Forming a new business in Iowa may come with a lot of paperwork. Working with a legitimate LLC service provider is therefore your best choice.

We picked and reviewed 19 of them in order to help you choose the best LLC service for your company entity. Eventually, we came up with these four.

We tested and evaluated each business formation provider based on features, user reviews, and processing times with the assistance of our legal staff. Find out which Iowa LLC service tops the list.

Best Iowa LLC Formation Services

Although LLC formation services can be a great help, not all LLC formation services will be the same.

Some are better due to price differences, extras (or exclusions), and overall quality.

We’ve done all the legwork for you and compared top LLC formation services. We have included important factors, such as cost, ongoing fees, and their Iowa registered agent service.

My Top 4 Picks for Best LLC Services in Iowa

  1. Northwest Registered Agent
  2. Bizee
  3. ZenBusiness
  4. LegalZoom

1. Northwest Registered Agent (Best LLC Service for Privacy)

Price: $225  $39

  • Based: Spokane, Washington
  • Experience: 20 Years
  • Business Formations: 250,000+
  • 50 Offices in 50 States

My top pick for LLC formation service in Iowa is Northwest Registered Agent.

giphy-editors-top-pick

Northwest Registered Agent logo

Northwest Formation Pricing

Price $225  $39 + state fee

Northwest provides business formations and registered agent services. Northwest has been providing LLC formation services for over 20 years.

They are known for exceptional customer service and are the industry leader in registered agent services.

Iowa LLC formations with Northwest are discounted for our readers, just $39, and you also get a year of free registered agent service. This keeps your start-up costs low. Northwest is our top choice, and it’s an LLC service that puts customer service above all else.

  • LLC Formation Plan: $225  $39
  • Registered agent service: $125 per year, but the first is completely free
  • Customer Support: Northwest assigns an account representative to each Iowa customer, ensuring they receive prompt and personalized service.
  • LLC Services: Northwest keeps the order form simple – no upsells clutter the process.
  • User Reviews: Google reviews are great. Reviews on 3rd-party review websites are mostly positive.

Northwest RA Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Industry-best customer support
  • Discounted pricing
  • Northwest has 50 offices in 50 states
  • US-based customer service
  • Registered Agent 1st year free with the business formation
  • Google reviews are a very positive 4.7/5

Cons

  • I honestly haven’t found any yet

#2 Bizee (Best Budget LLC Service)

  • Based: Houston, Texas
  • Experience: 20 Years
  • 600,000+ formations

Bizee Logo

Bizee Formation Pricing

Silver Gold Platinum
Price $0 + state fee $199 + state fee $349 + state fee

Bizee is another LLC service that has been in business for nearly 20 years. can be a great choice if you are concerned about start-up costs. They offer free Iowa LLC filing and registered agent services for the first year. A “free LLC” may be good for some, but Bizee needs to make money somehow. This can be done by upselling needed features at a lofty price.

If privacy is important to you, Northwest emphasizes customer privacy more than any other LLC service I know.

Bizee may not have as many bonus features as its competitors. Still, they offer all the essentials for an additional fee: filing an EIN and registering a DBA, filing annual reports, and others.

  • LLC Formation plans: $0, $199, $299
  • Registered agent service: First Year Free, then $119/year
  • Customer Support: Bizee recently increased its customer service team, which improved its response times. This is a significant improvement in their previous performance.
  • LLC Service: Everything is straightforward when ordering a package through Bizee. There are not a lot of pricey and confusing add-ons.
  • Customer Reviews: Mostly positive. Bizee has over 5,000. reviews on Trustpilot. More than 98% of 21,000+ Shopper Approved reviews are positive.

Bizee Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Register agent for free business formation
  • I like their prices and 20-year history of experience
  • Excellent customer feedback

Cons

  • I don’t like that they are known for many upsells. It starts cheap but can add up.

