Cheapest LLC Formation Services (2026)
Most major services now advertise a $0 base package, so the real cost lives in the add-ons you can't avoid. We rank on total value — what's bundled, what renews, and how each handles the S-corp election — not the lowest advertised number.
How to actually shop for "cheap"
"Cheap" in the LLC formation world rarely means what the headline price suggests. The smartest way to shop is to ignore the sticker and tally what your first year and your renewals actually cost once the necessities are included: a registered agent, an EIN, an operating agreement, and ongoing compliance filings. The services below are ranked on total value, with attention to what's bundled, what renews, and how each handles the tax-election step many owners reach a few months after filing.
For most new owners, ZenBusiness best balances a genuinely free formation filing with a clean, modern platform and the tools you need afterward. It files your articles of organization for $0 plus your state fee, then keeps compliance deadlines, your EIN, and an S-corporation election within reach as your business grows. It isn't always the rock-bottom number on a five-year spreadsheet, but it's the most coherent package for someone who wants to file once and not think about the paperwork again.
Quick comparison
| Service | Base formation (2026) | Registered agent | S-corp / Form 2553 help | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | $0 + state fee | $199/yr | Included for formation customers within 30 days; ~$200 after | First-timers who want an all-in-one platform |
| | ~$39 + state fee (often listed at $100) | First year included, then $125/yr | Election service available | Privacy and low long-term renewals |
| | $0 + state fee | Free 1st year, then ~$119–$199/yr | Included in Gold/Platinum tiers | Fast filing and tiered bundles |
| | $0 + state fee (Pro $249) | ~$249/yr | Available with tax add-ons | Broad legal services under one brand |
| | $99.99, or free with membership | Available | $49.99 (member) / $99.99 full | Owners with ongoing legal needs |
| | $0 Lite + state fee | $199/yr | Available in higher tiers | Branding and website tools alongside filing |
The ranking at a glance
ZenBusiness
Best overall value
Base: $0 + state fee
Registered agent: $199/yr
Northwest Registered Agent
Best for privacy and low renewals
Base: ~$39 + state fee (often listed at $100)
Registered agent: First year included, then $125/yr
Bizee
Best for fast filing and flexible tiers
Base: $0 + state fee
Registered agent: Free 1st year, then ~$119–$199/yr
LegalZoom
Best for broad legal services
Base: $0 + state fee (Pro $249)
Registered agent: ~$249/yr
Rocket Lawyer
Best for ongoing legal access
Base: $99.99, or free with membership
Registered agent: Available
Tailor Brands
Best for branding alongside formation
Base: $0 Lite + state fee
Registered agent: $199/yr
ZenBusiness — best overall value
ZenBusiness pairs a $0 formation filing with the most polished dashboard in the category, which is why it earns the top spot for most owners.
Key features: $0 Starter filing (you pay only the state fee); a personalized dashboard with document storage; Worry-Free Compliance free for the first year; included EIN and operating agreement on the Pro tier; and S-corporation election handling for formation customers.
Best for: First-time owners who want to file, get organized, and manage compliance without juggling multiple vendors.
Pricing (2026): Starter is $0 plus state fees. The Pro package starts at $199 plus state fees and renews at $199 annually, adding one-day processing, an EIN, an operating agreement template, and a logo builder. Registered agent service runs $199 per year, and Worry-Free Compliance renews at $199 after the first year.
Pros
The free formation filing is real, ZenBusiness has formed well over half a million businesses, and the platform is the easiest to navigate of the major services. Support is responsive, and for owners who later want S-corp taxation, ZenBusiness will prepare and submit Form 2553 at no extra charge if you're a formation customer acting within 30 days of forming.
Cons
The "$0" headline understates the practical first-year cost once you add a registered agent, since the Starter tier doesn't include one. Standard processing can take a couple of weeks unless you upgrade for faster filing.
Northwest Registered Agent — best for privacy and low renewals
Northwest built its reputation on registered agent service and privacy, and it remains the strongest pick for owners focused on long-term cost.
