The Best LLC Formation Services

Tuesday, March 28th

2023 LLC Formation Service Reviews

Incfile

• Cost: From $49 to $299, depending on selected level of service

Incfile has helped with more than 150,000 company formations since 2004. They have thousands of independently-verified 5-star reviews, and their LLC formation services are the lowest priced in the industry - but you won't find any compromises when it comes to quality or range of services.

We were stunned

When comparing with other LLC service providers, we were stunned at how much is included with Incfile's LLC Creation packages, even at the most basic levels of service.

Silver package

All of their LLC formation plans, including their entry-level Silver package, include these features:

• Lifetime customer support via phone and/or email
• First year of registered agent service (then $99/year thereafter)
• Online access to all organization documents
• Unlimited name availability searches
• Preparation/filing of Articles of Organization, State Business License, and Initial Annual Report
• Statement and Resignation of the Organizer
• Activation of Google AdWords
• Next business day processing
• Lifetime company alerts

That's right: you get all of these with Incfile's lowest priced Silver package at $49.

Gold package

For $149, you can get their Gold package, which includes these additional services:

• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Operating Agreement
• Banking Resolution
• Customized LLC kit: professional binder in a matching slip case, customized with your business name on the insert; embossing seal
• Free express shipping with tracking number

Platinum package

Last, the $299 Platinum package gives you all of the benefits of the first two service levels, with these add-ons:

• Business contract templates
• Business website and domain name
• Expedited, one business day state filing time

No surprises

We appreciate the transparency of Incfile's pricing: you won't have any surprises or hidden costs as you go through the process of creating your LLC. They offer that clarity with their fees and those that you'll pay to the state where you're filing your LLC. Some services keep those details in very small print, but Incfile prides itself on making sure you are fully aware of what it will cost to form your LLC.

State compliance requirements

You'll see more of this openness when it comes to your state's ongoing compliance requirements, which are clearly listed below your three package options. At a glance, you can see how often you'll need to turn in your report (typically every year), when it's due, what your filing fees will be, and any other important details that apply to your state.

Fast help

Still have questions? Whether you're at the beginning of the LLC formation process or already finished with having your paperwork filed, Incfile is available from 9A-7P CST through their toll-free number or via email. Customers have said that the answers they've gotten were very helpful and specific to their situation, not just the typical form/template responses that are frequently sent by other services.

Knowledgeable support

For the fastest possible response, Incfile recommends that you use the messaging tool in the bottom right corner of every page on the site. Because business formation is the only service provided by Incfile, and most of their representatives have worked there since the company's beginnings in 2003, you'll get extremely knowledgeable help when you need it - no matter whether you choose to call, email, or use live chat.

Highest rating

When you're ready to create your LLC, Incfile should be at the top of your list. They offer full-featured services at the most affordable prices on the market. Thousands of happy customers are proof that Incfile keeps its promises to deliver helpful, knowledgeable assistance with every LLC formation package they offer. For LLC Formation services, Incfile earns our highest rating.

Rocket Lawyer

• Cost: 7-day free trial
• $39.99/month for Premium membership

Rocket Lawyer's goal is to make it affordable and easy for the average person to access legal services and documents. Since they opened, they've helped over 20 million individuals to create a wide range of legal documents ranging from Business Agreements to Property and Finance.

Free trial

Although customers can get individual documents with a la carte pricing, the least expensive way to use Rocket Lawyer's services is through a monthly membership priced at $39.99. Whether you're just looking to create an LLC or you have a number of legal documents on your to-do list, a complimentary 7-day trial gives you a no-risk method of trying Rocket Lawyer's services on for size. Yes, this does mean that you could potentially get all of your LLC formation documents completed at no cost, if you can get them filled in within the first week. Just be aware that the free trial does not include access to attorney advice on any of your paperwork.

Affordable monthly plan

Naturally, Rocket Lawyer's goal is to get you hooked on their convenient, affordable services during that 7-day trial, but the decision is yours - no obligation. Of course, if you're already running a business or even getting one started, you might find it very helpful to have access to documents in categories like Contracts & Service Agreements or maybe even Estate Planning. Fortunately, you can use Rocket Lawyer's service only for the months you need and then cancel at any time. That monthly plan also gives you access to lawyers for any legal questions that arise, including a 30-minute phone consultation for each new legal matter you'd like to discuss.

Registered agent services

Is Rocket Lawyer the best LLC formation service for your business needs? You'll need to compare them with other providers to make sure that the bottom line is the right choice for your situation. One aspect to consider is that you'll likely need to use Registered Agent Services: where many of the providers in our review charge up to $299/year for that service, you get it included at a discount of 25% when you're a subscriber at Rocket Lawyer.

