Forming an LLC? We Tried 8 Services & Revealed the Truth

Starting a business requires you to make several key decisions, including selecting a legal structure. For most founders, forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) provides an optimal combination of personal asset protection and operational flexibility.

However, the number of available LLC formation services can make choosing one difficult. To simplify this, here are LLC services ranked by Fortune in 2025 to give you clear, actionable information for your decision.

Why Forming an LLC Matters

A Limited Liability Company creates a legal separation between a business and its owners. This “corporate veil” protects personal assets from business lawsuits or debts. Creditors can typically only pursue company assets, shielding personal property like homes and savings.

LLCs offer flexible management options, allowing members to manage directly or appoint managers. They feature pass-through taxation by default, reporting profits and losses on owners’ tax returns to avoid double taxation. 

Businesses can also elect corporate tax status if beneficial. The structure enhances credibility by showing formal commitment to your business.

DIY vs. Paid Services

Entrepreneurs can form an LLC independently by filing with their state. This method carries substantial risk:

• Business owners must interpret complex state regulations and legal documents alone. 
• They also bear full responsibility for meeting all compliance deadlines.

Professional formation services manage these requirements. They prepare and submit formation documents and supply a registered agent. These companies draft operating agreements and monitor compliance deadlines. This support prevents expensive errors and conserves valuable time.

Key Features to Look for in an LLC Service

Evaluate formation services based on several key factors. Choose companies with clear pricing and no hidden charges. The service package should cover registered agent representation, EIN registration, and an operating agreement. 

A well-designed platform and responsive customer support improve the user experience. Also consider long-term benefits like compliance monitoring, document management, and business maintenance tools. 

These features help preserve your company’s legal standing.

Our Top 8 LLC Service Recommendations

After extensive testing and evaluation, we’ve identified the top performers in the LLC formation space. Each service brings unique strengths to the table, catering to different business needs and budgets. 

Here’s our detailed breakdown of the leading companies that stood out in our assessment.

1. Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent excels in privacy protection and customer support. Our analysis confirms this premium service focuses on quality and transparency over discounts.

While the $39 starting price is higher than some competitors, the service provides clear value with no hidden fees. Key advantages are expert US-based support and privacy protection that allows use of their business address. The process is straightforward.

A notable drawback is that EIN acquisition is not included; most businesses will need to obtain this separately for $50.

Key inclusions and costs are:

• Registered Agent Service: One full year is included, a value of $125 per year after that.
• Operating Agreement: This essential document is part of the core package.
• Free Trials: The package includes 90-day free trials for web hosting, business email, and a phone service.
• EIN Registration: This is a separate service, offered for an additional $50.

What Sets Northwest Registered Agent Apart

Northwest Registered Agent, available in all 50 states, offers one complete package instead of using low prices to sell upgrades. It focuses on expertly handling essential tasks, deeming most add-ons unnecessary.

Its key advantage is privacy. As the only major service allowing clients to use its business address on filings, it keeps personal details off public records. The company also never sells client data.

This makes Northwest ideal for those who value privacy and expert help over low cost, functioning as a professional service rather than automated software.

2. ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness, available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, delivers reliable long-term compliance management. Its premium plans require a notable yearly investment but offer strong value through quick processing, continuous compliance support, and solid guarantees.

The service handles business formation along with EIN acquisition and other startup needs. Every package includes a year of compliance service that files annual reports and maintains good standing.

Thousands of positive reviews confirm its accuracy guarantee. However, the Pro and Premium plans cost $199 and $299 per year plus state fees. Registered agent service also becomes substantially more expensive after the first-year discount.

What Sets ZenBusiness Apart

ZenBusiness distinguishes itself with strong guarantees and built-in compliance. Its 60-day money-back guarantee reduces financial risk for new business owners.

Unlike competitors who charge extra, ZenBusiness includes a full year of compliance service in every package. This handles annual report filing and deadline alerts.

This ongoing compliance focus makes ZenBusiness practical for owners who want to maintain their LLC’s legal standing without constant manual oversight.

3. LLC.Services

Our evaluation shows that LLC.Services delivers the most complete formation solution we tested, operating in all 50 states. It successfully combines rapid filing, affordable pricing, and comprehensive assistance. These features make LLC.Services an excellent choice for starting a business.

Here’s a summary of the main benefits that earned them the top spot:

• All-in-One Package: One transparent price covers state filing, EIN registration, an operating agreement, and compliance alerts.
• No Hidden Fees: Straightforward pricing with no surprise charges at checkout.
• Compliant from Day One: Every plan includes a full year of registered agent service, a mandatory legal requirement.

What Sets LLC.Services Apart

Based on our hands-on experience, LLC.Services is the best choice because they don’t just form your LLC—they build a robust, legally-adherent foundation for it.

While other services nickel-and-dime you for crucial add-ons, LLC.Services’ all-inclusive package is designed for efficiency and long-term success. By bundling the mandatory registered agent service and vital legal documents like the operating agreement, they eliminate complexity and ensure you launch correctly. 

This straightforward process saves you time and money while removing the stress of handling compliance yourself. For a business formation that is quick, cost-effective, and fully supported, they are the best choice.

4. BestLLC.Services

In our opinion, BestLLC.Services ranks among the leading formation services. It delivers quick, budget-friendly, and thorough business formation. The service successfully combines necessary features with a positive user experience at a reasonable cost.