Key features: A formation package often promoted at $39 plus state fees that bundles one year of registered agent service and an operating agreement; a strict privacy policy that keeps your information off data-broker lists; assigned customer support; and S-corporation election assistance.
Best for: Owners who want their home address off public records and the lowest predictable renewal cost.
Pricing (2026): The promotional formation price is $39 plus state fees, though many visitors land on the regular $100 rate. Registered agent service renews at a price-locked $125 per year, and an EIN is a $50 add-on.
Pros
The $125 annual registered agent fee is locked in writing, which beats most competitors over several years. Privacy practices are genuinely better than the industry norm, and the bundled operating agreement adds real value to the formation fee.
Cons
There's no true $0 formation tier, the EIN can't be bundled, and the website feels dated next to newer platforms. The promotional $39 price isn't always the one you'll see first.
Bizee — best for fast filing and flexible tiers
Bizee (formerly Incfile) offers free basic formation and a fast filing pipeline, with tiered packages that fold in extras like the S-corp election.
Key features: $0 basic formation plus state fees; documents typically sent to the state within one business day; free lifetime company alerts; and Form 2553 filing included in the Gold and Platinum tiers.
Best for: Owners who want their paperwork moving quickly and like choosing a bundle rather than buying à la carte.
Pricing (2026): The basic tier is $0 plus state fees. Registered agent service is free the first year and renews in the range of roughly $119 to $199 per year depending on plan and promotion. Higher tiers add the operating agreement, EIN, and S-corp election.
Pros
With more than a million businesses formed, Bizee has a long track record and one of the fastest hand-offs to the state. The Gold tier is a sensible all-in-one choice for owners who already know they'll want S-corp status.
Cons
Registered agent service isn't included in any tier as a permanent free benefit, so renewals push the total cost up to roughly ZenBusiness territory. Customer service can take a few attempts to reach.
LegalZoom — best for broad legal services
LegalZoom is the most recognizable name in the space, and it's the right call when you expect to lean on legal and tax help beyond the initial filing.
Key features: A $0 basic formation tier plus state fees; a free tax consultation; access to attorneys and a large library of legal documents; and corporation, nonprofit, and trademark services under one roof.
Best for: Owners who want a recognized brand and a one-stop ecosystem for ongoing legal needs.
Pricing (2026): Formation starts at $0 plus state fees on the basic package, with a Pro tier around $249 that adds an operating agreement and EIN. Registered agent service is among the most expensive at roughly $249 per year.
Pros
The breadth of services is unmatched, the guided flow is beginner-friendly, and attorney access is a genuine differentiator if your business will need it.
Cons
You pay a premium for the brand. On pure formation value, the registered agent fee and overall pricing land well above the leaner options on this list.
Rocket Lawyer — best for ongoing legal access
Rocket Lawyer approaches formation through a subscription lens, which makes it a strong value only if you'll use its broader legal library.
Key features: LLC formation for $99.99 as a non-member, or free with a membership; attorney consultations and document review included with the subscription; a large template library; and Form 2553 preparation and filing.
Best for: Owners who anticipate steady legal needs — contracts, consultations, document drafting — and want them bundled.
Pricing (2026): Non-members pay $99.99 plus state fees to form an LLC. Rocket Legal+ runs $239.88 per year and includes the first business registration at no extra cost. The S-corp election via Form 2553 is $49.99 for members or $99.99 at full price.
Pros
If you're already paying for the membership, your formation is effectively free and your Form 2553 filing is heavily discounted. The legal support is the real draw.
Cons
For someone who only needs to form an LLC, the subscription is overkill and the one-time formation fee is higher than the free tiers elsewhere.
Tailor Brands — best for branding alongside formation
Tailor Brands bundles LLC filing with logo, domain, and website tools, which is its genuine point of difference — and the reason it competes hardest on this cluster.
