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See the comparison table →How we picked these seven
We focused on LLC formation platforms that are widely used in the U.S., publish transparent pricing, and offer registered agent service. We compared base filing price, premium tier features, whether the first year of registered agent is included, and the post-year-one renewal pricing that drives total cost of ownership. We deliberately included one service (Northwest Registered Agent) that markets primarily on privacy and customer support rather than the $0 + state pricing race.
State filing fees vary widely (from $40 in Kentucky to $500 in Massachusetts) and are paid on top of every service tier listed below. The dollar figures below are the service's filing fee only.
Comparison table
| Service | Basic Price | Premium Price | Registered Agent Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LegalZoom | $0 + state | $249-$349 | 1st year on paid tiers | Brand recognition, legal add-ons |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state | $199 / $299 | 1st year free | First-time founders, clean UX |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state | n/a | 1 full year included | Privacy, no upsells |
| Bizee (formerly Incfile) | $0 + state | $199 / $299 | 1st year free | Lowest entry cost |
| Rocket Lawyer | $99.99 + state | Premium membership | Add-on | Ongoing legal document access |
| Inc Authority | $0 + state | Variable upsells | 1st year free | Truly $0 entry, heavy upsells |
| Swyft Filings | $0 + state | $199 / $299 | Add-on | Fast turnaround |
1. LegalZoom
LegalZoom is the most recognized name in the category and has filed millions of business formations since 2001. Pricing starts at $0 + state filing fee for the Basic tier, with the Pro tier at $249 and Premium at $349. Higher tiers add operating agreement templates, EIN, attorney consultations, and ongoing legal advice via LegalZoom's attorney network.
LegalZoom is the right pick when you value brand familiarity and want easy access to add-ons like trademark filings, business contracts, and on-demand attorney advice. The trade-off is that registered agent service ($249/year after the first year on paid tiers) and many a la carte add-ons price higher than competitors.
2. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has become the default recommendation for first-time founders thanks to a polished onboarding flow, transparent pricing, and a free first year of registered agent service on every tier. The Starter plan is $0 + state, Pro is $199, and Premium is $299, with Pro adding worry-free compliance, an operating agreement template, and EIN.
The Pro and Premium tiers position ZenBusiness as a one-stop "business in a box" - LLC filing, registered agent, compliance alerts, banking resolution, and a basic website. If you want one provider for formation plus year-two compliance and don't mind paying $199/year for the bundle, ZenBusiness is the cleanest experience.
3. Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent takes a deliberately different path. There is no $0 tier and no high-tier upsell carousel - just $39 + state filing fee, with a full year of registered agent service included. Renewal is $125/year. Northwest is also widely known for its "Privacy by Default" policy: the service uses its own address on the public filing wherever the state allows.
Customer support is U.S.-based and notably hands-on. If you want a no-upsell experience, prefer privacy on the public record, or run a home-based business and don't want your home address on every Secretary of State filing, Northwest is the strongest pick in the category. The slight price premium up front is offset by renewal costs that are roughly half what big-brand competitors charge.
4. Bizee (formerly Incfile)
Bizee rebranded from Incfile in 2024 but kept the formula: $0 + state filing fee for the Silver tier, $199 for Gold (operating agreement, EIN, banking resolution, business tax consultation), and $299 for Platinum (expedited filing, business contract templates, domain + email). Every tier includes the first year of registered agent service free.
Bizee's price-to-feature ratio is hard to beat on entry-level filings, and the long history (over a million LLCs formed) means the workflow is well-tested. The post-first-year registered agent renewal is $119/year, comparable to most peers. Pick Bizee when you want the lowest realistic entry price without sacrificing core features like EIN and a template operating agreement.
5. Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer charges $99.99 + state for non-members, but the real product is the $39.99/month Premium membership: LLC filing is included, plus ongoing access to a large library of customizable legal documents, 30-minute attorney consultations on new legal matters, and discounted attorney work.
Rocket Lawyer is the right pick when you anticipate needing many legal documents in the first year (NDAs, contractor agreements, leases, employment offer letters) or want occasional attorney conversations bundled into a flat monthly fee. As a single-purpose LLC filing tool it's overpriced - the value is the ongoing membership.
6. Inc Authority
Inc Authority has the most aggressive entry-level pricing on the list: $0 + state filing fee, including the first year of registered agent service. There is no fixed premium tier - upgrades are sold a la carte during checkout, which can drive total cost above competitors if you accept several.
The base service genuinely files the LLC for free; you'll pay state filing fees and the standard $120-$200/year registered agent renewal starting year two. Inc Authority is the right pick when you want absolute minimum out-of-pocket on day one and you're disciplined about declining upsells (S-corp election, business funding analysis, expedited processing, EIN service, etc.).
7. Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings markets on speed. The Basic tier is $0 + state, Standard is $199, and Premium is $299, with the higher tiers adding EIN, banking resolution, operating agreement, and a custom organizer binder. Order processing is typically completed within one business day, and the company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Registered agent service is an add-on ($149/year) rather than included on lower tiers - check the cart total before comparing to ZenBusiness or Bizee. Swyft is the strongest pick when filing speed matters (you have a contract or banking deadline) and you're willing to add registered agent separately.
How to choose between them
If you're cost-conscious and want absolute minimum spend, Inc Authority or Bizee at $0 + state get you to a valid LLC for the lowest realistic outlay. If you want polished UX and don't mind paying for the bundle, ZenBusiness Pro at $199 is the easiest recommendation. If privacy and no-upsell support matter, Northwest at $39 + state is the only choice that consistently delivers both. If you want ongoing legal document access, Rocket Lawyer's Premium membership pays for itself within a few months. LegalZoom and Swyft sit in the middle: brand-recognized, feature-rich, and priced accordingly.
Whatever you pick, model year-two cost. Most providers' $0 first year sits on top of $100-$300/year registered agent renewals - the headline price is rarely the cost you actually pay over three years.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an LLC formation service or can I file directly with my state?
You can file Articles of Organization directly with your Secretary of State for just the state fee. Formation services add convenience: registered agent service, EIN, operating agreement template, compliance reminders, and the rest of the paperwork bundled into one workflow.
Is the cheapest LLC formation service good enough?
For a straightforward single-member LLC, $0-tier services from LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, Bizee, Inc Authority, or Swyft Filings will get the entity filed. The differences appear in registered agent renewal pricing, included documents, customer support, and upsell aggressiveness.
Why do most services charge for registered agent separately?
Every U.S. LLC must list a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation. Most services include the first year free and renew at $99-$300/year. Northwest Registered Agent is the notable exception - the basic $39 + state plan includes a full year with no upsell pressure.
Do I get a real operating agreement from these services?
Most include a template operating agreement at higher tiers, but it's a fill-in-the-blank form. Single-member LLCs in most states are fine with a template; multi-member LLCs with profit-share or buy-sell provisions usually need a real attorney.
Will forming an LLC protect me from business liability?
An LLC provides a liability shield between business debts and personal assets, but only if you respect the formality: separate bank accounts, signed contracts in the LLC's name, no commingling of funds, proper insurance, and reasonable capitalization.
Recommended reading
LLC or Corporation? How to Choose the Right Form for Your Business
The single best plain-English comparison of LLCs, S-corps, C-corps, and partnerships - covering liability, taxes, and operating implications. Read this before clicking "Form my LLC" on any service.
See Price & Reviews View on Amazon
Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business
Covers the legal exposures that drive most small-business claims: contracts, leases, employee classification, customer disputes, and intellectual property. A natural companion to any entity-formation decision.
See Price & Reviews View on AmazonReady to form your LLC?
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