Extended customer service hours

Another advantage of using Rocket Lawyer to create your LLC is their customer service availability: you can get in touch with their representatives from 6A to 6P Pacific five days a week through their toll-free number or online chat. These extended hours make it possible for many business owners to call before or after their working day, rather than trying to squeeze it in during their prime hours of operation.

100% satisfaction guarantee

You'll also get a 100% satisfaction guarantee with your monthly membership: if you're not completely happy with the service you've received, you can request a full refund.

Extremely satisfied

Most of Rocket Lawyer's customers are extremely satisfied with the documents and legal help they've gotten. We did find some negative comments, but almost all of them were from free trial customers who didn't cancel before their free trial ended and were billed for the first month of service. For those who intentionally choose the service, however, Rocket Lawyer gets compliments for the wide range of available documents and the helpful advice from their attorneys on staff.

Solid reputation

Because of their unique membership approach to legal help, a solid reputation for quality customer service, and a one-week free trial, Rocket Lawyer is worth considering - not only to form your LLC, but also for any other legal forms and lawyer advice you might want for your business or your personal life.

Inc Authority

• Cost: FREE for all entity setup services
• Packages for extra services range from $399 to $799

Can you really get something for nothing? When it comes to Inc Authority's LLC Formation services, you can! For both LLC's and corporations, this provider waives all service charges, labor costs and overhead - and at the time of our most recent visit to their site, Inc Authority had helped more than 130,000 clients to officially and legally create their businesses.

What you'll get

So, what do you get with Inc Authority's free LLC Formation offer? Quite a lot, actually:

• 5-point Business Name Check
• Preparation & Filing of all necessary documents
• Registered Agent services
• Digital delivery and storage of your documents
• Business checking account
• S-Election form
• INC CARE support
• Tax planning consultation

Less than 5 minutes

Filling out the online application took us less than five minutes, and most questions had helpful pop-out information if we weren't sure how to answer.

Apples to apples comparison

It's natural to wonder if "free" is really free, and it's true that Inc Authority offers paid packages to give you additional bells and whistles. (They have to make money somehow, right?) Here's where you'll need to do some careful apples-to-apples comparisons, because while the steps of forming an LLC won't cost you anything, many of the extras that only come with Inc Authority's packages might be had for less with one of the other services in our review. Plus, many of the bundled options don't apply to an LLC because they're specific to the steps needed to incorporate.

What's included

Take a look at what's in those packages and decide for yourself:

• Starter Business Bundle ($399): in this package, you'll get verification of business name availability, an IRS Tax ID number, tax consultation, business credit and funding evaluation, ownership certificates, and a year of advisory services (plus several extras that apply to corporations, like initial meeting minutes and a complete operating agreement)
• Executive Business Bundle ($499): this bundle includes all of the features of the Starter, plus a business license report and a website domain
• Tycoon Business Bundle ($799): adding on to the Executive package, this tier includes express processing, BizCredit express, a business credit coach, multi-tiered credit building system, business credit LaunchPad, and D&B credit bureau registration

Additional cost for additional features

Some of those extras will be offered to you during the registration process, available for purchase a la carte. For example, express processing could be added for $49, an EIN for $49, and so on. Take note that all of those extras are set to "yes" as default; click the slider (in a green box) to "no" for any features you don't want to add on.

Just as advertised

The good news is that we had no problems completing the entire LLC Formation process through Inc Authority, with no add-ons and completely free, just as advertised. Note - State fees still applied, but they didn't tack anything extra on there. While we were in the checkout process, we got a pop-up offer of 20% off Inc Authority's additional services - which didn't apply in our case, but could save you money on any of those a la carte options or bundles you might decide to use.

Easy and fast

Even more encouraging are the 3000+ 5-star reviews that satisfied clients have given Inc Authority. Over and over again, customers say that creating an LLC or corporation using this service is easy and fast. High praise is especially given to Inc Authority's customer representatives, who have a fantastic track record for being helpful, knowledgeable and professional at every step of the process. Plus, the BBB gives this provider an "A" rating: extra proof that you won't have any nasty surprises if you use this provider to form an LLC.

Great for the basics

In short, Inc Authority is trustworthy, accurate - and did we mention free? While you might be able to find a better deal with rival services if you need specific add-on features for a more robust LLC Formation package, you won't find a more affordable option if you just need the basic steps to help create your business. Inc Authority is one of our favorite choices among providers of LLC Formation services.

Corp Net

• Cost: From $79 to $249, depending on the package (plus $29 shipping/handling)

Corp Net is a great fit for small business owners who want to form their LLC with a provider that knows first-hand what it's like to start a business from scratch. Created in 1997 by an entrepreneurial husband/wife team, Corp Net still has that family-owned business approach to customer service while offering first-rate LLC formation services that are affordable and accurate.

