Comparing the top 7 LLC formation services
Recent studies have shown that startups were responsible for the creation of over 2 million jobs in the United States. To ensure business success and that employees keep their jobs, it is important to follow the set requirements for starting a company. Therefore we have compiled a list of the top 7 LLC formation services available in the US.
Even though, essentially, these companies render the same service, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to each. Signup fees may differ and each has its own features that makes them stand out. In order to choose the best service for your LLC, it would be smart to identify your business needs and your budget beforehand.
ZenBusiness
Founded in 2015, ZenBusiness is dedicated to help form LLCs. The company was founded by a group of entrepreneurs that themselves struggled to start a business. ZenBusiness is number one on the list due to their affordable formation services. They charge a low fee of $39 plus state fee to form your LLC. Included in this price is one year worth of registered agent service free.
Pros
Just because you save on the price, does not mean that you are restricted on services. ZenBusiness has incredibly positive online customer reviews. The biggest pro is the fact that a registered agent is included.
Cons
The company is relatively new. If you are looking for a company that has a bit more experience, ZenBusiness is not the way to go.
IncFile
When signing up with IncFile, you only pay a state fee. Yes, there is no signup fee, which means they will form your LLC for free. The company is known for its great customer service. They boast a 4.8 out of 5 average on ShopperApproved. The services they offer are similar to ZenBusiness. They handle operating agreements and registered agent services.
Pros
As mentioned above, they offer excellent customer service feedback and has more than 10 000 glowing reviews online. Their website is super easy to use and they offer a wide variety of services.
Cons
Unfortunately there are a lot of add-ons and upsells. Due to the fact that your signup fee is $0, you may have to pay to unlock certain features.
Northwest
With Northwest you surely get what you pay for. Their prices are higher than ZenBusiness and IncFile, but the features that are included makes up for it. The company was formed in 1998 and it is truly one of the best formation services in the US.
Pros
There are not many add-ons and upsells. You pay a lot of money at once and that’s it. Included in their price is registered agent services free for the first year. They also boast with industry-best customer service.
Cons
Their price may be a bit high for startups and there are not a lot of customer reviews found online, even though they have been around for quite a while.
Rocket Lawyer
In addition to LLC formation, Rocket Lawyer also proves a host of legal features. If you are ever in the situation where you need to discuss sensitive legal matters with an LLC attorney, we would recommend Rocket Lawyer. To join, you need to pay a monthly subscription fee of $39.99. They have handled over 20 million clients over the years. It is safe to say that they know how to cope with big volumes of customers.
Pros
Having handled so many clients, they have tons of experience in the field. They offer great customer support and their feedback online is very positive.
Cons
You need to pay a monthly membership fee in order to unlock advanced features.
Legal Zoom
Out of all the companies on this list, Legal Zoom has the most brand power. They have a wide reach across the US. Legal Zoom don’t have the same value-for-money features as ZenBusiness or the same level of customer service as Northwest, but they’re a hugely popular service. They make use of aggressive advertising in order to reach clients.
Pros
They offer extended customer support hours during the weekdays and even over weekends. They have a very high client volume and over all their online reviews are positive.
Cons
There are no registered agents included in their package and their prices are quite high. They also have a lot of upsells on their order form.
BizFiling
Even though they offer services that cover a lot of aspects, they do not really stand out from the other service providers on this list. They are a more mediocre option with prices that are reasonable and customer support that is sufficient.
Pros
BizFiling overs extend customer support hours. The company has been around for a while and has years of experience. Included in their package is 6 months free registered agent service.
Cons
As mentioned earlier, BizFiling does not really stand out. Their prices are very average and they have vague turnaround times.
Nationwide
The one thing that makes Nationwide Incorporators stand out is the fact that every document they received or document drafted on or for your business is reviewed by an attorney before it is sent. No other service provider on this list offers this feature. This advantage places Nationwide Incorporators in the middle of traditional document-filing services and a full-service law company.
Pros
The biggest pro is the fact that they offer legal services. You can rest assured that all your documents are reviewed by an attorney.
Cons
Their signup cost is very high and to make use of some services you have to pay extra. Not everyone is looking for extensive legal expertise, so one needs to be sure that they fit your business needs.
Any of the above mentioned service providers will be sufficient for LLC formation. Unless you’re additionally interested in gaining some sophisticated features with your formation, it doesn’t matter if you get the cheapest or most costly bundle. It all depends on the needs of your business. Whether you are starting a Florida LLC or simply researching more information about registered agents, this website provides free resources for entrepreneurs.
