Best LLC Formation Company in 2026

Most LLC owners · Pricing starts at: $39 plus state fees
Key takeaways
- Northwest Registered Agent is our pick for most owners, with a $39 formation fee plus state fees and a first year of registered agent service included.
- ZenBusiness, Bizee, LegalZoom and Inc Authority all offer $0 starter plans plus state fees, but registered agent renewals differ sharply.
- The cheapest first-year price is not the cheapest three-year price, because agent renewals and compliance add-ons add up.
- This is general information, not legal advice. Check your state rules, and talk to a lawyer or tax professional for complex ownership or tax questions.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Great for | Pricing starts at | Free tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most LLC owners | $39 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Guided online formation | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Full-service legal support | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Lowest upfront cost | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Free formation with agent year | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Branding plus formation | $0 plus state fees | No | Visit | |
| Non-US founders | See website | No | Visit | |
| Multi-state compliance | See website | No | Visit |
The best LLC formation company
We compared official pricing pages and published 2026 comparisons for the best LLC formation company options, and focused on formation fees, registered agent renewals and what is actually included. All prices below exclude state filing fees, which vary by state and are paid to the state in addition to the service fee. Read renewal prices at checkout, because they matter more than the first-year offer.
Northwest Registered Agent is our pick for most owners because its pricing is clear and its renewal costs are modest. The formation plan costs $39 plus state fees and includes a year of registered agent service, with renewal at $125 per year in published comparisons. That gives a three-year service cost of $289 excluding state fees, which is lower than many $0 starter plans once agent renewals are added.
The trade-offs are small but worth noting. The $39 fee is higher than a $0 starter elsewhere, and EIN filing is an add-on rather than included. Northwest also states that it does not sell customer data, and its support team, called Corporate Guides, is a real plus for first-time owners who want a human answer.
- Single clear formation plan
- First year of registered agent service included
- Privacy-focused service with its own address on filings
- Formation fee is $39, not $0
- EIN filing is a $50 add-on in published comparisons

ZenBusiness suits owners who want a guided online process with a dashboard for compliance reminders. The Starter plan starts at $0 plus state fees, while Pro at $199 per year and Premium at $299 per year in published comparisons add faster processing, an operating agreement, EIN filing and other documents. That tiered structure makes it easy to pick a level that matches the business.
The cost to watch is the registered agent. It is not included in Starter, and published comparisons put it at $199 per year, with a $99 first-year offer in some cases. Add that to a paid plan and the total rises quickly. ZenBusiness is best for owners who value its dashboard and guidance and who check the agent renewal before buying.
- Guided step-by-step formation
- Starter plan from $0 plus state fees
- Pro and Premium add faster processing and documents
- Registered agent is not included in Starter, at $199 per year in published comparisons, with $99 first year in some offers

