LLC Service Costs: The Complete Breakdown
No hidden fees, no surprises. See exactly what you'll pay for LLC formation, registered agent service, and all the add-ons.
When comparing LLC formation services, the advertised price is rarely what you'll actually pay. Between state fees, registered agent requirements, and various upsells, your total cost can quickly balloon. We've broken down the true costs of each service to help you budget accurately and avoid surprises.
Quick Cost Summary:
- Cheapest Overall: Bizee at $0 + state fees (but watch for year 2 costs)
- Best Value: ZenBusiness at $0 with free compliance tools
- Most Transparent: BetterLegal at $299 all-inclusive
- Most Expensive: LegalZoom with high add-on costs
Base Formation Package Costs
These are the starting prices for basic LLC formation. State fees are additional.
| Service | Price | Processing Time | Registered Agent | Operating Agreement | EIN Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZenBusiness Best Overall Value | $0 + state fees | 7-10 days Expedited: 1 day | $199/yr | $99 | $99 |
Bizee Fastest Formation | $0 + state fees | 3 weeks Expedited: 1 day | Free Year 1 Then $119/yr | $99 | $70 |
Inc Authority Free Formation | $0 + state fees | 7-10 days Expedited: 2 days | Free Year 1 Then $119/yr | $50 | $70 |
Tailor Brands Best for Branding | $0 + state fees | 3 weeks Expedited: Not available | Free Year 1 Then $119/yr | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
LegalZoom Best for Legal Support | $0 + state fees | 5-14 days Expedited: 1 day | $249/yr | $99 | $159 |
Rocket Lawyer Legal Documents | $99.99 + state fees | 5-7 days Expedited: Not available | $149/yr | ✓ Free | $99 |
BetterLegal Speed & Simplicity | $299 all-inclusive | 2 days Expedited: Standard speed | ✓ Included | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
Active Filings Traditional Service | $199 + state fees | 5-10 days Expedited: 2 days | Free Year 1 Then $119/yr | $99 | $70 |
Filenow Budget Option | $99 + state fees | 7-10 days Expedited: 3 days | $125/yr | $40 | $50 |
Northwest Basic Formation | $39 + state fees | 7-10 days Expedited: Not available | $125/yr | $39 | $70 |
True First-Year Cost Analysis
"$0" Services - What You'll Actually Pay
- • $0 formation
- • $50-500 state fee
- • $119 registered agent (year 2)
- • Operating agreement not included
- • $0 formation
- • $50-500 state fee
- • $119 registered agent (year 2)
- • Heavy upselling during signup
- • $0 formation
- • $50-500 state fee
- • $199 registered agent
- • Free compliance tools (year 1)
Premium Services - Total Package Cost
- • $299 all-inclusive package
- • $50-500 state fee
- • ✓ Registered agent included
- • ✓ Operating agreement included
- • ✓ EIN included
- • $0 formation
- • $50-500 state fee
- • $249 registered agent
- • $99 operating agreement
- • $159 EIN service
- • $99.99 formation
- • $50-500 state fee
- • $149 registered agent
- • $99 EIN service
- • ✓ Operating agreement included
Watch Out For These Hidden Costs:
- • Year 2 registered agent fees: Often jump from free to $119-249/year
- • Compliance monitoring: $50-100/year after the first year
- • Mail forwarding: $20-50/month if you need it
- • Annual report filing: $50-100 service fee (plus state fees)
- • Amendment fees: $50-150 if you need to change anything
State Filing Fees by State
State filing fees are separate from service fees and vary significantly. Here are fees for popular states:
Note: These are base state filing fees as of 2025. Some states charge additional fees for expedited processing, name reservations, or initial reports. Always verify current fees with your state's Secretary of State office.
How to Save Money on LLC Formation
Smart Savings Tips
- ✓ Skip rush processing unless truly needed
- ✓ File your own EIN directly with the IRS (it's free)
- ✓ Use free operating agreement templates
- ✓ Consider being your own registered agent
- ✓ Form in your home state to avoid foreign LLC fees
Avoid These Mistakes
- ✗ Don't fall for unnecessary add-ons during checkout
- ✗ Don't pay for business licenses you can get yourself
- ✗ Don't rush formation if you're not ready
- ✗ Don't ignore year 2+ costs when comparing
- ✗ Don't form in Delaware/Nevada unless necessary
Ready to Form Your LLC?
Now that you understand the true costs, choose the service that fits your budget and needs.