Starting an LLC doesn’t have to be difficult. We have listed down some of the best LLC formation services to help you make the correct business decision.
Attorneys are expensive and filing tedious documents yourself can often lead to mistakes and delays, which is why having your business created through a professional formation service is a better way to go that’s also affordable, quick, and worry-free.
These online business formation services are familiar with the requirements of establishing a LLC in each state in the country and have streamlined their processes into a quick and orderly way. All you need to do is to provide them with all the necessary documents.
However, there’s a huge number of online LLC services available and picking one out for your business can lead to a headache. With this in mind, we have shortlisted some of our top picks for the best LLC services to help you form an LLC.
30 Seconds Summary: My Top Recommendation
Northwest Registered Agent – After testing and purchasing all the available options out there, Northwest Registered Agent is arguably the best llc service company right now in the market. They have an awesome LLC package where all fees (registered agent service, state filing fees, etc) are covered for a small monthly fee.
Besides transparency, their customer support is pretty awesome. They are very professional and attentive towards any concerns you might have. With over 4000+ positive reviews, you can’t go wrong.
As a Business Fair Field reader, rest assured that you will receive the best price for the services you choose. Click here to check price (relevant discount applied automatically after clicking the link, depending on availability).
Service | Features | Editor’s Comment | Rating | Get The Best Deal |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. A physical office in every state 2. Highly reputable and professional 3. Great customer support 4. 4000+ positive reviews |
Northwest Registered Agent offers the best LLC creation service. The only reputable company that offers an affordable monthly subscription which covers everything. Would be the best option for new businesses. | 10/10 | Check Current Price | |
1. Hassle free service 2. Transparent pricing structure 3. Great customer support 4. 3000+ positive reviews |
Their services are transparent, straightforward and comprehensive. You will not get caught by surprises. | 9/10 | Check Current Price | |
1. Long history of establishment 2. Services are affordable 3. Staffs are professional 4. 3000+ positive reviews |
Swyft Filings have a long history in helping businesses legally form their corporation. Great alternative if you dislike Better Legal for some reasons. | 9/10 | Check Current Price | |
1. Flexible choice of services 2. Economical pricing 3. Decent customer support 4. 2000+ positive reviews |
Incfile services are arguable the most affordable. If you are extremely tight on budget, give this service a try. | 8.0/10 | Check Current Price | |
1. Very popular lately 2. Competitive pricing structure 3. Solid design and interface 4. 2000+ positive reviews |
A relatively new LLC formation service that’s getting a lot of attention lately. Design and interface are intuitive which makes submitting information much easier. | 8.0/10 | Check Current Price |
The best way for startups and small businesses to mitigate some of these high costs is to go through a more affordable way to form an LLC entity. And if you plan to run your business across several states, you’ll need to hire a registered agent in multiple states (check out the best registered agent services here). Though there are online legal services that can assist you with these things, attorney services can be costly.
To get it all done quickly and correctly, you can actually hire a registered agent service. Not only are they familiar with the entire process to ensure a quick and efficient LLC formation service, a registered agent service also comes at a more reasonable price. We hope you can benefit from our guide today on the comparison of the best online incorporation services.
9 Best LLC Services Reviewed (Formation, Filling, & Incorporation)
Let’s take a quick look at the nine best LLC services online:
- Northwest Reggistered Agent
- IncFile
- ZenBusiness
- IncAuthority
- Swyft Filings
- MyCorporation
- Rocket Lawyer
- Corpnet
- Legal Zoom
1. Northwest Registered Agent (Professional LLC service)
Northwest Registered Agent is a full-scale LLC formation and incorporation service with expert registered agents that are highly regarded within the industry. Though Northwest R.A. is a little bit more expensive than others, it is perfect for anyone who wants to keep things private and have a registered agent take care of tedious business filing.
It is recommended for small businesses to be registered as a limited liability company (LLC) as LLCs allow for a level of protection against debt, litigation, as well as taxation for the company’s owners. These will instead be shouldered by the company as an entity, except taxation as that will be based on the owner’s fixed income.
Most entrepreneurs are obviously more interested in running the actual business rather than getting stuck with all the paperwork involved. Fortunately, they can now hire companies to do such things for them with one such company being Northwest. Northwest registered agents serve as the businesses’ contact for legal matters within the state.
Although there are many companies that you can find on the web specializing in the same services of helping people in the formation of their limited liability companies, Northwest differentiates itself from the rest as it allows companies to affordably declare themselves as LLCs across multiple states.
