The Best Business Startup Services

Thursday, September 19th

2024 Business Startup Service Reviews

My Company Works

• Formation costs range from $59 to $259 plus state fees
• Registered agent service available for $99, with the first year free
• Premium service automates most compliance tasks
• Access to over 200 constantly updated forms via MyCompanyForms
• StartupWizard teaches you about legal requirements and tracks progress
• Unique vendor network with hundreds of vetted vendors across 40 categories
• Rush filing service available
• Excellent customer service available from Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm PT
• 100% satisfaction guarantee protects your purchases
• "A+” rating from the BBB

Founded in 2001, My Company Works is on a mission to make starting your own business as easy, quick, and affordable as it can be. They believe in the power of entrepreneurial ideas and strive to make starting, managing, and growing your business smoother. Unlike many large "filing shop” companies who might forget about you after your order, My Company Works is committed to supporting you and building lasting relationships. They have maintained an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau since 2003.

Formation costs $59 to $259 plus state fees

If you're looking to start a corporation like an S-Corp, C-Corp, or LLC, My Company Works gives you three options to consider. For $59, the Basic package offers services like setting up your organization's articles of incorporation, searching for a name, personalized meeting minutes, an LLC operating agreement, a banking resolution, company alerts, and more. The Entrepreneur package at $179 provides everything in Basic, plus MyCompanyForms Lifetime Forms & Tax Guide, a federal tax ID, and a free year of their registered agent service (renews at $99). The Complete package, priced at $259, includes all previously mentioned services and gives you access to the extra benefits of My Company Works Premium.

Premium automates most compliance tasks

The benefits of Premium are many, and if you're a new business owner, we think you should consider this upgrade. My Company Works Premium automates your company's compliance and security tasks, so you can focus on running your business. It includes services like filing your Annual Reports, ComplianceLock to keep your business status in check, and a Compliance Dashboard for easy tracking. You also get a Resolutions Generator for quick creation of meeting minutes, automatic annual meeting documents, and secure file storage. Premium sends alerts for important tasks and deadlines, monitors your company's status, and provides unlimited support and status checks. There's also a "Fix-It” service where, if you somehow manage to fall out of good standing, My Company Works will help you get back on track. Great for new and existing businesses, Premium helps you stay compliant and organized, saving you money on legal and tax fees. When purchased separately, this upgrade is $99 a year.

MyCompanyForms for up-to-date business forms

Also included in the Complete package, MyCompanyForms gives you access to over 200 constantly updated forms to keep your business organized and current. Whether you're a restaurant owner needing a reliable lease agreement for a new location, or a tech startup founder who needs to stay on top of tax deadlines, My Company Works is there to help. MyCompanyForms includes a Business Forms Library with contracts, agreements, and leases, as well as startup and maintenance checklists, a Minutes & Resolutions Library for meetings and waivers, and entity-specific tax forms for Corps, LLCs, and DBAs. Being web-based, MyCompanyForms ensures you always have the latest versions, so you never have to worry about outdated forms. It also includes a Tax Guide showing which taxes to pay and when, along with links to tax forms for all 50 states. This service simplifies staying organized and compliant, providing essential resources for your business needs.

Clients love My Company Works' StartupWizard

Most of the business startup services in our review provide helpful explanations, definitions, and translations of legalese as you use their formation services, but none seem as thorough as My Company Works' StartupWizard. The Startup Wizard is an online tool that helps you get your new business organized after it's formed, specifically tailored to your state and company type. It walks you step-by-step through important tasks like getting a business license, holding organizational meetings, adopting bylaws or operating agreements, and issuing stock or member certificates. This saves you from spending hours trying to learn these steps on your own or paying a lawyer to explain them. Not learning them isn't an option - for example, if you forget to issue stock or adopt bylaws, it could lead to legal problems later on, like someone being able to sue you personally instead of your company. The Startup Wizard tracks your progress, sends you weekly reminders, and lets you download everything as a PDF. This way, you can make sure you've done everything right and avoid costly mistakes.

Unique feature: the vendor network

Choosing vendors is tough when starting a business, but the My Company Works Vendor Network simplifies this with hundreds of vetted vendors in over 40 categories, from accounting to website development. For instance, if you're a bakery owner needing a new logo or a marketing agency looking for a reliable accountant, the network connects you to top-rated providers offering discounts exclusive to you as a My Company Works customer. Key features include a searchable database, a 1-5 star rating system for feedback, and a "My Vendors" function to bookmark and manage your favorites. This is one of our favorite features we've seen across the business startup services we've researched.

Rush filing for vague extra fee on nonspecific timeline

The time it takes to set up your LLC or corporation depends on your state and can range from a few days to several months. When you fill out My Company Works' online form, the first step shows the average wait time for your state. They also offer a Rush Filing service to speed things up. However, they're a bit more vague than some competitors about what that involves. (Most give you a timeline and a fee.) My Company Works says Rush Filing "can include” them shipping your documents overnight, hand-delivering them to the state, extra state fees, or a mix of these. The timeline they give is vague, too - "a week or two”. So, if you need your LLC formed ASAP and you want to know exactly how much it'll cost you, you might need to get a few steps into the registration process to learn these specifics. On the other hand, there are plenty of customer reviews lauding My Company Works for how quickly it got their businesses up and running.

Stellar customer service

You'll be able to reach out to My Company Works' customer service team from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4pm PT, but keep in mind they're closed on federal holidays. Their support team is amazing. Customers say they really know their product and can answer any question you have right away. One customer said he was so impressed with what he received, he felt it was worth more than what he paid. What's more, your purchases from My Company Works are protected by their 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with their services for any reason, you can contact them within 90 days. They'll either fix the problem or give you a refund (less government and third-party vendor fees), based on your preference.

Best value for your money

We think My Company Works offers the best value for your investment among business startup services. You can enjoy their registered agent service for just $99, plus the first year is free. For $259, the Complete package provides all the services your business might need, including access to My Company Works Premium, which will keep your business organized and compliant. We're confident that you'll be pleased with what My Company Works has to offer. They earn our highest rating of 5 stars.

