A limited liability company is a separate business structure that protects its owners from the business’s liabilities and debts.
So, if the business fails or faces legal action, the owners are off the hook, and the LLC assumes the liability.
LLCs have many other advantages, too, including tax and flexibility.
For example, LLCs are pass-through tax structures, and all profits go to the owners as taxable income, which avoids corporation tax.
Flexibility means members can design a management structure to suit their needs, like running it as a member-managed LLC or employing an external manager.
Sounds great, right?
However, starting an LLC can become complicated for aspiring small and micro business owners, who must complete the legal forms and file them with the state department.
But that’s why LLC formation services exist!
Disclaimer: Please note that the rates and offerings below are subjected to changes made by the service providers. All reviews below are written by Tailor Brands.
This post will cover the following companies, click on the links below to get to each one:
Simplicity, convenience, and peace of mind are 3 reasons to use an LLC formation service.
Here’s why:
LLCs are chartered separately in every U.S. state, meaning each state regulates them (sets the rules) and requires different registration documents and fees. If you fill in the forms incorrectly, your state will refuse your application.
Don’t misunderstand me; you can form an LLC yourself; many entrepreneurs do, but if you’re unsure about what boxes to tick, where to sign, and how to file the paperwork, an LLC formation service simplifies the process and puts your mind at ease.
Heads up, here at Tailor Brands, we’re biased since we offer an LLC formation service, but trust us, we will give you an unbiased opinion on our chosen best LLC formation services so you can successfully start your business.
Hey, that’s what we do best!
At Tailor Brands, we’re known for our all-in-one package, which includes our online website builder, logo design, and business branding services that help small business owners like you create an all-around online presence.
However, we also provide a professional LLC formation service that guides you through every step of the process.
We’ve helped aspiring business owners turn their dreams into reality. Those numbers alone are a reason to consider us for your LLC formation service.
But successful startups aside, let’s look at how we do it.
Tailor Brands offers a wide variety of services to start your business. For instance, besides our LLC formation service, we also offer expedited processing, annual LLC compliance, branded merchandise and tools, business cards, website design, domains, and our innovative AI logo creation service.
And for LLC formation, our Elite Plan is where we stand out from our competitors; it includes:
Tailor Brands offers 3 LLC filing plans, including a free basic package. The basic Lite plan includes the LLC formation filing in the state of your choosing (not including the state fee). The Essential and Elite plan include expedited processing as well as legal compliance (like preparing and filing reports and an operating agreement), and the Elite plan also includes the company’s branding suite and tools which includes domain, logo, website, business cards and social templates.
PRICES START AT: $49 + state filing fees | PROCESSING TIME: 4 weeks | REGISTERED AGENT: $199/year | OPERATING AGREEMENT: $29 |
EIN REGISTRATION: $99 | ANNUAL COMPLIANCE: Yes | ADVISORY SERVICE: Yes | WEB DOMAIN & HOSTING: Yes |
Northwest Registered Agent is known for its excellent service, customizable plans, and popular same-day application delivery service.
They differ from most other LLC formation service providers is by assigning a U.S.-trained and based corporate guide to each client, ensuring they speak to the same representative whenever they have a question.
Their easy-to-understand plans and competitive pricing make their LLC formation service popular for aspiring LLC owners.
Northwest offers the following business features:
Northwest doesn’t provide conventional LLC formation packages. Instead, it provides business maintenance and development services.
PRICES START AT: $39 + state filing fees | PROCESSING TIME: One week (basic plan) | REGISTERED AGENT: Free for one year, then $125 yearly | OPERATING AGREEMENT: Yes |
EIN REGISTRATION: $50 | ANNUAL COMPLIANCE: No | ADVISORY SERVICE: Yes | WEB DOMAIN & HOSTING: No |
Rocket Lawyer has a super fast LLC formation service, hence the name!
Its lawyers can draft, submit, and have your LLC documentation processed, as they say it, in record time.
