Picking an LLC formation service is mostly about avoiding two traps: overpaying for a filing that takes 20 minutes, and signing up for a “$0” plan that quietly costs $250/year in add-ons. After comparing 2026 pricing data from multiple review roundups (including NerdWallet’s and TRUiC’s 2026 comparisons), here’s the honest breakdown of the five services worth considering — what they actually cost, and who each one fits.
The short answer: Bizee is the cheapest real option ($0 filing + free registered agent for the first year), Northwest Registered Agent is the privacy pick with the best-reviewed support, ZenBusiness sits in the middle with the slickest compliance dashboard, LegalZoom is the premium choice if you want attorney access bundled in, and Swyft Filings is for founders in a hurry. Every price below is from 2026 published comparisons — verify current rates before you buy, since these companies change pricing often.
Quick note: This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Formation services file paperwork; they don’t replace an attorney for complex situations.
The “$0 LLC” Myth, Explained
Nearly every formation service advertises “$0 + state fees.” That headline covers the bare filing only. Running a real business also needs a registered agent (legally required in every state), an operating agreement, an EIN, and compliance tracking — and that’s where the bill grows.
Here’s what the “$0” plans actually cost once you include registered agent service, based on 2026 roundup data:
| Service | Entry plan | Registered agent | True year-1 cost (before state fee) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 | Free first year, then $119/yr | $0 |
| Inc Authority | $0 | Free first year, then $249/yr | $0 |
| Northwest | $39 | Free first year, then $125/yr | $39 |
| ZenBusiness | $0 | $99 first year, then $199/yr | $99 |
| Swyft Filings | $0 | Varies (about $149–$199/yr) | $149+ |
| LegalZoom | $0 | $249/yr | $249 |
The lesson: compare year-two cost, not the headline. A “$0” plan with a $249/year registered agent renewal is the most expensive option on this list within two years. Bizee’s entry plan is the only one that’s genuinely close to free in year one.
The 5 Best LLC Formation Services in 2026
1. Bizee (formerly Incfile) — Best Overall Value
Bizee’s entry tier charges $0 for the filing itself plus your state fee, and includes registered agent service free for the first year ($119/year after). That makes it the cheapest genuine path from idea to formed LLC: $0 in service fees for year one, period.
Higher tiers run $199 and $299, adding features like EIN filing, operating agreements, and compliance alerts. Bizee has been around since 2004 (as Incfile), so it’s not a fly-by-night operation — it has processed a huge volume of filings. The checkout is straightforward without the aggressive upsell gauntlet some competitors run.
Best for: first-time founders who want the lowest real cost and don’t need attorney access. Watch for: the $119/year registered agent renewal starting year two — set a calendar reminder to decide whether to keep it or switch.
2. Northwest Registered Agent — Best for Privacy and Support
Northwest charges $39 plus state fees for formation, with registered agent service included free for the first year and $125/year after. Its headline feature isn’t price — it’s privacy. Northwest lists its own address on public filings wherever possible, keeping your personal information out of public records, which matters if you work from home.
It’s also the service reviewers consistently praise for human customer support: real people who know formation law, not a chatbot maze. Northwest has operated since 1998, making it the oldest company on this list.
Best for: founders who care about keeping their home address private and want competent support when something goes sideways. Watch for: fewer bundled extras (branding tools, website builders) than competitors — it’s a formation and registered agent company, not a business-in-a-box.
3. ZenBusiness — Best Compliance Dashboard
ZenBusiness offers $0 formation plus state fees, with a modern dashboard that tracks your ongoing compliance — annual reports, deadlines, and document storage in one place. Registered agent service runs about $99 for the first year, then $199/year. Mid and premium tiers run $199 and $399/year with more hand-holding.
The interface is the selling point: if you want one login that tells you what your LLC owes and when, ZenBusiness does that better than anyone here. Founded in 2015, it’s the youngest of the established players but has scaled fast.