LegalZoom

• $0 to $299 plus state fees for business formation services
• Offers services for LLC, corporation, nonprofit, and DBA setup, plus trademarking and dissolution services
• Provides unlimited 30-minute consultations with attorneys for $15.99 per month
• Provides customer support through phone and chat on weekdays and weekends
• Has served over 6 million people since 1999
• Maintains a 4.4-star average rating on Trustpilot and an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau

LegalZoom, founded in 2001, is a tech company aiming to provide easy access to legal help for business owners like you. It started with 10 online services, and in 2010, it added a network of independent lawyers for personalized legal advice. In 2020, it broadened its services to include tax advice and accounting through LZ Tax. The company has offices in Los Angeles, Austin, and the Bay Area, and credits its success to its diverse workforce. LegalZoom has helped customers create over 3.5 million estate planning documents, assisted entrepreneurs in establishing over 4 million businesses, and provided affordable legal help for over 20 years.

Unlimited 30-minute consultations with attorneys for $15.99

You can get legal advice from an attorney with LegalZoom's services. With this, you'll get unlimited 30-minute calls about topics related to starting a small business like setting up your company, reviewing contracts, hiring staff, and staying compliant. This service costs much less than spending half an hour with a typical lawyer. It will depend on your state, but in Wisconsin as an example, we found the monthly fee to be just $15.99 for this service (make sure to check the fine print for any added fees that pertain to residents of particular states).

25% discount on additional legal services

As a member of LegalZoom's Legal Plan, you get access to various benefits including phone consultations with a participating law firm, document reviews, a yearly legal check-up, and discounted legal services not covered in the plan. However, discussions about tax-related matters or your business affairs (unless you're part of LegalZoom's Business Advantage Pro membership) are excluded. If you need legal services outside the plan's scope, the firm will offer you a 25% discount on their standard rates. Remember that LegalZoom itself doesn't provide legal services; the attorneys you'll be working with are independent contractors who will serve you directly, not via LegalZoom. LegalZoom won't choose an attorney for you and makes no guarantees regarding the quality of the attorney's advice.

Full suite of business startup services

LegalZoom has a suite of services to help you launch your business. They offer an affordable Limited Liability Company (LLC) formation service which is a straightforward way to shield your personal assets, starting at $0 plus state filing fees. If your aspirations include distributing shares, going public, or expanding internationally, they can help you set up a corporation, with prices starting at $149, plus state filing fees. If you aim to establish an organization for charitable purposes and to qualify for tax deductions, they provide a nonprofit setup service starting at $99 plus state filing fees. If you want to operate under a different business name without having to create a new company, they provide a "Doing Business As" service, also starting at $99 plus state filing fees. Other popular products from LegalZoom for business owners include trademark registration, annual reports, and dissolution.

Take a quiz to decide what kind of business to start

If you don't know yet what type of business is right for you, LegalZoom has a 10-question quiz to help you find out. Helpful definitions are provided along the way, and when you get your results, they'll show you articles relevant to your recommended business type, like "Why a DBA is important” and "What's the difference between an LLC vs. sole proprietorship?” (Strangely, though, some of these article links redirected us to other pages on the site, and when we clicked the "back” button, we were shown a different result to our assessment quiz.)

Premium packages available for business startup

You have a few different plan options available for each of LegalZoom's business startup packages, depending on how much you want to do yourself. Every business is unique, and costs can add up quickly, so do your research to decide what you really need help with. There may be steps you can complete easily on your own. Here's a quick overview of a few of LegalZoom's upgraded business formation tiers:

• LLC packages
• Basic package: This option costs $0 plus state filing fees and is geared towards entrepreneurs who need just the essentials to get their business off the ground. It includes Articles of Organization, a name check service, a digital welcome packet, and a customizable website powered by Wix.
• Pro package: Priced at $249 plus state filing fees, the Pro package builds on the Basic by adding an operating agreement, an Employer Identification Number (EIN), access to 150+ customizable legal documents, and initial phone consultations with experts on taxes and business insurance.
• Premium package: For $299 plus state filing fees, the Premium package offers all the features of the Pro package plus personalized help from an experienced business attorney and unlimited 30-minute consultations on new legal topics for the first 30 days.
• Nonprofit packages
• Economy package: Available for $99 plus state filing fees, this package includes preliminary name clearance, filing of Articles of Incorporation, and a Peace of Mind Review to check for any missing information or discrepancies.
• Standard package: At $239 plus state filing fees, this package includes everything in the Economy package plus a deluxe founder's kit with formation documents, a personalized binder, and corporate minutes forms.
• Express Gold package: Costing $359 plus state filing fees, this is the fastest service. It includes everything from the Standard package plus expedited filing and delivery, an expedited federal tax ID (EIN), and a 14-day trial of a legal plan.
• BA packages
• Standard package: This package costs $99 plus filing fees and includes a preliminary business name search to find out if the name you want is available, help filing your DBA application, publication of your DBA name, proof of publication filing, and a customizable WIX website.
• Premium package: Priced at $119 plus filing fees, the Premium includes everything in the Standard package plus unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations on new legal matters for the first 30 days.

Registered agent services are expensive through LegalZoom

You may have noticed none of these packages include registered agent services, which are legally required in some states. You can choose LegalZoom as your registered agent, but it's pricey: they charge $249 a year. For reference, some of LegalZoom's competitors in this review charge in the $125 to $175 range, and depending on your state, you may be able to employ a registered agent using other methods for as low as $30 annually.

Turnaround time is usually good...

If time is of the essence and money is no object, it may be faster to let LegalZoom do it all. That brings us to the topic of turnaround time. Plenty of customers say it's "swift”, like one business owner who received a notification that her business was official just 2 hours after LegalZoom filed her application. However, sometimes LegalZoom misses the mark. As is true for all business formation services, the processing time will vary depending on your state, but LegalZoom will give you an estimation.

...but not always

However In one case, they told a client in Florida that it would take 30 days for an LLC name amendment to process. However, it took months before LegalZoom claimed to have submitted the paperwork - and when nothing happened after that, the client got suspicious. She reached out to the state and was told that they had no record of the name change request being submitted by LegalZoom. When the customer asked LegalZoom for Fax ID numbers associated with the submissions, LegalZoom claimed it was impossible to provide them for privacy reasons. Ultimately, the customer requested a refund after 8+ months without completion of the requested service - but LegalZoom refused, citing a 120-day refund policy. So, while LegalZoom has an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau, that doesn't mean they don't drop the ball sometimes.