Business structure wizard

You probably won't be overly impressed by the look and feel of the Corp Net website; it's definitely not as polished and glitzy as some of the services in our review. Push past that, though, to work your way through the Business Structure Wizard. You'll find it under the Start a Business section at the top of the site. This can help you determine if forming an LLC is the recommended next step for your business right now.

Available by phone

You can also get in touch with Corp Net's representatives from 7A-5:30P PST at their toll-free number, if you have any further questions.

Transparent pricing

This LLC formation service makes it a priority to be completely transparent in their pricing (including a less-than-awesome shipping and handling fee of $29 on every plan).

What you can expect

Take a look at what you can expect from Corp Net when creating your LLC:

• Basic: for $79, you get a Name Availability Check, Official Filed Articles of Organization, an online compliance tool to help you track when you need to file taxes and reports, and 60 days of free registered agent service ($149/year thereafter).
• Deluxe: for $199, you receive all of the services in the Basic package, plus 24-hour document preparation turnaround time, a full year of registered agent service, obtaining of your Federal Tax ID Number (EIN), and delivery of your printed documents.
• Complete: for $249 (just $50 more than the Deluxe), you get everything in the first two packages, along with a customized operating agreement and minutes, and a customized LLC kit and seal.

100% satisfaction guarantee

Corp Net gives you a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their services: if you're not satisfied with the process of creating your LLC, they'll fix the problem or refund your fees in full, no questions asked. This applies to the first 60 days after purchasing the service. Also, like every trustworthy LLC formation service, Corp Net takes full legal and financial responsibility if there's ever an error in filing your LLC documents; they'll fix any problem at no extra cost.

High customer praise

Across a wide range of customer reviews, Corp Net receives high praise from their clients: almost a perfect five-star average over hundreds of reviews. Business owners say that their LLC formation was completed very quickly, and that Corp Net representatives are helpful, friendly, and very knowledgeable in all aspects of the process.

Excellent service

Because of their positive reputation with their customers, Corp Net is one of the top LLC formation services in our review. While their packages tend to be a little more expensive than some providers, Corp Net's proven commitment to their customers and clarity in pricing gives them a strong advantage over many of their competitors.

My Company Works

• Cost: From $79 to $279, depending on the package selected

Since opening their doors in 2001, My Company Works - formerly known as My New Company - has worked with more than 50,000 businesses to help them grow their business through LLC formation and incorporation. Although this provider doesn't have the long client list as some of our higher-ranked services, they've proven themselves as a reputable, knowledgeable partner for small business owners who want to create an LLC.

3 LLC packages

My Company Works has three packages for LLC formation:

• Basic: starting at $79, this package includes unlimited name availability searches, preparation and filing of Articles of Organization, personalized organizational minutes and LLC Operating Agreement, the New LLC Handbook, same-day business processing, unlimited phone/email support, free company alerts, access to scanned documents online, and lifetime access to your online account. You can add a la carte services like obtaining a federal tax ID, registered agent service ($99/year), or rush filing service.
• Entrepreneur: for $199, this level of service includes the features of Basic, along with obtaining a federal tax ID, an LLC kit/seal/member certificates, and lifetime business forms/tax guide. You'll need to consider if those additional features are worth the extra $120 over the Basic package.
• Complete: at a cost of $279 you receive all of the benefits included in the Basic and Entrepreneur packages, along with a year of registered agent service (saving you $19 over the regular yearly $99 fee if purchased separately).

Terrific reputation

My Company Works has a terrific reputation. Like many of the companies in our review, they maintain an "A+" rating with the Better Business Bureau. More noteworthy is their track record for almost 100% positive reviews from their customers. The most common compliment given is for their extremely fast customer service team: most questions submitted by mail or phone get a response in 20 minutes or less during My Company Works' regular weekday business hours of 7:30A to 4:30P PST.

Startup wizard

One of our favorite resources offered by My Company Works is their proprietary Startup Wizard. Once you've formed your LLC, this helpful online tool will take you step-by-step through everything you need to do to keep your business up and running - and in compliance with all of the legal requirements in your state. You'll get automatic reminders in your email each week that remind you of any remaining steps you need to take; these reminders can even be downloaded as a PDF. Also, the Startup Wizard keeps track of your progress while you complete your required tasks, making sure that you don't create any problems for yourself as you operate your newly-formed LLC. Most of the LLC formation services we reviewed don't go that extra mile (at no extra cost) to make sure you are meeting your legal obligations, so this is a perk worth noting.

Business next steps

You'll also find lots of helpful information as you consider the next steps for your business. These can be found under the headings of Start a Company and Manage a Company at the bottom of the website.

