Compare the entry package, the agent appointment and the renewal separately. A higher-tier subscription can cost more in year two even when the original filing is complete.
| Provider | Cost and fit |
|---|---|
| Northwest | Formation: $39 + stateFirst agent year: $0Year 1 service subtotal: $39Year 2 agent renewal: $125 A formation bundle with the first year of registered-agent service included. View Northwest offer Partner |
| Bizee | Formation: Basic $0; Standard $199; Premium $299 + state feeFirst agent year: $0Year 1 service subtotal: $0Year 2 agent renewal: $149 A founder comparing low upfront filing costs with an included first agent year. View Bizee offer Partner |
| ZenBusiness | Formation: $0 + stateFirst agent year: $99Year 1 service subtotal: $99Year 2 agent renewal: $199 A founder choosing between basic filing and an optional recurring compliance package. View ZenBusiness offer Partner |
| LegalZoom | Formation: $0 + stateFirst agent year: $249Year 1 service subtotal: $249Year 2 agent renewal: $249 A founder comparing basic filing with optional setup and advisor support. View LegalZoom offer Partner |
Compare the cost over time
Illustrative first-year service subtotal = entry formation fee + one first-year agent appointment with that provider. State filing fees, taxes, optional services and paid-plan renewals are excluded. Year 2 shows the agent alone, not the full cost of running an LLC. ZenBusiness’s first-year figure assumes eligibility for its advertised formation promotion.
Agent-price sources: Northwest · Bizee · ZenBusiness · LegalZoom.
Use our state filing and recurring-fee comparison and LLC cost planner to add government costs to the service figures.
Which service fits your situation?
Northwest
Consider it for: A formation bundle with the first year of registered-agent service included.
What is listed: The advertised formation package includes filing, an operating agreement or bylaws, and the first agent year.
Check before paying: Budget $125 for the agent renewal. Address use depends on the filing; it does not make every company detail private.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
Bizee
Consider it for: A founder comparing low upfront filing costs with an included first agent year.
What is listed: Basic formation is $0 plus state fees. Standard is $199 and Premium $299 plus state fees; the provider lists a free first agent year with formation packages.
Check before paying: Compare the paid-package inclusions before adding EIN, document or address services. The first-year agent offer is not a permanent free service.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
ZenBusiness
Consider it for: A founder choosing between basic filing and an optional recurring compliance package.
What is listed: Starter is $0 plus state fees. Pro is $199 and Premium $299 plus state fees, with annual plan renewals at those advertised rates.
Check before paying: Registered-agent service is a separate cost. The website-builder offer can renew monthly after its trial. Provider preparation time is not state approval time.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
LegalZoom
Consider it for: A founder comparing basic filing with optional setup and advisor support.
What is listed: Basic formation is $0 plus state fees. Pro is advertised at $249 plus state fees and includes an EIN, operating agreement and a 30-day attorney consultation subscription.
Check before paying: The Pro attorney consultation subscription auto-renews at $49 per month after 30 days unless canceled. Premium bookkeeping tools have separate trial and renewal terms. Registered-agent service is priced separately.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
Before you place an order
- Choose the state and identify the work you need: filing, agent appointment, EIN, ongoing compliance or documents.
- Compare the checkout subtotal with the advertised package. Record renewals, trial end dates and cancellation conditions.
- Check whether notification, mail handling and address use meet your needs. An agent address is not automatically a bank-approved operating address.
- For an existing LLC, arrange the state change and the new appointment before ending the old service. See the switching guide.
Comfortable preparing the filing yourself? Use the official state registry links. Non-U.S. founders can also follow the non-resident formation guide.
How to use this comparison
There is no single best service for every founder. This is a comparison of published offerings, not a claim that we bought and tested every service. We consider entry cost, renewal cost, package scope and the work you still need to do. Affiliate availability is not a quality score.
Separate the service fee from the state fee
A formation service prepares and submits documents; the government charges its own filing fee. A $0 service package does not make the state filing free. Before choosing a package, check whether it includes the operating agreement, EIN application, registered-agent appointment or other items you need. The same brand can offer several packages with different inclusions.
Compare the second year before the first checkout
A first-year registered-agent offer can reduce initial spending while leaving an annual renewal later. Add recurring subscriptions, optional tax services and compliance packages separately. A promotional formation price should not be compared with another provider’s full annual bundle as though they cover identical work.
Match the package to the founder
If you can prepare the paperwork and maintain your own calendar, the direct state filing route may be sufficient. A basic filing package may suit someone who wants help submitting documents. More extensive support can be worth considering when its defined services match your needs, but a higher price alone does not establish better advice, faster state approval or bank acceptance.
What this page establishes
The table reflects the provider records maintained on this site. The sources and their recorded verification dates below make it possible to inspect the basis for a price. Those dates are not a promise that a promotion remains available today. Check the provider’s current package, checkout, renewal terms and cancellation conditions before purchasing. We do not assign numerical ratings or promise legal compliance, refunds or processing speed.
Price sources and recorded checks
- Northwest — provider source · recorded check 2026-11-06
- Bizee — provider source · recorded check 2026-11-06
- ZenBusiness — provider source · recorded check 2026-11-06
- LegalZoom — provider source · recorded check 2026-11-06
Provider statements are sources for their own products. They are not independent proof of superiority. Read our editorial and comparison policy.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best LLC formation service?
Choose by the work included, the state filing fee, registered-agent renewal and optional subscriptions. There is no universal best service. You can also file directly with the state.
Are $0 formation services really free?
The service fee can be $0, but you always pay the state filing fee, and the registered agent typically renews annually.
Do I need a formation service at all?
No. You can file directly with the state. A paid package is optional; confirm its exact inclusions rather than assuming it bundles the EIN or registered agent.