Could do better with pricing transparency and customer support consistency

LegalZoom provides customer support through phone and chat from Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT, and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT. Generally, customers view the support team as friendly and knowledgeable. However, some customers have expressed difficulty in getting refunds for services they did not use. (One customer noted that it wasn't clear during checkout which services were included in their package and which would cost extra.) A few customers who were initially denied refunds, despite being within the refund period, left negative reviews on Trustpilot. As a result, LegalZoom's executive team stepped in and issued the refunds. It's unfortunate that the customer service team at LegalZoom does not consistently understand and apply the refund eligibility rules.

A good service with some room for improvement

According to LegalZoom's website, they've served over 6 million people since 1999. LegalZoom provides standardized legal services, which lets them serve a massive number of clients pretty efficiently at a fraction of what it might cost to hire a dedicated attorney, who could closely manage every detail of your business formation and make sure all unique needs are met. But just like anything, it's not perfect. Sometimes, this one-size-fits-all approach can overlook the unique aspects or specific needs of an individual case. So, while they have a 4.4 rating average on Trustpilot and an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau, at their scale, there are bound to be a few details that slip through the cracks. It's a trade-off to keep in mind when you're deciding if LegalZoom is right for you.

My Corporation

• Provides business formation packages ranging from $99 to $324
• Includes document storage in all packages
• Offers additional services like annual report filing and Registered Agent service
• Provides services beyond business formation, including payroll and design
• Customer support highly rated on Trustpilot
• Provides weekday phone support
• Offers a 60-day refund policy (restrictions apply)

My Corporation is a document filing service that has been in business since 1998. Since then, they've aided in forming more than 1 million businesses across all 50 states. They can also help you with business maintenance, and they sell custom marketing materials.

Four pricing tiers for business formation

My Corporation offers assistance in setting up various types of businesses. These include C-Corps, S-Corps, B-Corps, Non-Profits, Professional Corporations, DBAs, and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). Their pricing is the same for all business types but there are different packages.

• Basic: $99
• Standard: $124
• Deluxe: $224
• Premium: $324

All come with Articles of Organization, a name check, and MyCorp Vault document storage. The Standard package includes your annual report. The Deluxe package includes a Registered Agent service. The Premium package includes all of those things, plus MaintainMyBiz, described as a "maintenance package for corporations and LLCs” to help you keep your business compliant. After you pick your state, add-on services will become visible. You may be interested to know that they charge $100 (in addition to state fees) for rush filing - ouch.

Payroll services available

My Corporation provides a wide range of services beyond business formation. They assist with various business filings like foreign qualification, amendments, initial reports, among others. They also help with business maintenance tasks like annual reports, corporate resolutions, and certificates of good standing. Moreover, they offer payroll services, promotional products, print marketing, business checks, logo and website design, and document storage.

My Corporation practices a little deception around state fees

We discovered that My Corporation has a significant issue with honesty in their pricing. They advertise certain costs for state fees, but these are often higher than what the state actually charges. For instance, in Wisconsin, the state filing fee is $130, but My Corporation charges $145 for "state fees”. This means MyCorp is taking an extra $15 on top of each package price. For expedited filing, Wisconsin charges $25, yet My Corporation states the fee is $55. We find this lack of transparency unethical.

And we found other hidden costs

Also, some add-on services, like the $120 registered agent services, automatically renew each year. However, it isn't explained how this works when the service is part of a package. Lastly, our basic LLC creation package order included an inexplicable $34 "standard shipping and handling" fee. Whatever for, MyCorp? In their FAQ, My Corporation clarifies that, "Several shipments are required throughout the process, to obtain signatures and to forward and return signed and filed documents. In addition, all shipments are via priority shipping, for tracking purposes.” However, My Corporation's competitors usually don't charge for shipping.

Customer support gets high marks

My Corporation is listed as "not rated” by the Better Business Bureau, and there are no complaints listed on their page. On Trustpilot, however, they have a 4.4-star rating average from 250+ reviews, where their customer service gets a lot of 5-star reviews for responsiveness. In one case, a customer who opened a non-profit with My Corporation had several unexpected problems arise. A representative from My Corporation reached out to them, asked the right questions to understand their situation, and even called back when he couldn't initially get through. Notably, the representative provided detailed written options, demonstrating professionalism and a high level of helpfulness. The customer appreciated this thorough approach and found the service to be exceptional, even stating they "don't recall ever having better customer service.” My Corporation's phone support operates Monday to Friday, 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. PT. They offer refunds within 60 days of purchase, but some restrictions apply.

Dishonesty tanks their score

While the customer service may be fantastic, we have to ask ourselves what My Corporation's rating would be if their customers were aware they were being ripped off (we suspect there might be a few more 2- and 3-star reviews in the mix). Because of the issues we found in their pricing, we can't give them a higher rating.

Bizee

• Silver package for $0 plus state filing fee, and a Platinum package for $299
• First year of registered agent services for free, renews for $119
• Offers a-la-carte services or all-inclusive packages
• Same-day processing and unlimited business name searches
• Provides tool to compare state filing times and costs
• Offers additional services like getting a virtual address, registering a DBA name, and securing a Certificate of Good Standing
• Bilingual customer support in English and Spanish
• Has tens of thousands of 5-star reviews
• Hassle-free

Bizee, formerly IncFile, has helped over 1 million business owners across the US stay on top of paperwork for more than two decades. Bizee started out just like most small businesses: their founders built it up from scratch, and they didn't take any money from wealthy investors. They can help you start your LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, and even Nonprofits for "Zero dollars, zero hassle, zero catch.”