Satisfaction guarantee

This provider is so sure that they'll make a happy customer out of you that they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Should you be unsatisfied with their LLC formation services for any reason within the first 90 days of being their client, they'll either fix the problem or offer you a full refund - whichever you prefer. Given the thousands of positive reviews they've already received, however, it's not very likely that you'll need to take them up on their satisfaction guarantee.

High rating

Because of their reasonable prices, strong focus on customer service, and useful tools even after creating an LLC, My Company Works is ranked among the top providers for LLC formation services in our review.

FileNow

• Cost: From $0 to $199 plus applicable state fees

Filenow was created by a team of tax experts, lawyers, entrepreneurs and business professionals with ample background in everything needed to create a new company. This service aims to make it seamless and simple to form an LLC, minimizing both hassle and expense in the process.

2 LLC formation packages

Filenow offers two primary packages for LLC Formation:

• Starter ($0 plus state fees): this entry-level package gives you 24-hour order processing, electronic delivery of documents, plus phone and email support
• Premium ($199 plus state fees): the top-tier package includes everything from the Starter plan, as well as a company kit, 1 year of registered agent services (a $119 value in itself), free EIN/Tax ID, a banking resolution, and more

State fees

If you enter the state where you'll be creating the LLC, you'll automatically see the state fees to expect with your purchase.

Discount offer

At the time of our most recent visit to the Filenow site, we spotted a pop-up offer with a 15% discount on their company formation services - in exchange for entering our name and email address. The code was valid for one week from the time we visited the website.

Easy online form

The process of LLC formation is extremely straightforward, with Filenow's easy online form walking you through everything necessary to get your LLC in place. We particularly appreciate the ability to skip any section, save our progress, and return later. During the question-and-answer process, you'll also get the opportunity to purchase an Operating Agreement for an additional $25.

Help 24/7

If you're even slightly hesitant about the steps needed for creating your LLC, rest assured that Filenow offers 24/7 live, personalized help via phone and email, along with live chat on the site during selected business hours.

Money back guarantee

Filenow offers a 100% money-back guarantee. If your LLC application is denied due to negligence or errors on any document prepared with their service, you'll get a full refund of any service fees you paid.

Young company

The only drawbacks we could find with Filenow, compared with similar providers available today, is that the service has only been in business for a short time - and because of that, there's much less client feedback available. We're reassured by Filenow's "A" rating and accreditation by the Better Business Bureau, however, as well as the 50+ five-star reviews from people who have used the service for their business formation needs. Compliments described Filenow's LLC process as being easy, fast and intuitive, with polite and knowledgeable help from company reps when needed.

Solid choice

Despite being the proverbial new kid on the block, we think Filenow is a solid option for LLC formation services. Affordable and fast, and backed by a great satisfaction guarantee, this service can create your LLC with just a few minutes of your time.

My Corporation

• Cost: From $89 to $299, depending on the level of service selected

For over two decades, My Corporation has been helping small businesses get their start. Given that their tagline is "Entrepreneurs welcome", it's easy to see that this California-based LLC formation service is focused on the needs of growing companies.

Free startup consultation

One perk offered by My Corporation is a Free Startup Consultation. If you want some guidance in identifying your business goals and the best steps to take to reach them, this is a great way to get a feel for how My Corporation can help you - at no cost to you. You'll find the "Free Startup Consultation" button featured throughout the site; enter your information there and you'll soon be connected with a representative.

Free entity wizard

Alternately, if you like to get information on your own before you speak with a rep, look further down on the site to find the Free Entity Wizard and Comparison Chart tools. This will help you determine if forming an LLC is the right next step for your business.

4 LLC packages

My Corporation offers four packages of service: Basic, Standard, Deluxe, and Premium. All packages also include free online accounting, free domain name, and a custom business logo.

• The Basic plan is priced at $89; you'll get your Articles of Incorporation, Business Documents, and Business Name Check.
• The Standard package costs $99 and includes your Annual Report.
• For $199, the Deluxe plan also includes a year of Registered Agent Service. You'll pay $120/year after the first years' service.
• At $299, the Premium package adds the MaintainMyBiz service, consisting of any four business filings you request each year. You could call this a "corporate maintenance package" that takes you through the creation of your LLC and keeps it running in the years to come.

Extras available

All of My Corporation's other features can be included at an extra cost. For example, you may want to have them apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN), or to use their MyCorp Vault Document Storage to keep all of your business documents in one location. We like that small businesses can decide exactly which additional services they need and not have to pay for ones that aren't relevant (such as a seal and embosser set). But, when looking at their packages, My Corporation's "extras" are often included with competitor plans, especially with the higher-priced tiers of service.

Not many reviews

Reputation-wise, My Corporation had an "A+" rating with the Better Business Bureau at the time of our review. We expected to find lots of customer reviews, since this service has been helping "over one million businesses form and grow" in the last two decades. While most of the client comments we found were positive - praising My Corporation's outstanding customer service during LLC formation and the support phase afterwards - there weren't very many reviews to be found.

