Best LLC Formation Services
An LLC formation service files your paperwork with the state for a fee on top of the state's own filing fee. This page compares four well-known services using only what each publishes on its own pages, scored with a checklist we publish in full. We checked every page on 2026-10-14.
Who this is for
These services suit owners who want someone else to prepare and file the paperwork and who may want a registered agent or filing reminders. You can also file directly with your state for just the state fee; our LLC cost calculator shows what each state charges.
How we scored this
Scores come only from what each provider publishes, using the checklist below. Commission, affiliate status and our own use of a product never change a score. Full rules are on our methodology page. Read the methodology.
A score measures what a provider publishes against this checklist. It is not a rating of product quality or service, and it does not use customer reviews.
Ranked by our scoring
#1 ZenBusiness · 8.5/10
Published pricing
- Starter: $0 + state fees
- Pro: $199 + state fees, renews at $199/yr
- Premium: $299 + state fees, renews at $299/yr
- Registered agent: +$199/yr (add-on)
- Rush filing: +$79 on Starter
Verified on the provider's page
- Package prices are published on the provider's page. Starter $0, Pro $199, Premium $299, each shown "+ state fees".
- Renewal or recurring prices for included services are stated. Pro and Premium show "renews at $199/yr" and "renews at $299/yr".
- Optional add-on prices are listed. Add-on prices listed, for example EIN +$99, registered agent +$199/yr, rush +$79.
- State fees are shown separately from the service fee. Prices are shown as "+ state fees".
- Business name availability check. "Name availability search" is in the package table.
- Operating agreement offered. "Operating agreement template" is included in Pro and Premium.
- EIN (federal tax ID) service offered. "Employer ID Number (EIN)" is included in Pro and Premium.
- Registered agent service offered. "Registered agent service" is listed as a +$199/yr add-on.
- Annual report or compliance filing service offered. "Required annual report filing" and compliance alerts are listed.
- Rush or expedited filing option. "+$79 to upgrade to Rush"; Pro and Premium list 1-business-day processing.
- A $0 service-fee package exists. Starter package is $0 + state fees.
- Auto-renewing items are disclosed with their later price. Footnote: special offers "automatically renew at their regular price", with renewal prices shown (for example $15/mo).
- A money-back or accuracy guarantee is published. "60-day money-back guarantee" and "100% accuracy guarantee" are listed.
- Attorney, advisor or specialist guidance is published. Premium lists a "Business advisor consultation".
Not found on the provider's page
No points are given for anything we could not find published. This does not mean the provider lacks it.
- A phone number or live support channel is published on the page. The pages we read mention "Award-winning customer support" but no phone number or chat channel.
Score breakdown: Overall score 8.5/10
Category Weight Score Evidence Pricing transparency 30% 10/10 4 of 4 checks Total cost for a typical small business 25% 6/10 $199 → 6 Features 20% 10/10 6 of 6 checks Contract and fee fairness 15% 10/10 3 of 3 checks Support and reputation signals 10% 5/10 1 of 2 checks Cost input: Service fee of the cheapest package confirmed to include both an EIN service and an operating agreement (state fees excluded): $199
#2 LegalZoom · 7.3/10
Published pricing
- Basic: $0 + state filing fees (articles of organization only)
- Pro: $249 + state filing fees
- Premium: $299 + state filing fees
- Attorney plan after 30 days: auto-renews at $49/mo
- Bookkeeping after 6 months: auto-renews at $9.99/mo
Verified on the provider's page
- Package prices are published on the provider's page. Basic $0, Pro $249, Premium $299, each "+ state filing fees".
- Renewal or recurring prices for included services are stated. Footnotes state the $49/mo and $9.99/mo auto-renewal prices.
- State fees are shown separately from the service fee. Prices are shown as "+ state filing fees".
- Business name availability check. "Name check service" is included.
- Operating agreement offered. "Operating agreement" is included in Pro and Premium.
- EIN (federal tax ID) service offered. "Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)" is included in Pro and Premium.
- Registered agent service offered. The page says a registered agent is required in most states "and we can do it for you".
- A $0 service-fee package exists. Basic package is $0 + state filing fees.
- Auto-renewing items are disclosed with their later price. Footnotes disclose that the attorney plan and bookkeeping auto-renew, with prices.
- A money-back or accuracy guarantee is published. "100% Accurate Filing Guarantee" is listed.
- A phone number or live support channel is published on the page. Phone (855) 787-1221 and "Chat & phone" support are listed.
- Attorney, advisor or specialist guidance is published. Pro and Premium include 30 days of unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations.
Not found on the provider's page
No points are given for anything we could not find published. This does not mean the provider lacks it.
