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
- Managed shutdown services such as SimpleClosure, Starcycle, and Sunset handle far more than a state filing, including tax accounts, investor notices, and asset work.
- Filing tools such as LegalZoom, CorpNet, and Bizee suit simple LLC or corporation closures with no investors, payroll, or multi-state registrations.
- State filing fees, outstanding taxes, and CPA fees sit outside most service prices, so the quoted fee is rarely the total cost of closing.
- Final tax returns usually stay with your own CPA, even on managed plans, so confirm that scope before you assume it is included.
- A written, itemised quote matters more than a low starting price, because complexity, states, and payroll accounts change the work.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 SimpleClosure | Startups closing payroll and investor work | See website | No |
 Starcycle | Founder-led companies needing a dedicated contact | $399 one-time | No |
 Sunset | Venture-backed startups needing coordinated support | See website | No |
 LegalZoom | Simple LLC and corporation filings | See website | No |
 CorpNet | Filing in all 50 states with live support | See website | No |
 Bizee | Low-cost filing for simple closures | See website | No |
 Rocket Lawyer | Closures with ongoing legal document help | See website | Free trial |
 Northwest Registered Agent | Closures tied to registered agent services | See website | No |
 ZenBusiness | Small businesses closing a simple entity | See website | No |
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The best business dissolution software
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
SimpleClosure focuses only on shutting companies down, and that focus shows in its scope. Beyond the state dissolution filing, it handles foreign state withdrawals, franchise tax work, and closing state payroll tax accounts, which is a step many founders miss when they stop running payroll. Its dashboard tracks each step, and its Asset Hub helps founders sell assets, including domains and data, to recover value during wind-up. For a startup with investors, it also covers investor tax documentation and communication.
The main limit is pricing transparency. SimpleClosure does not list a general shutdown price, because cost depends on entity type, states, payroll accounts, and investment structure, so buyers get a quote after a call. Final tax returns are also arranged separately with your CPA, which is a common boundary in this category but one to confirm in writing. SimpleClosure fits founders who want one team coordinating a complex shutdown, not a buyer who only needs a single state form filed.
What we like- Covers dissolution, foreign withdrawals, and payroll tax accounts
- Asset Hub for selling company assets
- Dedicated dissolution expert and dashboard
Watch out for- No general public price
- Final tax preparation stays with your CPA
Starting price$399 one-time
Free planNo
Starcycle is a shutdown service built for companies from single-member LLCs to investor-backed, multi-state corporations. Its comparison materials list a starting service price of $399, with state filing fees charged at the state rate, and white-glove cases receive one upfront quote with no hidden fees. That structure helps a founder-led company that wants a named person guiding the process, rather than a self-serve form with no one to call when a state agency asks a question. Board and stockholder documents are part of its coordinated work.
The $399 figure is a starting price, not a universal total. Investor-backed, multi-state, and active-contract cases get a custom quote, and government charges, outstanding taxes, CPA fees, and legal work sit outside the service fee. Starcycle fits a solvent, founder-led company that wants dedicated help without the full managed-service price of a larger provider. Get the quote in writing, with state fees listed separately, before you commit.
What we like- Low starting service price for simple cases
- Dedicated contact on white-glove cases
- Clear handling of board and stockholder documents
Watch out for- Complex cases need a custom quote
- State fees and tax work are extra
#3
Sunset
Best for: Venture-backed startups needing coordinated support
Visit sunset.co
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Sunset is a managed shutdown service for venture-backed startups, with a client success manager coordinating the work. Its scope includes board and stockholder consents, and published comparisons note that final tax returns are included in its coordinated model, which sets it apart from services that leave tax work entirely to the client CPA. That coordination matters when investors, lawyers, and accountants all need the same timeline and documents, and when a missed filing can delay distributions.
Sunset does not publish a starting price, so founders need a quote based on entity complexity and states. It is also aimed at venture-backed companies, so a simple single-member LLC may find a filing tool cheaper and faster. For a startup with investors, multiple states, and a need for one team to keep the shutdown moving, Sunset is worth a quote, provided you confirm exactly which tax filings are included and which still need your CPA.
What we like- Client success manager for coordination
- Board and stockholder consents included
- Final tax work included in its coordinated model
Watch out for- No public starting price
- Best suited to venture-backed cases
#4LegalZoom
Best for: Simple LLC and corporation filings3.1/5 on
G2 (16 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit legalzoom.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
LegalZoom is the best-known filing service in this list, and it suits owners who mainly need the formal dissolution paperwork handled correctly. It prepares state-specific dissolution forms for LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits, helps with registered agent termination, and offers final resolutions and closure documents. Legal plans add access to attorney consultations for shutdown questions, which helps when an owner is unsure about a contract, a lease, or a final distribution.