Best for: busy founders who’d rather get reminders than track state deadlines themselves. Watch for: the $199/year registered agent renewal is on the higher side — factor it into your two-year math.
4. LegalZoom — Best for Ongoing Legal Access
LegalZoom is the brand everyone has heard of (founded 2001), and its ecosystem goes far beyond formation: attorney consultations, legal document templates, and business advisory services. Entry formation is advertised at $0 plus state fees, with tiers at $249 and $299. The catch is the registered agent service at $249/year — the highest on this list — and the overall price creep across its ecosystem.
Where LegalZoom earns its premium: if you want a lawyer available after the filing is done — contract reviews, trademark questions, ongoing counsel — it’s the only service here with that depth built in.
Best for: founders who expect to need real legal services in year one, not just a filing. Watch for: the highest total cost of ownership here; multiple review sites flag upsells and auto-renewing packages, so read the checkout carefully.
5. Swyft Filings — Best for Speed
Swyft Filings advertises $0 formation plus state fees, with paid tiers at $169 and $269, and markets itself on fast turnaround — filing your documents quickly for time-sensitive launches. Its registered agent pricing is less transparently published than competitors’, which is worth a direct question before you commit.
Best for: founders who need the filing submitted fast and don’t mind paying for the higher tiers. Watch for: confirm registered agent renewal pricing in writing before checkout; it’s the murkiest number on this list.
How to Choose in 5 Minutes
Answer these three questions and the choice mostly makes itself:
- Do you need a lawyer on call? If yes, LegalZoom. If no, rule it out — you’re paying for legal infrastructure you won’t use.
- Is privacy a priority? If you work from home and don’t want your address on public filings, Northwest.
- What’s your two-year budget? Add the entry fee + two years of registered agent renewals. On that math, Bizee wins for most solo founders, ZenBusiness wins if you value the compliance dashboard, and LegalZoom loses unless you need the attorneys.
One more option worth stating plainly: you can file directly with your Secretary of State for just the state fee ($35–$500 depending on the state). It takes 15–30 minutes online. A formation service buys convenience, bundling, and reminders — not a different legal outcome. If you’re forming an LLC for an online business, pair whichever route you pick with a proper plan for what comes after, like understanding the Google AdSense approval requirements for 2026 before you build a content site around the new entity.
Related: LLC vs S Corp for Freelancers: Which Saves More in 2026?
Official source: U.S. Small Business Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC?
File directly with your state’s Secretary of State — you pay only the state fee ($35–$500). If you want help, Bizee’s entry plan is the cheapest full-service option at $0 plus state fees with a free first year of registered agent service. (This is general information, not professional advice.)
Is LegalZoom worth it for LLC formation?
Only if you’ll use the legal services. For the filing alone, it’s among the most expensive options once you add $249/year registered agent service. Its real value is bundled attorney access and legal documents after formation.
Can I switch registered agent services later?
Yes. Your LLC continues to exist as the same legal entity regardless of who serves as agent. Changing agents usually means filing a change-of-agent form with your Secretary of State for a small fee (typically $0–$25).
Do formation services include an EIN?
Some do on paid tiers; entry plans usually don’t. But you don’t need to pay anyone for this — the IRS issues EINs free through its online application, typically instantly. Never pay $50–$100 for an EIN filing.
What’s the difference between Bizee and ZenBusiness?
Both offer $0 entry formation. Bizee is cheaper overall (free registered agent year one, then $119/year vs. ZenBusiness’s $99 first year then $199/year). ZenBusiness offers a more polished compliance dashboard and reminder system. Pick Bizee for lowest cost, ZenBusiness for the dashboard.
Are online LLC formation services legitimate?
The established ones — LegalZoom (2001), Northwest (1998), Bizee/Incfile (2004), ZenBusiness (2015) — have each processed enormous volumes of filings and are legitimate businesses. They file the same state forms you’d file yourself. Stick to well-reviewed providers and read the renewal terms before checkout.