Best LLC Formation Services - Complete Guide

LLC Services

Starting a business is exciting – and a lot of hard work. A key early step is forming a business entity with your state to make it official. Most entrepreneurs create a limited liability company (LLC) because of the many benefits, including the focus on making money.

LLC Services Illustration

But with dozens of LLC formation services, finding the right fit can be challenging. So, luckily for you, we've reviewed the top LLC formation services to help you choose the best option for you and your business.

8 LLC Formation Services

4.4/5
Best Customer Service

Northwest Registered Agent delivers a smooth customer experience with reliable chat, email, and phone support and very little sales pressure.

Visit Northwest Registered Agent

Established in 2006, Northwest Registered Agent offers a single LLC formation package supported by optional add-on services. The company emphasizes personalized assistance through its "Corporate Guides."

Features and Pricing

Northwest charges $225 plus state fees, which includes LLC formation, one year of registered agent services, a business address, an operating agreement, and additional extras.

Even if you decline registered agent services, the price remains the same.

Customer Service

Customer support is Northwest's strongest asset. Phone, chat, and email support are prompt, professional, and pressure-free.

Pros

  • Exceptional customer service
  • Competitive registered agent pricing
  • Fast processing times
  • Transparent pricing

Cons

  • Limited service options
  • Single plan may not suit everyone
  • Some customer reports of surprise fees

The Verdict

Northwest Registered Agent is ideal for entrepreneurs who value excellent customer support and want registered agent services included.

4.3/5
Best Overall

Tailor Brands provides online tools that help businesses establish their digital presence, including an AI-based logo creator, social media branding tools, and a website builder.

Visit Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands is a modern LLC formation service designed with digital entrepreneurs in mind. In addition to filing LLC paperwork, the platform offers branding and marketing tools such as AI-powered logo creation, website building, and branded merchandise services.

Founded in 2015, Tailor Brands claims to have helped more than 30 million people launch businesses. Its stated goal is to "make business creation easy, enjoyable, and accessible to everyone."

Features and Pricing

Lite Plan

The Lite plan costs $0 plus state fees and includes standard LLC filing. Documents are typically submitted to the state within 14 business days.

Essential Plan

Priced at $199 per year plus state fees, the Essential plan includes everything in the Lite plan along with expedited filing, compliance monitoring, and an operating agreement.

Expedited filing means Tailor Brands submits your documents within two business days; however, state processing times still apply. Unlike some competitors, Tailor Brands does not offer state-level expedited processing.

Compliance monitoring includes annual report filings and compliance deadline reminders, though state fees still apply. After the first year, this service renews at $199 annually, making it a good idea to cancel if you no longer need the assistance.

Elite Plan

The Elite plan costs $249 annually plus state fees and includes everything in the Essential plan, plus a free domain for one year, eight free logos, a website builder, a digital business card page that displays your links and products, a social media post maker, and a business card design tool.

This plan highlights Tailor Brands' strength in digital business tools. Users gain access to an all-in-one dashboard where they can manage documents, build websites, and design marketing assets.

For new e-commerce entrepreneurs, this plan offers strong value. However, those uninterested in digital branding tools may find better value elsewhere.

Customer Service

Tailor Brands' website is visually appealing and easy to navigate, making the ordering process fast. However, customer support is inconsistent. Upselling is frequent, live chat is unavailable, and phone and email support can be unclear or unhelpful.

Carefully reviewing pricing details before purchasing is highly recommended to avoid unexpected charges.

Pros

  • Powerful e-commerce and branding tools
  • Competitive pricing
  • Centralized business management platform
  • User-friendly website

Cons

  • Hidden fees and unclear renewals
  • Lengthy checkout process
  • Aggressive sales tactics
  • Inconsistent customer support

The Verdict

Tailor Brands excels at serving digital entrepreneurs with strong branding and marketing tools. However, customer service issues and hidden costs may be frustrating. The Elite plan is recommended for online businesses, while brick-and-mortar owners may want to look elsewhere.

4.2/5
Best Reputation

ZenBusiness operates as a public benefit corporation and is well known for simplifying the LLC formation process for new entrepreneurs.

Visit ZenBusiness

Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has quickly become a popular LLC formation provider. It operates as a public benefit corporation, balancing profitability with a mission to support entrepreneurs.

Features and Pricing

Starter Plan

The Starter Plan includes free LLC formation (state fees only), name availability search, standard filing, expense tracking, tax tools, customer support, online document access, and one year of compliance reminders. Compliance services renew annually at $199 unless canceled.

This plan offers exceptional value for cost-conscious entrepreneurs.

Pro Plan

The Pro Plan costs $199 annually and includes everything in Starter plus expedited filing, a customizable operating agreement, unlimited compliance monitoring, and two free amendments.

Premium Plan

Priced at $299 annually, the Premium Plan adds rush filing, a business website, email, and domain. Compared to competitors, this plan is expensive and offers limited additional value.

Customer Service

Account setup is quick and intuitive. Chat and phone support are responsive and helpful, while email responses are slower but informative. Overall, ZenBusiness delivers a positive experience.

Pros

  • Excellent Starter and Pro plan value
  • Strong customer reviews
  • Reliable support
  • Entrepreneur-focused mission

Cons

  • Cancellation complaints in reviews
  • Site information can be difficult to locate
  • Premium plan feels overpriced

The Verdict

ZenBusiness offers strong value, dependable support, and competitive pricing. Despite minor drawbacks, it's a top choice for new business owners.

