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
- Northwest Registered Agent is the best overall choice, with privacy by default and a flat $125 per year agent fee.
- Bizee is the best budget option, with $0 formation plus a free first year of registered agent service.
- ZenBusiness suits founders who want a polished dashboard and strong compliance alerts.
- LegalZoom suits founders who want brand recognition and access to an attorney network.
- Tailor Brands suits founders who want formation bundled with branding tools.
- Inc Authority suits founders who want a low-pressure checkout with no aggressive upsells.
- Swyft Filings suits founders who want fast processing.
- MyCompanyWorks suits multi-state and complex filings with same-day processing.
- This article is general information, not legal advice. State filing fees vary widely, from about $40 in Kentucky to roughly $500 in Massachusetts, and you pay them on top of any service fee. Compare total first-year cost, not the headline price.
Quick comparison
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Starting price$39 plus state fees
Free planNo
Northwest Registered Agent is the best overall LLC formation service, with privacy by default and a flat agent fee that has not changed in years. Northwest uses its own address on public state forms rather than yours, which keeps your home address off public records. You also get a real Corporate Guide in your state who answers the phone, rather than a generic support queue, and there are no aggressive upsells during checkout.
The trade off is price structure. Formation costs $39 plus state fees, and the registered agent costs $125 per year, while EIN registration and operating agreements are paid add-ons. Processing is also slower than some rivals. For founders who value privacy and dependable support, Northwest is the best choice.
What we like- Privacy by default
- Flat $125 per year agent fee
- Real Corporate Guide in your state
Watch out for- No free formation tier
- EIN and operating agreement are paid add-ons
- Slower than some rivals
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
Bizee, formerly Incfile, is the best budget LLC formation service. Formation is genuinely $0 plus state fees, and the first year of registered agent service is free, which makes year one the cheapest way to start. Processing runs to the next business day, and the dashboard covers compliance reminders.
The limits are renewal pricing and extras. The agent renews at $119 to $149 per year depending on source, and the operating agreement is a paid add-on. There is no attorney network for legal questions. For founders who want the lowest first-year cost without cutting corners, Bizee is the best pick.
What we like- Genuinely free formation
- First year of registered agent free
- Next-business-day processing
Watch out for- Agent renews at $119 to $149 per year
- Operating agreement is a paid add-on
- No attorney network
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
ZenBusiness suits founders who want a polished dashboard and strong compliance alerts. The $0 starter tier files your LLC for state fees only, and the dashboard tracks deadlines, sends alerts, and stores documents in one place. ZenBusiness also handles publication requirements in states such as New York that require new LLCs to publish a notice.
The trade off is agent pricing. The registered agent costs $199 per year, higher than Northwest or Bizee, and there is no attorney network for legal questions. For founders who want the smoothest dashboard experience, ZenBusiness is a strong choice.
What we like- Polished dashboard
- Strong compliance alerts
- $0 starter tier
Watch out for- Registered agent costs $199 per year
- No attorney network
- Publication service varies by state
#4LegalZoom
Best for: Brand and attorney network3.1/5 on
G2 (16 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit legalzoom.com
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planNo
LegalZoom is the best-known LLC formation brand, and it suits founders who want an attorney network and broader legal services beyond formation. Higher tiers include an operating agreement, EIN registration, and attorney consultations, which matter if you expect legal questions after filing.
The limits are cost and speed. The registered agent costs $249 to $299 per year, add-ons can push totals past $700, and standard processing often takes one to two weeks. For founders who want brand recognition and legal access, LegalZoom is the safest name, though not the cheapest.
What we like- Best-known brand
- Attorney network access
- Broad legal services beyond formation
Watch out for- Registered agent costs $249 to $299 per year
- Add-ons push totals past $700
- Slower standard processing
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planNo
Tailor Brands suits founders who want formation bundled with branding. The $0 formation tier pairs with logo design, domain, and website tools, so you can launch a brand identity alongside the LLC. Processing is fast, and the checkout is simple.
The trade off is value. The registered agent costs $199 per year, and the branding tools may duplicate free alternatives such as Canva or a domain registrar. There is no attorney network. For founders who want formation and branding in one flow, Tailor Brands is a good fit.