Other than that, Northwest even gives its customers significant discounts the more states they apply for, making Northwest the perfect LLC formation service for any entity that is looking to quickly expand their business across several states.
Here are a few benefits you can expect when you subscribe to Northwest LLC service:
- Discounts for the fourth to ninth states plus additional discounts for additional states.
- Northwest registered agent services have a more personal touch with clients as opposed to the bland recorded-like manner of other companies.
- Northwest ensures clients reach a knowledgeable professional immediately instead of needing to go through annoying automated menus.
- An easy-to-use online form system that automatically populates relevant fields after keying in once. Northwest understands that people hate forms, especially redundant ones that legal endeavors such as registration of a business entity tend to use.
- Northwest diligently scans all legal documents received by their clients to make sure there are digital copies in case they’re needed. This makes the Northwest registered agent service much more transparent with the client as the scans are even sent in real-time.
- Overwhelming positive feedback record which comes in handy to justify their significantly higher rates despite providing multi-state discounts.
Northwest also has a different pricing structure compared to other LLC formation services. Instead of a subscription package with different levels of LLC services, Northwest charges a flat annual rate of $125 per registration and $125 per state for the first three states, $115 for four to nine states, and $100 for ten states or more.
With the annual $125 payment, you can expect the following from Northwest:-
- 365 days of premium Northwest registered agent service
- Secure online portal to manage documents
- Access to forms varying from state to state
- Lifetime customer service
Clients get to enjoy even better rates annually if they apply for more than nine states, providing some savings in the long run. Aside from this multi-state discount, Northwest also pulls all the stops when it comes to recording, scanning, and sending all documents. They make sure that their clients are informed every time in real-time on any updates.
The only drawback of Northwest LLC formation service is that it may hurt the pocket the first time, unlike other companies that charge less than $50 for the first year of service, some even offering free registered agent service for the first year. Still, you can trust that Northwest to form an LLC as they are one of the best LLC services available.
Northwest LLC Service Pros
- Included registered agent service
- Reliable customer support
- Can open business bank accounts
- Annual report filing included
Northwest LLC Service Cons
- Not many customer feedback reviews
- High price points
2. IncFile (Cheapest LLC Filing Service)
Second on our list of the best bLLC services online so far is IncFile. And this should certainly not come as a surprise as they’re a great company with decades of experience in forming new businesses. If you need the cheapest online LLC formation service and incorporation service with years of proven track record, then the IncFile is definitely your best bet.
Ordinary folks just stepping into the entrepreneur world would want to run a business without getting too embroiled in paperwork and that’s why they should hire services that are more knowledgeable in dealing with government legal requirements. Among these agents include Incfile whose services include assistance in company formation, statutory compliance, and even IRS filing.
Aside from online LLC services, IncFile can assist businesses in becoming a C-Corporation, S-Corporation, and a non-profit organization. Becoming a limited liability company ensures small businesses enjoy minimum compliance requirements, some debt and litigation protection, but ties the company taxes to its members’ personal taxes (known as pass-through taxation), which has some benefits in itself but that stands only until the company matures into something more significant.
When we compare online LLC formation services or registered agent services, IncFile will most certainly come out on top as one of the best LLC services available. Since its establishment in 2004, IncFile has helped with more than 250,000 company form an LLC and is actively assisting them to deal with legal matters through their legal services subscription plan. Given that base and experience, we are confident that IncFile is a company that is more than capable to deal with any of your online LLC formation service needs.
IncFile Subscription Plans & LLC Services
IncFile Silver Package, $0
- Preparing and Filing for Articles of Organization
- Add-ons available with additional services such as getting an EIN
- IncFile Gold Package, $149 plus state fee
- Verify Company Name Availability in your State
- Preparing and Filing for Articles of Organization
- Next Business Day Processing
- Employer Identification Number/Tax ID (EIN)
- Free 1 Year of Registered Agent Service ( $119/year after)
- Lifetime Company Alerts (personal dashboard to notify you of legal deadlines and updated state requirements)
- Online Order Status Tracking
- Free Business Tax Consultation (1 hour-long professional business tax consultation)
- Lifetime Customer Support
- Online Access to Incorporation Documents
IncFile Platinum Package, $299 plus state fee
- Verify Company Name Availability in your State
- Preparing and Filing for Articles of Organization
- Next Business Day Processing
- Employer Identification Number/Tax ID (EIN)
- Registered Agent Service for 1 Year ( $119/year after)
- Lifetime Company Alerts (personal dashboard to notify you of legal deadlines and updated state requirements)
- Online Order Status Tracking
- Free Business Tax Consultation (1 hour-long professional business tax consultation)
- Lifetime Customer Support
- Online Access to Incorporation Documents
- Company Website (Work with on Wix of Weebly)
- Business Contract Templates
The IncFile Platinum package has been considered as the Gold with candy sprinkles on top catered to companies with special requirements. Most companies will likely opt for the Gold package that includes the provision to process an Employer Identification Number (EIN), corporate forms, banking resolution, and a custom corporate kit.