Trustworthy option

Overall, though, My Corporation provides a solid range of services for creating an LLC and a positive reputation. We think they're a trustworthy option for small businesses who only want to pay for the LLC formation services they actually need.

Harbor Compliance

• Cost: $399 for Formation Package
• $799 for Formation + Compliance Package

Forming an LLC can be simple, but making sure that everything is done accurately and legally is essential to protecting your business. Harbor Compliance takes that process seriously, having helped over 10,000 businesses since 2012 to create their LLC's and corporations and to stay in compliance in the years that follow.

Costs more

You will probably notice right away that Harbor Compliance costs much more than other LLC formation services on the market, with packages priced at $399 and $799 - not including any required state filing fees. Those prices might be too high for the average small business owner, especially if they're looking for LLC creation services that are more economical than hiring a local attorney.

1-on-1 service

But, if you want the kind of one-on-one service that Harbor Compliance offers, both during the LLC formation process and afterwards, and you've got the resources to pay for it, they may be an excellent fit. Take a look at what you'll get for your investment and decide for yourself.

Formation package

If you choose the Formation package, you can expect these services:

• Name Availability Check
• Articles of Incorporation
• Operating Agreement Template
• Federal EIN
• Registered Agent Service (subsequent years billed at $99)
• Compliance Specialist: this is the biggest advantage to working with Harbor Compliance, according to their past and present customers. Within one business day of beginning your LLC formation, you'll be connected with a personal representative who will be your only point of contact - no need to speak with a different person each time you call or email. The compliance specialist will personally prepare your filings and work with you directly throughout the entire process and after your LLC is created.

Formation + Compliance package

Choosing the Formation + Compliance package gives you everything in the Formation package, plus these additional services:

• Company Kit: 20 stock certificates/share roll/transfer ledger, corporate seal, blue binder with embossed company name and tab dividers for company records, and software for producing corporate documents like meeting minutes and corporate resolutions
• S-Corp or C-Corp Tax Election, if needed
• Initial Report
• Publishing
• Managed Annual Report Service
• Ongoing Support

Is it worth it?

Are these services worth the fees? That depends on you and your business needs. But, you can trust that Harbor Compliance has a proven track record for accuracy in document preparation and for having pleasant, knowledgeable compliance specialists. This is demonstrated by their A+ rating at the BBB and numerous compliments from clients that say how much they appreciated the one-on-one guidance they received from their dedicated Harbor Compliance representatives.

Delivers on their promise

In other words, Harbor Compliance delivers everything they promise, much to the satisfaction of their customers. But, given that their high fees and relatively limited package options may not fit a large percentage of small business owners, we give their LLC formation services a 3-star rating.

LegalZoom

• Cost: Packages range from $49 to $349

Since 1999, LegalZoom has helped over 4 million customers to affordably access legal documents through their self-guided services. You can find documents across a wide variety of topics, ranging from business needs like LLC formation and incorporation to personal issues such as wills and trusts.

Satisfaction guarantee

A strong positive of using LegalZoom to create your LLC is their Satisfaction Guarantee. Within the first 60 days after your purchase, you can request a 100% refund of all fees paid directly to LegalZoom if you're unhappy with any part of your experience. Of course, that refund policy doesn't apply to any fees you paid for government filing or to a third-party service.

3 levels of service

However, as you select a service to form your LLC, you're likely going to find that you'll spend more by choosing LegalZoom. Here's what you can expect with their three levels of service:

• Economy: In this package, you'll get an Operating Agreement, comprehensive state/federal business name availability search, the preparing and filing of your Articles of Association and other required paperwork, an LLC Next Steps Guide and LegalZoom's $50,000 Peace of Mind Guarantee.
• Standard: In addition to the Economy package features, you'll also get a business newsletter, a deluxe organizer, and official printed certificates/seal. You may not think those features are worth the extra money - possibly as much as $280 more for the Standard vs. the Economy tier.
• Express Gold: You'll get all of the features of the first two levels, along with help in getting all required federal/state/local permits and licenses, VIP processing/priority filing/express shipping, lifetime customer support, and a financial account authorization letter

Optional services

For all three packages, you can choose among a number of optional services. One of the most common - and important - is the Registered Agent Service. Many of the company incorporation services we reviewed include it for free during the first year, while others may charge $99 per year. LegalZoom's fees are $159 per year, and they are not included even with the highest package level.

Free trials

As you set up your LLC, you'll also be offered free trials of other services, such as a 30-day trial of Affordable Tax, Legal Protect, and Total Compliance. These services are billed at $320/year thereafter.

