Best LLC Formation Service of 2026 (Ranked & Compared)
After comparing pricing, features, and customer satisfaction across 5 major LLC formation services, Northwest Registered Agent is our top pick for most founders. But Bizee offers the best value if you want free formation, and ZenBusiness is the best all-in-one option.
Our Rankings
Northwest Registered Agent
Best overall for service qualityNorthwest is the only service on this list that includes a full year of registered agent service in its formation price. Their customer support is consistently rated the best in the industry, and they are one of the few services that will never sell your data to third-party marketers.
Pros
- Best-rated customer support in the industry with real humans answering calls
- Strong privacy protections — they never sell your personal data to third parties
- Registered agent included in the $39 formation fee for the first year
Cons
- Formation fee is $39, not free like some competitors
- Fewer tier options — no premium all-in-one package with compliance tools
ZenBusiness
Best for budget + complianceZenBusiness offers free LLC formation with an excellent compliance dashboard that tracks annual reports, deadlines, and state requirements automatically. Their worry-free compliance guarantee is a standout feature that saves new LLC owners from missing critical deadlines.
Pros
- $0 formation fee with no hidden charges on the Starter plan
- Worry-free compliance guarantee tracks deadlines and files for you
- Clean, intuitive dashboard that makes managing your LLC simple
Cons
- Registered agent costs $199/yr — higher than Northwest or Bizee
- Upsells during checkout can be aggressive if you are not paying attention
Bizee (formerly Incfile)
Best pure value playBizee (formerly Incfile) offers the lowest total cost of ownership thanks to free formation and the cheapest registered agent renewal at $119/yr. If your priority is forming an LLC for the absolute lowest price, Bizee is hard to beat.
Pros
- $0 formation fee plus the lowest registered agent renewal at $119/yr
- Over 1 million businesses formed — proven track record since 2004
- Lifetime company alerts for compliance deadlines at no extra cost
Cons
- Standard processing is slower (up to 10 business days) than competitors
- Dashboard and user experience feel dated compared to ZenBusiness
Tailor Brands
Best for branding bundleTailor Brands stands out by bundling LLC formation with logo design, business cards, and a basic website builder. If you want to launch your business with branding assets ready to go, Tailor Brands combines formation and branding in a single workflow.
Pros
- Logo design, business cards, and website builder included in paid plans
- Free LLC formation with a modern, beginner-friendly interface
- Fast standard processing at roughly 7 business days
Cons
- Branding tools are basic — serious designers will outgrow them quickly
- Registered agent at $199/yr is more expensive than Northwest or Bizee
LegalZoom
Most recognized brandLegalZoom is the biggest name in online legal services and offers access to attorneys and legal document review that smaller competitors cannot match. However, their registered agent fee is the highest on this list, and the overall value is weaker unless you need ongoing legal support.
Pros
- Most recognized brand in online legal services with 20+ years of history
- Access to attorney consultations and legal document review
- Wide range of legal add-ons beyond LLC formation (trademarks, contracts, etc.)
Cons
- Most expensive registered agent at $249/yr — $124 more than Northwest
- Slower standard processing (up to 14 business days) than most competitors
How We Ranked These Services
We evaluated each LLC formation service across five weighted criteria: total cost of ownership (formation fee + registered agent + common add-ons, weighted 30%), features and included services (what you get for free vs. what costs extra, weighted 25%), customer support quality (response time, helpfulness, and availability, weighted 20%), processing speed (standard and rush turnaround times, weighted 15%), and user experience (dashboard quality, checkout transparency, and ease of use, weighted 10%).
We created real LLCs through each service, contacted customer support with questions, timed processing speeds, and compared the actual checkout experience including upsell pressure. Our rankings reflect the experience a real customer would have, not just marketing claims.
We update these rankings quarterly as services change their pricing, features, and policies. Prices shown are current as of February 2026 and do not include state filing fees, which vary by state.
Pro Tip
State filing fees are separate from service fees and range from $50 to $500 depending on your state. Use our LLC cost calculator to see the exact total for your state.
Key Factors to Consider
Total cost, not just formation fee. A "$0 formation" service that charges $249/yr for a registered agent costs more over 3 years than a $39 service with free first-year registered agent and $125/yr renewals. Always calculate the total cost over at least 2-3 years before choosing a service.
What is actually included. Compare what you get in the base tier: Does the formation fee include a registered agent? Operating agreement? EIN filing? Some services advertise "$0 formation" but then require paid add-ons for essentials. Others charge a modest formation fee but include more in the box.
Customer support quality. When you are forming your first LLC, you will have questions. Services that offer phone support with knowledgeable staff (not just chatbots) save you time, stress, and potential mistakes. Read real customer reviews, not just the star rating on the service's own website.
Processing speed. Standard processing ranges from 5 to 14 business days depending on the service (plus your state's processing time). If you need your LLC formed quickly, check rush processing options and fees before committing.
Free vs. Paid Formation Services
Four of the five services on our list offer $0 LLC formation. So how do free services make money? Primarily through registered agent fees, premium add-ons, and upsells during checkout. The formation filing itself is a loss leader designed to get you into their ecosystem.
Free formation makes sense if you only need the basics: filing your Articles of Organization with the state. The registered agent fee (which you will pay regardless of which service you choose) is where the real annual cost lives. Compare registered agent renewal rates — not formation fees — to understand your true ongoing cost.
Paid formation (like Northwest's $39 fee) can actually be the better deal when it includes services that free competitors charge extra for. Northwest includes a year of registered agent service in that $39, which means your first-year total cost is lower than most "free" alternatives.
Pro Tip
Calculate your 3-year total cost (formation fee + registered agent x 3 years) to compare services accurately. The cheapest formation fee does not always mean the cheapest overall cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC?
No. You can file your Articles of Organization directly with your state's Secretary of State office. A formation service simply handles the paperwork for you, which saves time and reduces the chance of errors. If you are comfortable with government forms, filing yourself is a valid option.
Which LLC formation service is the cheapest overall?
Bizee (formerly Incfile) has the lowest total cost of ownership thanks to $0 formation and $119/yr registered agent fees. Over 3 years, Bizee costs roughly $357 in service fees (excluding state fees). Northwest is close at $414 over 3 years ($39 formation + $125/yr x 3). The most expensive is LegalZoom at $747 over 3 years.
Is it worth paying for a formation service instead of filing myself?
For most people, yes. The time savings alone (15-30 minutes vs. researching your state's requirements and filling out forms correctly) is worth the $0-$39 formation fee. Formation services also reduce errors that could delay your filing or create problems later.
Do all formation services include a registered agent?
Most formation services include the first year of registered agent service for free or bundled into the formation fee. After the first year, you will pay an annual renewal fee ranging from $119/yr (Bizee) to $249/yr (LegalZoom). You can switch registered agents at any time by filing a simple form with your state.
Can I switch formation services after I have already formed my LLC?
Yes. Your LLC is registered with your state, not with the formation service. You can switch registered agents, use a different service for compliance tracking, or handle everything yourself after formation. The only ongoing relationship is the registered agent service, which is easy to change.