However, the extra 25 contract templates written by professional lawyers provided in the Platinum package will help to expedit filing and speed up the process of incorporation if you’re in a hurry to get your business started. This would also suit anyone who does not want to speak to another service or to hire a lawyer.
Overall, IncFile is definitely a more affordable option among the best LLC services available and it offers more in their core package compared to the industry leader – Legalzoom. The customer reviews on their websites have been mostly positive except for a few cases.
Depending on which state you’re located, the process can take up to eight weeks to complete a filing. However, this will also depend on how complicated your state can be on top of the delayed customer support responses. IncFile says the standard filing time in Texas is 1 week, however customers have the option to purchase the $50 expedited add-on to have the filing done in 2 business days.
According online customer reviews, many have considered IncFile to be a great LLC service. If you are on a budget, it’s definitely one of the best choice to form an LLC.
How does IncFile fair against its competitors? Check out our comprehensive comparison between IncFile vs LegalZoom.
IncFile LLC Service Pros
- Outstanding Customer Feedback
- Annual report filing included
- Wide variety of other services available
- Quality customer support
- Real-time order tracking
- User-friendly, online dashboard to track deadlines and compliance reminders
IncFile LLC Service Cons
- Quite a few upsells and third-party offers
3. ZenBusiness (Best LLC Filing Serivces)
ZenBusiness is ranked as the top on our list of the best LLC service providers as they’re known for offering one of the cheapest LLC and corporation formation services available with a starting price of $49 plus state fee.
ZenBusiness Inc provides a professional business formation service at discounted prices and top quality services, including Registered Agent, EIN, banking, ongoing compliance, and much more!
ZenBusiness uses advanced technology and transparency to ensure a fast, friendly, affordable, and hassle-free experience for their customers. Their latest promotion even lets you form your LLC or corporation and receive your first year of Registered Agent service for free!
Even if you’re not ready to form an LLC or Corporation today, ZenBusiness gives you the option to get your new business name reserved, so no one else can take it. After that, you can just take on the reserved name and form your new business whenever you’re ready.
Additionally, ZenBusiness LLC formation service also has a Compliance Worry-Free Guarantee feature that may be a very attractive choice for new business formation. This feature is included in both the ZenBusiness Pro and Premium plans and will worry about any compliance and due dates for you, so that you can focus on other more important things.
ZenBusiness Subscription Plans & LLC Services
ZenBusiness Starter Plan, $49 plus state fees, LLC or corporation fees.
- Standard Filing
- Operating Agreement
- Free 1 Year of Registered Agent Service ( $119/year after)
- Phones and real-time chat support
- Personalized account dashboard
- LLC or Corporation formed in about 1 to 3 weeks
ZenBusiness Pro Plan, $249 plus state fees, LLC or corporation fees.
- Standard Filing
- Operating Agreement & Bylaws
- Free 1 Year of Registered Agent Service ( $119/year after)
- Phones and real-time chat support
- Personalized account dashboard
- LLC or Corporation formed in about 4 – 6 business days
- Employer ID Number
- Free CPA Consultation
- Domain Name Registration
- Worry-Free Compliance Guarantee
ZenBusiness Premium Plan, $349 plus state fees, LLC or corporation filing fees
- Standard Filing
- Operating Agreement & Bylaws
- Free 1 Year of Registered Agent Service ( $119/year after)
- Phones and real-time chat support
- Personalized account dashboard
- LLC or Corporation formed in about 4 – 6 business days
- Employer ID Number
- Free CPA Consultation
- Domain Name Registration
- Domain Privacy Protection
- Business Email Address
- Business Bank Account
- Monthly Accounting Services
- Xero Accounting Software
- Accountant Chat Support
- Free Insurance Quote
- Worry-Free Compliance Guarantee
ZenBusiness ‘Build-Your-Own’ A La Carte Option
- Registered Agent Service – $119 per year
- Worry-Free Guarantee – $129 per year
- Employer ID Number (EIN) – $70 one-time charge
- Business Filing – $49
The ZenBusiness company formation service also includes several different other a la carte services, including annual reports, New York Publication, Amendment, Certificate of Good Standing, Business Insurance, and more.
