We compared widely used LLC formation companies on price, registered-agent service, speed, and support, listed alphabetically.
Published · Updated
An LLC formation service handles the paperwork and compliance steps that turn a business idea into a legally registered limited liability company. At minimum, that means preparing and filing your Articles of Organization with the state — the foundational document that creates the LLC. Most services also act as or arrange your registered agent, the contact every state requires to receive legal notices and official mail at a physical in-state address. The better providers also help you obtain an EIN (your federal tax ID) from the IRS and generate an operating agreement, the internal document that spells out ownership, voting, and how profits are split.
Founders increasingly use these services in 2026 because the do-it-yourself path, while legal and often cheaper on paper, hides real friction: state portals vary widely, filing fees range from roughly $35 to $500 depending on the state, and a missed annual report or registered-agent lapse can put your company out of good standing. A formation service standardizes the process, tracks deadlines, and bundles add-ons most owners eventually need. The trade-off is cost and upsells, which is exactly what a careful comparison should weigh.
This comparison lists five widely used providers alphabetically and compares them on price, registered-agent value, transparency, and support, so you can match a service to your situation. It is informational, not legal advice, and listing here is not an attorney endorsement of any company. For multi-member ownership, outside investors, or other high-stakes structuring, consult a licensed attorney.
$0 + state fee
A generous free bundle: LLC filing, a year of registered agent, an EIN/Tax ID, and a basic website builder at no upfront cost beyond the state fee. The trade-off is a heavier upsell flow, but the free tier is genuinely usable.
$0–$249 + state fee
A widely recognized name in online legal services. LegalZoom pairs formation with optional attorney advice and a deep catalog of follow-on legal products as your business grows.
$39 + state fee
A privacy-first service. Northwest uses its own address to keep your personal information off the public record and is known for genuinely helpful, US-based support.
$99.99 + state fee (free with membership)
A membership-first option that pairs LLC formation with on-demand attorney advice, unlimited legal documents, and ongoing business legal help, a fit if you want a lawyer on call as you grow, not just a one-time filing.
$0 + state fee (Starter)
Balances price, features, and usability, with a genuinely free formation tier, a clean dashboard, and a worry-free compliance service.
The advertised price is rarely what you pay. A “$0” or “$39” package covers the service's preparation fee only — your state still charges a mandatory filing fee, roughly $35 to $500 depending on where you form. Add the registered-agent fee (often free year one, then $100–$300 annually) and any compliance add-ons, then compare the full first-year number, not the headline price.
Every U.S. LLC must list a registered agent with a physical in-state address to receive legal and government mail, and that address typically becomes public record. A service that includes a registered agent keeps your home address off public filings. Confirm whether it's bundled, how long it stays free, and the renewal cost.
Forming the LLC is the easy part; staying compliant is ongoing. Look for help with the annual or biennial report most states require, a usable operating-agreement template, and EIN assistance. Federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) rules have shifted significantly in recent years, so favor a provider that tracks current requirements — and verify the latest rules with FinCEN or a licensed professional.
Filing speed depends mostly on your state's processing queue, not the service, though paid expedite options can shorten the wait. Be wary of checkout flows that pre-select pricey add-ons or imply optional upgrades are legally required — they generally are not. The strongest providers state plainly what is mandatory versus optional.
When a filing is rejected or a deadline looms, responsive support matters more than a slick interface. Weigh phone or chat availability, the depth of self-serve guidance, and consistent third-party reviews over time. No formation service is a substitute for legal counsel; for multi-member ownership or investors, consult a licensed attorney.
Your LLC name must be distinguishable from every other business registered in your state and typically must include a designator like “LLC.” Search your Secretary of State's business database (and run a quick USPTO trademark check) before committing; most filing services run this check for you and flag conflicts up front.
Every state requires an LLC to name a registered agent with a physical in-state address to receive legal notices during business hours. You can act as your own, but many owners use a service to keep their home address off the public record and avoid missing time-sensitive documents.
This is the document that legally creates your LLC, listing the name, address, registered agent, and management structure. You file it with your Secretary of State and pay a filing fee that generally ranges from roughly $35 to $500 depending on the state; formation services submit this paperwork on your behalf.
