costs more by year three than a $39 plan with a $125 renewal. Then check what your state requires: filing fees range from about $35 to $500, some states charge an annual tax, and a few, such as New York, add publication rules.
Decide what you need beyond the filing
Most new LLCs need four things: the state filing, a registered agent, an EIN from the IRS (free if you apply directly), and an operating agreement. If a package includes all four for a fair price, it saves separate purchases. If you also need a business bank account, a domain, or a website, Tailor Brands or Bizee Premium may bundle those cheaper than buying them apart. If you expect legal questions, LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer may be worth the higher renewal.
Check renewals and cancellation before you pay
Read the renewal price for every subscription in the cart, not just the first year price. Several services auto renew yearly, and cancelling an agent or compliance plan may need a call or email rather than a dashboard button. Set a calendar reminder a month before each renewal, and keep your own copies of filed documents so you are not locked into one provider.
Consider filing directly with your state
Filing directly with your state costs only the state fee, and it produces the same legally valid LLC as a service filing. A service earns its fee by preparing the paperwork, acting as your agent, tracking deadlines, and fixing rejections. If your setup is simple and you are comfortable with forms and deadlines, direct filing is the cheapest route. If you want privacy, reminders, and support, a service is worth paying for.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC?
Filing directly with your state costs only the state filing fee. Among services, Bizee, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Tailor Brands, and Swyft Filings start at $0 plus state fees, but Northwest at $39 plus state fees is often cheaper over three years because its agent renews at $125 per year.
Do I still pay state fees with a $0 plan?
Yes. Every service passes the state filing fee through to you, and the state keeps that money. A $0 plan means a $0 service fee, not a $0 total. State fees range from about $35 to $500 depending on the state.
What is a registered agent, and do I need one?
A registered agent is a person or company with a physical address in your state that receives legal and government mail for your LLC. Every state requires one. You can act as your own agent, but that puts your address on public record and requires you to be available during business hours, which is why many founders pay for a service.
What is included in most LLC formation packages?
Most packages file your articles of organization with the state. Higher tiers add an EIN, an operating agreement, a registered agent, and compliance help such as annual report filing. Check each tier before checkout, since the same feature (such as an operating agreement) is included at one provider and sold separately at another.
How long does LLC formation take?
It depends on the state and the package. Standard filings often take 7 to 14 business days, while expedited or premium packages can file in 1 business day. State processing time is separate from the service's processing time, so total time varies by state.
Should I use an LLC filing company or file myself?
File yourself if your setup is simple, you want the lowest cost, and you will track deadlines yourself. Use a company if you want privacy, a registered agent, compliance reminders, and help fixing a rejected filing. Neither choice changes the legal standing of the LLC once the state approves it.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com
- https://www.bizee.com
- https://www.zenbusiness.com
- https://www.legalzoom.com
- https://www.tailorbrands.com
- https://www.swyftfilings.com
- https://www.corpnet.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.