What we like- Formation bundled with logo and branding tools
- Fast processing
- Simple checkout
Watch out for- Registered agent costs $199 per year
- Branding tools may duplicate free alternatives
- No attorney network
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planYes
Inc Authority suits founders who want a low-pressure checkout with no aggressive upsells. Formation is $0 plus state fees, and the first year of registered agent service is free, which keeps year one cheap. The checkout avoids the upsell maze that some rivals use.
The limits are renewal cost and tools. The agent renews at $179 per year, higher than Bizee, and compliance tools are thinner than ZenBusiness. There is no attorney network. For founders who want a calm checkout and free first-year agent service, Inc Authority is a solid choice.
What we like- Free formation
- First year of registered agent free
- Low-pressure, no-upsell checkout
Watch out for- Agent renews at $179 per year
- Fewer compliance tools than ZenBusiness
- No attorney network
Starting price$0 plus state fees
Free planNo
Swyft Filings suits founders who want fast processing. The $0 formation tier files quickly, and the dashboard tracks your filing status in real time. For founders on a deadline, speed is the main selling point.
The trade off is agent cost and support depth. The registered agent costs $199 per year, and support resources are thinner than Northwest. There is no attorney network. For founders who need the fastest filing, Swyft Filings is the best pick.
What we like- Very fast processing
- $0 formation tier
- Simple dashboard
Watch out for- Registered agent costs $199 per year
- Fewer support resources than Northwest
- No attorney network
Starting price$59 plus state fees
Free planNo
MyCompanyWorks suits multi-state and complex filings, with same-day filing and strong support for founders operating in several states. The registered agent costs $99 to $119 per year, which is among the lowest renewal prices here, and the service handles complex entity structures well.
The limits are price and extras. Formation starts at $59 to $79 plus state fees depending on source, with no free tier, and EIN registration and operating agreements are paid add-ons. The brand is smaller than LegalZoom. For multi-state founders, MyCompanyWorks is the best value.
What we like- Same-day filing
- Strong multi-state support
- Registered agent at $99 to $119 per year
Watch out for- No free formation tier
- EIN and operating agreement are paid add-ons
- Smaller brand than LegalZoom
How we chose
We compared headline formation price, registered agent renewal cost, total first-year cost, privacy, processing speed, compliance tools, and support quality. Services that advertise $0 formation but charge high renewal agent fees scored lower than services with transparent flat pricing. We favored services with privacy by default and real human support, and noted where EIN registration, operating agreements, and annual reports cost extra. We did not test any service hands-on, and prices here reflect published list prices that vendors change often.
Buying guide: what to check before you pay
Start with total first-year cost, not the headline price. Add formation, registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and state fees together, and compare that total across services. Next, check privacy. If you work from home, a service that uses its own address on public forms protects your home address. Ask about renewal pricing too, since a free first year can renew at $199 or more, which erases the savings. Check processing speed if you have a deadline, since standard filings can take one to two weeks in some states. Finally, remember this article is general information, not legal advice. If your business has partners, investors, or complex tax questions, talk to a licensed attorney or tax professional before you file, and confirm your state filing fee and annual report rules on your secretary of state website.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC?
You pay the state filing fee, which ranges from about $40 in Kentucky to roughly $500 in Massachusetts, plus any service fee. Many services offer $0 formation, but you still pay the state fee, and registered agent fees add $99 to $299 per year.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent is a person or company that receives legal papers and state notices for your LLC during business hours. Most states require one, and formation companies offer the service for an annual fee. You can act as your own agent if you have a street address in the formation state and can reliably receive papers there.
Do I need an operating agreement?
An operating agreement sets ownership, management, and profit rules for your LLC. Some states require it, and banks and partners often ask for it. Many formation services charge extra for one, so check whether it is included in your tier.
Which LLC service is cheapest in year one?
Bizee is cheapest in year one, with $0 formation plus state fees and a free first year of registered agent service. Northwest costs $39 plus state fees with a $125 agent fee, which totals more in year one but renews at a flat rate.
Can I form an LLC myself without a service?
Yes. You can file directly with your secretary of state, pay only the state fee, and act as your own registered agent if you meet your state rules. A service saves time, handles compliance reminders, and protects your privacy if you work from home.
Sources we checked (0)
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
Bizee
ZenBusiness
Tailor Brands
Inc Authority
Swyft Filings
MyCompanyWorks