An operating agreement spells out ownership percentages, voting rights, profit distribution, and what happens if a member leaves. Only a handful of states legally require one, but it is strongly recommended for every LLC, including single-member ones, because it reinforces liability protection; for multi-member arrangements, have a licensed attorney review it.
An Employer Identification Number is your business's federal tax ID, needed to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. You can apply directly with the IRS online for free, though most formation services will obtain one for you as an add-on.
Forming the LLC is the start, not the finish: most states require a periodic (often annual) report and fee to stay in good standing. Federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting rules have shifted significantly and, as of 2026, most U.S.-formed LLCs are not required to file — confirm your current obligation with FinCEN or a licensed professional before assuming you must. Calendar these deadlines so a missed filing doesn't risk administrative dissolution.
Yes. Every state requires an LLC to name a registered agent: a person or company with a physical street address in the state of formation (a P.O. box won't do) who is available during normal business hours to accept legal and government mail on the company's behalf. That includes service of process if your LLC is sued, plus official notices like annual-report reminders and tax correspondence.
You can serve as your own registered agent, and many single-member owners do to save money. The trade-offs are real: your name and address become part of the public record, you must be physically present during business hours, and a missed delivery can mean a default judgment or a lapsed filing. A few states also require the agent to formally consent to the role, and the agent must keep regular business hours at the listed address. A registered-agent service keeps your home address off public databases, forwards documents promptly, and tracks compliance deadlines. Several providers here, including Northwest and ZenBusiness, bundle or offer it. For complex or high-stakes situations, consult a licensed attorney.
Forming an LLC involves two separate costs, and it helps to keep them straight. The first is the service fee you pay a formation company like LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, or Northwest — from $0 for a basic starter package to a few hundred dollars once you add expedited filing, an operating agreement, or compliance tools. The second is the state filing fee, which is mandatory and goes directly to your Secretary of State. These run from roughly $35 in lower-cost states to around $500 in the most expensive, and no service can waive them.
This is the key point many shoppers miss: a “free” or $0 formation covers only the company's labor. You still owe the state fee on top of it, so the true day-one cost is the service price plus your state's charge.
Then come the recurring costs. Most states require a registered agent, often free for the first year and then renewing at roughly $100 to $300 annually. Many states also charge an annual report fee or franchise tax to keep the LLC in good standing — California, for example, imposes an $800 minimum annual franchise tax on most LLCs. Budget for these ongoing obligations, not just the signup sticker price, and check your specific state's current fees before committing.
The headline price is only part of it. Here's the all-in first-year cost, mandatory state filing fee included.
Free plan
Pro plan
Forming an LLC isn't one-size-fits-all: you can file the paperwork yourself, hand it to a formation service like ZenBusiness or Northwest, or hire a business attorney for tailored counsel. This guide is informational and not legal advice; for multi-owner ventures, outside investment, or anything high-stakes, consult a licensed attorney.
| Factor | DIY filing | Formation service | Business attorney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest out of pocket: just the state filing fee, which ranges from roughly $35 to $500 depending on the state. | State fee plus a service fee. Plans start at $0 (Inc Authority, ZenBusiness) or a flat $39 (Northwest), with paid tiers and add-ons like registered agent on top. | Highest: typically several hundred to a few thousand dollars in billable hours, on top of the state filing fee. |
| Time / effort | You research requirements, complete the Articles of Organization, and file with the state yourself. Most of the work is on you. | You answer a guided questionnaire; the service prepares and submits the paperwork. Online setup usually takes minutes, then the state processes it. | Minimal effort for you. The attorney gathers your details, drafts documents, and handles filing on your behalf. |
| Error risk | Higher if you're unfamiliar with state rules. Mistakes on the Articles or missed steps can cause rejections or delays. | Lower for standard filings. Guided forms and review steps reduce common errors, though the service won't catch issues specific to your situation. | Lowest. An attorney can spot ownership, tax, and liability issues a form can't, and tailor the structure to your goals. |
| Good fit for | Simple, single-member LLCs run by founders comfortable with paperwork and on a tight budget. | Most everyday LLCs that want speed, convenience, and bundled extras (registered agent, EIN, compliance reminders) without paying legal rates. | Complex situations: multiple owners, outside investors, multi-state operations, or industry-specific regulation. |
| Ongoing help | None unless you track deadlines and file annual reports yourself. | Often included or available as add-ons: registered agent service, compliance reminders, and document storage. | Ongoing legal counsel available, billed per matter or on retainer rather than as a flat subscription. |
Apply for a free Employer Identification Number at IRS.gov so you can hire employees, open a bank account, and file taxes without exposing your Social Security number on business paperwork.