#3 ZenBusiness (Best New LLC Service)

  • Based: Austin, Texas
  • Experience: 5 years

ZenBusiness logo 400 x 209

 ZenBusiness Formation Pricing:

Starter Pro Premium
Price $0 + state fee $199 + state fee $299 + state fee

Thanks to competitive technology and a dedication to affordability, ZenBusiness has one of the most affordable LLC services available. Formations start at $49 plus the state fee. ZenBusiness provides Iowa registered agent services at an additional cost of $119/yr.

You can choose the Pro package ($199 annually) for a flat annual fee to get business formation, registered agent service, and an operating agreement template.

  • LLC Formation plan: Starting from $0
  • Registered agent service $99 per month, $119 annually
  • Customer Support: ZenBusiness provides good customer service due to its smaller customer base and individual attention.
  • LLC services: ZenBusiness provides useful tools to track annual reports. However, the ordering process can be confusing.

ZenBusiness Pros and Cons

Pros

  • The “worry-free guarantee” compliance feature
  • Great customer feedback and reviews on Trustpilot
  • Customer service 6 days a week

Cons

  • ZenBusiness might outsource the registered agent service
  • Registered agent service is a $99 add-on with LLC formations
  • Only 5 years in business. Several competitors have more experience.

#4 LegalZoom (Best for Ongoing Legal Services)

  • Based: Glendale, California
  • Experience: 20+ years

Legalzoom logo

LegalZoom Formation Pricing:

Economy Standard Express Gold
Price $79 + state fee $329 + state fee $349 + state fee

LegalZoom is a great way to get involved with a well-known brand.

LegalZoom was founded in 2001 and has grown to offer hundreds of services. LegalZoom is more expensive than the other Iowa LLC services listed in this guide. LegalZoom is not the only option if you need a complete legal service. Rocket Lawyer is another option for LLC services and online legal services. LegalZoom gets pricey after the add-ons.

  • LLC Formation plan: Starting at $79 plus state fee
  • Registered agent service $299/year.
  • Customer Support: LegalZoom is a large company, so its customer service may not be as personal as the other listed companies.
  • Easy of use: Many customers have complained that LegalZoom’s ordering process is confusing and lengthy. Numerous upsells are offered before you can choose your package.
  • User Reviews: Mixed. Most negative reviews are due to a misunderstanding of the ongoing fees and package offerings.

LegalZoom Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Millions of customers served
  • Support is available 7 days a week
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed

Cons

  • Customer reviews are often negative but improving recently
  • LegalZoom is a premium brand, and they charge more than any LLC that I know of

More and more entrepreneurs are turning to LLC services for creating business entities. The number is in the millions. Bizee alone has helped create over 600,000 businesses.

It can be difficult to start a business. There is a lot to do, so many people become overwhelmed by the legal processes: filing taxes, obtaining business licenses and permits, and filling out the forms.

Iowa has requirements to ensure compliance, such as hiring a registered agent or filing annual reports.

LLC services handle most of the work for you. They simply need to know a little bit about you and your company, and they will start your business for you. This is legal and allows you to concentrate on other aspects of your business. Many LLC services also offer registered agent services to help you maintain compliance.

Now let me point out a few more names in the online LLC formation space. I’m not recommending any of these other services. I’m just mentioning them for your consideration.


LLC Formation Lawyers in Iowa

If your business is particularly complex, or if you don’t mind spending $100’s of dollars more and want the peace of mind that comes with having an experienced business attorney to form your business entity, you could hire a lawyer instead of a formation service.

I have a personal story to tell

In 2008 I started a business and hired an attorney to do the LLC formation paperwork. I thought it would be complicated.

I paid $600 plus a $50 state fee to the lawyer in his office. The lawyer got on his computer, entered my name, and some basic information, and then printed out several pieces of paper and said “sign here and here”.

The whole process took about 10 minutes for $600. That same lawyer today probably charges $900 for these 10 minutes of work.

After that, I have only worked with online services.

As I just mentioned, hiring an attorney is more expensive than using an online LLC service, but you will obtain a level of competence and experience that can only be provided by an attorney.

I evaluated a long list of Iowa business attorneys on AVVO’s website to find the most qualified LLC formation lawyers.

From Avvo’s list of “best-reviewed” business attorneys in Iowa, these are my top five picks.


