Top LLC Formation Services : A Comprehensive Comparison

Looking for the top LLC service in 2024 to launch your business?

Formation companies can help reduce startup expenses by forming your LLC online, while also providing cost-effective features like an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and registered agent services.

In this review of the best LLC formation services, we provide a detailed comparison of the key features to consider when starting your LLC.

Recommended LLC Service: four point eight out of five Northwest ($39 + State Fees)

 

The Top 7 LLC Formation Services for 2024

Best LLC Service: Northwest

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Using an online LLC formation service enables you to concentrate on expanding your small business. Many online services are available to help launch your business for a fee.

We have reviewed and ranked the top 7 LLC services. To ensure accuracy, we formed LLCs through each service and thoroughly evaluated their pricing, features, user experience, and more.:

Our Best LLC Services

  1. Northwest Registered Agent is the best LLC service for small businesses.
  2. Tailor Brands offers the best for branding and marketing.
  3. LegalZoom is best for expert legal advice.
  4. Bizee (Formerly Incfile)
  5. ZenBusiness 
  6. Swyft Filings
  7. Rocket Lawyer

We chose Northwest Registered Agent as the best LLC service for small businesses. The combination of expert customer support, competitive pricing, and straightforward plans make the business formation service a great choice when forming an LLC online.

We choose Northwest Registered Agent as the best LLC service for small businesses. This firm is a good alternative for forming an LLC online since it provides exceptional customer service, low pricing, and clear, easy programs.

We chose Tailor Brands as the best premium, all-in-one solution. Beyond LLC creation, Tailor Brands provides a suite of AI-powered tools to assist entrepreneurs swiftly construct their brand and establish an online presence.

We selected LegalZoom as the best alternative for people seeking specialized legal help because of its extensive network of competent business attorneys.

Continue reading our comprehensive review of the finest LLC formation services below for more information on Northwest Registered Agent, LegalZoom, and Tailor Brands, as well as other honorable mentions and side-by-side comparisons.

1. Northwest Registered Agent

We selected Northwest Registered Agent as the best overall LLC formation company. Northwest offers all the essential services needed for online business formation.

Their incorporation plan begins at just $29 plus state fees, and includes LLC filing, customer privacy protection, one year of free registered agent service, a free operating agreement, an online account to access business documents, and more.

Northwest is also recognized for exceptional customer service. Clients are paired with Corporate Guides—highly trained, U.S.-based support agents. Every customer has a dedicated Corporate Guide, ensuring you always speak with the same person for any questions or concerns.

Northwest Pros

  • Excellent customer reviews
  • Easy-to-use online ordering system
  • No hidden fees or “free trials” with unexpected charges
  • Professional U.S.-based support staff

Northwest Cons

  • Additional fees for important LLC formation services like an EIN.

Northwest Pricing and Features
Northwest offers one business formation plan. For just $29 plus state fees, you receive these features:

  • LLC Formation Services
  • Registered Agent Service
  • Operating Agreement
  • Free Annual Report Reminders
  • Privacy by Default®
  • Free Phone Service for 60 days
  • Corporate Guide® Service
  • Accessible Online Dashboard

Optional add-ons include:

  • EIN ($50)
  • Premium Mail Forwarding ($20/month)

Want to know more about Northwest’s LLC formation service? Read our full Northwest Registered Agent review.

Best LLC Service: Northwest

Northwest Registered Agent provides high quality customer support from knowledgeable professionals. Get business attorney level service.

2. Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands aims to empower entrepreneurs by providing a comprehensive all-in-one platform that includes LLC formation, compliance services, and branding/online presence solutions. While Tailor Brands offers three distinct plans, the Elite Plan is the one we recommend. This plan is where Tailor Brands truly excels, offering everything serious entrepreneurs need to effectively reach their target market — arguably the most crucial aspect of establishing an online presence.

Many companies provide the basics for LLC formation and website creation, and these steps are undoubtedly important. However, they are only the foundation of building a brand and connecting with your audience. The additional features offered in Tailor Brands’ Elite Plan are what help transform your LLC and website into a well-recognized brand with a strong online presence.