Frustrating pricing

We found the process of selecting an LLC formation package through LegalZoom to be very frustrating, mostly when it came to pricing. On one screen, we were given package prices ranging from $99 to $159. But, as we went through the actual process of creating our LLC, the package prices changed to $49-$349.

Included or not?

Also, on one screen it said that an EIN would be included with the two higher levels of service. But, again, once we went through the steps to form the LLC, we were quoted an additional $199 to get the Operating Agreement, EIN, and Licenses.

Fast turnaround

In the past, we've seen good things from LegalZoom, with customers saying that their turnaround times were much faster than expected and that their LLC's were formed very quickly. But, with so many issues with pricing, it left us wondering what we were actually paying for and frequently asking "Is this included or isn't it?"

Room to improve

You can expect quality deliverables with LegalZoom. However, we hope LegalZoom will make their pricing clearer and more consistent in the future.

Biz Filings

• Cost: From $99 to $424, based on the selected package and state of LLC formation

Biz Filings was created by a team of entrepreneurs who wanted to make it easy and affordable for small business owners to fully establish their companies through LLC formation and/or incorporation. So far, they're doing a good job of it - as evidenced by an "A+" rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. On the other hand, Biz Filings doesn't seem to be completing the same volume of LLC formations as some of their competitors; there were very few reviews - positive or negative - from clients, especially over the last year.

Incorporation wizard

However, we think that prospective clients will appreciate Biz Filings' efforts to give them everything they need to know, to make decisions about how to form their business. Using their Incorporation Wizard on the main page, you'll be asked several questions that can help you determine if forming an LLC is the right step for your business. You'll also have access to other tools, like determining if the name you want for your LLC is available.

Online dashboard

When creating an LLC through Biz Filings, customers have three packages to consider. All of their packages include Business Name Verification, preparation and filing of all documents, and 6 months of Registered Agent Service. That last benefit alone could easily be worth $600 or more, when looking at what other LLC formation services charge. You also have access to the BizComply online dashboard, which helps you track any required deadlines for document filing and compliance, plus a document library with resources for more in-depth topics regarding LLC creation.

Prices vary

Unlike some services, Biz Filing's fees are very dependent on the state in which you form your LLC. You can expect costs ranging from $99 to $174 for their Basic plan, $200 to $300 for the Standard package, and $250 to $425 for the Complete package.

3 levels of LLC service

Here's what you get with each level of service:

• Basic: This package creates your business within your state. It includes the minimum level of services as described above (such as 6 months of Registered Agent Services, Business Name Verification, etc.). You can get additional services a la carte, like Customizable LLC Forms and an LLC Kit & Seal. If you need extra services, however, you'll probably save money by purchasing the Standard or Complete plans which include many of those add-ons.
• Standard: This service level gives you all of the features of the Basic plan and adds on expedited processing, the LLC Kit & Seal, and customizable LLC Forms. Those added benefits may not be worth the extra cost; in most states, you'll spend $80 to $90 more for the Standard plan, compared with the Basic package.
• Complete: The top-tier package includes all of the services of Basic and Standard and adds a compliance DVD, obtainment of your Federal Tax ID (EIN), a certified copy of state-filed documents and state ID tax form (if applicable in your state), as well as overnight shipping. This is usually the best deal, with a $20 difference between Standard and Complete in most states.

Long list of options

After you've selected your package, you'll also have to sort through a long list of extra service options, like website builders and coupons for office phone systems. This makes Biz Filings seem less professional, because it gives the impression that they are focused on promoting their third-party partners and not necessarily on what you need when forming your LLC.

Give you less

In general, you'll get some perks from Biz Filings that you won't find when forming an LLC with other providers, like the complimentary 6 months of Registered Agent Service. But, their two lowest-priced packages give you less for your money when compared with some of the higher-ranked services we reviewed. We encourage you to do the research to determine if Biz Filings works for your particular needs, especially with respect to your state of LLC formation.

Incorporate

• Cost: From $99 to $349, depending on the selected package

Incorporate - formerly known as The Company Corporation and Corporation Service Company (CSC) - has worked to form more than 750,000 LLC's and corporations over the last 100+ years. They have a well-established history of helping businesses complete all of the required paperwork to take the next step in their growth, while staying fully compliant with all legal statutes and regulations.

Startup business formation wizard

You might have to look around for one of Incorporate's most useful tools: the Startup/Business Formation Wizard. It's at the bottom of their main page, as well as in their Learning Center; it can help you figure out if an LLC is the right fit for your business through a series of easy-to-answer questions. If you need more personalized guidance, their customer service department is available through online chat or at Incorporate's toll-free number, 8A-8P ET Monday-Friday.

You'll probably pay more

While you'll probably like what Incorporate has to offer, you'll pay more for it. Compared with most of the LLC formation services we surveyed, their prices are usually higher.

