Independent Research Since 2026

Find the best LLC service for your business

We test, compare, and rank the top LLC formation services. No fluff. Just honest data and real experience.

Business research and comparison concept

Independent research and side-by-side comparisons of the best LLC formation services.

"The secretary of state shall file a document that satisfies the requirements of this chapter and shall issue a certificate of formation to the limited liability company." Model State LLC Act, Formation Requirements

Starting a LLC is a big deal, probably one of the biggest calls you'll make as a business owner. The right formation service? It saves you time, cash, and a whole lot of hassle.

We've tried them all, from Inc Authority to ZenBusiness to Northwest. We dug into pricing, looked for hidden fees, checked how good support really is, and read what actual customers had to say.

If you're new to this, start with our what do LLC services actually do article. It breaks down the basics without the jargon.

Best LLC services by category

Our independent take across the key categories, so you can find the right fit.

Best Overall Value

Inc authority

Free filing plus free registered agent.

Lowest total cost →

Best Privacy

Northwest

Privacy-first, dedicated support

Address stays off record →

Best Dashboard

Zenbusiness

Modern UI, compliance tools

All-in-one ecosystem →

Best Simple Choice

Bizee

simple, free registered agent

Lowest cost option →

🔍 Independently researched. We test and compare every service. See our methodology →

Featured reviews

Best Value

Inc authority

Free + state fees

Free filing, free registered agent, free EIN. Dedicated support and low renewal costs.

Best Dashboard

Zenbusiness

$0 + state fees (Starter)

Polished modern dashboard with document storage, compliance tracking, and banking tools.

Best Privacy

Northwest

$39 + state fees

Privacy-first model with dedicated support. Your address stays off public records.

Best Lean Option

Bizee

Free + state fees

Free filing and a free registered agent, but we keep things simple and practical.

"Every limited liability company shall maintain a registered agent in this state who has a physical address in this state and is available to accept service of process during normal business hours." Model State LLC Act, Registered Agent Requirements

What we do

In-depth reviews

We test every service ourselves. Our reviews dig into pricing, features, support, hidden fees, and what customers actually go through.

Side-by-side comparisons

See how services stack up. Pricing, features, support, we break it all down.

Data-driven research

Pricing studies, hidden fee analysis, and support response times. Real data, not opinions.

Practical guides

Step-by-step advice for first-time founders. From formation to compliance, we've got you covered.

Popular comparisons

Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness Inc Authority vs Bizee ZenBusiness vs Bizee Inc Authority vs Northwest LegalZoom vs Northwest ZenBusiness vs Northwest

Our comparison pages lay out what each service really offers. We dig into pricing, features, support, and the sneaky fees, so you can decide with confidence.

"The articles of organization shall set forth the name of the limited liability company, the name and address of the registered agent, and the mailing address of the principal office." Model State LLC Act, Articles of Organization Requirements

key guides

Every Cost of Starting a LLC How Much Does a LLC Really Cost? Is Inc Authority Really Free? Biggest Mistake Choosing a LLC Service Can You Start a LLC Yourself? Do You Need an Operating Agreement? How to Keep Your LLC Compliant Hidden Costs of LLC Formation Why Most People Don't Need Expedited Filing

Browse our full guides library for more practical advice on forming and running your LLC.

Research & data

Pricing Comparison Registered Agent Pricing Hidden Fees Study Support Response Times Feature Comparison How We Rank

Our research runs on real data, not guesses. We test services anonymously and we document every step.

Affiliate Disclosure: We independently research and compare LLC formation services. Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.