Tailor Brands Pros

  • Comprehensive platform that covers everything needed to establish your business online
  • User-friendly — get started with just a few clicks in as little as 10 minutes
  • Provides tools focused on branding and enhancing your online presence
  • Offers more customization options than some competitors, including logo design and graphic design tools

Tailor Brands Cons

  • To fully maximize Tailor Brands’ potential, you must opt for the top-tier plan, which may not be ideal for those looking for cheaper options

Tailor Brands Pricing and Features
The Elite Plan sets Tailor Brands apart from its competitors. It includes:

  • LLC formation
  • Annual compliance
  • Expedited processing
  • Operating agreement

Additionally, it provides essential business-building tools:

  • Five logos through Tailor Brands’ logo maker
  • Domain name
  • Website builder
  • Digital business card
  • Graphic design tools for social media

Tailor Brands may not be the best option for startups on a tight budget, but it’s an excellent choice for those looking to make a serious investment in their online presence. If you’re ready to build and grow your business with powerful tools, we highly recommend the Elite Plan. Explore it today!

Want to learn more about Tailor Brands? Read our full Tailor Brands review.

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands offers the ultimate premium, all-in-one package for entrepreneurs to establish an LLC and enhance their online presence.

3. LegalZoom

LegalZoom stands out as one of the most well-known business formation services. What makes it unique is its offering of access to an attorney for personalized legal guidance. This feature is especially beneficial for businesses with complex structures or specific legal requirements. LegalZoom provides consultations on various legal topics, allowing you to receive tailored advice rather than relying on general information.

LegalZoom Pros

LegalZoom has become a trusted name in the LLC formation space, lending the company significant brand authority. Additionally, LegalZoom offers more continuous legal services compared to many other LLC formation providers.

LegalZoom Cons

LegalZoom tends to be on the pricier side when it comes to forming an LLC, making it a more expensive option compared to some competitors.

LegalZoom Pricing and Features

LegalZoom’s LLC formation packages begin at $0, excluding state fees. While they offer basic LLC filing services, their packages do not include as many features as other companies. Additional services, such as obtaining an EIN, creating an Operating Agreement, and securing a registered agent, will incur extra costs.

LegalZoom also provides a variety of legal services, including:

  • Tax advice
  • Attorney assistance
  • Access to legal forms

In summary, choosing LegalZoom means opting for a well-established brand with a higher price tag. If you value brand recognition and are willing to invest a bit more for an online LLC formation service, LegalZoom could be the right choice for you.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom remains one of the most well known LLC service providers in the industry and has excellent reviews on Trustpilot.

Bizee (Formerly Incfile)

Much like Northwest and ZenBusiness, Bizee offers excellent value in its basic pricing plan for limited liability company services.

Bizee Pros

  • A full year of registered agent service is included for free in all packages. After this initial year, the cost is $119/year, which remains competitive within the industry.
  • Bizee provides a real-time order tracking tool and responsive customer support.
  • Their user-friendly online dashboard helps you stay on top of essential deadlines and compliance reminders.

Bizee Cons

  • Like Northwest, key business features such as an Operating Agreement and EIN come at an additional cost.

Bizee Pricing and Features
The Silver package, which is free (excluding state fees), includes:

  • LLC formation
  • One year of free registered agent service
  • Lifetime company compliance alerts

The Gold package ($149 + state fee) offers:

  • An Operating Agreement
  • Banking resolution
  • EIN registration

The Platinum package ($249 + state fee) includes:

  • A free business website and domain name
  • Contract templates
  • Expedited filing

LLCBLUEPRINT

Bizee is one of the best LLC services if you are working with a limited budget, and want a lot of added features.

5. ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a reliable option for those looking to start an LLC online, offering company formation packages beginning at $0* per year (plus the state filing fee).

ZenBusiness Pros

  • Responsive customer support
  • Positive customer feedback from online ZenBusiness reviews
  • Digital dashboard for easy access to important business documents

ZenBusiness Cons To obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), you’ll need to pay an additional fee, though you can learn how to acquire an EIN for free. Additional costs also apply for essential services like an operating agreement and registered agent services.

ZenBusiness Pricing and Features

ZenBusiness provides three packages, each offering the following essential tools and more to set up your LLC:

  • Articles of Organization filing
  • Unlimited name availability searches
  • Complimentary accounting consultation
  • Free automatic expense tracking
  • Tax deduction tagging at no cost
  • Worry-free compliance for the first year (auto-renewal at $199/yr): This includes annual report filing alerts and submission (state fees may apply), two free filing changes per year (state fees excluded if applicable), and insurance on document filings to maintain good standing if filings are delayed.

Moving up to the ZenBusiness Pro plan introduces more LLC formation tools, including a custom operating agreement and expedited filing.

The ZenBusiness Premium package ($299 + state fee) offers even more added features:

  • Business email, website, and domain privacy: These tools enhance your business’s accessibility, visibility, and protect your private information.
  • Rush filing: Ideal for entrepreneurs needing faster, more comprehensive formation services.
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Business Document Templates

Want to know more? Check out our full ZenBusiness review for an in-depth look.