Tier 2 – Other Iowa LLC Services

Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings was launched in 2012 and are one of the latest services for LLC formation.

Prices start at $49 + state fee. If you need an EIN and LLC operating agreement, the price is $299 + state fee. Swyft Filings charges $149/year for registered agent services.

$299 + $149 = $448 + state fee

MyCompanyWorks

MyCompanyWorks has a basic LLC service package that costs $79 and includes assistance with Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement assistance, an online portal to store legal documents, compliance alerts, and assistance with registering with the Iowa Secretary of State.

They have maintained mostly positive reviews online. You will need to buy their premium package for $279 if you want a Iowa registered agent.

Inc Authority

Inc Authority, like Bizee, allows you to file your company formation paperwork free of charge, but each offer comes at an additional cost. Ask the “free LLC” if they plan to sell your private information. I believe the “Free LLC” is a gimmick just to get you in the door. Yes, their filing service is “free” plus the state fee.

You will need to buy their $399 basic package if you require assistance drafting an Operating Agreement or accessing an EIN. You will also need to buy their premium $799 package if you want to receive express processing.

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands is a bit different than the others on my list. Like their name says, they build brands. Tailor Brands promotes itself as a comprehensive business formation service that provides a complete list of services to entrepreneurs, including compliance and LLC formation, logo design, and branding features. Tailor Brands offers three formation plans.

Incorporate.com

Incorporate.com offers a $99 base package that includes very few services, similar to Rocket Lawyer or LegalZoom. They offer an online account and assistance in filing your Articles of Organization, and that’s nothing else.

CorpNet

CorpNet has been in business for over 20 years. They will file the initial LLC documents and provide compliance alerts to maintain good standing with the Secretary of State. All for $79.

MyCorporation

MyCorporation is owned and operated by the check printing company Deluxe Corp. Their LLC formation services are like many others on our list. They charge $133 to prepare your Operating Agreement and process your Articles of Organization. Each additional, comprehensive service comes at an additional cost.

Incorporate Fast

Incorporate Fast offers Iowa LLC formation services at a low $99 price. This includes assistance with filing documents, assistance with filing them, and an Operating Agreement template.

They offer “same-day” filings. They will process and file your documents within 24 hours of receipt.

If you can upgrade to their $199 package, you get an EIN.

BizFilings

BizFilings, another Iowa LLC service provider, charges $99 for the basic package. This includes assistance in filing your limited liability company formation documents and a year of their registered agent services. Like each of the LLC services, they have additional features for additional fees.

Rocket Lawyer

Similar to LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer offers online legal services. They also offer LLC services such as registering an agent, filing your formation documents, and an online document storage portal. If you like having access to ongoing legal assistance for a fee, Rocket Lawyer might be a good fit for you.

Active Filings

Active Filings is another LLC formation service, they are based in Dania Beach, Florida. Active Filings has been in business since 2001 but is still a small player in this industry. According to the company website, they have only four employees.

Direct Incorporation

Direct Incorporation offers the same LLC services that MyCorporation but includes a banking resolution as well as an Employer Identification number. They charge $174 for these services. If you need an LLC operating agreement, you need to get the next package at $297. They also offer logo design, trademarks, a business website, and email.

InCorp

InCorp costs $99. plus state fees to file your Articles of Organization. Registered agent services are $129 per year.

National Incorporations

Nationwide Incorporators offers basic LLC filing services for $200, and for $475, you get an LLC operating agreement. You get to talk to an attorney.  Pricey!

SunDoc Filings

SunDoc Filings has a $79 base package for filing your Articles of Organization. $70 for an EIN and $69 for an LLC operating agreement.


What is an Iowa LLC?

An Iowa LLC, short for limited liability company, is an entity type that combines the flexibility of a sole proprietorship with the financial protection of personal assets. That’s not a bad thing. Let’s find out what this means.

You would operate as a sole proprietorship if you started selling handcrafted apparel out of your home. Sole proprietorships are legal entities.

