There are a lot of online LLC services that can help you form a limited liability company. But not all of them offer the same level of service, so it’s important to compare the top companies
If you are ready to start a LLC or you are just shopping and want to get straight to the list, I ranked the cream of the crop and Northwest wins the top spot for another year straight.
Top 4 Best LLC Services
#1 Northwest Registered Agent $39
- Editor’s Choice!
- Best for Privacy
(Learn How Non-Citizens Can Get an LLC in the U.S. with Northwest, Visit Here)
Best LLC Formation Services 2025
We’ve done the research for you and compared the top LLC formation services, including important factors such as features, additional add-on costs, user reviews and ongoing fees.
My #1 Pick: Northwest Registered Agent (Best LLC Formation Service)
$39 Business Formation
First is Northwest Register Agent. This company offers a more premium registered agent service. Northwest provides free mail forwarding with its registered agent service, and the importance of client privacy is expressed in its motto, ‘Privacy by Default’, a core part of the company’s service. Visit Northwest Registered Agent Northwest Pros and Cons Pros
Cons
Northwest Registered Agent is our recommendation. They offer everything you need to start your LLC, including an EIN, LLC operating agreement, and top-notch registered agent services. This company has been helping small businesses grow and start for over 20 years.
Northwest offers a 100% error-free guarantee. This guarantees outstanding customer service, extraordinary services, and prices that match. Northwest Registered Agent is a great option for your business if data privacy and customer support are important to you. The outstanding customer service is the calling card of Northwest Registered Agent. Northwest does not outsource its support to a call center with untrained representatives. Northwest offers a one-year registered agent service with a $39 business formation. Northwest offers volume discounts on registered agent services. They’ll reduce your rate by $125 to $100 per year if you need service in more than five states. They also have strong customer reviews and free annual report reminders. |
My #2 Pick: Bizee (formerly Incfile)
Bizee is a registered agent and business formation service based in Houston, Texas. They provide a wide range of compliance and LLC filing services. Bizee is an experienced LLC formation company, and they are located in Houston, Texas.
Bizee was founded in 2004 and has always been focused on efficiency. Bizee’s website explains that the company “used technology to streamline business formation processes” since its inception. Bizee provides services that can be used to start an LLC or corporation. Its core services include:
Notice: Bizee can help you launch your business by handling all aspects of creating a business entity. Bizee is not an accounting or law firm. They cannot provide legal advice or other legal services. An attorney is the best option if you require legal advice regarding your LLC formation or if you have a complex business formation. Bizee’s Business Formation PricesBizee offers LLC formation services through a three-tiered system of packages. Bizee’s package fee is $0 for Silver and $149 for Gold, respectively. The prices shown below do not include state filing fees. Bizee’s Silver Package: $0 + state feesBizee’s Silver Package is basic.
Bizee’s Gold Package is $199 + state feeBizee’s Gold Plan, an upgrade to its Silver plan, offers many additional services. While some of these services will be extremely helpful for new business owners, others won’t. Bizee’s Gold Plan gives you everything except Silver plus:
IRS Form 2553 filing, also known as an S-Corp election. Although this service is not available to all, it can be helpful for those who want to create an S-Corp rather than an LLC. S-corps can provide tax benefits to certain small businesses, but not all. Bizee can help you open a business banking account by partnering with one of their banks. Bizee provides a business tax consultation. This is done through a third party. They can answer basic tax questions that you may have about starting a business. Most new business owners should consider Bizee’s gold plan. This plan includes everything you need for a professional LLC formation. Bizee’s Platinum Plan: $299 + state fees
Bizee’s primary packages have a fixed price, unlike some of its competitors. You only need to pay once. Some services are only available once (e.g., setting up an EIN or opening a bank account for your business), while others are ongoing (e.g., lifetime company alerts). Bizee’s registered agent’s service is one potential recurring expense. All packages include a free year of this service. We’ll discuss a registered agent and why you might want it later. The registered agent service is $119/year after the first year. The price is comparable to Bizee’s competitors. However, I would prefer that the price be clearly stated here as it’s one of the most frequently used recurring services for those who start LLCs. |
My #3 Pick: Zenbusiness
Zenbusiness is a newer LLC filing service but is already considered one of the best LLC formation services. Despite being a new kid on the block, ZenBusiness is still going strong, quickly forming over 1 million businesses online in just 6 years. It’s affordable too, as any group of partners can start a company just by forgoing the day’s expensive coffee.