Free first year of registered agent services

What do you get for zero dollars (plus your state's filing fee) at Bizee? The Silver package comes with a full year of a Registered Agent's services (yes, for free). After your first year, it's $119. You'll also get same-day processing (not filing - that takes 21 days), compliance updates and alerts about your business for as long as you have a Bizee account, and you can do unlimited searches for available business names. Here's a quick rundown of everything else that comes at no cost:

• Preparing and Filing the Articles of Organization
• Business Banking Account Offer
• Business Tax Consultation
• Online Access Dashboard
• Unlimited Phone & Email Support

Services a-la-carte or all-inclusive package for $299

Other services (including Expedited Filing, an EIN Business Tax Number, IRS Form 2553, an Operating Agreement, a Banking Resolution, a Domain Name + Business Email, and Business Contract Templates) are available a-la-carte for between $27 and $150 each, depending on the service. We really like that Bizee lets you purchase only what you need. If you select Bizee's $199 Gold package, though, some of these prices are reduced. And with the Platinum package, you'll get all of those services included and 2-day filing time for $299.

Expedited filing costs depend on your state

You can use Bizee's handy State Filing Times tool to easily compare how long it takes to file in each state, with and without expedited filing. Some business startup services aren't so transparent - they charge an arbitrary, inflated amount for expedited services, relying on you not knowing or caring about what the state typically charges when you do it yourself. (For many states, it's $50.) For any state you select, the tool will show you the typical processing time, the expedited processing time, and the associated cost to expedite. You'll also see the option to choose expedited filing when creating your account, and you'll be given an estimated date for the formation of your business with and without expediting.

Bizee does it all

Beyond business formation services, Bizee can help you make changes to your company, get a virtual address, or secure a Certificate of Good Standing. Need to register a "Doing Business As" (DBA) name, qualify your business in another state, or get a business license or permit? Bizee can help with that too. Additionally, they offer free tax consultations, trademark registration, Corporate/LLC kits, affordable accounting, and bookkeeping services. If you need to close your company or get it reinstated, Bizee can assist with those processes as well.

Bilingual customer support

Bizee offers customer support via phone from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, and uniquely among the services we've reviewed, they're bilingual in English and Spanish. Bizee's customer service representatives are described as professional, knowledgeable, attentive, and kind. If you reach out asking for urgent help, they'll take it seriously and escalate your case to help you meet your deadline. From customer reviews, it doesn't seem like there's any question Bizee customer service reps can't answer or a problem they can't solve with professionalism and efficiency.

Tens of thousands of 5-star reviews

While Bizee is still not rated with the Better Business Bureau (that hasn't changed since the last time we reviewed them, unfortunately), they are responsive to complaints on their page. We're not too concerned by the complaints we saw - many came from customers who did not understand that Bizee's $0 service fee does not waive the fees charged by the state. Bizee has 4.7 stars on Trustpilot from more than 18,000 users, and elsewhere, we found an additional 80,000 5-star reviews. Clients say Bizee has been a key asset in running their business, that the dashboard experience is easy to follow, and that the alert system allows them to stay proactive without much effort.

Excellent resource

Bizee lives up to their motto. A few other services in our review offer a $0 + state fees basic plan, but all except Bizee seem to have strings attached somewhere. If there's something you're missing in the Silver package but the Gold package has more than you need, you can easily add individual services to your plan. That's what we call hassle-free! Bizee earns an excellent rating our review of business startup services.

Northwest Registered Agent

• $90 (plus state fees) for business formation, including EIN
• Business formation services are available for LLCs, nonprofits, or corporations
• Includes a free year of Registered Agent Services (renews at $125) and trial of Business Identity Services
• 25 years in business, family-owned and operated
• Prioritizes data protection with a Privacy By Default policy
• Provides extensive business services, including tax ID acquisition and mail forwarding
• Allows DIY business startup with free account and resources
• Customer service staffed by "Corporate Guides” with business expertise
• Offers a generous 90-day refund policy

Northwest Registered Agent has been in business for 25 years, describing itself as "family-owned and operated by employees that give a crap”. Their trademarked slogan is "We're Just Not Annoying.” They pledge to ensure this by providing prompt and human customer service, never sending "no reply" emails, always including contact details on correspondence, responding swiftly to voicemails and emails, and to never hide behind online portals or systems. They also commit to never selling client information or charging late fees.

One plan advertised as $39

Northwest Registered Agent provides services for businesses including obtaining a registered agent; starting an LLC, nonprofit, or corporation; acquiring a tax ID; assisting with S-Corp tax election; mail forwarding and scanning; and leasing office or virtual office space. Starting a business with Northwest Registered Agent will cost you $39 (plus state fees). It comes with:

• 1 free year of Registered Agent Services ($125 thereafter)
• 90-day trial of Business Identity Services, including 1 free year of domain name registration, a website, a business email address, and a business phone (renews for $9/month)
• Compliance report filing ($100 + state fee due when filed)
• Optional BOI report compliance for $9

EIN costs additional $50

What you'll pay up front is the $39 package fee, the state fee, a $50 tax ID/EIN fee ($200 if you don't have a SSN) and the $9 BOI report compliance, if you choose it. BOI report compliance involves providing information and photo IDs of beneficial owners, who control and benefit from a company. This is a mandatory federal filing for most LLCs and corporations that typically must be done within 30 days of setting up your company. So, that $39 price tag is not really the full picture. You're really looking at $90 to $100 before state fees.

DIY startup option

Northwest lets you open a free account that supplies you with all the forms and tools you need to start an LLC yourself, which is generous of them. But remember, if you DIY your business startup, everything you include in your documents will be accessible to the public forever. This usually includes your name and home address. However, by going with a privacy-focused business startup service like Northwest, you can avoid making your personal information public. Also, it's easy to make costly mistakes if you're filing on your own. These mistakes could lead to your application being turned down or needing expensive changes later on. With their extensive experience in setting up LLCs all over the U.S., Northwest can help you avoid these potential problems.

No turnaround time estimation

Northwest Registered Agent claims to be efficient, but they don't provide an estimated timeline for filing your documents with the state or how long it will take the state to form your company. While the latter information can often be found publicly, it's more convenient to have it provided directly, especially if you're working towards a deadline. That said, plenty of customers say filing with Northwest was fast.

Northwest Registered Agent vigilantly protects your data

At Northwest Registered Agent, your safety is paramount. They have a Privacy By Default policy of minimizing your personal information on public documents; for instance, they use their business address instead of your home address on filings. Using their service means your private data is protected too. If you file documents with state agencies yourself, they could store your private information, but when Northwest files on your behalf, the state sees Northwest's bank information and IP address, not yours, shielding your sensitive data from potential breaches. They never sell your data, meaning you won't have to worry about opting out of data sales. They also protect your data from loss or theft with robust security measures, such as passwords, encryption, and cyber attack monitoring. Inside their premises, only employees who need access to data can access it, and they conduct background checks on all hires. They limit their use of third-party services, which means less of your information is shared. They also test for and track security vulnerabilities regularly. And, they only request sensitive information, like your social security number, when it's necessary for a specific service.