LegalZoom is the pick for owners who want legal help beyond filing, such as attorney consultations and ongoing advisor access. The basic plan starts at $0 plus state fees and covers filing, a name check and a welcome packet in published listings. Managed and Expert tiers, listed at $249 and $299 plus state fees, add advisor and legal team access.
The cost is higher than rivals, especially for registered agent service at $249 per year in published comparisons. Advisor plans also renew monthly after an initial period, so check the renewal terms. LegalZoom suits owners who will actually use attorney access, not owners who only need a simple filing.
- Well-known brand
- Basic plan from $0 plus state fees
- Higher tiers add attorney and advisor access
- Registered agent at $249 per year in published comparisons
- Advisor plans renew monthly after trial periods
Bizee, formerly Incfile, appeals to owners who want the lowest upfront bill. The starter plan starts at $0 plus state fees, and many offers include a first year of registered agent service. That makes the first year very cheap, and the online process is straightforward for a standard single-member LLC.
Renewal is where Bizee differs from Northwest. Published comparisons put agent renewal at $149 per year, which lifts the three-year total above Northwest once the first year ends. Bizee is best for owners who prioritise upfront cost and who are happy to pay a higher renewal, or to switch agent service later.
- Starter plan from $0 plus state fees
- First year of registered agent service in many offers
- Simple online process
- Registered agent renews at $149 per year in published comparisons
- Higher tiers add cost quickly
Inc Authority offers a free formation path that includes preparation and filing plus a first year of registered agent service in many listings, along with a tax consultation. For an owner on a tight budget who wants help with the filing, that bundle is attractive, and the process covers all states in published listings.
The main caution is renewal clarity. Published comparisons note that the agent renewal price is not always published, so confirm it at checkout before committing. Inc Authority is best for budget owners who check renewal terms carefully and who do not need a premium dashboard.
- Formation from $0 plus state fees
- First year of registered agent service included in many offers
- Free tax consultation in listings
- Renewal price for agent service is less clearly published, so confirm at checkout
- Upsells need checking
Tailor Brands suits owners who want to form an LLC and build a brand in one place. The formation plans start at $0 plus state fees, with higher tiers at $199 and $249 per year in published comparisons, adding invoicing, bookkeeping trials and coaching access. Logo and website tools are part of the appeal for a new business that needs a public presence fast.
For an owner who only needs filing and agent service, Tailor Brands is more than needed, and the agent renewal at $199 per year is higher than Northwest or Bizee. It is best for owners who will actually use the branding and business tools, not for a bare-bones filing.
- Formation from $0 plus state fees
- Branding tools, logo and website options
- Business coaching access in some plans
- Registered agent at $199 per year in published comparisons
- Branding tools may not suit owners who only need filing
doola is the standout for founders outside the United States who want to form a US LLC. Its plans bundle formation, registered agent service, EIN filing and compliance help, plus guidance on a US bank account, which are the steps that trip up many non-US founders. That bundle saves time and confusion for an international owner.
The cost is higher than US-focused rivals, with published comparisons putting three-year totals well above Northwest or Bizee. For a US resident with a simple LLC, doola is not the best value. For a non-US founder, the specialist help can be worth the extra cost.
- Built for non-US founders
- Includes EIN, agent and compliance help in its plans
- US bank account guidance
- Higher total cost than US-focused rivals in published comparisons
- Narrower fit for US residents
Harbor Compliance suits businesses that operate in several states and need to track filings, agent service and deadlines in one place. Its entity management tools and compliance support are stronger than a basic filing service, and its agent service covers many states. That makes it a good fit for a growing business with multi-state exposure.
For a single-state LLC, Harbor Compliance is usually more costly than Northwest, ZenBusiness or Bizee, with published comparisons putting its totals above simpler rivals. It is best for owners who already face multi-state compliance, not for a first LLC in one state.
- Strong compliance tracking for multi-state businesses
- Registered agent service across states
- Clear entity management tools
- Higher cost for a single-state LLC in published comparisons
- Less suited to a simple one-state filing
How we picked these
We compared official pricing pages and published 2026 comparisons for online LLC formation services, and kept only companies that file in US states today and publish clear plan structures. We weighed formation fees, registered agent first-year inclusion and renewal price, included documents, support and fit for different owners, from US residents to non-US founders. We left out services that only offer legal advice without filing, because they do not match the topic.
We did not claim hands-on testing that did not happen. Our comparison rests on published pricing and plan details, plus the practical costs that show up over three years, such as agent renewals and compliance add-ons. Where a price could not be verified from the vendor, we wrote See website and advised confirming at checkout.
How to choose an LLC formation service
Add up three years, not just year one
List the formation fee, the agent fee for year one and the agent renewal for years two and three, plus any compliance service you plan to keep. A $0 starter with a $199 agent renewal can cost more over three years than a $39 plan with a $125 renewal. That three-year total is the fair comparison.
Check what is included and what is an add-on
Formation alone does not always include an operating agreement, EIN filing or a registered agent. Some services include an agreement template, others charge for it, and EIN filing is free directly from the IRS for eligible applicants. Read the checkout page line by line before paying, and decline add-ons you do not need.
Match the service to your situation
A simple US LLC needs a clear, low-cost filing service. A business with partners, investors or multi-state activity needs stronger documents and compliance help, and may benefit from a lawyer review. Non-US founders need a service built for their extra steps, such as EIN and banking guidance. Pick the service for your situation, not for the lowest headline price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online LLC service for most owners?
Northwest Registered Agent is our pick for most owners, thanks to a $39 formation fee plus state fees, a first year of agent service included and $125 per year renewal in published comparisons. ZenBusiness and Bizee are strong alternatives, especially for owners who want a guided dashboard or the lowest upfront cost.
What is the best company to use to form an LLC on a budget?
Bizee, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom and Inc Authority all offer starter plans from $0 plus state fees, which keeps upfront cost low. Check the registered agent renewal, because that is where budget plans differ most. Northwest often wins on three-year cost despite its $39 formation fee.
What is the best company to start an LLC as a non-US founder?
doola is built for non-US founders, with bundled EIN, agent and compliance help plus banking guidance. Its total cost is higher than US-focused rivals, but the specialist help can save time for an international owner. US residents usually get better value from Northwest, ZenBusiness or Bizee.
What is the best company to register an LLC with good support?
Northwest Registered Agent is known for its Corporate Guides support team, and LegalZoom offers attorney and advisor access on higher tiers. ZenBusiness also offers guided support and a dashboard. Choose based on whether you need general filing help or actual legal advice.
Which LLC formation companies are the best for multi-state businesses?
Harbor Compliance suits multi-state businesses, thanks to compliance tracking and agent service across states. Northwest and LegalZoom also cover many states, but Harbor Compliance is built for entity management at scale. Compare agent pricing per state before choosing.
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