As of this writing, $0 includes the basic filing services necessary for LLC formation. This $0.00 service does not include preparing and filing essential documents such as operating agreements, procuring an EIN (Employer Identification Number), and subscription to their registered agent service, which is required by law in all states. Registered agent service is an add-on for $99. A registered agent is a fixed address in any state where the government or other business entities can send correspondence. It’s also a link between the company and the office of the Secretary of State. Of course, not all companies are equal, each with requirements and nuances. Larger companies and corporations can take advantage of other service tiers available on Zenbusiness. These services include banking resolutions, annual compliance filing, and setting up business websites and dedicated business emails. Zenbusiness is currently near the top when it comes to online formation services. They make it almost unbelievable how fast and easy business formation is. What’s more, they break the mold where longevity and experience equal effectiveness. Zenbusiness has only been around since 2015. Another reason why Zenbusiness is at the top is that they make business formation easy. Their website is well laid-out and easy to use. The site guides customers step-by-step through LLC formation and includes a dashboard for tracking progress. Need help and further convincing? The website also features a helpful and informative blog, written in layman’s terms. Nothing wrong to say about Zenbusiness except for one minor nitpick. Unless the company lacks the know-how and only needs a landing page and email, the company should get a separate web host. |
My #4 Pick: LegalZoom
LegalZoom is most well-known for its online legal documents library. The company also offers an LLC formation service. Unfortunately, the turnaround times are slow, and the costs are high. Visit my post on the best LegalZoom alternatives and competitors.
Compared to other LLC services, LegalZoom has:
Expensive pricing – LegalZooms packages do not include a registered agent or operating agreement. These must be purchased separately, costing $249/year and $99 fixed. Their basic package costs $0, and does not include registered agent service.
Slow turnaround times – LegalZoom estimates that a standard LLC formation will take 30 business days. Customers need to pay for a higher pricing level to expedite their applications internally expedited.
My #5 Pick Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings is a top-rated LLC formation service. Their business formation service is located in Texas and provides business formations in 50 states. Like Zenbusiness, it’s one of the industry’s newer players founded last 2015. It makes my list because of similar good traits such as affordable pricing, good turnaround, and responsive customer service.
One difference with the other players here is that they do not have a registered agent service, an essential requirement in all states. They will, however, recommend some third parties. If you go with the LLC filing service Swyft Filings, you can get an excellent registered agent through Northwest if you want.
Another thing that makes Swyft Filings stand out is their customizable service packages allowing customers to tailor the service to their needs, including add-on products and services.
They are also quite affordable. As of this writing, their lowest package costs only $49, which includes all the essentials, except for the registered agent. The amount does have a free web domain name for one year. Plus, they have a clear refund policy, unlike most other players.
Swyft Filings has over 4,000 reviews on Trustpilot, most of which are very positive.
Also, if you’re not in a hurry, they don’t promise a next-day expedition but deliver within acceptable parameters. Like Active Filings, if you suddenly want things done faster, they also have expedited filing.
Swyft Filings made it to this list because they’re receiving great reviews despite being new in the business. Perhaps because people are getting tired of the old guard, such as Legalzoom, who have gotten slack in their customer service. New players are more eager to please. Swyft Filings, while not the fastest, has been consistently swift in its delivery, and its staff is also helpful and knowledgeable.
One big issue with Swyft Filings is that they tend to upsell too much on their website during checkout. While their packages are already customizable, they take it to the next level. And lastly, unlike Northwest, they outsource their services to partner companies.
Swyft Filings is a top-rated LLC formation service.
My #6 Pick: Inc Authority
It is one of the oldest online LLC formation services as it has been around for over 30 years. Like Active Filings, they offer free basic LLC formation. Excluding state fees, of course, excludes operating agreement drafts. Like Active Filings, they also charge $99 for their registered agent service the following year.
However, other tier services are priced at a premium, and turnaround times can be problematic, encouraging users to pay an expediting fee.
Yet, they’ve still rated highly on Trustpilot thanks to a smooth formation process and helpful customer support.