Rocket Lawyer also offers tax preparation, legal advice, and a monthly membership service that provides everything you need to run your new LLC.
Besides Rocket Lawyers’ monthly subscription, extra features like tax filing, attorney consultation, and business name registration are available. While they cost extra, many come at a discount with the RocketLegal+plan.
Rocket Lawyer also offers one-off payment or subscription options.
PRICES START AT: $99 + state fees | PROCESSING TIME: Up to 5 business days | REGISTERED AGENT: $149/year ($111/year for Premium) | OPERATING AGREEMENT: Yes |
EIN REGISTRATION: $59.99 | ANNUAL COMPLIANCE: No | ADVISORY SERVICE: Yes | WEB DOMAIN & HOSTING: No |
Inc Authority has been helping entrepreneurs start their businesses for over 30 years. It has become a well-respected authority in the LLC formation service niche during that time.
Inc Authority’s competitive basic plan (includes a free registered agent) and its 4.8 out of 5 score on Trustpilot from over 30,000 reviews make it a popular choice for LLC formation.
Famous for its comprehensive list of features, including business name search and registration, S-type corporation tax selection forms, and documentation preparation.
Other features include:
Inc Authority enables you to register your LLC with zero extra charges, barring your state filing fees.
Its paid plans, however, come at premium prices but include a wealth of additional services to help you start and run your business.
PRICES START AT: $0 + state fees | PROCESSING TIME: Up to one week | REGISTERED AGENT: 1st year free (then $99/year) | OPERATING AGREEMENT: Yes |
EIN REGISTRATION: $0 | ANNUAL COMPLIANCE: No | ADVISORY SERVICE: Yes | WEB DOMAIN & HOSTING: Available through the Tycoon bundle |
A household name with a track record of thousands of satisfied customers, ZenBusiness is another excellent choice for starting an LLC online.
ZenBusiness offers company formation services that start at $0 per year, provide a free tax assessment and accounting, and their registered agent service is free for one year with all their plans.
ZenBusiness offers many additional services you’d need from an LLC formation service, like a registered agent’s service, EIN registration, business banking, and credit cards.
While its free formation package doesn’t have as many free services as others on our list, you get their standard filing with a 100% accuracy guarantee and one year of free compliance.
All 3 ZenBusiness packages include the following services:
ZenBusiness offers a free plan and many available upgrade options.
PRICES START AT: $0 + state fees | PROCESSING TIME: 2-3 weeks (Basic plan) | REGISTERED AGENT: Incl. in the formation package, then $119/year | OPERATING AGREEMENT: Yes |
EIN REGISTRATION: Plan dependable | ANNUAL COMPLIANCE: Plan dependable | ADVISORY SERVICE: Yes | WEB DOMAIN & HOSTING: Plan dependable |
LegalZoom, another household name in relation to business, has been providing its LLC formation service since 2001.
Besides business formation, LegalZoom also offers legal and accounting services, including intellectual property, Wills, and trusts, etc.
LegalZoom has many comprehensive plans that suit all business sizes and offers a full 60-day refund.
LegalZoom’s premium plan gives you unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations that’ll answer all your legal business questions, and their attorneys will also assess your legal documents and contracts.
Other features in their Business Advisory Plan include:
LegalZoom provides 3 LLC filing packages; the basic one is free. You can upgrade to their pro or premium plan at any time.
PRICES START AT: $0 + state fees | PROCESSING TIME: 5-14 business days | REGISTERED AGENT: $299/year standalone | OPERATING AGREEMENT: Pro tier/$99 standalone |
EIN REGISTRATION: In the Pro plan/$79 | ANNUAL COMPLIANCE: $69/year | ADVISORY SERVICE: Yes | WEB DOMAIN & HOSTING: Via Wix |
Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, is a seasoned professional in company incorporation and all things business. Their basic pricing plan is excellent value, and while their services are price competitive, they don’t compromise on quality.