LegalZoom is not a full managed shutdown service in the same sense as SimpleClosure or Sunset. Payroll account closure, investor distributions, and final tax returns are not automatically bundled, and turnaround varies by state. Pricing also depends on the plan tier and state fees, so the total is higher than a single advertised figure suggests. LegalZoom fits a straightforward closure with no investors and no payroll complexity. For a complex shutdown, compare it with a managed service before you choose on brand alone.
What we like- State-specific dissolution filings for LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits
- Registered agent termination support
- Document storage and legal plan options
Watch out for- Filing fees vary widely by state
- Add-on services raise the total cost
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
CorpNet is a business filing service that handles dissolution filings for LLCs and corporations across all 50 states, with live phone support during the process. That state coverage matters when a company registered in one state but did business in several others, because each foreign registration needs its own withdrawal. CorpNet also offers compliance tools that help owners track annual reports and other filings before closure, so they can settle outstanding items before filing dissolution.
The limit is scope. CorpNet is a filing service with support, not a managed shutdown team that coordinates payroll, tax, investor, and asset work end to end. Final tax returns, asset sales, and investor communications remain separate tasks for the owner or their advisers. CorpNet fits an owner who wants a reliable filing service with a person to call, at a lower cost than a managed shutdown. It is less suited to a venture-backed startup that needs one team to run the whole wind-up.
What we like- Dissolution filing in all 50 states
- Live phone support
- Business compliance tools for ongoing filings
Watch out for- Managed shutdown coordination is limited
- Final tax work stays separate
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Bizee, formerly Incfile, is known for low-cost business formation, and it also handles dissolution filings for simple entities. The online workflow suits owners who are comfortable answering questions in a form, uploading documents, and tracking a filing without a dedicated shutdown manager. Registered agent services sit alongside filing, which helps when an owner needs to terminate an agent as part of closure. For a single-state LLC with no employees, no investors, and no outstanding contracts, Bizee can be a fast and affordable route.
The trade-off is the same as with other filing tools: it does not coordinate payroll closure, investor distributions, or asset sales, and complex cases will need advisers outside the platform. State fees are separate, and add-on services raise the total. Bizee fits simple closures where the main job is the state filing itself. If your shutdown involves payroll, investors, or multiple states, get a managed-service quote first so you can compare the full scope, not just the filing fee.
What we like- Simple online filing workflow
- Registered agent services alongside filing
- Clear tier structure for formation and compliance
Watch out for- Limited managed shutdown coordination
- State fees and extras are separate
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Rocket Lawyer is a legal services platform, not a shutdown-only company, and that breadth is its appeal for some owners. It provides legal documents for final resolutions, closure agreements, and asset transfers, and membership includes attorney consultations for questions that come up during wind-up. Document storage keeps dissolution paperwork in one place, which helps if a state agency, a bank, or a former partner asks for records later. A free trial lets owners test the document tools before paying.
The limit is focus. Rocket Lawyer does not run a managed shutdown in the way SimpleClosure or Sunset do, so payroll, tax, and investor coordination still need separate handling. Membership pricing also means the cost depends on how long you keep the plan, not just on a one-time filing fee. Rocket Lawyer fits an owner who wants legal documents and attorney access during closure, and who already values a legal membership. For a purely administrative shutdown, a filing tool may be cheaper.
What we like- Legal documents for resolutions and asset transfers
- Attorney help through membership
- Document storage for closure records
Watch out for- Dissolution filing is one part of a broader legal service
- Membership cost continues if you keep it
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Northwest Registered Agent is known for registered agent services and business filings, with a reputation for direct customer support. For an owner closing a company, that matters when the registered agent needs to be terminated correctly and state notices need a reliable address during wind-up. Northwest can handle dissolution filings and related compliance steps, and its support team can explain state-specific requirements without pushing add-ons that do not fit the case.
Northwest is not a managed shutdown coordinator for payroll, investors, and assets, so complex wind-ups still need outside advisers. Pricing depends on the state and the services selected, and state fees are separate. It fits small business owners who already use Northwest as their agent, or who want a filing service with strong support and a straightforward approach. For a startup shutdown with investors, compare it with a managed provider before deciding.