Another problem with Inc Authority is their heavy upselling of other products unrelated to LLC formation.
If you’re not in a hurry, want free LLC formation, and can make your operating agreement, then Inc Authority might suit you.
My #7 Pick: BetterLegal
BetterLegal, the newest online LLC formation service on this list founded last 2017. This company specializes in LLC formation, and the name suggests they know what they’re doing. It’s still a small company based in Texas so you can count on good old Texan friendship and hardiness.
However, their formation package comes at a hardy $299 with a two-day turnaround time. Okay, for those in a hurry to get incorporated.
The price comes at another cost as it’s bundled with some unnecessary services that your company may or may not find a use for.
Another unfortunate aspect of this price is that it doesn’t include a registered agent.
The complete formation will cost more than $299, thanks to the state service fee and the registered agent. But unlike some companies listed here that charges $99 annually for their registered agent services, Better Legal only charges 90.
Small comfort, but the two-day rapid turnaround time is guaranteed and backed by many reviews. Better Legal also has a good rating on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau. They may be a good fit for native Texans ready to make big bucks.
My #8 Pick: Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer is considered one of the veterans of online legal business, founded in 2008.
The brand name does assure entrepreneurs that true professionals will handle their paperwork.
Aside from LLC formation, they provide online attorney consultation and legal document templates, as their name suggests. LLC formation is a side service, a service that does well.
Rocket Lawyer is a well-reviewed service earning a good rating on Trustpilot. However, it didn’t make it in my top three due to pricing, which is one of the highest as they sell LLC formation requirements as separate services resulting in a high total cost.
They offer a $39 monthly subscription for their services, including a full formation service, among other attorney services.
Rocket Lawyer is the best for companies that regularly deal with legal services. Turnaround time for LLC formation takes a week at most.
My #9 Pick: Active Filings
Speaking of pricing, that’s too good to be true; sometimes it is.
Suppose you don’t want to miss your favorite barista for even a day, don’t want to take the tab for every customer in your local bar, and are not in much of a hurry to get incorporated.
In that case, Active Filings is the formation company for you. You can get your company formed for the fantastic low price of $0. That is correct.
Other LLC Services To Consider
10. Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance provides various business and corporate compliance services for corporate and business compliance. Harbor Compliance also offers business formation services.
However, I do not recommend it due to its unreliable pricing and expensive cost.
What I didn’t like:
Harbor Compliance offers very expensive LLC registrations. Harbor Compliance only has one pricing level, which costs $399.
This price is unjustified when you consider that you can avail of all the same included services at less than half the total cost with alternative firms.
11. Nolo LLC Services
Nolo has been providing legal services for longer than any other website. Unfortunately, this hasn’t led to a top-quality LLC creation service. Nolo has prolonged turnaround times and offers unnecessarily expensive partners to purchase services.
I didn’t like these things:
Unnecessarily high cost of partner services – unlike the services I recommend, Nolo relies heavily on third parties for many of its formation services. Adding insult to injury, Nolo marks up the costs of these services for no reason.
12. BizFilings
Even though it’s a highly-specialized service with more than two decades of experience, BizFilings failed to impress us due to multiple factors that include their overall cost, their filing speeds, and their policy of registering customers into their registered agent program with no option to opt-out at the time of online sign-up.
Things I didn’t like:
Pricing – The basic BizFilings service is priced at $99, while the more expensive tiers cost $229, $359, and so on. Additionally, the registered agent service costs $199 per year, significantly more than the typical. It’s because they don’t offer sufficient value to justify these high prices.
My Key Factors for Evaluating the Best LLC Services
Five key elements are used to rank and review formation companies.
- LLC Formation Prices and Packages
- LLC Formation Turnaround Time
- Customer Satisfaction
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
Although they may not all be equally significant, these factors are important.
This is a brief overview of each to help you decide the best value formation service. I also explain how I score.
LLC Formation Prices and Packages
Pricing is an important factor when choosing an LLC formation company. The services I review should add value to your startup, not break the bank.
The prices for LLC formation services can vary widely. Some companies will file your Articles of Organization as low as $50, or even for free. Some companies charge hundreds of dollars to provide additional services or products.
When evaluating and ranking service packages, I consider more than the price. A more expensive package might still be worthwhile if you have special needs.