This means that everything the business owns, from fabrics to sewing machines, is owned solely by the proprietor. The proprietor pays all taxes. If the business is sued or taken to court by a third party, the owner may lose all of his or her personal property to pay the damages.

Business entities, such as LLCs, have personal asset protection. This is because the business itself is considered an independent legal entity. The business can have assets, open a bank account, and be sued. If the business goes under, members of the company cannot lose their assets.

LLCs aren’t subject to a lot of complex requirements, unlike corporations. This makes it an attractive choice for entrepreneurs who want to keep their filings simple and still protect their assets.

Pros and cons of starting a limited liability company in Iowa

An LLC is one of the most common types of entity in America. However, it’s not the right type of entity for everyone.

Only you know your business best and can choose the entity type most appropriate for you. Your vision is clear for the future and your products.

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of LLCs to decide if an LLC is right for your needs.

Pros

  • It is easier to create and manage than a corporation
  • Protection of personal assets
  • A flexible tax structure can be paid as a partnership (or a corporation)
  • Exclusive use of a business name within a state is prohibited

Cons

  • No authority can issue stock. Therefore, capital-raising opportunities are limited.
  • Some states have higher annual fees and taxes than sole proprietorships or partnerships.
  • Some entrepreneurs may not be comfortable with the extra paperwork.

How to set up an Iowa LLC on your own

You don’t need to use an LLC formation service such as LegalZoom or ZenBusiness. While these services can be very helpful, you can save money by doing it yourself.

1. Choose a company name

Iowa LLCs need a memorable name that can give potential clients an idea of the products or services available. Names should be unique for both legal and business reasons.

2. Appoint a Registered Agent in Iowa

As we have mentioned, every LLC requires an agent to accept service of process on its behalf. You can be your own registered agent in most states as long as there is a physical address. However, we recommend that you appoint another person (an online service) as your agent.

3. File the Articles for Organization

Once completed and filed, this document officially forms your Iowa business. Some important information will be required, such as your contact information, business address, signatures of your LLC members, and other details. Iowa charges a $45 filing fee.

It’s easy to set up an LLC. However, it is the maintenance requirements that can be a little more difficult.

4. Register and pay taxes

You will need an IRS Employer Identification Number if you have employees. There are also state-specific taxes. Iowa has graduated income taxes. Individual rates are between 5% to 6.9%, and corporate rates are between 1% to 6.5%. The Franchise Tax is the largest tax burden. Other taxes, such as sales taxes (6.5%) or miscellaneous taxes, will need to be included.


5. Get permits and licenses

Iowa does not have a general business license, but many cities and counties do require one. You might also need to apply in order for an industry license.


6. Create a Iowa LLC Operating Agreement

Even single-member LLCs need to create a master document outlining how the business will function.


7. Get your annual report.

Iowa’s annual report is a companion to the annual franchise tax. You will file your Iowa annual report with the Department of Finance and Administration and not with the Secretary of State. A minimum tax is $150 per year.


8. Get business insurance

All businesses with employees need to have workers’ compensation insurance. A general business liability policy may be an option.


9. Open a bank account for your business

Register for a bank account in your business name to write checks and make business purchases


My Research for Choosing the Best Iowa LLC Services

This is how I found the best LLC service in Iowa.

I formed an LLC a few years ago and did a lot of research before doing so. Because I have spent so much time on this subject, I believe I am very capable of finding and recommending the best LLC formation services. I also recommend using a registered agent service rather than being your own.

How did I research and choose the best LLC service in Iowa?

My research approach included these four steps to select the best Iowa LLC formation service.

Step 1: Reviews

I began by analyzing the reviews of online customers for the top 19 LLC services in Iowa.

I spent many nights scrolling through the customer feedback on Trustpilot and Google Business Profiles (among other review websites) to discover which LLC services were new, which seemed questionable, and which were legitimate.

Step 2: Website Analysis

Once I had a good idea of who I could trust, I could go to their websites and see exactly what they offered.

To find out who offered what products or business services, I looked through pricing pages and looked at detailed breakdowns.

Step 3: Talking with real customers

Online customer reviews are only one way to learn. To truly understand the experience of using a service, it is important to talk to the people who use it.