3 LLC formation packages

Take a look at the three packages Incorporate offers for creating an LLC:

• The Starter: for $99, you'll get completion and filing of formation documents, $75,000 Corporate Compliance Guarantee and online access to company documents. If you choose Incorporate as your registered agent, it covers your first annual report filing, and you'll also get their access to their CSCNavigator online tool. After the first year, you'll pay $150 for each annual filing.
• The Essentials: for $249, this package gives you every benefit of the Starter package. Plus, you'll get a Compliance Kit and company seal (shipping is free), and a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). Once again, if you want access to the online navigator tool and annual report preparation/filing, that requires you to select Incorporate as your registered agent.
• The Works: priced at $349, this top-tier package gives you all of the features of The Starter and The Essentials. Added to this service level are a Business License Compliance Package, and the LLC Operating Agreement.

Costs add up

You may already have noticed that Incorporate will cost more money while giving you fewer services, compared with other LLC formation providers. For example, you won't get an LLC Operating Agreement included unless you spend $349 for the most expensive package, but many of their competitors include that with the most basic service plans. Also, in choosing Incorporate as your registered agent, you're looking at spending $150 per year after the first filing - but many LLC formation services charge $100 or less per year for the same service. Those costs add up, as evidenced by the complaints we find from many small business owners who've used LLC formation services (not just through Incorporate, but across the spectrum) and forget that they'll be charged for this on an annual basis.

Solid reputation

Working with a service that has more than a century of experience has its benefits: an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a long history of helping companies from all industries to create their LLC's quickly, easily, and legally. However, given that small businesses have to make careful decisions with their money, choosing Incorporate for their reputation alone might not be the best option. There are quite a few LLC formation providers offering the same services for lower fees, and who also have a good reputation with their clients. For this reason, Incorporate comes in at the middle of the pack; in the future, we hope to see more competitive rates and packages that can better meet the budgets of small business owners.

Corporate Creations

• Cost: Price varies depending on your state and services selected

Corporate Creations has been a part of the LLC Formation industry for more than 20 years. You can be confident that they have a trustworthy reputation, as evidenced by their A+ rated entity with the Better Business Bureau.

Click through the options

While some companies offer an easy-to-use website that shows prospective clients their options in a clear way - through a chart or a list of different packages, for example - Corporate Creations does not. Instead, when someone clicks on the Incorporation tab at the top of the page, they're taken to a series of dropdown boxes and options to click through, to determine what features will be needed. The LLC option is listed in the dropdown for Entity Type.

Challenging to compare

This makes it challenging to compare "apples to apples" with other LLC Formation providers. Further complicating things is the fact that Corporate Creations automatically includes any required state fees in their pricing. State fees can vary widely, from under $300 in many states to more than $600 in places like Nevada - so it's frustrating not being able to quickly see what their own services cost.

Price match guarantee

One feature we really liked, however, is their Price Match Guarantee: if you see a lower price for the same service with another provider, they'll match it. Or, if you've already ordered services through Corporate Creations and then find a lower price within 30 days, they'll refund 100% of the difference. This is one of the only services in our review to offer that kind of guarantee.

Annual recurring fee

One thing to be aware of - Corporate Creations provides registered agent service free in the first year, but every year thereafter you'll pay a fee of $299. Given that many of the top-rated incorporation services we reviewed only charge $99-$129 per year, you should try to obtain a price match for this annual, recurring fee.

Little guidance

Compared with other online incorporation services, Corporate Creations offers very little guidance regarding the LLC process. On the Incorporation page, for example, there are no convenient "Which one is right for my company?" tools. Neither is there very much information to help a small business owner understand what they need and why they need it. The Resources tab lists just a few articles about owning a business, not just LLC's.

Comes up lacking

The few customer reviews we found were very positive, and the company as a whole has an excellent approach to servicing their clients. When it comes to keeping up with the competition in the online world of LLC Formation, however, Corporate Creations comes up lacking. We hope to see more improvements from them in the future, because they can help you create an LLC smoothly and affordably - just not in a customer-friendly environment.

Nolo

• Cost: $99 for Basic Service
• $299 for Express Premiere Service

Nolo used to be an LLC formation service limited to books and forms. You might say that "Nolo" now stands for "No Longer" limited, as they've vastly expanded their options

2 LLC creation packages

Nolo offers 2 packages to create your LLC:

• Basic: for $99, you'll get standard filing and a Customized LLC Operating Agreement based on your situation
• Express Premiere: for $299, you'll get a filled-out IRS Form SS-4 (Application for EIN), a Personalized LLC Records Kit and Seal with 20 certificates, a Customized LLC Operating Agreement, as well as priority filing and shipping (submitted to the Department of State within 1 business day; your LLC package will arrive within 6-7 business days after that)

All packages include company name verification, articles of organization, automated error checking, and unlimited customer service support.