Portal may have some issues

A few customers have reported issues with the Northwest Registered Agent portal, describing it as slow, glitchy, and buggy. Problems include constant buffering, incorrect information about the customer's progress, and missing documents. Customer support responded to these complaints with an offer to put the customers in touch with their IT department, but we hope they're also taking steps to diagnose and fix these issues, since they appear to have been happening for some time now.

Northwest Registered Agent is not run by "freaking idiots”

Even though most of the business formation services in our review rate pretty well, Northwest Registered Agent has an interesting characterization of its competition on its "About” page: "It's not that we're some over-the-top super current inclusive, hipster, empathetic social mission-driven BS 'benefit corp' company looking to democratize something (whatever that means), visionaries, or even nice people. It's just that we're not complete freaking idiots or liars about our true motives." Despite this out-of-place, aggressive rant about not being nice people, Northwest Registered Agent claims its customer service is "legendary." Is it?

Corporate Guides are business owners too

Northwest Registered Agent calls their customer service agents "Corporate Guides”. These individuals have extensive knowledge about what it takes to maintain a compliant business. They are experienced business experts with relevant backgrounds (accountants, paralegals, lawyers, entrepreneurs) and insider knowledge of the business world and US jurisdictions. They'll provide you with personalized advice on the most efficient and easiest ways to get things done. You can read some of their bios on Northwest's website. Fortunately, it seems like the people you'll be talking to on the phone are not responsible for the wording of Northwest's manifesto, as customers say they are helpful and kind.

Availability is inconsistent

Northwest Registered Agent's customer service hours are between 6AM and 4PM PST, Monday-Friday. According to reviews, sometimes you can get a hold of a Corporate Guide on the first ring. On the other hand, there are customers who left 1-star ratings of Northwest Registered Agent because they called three or more times and never got through. Some also sent emails and did not receive timely responses. In response to these complaints, the company communicated their regret about this failure to deliver the customer service they stake their reputation on.

90-day refund policy

Northwest Registered Agent's services come with a 90-day refund policy, which is longer than average for business startup services. As is standard, that does not include state filing fees.

Best for privacy

We like Northwest Registered Agent. What stands out most about this service is how far they go to protect your data. While some of the language about who they are comes off a bit defensive or even paranoid, their vigilance could work for your benefit when it comes to security. If they improve issues with user experience and customer service availability, we'd be open to giving them a higher rating in a future review. As it stands now, though, they have earned a respectable rating.

FileNow

• Offers LLC and Corporation formation services for $49 to $199, with slightly higher prices for S-Corporations
• Provides two comprehensive formation packages, including support, electronic document delivery, and alerts about deadlines
• Premium package includes a free year of Registered Agent services ($119 annually after), an EIN, an Operating Agreement, and more
• Offers same-day business formation for an additional fee
• Provides additional services like business license reports, New York Application for Authority, and Certificates of Good Standing
• Assists in registering DBAs and offers Reservation of Name services
• Holds an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau
• Offers a 30-day exchange and refund policy, with certain exclusions

The FileNow team, made up of lawyers, entrepreneurs, and experts in business and tax, has years of experience starting companies. They're here to assist you in getting your business going quickly and without hassle. FileNow is one of the newer companies in our review, having been in business for under a decade.

LLC and Corporation formation for $49 to $199

FileNow offers formation services for LLCs, C-Corporations, and S-Corporations. The pricing for LLC and C-Corporation formation is the same, but it's a bit higher for S-Corporations. There are two packages for each plan:

• LLC and Corporation Starter ($49): Includes filing Articles of Organization, unlimited phone and email support, electronic delivery of state documents, name search, and alerts about upcoming company deadlines. This plan is $74 if you're starting an S-Corporation.
• LLC and Corporation Premium ($199): Includes everything in the Starter package, plus a free year of Registered Agent services ($119 each subsequent year), an EIN, an Operating Agreement, a Banking Resolution, business contract templates, and 24-hour processing. This plan is $224 for S-Corporation formation.

$75 to $150 for same-day business formation

Keep in mind that 24-hour processing is not the same as 24-hour filing. While FileNow will internally process your business formation submission the same day you submit it, expedited filing costs extra. For $75 to $150 (they don't specify what scenarios warrant the higher fee, but it could be based on your state), FileNow will expedite your filing with the state.

Standard additional services

FileNow offers several helpful services for businesses. They can assist with business license reports, making sure you have the right documents to get or renew a business license. They also help with the New York Application for Authority, which is necessary for businesses that want to expand into New York (for example, a California-based tech company). FileNow provides Certificates of Good Standing to show that your business follows all state regulations. They help register DBAs (Doing Business As), allowing a business to operate under a different name. If you want to secure your brand name before launching, they offer Reservation of Name services too. Should you need to get in touch with customer support, they can be reached by phone, email, and live chat Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

Reviews are positive, if scant

While they maintain an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau, FileNow has significantly fewer customer reviews, relative to the other business startup services in our review. The ones we could find are not very detailed - if they go beyond a one-word assessment (”great!” "easy!”), they typically talk about positive interactions with customer service. Sometimes, though, no news is good news. If FileNow was engaging in practices like upselling, email spam, or unauthorized charges, we'd likely hear about it.

30 day exchange and refund policy

If you buy a service from FileNow and want to switch it for another one, you can do so within 30 days. You'll need to pay any price difference, though. If your application is successful, you can't exchange it or get a refund. If your application isn't successful, you can get a refund, but costs already paid to government agencies will be deducted. If you're successful in receiving an EIN, you can't get a refund.

Solid business startup service

Overall, FileNow comes across as a reasonably priced, straightforward business startup service. You won't feel as overwhelmed as you might with some of their competitors. There's no sense they're hiding anything or trying to distract you with flashy, unnecessary extras. Even though there's not much chatter about them online, their "A+” rating from the BBB should give you peace of mind. We give FileNow a respectable rating.