So, if you’re searching for a professional, reliable registered agent service to get your business off the ground, then you should definitely contact ZenBusiness today with your information to get your business started on the best foot possible. Our search online reveals that many people on Trustpilot consider ZenBusiness to be the best LLC service available.
The LLC Formation Service industry is packed with competition. One of its competitors would be LegalZoom. If you’re contemplating between the two, you would want to know the advantages that ZenBusiness has over LegalZoom.
ZenBusiness LLC Service Pros
- Straightforward and affordable LLC formation services
- Great prices and features
- Responsive customer support
- High-quality registered agent included
- High quality customer support
ZenBusiness LLC Service Cons
- Fairly new company
4. Inc Authority (Top Online Incorporation service)
Inc Authority is another one of the cheapest LLC formation and incorporation services available. Referring to themselves as the “home of the FREE LLC and Corporation”, Inc Authority lets you get your business started at $0.00.
As one of the top players among business formation and incorporation services, Inc Authority has formed over 110,000 LLCs and corporations throughout the United States since its establishment in 1989. Inc Authority is the one to go to for affordable entity formations, including drafting and filing of corporations and limited liability companies.
By offering a free processing and business formation service, Inc Authority hopes to earn their customer’s trust and earn their business for life. And according to Trustpilot customer reviews, users have been relatively satisfied in using their service to form an LLC.
Inc Authority Subscription Plans & LLC Services
Inc Authority Starter Business Bundle, $399 plus state filing fee
- Verify Business Name Availability
- Custom State Filed Articles
- Complete Operating Agreement/Bylaws
- Record Book & Company Seal
- Initial Meeting Minutes & Resolutions
- Ownership Certificates
- IRS Tax ID Number (EIN)
- Business Credit & Funding Evaluation
- Tax Consultation
- 1 Year Inc protection Advisor
Inc Authority Executive Business Bundle, $499 plus state filing fee
- Verify Business Name Availability
- Custom State Filed Articles
- Complete Operating Agreement/Bylaws
- Record Book & Company Seal
- Initial Meeting Minutes & Resolutions
- Ownership Certificates
- IRS Tax ID Number (EIN)
- Business Credit & Funding Evaluation
- Tax Consultation
- 1 Year Inc protection Advisor
- Business License report
- Website Domain
Inc Authority Tycoon Business Bundle, $799 plus state filing fee
- Verify Business Name Availability
- Custom State Filed Articles
- Complete Operating Agreement/Bylaws
- Record Book & Company Seal
- Initial Meeting Minutes & Resolutions
- Ownership Certificates
- IRS Tax ID Number (EIN)
- Business Credit & Funding Evaluation
- Tax Consultation
- 1 Year Inc protection Advisor
- Business License report
- Website Domain
- Express Processing
- BizCredit Express
- Business Credit Coach
- Multi-Tiered Credit Building Sysem
- Business Credit LaunchPad
- D&B Credit Bureau Registration
Inc Authority LLC Service Pros
- Form LLC for free (plus state fees)
- Full year free registered agent services
- Easy-to-use website and checkout process
- Knowledgeable customer support
Inc Authority LLC Service Cons
- Several upsells that can otherwise get for free
- Premium bundles more expensive
5. Swyft Filings (Fast Incorporation Service)
If you need an online LLC service and you need it now, then you won’t find a better match for your needs than this Houston, Texas-based LLC formation and incorporation services, Swyft Filings.
Swyft Filings is more than just another company with a name and half-formed idea, the LLC services company specializes in the formation of small and medium-sized businesses. And they do it fast! Swyft Filings let you form an LLC today in as few as 10 Minutes.
Swyft Filings is the real deal at helping you out on your new adventure. It is an online LLC service that offers online legal consultation whenever and wherever you need it, making it an excellent business match for those looking to business formation services that can be done from their own home or office.
With a goal to prioritize comfort, comprehension, and professionalism, Swyft Filings lets you make the most out of your LLC or corporation formation by doing all the hard work for you while still meeting your budget. Whatever your dreams may be, Swyft Fillings are ready to help you reach them. Here are a few features that you can expect from Swyft Filings:
- Online business formation service that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
- Operates in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C.
