Best LLC Filing Companies in 2026

Privacy and human support · Pricing starts at: $39 plus state fees
Key takeaways
- Northwest Registered Agent is our pick for most founders, with a $39 filing fee plus state fees and a first year of registered agent service included.
- Bizee, LegalZoom, and ZenBusiness all start at $0 plus state fees, but the renewal price of the registered agent service is where the long-term cost sits.
- State filing fees are separate at every service here and vary by state, so compare the service fee and the renewal fee, not just the headline price.
- This is general information only, not legal advice, and a service that files paperwork for you does not replace advice about tax status or liability.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Great for | Pricing starts at | Free tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy and human support | $39 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| A broad legal platform | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Guided, low-cost formation | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| A $0 start with a free agent year | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Branding alongside formation | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Ongoing legal documents | See website | Free trial | Visit | |
| Free formation basics | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Multi-state compliance help | $99 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Fast, straightforward filing | $79 plus state fees | No | Visit |
The best llc filing companies
We compared formation fees, what each package actually includes, and what the registered agent service costs after the first year, because that renewal is the bill that keeps coming.
Northwest Registered Agent charges $39 plus the state fee for formation, and that package includes a year of registered agent service, which then renews at $125 per year. The company states that it does not sell customer information and that it runs its own servers, which matters to founders who want their home address kept off public filings. Support comes from Corporate Guides, real staff members you can reach by phone or email, rather than a ticket queue alone.
The catch is that the $39 package is lean. EIN filing costs extra, and an S corporation election is a separate service, so founders who want a bundle may pay more than the headline price suggests. We still rank it first because the renewal price is clear and the upsell pressure is lower than at most rivals. If you want a quiet, predictable setup and you plan to stay with the same agent for years, this is the service to beat.
- First year of registered agent service included
- Flat $125 per year renewal
- Support from named Corporate Guides
- EIN filing is a paid add-on
- No $0 entry package
- Add-on services can raise the total

LegalZoom is the best-known name on this list, and its $0 plus state fees entry package makes it easy to start without a large upfront payment. The wider platform is the real draw: once formed, you can add contracts, trademark filings, and attorney consultations from the same account. For a founder who expects to need legal documents beyond the formation itself, that breadth is hard to match.
The trade-off is the registered agent renewal at $249 per year, the highest on this list, and the paid tiers climb quickly once you add features. LegalZoom is not a law firm, and its attorney network is separate from the filing service, so read what each plan includes before you pay. Pick it for the platform and the brand recognition with banks and partners, not for the cheapest long-term agent service.
- $0 entry package
- Large library of legal documents
- Attorney network access on paid plans
- Registered agent service renews at $249 per year
- Higher tiers add up fast
- Attorney help costs extra