Key features: A genuinely free Lite formation tier plus state fees; AI-driven logo and branding tools; a mini website builder and domain; and S-corp election available in higher tiers.
Best for: Owners launching a brand-forward business who want design and web presence in the same checkout.
Pricing (2026): The Lite plan is $0 plus state fees, with paid plans ranging from roughly $49 to $249. Registered agent service is $199 per year, and an EIN add-on runs about $99.
Pros
No other major formation service packages logo, domain, and website tools at this price point. The branding suite is legitimately useful for a new consumer-facing business.
Cons
The $99 EIN markup is roughly double the typical market rate when you could obtain one free directly from the IRS, and the $199 registered agent fee sits at the high end. Strip away the branding and the pure-formation value trails the leaders here.
A note on electing S-corp status
Once your LLC is formed, electing to be taxed as an S corporation can lower self-employment taxes, and that election is made by filing IRS Form 2553. Owners generally have four routes.
- Do it yourself. The cheapest option — there's no IRS fee to file Form 2553, and the form is short, though it must be signed by all members and filed within roughly 75 days of formation to take effect for the year.
- Through your formation service. ZenBusiness handles the filing for its formation customers at no extra charge within the first 30 days, Bizee folds it into its Gold and Platinum tiers, and Rocket Lawyer prepares it for $49.99 to members.
- A premium legal platform like LegalZoom, for owners who want tax guidance alongside the filing.
- A CPA — best for anyone with a complicated tax picture, who can confirm the election actually saves you money before you make it.
Missing the deadline isn't fatal — a late election can usually be salvaged — but filing on time keeps your books clean and avoids extra fees.
The bottom line
If you want the lowest possible renewal cost and strong privacy, Northwest Registered Agent is the disciplined long-term choice; if you want branding tools in the same purchase, Tailor Brands earns its place; and if you expect heavy ongoing legal work, Rocket Lawyer or LegalZoom can justify their subscriptions. But for the broadest set of new owners — people who want a genuinely free formation filing, a clean platform that tracks compliance for them, an easy path to an EIN and operating agreement, and built-in help with the S-corp election when the time comes — ZenBusiness is the service that does the most for the least friction and remains the one to beat in 2026.
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Start Your LLC with ZenBusinessFrequently asked questions
What is the cheapest LLC formation service?
Most major services now advertise a $0 base formation package, so the headline price is rarely the real cost. Once you add the necessities — a registered agent, an EIN, an operating agreement, and ongoing compliance — total value matters more than the sticker. Northwest Registered Agent has the lowest predictable long-term renewals at a price-locked $125/yr registered agent fee, while ZenBusiness offers the best all-in-one value with a genuinely free formation filing.
Is a $0 LLC formation really free?
The formation filing itself can be free — you still pay your state's filing fee, which varies by state. The practical first-year cost climbs once you add a registered agent, an EIN, and an operating agreement, none of which are always included in the $0 tier. That's why it pays to tally what your first year and your renewals actually cost rather than shopping on the advertised number alone.
Do I need to pay for an EIN?
No. You can obtain an EIN for free directly from the IRS. Some formation services bundle it, while others charge an add-on — Northwest lists it at $50 and Tailor Brands at about $99. Since the IRS issues EINs at no cost, paying a markup is optional convenience, not a requirement.
Which service is cheapest for renewals over several years?
Northwest Registered Agent is the disciplined long-term choice. Its registered agent service renews at a price-locked $125 per year in writing, which beats most competitors over a multi-year horizon. ZenBusiness, Tailor Brands, and others charge around $199/yr for registered agent service, and LegalZoom is among the most expensive at roughly $249/yr.
How much does it cost to elect S-corp status?
There's no IRS fee to file Form 2553, so doing it yourself is free — the form is short but must be signed by all members and filed within roughly 75 days of formation. Through a formation service, costs vary: ZenBusiness handles it free for formation customers within 30 days, Bizee folds it into its Gold and Platinum tiers, and Rocket Lawyer prepares it for $49.99 to members.