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Starting your business journey is exciting, but some steps—like choosing and forming a business entity—can feel daunting without expert assistance. If you’re forming a limited liability company (LLC), that’s where LLC formation services can lighten the load. These online platforms make it easier to form and maintain your LLC, helping ensure it’s properly structured to protect your personal assets and meet compliance requirements.
The best LLC services combine affordability, transparency, and robust support, guiding new business owners through the entire process—from drafting articles of organization, to securing a registered agent, and creating an operating agreement. Learn how these platforms streamline the business formation process, freeing you up to focus on running your venture.
What is an LLC service?
An LLC service is an online provider that assists business owners in creating a limited liability company (LLC). These business formation services prepare LLC formation documents, file them with the state, and may offer additional features like registered agent services, template operating agreements, and compliance alerts to ensure ongoing personal asset protection. They are also a one-stop shop for state filing fees, annual report filing, and even certain business license renewals.
Most LLC services offer a core suite of legal services and add-ons designed to simplify the process of forming an LLC. These include:
- Articles of organization. This document establishes your LLC’s legal existence and right to do business in a given state.
- Business name availability. Most states have rules requiring each LLC to have a distinct name.
- Registered agent service. All states require that LLCs and other business entities appoint someone to receive official correspondence on behalf of the company during normal business hours. Many LLC services offer one year of free registered agent service as a sign-up bonus.
- Customizable templates. Most states don’t require LLCs to have operating agreements on file, but drawing one up is best practice—especially in cases of multimember LLCs—for outlining member responsibilities and how profits are distributed.
- Compliance services. Includes annual report deadline and lifetime compliance alerts. Missing filing deadlines and falling out of compliance can impair your LLC’s limited liability status, potentially putting members’ personal assets at risk.
- Employer identification number (EIN). An EIN is like your business’s Social Security number. Many banks require one if you want to open a business bank account or obtain a loan or line of credit.
These features can save new business owners hours of administrative work, while reducing legal risk and ensuring your business structure is correctly established.
Best LLC services
When comparing the best LLC services, consider what will make your experience as a business owner smoother. How many days will it take to file? Does the platform offer a free or affordable registered agent service that’s easily renewed? What systems are in place to track recurring filing deadlines and compliance requirements? Are there extras, such as customer support portals, a website builder, or educational articles and videos?
The following formation services differ in scope and pricing. You can select one that best aligns with your needs and budget after careful evaluation.
| LLC service | Starting price | Registered agent service | Key features in lowest price tier | Best for |
|
ZenBusiness |
$0 + state filing fees |
Additional $199/year; or included in Premium plan |
All state filings processed in 7–10 business days |
Affordable all-in-one formation |
|
Northwest Registered Agent |
$39 + state filing fees |
1 year free |
Strong privacy protection, same-day state LLC formation services, free registered agent service for 1 year |
Privacy-conscious entrepreneurs |
|
Bizee |
$0 + state filing fees |
1 year free |
All state LLC filings, articles of organization template, 1 year of free registered-agent service |
Budget-conscious startups |
|
LegalZoom |
$0 + state filing fees |
$299/year |
All state LLC filings, annual report filing, business license lookup tool and license/permit acquisition assistance, EIN, operating agreement |
Ongoing legal support |
|
Rocket Lawyer |
$99.99 + state filing fees, plus $39.99 per month for RocketLegal membership |
$249.99/year |
Unlimited business document templates, operating agreement templates, and select legal services |
Flexible legal help |
ZenBusiness
Best for affordable all-in-one formation
ZenBusiness is an appealing option for entrepreneurs seeking value and simplicity. A basic plan is free (excluding state filing fees), and includes tools to draft and file your articles of organization (which legally establishes your LLC), along with automated compliance alerts.
For a fee, higher-tier offerings include a business website builder, custom domain name, and business bank account setup. ZenBusiness also provides limited business coaching programs and business tax consultation through its Pro and Premium plans.
Price:
- Starter ($0 + state filing fees). Covers all state filings, seven-to-10-day processing.
- Pro ($199 + state filing fees). One-day processing, ongoing state compliance, operating agreement template, business document templates, a business logo builder, website, domain, and business email address.
