LLC research & data, independent studies and analysis
Our research comes from real data, not opinions.
From pricing studies to hidden fee analysis, support response times to feature comparisons, everything we put out comes from independent research and real, hands-on testing.
Featured research
Pricing comparison
See exactly what each service charges, base fees, registered agent costs, and add-on pricing. We break down the total cost of ownership for every major provider.
All research studies
Pricing comparison
Analysis of base fees, registered agent costs, and add on pricing for every major service.
Registered agent pricing
First-year costs and renewal rates compared across all providers. Find the cheapest registered agent option.
Hidden fees study
We dug up the fees services tend to hide until it's too late. Here’s what we saw.
Customer support response times
We tested how quickly each service responds to support requests. The results might surprise you.
Feature comparison
Side-by-side, we lay out every feature each service gives you, from document storage all the way to EIN filing.
Checkout experience study
We went through the checkout process for every service. Here's what we learned about upsells, hidden costs, and usability.
How we rank
Transparent breakdown of how we rank things. Here’s the exact way we check and score every service.
Our methodology
How we test
We buy services without revealing who we are, so we go through the exact same steps as any real customer. We log it all, from how checkout works to how support treats us to what we finally get.
Our data refreshes on a regular basis so you see the latest pricing, features, and new services. We’re all about transparency, and that’s why our full methodology is right there in How We Rank.
We don’t take money for good reviews. Our research stays independent, and our rankings come straight from the data we gather.
Key findings
Based on our research, here are some of the most important findings:
- Pricing differences are significant. Over two years, you're looking at roughly $125 with Inc Authority, but LegalZoom runs about $498. That's nearly $400 apart.
- Hidden fees are everywhere. Lots of services tack on extras for EIN filing, operating agreements, and faster processing. Some just cover those.
- Registered agent renewal rates vary widely. Annual costs range from $125 (Northwest, Inc Authority) to $249 (LegalZoom).
- Support quality is inconsistent. Response times vary from under a hour to over 24 hours. Dedicated support (Northwest, Inc Authority) generally performs better.
- Dashboard features aren't equal. ZenBusiness and Tailor Brands pack the most in. Others lean functional, not flashy.
For a look at everything we found, dive into the studies above or hit our comparison pages for the service-specific breakdown.