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a good option for LLC formation because of their helpful services and positive customer feedback.

6. Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings offers a range of services designed to make LLC formation faster and more convenient. Although they provide various packages tailored to different needs, their offerings fall slightly short compared to some leading industry competitors.

Swyft Filings Pros

  • Affordable pricing
  • Fast processing times
  • Accessible customer support

Swyft Filings Cons

  • Does not include registered agent service

Swyft Filings Pricing and Features

Basic Package
Swyft Filings’ Basic package is free (excluding state fees) and includes:

  • Preparation of Articles of Incorporation
  • Document filing
  • Business name availability check
  • Continuous customer support

Standard Package ($199 + state fee)
This package provides additional essential features, such as:

  • EIN (Employer Identification Number)
  • Corporate bylaws
  • Banking resolution
  • Electronic delivery of state documents

Premium Plan ($299 + state fee)
The Premium plan adds extra benefits, including:

  • Expedited processing
  • Legal and business document templates
  • Free business website
  • ComplianceGuard, which covers a free Annual Report, Amendment, and Meeting Minutes
  • Statement of the Incorporator for bank account setup
  • User-friendly online dashboard

Want to know more about Swyft Filings? Read our full Swyft Filings review.

Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings is a great option if you need standard LLC services with speedy turnaround times.

7. Rocket Lawyer

For small business owners seeking more than just company formation, Rocket Lawyer provides a full suite of legal services to meet their needs.

Rocket Lawyer Pros

  • Comprehensive legal resources and expert advice
  • User-friendly platform with strong customer support

Rocket Lawyer Cons

  • Emphasis on legal assistance beyond basic company formation, making it less cost-effective for those solely interested in starting a business.

Rocket Lawyer Pricing and Features Rocket Lawyer’s basic LLC formation package is priced at $99.99 plus state fees and includes:

  • Filing of Articles of Organization
  • Operating agreement template
  • Online document storage
  • Customer support via phone and email
  • Business name search

Additional services include Registered Agent service ($149.99/year, or $124.99/year with Rocket Legal+) and EIN acquisition ($59.99).

Rocket Lawyer Membership Options

  • Rocket Legal ($39.99/month): Offers unlimited legal documents, document defense, and attorney consultations.
  • Rocket Legal+ ($19.99/month, billed annually): Provides discounts on business registration, registered agent service, tax preparation, and trademark filing.

Although Rocket Lawyer may not be the most budget-friendly option for straightforward LLC formation, it offers substantial value for businesses needing ongoing legal support. The membership plans, especially Rocket Legal+, deliver considerable advantages for those who require consistent access to legal documents and professional advice.

For more information on Rocket Lawyer, check out our complete review.

Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer is a great choice for new business owners who don’t have a lot of experience forming contracts.

Comparison of LLC Formation Packages

The online LLC formation services listed here provide a range of products at various price levels. Although each service names its packages differently, they generally adhere to a three-tier structure. We’ve categorized these tiers as basic, middle, and top plans. Below, you’ll find a detailed side-by-side comparison of each plan’s features. Keep in mind that LLC prices and offerings may change over time.

Note: Rocket Lawyer provides either a single formation service or a premium membership. For clarity, we’ve classified Rocket Lawyer’s standalone formation as the basic plan, Rocket Legal as the middle plan, and Rocket Legal+ as the top plan. Furthermore, Northwest offers only one incorporation package, but we have partnered with them to offer TRUiC customers an exclusive rate of $29 plus state fees. This $29 package will be represented across the basic, middle, and top plan comparisons.

 

 

