Prices verified from provider pricing pages on September 3, 2026.
Best LLC formation services in 2026
For most people forming an LLC, Northwest Registered Agent is the pick: $39 plus the state fee, registered agent free the first year and $125/yr flat after — a price they haven't raised in 20 years. If you want the absolute cheapest year one, ZenBusiness and Bizee are genuinely $0 plus state fees; just price the year-two renewal before you celebrate.
| Service | Formation | Agent yr 1 | Agent renewal | Year-2 total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state fee | Free | $199/yr | $199/yr |
| Bizee | $0 + state fee | Free | $199/yr | $199/yr |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | Free | $125/yr | $125/yr |
| LegalZoom (Basic) | $0 + state fee | Optional | $249/yr | $249/yr |
Year-2 total = registered agent renewal only (state report fees vary by state — see the cost table).
The five-year bill, visualized
The picks, with tradeoffs
Northwest — best overall
$39 + state fee, agent free year 1, $125/yr after. Their price discipline is the point: no $199 renewal shock, no 40-item upsell checkout. Tradeoff: you pay upfront, and the interface is plain.
ZenBusiness — cheapest year one
$0 + state fee with agent included year 1. Tradeoff: $199/yr renewal, EIN at $99 (the IRS charges $0), operating agreement at $99. Fine if you'll switch agents or self-file after year one — and most states let you.
Bizee — cheapest year one, similar math
Free formation package, free agent year, then roughly $199/yr. The free tier is real. The renewal is the same story as ZenBusiness.
LegalZoom — brand tax, attorney access
Basic is $0 but covers only the filing. Pro at $249 adds an operating agreement, EIN, and 30 days of attorney consultations — the only package here with real legal help baked in. Agent renewal $249/yr. You are paying for the name and the hand-holding; the formation paperwork itself is identical.
What every package actually includes
All four do the same core job: prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the state, confirm the name is available, and act as (or arrange) your registered agent. The differences are service culture and renewal pricing, not outcomes. An LLC filed through LegalZoom is legally identical to one filed in your pajamas on the Secretary of State's website.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest LLC formation service?
On year-one price, ZenBusiness, Bizee, and LegalZoom Basic all advertise $0 plus your state's filing fee, and Northwest charges $39. The honest answer is that year two is where they diverge: Northwest's registered agent renewal is $125/yr flat, while ZenBusiness and Bizee renew at $199/yr and LegalZoom at $249/yr.
Do I even need a formation service?
No. Filing Articles of Organization is a short online form on your Secretary of State's website. A service buys you convenience, compliance reminders, and privacy (they list their address instead of yours). A detail-oriented founder in a cheap state can file for the state fee alone.
Why is the registered agent renewal the number that matters?
Because it is the only recurring charge in every package, and it is where free formations get profitable for the vendor. A $199/yr renewal adds $996 over five years — more than the state fees in most states.