You can absolutely form your LLC yourself—it’s straightforward paperwork that takes a few hours of research. But if you’d rather focus your time on building your business, there are services that can handle the filing for you.
Most of these services advertise “free” formation, and they do file your paperwork at no charge. The catch is they want to sell you registered agent services (which can be useful) or other add-ons along the way. Once you’re a customer, they can automatically renew services, so pay attention to what you’re signing up for.
Here are three solid options that work well for startups:
1. Northwest Registered Agent – $39 + State Fee
Northwest focuses on privacy and includes registered agent service in their base package—something most competitors charge extra for.
What you get:
- LLC filing handled professionally
- One full year of registered agent service included (worth $125+ elsewhere)
- Business address for privacy
- Operating agreement template
- No pushy upsells
The renewal reality: After year one, registered agent service auto-renews at $125/year. This is actually a good price compared to competitors who charge $199-249/year for the same service.
Why it works for startups: You get genuine value upfront with the included registered agent year, and the renewal price is fair. If you want to keep your home address private, this is your best bet.
2. ZenBusiness – Free + State Fee
ZenBusiness offers a genuinely free service with a user-friendly platform and mobile app.
What you get:
- Professional LLC filing with accuracy guarantee
- Dashboard to track your filing status
- Basic compliance reminders
- Mobile app (rare in this industry)
The upsells to watch: During checkout, they’ll offer expedited filing, EIN service ($99—you can get this free from the IRS), and registered agent service ($99 first year, then $199/year). The compliance dashboard auto-renews at $199/year after the first year.
Why it works for startups: Clean interface, solid support, and actually delivers on the “free” promise if you decline the add-ons.
3. Tailor Brands – Free + State Fee
Tailor Brands combines LLC formation with branding tools, which appeals to consumer-facing startups.
What you get:
- LLC filing (takes about 14 business days)
- 30-day trial of invoicing/bookkeeping software
- Operating agreement template
- Basic business coaching content
The subscription trap: The bookkeeping software auto-bills $30/month after the trial. Registered agent service costs $199/year extra. Their terms allow charging your card up to 30 days before renewal.
Why it works for startups: If you need branding help anyway, the integrated approach saves time. Just be careful with the auto-renewals.
Understanding Registered Agent Services
Every LLC needs a registered agent—someone to receive legal documents on your business’s behalf. You can be your own registered agent for free, but many entrepreneurs prefer hiring a service because:
- Keeps your home address off public records
- Ensures someone receives important documents during business hours
- Provides a professional business address
Market rates run $125-249/year. Northwest’s $125 renewal rate is competitive.
Don’t Fall for Expensive Add-ons
EIN (Tax ID) Service: The IRS provides these free online. Services charge $99+ for something that takes 10 minutes to get yourself.
Expedited Filing: Most states process LLCs within 7-10 business days anyway. Paying extra for “rush” service rarely saves meaningful time.
Operating Agreements: Basic templates are fine for simple LLCs. Don’t pay $99+ unless you have complex ownership structures.
A Word on Auto-Renewals
These services make money on subscriptions that automatically renew. Read what you’re agreeing to and set calendar reminders before renewal dates. It’s fine to use their services if they provide value, just stay in control of what you’re paying for.
The goal is getting your LLC formed efficiently so you can focus on building your business. Pick the option that fits your budget and privacy needs, then get back to what matters—creating value for your customers.