- Cheap LLC formation and incorporation service that meets all expectations and budgets
- Online legal support that surpasses competitors
Swyft Filings Subscription Plans & LLC Services
Basic, $49 plus state fees
- Verify Business Name Availability
- Preparation of Articles of Organization
- Document Filing with Secretary of State
- Free Statement of the Organizer
- Online Access to Your Incorporation Documents
- Lifetime Customer Service (Phone & Email)
- Free 30 Minutes Business Tax Consultation
- ComplianceGuard Company Alerts
- Free Domain Name
- 1st Class Shipping and Handling
Additional Services:-
- Registered agent service – $149/year
- Obtain Federal Tax ID Number (EIN) – $70
- Custom Operating Agreement – $35
- Custom Banking Resolution – $30
- Custom Organizational Minutes – $25
- Electronic Delivery of State Documents – $25
- Customized Digital Corporate Kit – $99
- FedEx Shipping with Tracking Number – $24
Standard, $149 plus state fee
- Verify Business Name Availability
- Preparation of Articles of Organization
- Document Filing with Secretary of State
- Free Statement of the Organizer
- Online Access to Your Incorporation Documents
- Lifetime Customer Service (Phone & Email)
- Free 30 Minutes Business Tax Consultation
- ComplianceGuard Company Alerts
- Free Domain Name
- Obtain Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)
- Custom Operating Agreement
- Custom Banking Resolution
- Custom Organizational Minutes
- 1st Class Shipping and Handling
Additional Services:
- Registered agent service – $149/year
- Electronic Delivery of State Documents – $25
- Customized Digital Corporate Kit – $99
- FedEx Shipping with Tracking Number – $24
Premium, $299 plus state fee
- Verify Business Name Availability
- Preparation of Articles of Organization
- Document Filing with Secretary of State
- Free Statement of the Organizer
- Online Access to Your Incorporation Documents
- Lifetime Customer Service (Phone & Email)
- Free 30 Minutes Business Tax Consultation
- ComplianceGuard Company Alerts
- Free Domain Name
- Obtain Federal Tax ID Number(EIN)
- Custom Operating Agreement
- Custom Banking Resolution
- Custom Organizational Minutes
- Electronic Delivery of State Documents
- Customized Digital Corporate Kit
- FedEx Shipping with Tracking Number
Additional Services:-
- Registered agent service – $149/year
6. MyCorporation
MyCorporation started way back in 1995 and are a branch of their parent company, the Deluxe Corporation, which is the leading check printing service everyone in the U.S. most likely has used at some point. Since their formation, MyCorporation has helped over a million businesses form an LLC and made a name for itself in the market in spite of intense competition.
Below is a list of advantages of MyCorporation LLC formation company:
- MyCorporation business formation packages start at $99 with their Standard Package at $124 that includes annual report services for 12 months. Though you can find other services with better pricing, MyCorporation is the one if you need a company with a long history of business formations backed by a well-known brand such as Deluxe Corporation.
- The company formation services firm has handled over 1 million businesses with LegalZoom, another industry giant coming close to the experience MyCorporation’s experts have.
- Mostly positive customer reviews about the firm’s services. You will be hard-pressed to find any critical customer reviews about the firm’s offerings.
MyCorporation Subscription Plans & LLC Services
Basic, $99 plus state fees
- Articles of Incorporation
- Name Availability Search
Standard, $124 plus state fees
- Articles of Incorporation
- Name Availability Search
- Bylaws, Minutes, and Waivers
- Annual Report Service
Deluxe, $224 plus state fees
- Articles of Incorporation
- Name Availability Search
- Bylaws, Minutes, and Waivers
- Annual Report Service
- Registered Agent Services
Premium, $324 plus state fees
- Articles of Incorporation
- Name Availability Search
- Bylaws, Minutes, and Waivers
- Annual Report Service
- Registered Agent Services
- MaintainMyBiz Services
MyCorporation LLC Service Pros
- Great customer feedback
- Lots of experience
MyCorporation LLC Service Cons
- Excessive additional fees
- Poor overall value in LLC formation service
7. Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer is our number choice for those who want to form an LLC or corporation and require ongoing legal services subscription plan. The company strives to make legal services simple as they offer all the legal help you need, anytime and anywhere.
Rocket Lawyer believes that everyone deserves access to affordable and simple legal services, which is why the company offers legal documents creation services and attorney advice. Since 2008, Rocket Lawyer has helped over 17 million businesses, families and individuals to make legal documents, receive attorney advice, and confidently protect their futures. From easy legal documents and business incorporation to discounted rates with outstanding lawyer services, Rocket Lawyer is there to help every step of the way.
This San Francisco-based Rocket Lawyer LLC formation services offers membership services for ongoing legal advice, documents, and business formation services. They even have a a 7-Day Free Trial that gives access to Premium Member services.