I sought out the opinions of customers who I had recommended to me over the years in order to get a clear understanding of Iowa LLC services. I wanted to know how easy the system was, how helpful and polite their support staff is, and how fast they process applications.

This direct feedback from customers helped me to see which promises were fakes and which were legitimate.

Step 4: Talking with their Sales Team

The last step was to talk to their sales team to find out how difficult they were with upsells.

I asked several questions that a first-timer would. Then I waited to see how many times I was encouraged to get additional services.

My Testing and Rating Criteria for Iowa LLC Services

While I was completing my investigative analysis, I was constantly evaluating these LLC formation services on the basis of these four aspects.

1: Features and Services

There are many steps involved in starting an LLC. If you have read at least half of the above, you will know this. Fill out and file your Articles of Organization. You will need an EIN to open bank accounts. Choose a premium registered agent in  to get an address in Iowa. And a lot more.

To ensure you get as many completed projects as possible when you invest your money, I first assessed each LLC formation company on the business and product services they offer.

2: Pricing

I checked if they charge extra for a lot of pricey add-ons that are not mentioned at first. I liked the very clear services and upfront with everything. The best value LLC formation services rose to the top.

3: Ease of use

It’s a good idea to sign up for a business formation service that offers a variety of products at a reasonable price without any trouble navigating their system.

I created an account with each Iowa LLC formation service and attempted to register my fictional LLC. This was to ensure that all the systems were easy to use and simple to navigate.

4: Customer service

I was not satisfied with my customer service experiences after the recent corporate trend to outsource customer support to unaffiliated phone centers. These representatives know little about the service they are supporting and the laws and regulations that it is subject to.

I did my best to test their customer service teams to determine the quality of their business formation services. I sent them polite questions, called them to inquire about obvious information, and jumped onto their online chat portals. I also complained about inappropriate things. I wanted to know how they dealt with my comments and requests and how fast it took for them to reply.

Best LLC Services in Popular States

My Findings for the Best Iowa LLC Service

My investigative analysis resulted in my picking Northwest Registered Agent as the best LLC service for Iowa.

[rank_math_rich_snippet id=”s-5e63dbe6-09d4-4d7a-ae5f-e34430c17fd9″]

 

author avatar
Brian Wilson Writer and Editor
Brian Wilson is the content manager and founder of LLC Radar. Brian grew up in North Texas, just outside of Dallas, and has a bachelor's degree in business from Southern Methodist University. Since graduating from SMU, Brian has gained over 10 years of experience in business writing for several online publications. Brian resides in Plano, Texas and he can be reached by email:   info@llcradar.com Phone: 972-776-4050

4 Comments

  1. Ryan Lewis says:

    A hearty applause to Brian for curating such a comprehensive comparison of online LLC formation services. As someone looking into starting my own business in Iowa, I found this article to be a treasure trove of valuable insights.
    I particularly appreciated the balanced evaluation of LegalZoom and Incfile, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement. Brian’s writing has a knack for transforming complex procedures into digestible steps, making the path to LLC formation less daunting.
    The integration of user reviews into the article was a thoughtful touch, providing a holistic perspective.
    This article certainly proves to be a great resource for all aspiring entrepreneurs. Thanks, Brian!

  2. Danielle Baker says:

    It’s always a pleasure to dive into one of Brian’s well-researched articles, and this comparison of online LLC formation services is no exception. I found the in-depth exploration of each service provider, especially Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness, to be extremely informative and objective.
    These details truly assist potential business owners in understanding the nuanced differences between each service, ranging from pricing structure to additional features. Brian’s ability to articulate these differences using easily understandable language is indeed commendable.
    The examination of the cost-benefit factor associated with each service can greatly assist anyone on the journey of entrepreneurship. Looking forward to more such insightful articles.

Comments are closed.

  Information provided on this website is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to offer legal advice specific to your business needs. If you need legal advice, you should consult with an attorney. Rankings and reviews are the personal opinions of the authors and/or editors. For questions, while starting a business, we recommend consulting with an attorney or accountant.