Main Benefits:

• Comprehensive Value: The pricing is transparent and includes a full year of registered agent service with no hidden fees.
• Rapid Processing: The service is built for speed, forming your LLC quickly and efficiently.
• Long-Term Support: They provide ongoing legal services that support your business as it grows.

What Sets BestLLC.Services Apart

BestLLC.Services, which operates nationwide across all 50 states, avoids the common trade-off between basic, cheap services and expensive, comprehensive ones. Its main advantage is a low upfront price that includes essential services others charge extra for.

A key benefit is the included first year of registered agent service, which saves you $100-$150 and fulfills a legal requirement immediately. Furthermore, while most companies stop after forming your LLC, BestLLC.Services provides access to ongoing legal support and attorney consultations. 

This makes it a practical choice for business owners who need more than just the initial filing. The service works for both quick, simple formations and for those who want additional services, offering a straightforward solution for all users.

5. BestLLCServices.co

BestLLCServices.co ranks among our top-rated formation providers, offering services in all 50 states. This complete platform handles the entire business setup process, ideal for entrepreneurs seeking full guidance.

It’s an all-in-one package that manages state filing, EIN acquisition, and includes a full year of registered agent service. The service also provides essential legal documents like an Operating Agreement and compliance alerts. Clients receive ongoing support through legal templates, document storage, and business license research.

What Sets BestLLCServices.co Apart

BestLLCServices.co distinguishes itself by functioning as a long-term partner rather than just a formation company. While many services complete their job once the state approves your LLC, this provider is built to support your business long after launch.

Their integrated system handles every critical step. It starts with state filing but also creates a compliant legal structure through its included Operating Agreement and compliance tracking.

The package includes a full year of registered agent service, a mandatory requirement that others often charge extra for. This approach ensures your LLC launches correctly and has the tools to maintain compliance and support growth.

6. LegalZoom

LegalZoom is a strong option for entrepreneurs who want extensive legal resources alongside their LLC formation. 

The free Basic package is an affordable starting point, but the paid plans provide superior value by bundling critical services. This includes registered agent service and a comprehensive legal document library.

The main advantages of LegalZoom include:

• An extensive library of over 150 attorney-drafted legal forms.
• Expert consultations are included even with the free Basic plan.
• Paid plans that cover crucial items like an Operating Agreement and EIN.

The primary drawbacks are the recurring costs, as access to the legal document library renews at $99 per year after the first 12 months, and key features in the Premium plan, like attorney consultations, are only free for a limited 30-day period.

What Sets LegalZoom Apart

LegalZoom, operating in all 50 states, stands apart by serving as an ongoing legal resource, not just a formation service. Its Pro and Premium plans include a comprehensive library of legal documents, while partnerships with services like Wix provide continued operational support. 

This makes it ideal for entrepreneurs who anticipate needing ongoing legal resources from a single provider.

7. Bizee

Bizee, available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, offers strong value for compliance-focused entrepreneurs, though its free option requires patience. While excellent for ongoing compliance, key features like fast processing and business templates need paid upgrades.

Principal benefits include lifetime compliance alerts, add-ons like license research, and a free first year of registered agent service. 

Main drawbacks are slow standard processing taking up to four weeks, extra costs for crucial features like contracts, and basic services like domain and email being restricted to the Premium plan.

What Sets Bizee Apart

Bizee offers lifetime compliance alerts with its paid packages, unlike competitors who charge annual fees. This provides lasting value after formation.

The service also features specialized add-ons like business license research and industry-specific insurance. These tools help businesses in regulated fields meet complex requirements.

While Bizee’s free plan handles basic formation, its paid packages deliver the strongest ongoing compliance support.

8. Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer operates across all 50 states, catering specifically to business owners who need a full legal subscription service rather than simple formation.

While its LLC formation capabilities meet standards, the service’s full potential is realized through the continued use of its legal support resources and document collection.

Key Pricing Details:

• Rocket Legal+ Plan: $19.99 per month (billed annually), includes one free LLC formation.
• Rocket Legal Plan: $39.99 per month, charges $99.99 plus state fees for LLC formation.
• Registered Agent Service: $249.99 per year (50% discount with Rocket Legal+).
• Legal Consultations: Starting at $74.99 per 15-minute session with Legal+.

Key benefits are attorney consultations, unlimited documents, and one LLC formation with an annual subscription. However, the registered agent service is expensive, full access requires an ongoing subscription, and the seven-day trial is too short for adequate assessment.

What Sets Rocket Lawyer Apart

Rocket Lawyer is a legal subscription platform that includes LLC formation, unlike specialized formation services. Its primary difference is providing continuous access to attorney advice, legal documents, and business tools through subscriptions.

This approach benefits entrepreneurs who anticipate regular legal needs and prefer bundled services. The model shifts focus from initial formation savings to ongoing legal support and convenience.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best LLC service for you depends on your specific priorities, whether that’s the lowest upfront cost, all-inclusive value, long-term compliance support, or access to legal expertise. 

While there’s no single best option for everyone, our testing confirms that using a professional service significantly simplifies the process and provides greater peace of mind compared to handling complex state requirements yourself. 

The right choice will provide a strong, compliant foundation for your business, allowing you to focus on growth rather than paperwork.