ZenBusiness

• Offers three plans for business formation, ranging from $0 to $349 (plus state fees)
• Provides business services for starting, managing, and growing your business
• As a Public Benefit Corporation, focuses on making a positive impact and supporting underrepresented groups
• Provides advice on taxes and accounting, including small business tax tips
• Customer support available on weekends
• Has a 60-day refund policy (excluding state or third-party fees)
• Maintains an "A+” BBB rating and many positive reviews

ZenBusiness is a comprehensive business services platform offering all the necessary tools and services for starting, managing, and expanding your business. As a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), they're committed to empowering everyone (including moms, neurodivergent people, and those affected by layoffs) to create meaningful work, regardless of their background or personal circumstances.

Responsibility, sustainability, and public benefit

ZenBusiness isn't just about profit; they genuinely care about making a difference. They're a Public Benefit Corporation which means they're committed to helping everyone, including you, succeed. They've given more than $300,000 in grants to small businesses and worked with organizations like Kiva to help entrepreneurs who struggle to get credit. They've also helped people with disabilities, ex-prisoners, and underrepresented groups start their own businesses. They even help kids learn entrepreneurial skills. With ZenBusiness, you could be the next success story.

Get your business off the ground

ZenBusiness offers two main categories of services for businesses: "Plan & Start” and "Run & Grow”. Under "Plan & Start”, they assist with forming your business entity such as LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, and DBA. They help with creating operating agreements and getting an EIN number. Also, they offer branding, banking, finance, and business planning services.

Grow your business

Under "Run & Grow”, ZenBusiness helps businesses stay compliant with registered agent services, annual reports, business license reports, and beneficial ownership filings. They provide advice on taxes and accounting, including small business tax tips. They'll even teach you how to grow your business by obtaining more funding, opening new locations, and acquiring more businesses. If you're not aware of all the resources available to you as a new business owner, ZenBusiness is an excellent place to start.

Starter Plan with 2-3 week filing time

For business formation, ZenBusiness offers three plans: Starter, Pro, and Premium. They'll show you the top features of each plan, but a comprehensive breakdown of everything included is not available. Here's a look at the cost for each package:

• Starter Plan: $0 plus state fees. Filing time: 2-3 weeks. Features: Standard filing speed, 1 free year of worry-free compliance (renews at $199), 100% accuracy guarantee.
• Pro Plan: $199/year plus state fees. Filing time: 1-5 days. Additional features: EIN, Operating Agreement.
• Premium Plan: $349/year plus state fees. Filing time: 1-5 days. Additional features: Business documents, domain name and email, business website builder.

ZenBusiness add-ons add up fast

As you go through the sign-up process for business formation, ZenBusiness will try to upsell you on their other services. For example, $99 gets you an EIN as an add-on to the Starter plan, which is more expensive than some competitors offer (and it's free through the IRS). You can also bundle your EIN with Business Documents for $149, or purchase just the Documents separately for $99. This grants you access to ZenBusiness' library of adaptable templates for business agreements in areas like web design, employment, graphic design, and more. If you're trying to save money, it's a good idea to do some research before choosing a business startup service to get an idea of which things you're comfortable doing by yourself.

60-day refunds

If you're unhappy with the services you receive, ZenBusiness offers you a full refund within 60 days of purchase, excluding state or third-party fees. However, filing fees can't be refunded once paperwork has been submitted to the government on your behalf. Also, fees paid to third-party service providers, like accounting and registered agent services, are non-refundable.

Customer support available on the weekend

ZenBusiness provides chat and phone support from Monday to Friday (8am-8pm CT) and on Sunday (9am-6pm CT). Most customers find the customer service representatives knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.

Potentially predatory billing practices

ZenBusiness has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau and 4.7 stars from over 15,000 reviews on Trustpilot. However, customer reviews of ZenBusiness reveal that while many customers were satisfied with the initial service, they experienced issues with ongoing billing even after cancellation of services. In one case, a customer was charged $398 despite canceling their subscription, with the issue escalating to collections. While such complaints have been marked as resolved on the Better Business Bureau page and the resolutions as satisfactory to those customers, this seems to be a recurring issue, and it may make you think twice about ZenBusiness.

Best for newbies who aren't on a tight budget

ZenBusiness might be a good choice if you're new to starting a business and want step-by-step guidance in simple language. The other side of that coin? If you're already familiar with the process, you might find their approach to be simultaneously oversimplified and opaque. Unlike some of their competitors, ZenBusiness doesn't really let you see under the hood, like when it comes to what's included in each plan. That makes it harder for you to compare their costs to competitors, and easier for them to upsell you.

Swyft Filings

• Offers three packages: Basic (Free), Standard ($199), and Premium ($299)
• Provides a range of business management services including filing annual reports, converting business types, applying for 501(c)(3) status, and more
• High approval of customer service with a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot
• 100% Money Back Guarantee if not satisfied with their service

Swyft Filings, created by an experienced lawyer, simplifies the process of starting a business. It helps small businesses avoid costly and uncertain legal fees. The service aims to get your business running smoothly and affordably. Staffed with specialists, they assist with all steps of the formation process, regardless of location or industry. In twelve years of business, they've aided in the creation of tens of thousands of small businesses.

Basic package doesn't compete with free offerings from competitors

Swyft Filings can help you form and keep your DBA, LLC, S-Corporation, C-Corporation, or Non-Profit compliant with three packages, including a free Basic plan. The Basic plan comes with:

• 10 day filing
• A name check
• Preparation of Articles of Incorporation
• Document filing with state
• Lifetime customer support

There are a few business startup services in our review that offer a free basic plan. One company gives you a free year of compliance assistance, another a Wix-powered website, and the last company's plan comes with a free year of registered agent services. Swyft's $0 plan (plus state fees) is bare-bones in comparison.

EIN included in Standard plan

The Standard plan, costing $199, includes all features of the Basic plan with additional offerings. It provides faster processing with a 5-day filing, an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and custom documents like Corporate Bylaws, Banking Resolution, and Organizational Minutes. It also guarantees instant electronic delivery of state documents after the business formation is finalized.