What we like- Strong privacy and customer support reputation
- Registered agent and filing services in one place
- Clear guidance on state requirements
Watch out for- Not a full managed shutdown service
- Pricing depends on state and services chosen
#9ZenBusiness
Best for: Small businesses closing a simple entity2.4/5 on
G2 (4 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zenbusiness.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ZenBusiness is a small business platform that handles formation, compliance, and dissolution filings through a simple online workflow. It suits owners closing a single-state LLC or corporation with no employees and no investor structure, where the main task is filing the right state form and handling registered agent termination. Compliance tools can help owners check outstanding annual reports before filing, which avoids a rejection for an unpaid filing.
The limit is complexity. ZenBusiness does not coordinate a full wind-up with payroll accounts, investor distributions, and asset sales, and multi-state or venture-backed cases will need a managed service or advisers. State fees are separate from service fees, and higher tiers add features that a simple closure may not need. ZenBusiness fits a straightforward small business closure where speed and simplicity matter most. For anything more involved, use it as a filing comparison, not as the whole shutdown plan.
What we like- Simple online workflow for small businesses
- Compliance and registered agent options
- Good fit for single-state closures
Watch out for- Limited help for complex, multi-state shutdowns
- Final tax and payroll work stays separate
How we chose
We compared service descriptions, pricing, and scope disclosures on each provider own site, plus public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and we kept only services that handle US business dissolution as a core offering. Each service was judged on scope beyond the state filing, entity complexity it can handle, self-serve versus managed support, document and deadline organisation, pricing clarity, and stated tax and legal boundaries. Where a provider does not publish a price, we wrote See website rather than repeating a third-party estimate as fact.
Before you file: a practical checklist
Dissolution is a sequence, not a single form. Filing the state paper first, before settling taxes and accounts, can create extra filings and penalties later, so work through the order with your advisers.
Settle the business first
Pay or settle debts, close bank and vendor accounts where appropriate, cancel licences and permits, and handle leases and contracts with written releases where needed. If you have employees, close payroll tax accounts in each state where you ran payroll, and keep records of final wage payments. For investor-backed companies, prepare board and stockholder consents, a liquidation plan, and distribution calculations before filing, because states and investors will ask for them in a set order.
Handle tax and state filings in order
File final federal and state tax returns, cancel your EIN where required, and withdraw foreign registrations in states where you did business. Keep copies of every filing, receipt, and agency notice, and note the date each account was closed. If you are unsure about a tax step, ask your CPA before filing dissolution, because correcting a missed return after dissolution can be harder than filing it first.
Keep records after closure
Store dissolution certificates, final resolutions, tax filings, bank closure letters, and asset sale records for at least the period your CPA and lawyer advise. Former partners, banks, and state agencies can ask for proof years later, and a complete file saves time and legal cost. Also set a calendar reminder to check for stray agency notices in the months after closure, since payroll and franchise tax accounts can remain open even after the main filing.
Frequently asked questions
What is business dissolution software?
It ranges from filing tools that prepare state dissolution forms to managed services that coordinate the whole shutdown, including tax accounts, investor notices, and asset work. The right choice depends on whether your closure is a simple filing or a complex wind-up.
How much does it cost to dissolve a business?
Service fees vary from a few hundred dollars for a simple filing to a custom quote for a managed shutdown, and state filing fees, outstanding taxes, and CPA fees are usually extra. Always ask for an itemised quote that lists service fees, state fees, and any work that stays with your CPA.
How long does dissolution take?
A simple single-state filing can take weeks, while a managed shutdown with payroll, investors, and multiple states can take months. State processing times, outstanding tax filings, and investor distributions are the usual causes of delay, not the filing form itself.
Do I need a lawyer or CPA to dissolve my company?
Not always for a simple LLC, but most companies benefit from CPA help on final taxes and legal help on contracts and distributions. Managed services include in-house legal coordination in some cases, but they do not replace your own CPA for final returns unless the scope says so in writing.
What happens if I just stop operating without dissolving?
You remain responsible for annual reports, franchise taxes, and other filings, and you can face fines, penalties, and loss of liability protection. Formal dissolution closes the entity properly and stops those ongoing obligations, provided all accounts are also closed.
Can I dissolve a company with outstanding debts?
You usually need to settle, negotiate, or provide for debts as part of wind-up, and the order of payments to creditors and owners follows state law. Get legal advice before distributing assets, because paying owners before creditors can create personal liability in some cases.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://www.simpleclosure.com
- https://www.starcycle.com
- https://www.sunset.co
- https://www.legalzoom.com
- https://www.corpnet.com
- https://www.bizee.com
- https://www.rocketlawyer.com
- https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com
- https://www.zenbusiness.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.