3 step process

Nolo creates your LLC in three steps. First, you fill out a basic questionnaire that asks you to select which service you want, basic details about your business like desired LLC name and member names, and so forth. Then, they generate your LLC documents and make sure they are filed correctly with the Secretary of State. Finally, your completed LLC package arrives in the mail.

Mixed customer reviews

Reviews of Nolo are mixed. We found several positive remarks from small business owners who complimented the service for getting everything right during the process of creating their LLC's. We also found several complaints, but they seemed to be more focused on Nolo's offerings in other categories, not related to filing business documentation. An "A+" rating with the BBB shows that, despite any negative reviews, Nolo does an appropriate job of delivering what they promise and responding to any issues that arise.

Continue to improve

Ultimately, Nolo has made strides by offering a much more useful LLC formation service than before - including the actual filling out and submitting of paperwork, not just giving customers blank forms to complete and books to walk them through the process. On the other hand, their basic package is more than double the cost you can find through our higher rated providers, bringing Nolo down in the rankings. We hope that as Nolo continues to improve their LLC options, they'll be able to better compete through lower pricing and more robust package choices.

Law Depot

• Cost: Free to create an LLC Operating Agreement, Articles of Incorporation

If you want to create an LLC Operating Agreement for no charge, Law Depot is your service. All you have to do is click the "Get Started" button and select your state, and you'll be shown a preview the form you're filling out.

Done in 10 minutes

From there, the "Create My Document" button will walk you through all of the typical questions needed to fill it out accurately. You'll be able to download or print your customized LLC document in 10 minutes or less.

You get what you pay for

What's the catch? There isn't one. But, you get what you pay for - which, in this case, means that you get no further direction in forming your LLC. Yes, you can wade through the FAQ for LLC Operating Agreements - where you'll find out that you also need to create Articles of Incorporation (which is also available at no charge) - but you won't get any step-by-step instructions for what to do, when, and how.

Great reputation

Law Depot does have a great reputation as an "A+" rated, accredited company with the Better Business Bureau, so we definitely have no issues with their track record. And, who doesn't love getting things for free?

Figure it out yourself

But, when it comes to an important process like creating an LLC, it's critical to get every single component completed accurately and submitted to the right places. With Law Depot, you'll have to figure most of that out on your own. Most small business owners will probably find it worth the investment - probably less than $100 - to get some personalized guidance from one of the higher-ranked LLC formation services we reviewed.

Find Legal Forms

• Cost: $39.95

In 2001, two California attorneys realized that the average consumer did not have affordable, convenient access to common legal forms, like wills and non-disclosure agreements. They created Find Legal Forms to give customers the ability to quickly find the forms they need and print them out at home - at a fraction of the cost of using an attorney.

Hundreds of legal forms

Find Legal Forms offers hundreds of legal forms that can be downloaded immediately. These forms are all reviewed and kept current by lawyers who know the corresponding laws in each state. This provider backs everything they sell with a 60-day money-back guarantee. And, as further proof of their reputation, FindLegalForms is an accredited company with the Better Business Bureau: not only did they have an "A+" rating at the time of our review, but they also had zero complaints filed against them. As you might imagine, that's pretty rare in the business world.

8 LLC forms

In the Limited Liability Company Forms Combo Package, you'll get 8 forms (.doc, .wpd, and .rtf), including the following:

• Operating Agreements for LLC
• Annual Meeting of LLC Members
• First Meeting of LLC Members
• Termination of Limited Liability Company
• Operating Agreement Amendments for LLC
• Articles of Organization Amendments for LLC
• Pre-Organization Kits
• Articles of Organization for LLC

Purchase individually or in a bundle

All of those documents are also available for individual purchase; but, 6 of them are priced at $19.95 each, you'll definitely get a better deal buying the package for $39.95 if you need more than one of the forms.

Great paperwork resource

We don't hesitate to recommend Find Legal Forms if you simply need the right paperwork for creating an LLC. They have more than a million customers who've used them for a wide variety of reasons - Family Law, Real Estate, and many other categories beyond business needs - and a terrific track record for doing what they promise.

Lack of answers

On the other hand, LLC formation can come with a lot of questions - ones that won't be answered by Find Legal Forms. We suspect that most small business owners prefer to have at least some amount of hand-holding when taking such an important step as forming their LLC, even if that's just having an expert on hand to confirm that a particular form has been filled out correctly.

Good option for less complex legal needs

This service is ideal for less complex legal situations, like giving someone power of attorney or creating a bill of sale. But, when it comes to forming an LLC, we suggest that you select a provider that offers different service packages - so that you can get a little (or a lot!) of personalized help to ensure that your business is on the right track.