Besides LLC filing, Bizee also offers a complete package of startup services, like bookkeeping and banking, a free registered agents service, and business name availability services.
LegalZoom’s premium plan gives you unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations that’ll answer all your legal business questions, and their attorneys will also assess your legal documents and contracts.
Other features in their Business Advisory Plan include:
PRICES START AT: $0 + state fees | PROCESSING TIME: One day | REGISTERED AGENT: First-year free, then $199/year | OPERATING AGREEMENT: $40 |
EIN REGISTRATION: Depends on the plan | ANNUAL COMPLIANCE: $99 + state fee | ADVISORY SERVICE: Yes | WEB DOMAIN & HOSTING: Depends on the plan |
As the name implies, Swyftfilings prides itself on some of the quickest LLC filing services in the market.
Swyftfilings are new compared to other LLC formation service providers on our list, but their lifetime customer support, affordable prices, and many other additional services make them a popular choice for starting a business.
Swyft Filings has several LLC filing packages, including a free package where you only pay your state’s filing fees. Most packages, however, only include some of their extra service, trademark registration, a digital corporate kit, 501(c)(3) application, etc.
Swift Filings has an excellent customer rating plus free lifetime customer support via email or phone.
Swyft Filings is an excellent option for cash-strapped entrepreneurs because it offers a free basic plan plus the usual add-on services.
PRICES START AT: $0 + state fees | PROCESSING TIME: Same-day processing | REGISTERED AGENT: $149/year | OPERATING AGREEMENT: Included in the top two plans |
EIN REGISTRATION: Included in the top two plans or $79 | ANNUAL COMPLIANCE: $99 + state fees | ADVISORY SERVICE: Yes | WEB DOMAIN & HOSTING: Included in the top plan |
Business | Starting Price | Processing Time | Registered Agent | Operating Agreement |
Tailor Brands | $0 plus state fees | 4 weeks | $199/year | $29 |
NorthWest Registered Agent | $79 + state fees | 1 week (basic plan) | 1st year incl. in basic package (then $125/year) | Yes |
Rocket Lawyer | $140 plus state fees | Up to 5 business days | $149/year ($111/year for Premium) | Yes |
Inc Authority | $0 plus state fees | Up to a week | 1st year free, then $99/year | Yes |
Zen Business | $0 + state fee | 2-3 weeks (Basic plan) | Incl. in the formation package, then $119/year | Yes |
Legal Zoom | $0 plus state fees | 5-14 business days | $249/year standalone | Included in Pro tier or $99 standalone |
Bizee | $0 LLC Filing + State Fee | One business day | One year free registered agent service | $70 |
Swiftfilings | $0 plus state fees | Same-day processing | $149/year | Included in the top two plans |
Using an LLC formation service helps to simplify the LLC formation process. And when you compare the low costs (many offer free basic plans) to the hours you’d spend doing it yourself, it’s obvious why LLC formation services are so popular.
The answer depends on what you need, such as LLC formation, EIN application, a registered agent, and ongoing LLC state compliance.
That said, free basic LLC formation services are available where you only pay the state filing fees.
Single-owner LLCs without employees who don’t file certain excise taxes do not require an EIN. Instead, you can use your social security number (SSN) and pay taxes using IRS Schedule C (Form 1040).
Multi-member and single-member LLC owners with specific retirement or pension plans who inherit or buy an existing LLC, file for bankruptcy, or form a partnership need an EIN.
And there are plenty of other excellent reasons you might need an EIN for your LLC, regardless of whether you require one.
Yes, you can, but depending on your state, it can be time-consuming and complicated.
For example, you must file Articles of Organization, delegate a registered agent, draft an operating agreement, pay fees, and, most times, get an EIN. To start a foreign LLC (in another state), you may need to hire a lawyer and an accountant from that state.
And those are the best LLC formation services.
The key to selecting the right one to start your business is choosing an LLC formation service that provides all the services you need at a price you can afford and ensuring they have additional ad-ons you can use to grow your business.
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