TOP 5 LLC FORMATION SERVICES COMPARED 2020

BEST LLC SERVICES: BREAKDOWN

The following online business formation services offer multiple products at different price points. While they name 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, as well as our overall recommended business formation service and honorable mentions.

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	X-Mark	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		$99 extra	$40 extra
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
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
The company will keep you notified of upcoming legal filing requirements, such as your annual reports.
Advisory Services	Worry Free CPA Assessment		Tax: Free 1-hour consultation	Legal: Free Ask-a-lawyer via email
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
The company will assist or arrange for an affiliate to help reserve a domain name for your company website.
Web Hosting			$20/month
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

BEST OVERALL BUSINESS FORMATION SERVICE: ZENBUSINESS

We chose ZenBusiness as the best LLC service. ZenBusiness offers their customers tremendous value, even in their lowest priced business formation services plan. Their Starter package only costs $39 (+ state fee). It includes essential products to form your LLC, such as a registered agent service, an Operating Agreement (helps to define the terms of company formation), and a Worry Free CPA Assessment.

As you climb up to ZenBusiness Pro, you’ll find other helpful features such as an Employer ID Number (EIN), Worry Free Compliance Guarantee, and domain name registration.

The ZenBusiness Premium package ($249 + state fee) even includes rush filing for entrepreneurs seeking quicker and more comprehensive business formation services.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: INCFILE AND NORTHWEST

Similar to ZenBusiness, Incfile provides a great value in their basic pricing plan for LLC services. Their Silver package, which is free with the exception of state fees, includes LLC formation, one year of free registered agent service, and lifetime company compliance alerts. Their Operating Agreement will cost you an additional $40.

Incfile Gold ($149 + state fee) contains an Operating Agreement, banking resolution, and EIN registration. Finally, their Platinum package ($249 + state fee) includes a free business website and domain name, contract templates, and expedited filing.

Northwest delivers all of the LLC services that are essential for online business formation. Both their middle and top-tier packages include an EIN and Operating Agreement. Much like ZenBusiness and Incfile, their registered agent services are included/free in their basic packages for $49 plus state fee ($125 every following year).

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.

BEST LLC LEGAL SERVICES: ROCKET LAWYER

Although there are better options for LLC formation, Rocket Lawyer is ideal if you want ongoing legal services. However, if you do decide to start an LLC through Rocket Lawyer, instead of paying the standard filing fee ($99.99), you can sign up for their premium membership for $39.99 per month. As a member, in addition to providing you with free business formation services, you’ll receive access to unlimited legal documents, free legal consults, and discounted attorney services.