ZenBusiness walks you through formation with a clean online questionnaire, which suits first-time founders who want guidance without hiring a lawyer. The Starter package costs $0 plus state fees, and paid tiers add faster processing, an operating agreement, and compliance reminders. It also offers a publication service, which matters in states such as New York that require new LLCs to publish a notice.
The registered agent service renews at $199 per year, which is mid-range here but well above the cheapest options over five years. ZenBusiness also does not offer the deep legal document library that LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer provide. Choose it if you want a simple, well-guided start and you are comfortable paying a mid-range renewal for the agent service.
- $0 Starter package
- Guided online flow
- Compliance tools on paid tiers
- Registered agent renews at $199 per year
- Rush filing needs a paid tier
- No broad attorney network
Bizee, formerly Incfile, has been forming businesses since 2004, and its Basic package costs $0 plus state fees with a first year of registered agent service and a first month of virtual mail included. Standard at $199 and Premium at $299 add an EIN, an operating agreement, and faster filing. Every package includes lifetime compliance alerts, which flag state reports before they fall due.
The headline is attractive, but the value depends on the renewal. Registered agent service renews at around $149 per year, and the features most founders actually need, such as the EIN and operating agreement, sit in the paid tiers. Bizee is a strong pick if you want a $0 start and you will use the compliance alerts, but add up the first two years before you decide, not just day one.
- Basic package is $0 plus state fees
- First year of registered agent service free
- Lifetime compliance alerts
- Registered agent renewal is around $149 per year
- EIN and operating agreement need paid tiers
- Checkout upsells
Tailor Brands pairs LLC formation with branding tools such as a logo maker, which appeals to founders who want a name, a logo, and a filing handled in one place. The entry package costs $0 plus state fees, and higher tiers add faster internal handling and bookkeeping trials. For a side business or a new brand where the visual identity matters as much as the paperwork, that combination saves juggling separate vendors.
The weakness is depth. Tailor Brands is a branding company that files LLCs, not a compliance specialist, and its registered agent service renews at $199 per year. If your business will operate in several states or faces regular filing deadlines, a compliance-focused service fits better. Pick Tailor Brands when the brand launch is the priority and the LLC is a straightforward single-state filing.
- $0 entry package
- Logo and branding tools in the same account
- Guided setup
- Registered agent renews at $199 per year
- Branding add-ons raise the bill
- Less compliance depth than specialists
Rocket Lawyer is built around a membership that gives access to legal documents, e-signatures, and attorney consultations, with LLC formation offered as part of that wider service. That model suits founders who expect to draft contracts, NDAs, and employment documents during their first year, since those documents would cost more bought one at a time. The registered agent service is available as an add-on for members.
The catch is the ongoing cost. A membership that you keep for documents is a recurring bill, and the total over a few years can pass the cost of a one-time filing service. If you only need an LLC and nothing else, a simpler service is cheaper. Choose Rocket Lawyer when the document library and attorney access are things you will genuinely use each month.
- Large legal document library
- Attorney consultations on membership
- Registered agent service available
- Formation sits inside a membership model
- Costs add up over time
- Agent service requires membership
Inc Authority offers free LLC formation plus state fees, with a first year of registered agent service and an EIN included in the entry offer. A business advisor is also part of the pitch, which can help a new founder who has questions about next steps after filing. For a founder with a tight budget who wants the basics handled, the entry deal is among the most generous here.
The long-term price is the problem. Registered agent service renews at $249 per year, matching the highest on this list, and some bundles are quoted rather than listed at a flat price, which makes comparison harder. If you plan to switch agents after year one, the free start still has value. If you plan to stay, a service with a lower renewal will cost less over time.
- Free entry package
- First year of registered agent service included
- Business advisor access
- Registered agent renews at $249 per year
- Paid bundles are quoted rather than flat priced
- Upsell pressure at checkout
Harbor Compliance charges $99 plus state fees for formation and pairs it with compliance software that tracks filings across states. That focus suits regulated businesses and companies operating in several states, where missing a deadline has real consequences. Guidance comes from compliance specialists rather than a general support queue, which shows in the quality of the help.
The entry price is higher than the $0 options, and a simple single-state LLC does not need this level of service. Harbor Compliance is also less of a branding or document platform, so founders who want logos or a contract library should look elsewhere. Pick it when compliance is a genuine burden for your business, not just a checkbox.
- Formation from $99 plus state fees
- Compliance software included
- Hands-on specialist guidance
- No $0 package
- Higher entry price
- Best suited to businesses with heavier compliance needs
MyCompanyWorks charges $79 plus state fees and offers rush filing that processes the same working day, which suits founders with a deadline, such as a contract start date or a bank account opening. The registered agent service renews at $119 per year, the lowest renewal on this list after the first-year offers expire. Support is US-based and the ordering flow is plain, with fewer upsells than the big platforms.
The package is thinner than the bundles at LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer, with the EIN and operating agreement sold as add-ons. It also lacks the brand recognition that some banks and partners look for, though that rarely affects the filing itself. Choose MyCompanyWorks if you want a fast filing and a low agent renewal without paying for extras you will not use.
- Formation from $79 plus state fees
- Same-day processing with rush filing
- Registered agent renews at $119 per year
- EIN and operating agreement are add-ons
- Smaller brand than the leaders
- Fewer bundled extras
How we picked these
We compared official pricing pages, package contents, and registered agent renewal prices for the best-known formation services, and we left out any service whose current pricing we could not confirm. Every service here files in all fifty states, and every price above excludes the state filing fee, which is set by the state and is the same no matter who files for you. We weighted the renewal price heavily, because a cheap first year with an expensive agent renewal is the most common way founders overpay.
What to check before you file
Start with the state fee, which you can confirm on your secretary of state website, then add the service fee and the year-two agent renewal to get a true two-year cost. Decide what you need beyond the filing itself: an EIN is free from the IRS if you apply directly, an operating agreement matters even for a single-member LLC, and a registered agent is required in most states. If your business will operate in more than one state, ask how the service handles foreign qualification and annual reports, since those filings are easy to miss.
Watch the checkout page closely. Many services add services you did not ask for, such as compliance packages or publication services, and some enroll you in recurring services by default. Take a screenshot of your order summary before you pay, and set a calendar reminder for the agent renewal date. If you are unsure about tax status, such as an S corporation election, or about liability protection, speak to a licensed attorney or tax professional in your state before you file, since a formation service cannot give you legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best service to start an LLC?
Northwest Registered Agent is our pick for most founders because its $39 filing fee plus state fees includes a first year of registered agent service and renews at a flat $125 per year. Bizee and ZenBusiness are strong low-cost alternatives if a $0 entry package matters more to you. Compare the two-year cost, not just the first payment, before you choose.
What is the best LLC service online?
The best online LLC service depends on what you need after filing. LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer suit founders who also want legal documents, Harbor Compliance suits multi-state businesses, and Tailor Brands suits founders who want branding in the same account. For a plain filing with clear pricing, Northwest Registered Agent and MyCompanyWorks are the simplest choices.
How much does it cost to form an LLC?
The state filing fee varies by state and is charged on top of the service fee, so the total differs widely. Service fees on this list run from $0 to $99 plus state fees, and registered agent renewals run from $119 to $249 per year. Always confirm your state fee on the secretary of state website before you order.
Do I need a registered agent for my LLC?
Most states require an LLC to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state where it is formed, to receive legal and tax documents. You can serve as your own agent in some states if you have an address there and are available during business hours. Many founders use a service to keep a home address off public records and to avoid missing time-sensitive mail.
Is an LLC formation service the same as a lawyer?
No. A formation service prepares and files paperwork and can provide general information, but it is not a law firm and cannot give legal advice about your situation. If you need advice on liability, tax elections, or multi-owner agreements, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Sources
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