Rocket Lawyer Subscription Plans & LLC Services
Rocket Lawyer LLC Formation Non-Member, $99.99 + state fee
- Easy-to-Create Legal Documents, $39.99 per document
- Attorney Services with Rocket Lawyer’s Document Defense, $9.99 per document
- Ask a Lawyer, $49.99 per question
- 30 Minute Consultation on New Legal Matter, $59.99 per Consultation
- Registered Agent Service, $149.99
Rocket Lawyer LLC Formation Premium Member, $39.99/month + state fee (free for new members, 25% off after that + state fee)
- Easy-to-Create Legal Documents
- Attorney Services with Rocket Lawyer’s Document Defense
- Ask a Lawyer
- 30 Minute Consultation on New Legal Matter
- Up to 40% Discount when you Hire a ocket Lawyer On Call Attorney
- Incorporation Filing Service
- 25% off Registered Agent Service
In addition to that, the Premium package offers unlimited consultations with an attorney via phone call, unlimited template access, and attorney review of up to six documents. You can even utilize Rocket Lawyer’s “Ask a Lawyer” feature if you have a quick legal question.
Rocket Lawyer vs LegalZoom
Rocket Lawyer wins hands down for those who want ongoing legal advice along with LLC formation services. Though Rocket Lawyer is very similar to LegalZoom in regards to their LL formation pricing and services with LegalZoom charging at $149 + state fee and Rocket Lawyer’s non-member pricing start at $99 + state fee, Rocket Lawyer is still our favorite as it comes with the option for receiving on-going legal services. Furthermore, Rocket Lawyer is the clear winner when it comes to customer satisfaction and online customer reviews.
If you would like to know more on how they fair against each other, we have also done a comprehensive comparison between them for you to find out more on the key differences between LegalZoom vs Rocket Lawyer.
Rocket Lawyer LLC Service Pros
- Tons of experience in legal services
- Strong customer feedback
- Solid customer support
- 7-day trial
Rocket Lawyer LLC Service Cons
- Online LLC formation service is overpriced
- Focus more on legal help and advice beyond business formation service
- No advanced features included
8. CorpNet
Limited Liability Company or LLC is currently the most popular business entity type among startups in the United States as the name alone inspires confidence in many entrepreneurs to venture into a new business with as little risk as possible.
Unfortunately, choosing a business structure and implementing it is a significant step in creating a business as it involves tonnes of paperwork to do. To help them out, CorpNet LLC has assisted entrepreneurs to form over 100,000 businesses with a strong track record to earn them s pot on our list of the best LLC services in 2020.
LLC formation services such as CorpNet, LegalZoom, IncFile, and Northwest Registered Agent help companies become registered as LLCs, and their registered agents help maintain the business structure for as long as the company exists, or until it matures into something bigger.
Next we will discuss why CorpNet is the perfect LLC service to help turn your business into an S-Corporation, C-Corporation, non-profit organization, or a limited liability company (LLC).
Benefits of Becoming an LLC with CorpNet:
Limited Liability – LLC owners’ personal assets are protected from the obligations of the business. This means that it will be the assets of the company and not the owner’s assets that will be involved should the business go into debt or litigation.
Pass-through Taxation – Unlike C Corporations whose company earnings are taxed along with their owners’ incomes, LLC get to enjoy pass-through taxation so that the owners won’t be taxed double. The business tax is only reflected in the owners’ profits and losses.
Fewer Formalities – large corporations and companies need to hold formal board and stockholders’ meetings to meet regulation, whereas LLC only need to include company’s articles of incorporation and company’s Operating Agreement on how the business should run.
Flexible Profit and Loss Allocation – LLCs allow owners to allocate profits and losses however they wish. This is an important feature as member’s participation in the business is not equal. Taxation also becomes more flexible among members in this case.
Why Choose Corpnet:
CorpNet has a good track record and has already helped in the formation of more than 100,000 various types of companies – an astounding accomplishment for a husband and wife team who have been in the business for twenty years.
Their dedication has resulted in almost unanimous positive feedback from their clients. CorpNet also has a money-back guarantee with no questions asked if you happen to be unsatisfied with their services.
Corpnet offers free registered service to clients who subscribe to their two two service packages and 60 days free registered service for their basic service. All three service tiers provide clients with some form of flexibility.
CorpNet Services:
- Business Name Availability Check
- 24-Hour Document Preparation
- Official Filed Articles of Organization
- Free Corporate Compliance Tool
- Free Registered Agent Service
- Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)
- Custom Operating Agreement and Minutes
- Custom LLC Kit and Seal
- State Fees
- State Filing Fee
- Standard Processing
- Express Processing
- 24-hour Processing
- Print Delivery
- Shipping and Handling
The drawback with subscribing to CorpNet is the price of their package pricing. To get the best bang for the buck, clients are better off with the CorpNet’s Complete Package instead of having to pay add-ons with their other packages.