Customizable documents with Premium

The Premium plan costs $299 and includes everything from the Standard plan. It offers same-day filing and access to over 250 legal and business documents that can be customized. It also comes with a one-year Squarespace domain subscription, expedited shipping with FedEx, a Founders Kit to assist with compliance, a free trial of ComplianceGuard, and a Statement of the Incorporator. Lastly, it provides 24/7 access to an online dashboard.

Range of management services

As well as business formation, Swyft can offer you services to manage your business, including filing annual reports, converting business types, changing registered agents, and applying for 501(c)(3) status. They also handle business dissolution, initial reports, amendments, name changes, and foreign qualifications. Other services include withdrawal of business operations from a state, obtaining an apostille, managing beneficial ownership information, providing digital corporate kits, and acquiring seller's permits. Swyft also helps with business licenses and research, compliance monitoring through ComplianceGuard, and obtaining certificates of good standing and trademark registration.

Registered agent services available for $149 quarterly

One thing you may have noticed is that registered agent services are not included in any of Swyft's packages, but you'll need them if you have an LLC or corporation. A registered agent is a person or company that your business appoints to receive important legal and official documents, such as tax forms, lawsuits, and state correspondence, on your behalf. This ensures you can be reliably contacted and comply with state regulations. The registered agent must have a physical address in the state where you operate and be available during regular business hours. By having a registered agent, you can avoid embarrassing situations like being served legal papers in front of clients or customers, missing critical filing deadlines, and facing penalties for non-compliance, thus protecting your reputation and keeping your business in good standing with the state. Swyft offers this service a la carte, but it costs $149 quarterly. For reference, other business startup services in our review charge between $99 and $125 annually. That's a significant (and expensive) difference.

High approval of customer service

Swyft Filings is not rated by the Better Business Bureau. On Trustpilot, however, they have a 4.7-star rating from nearly 7,000 reviews. The majority of these are about the quality of customer service, which is available Monday through Friday between 9am and 6pm Central Standard Time. According to Swyft's clients, the customer service reps are patient, responsive, and informed.

Satisfaction with Swyft's services or your money back

Another thing that contributes to Swyft's high rating on customer review platforms is its 100% Money Back Guarantee. At Swyft Filings, your satisfaction is their number one goal. They aim to handle your business needs professionally and efficiently. If you have any questions or need help with your business filings, their dedicated customer service team is ready to assist. They strive to meet each of your needs in a friendly and caring way. If they don't meet your expectations, they promise to give you a full refund of the Swyft Filings fees you've paid (not including state, government, or third-party fees).

Just okay

Swyft's business startup offerings are decent, but what they charge for a registered agent (a necessary service for LLC or corporation owners) is much higher than typical in this industry. Other than that, there are no glaring issues with Swyft, but they don't stand out, either.

Rocket Lawyer

• Rocket Legal+ plan costs $239.98 annually
• Registers LLCs, C-Corps, S-Corps, and nonprofits
• Matches businesses with tax professionals
• Offers tax strategy sessions
• Provides online chat, email, and phone support
• "A+” rated by the BBB

Rocket Lawyer, founded in 2008, aims to democratize access to justice through digital tools. With nearly 30 million users, the platform allows you to create and sign legal documents, seek affordable attorney advice, and confidently incorporate your business. If you need to get in touch with Rocket Lawyer, they offer online chat, email, and phone support Monday through Friday, 6 am to 6 pm PT.

Register your LLC, corporation, or nonprofit

Rocket Lawyer offers the typical range of services to cover all your basic business formation needs, including registering LLCs, C-Corps, S-Corps, and nonprofits. You can also get a registered agent, generate a business name, and handle EIN registration and compliance management. They help with additional filings like annual reports, Articles of Amendment, and Articles of Dissolution, as well as registering trademarks and filing DBAs (Doing Business As).

Get help with taxes

For tax services, Rocket Lawyer's Rocket Tax supports all types of businesses in all 50 states. Whether you have a side gig, a single-member LLC, or you have multiple employees working for your corporation, you'll be matched with a tax professional who understands your specific needs. You start by answering a few questions, uploading your documents, and then your tax pro takes care of everything - no software to fiddle with on your end. You can review the final cost before committing, and your tax pro is available via chat to answer any questions. Rocket Lawyer also offers tax strategy sessions to help you maximize deductions and plan for future savings.

Rocket Legal+ plan costs $239.98

Rocket Lawyer offers two plans: Rocket Legal and Rocket Legal+. With Rocket Legal+, you'll pay $19.99 per month, billed annually at $239.98, and you'll also enjoy a one-week free trial. This plan includes significant discounts on services, such as obtaining an EIN for $59.99 instead of Rocket's full price of $119.99, and registered agent services for $124.99 compared to $249.99. Additionally, you can opt for express filing at $215, which covers $130 in Wisconsin government fees (using that state as an example) and an $85 rush filing fee, while standard filing only requires the $130 state fee. With Plus, you'll also get 50% off Rocket Lawyer's regular professional service prices.

Rocket Legal plan is just for show

On the other hand, Rocket Legal costs $39.99 per month, billed monthly, and comes with a one-week free trial. However, it lacks the extra perks and savings of Rocket Legal+. Given this substantial price difference, you might wonder why Rocket Legal is so much more expensive when it offers fewer benefits. It seems to us that Rocket Legal is primarily there to make Rocket Legal+ look like a better deal, even though the prices for Rocket Legal+ are still higher than average when compared to competitors. This strategy allows Rocket to proclaim "half off” all over the website - but they don't make it clear that that's based on a price they set, not what their competitors charge.

Free trial will be useless for most purposes

Since not many of the other business startup services in our review offer free trials, it's worth taking a look at what Rocket's includes. Unfortunately, it's not much. All you can really do is test out their digital document interface and electronic signature feature. We don't think this is worth handing over your credit card information for.

Rocket Lawyer has issues with communication and billing practices

Despite an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau, we have some reservations about Rocket Lawyer. From a survey of the complaints filed against them, there are ongoing issues with poor communication, billing problems, and a lack of transparency. One customer shared their ordeal with Rocket Tax, where their tax return took nearly a year to complete due to sporadic communication from their tax professional. This cost the client quite a lot in penalties. Another long-term user reported being charged $39.99 monthly for 10 years without receiving any notification from Rocket Lawyer. Despite being assured by Rocket Lawyer that their plan would be downgraded to a free version, the customer kept being charged. While the company occasionally refunds customers who notice and complain, they don't seem to be taking steps to prevent this scam-like behavior in the first place. Dozens of complaints like these raise questions about Rocket Lawyer's transparency and ethical practices.