Keep your company's money in a dedicated account so personal and business finances never mix — essential to preserving the liability protection forming an LLC is meant to provide.
Put ownership percentages, profit splits, voting rights, and management roles in writing, since a signed operating agreement governs how disputes are resolved even in states that don't require one.
As of 2026, most LLCs formed in the U.S. are exempt from federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting after FinCEN's 2025 rule changes. Confirm your current obligation directly with FinCEN, and have a licensed attorney or accountant verify whether your specific entity needs to file before you act.
Calendar your state's annual or biennial report deadlines, franchise taxes, and registered-agent renewals so a missed filing never puts your LLC at risk of falling out of good standing.
The factors we looked at for each service, listed so you can weigh them yourself.
Formation fee plus registered agent and any required add-ons, compared honestly against the advertised headline price.
Whether a registered agent is included, for how long, and how well the service keeps your personal address off the public record.
EIN, operating agreement, annual-report reminders, and ongoing compliance tools that keep the LLC in good standing.
Quality of customer support, transparency of upsells, and verified customer-satisfaction history.
Two costs are involved: the service fee (which can be $0 with Inc Authority or ZenBusiness, up to a few hundred dollars for premium bundles like LegalZoom's) and the mandatory state filing fee, which ranges roughly from $35 to $500 depending on the state. Even a 'free' formation still requires paying your state's fee.
Yes. Every US LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation to receive legal and government mail. You can be your own agent, but most owners use a service (Northwest and Inc Authority include the first year) to keep their home address private and avoid missing important notices.
Inc Authority and ZenBusiness both offer $0 formation plans where you pay only the state fee. Inc Authority also bundles a year of registered agent service and an EIN into its free tier. Northwest charges $39 and focuses on privacy, and Rocket Lawyer can be free with a membership. 'Cheapest' depends on which add-ons you actually need.
Yes — you can file directly with your Secretary of State. A formation service mainly saves time, reduces filing errors, and bundles the registered agent, EIN, and operating agreement. For a simple single-member LLC, DIY is viable; for anything involving multiple owners or multiple states, a service (or an attorney) is usually worth it.
Processing time is set mostly by your state, ranging from same-day in a few states to several weeks in others. Most services offer expedited filing for an extra fee. The service's own processing usually adds only a day or two on top of the state's timeline.
We compared total first-year cost, registered agent and privacy protections, features and compliance tools, and support quality. Services are listed alphabetically, not ranked, and no company listed on this page pays AttorneyReview.
Inc Authority and ZenBusiness offer genuinely free starting tiers; LegalZoom pairs formation with optional attorney access and a deep catalog of follow-on legal products as you grow; Northwest Registered Agent focuses on keeping your name and address off the public record; and Rocket Lawyer's membership bundles formation with ongoing legal help. Match the service to your situation. None of these services replace legal counsel: for multi-owner, multi-state, or otherwise high-stakes formations, talk to a licensed attorney before you file.
Need the paperwork too? See our online legal document services comparison guide, or get matched with a business attorney.
If your problem is a legal one, AttorneyReview can connect you with an attorney who handles it. Matching is free, and there is no obligation.
This guide is produced by the AttorneyReview editorial team for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Despite the “AttorneyReview” name, this platform does not provide legal advice, legal opinions, or legal validation of any company, product, or service listed. Inclusion on this page does not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or certification of any provider, and attorneys do not review, endorse, or validate the LLC formation services listed. Forming an LLC has legal and tax consequences; readers with specific questions should consult a qualified attorney or accountant licensed in their jurisdiction.
No company listed on this page pays AttorneyReview.