9. LegalZoom
LegalZoom has more brand power than any other company in the LLC services industry, with a ride reach all across the country. LegalZoom has a profound second-to-none experience as they handle huge volumes of LLC formation services.
Though they don’t have as many features and low pricing as offered by ZenBusiness or as excellent customer support compared to Northwest, they’re still an incredibly popular LLC service provider.
Though LegalZoom’s popularity is unquestioned, there are some aspects that we’re not entirely crazy about. Their customer reviews are a mixed bag with prices that are simply too high for what you could get elsewhere. Still, their popularity isn’t entirely undeserved either.
If you need help from LegalZoom’s customer support reps, then you’re in luck as the LLC service has the longest hours of availability in the business services industry. Their customer service team can be contacted from 1-am until 8pm ET on weekdays and 10am to 7pm ET on Saturdays.
LegalZoom LLC formation service firm’s best attribute is their 100% satisfaction guarantee. LegalZoom offers a generous 60-day window for you to decide whether you’re pleased with their services or not. If you do decide to stop their LLC services and prefer refund, they will grant one with no questions asked.
If you wish to find out more on LegalZoom, we’ve done a comprehensive review of their services for you.
LegalZoom Subscription Plans & LLC Services
LegalZoom Economy Package, $79 + state filing fee
- Name Check and Business Filing
- Articles of Organization
- LLC Next Steps Guide
- Peace of Mind Review
- Lifetime Customer Support
- Financial Account Authorization Letter
LegalZoom Standard Package, $329 + state filing fee
- Name Check and Business Filing
- Articles of Organization
- LLC Next Steps Guide
- Peace of Mind Review
- Lifetime Customer Support
- Financial Account Authorization Letter
- Deluxe Organizer
- Official Certificates and Seal
- LegalZoom VIP Processing
LegalZoom Express Gold Package, $349 + state filing fee
- Name Check and Business Filing
- Articles of Organization
- LLC Next Steps Guide
- Peace of Mind Review
- Lifetime Customer Support
- Financial Account Authorization Letter
- Deluxe Organizer
- Official Certificates and Seal
- LegalZoom VIP Processing
- Rush Processing with Secretary of State
- Express Shipping
Legal Zoom Additional Services and Features
Aside from the above mentioned services, LegalZoom also offers a wide variety of business formation services that can help you run your company at any stage of the business lifecycle. Here are some of the other popular services they offer:
Trademark Registration ($399) – To protect your brand by registering a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Annual Reports ($55) – LegalZoom will help you create and file your annual reports at one of the lowest price points in the LLC formation services industry.
Business Advisory Plan ($31.25/month) – This plan includes consultations with vetted attorneys, tax advice, contract reviews, and more.
LegalZoom LLC Formation Service Pros
- High client volume
- Extended customer service hours
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Legal Services Subscription Available
LegalZoom LLC Formation Service Cons
- High prices
- Mediocre customer feedback
- No registered agent included with incorporation
Conclusion – Which LLC Filing Services to pick?
All nine of the best LLC formation services on this list are great options for you to pick from. They each have their own unique advantages and are all reliable and easy to use.
However, overall, we prefer and recommend ZenBusiness above all other LLC services as they have better included-features and stronger customer support compared to any other option.
Plus, customer feedback is almost all positive, with hundreds of reviews to maintain its title of the best LLC formation service online.
Besides those that are listed in this article, there are also other competitors such as BizFillings that offer great Formation Services too. You should check out our honest BizFillings review to find out more on their LLC Formation Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is The Best Place To Start An LLC?
Wyoming is probably the best state to start an LLC because Wyoming does not implement both personal and corporate income taxes besides having the least reporting obligations. If you are keen on reducing cost and maximizing profits, then you should consider using Northwest service to set up an LLC in Wyoming as they offer monthly subscriptions.
Update: Recently, we have received feedback from our users that Delaware is another state that is great to start an LLC especially for foreigners. Reporting obligations are minimal and exempted from various taxes other states apply.
What is the best LLC service for a new business?
Ideally, a new business should hire a company that offers everything from assigning a registered agent and preparing operating agreements to filing the LLC details with the relevant state. We strongly recommend Northwest Registered Agent as they do everything for you at an affordable monthly subscription.
How To Form an LLC?
