THE 5 BEST LLC SERVICES COMPARED 2020
Find the Best LLC Service Online

BEST LLC SERVICES: BREAKDOWN

BEST LLC SERVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS: ZENBUSINESS

Based on overall quality, we highly recommend ZenBusiness when starting an LLC online. ZenBusiness offers company formation packages starting at only $39 per year (plus state fees).

ZenBusiness Pros

• Straightforward and affordable LLC formation packages
• Responsive customer support
• Great customer feedback from ZenBusiness reviews online
• High-quality registered agent services

ZenBusiness Cons

• If you want an Employer Identification Number (EIN), you will have to pay an additional $70 in the ZenBusiness basic plan. However, we recommend learning how to get an EIN for free.

ZenBusiness Pricing and Features

All 3 packages include essential products to form your LLC:

• Registered agent services: ZenBusiness offers a full year of included registered agent services in all three of their packages. After the first year, it’s only $119 per year. (We rated ZenBusiness as the best registered agent service as well!)
• Free Operating Agreement: Helps to define the terms of company formation. Not many companies include an Operating Agreement in their basic packages.
• Worry Free CPA Assessment: This assessment will provide you with an evaluation of your company finances and recommend the proper licensed CPA for your specific needs at no charge. The suggested accounting services are a great way to keep track of your company’s monetary flow, file taxes, and stay organized.

As you climb up to ZenBusiness Pro, you’ll find other helpful LLC creation features such as:

• An Employer ID Number (EIN)
• Worry Free Compliance Guarantee
• Domain name registration

ZenBusiness’s Premium package ($249 + state fee) includes even more add-on features:

• Business email, website, and domain privacy: These are great products that can help your business so your clients can easily contact you, gain visibility, and protect your private information
• Rush filing: For entrepreneurs seeking quicker and more comprehensive business formation services.

All in all, the formation service offers an outstanding deal for entrepreneurs and small business owners. ZenBusiness LLC packages include more valuable features, you can find a plethora of positive feedback online, and the company offers a seamless customer experience.

BEST FOR LEGAL SERVICES: ROCKET LAWYER

Although ZenBusiness is the better option for simply forming a small business, Rocket Lawyer is the best choice if you want ongoing legal services past LLC creation.

Rocket Lawyer Pros

• The TRUiC and Rocket Lawyer New Business Bundle offers an exclusive discount!
• If you want to try the legal services subscription package, which includes LLC formation service at no cost, the 7-day trial removes any risk.
• Rocket Lawyer provides excellent customer service.

Rocket Lawyer Cons

• Rocket Lawyer is focused more on legal help and advice beyond company formation. If you are simply interested in starting a small business, there are more affordable options out there.

Rocket Lawyer Pricing and Features

Rocket Lawyer sets itself apart by offering a subscription-based model for ongoing legal services, with premium members gaining access to legal documents, advice, and more. We’ve negotiated a deal to bundle Rocket Lawyer’s premium membership services into an exclusive package for our users at the discounted price of $349.99 (plus state fees). You’ll save about $300 (over 45%!) by choosing our New Business Bundle, which includes the following:

• Free Incorporation Service
• 1 Year of Registered Agent Services
• 1-Year Legal Services:
  
  • Real Lawyers, Expert Advice
  • 30-minutes lawyer consults on each new legal matter, up to 40% off attorney hourly rate after
  • Easy-to-use legal documents and contracts such as Operating Agreements
  • Exclusive discounts on future services
  • High-quality customer support

The TRUiC and Rocket Lawyer New Business Bundle is perfect for entrepreneurs who need additional legal expertise throughout their company’s lifetime. For example, if you’re starting a real estate business, you may want more comprehensive legal help and advice regarding rental applications, sublease agreements, etc. Rocket Lawyer excels in providing peace of mind for businesses that need easy access to attorneys and personalized guidance on legal issues that may arise.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: INCFILE AND NORTHWEST

Similar to ZenBusiness, Incfile provides a great value in their basic pricing plan for LLC services.

Incfile Pros

• Full year of registered agent service for free in all packages. After that year, it’s $119/year, which is still on the less expensive end of registered agent pricing.
• Incfile offers a real-time order tracking tool and quality customer support.
• The company provides a user-friendly, online dashboard to help you track important deadlines and compliance reminders

Incfile Cons

• You will have to pay extra for important business features such as an Operating Agreement and EIN.