Basic Plan Comparison

ZenBusiness
Tailor Brands
LegalZoom
Bizee
Rocket Lawyer
Northwest
Swyft Filings

Order
Processing
Time

2-3 weeks

Up to 14 business days

30 days

Next
business
day

15-20
business
days

1-3 weeks

Order processing time: 1-2 weeks

Registered
Agent

$199/year

$199/year

$299/ year

Free for
one year,
then $119
per year

No

Included for one year

$199/year

Operating
Agreement

$125

$29

$99 extra
$40 extra

Templates for $39 extra

$50 extra

$35

EIN
Registration

$99 extra

$99 extra

$79 extra

$70 extra

$60 extra

$50 extra

$79 extra

Annual
Compliance

Yes

$199/year

10 days free,
$280/year after

Yes

No

No

No

Advisory
Services

Accounting consultation

No

No

Tax:
Free 1-hour
consultation

Legal:
Free
Ask-a-lawyer
via email

No

No

Web
Domain

No

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

Web
Hosting

No

No

Yes

$20/month

No

No

No

Middle Plan Comparison

ZenBusiness
Tailor Brands
LegalZoom
Bizee
Rocket Lawyer
Northwest
Swyft Filings

Order
Processing
Time

3-5 business days

Up to 2 business days

7-10 business
days

Next
business
day

15-20
business
days

1-3 weeks

1-3 business days

Registered
Agent

$199/year

$199/year

$299/ year

Free for
one year,
then $119
per year

Registered agent service for one year

Included for one year

$199/year

Operating
Agreement

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

$35

EIN
Registration

$99 extra

$99 extra

Yes

Yes

$60 extra

$50 extra

Yes

Annual
Compliance

Yes

Yes

10 days free,
$280/year after

Yes

No

No

Yes

Advisory
Services

Accounting consultation

No

Attorney consultations

Tax:
Free 1-hour
consultation

Legal:
Free
Ask-a-lawyer
via email &
30-minute monthly
phone consultation
per new matter*

No

No

Web
Domain

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free domain name
for 1 year

No

No

Yes

Web
Hosting

Yes

No

Yes

$20/month

No

No

Yes

Middle Plan Comparison

ZenBusiness
Tailor Brands
LegalZoom
Bizee
Rocket Lawyer
Northwest
Swyft Filings

Order
Processing
Time

1 week

Up to 2 business days

15 days

Next
business
day

15-20
business
days

1-3 weeks

Order processing time: 1-2 weeks

Registered
Agent

$199/year

$199/year

$299/ year

Free for
one year,
then $119
per year

Yes

Included for one year

$199/year

Operating
Agreement

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

$50 extra

$35

EIN
Registration

$99 extra

$99 extra

Yes

Yes

$60 extra

$50 extra

Yes

Annual
Compliance

Yes

Yes

10 days free,
$280/year after

Yes

No

No

No

Advisory
Services

Accounting consultation

No

No

Tax:
Free 1-hour
consultation

Legal:
Free
Ask-a-lawyer
via email &
30-minute monthly
phone consultation
per new matter*

No

No

Web
Domain

$25 domain name registration, $10 domain name privacy

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

Web
Hosting

No

No

Yes

$20/month

No

No

No

Our LLC Review Methodology

Selecting the Ideal LLC Service for Your Small Business

Choosing the best LLC service to help form your small business boils down to three key factors:

  • Your business type
  • Your business needs
  • Additional services you may want

The TRUiC team assesses each LLC service based on these factors:

  • Pricing: Is the service affordable for small business owners, and does it provide essential LLC formation services at a reasonable cost?
  • Features: Does the basic package include critical elements like Articles of Organization filing, registered agent services, and an operating agreement template?
  • User Reviews: Do past customers rate the service positively, and does the company address any negative feedback effectively?
  • Customer Support: Is the support team knowledgeable, approachable, and responsive? Will they offer peace of mind to entrepreneurs throughout the formation process?
  • Accessibility and Transparency: Is the service’s website user-friendly and easy to navigate, with transparent information and no hidden fees during checkout?

Our primary goal is to recommend the LLC formation service that offers the best value, enabling our users to launch and grow successful businesses more confidently.

FAQs

LLC formation services help entrepreneurs quickly form a limited liability company by handling the legal paperwork, ensuring compliance, and offering additional features such as registered agent services, EIN registration, and operating agreements.

.

Northwest has earned our top rating as a business formation service because of its outstanding customer support and a variety of useful features. Among these, they offer a complimentary operating agreement and a free year of registered agent service. This makes Northwest a compelling choice for entrepreneurs who want to set up their businesses smoothly and effectively.

You can discover all the essential information about forming an LLC and even initiate the process yourself by exploring our detailed state LLC guides.

The cost of starting an LLC varies from state to state, typically ranging from $50 to $500 for the initial formation. Additionally, you can anticipate annual maintenance costs of around $100, which may include expenses like annual or biennial reports and state business taxes.

While it's possible to form an LLC on your own, engaging a professional LLC formation service can be beneficial. These companies can help you save both time and money in the long run by minimizing the risk of errors during the formation process. They also offer valuable tools and features, such as EIN acquisition and registered agent services, ensuring that you have everything you need to set up your business correctly. Additionally, utilizing a formation service can provide you with peace of mind, allowing you to concentrate fully on growing and succeeding in your business.

Yes and no. While certain services advertise a $0 formation fee, it’s important to remember that you will still be responsible for the state filing fees associated with your chosen state of formation. These fees can vary significantly depending on the state, so be sure to factor them into your overall costs when considering LLC formation services.