Though the steps and requirements to form an LLC may differ state to state, here are the 9 common main steps involved to start an LLC.
Step 1: Select a State
Step 2: Choose a Name for your LLC
Step 3: Choose a Registered Agent Service
Step 4: Prepare an LLC Operating Agreement
Step 5: File Organization Paperwork with the State
Step 6: Obtain a Certificate from the State
Step 7: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Step 8: Establish a Business Bank Account
Step 9: Register To Conduct Business in Other States (optional)
What is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent is a responsible third-party that’s in the same state as the business and they’re responsible for collecting the mail for your LLC or corporation and to remain on standby to receive and reply to correspondence related to the LLC. In other words, a registered agent is a person or company that’s assigned to accept, send, and process legal papers on behalf of the LLC.
Every state actually requires business entities like Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships to appoint a registered agent service during the business formation process and this is needed in case of a lawsuit. A registered agent service also works to provide the LLC members an additional layer of privacy.
What is an LLC Operating Agreement?
An LLC Operating Agreement is a document that states the structure of working and financial relationships between the co-owners (members) of the LLC. In an operating agreement, the members will establish their respective ownership percentage share in the LLC, their share of profits, their dedicated responsibilities and rights, as well as how an owner leaving the corporation will be handled.
The Operating Agreement is essentially a document that protects the owner’s personal assets from the actions of the LLC. The agreement outlines all the acceptable actions for the business and to create a succession plan should the owner decide to quit the business. Members have full control over how they want to write their operating agreement, but it’s still important to follow the standard format to ensure your interests are protected while your company gets the support it needs as it grows.
Benefits of an LLC Operating Agreement
The operating agreement helps corporations avoid some default rules of the state you formed your LLC in. Without an operating agreement, your LLC will be subjected to some of the standard default rules and guidelines set by the state, which might not be favorable.
An LLC Operating Agreement will also help members secure funding from investors and lenders as the document outlines legal and financial details such as the decision-making authority and how funds are used. Such information can be helpful when trying to secure investment funding for your business.
Can I form an LLC for free?
All states require you to pay a fee when you form an LLC. That said, some companies are willing to form an LLC for free if you take up their bundle package or yearly subscriptions. As far as we know, there are no completely free LLC service being offered right now. If your budget is tight, you could go for IncFile which is known to provide the cheapest LLC service in the market.
Main Business Structures
Before diving into the best LLC services available, let’s spend some time to talk about the few types of main business structures to consider. The four main types of business structures include Sole Proprietor, LLC, S-Corp, and C-Corp.
Sole Proprietor – This is a simple business structure where one person is responsible for all the company’s profits and debts.
LLC – LLC stands for limited liability company with an exact definition that can vary from state to state. However in general, LLC is a business entity that is separate from its owners (known as members). An LLC with a single member will be treated as sole proprietorship when it comes to tax. But LLC with more than one individual member will be taxed similar to a partnership instead.
Generally, LLC is treated as a pass-thru entity to avoid double taxation. Partners or LLC members are essentially owners and getting started with a business like that requires some legalities but definitely nothing like a corporation. A limited liability company (LLC) allows its owners, partners, or members to limit their liabilities while still enjoying the tax and flexibility of a partnership. LLC does not require formalities like C Corp, instead it has flexibilities on the different ways to distribute income.
While each state has its own rules for naming an LLC, most states require a business name to be distinguishable from any other names, and it must end with one of the following: “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC”, or “L.L.C”.
C Corp – C Corporations are owned by shareholders and are taxed as separate entities. This corporation requires more formalities to form as the corporation law requires a board of directors, meetings, and minute recording. The business’ income is distributed to its shareholders and the corporation will be taxed as an S Corp or C Corp.
S Corp – Unlike LLC and C Corp, an S Corp is not actually a business entity. An S Corp actually refers to the way a business chooses to be taxed. S Corporations provide some personal liability protection and tax savings, also known as pass-thru entities, and are not subjected to federal income taxes. This ensures that the corporation can avoid double taxation, and must like LLCs, they do provide a more limited liability protection than sole proprietorships. Though they require some paperwork, it is certainly less than what is required by a C Corp and has fewer formalities than C Corp.
PBC – Public-benefit corporations (PBC) allow for public benefit to be a charter purpose in addition to the traditional corporate goal of still being profitable.
Non-Profit – Non-profit organizations are meant for charity purposes and will get rewarded with tax exemptions.
Starting a business correctly doesn’t have to be difficult. With over 15 years of experience consulting new businesses and start ups, Matthew is probably the best person to help you set a strong foundation for your business.