Incfile Pricing and Features

Their Silver package, which is free with the exception of state fees, includes:

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

Incfile Gold ($149 + state fee) contains:

• An Operating Agreement
• Banking resolution
• EIN registration

Finally, their Platinum package ($249 + state fee) includes:

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

Northwest delivers all of the LLC services that are essential for online business formation. 

Northwest Pros

• Generally positive online customer reviews
• Convenient, user-friendly online ordering system
• Professional and friendly U.S.-based customer service representatives

Northwest Cons

• Northwest is more one of the more expensive LLC formation services. Their one LLC formation package is $225 plus state fees.

Northwest Pricing and Features

Starting at $225 plus state fees, Northwest's formation service includes the following and more:

• LLC filing
• Premium registered agent services
• Operating Agreement
• Online account to access business documents

Northwest also has top-notch customer service; they provide their clients with Corporate Guides, who are highly trained U.S.-based support agents. Every customer gets a Corporate Guide assigned to their specific account, so you can talk to the same person if you have any questions or concerns.

MOST WELL-KNOWN LLC SERVICE: LEGALZOOM

LegalZoom is one of the most recognized business formation services. The company is more focused on full legal services beyond just LLC creation. 

LegalZoom Pros

• LegalZoom has established itself as one of the most popular LLC services, which gives the company brand authority.
• LegalZoom offers more legal services than other LLC formation companies.

LegalZoom Cons

• LegalZoom is on the more expensive side when it comes to LLC formation.

LegalZoom Pricing and Features

LegalZoom’s LLC formation packages start at $79 plus state fees. They will provide basic LLC filing services, but they don’t include as many features as other formation companies. You will have to pay extra for services such as an EIN, Operating Agreement, registered agent service, etc.

LegalZoom does offer a Business Advisory Plan, which provides the following and more:

• Tax advice
• Attorney help
• Access to legal forms

Overall, going with an established name like LegalZoom comes at a higher cost. If you prefer to use a company with brand power and are willing to pay significantly more to form an LLC online, consider choosing LegalZoom.

LLC FORMATION PACKAGES COMPARED

The following online business formation services offer multiple products at different price points. While each company names their option packages differently, they tend to follow the same three-tiered structure. We organized each of their packages as basic, middle, and top plan. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive side-by-side feature comparison. Please be aware that LLC pricing and options could change at any time.

Please note: Rocket Lawyer only offers one level of formation or a premium membership. In the following charts, we’ve decided to categorize Rocket Lawyer’s non-membership formation as the basic plan, the premium membership as the middle plan, and our exclusive new business bundle as the top plan.

BASIC PLAN COMPARISON

	ZenBusiness	LegalZoom	Incfile	Rocket Lawyer	Northwest
Order Processing Time	2-3 weeks	30 days	Next business day	15-20 business days	Up to 3 - 5 business days
The time it takes for the formation service to file your Articles of Organization with the state agency.
Registered Agent	Included with LLC formation package, then $119 per year	$159 extra per year	Free for one year, then $119 per year	No	Free for one year, then $125 per year
The company will act as your legal point of contact for the government to receive important notifications or mailings on your behalf.
Operating Agreement	Yes	$99 extra	$40 extra	Templates for $39 extra	No
A legal document that declares the name or names of an LLC�s owners, their percentage of ownership, and operating procedures for the company.
EIN Registration	$70 extra	$159 extra, must be bundled with operating agreement	$70 extra	$60 extra	Yes
Employer Identification Number (EIN) works essentially the same as an individual�s social security number, except for businesses. It�s how the government is able to keep track of your business� tax status.
Annual Compliance	$110	1 month free, $320/year after	Yes	No	Yes
The company will keep you notified of upcoming legal filing requirements, such as your annual reports.
Advisory Services	Worry Free CPA Assessment	No	Tax: Free 1-hour consultation	Legal: Free Ask-a-lawyer via email	No
Advisory services provide additional resources or advice on matters pertaining to business, law, and/or tax.
Web Domain	$25 domain name registration, $10 domain name privacy	No	No	No	No
The company will assist or arrange for an affiliate to help reserve a domain name for your company website.
Web Hosting	No	No	$20/month	No	No
The company will assist or arrange for an affiliate to help build your website on a web server for visitors to browse.

MIDDLE PLAN COMPARISON

TOP PLAN COMPARISON