LLC Formation Turnaround Time
I believe that turnaround time is as important as the cost of service. I use this information to calculate my final ranking score.
LLC formation services have no control over your company’s creation after you submit your documents. The state agencies will process your Articles of Organization. Some states permit expedited filing for an additional fee.
There are still many ways that formation services can help your LLC form. They can either process your orders within the hour or file paperwork in person through their network of physical offices.
Formation services must do all they can to avoid filing mistakes. They can cause you to be delayed or even put back several weeks.
Customer Satisfaction
People who have used a particular form of service are the best way to learn about it. I value track records, and I also take into consideration feedback and reviews from customers who have used the service in the past on sites such as Trustpilot and Yelp.
A service review can help us better understand how it performs in real life. It is possible to find out if a company actually offers top-quality customer support or if they only claim to. You can check customer reviews to find out.
Ease of Use
Online formation of LLCs should be simple and easy. It is best to make it easy for people to file their LLC filings online. Small business owners should be able to quickly find clear and concise answers to their most common questions.
A great service will provide all the information you need to make informed decisions immediately.
Our ratings are based upon the ease of using a service and its terms (costs, recurring payments, cancellations, etc.). Their website materials are clear and informative.
Registered Agent Service
Northwest just happens to be the best registered agent service on my list. Northwest does not outsource registered agent services to third-party providers like other LLC services. Northwest has 50 offices in 50 states, and they are the best LLC service on my list.
Customer support
No matter how well-designed your website is, there’s a chance that you will have questions or problems that aren’t easily solved.
If you are in an unexpected situation, it is important to be able to quickly reach someone. It is even better if they are trained and have the knowledge to help you.
This is especially true for the formation industry where late filings or errors in clerical records could delay your plans by weeks or even months.
Many of the companies I list offer recurring services, such as annual report filings and registered agent services, as part of their formation packages. This is essential for maintaining your company’s good standing in the eyes of the federal and state governments. These services are crucial for resolving any issues quickly.
I consider many factors when evaluating customer support and assistance options for LLC formation companies. Considerations include staff availability, whether on weekends or during working hours, and their contact methods (phone, email, chat).
Thank you for your article and suggestions. I went with Northwest. I had a great experience with Northwest Registered Agent. The LLC formation process went smoothly without any issues or delays. Northwest was very knowledgeable and available to answer any questions that I had. They were concise, clear, and precise in their answers. I didn’t have to go back and forth asking for clarification, as I am used to doing with other online services. Although I had never been to their site before, the prompts were very easy to follow.
Very informative article, Brian! I appreciate the pros and cons you outlined for each LLC formation service.
Thanks Sebastian
Great post, Brian! It’s always helpful to have a comprehensive list of LLC formation services to choose from.
Thanks Christopher!
Brian, thank you for writing this informative article on the best online LLC formation services. Your insights and recommendations are truly valuable for entrepreneurs like me who are looking to start a business. I appreciate the detailed comparison of different services, highlighting their features, pricing, and customer reviews. This article will undoubtedly assist me in making an informed decision when choosing an online LLC formation service. Well done!
Nora Morgan
Thanks Nora
Brian, your article on the best online LLC formation services is a great resource for aspiring entrepreneurs. I found the breakdown of each service’s features and benefits to be incredibly helpful. The article’s clarity and organization make it easy to understand and compare different options. Thank you for simplifying the process and providing valuable insights. Great job!
Thanks Hazel
Brian, I stumbled upon your article on the best online LLC formation services, and I must say it’s a must-read for anyone considering starting a business. I appreciate how you delved into the details of each service, discussing their strengths and weaknesses. The pros and cons list for each service provided valuable insights and helped me understand which factors are crucial in making a decision. Thank you for your thorough analysis and for guiding us through the world of online LLC formation services.
Thanks Violet!
Thanks for sharing your insights, Brian! I’ve been considering forming an LLC, and your recommendations will definitely come in handy.
Thanks Maya!
Brian, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article on the best online LLC formation services. The way you outlined the key factors to consider and provided an overview of each service made it easier for me to assess which one would be the best fit for my business. Your article is concise, well-researched, and packed with useful information. Thank you for sharing your expertise and helping entrepreneurs like me make informed decisions!
Thanks Adrian