- Optional add-on prices are listed. No add-on price list (for example for a registered agent) appears on the page we read.
- Annual report or compliance filing service offered. No annual report or compliance filing service is listed on the page we read.
- Rush or expedited filing option. No rush or expedited filing option is listed on the page we read.
Visit LegalZoomScore breakdown: Overall score 7.3/10
Category Weight Score Evidence Pricing transparency 30% 7.5/10 3 of 4 checks Total cost for a typical small business 25% 5/10 $249 → 5 Features 20% 6.7/10 4 of 6 checks Contract and fee fairness 15% 10/10 3 of 3 checks Support and reputation signals 10% 10/10 2 of 2 checks Cost input: Service fee of the cheapest package confirmed to include both an EIN service and an operating agreement (state fees excluded): $249
Side-by-side checklist
| Feature | ZenBusiness | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.5/10 | 7.3/10 |
| Package prices are published on the provider's page | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal or recurring prices for included services are stated | Yes | Yes |
| Optional add-on prices are listed | Yes | Not found |
| State fees are shown separately from the service fee | Yes | Yes |
| Business name availability check | Yes | Yes |
| Operating agreement offered | Yes | Yes |
| EIN (federal tax ID) service offered | Yes | Yes |
| Registered agent service offered | Yes | Yes |
| Annual report or compliance filing service offered | Yes | Not found |
| Rush or expedited filing option | Yes | Not found |
| A $0 service-fee package exists | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-renewing items are disclosed with their later price | Yes | Yes |
| A money-back or accuracy guarantee is published | Yes | Yes |
| A phone number or live support channel is published on the page | Not found | Yes |
| Attorney, advisor or specialist guidance is published | Yes | Yes |
Not scored
We could not verify enough of these providers' published pricing today, so we do not score or rank them.
Bizee
Bizee's page lists Basic ($0), Standard ($199) and Premium ($299) plus state fees, but does not say which package includes an EIN service or an operating agreement. The package comparison is not published on the page.
Published pricing
- Basic: $0 + state fee
- Standard: $199 + state fee
- Premium: $299 + state fee
- Every package is eligible for one free year of registered agent service
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent's site blocked automated access when we checked on 2026-10-14, so we could not read its published pricing. Check its site directly.
The checklist behind the scores
Pricing transparency · 30% of the score
- Package prices are published on the provider's page
- Renewal or recurring prices for included services are stated
- Optional add-on prices are listed
- State fees are shown separately from the service fee
Total cost for a typical small business · 25% of the score
Cost: Service fee of the cheapest package confirmed to include both an EIN service and an operating agreement (state fees excluded). Each $50 subtracts one point from 10 (floor 0).
Features · 20% of the score
- Business name availability check
- Operating agreement offered
- EIN (federal tax ID) service offered
- Registered agent service offered
- Annual report or compliance filing service offered
- Rush or expedited filing option
Contract and fee fairness · 15% of the score
- A $0 service-fee package exists
- Auto-renewing items are disclosed with their later price
- A money-back or accuracy guarantee is published
Support and reputation signals · 10% of the score
- A phone number or live support channel is published on the page
- Attorney, advisor or specialist guidance is published
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an LLC formation service?
No. You can file your articles of organization directly with your state and pay only the state fee. A service charges its own fee for preparing and filing the documents and sometimes adds extras such as a registered agent or compliance reminders. Our LLC cost calculator shows what each state charges.
Should I pay a service for an EIN?
You don't have to. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS online for free and that you never have to pay a fee for one. Some formation packages include EIN help for convenience.
What does a registered agent do?
A registered agent receives your LLC's legal notices and documents during business hours. LegalZoom's page notes that most states require one. Some services include the first year and charge afterwards, so check the renewal price.
Why are Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent not scored?
Our scoring needs a verified cost input. Bizee's page does not say which package includes an EIN service or an operating agreement, and Northwest's site blocked automated access when we checked. Rather than guess, we list them without a score.
Do affiliate relationships affect these rankings?
No. Scores come only from the published checklist, and some providers on this page have no affiliate link at all. Where we have an affiliate link, we label it.
How current is this comparison?
We read each provider's page on 2026-10-14. Packages and prices change, so check the provider's site before you buy.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Related tools and guides
Sources
- ZenBusiness: LLC formation packages (checked 2026-10-14)
- ZenBusiness: pricing and products (checked 2026-10-14)
- LegalZoom: create an LLC (checked 2026-10-14)
- Bizee: form an LLC (checked 2026-10-14)
- IRS: Get an employer identification number (checked 2026-10-14)
Last updated: · Prices verified: