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Best LLC Formation Services for Startups in 2026

Updated September 2026 · 7 min read

Forming an LLC is the first legal step for most startups — it separates your personal assets from the business and gives you a real entity to open a bank account under. These services file the paperwork with your state for you. The headline prices look similar, but the real cost is in the registered agent renewals and add-ons, so read the fine print below.

1. Northwest Registered Agent — best overall value

One package at $39 plus your state's filing fee, and it includes a full year of registered agent service (normally $125/year after that). No tiers, no upsell gauntlet at checkout. An operating agreement template is included; EIN filing is available as an add-on (reported at $50). Northwest also keeps your home address off public filings by default and states publicly that it doesn't sell customer data.

Watch for: the registered agent renews at $125/year after the free first year — set a reminder. There is no $0 formation tier, so the upfront price looks higher than competitors until you add up year-one totals.

2. Bizee (formerly Incfile) — best free formation

Bizee's Basic plan is genuinely $0 plus your state's filing fee, and it includes the first year of registered agent service free. Standard ($199 plus state fee) adds an operating agreement and EIN filing; Premium ($299 plus state fee) adds expedited filing, contract templates, a domain, and business email. Bizee states there are no required upgrades and no automatic add-ons.

Watch for: the Basic plan doesn't include an EIN or operating agreement — you'll pay for those separately or step up to Standard. Registered agent pricing after the free first year varies across sources, so confirm the current renewal rate before you file.

3. ZenBusiness — best guided experience

ZenBusiness is built for first-time founders: a polished dashboard, a step-by-step flow, and a free AI formation guide. The Starter plan is $0 plus state fees for basic filing; Pro is $199/year plus state fees (adds 1-business-day processing, an EIN, an operating agreement, and ongoing compliance filings); Premium is $299/year plus state fees (adds expedited speed, a business domain, website, and email).

Watch for: registered agent service is a separate add-on on the lower tiers, not included — third-party reviews report it around $199/year. Pro and Premium are annual subscriptions that renew, so check what auto-renews before you pay.

4. LegalZoom — best if you want attorney access

LegalZoom is the most recognized name in the category and the only one here that bundles attorney consultations into a formation plan. Basic is $0 plus state fees for the filing alone; Pro is $249 plus state fees (adds an EIN, operating agreement, and compliance calendar); Premium is $299 plus state fees (adds attorney consultations).

Watch for: registered agent service is $249/year and isn't included in any plan — the highest in this comparison. Reviewers also report heavy upselling during checkout, so review your cart carefully before paying.

Our pick: Northwest Registered Agent for the best total year-one value with no upsell games. Bizee if you want to minimize upfront cost and are comfortable handling the EIN yourself. LegalZoom only if you actually need the attorney access — otherwise you're paying a brand premium.

How forming an LLC actually works (the 5-minute version)

  1. Pick a name — it must be unique in your state and usually has to include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company."
  2. Appoint a registered agent — a person or company in your state that receives legal documents on your behalf. Every state requires one; you can be your own, but your address goes on public record.
  3. File articles of organization — submit the formation document to your state's business filing office (usually the Secretary of State) and pay the state filing fee. State fees vary widely — roughly $40 to $500 depending on the state — and they're the same no matter which service you use.
  4. Get an EIN — your federal tax ID, needed to open a business bank account and hire employees. The IRS issues EINs free through its own online application, so never pay more than a small convenience fee for one.
  5. Sign an operating agreement — the internal document that says who owns what and how decisions get made. Especially important for multi-founder startups.

Sources

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