Best LLC Formation Services 2026 — Compared by Price, Features, and Speed
We've compared the seven most-used online LLC formation services on the same criteria: starting price, registered agent inclusion, operating agreement, processing speed, privacy, and who each one is actually best for. Pick the right one in two minutes.
We may earn a commission if you sign up through provider links on this page. This does not change the price you pay, and our rankings are based on documented features — not who pays the highest commission. Legal Options Hub is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Top picks at a glance
Northwest Registered Agent
Best for owners who want a real human on the phone, strong privacy (they use their address as your registered-agent address), and no upsell pressure. $39 + state fee, with a full year of registered-agent service included.
See Northwest →ZenBusiness
Best for first-time founders who want a clean dashboard, $0 starter plan (state fee only), and built-in compliance tracking. Their Worry-Free Compliance add-on covers annual report filings.
See ZenBusiness →Bizee (formerly Incfile)
Best for solopreneurs with the tightest budget. $0 base package plus a full year of registered-agent service. The cheapest path to a real LLC.
See Bizee →Side-by-side comparison
Pricing reflects published starter packages at time of writing. State fees are paid separately. Always confirm current pricing before signing up.
| Provider | Starter price | Registered agent | Operating agreement | Typical filing speed | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | ✓ 1 year included | ✓ Included | 1–3 business days | Privacy, real human support | Visit → |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state fee | 1 year included on $199 Pro plan | On Pro plan | 2–3 weeks (free) or 1 day (expedited) | First-time founders, compliance tracking | Visit → |
| Bizee (formerly Incfile) | $0 + state fee | ✓ 1 year included (free) | On Gold plan | 1 business day for filing | Lowest cost to launch | Visit → |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state fee | Not included in starter | On Pro plan | 30 business days (free) or 1 day (expedited) | Brand trust, broad legal add-ons | Visit → |
| Rocket Lawyer | Free with $39.99/mo membership | Included with membership | ✓ Included | 1 business day | Ongoing legal docs + attorney Q&A subscription | Visit → |
| Tailor Brands | $0 + state fee | 1 year on Standard plan | On Standard plan | 2 weeks (free) or 2 days (expedited) | Founders who also need logo + branding | Visit → |
| MyCorporation | $99 + state fee | Add-on ($120/yr) | Add-on | 1–10 business days | Multi-entity owners, paralegal-style help | Visit → |
Which one should you actually choose?
👉 If you want privacy + a real human
Choose Northwest Registered Agent. They use their address as your registered-agent address (your home address stays off public records), they don't sell your data, and they're known for picking up the phone.
👉 If you want the cheapest path
Choose Bizee. The $0 base package plus a year of registered-agent service is genuinely the lowest total first-year cost. Upsells are noisy but skippable.
👉 If you want a clean dashboard + compliance reminders
Choose ZenBusiness. Their interface is the most beginner-friendly, and Worry-Free Compliance auto-files annual reports so you don't lose your LLC to administrative dissolution.
👉 If you'll need legal documents all year
Choose Rocket Lawyer. The membership pays for itself if you'll also need NDAs, employment contracts, demand letters, or attorney Q&A in the next 12 months.
👉 If you want a logo + brand kit too
Choose Tailor Brands. The LLC formation is bundled with logo design, business cards, and a website builder — useful if you're launching a consumer brand.
👉 If you want the most well-known name
Choose LegalZoom. The most expensive option per feature, but recognised by every CPA, banker, and landlord — useful if you'll be raising money or signing commercial leases early.
How we compared
We pulled the published starter package, registered-agent inclusion, operating agreement inclusion, and processing speed for each provider directly from their pricing page. Where the same feature appeared at different tiers, we noted the lowest tier that includes it. We did not rank by commission rate — Northwest, for example, pays less than several competitors but ranks #1 because the privacy + real-human pattern matters to most LLC buyers.
What's actually included in an LLC filing?
- Articles of Organization filing — the legal document your state requires. Every service does this.
- State filing fee — paid by you, separate from the service price. Ranges $40 (Kentucky) to $500 (Massachusetts).
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) — IRS tax ID. Free if you file Form SS-4 yourself; usually $50–$70 if you let the provider do it.
- Registered agent — required in every state. Northwest and Bizee include 1 year free. Others charge $99–$199/year.
- Operating Agreement — internal governance document. Not legally required in most states but strongly recommended; banks usually ask for it.
- Annual report filing — most states require an annual or biennial report. ZenBusiness, Northwest, and Rocket Lawyer help with this.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to start an LLC?
Filing directly with your state. The state filing fee is the same whether you DIY or use a service ($40–$500 depending on state). If you don't want to handle paperwork, Bizee and ZenBusiness offer $0 base packages — you only pay the state fee.
Do I need a registered agent for my LLC?
Yes. Every U.S. state requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent at a physical address in the state of formation. You can be your own agent if you're available at that address during business hours, but most owners use a service so they don't get served legal papers in front of customers or family.
Which LLC service is best for privacy?
Northwest Registered Agent. They use their address as your registered-agent address, keeping your home address off public state records, and they publicly commit not to sell customer data.
How long does LLC formation actually take?
Online services typically file within 1 to 7 business days. State processing then takes anywhere from 1 day to 6 weeks. Delaware, Wyoming, and Nevada are typically the fastest. Expedited filing usually costs $50–$200 extra and brings most states down to 1–3 business days.
Can I change registered agents later?
Yes. You file a Change of Registered Agent form with your state (usually $0–$50). Most LLC owners stay with whichever service they started with, but switching is straightforward.
Do I need an attorney to form an LLC?
For a single-member or simple multi-member LLC, no. For multi-state operations, investor structures, IP holding companies, or partnerships with complex profit-share terms, talk to a business attorney before you file.
Need legal advice before forming?
If your LLC involves co-founders, outside investors, or operates in regulated industries (healthcare, finance, food, legal), get a brief consultation with a business attorney before you choose a provider.