Look elsewhere

We advise trying one of the other services in our review rather than Rocket Lawyer for starting your small business. They offer "free" services, but you have to provide your credit card information. Considering their ongoing problems with billing and cancellation, they've shown they can't handle this responsibly. We recommend looking into other companies that are more open about their costs and provide superior service.

Business Rocket

• Offers LLC formation plans ranging from $0 to $249
• Provides services for setting up various types of businesses, including LLCs, corporations, non-profits, sole proprietorships, and partnerships
• Assists with obtaining important licenses for business operation
• Provides website design services to enhance online presence
• Partners with MerchantChimp to provide merchant services with discounted processing rates
• Offers customer service from 9 am to 5:30 pm Pacific time, Monday to Friday

Business Rocket is a company that was established 15 years ago by a group of entrepreneurs, lawyers, accountants, consultants, and business managers. Their aim is to make the process of starting and running a successful business easier and more cost-effective. Their goal is to help anyone with a business idea bring it to life in the marketplace.

Lowest price guarantee is probably lip-service

Business Rocket offers services for setting up various types of businesses, including LLCs, corporations, non-profits, sole proprietorships, and partnerships. While they proclaim in bold that they have the "lowest price guaranteed", we found no explanation about what steps customers can take if they find a cheaper alternative service.

$0 to $249 for LLC formation

Business Rocket has three LLC Pricing Plans:

• Starter ($0): Includes state LLC registration and organizational document preparation. This plan is suitable for you if you are a professional who can handle IRS Tax Registration and Operating Agreement creation independently.
• Essentials ($146, discounted from $327): This comprehensive package provides you with IRS Tax Registration and essential internal documents necessary for your business operations. You'll receive a free registered agent service for one year (priced at $149/year thereafter), their Lifetime Compliance Guard, an operating agreement, a company meeting document, a bank resolution agreement, and EIN registration (+$79 if you don't have a Social Security Number). However, you may want to know that a few customers who purchased this package reported being told by Business Rocket later that they needed to purchase the EIN separately for another $79, despite it being clearly advertised as included.
• Supreme ($249, discounted from $425): Ideal for customers seeking quick registration and easy yearly maintenance. This package includes everything in the Essentials plan, along with one free year of annual compliance filing ($99/year after), expedited filing, and a one-on-one meeting with a Tax Concierge.

Separate plan for Sole Proprietorship, DBA, and Partnership formation

If you're thinking about setting up a Sole Proprietorship, Business Rocket offers two pricing plans. The first option costs $79 and includes verifying your business name's availability and registering it with the state. However, this doesn't cover IRS tax registration or the documents you'll need for dealing with banks and vendors. The second option costs $147, discounted from $195, and it includes everything in the first plan plus IRS tax registration. This will also give you all the necessary paperwork to do business with vendors and banks. The same pricing structure ($79 for a basic plan, $147 for all the bells and whistles) applies to Business Rocket's Partnership and DBA formation services.

Turnaround time is ambiguous and costs are artificially high

Business Rocket processes filings in 7-9 days, or 2-4 days if you pay for Rush Processing. They claim to process your documents the fastest in the nation, but that's obviously false when some of their business startup competitors process in just 1 day without extra charges. They charge $49 for Rush Processing, saying it's worth $150. However, to form a business yourself in Wisconsin (the state we're using as the example in all of our comparisons) expedited filing only costs $25. What's with the $125 markup? Also, there's some ambiguity about what Business Rocket means when they talk about processing. Some business startup services differentiate between processing time (how long it takes them to prepare your documents to send to the Secretary of State after you submit them) and filing time (how long it takes for the Secretary of State to review, approve, and officially record your documents). So, Business Rocket might process your documents in 2-4 days, but it could still take the state an additional 2-3 weeks to form your business. We don't really know, because Business Rocket doesn't clarify.

Licensing assistance

In addition to business formation, Business Rocket can help you get various important licenses for your business. If you run a charter bus or limo service, you'll need a TCP License. For transporting goods or passengers for money, you'll need a Motor Carrier Permit (MTR License). Lawyers practicing in California need a CalBar License, and those in other states need a Bar License. Car dealers must get a Dealer Occupational License. If your business involves commercial vehicles, you'll need a USDOT number. Business Rocket also helps with compliance for these licenses, making sure your business meets all the legal requirements.

Grow your business through Business Rocket's partnership with MerchantChimp

Business Rocket can also help your business grow and stay organized with various services. To help your business grow, they offer website design to create a professional online presence. They also provide merchant services through a partnership with MerchantChimp, which offers clear rates and fast deposits for credit card processing. This partnership gives small businesses discounted processing rates and quick access to their funds, which could help you minimize your operational costs and reinvest more back into your business.

Free year of compliance monitoring

For managing your business, Business Rocket provides tax services and bookkeeping to keep your finances in order. They can assist with ownership changes and help if you need to close your business. They also offer free compliance monitoring for the first year ($99 thereafter) to make sure your business follows all regulations and can help you get a seller's permit to legally sell products.

Poor communication and managing of sensitive data

Business Rocket isn't rated by the Better Business Bureau, but they have received complaints there. These complaints range from customers being told they need to purchase additional services via email, to issues with customer support not correctly closing accounts - leading to unexpected and costly charges that Business Rocket refused to refund. Some customers have also expressed concerns about how sensitive information is collected. For instance, one customer received a text from an unknown number asking for their social security number, which was later confirmed to be from Business Rocket. Business Rocket provides customer service from 9 am to 5:30 pm Pacific time, Monday to Friday. However, some customers have reported being no-showed for prearranged consultations and not receiving timely email responses.

Not worth your time

We wouldn't recommend Business Rocket for your business startup needs. They are dishonest about their pricing, their customer support can be hit-or-miss, and they're likely to spam your email trying to convince you to purchase unnecessary add-on services. Try one of our higher-rated business startup services instead.