11 Best LLC Formation Services

My #2 Pick: Bizee (formerly Incfile)

Visit Bizee

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:

• A simple-to-use service for forming LLCs in all 50 States
• Registered agent service for businesses in all 50 States
• Compliance services include the submission of annual reports
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Services

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 Prices

Bizee offers LLC formation services through a three-tiered system of packages.

Bizee’s package fee is $0 for Basic and $149 for Standard, respectively. The prices shown below do not include state filing fees.

Bizee’s “Basic” Package: $0 + state fees

• LLC filing. I recommend this one if you want an organization service to help you with your articles. The $0 price is incredible, and you get a free year of registered agent services.
• You get the following benefits with Bizee’s Basic Plan:
• Prepare and file your articles of organization for your business with the secretary of state of your state
• Bizee’s Registered Agent Service is Free for a Year
• This package does not include an Operating Agreement, which I consider essential for any business to function.

Bizee’s Standard Package is $199 + state fee

Bizee’s Standard Plan, an upgrade to its Basic plan, offers many additional services. While some of these services will be extremely helpful for new business owners, others won’t.

Bizee’s Standard Plan gives you everything except Basic plus:

• Writing an Operating Agreement: An Operating Agreement is a document that outlines the basic structure and functions. It includes who the members are, what they do, how profits are divided, and its purpose. Many states require an Operating Agreement. This is an important document.

• Filing of the Business Tax Number (EIN). An EIN is a business’s social security number. Most companies require one.
• Banking Resolution Drafting: These resolutions allow for the authorization of opening a company account. You will need one to open an account for your business.
• Lifetime Company Alerts. This will notify you about upcoming filing dates and update you on the status documents that have been sent to federal and state authorities.
• Online Access Dashboard: Bizee’s online dashboard allows you to view alerts and check Bizee order statuses. You can also review documents that have been created.
• Unlimited Phone and Email Support: The Standard package includes unlimited phone and email support, but it is unclear what this support differs from Bizee’s customer support.

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 Standard plan. This plan includes everything you need for a professional LLC formation.

Bizee’s Platinum Plan: $299 + state fees

• Bizee’s Premium plan offers everything in their Standard plan plus a few more.
• This plan is not recommended as it does not offer the same value for twice the price.
• You can buy the contract templates, domain names, and business email service at a much lower price elsewhere.
• Bizee offers a variety of templates to help you create business contracts faster.
• Expedited Filing – Expedited filing at a state’s secretary of state office will allow you to jump the queue and get your business started faster.
• Bizee provides a domain name and a business email to their Premium package. However, this does not include the actual setting up of a business site.

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:

Pick: Harbor Compliance

Harbor Compliance provides essential services to simplify the formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), focusing on compliance and efficiency.

Their core offering involves handling the necessary state filings to legally establish your business. This typically begins with a name availability search and preparing and submitting the Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation) to the appropriate state agency.

They aim to make the process quick and online-friendly, guiding you through a setup wizard to customize your LLC formation. The company prides itself on its expertise and comprehensive compliance solutions, which extend beyond the initial formation

In terms of pricing, Harbor Compliance uses an a la carte model, though they also offer a package. Their LLC formation service fee starts at $99 plus the state’s mandatory filing fees.

This basic service usually includes the name check and the preparation and filing of the formation documents.

A more comprehensive LLC Formation Package is also available for $399 (plus state fees), which typically bundles the Articles of Organization, an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, an Operating Agreement, and one year of their Registered Agent Service.

It’s important to remember that state filing fees vary significantly, ranging from minimal to hundreds of dollars, and these are added to Harbor Compliance’s service fees.

Beyond the initial formation, one of Harbor Compliance’s most utilized services is their Registered Agent Service, which is a legal requirement for most LLCs. A registered agent is responsible for receiving legal documents and official government notices on behalf of the business.

This service is a subscription that starts at $99 for the first year for new customers when purchased separately, or it’s often included in a formation package.

After the first year, the registered agent service typically renews at $149 annually. This recurring service ensures the LLC maintains compliance by reliably receiving and forwarding critical documents through their secure online Client Portal, which also provides annual report reminders and access to their compliance software.

Additional compliance services, such as obtaining an EIN ($99), drafting an Operating Agreement ($99), and Annual Report Service (starting at $175 plus state fees), are also available for purchase separately to support the LLC’s ongoing needs.