4.1/5
Best Starter Plan

Incfile offers a free Silver Plan (state fees only), which includes a full year of registered agent services.

Visit Incfile

Founded in 2008, Incfile markets itself as a complete business formation solution, offering three service tiers and numerous add-ons.

Features and Pricing

Silver Plan

Free plus state fees, including LLC formation, name search, and one year of registered agent services.

Gold Plan

Costs $199 plus state fees and includes EIN acquisition, operating agreement, banking resolution, and additional features.

Platinum Plan

Priced at $299 plus state fees, this plan adds rush filing, contract templates, domain name, and business email.

Customer Service

The website is easy to use, though upselling is aggressive. Chat and phone support are helpful, while email responses are slower.

Pros

  • Strong value across all plans
  • Affordable registered agent services
  • Positive customer feedback
  • Reliable support

Cons

  • Slow processing times
  • Aggressive upselling
  • Slow email responses

The Verdict

Incfile delivers excellent value and comprehensive plans, making it a strong option for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.

4.5/5
Best Website Experience

LegalZoom features a clean, informative, and extremely user-friendly website, allowing users to form an LLC in just minutes.

Visit LegalZoom

Founded in 2001, LegalZoom is a well-established brand offering legal and business formation services.

Features and Pricing

Basic Plan

Free plus state fees, including LLC formation, standard filing, and a digital welcome packet.

Pro Plan

Adds EIN, operating agreement, business license guidance, and tax consultation.

Premium Plan

Includes expedited filing for an additional cost.

Customer Service

The website is clean and intuitive, and the LLC formation process takes only minutes. Support via phone, chat, and email is reliable, with minimal upselling.

Pros

  • Trusted brand
  • Free basic plan
  • Strong customer support
  • Mostly positive reviews

Cons

  • Expensive registered agent services
  • Cancellation complaints
  • Premium plan offers limited value

The Verdict

LegalZoom provides a smooth, beginner-friendly experience and remains a top choice for first-time business owners.

3.75/5
Best Satisfaction Guarantee

CorpNet stands out by offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee, promising a full refund if customers are unhappy.

Visit CorpNet

Founded in 2009, CorpNet offers three LLC formation plans and various additional business services.

Features and Pricing

Plans range from $79 to $249 plus state fees. The top-tier plan provides the best value compared to competitors.

Customer Service

Email support is responsive, but phone support tends to be sales-focused.

Pros

  • Competitive registered agent pricing
  • Wide range of services
  • Mostly positive reviews

Cons

  • Lower-tier plans are overpriced
  • Pushy sales tactics
  • Poor website layout

The Verdict

CorpNet is best for entrepreneurs who want access to multiple business services under one provider.

3.5/5
Best Customizable Plans

BizFilings allows users to easily add or remove services from their plans on a single page without aggressive sales tactics.

Visit BizFilings

With more than two decades of experience, BizFilings offers customizable LLC formation packages. The company is owned by CT Corporation, a major industry leader.

Features and Pricing

Plans range from $99 to $359 plus state fees, with higher tiers including compliance tools, EIN services, and certified copies.

Customer Service

Ordering is straightforward, but frequent upsells and unclear support responses can be frustrating.

Pros

  • Customizable packages
  • Simple ordering process

Cons

  • Expensive pricing
  • Outdated physical materials
  • Extra fees for basic services

The Verdict

BizFilings delivers premium services at premium prices, making it better suited for experienced entrepreneurs with larger budgets.

4/5
Best for Comprehensive Business & Legal Services

Rocket Lawyer offers a $39.99 monthly subscription that provides access to legal documents and business services.

Visit Rocket Lawyer

Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer offers LLC formation alongside a monthly legal subscription.

Features and Pricing

LLC formation costs $99 without a subscription or is free with a $39.99/month membership.

Customer Service

Phone and email support are professional, though live chat is unavailable.

Pros

  • Valuable subscription model
  • Mostly positive reviews
  • Easy-to-use platform

Cons

  • No chat support
  • Expensive without subscription
  • Fewer formation services

The Verdict

Rocket Lawyer is best for entrepreneurs who expect ongoing legal needs beyond LLC formation.

Why Use an LLC Formation Service?

LLC formation services simplify paperwork, handle filings, and manage deadlines—saving time and reducing errors.

What to Look for in an LLC Formation Service

FAQs

Delaware and Wyoming are often viewed as business-friendly states for forming an LLC due to their favorable laws. However, for most small businesses, forming an LLC in the state where you actively operate is usually the most practical and cost-effective choice.

California is currently waiving its LLC formation fee, but this waiver is set to end after June 30, 2023, after which standard fees will apply. Once that happens, Kentucky becomes the least expensive state to form an LLC, with a filing fee of just $40.

That said, it’s generally best to register your LLC in the state where you conduct business. For instance, if you form your LLC in California or Kentucky but operate primarily in Ohio, you’ll still need to register as a foreign LLC in Ohio. This means complying with regulations, filing requirements, and potentially paying taxes in both states.

There are many online services available for LLC formation. Some providers offer a basic package at no cost beyond required state filing fees. Popular options with free entry-level plans include ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, and Incfile.

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