- Premium ($399 + state filing fees). All Pro-level features plus a free registered agent service, a business adviser consultation, and invoicing and bookkeeping services.
Northwest Registered Agent
Best for entrepreneurs concerned about privacy
Northwest Registered Agent is known for prioritizing privacy by minimizing exposure of your personal data. Where allowed, it even will enter its name on forms rather than yours and it won’t sell your user information. For $39 plus state fees, business owners get end-to-end LLC formation services, a free registered agent for the first year, and access to secure compliance services. This LLC formation package includes annual report filing, an operating agreement tool, and other business document templates.
Price: $39 + state filing fees
Bizee
Best for budget-conscious startups
Formerly known as Incfile, Bizee is a popular choice for entrepreneurs looking for affordable LLC formation services with a wide array of options. Its basic plan is free, not including filing fees, and it comes with an articles of organization template, and a free registered agent service for a year.
By upgrading, or through a la carte add-ons, you can also obtain an employer identification number (EIN), compliance alerts, or a banking resolution, a document that authorizes specific individuals to conduct financial transactions on the LLC’s behalf. The platform’s dashboard can also track your annual report requirements and other deadlines.
Price:
- Basic ($0 + state filing fees). Includes all state filings, one year of registered agent service, unlimited name searches, and unlimited email and phone support.
- Standard ($199 + state filing fees). Includes all Basic-level features, plus an EIN, operating agreement, and banking resolution document.
- Premium ($299 + state filing fees). Includes all Basic and Standard-plan offerings, plus contract templates, next-day filing, a domain name, and business email address.
LegalZoom
Best for ongoing legal support
LegalZoom is one of the more established names in à la carte legal services. Although its LLC formation fee starts at $0 (plus state filing fees), many entrepreneurs choose LegalZoom for other reasons: its affordable, flexible access to attorneys (which are add-ons, but reasonably priced and with no hefty long-term retainers) and a substantial business contract template library (more than 150 downloadable forms included in your subscription). Its free features include annual report filing, business license assistance, and a 30-minute introductory business tax consultation. But its registered agent service costs more than most: $299 a year.
Price:
- Basic ($0 + state filing fees). Includes all required state filings, plus an EIN and operating agreement, on top of LegalZoom’s free offerings: annual reporting filing, business license assistance, and a 30-minute introductory business tax consultation.
- Pro ($249 + state filing fees). All Basic-level features plus 30 days of attorney support, one-year access to a legal document library, and ongoing compliance services.
- Premium ($299 + state filing fees). All Basic- and Pro-level features, plus six months of bookkeeping tools and free registered-agent services.
Rocket Lawyer
Best for flexible legal help
Rocket Lawyer combines LLC formation offerings with subscription-based flexibility.
For $39.99 per month, you can access unlimited business contract and operating agreement templates, plus e-signature functionality. However, this monthly price doesn’t include business formation services. To form your LLC via Rocket Lawyer, you have to pay a flat fee of $99.99 plus state filings. You can also add legal services like document review for a fee.
Business formation services and document review are included in the more premium RocketLegal+ tier. The higher tier also entails discounts on other services like trademark filing and registered agent.
Price:
- RocketLegal: $39.99 per month for membership, plus $99.99 (flat fee) and state filing fees for business formation. Includes all state filings and unlimited contracts and templates.
- RocketLegal+: $19.99 per month for membership, billed annually at $239.88. Includes RocketLegal basic services, plus unlimited access to a legal document-generating tool, RocketSign digital contract management, unlimited legal and tax question support, and discounts on legal and tax preparation services.
Best LLC service FAQ
How much does an LLC service cost?
Most LLC formation services charge between $0 and a few hundred dollars, plus state filing fees, depending on plan tier and whether you add on services.
What is the best site to set up an LLC?
According to TrustPilot customer reviews, ZenBusiness is rated the best LLC service for its affordability, exceptional customer support quality, and comprehensive suite of registration and compliance resources.
What is the cheapest way to do an LLC?
The most affordable LLC service options are Bizee, LegalZoom, and ZenBusiness, which all offer free basic plans where you only pay state fees.






