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LLC Formation·Best Overall·Updated August 19, 2026

Best LLC Formation Services in Connecticut

A member's home address returns to the Connecticut public record every year. We compared 6 formation services on it.

August 19, 202615 min read
Daniel Wong
Written byDaniel Wong
Legal & Compliance Analyst
6 services reviewed
Independently tested
Updated quarterly

Quick Comparison of All 6 Services

Compare pricing and ratings at a glance, then visit a service or read the full review below.

Connecticut

Sets the state fee and annual report below.

Include in every price

The agent is required in every state and the main reason provider prices differ. State fees go to the state and are identical with every provider.

Every price below is the full amount due, the $120† Connecticut filing fee is already in it. That fee goes to the state, not the company, and is identical whoever files for you. Only the provider's own fee varies. what the service charges $120† Connecticut state fee

NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

4.8Best Overall
Registered agent free year 1, then $125 a yearAgent drops to $100 per state at five or more statesCancelling needs a phone call or email, not a dashboard click

Due today

$159

Registered agent included, free year 1State fees included

Then every year

$205

$125 agent renewal + $80 state report

Z logo

ZenBusiness

4.5Best for LLC Formation
$0 formation with guided, beginner friendly setupAgent is $199 a year, and that is most of the real costThe $99 agent price is not for formation customers

Due today

$219

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$279

$199 agent renewal + $80 state report

TB logo

Tailor Brands

4.2Best for Branding
$0 filing with logo and website tools built inWeekend support and a guided setupAgent $199 a year plus pre-checked trial add-ons

Due today

$319

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$279

$199 agent renewal + $80 state report

F logo

FileNow

4.2Best for Speed
Cheapest filing fee on this list at $49Free agent year one if you take the $199 Premium planAgent costs $119 a year on the $49 Starter plan

Due today

$288

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$199

$119 agent renewal + $80 state report

SF logo

Swyft Filings

3.2Best for Fast Filing
Fast filing is their whole promise, same day in most statesAgent is billed quarterly at $149, which is $596 a yearThat agent price is the highest on this list by a wide margin

Due today

$716

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$676

$596 agent renewal + $80 state report

L logo

LegalZoom

2.8Most Recognized
Best known brand with a big legal document libraryAgent costs $249 a year against a $99 low on this listAggressive upsells during checkout

Due today

$369

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$329

$249 agent renewal + $80 state report

† Online rate

* Based on prices and renewal rates verified July 26, 2026. Provider and government fees change.

Compare every detailShow
Service
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Overall
From $39
4.8
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best for LLC Formation
From $0
4.5
TB logo

Tailor Brands

Best for Branding
From $0
4.2
FN logo

FileNow

Best for Speed
From $49
4.2
SF logo

Swyft Filings

Best for Fast Filing
From $0
3.2
LZ logo

LegalZoom

Most Recognized
From $0
2.8

How We Chose the Best LLC Services for Connecticut

We priced each service against what Connecticut charges. That is $120 to file and $80 a year after. We checked each price at the source. Agent renewal matters more here than the sticker price, because it is the number that comes back each year. So year two counted as much as day one. We also marked down anyone selling rush filing in a state that clears filings on its own.

The $250 Business Entity Tax is gone. It ended for tax periods that began after 31 December 2018, and it was billed every other year, not yearly. What is left is the $80 annual report, due between 1 January and 31 March. Skip it for more than a year and the state can shut your LLC down.

12

Services Tested Nationally

200

Hours of Research

50

States Covered

August 19, 2026

Last Updated

Full Reviews

1
NR logo
From $39
Best Overall

Northwest Registered Agent

A transparent LLC formation service that bundles a complete business identity (address, domain, email, phone, website) into a single $39 fee with no upsells.

4.8
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

Pricing Plans

Popular
$39

LLC Formation + Business Identity

+ state fees

  • Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
  • 1 full year of Registered Agent service included
  • Operating Agreement draft

Northwest is our top pick for LLC formation. The $39 package carries a business address, domain, website, email, phone line and mail scanning, plus the filing itself and a year of registered agent service. Nothing is pre-checked. It is privately held, and the Corporate Guides know the state rules they are quoting. The dashboard is plain rather than polished. At $125 a year to renew, that is a fair trade.

Pros

  • Flat $39 formation fee with no tiered packages or hidden add-ons.
  • Full Business Identity included: business address, domain, email, website, and phone service.
  • Free year of registered agent service with privacy protection.
  • Free mail scanning (up to 5 documents) and renewal reminders.
  • Same-day filing with no extra rush fees.
  • U.S.-based Corporate Guides who actually answer the phone.

Cons

  • Customer support is not available on weekends.
  • Online cancellation process can be cumbersome.
  • Trial digital services auto-renew if you forget to cancel.

Best For: Founders who want a complete business setup (formation, address, domain, email, website, phone) in one flat-fee package with no upsells.

Read full review
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

2
ZB logo
From $0
Best for LLC Formation

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness files your LLC for $0 and runs the clearest dashboard we have used. The add-ons are where it earns.

4.5
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Starter

+ state fees, does not renew

  • Name availability search
  • Articles of formation filing
  • Electronic document access
Popular
$199/yr

Pro

+ state fees, renews at $199/yr

  • All Starter features
  • Rush processing in 1 business day
  • Worry-Free Compliance included, not just a free year
$399/yr

Premium

+ state fees, renews at $399/yr

  • All Pro features
  • Registered agent service included
  • Advanced Compliance Protection

ZenBusiness runs the smoothest filing in this category. The setup walks a first-time founder through every step, and the dashboard chases your deadlines for you. Starter is $0 and never renews, so a founder who buys nothing else pays the state and stops. The catch sits beside it. Pro renews at $199 a year and Premium at $399, and on Starter the EIN, the operating agreement and the agent are each priced on their own. A strong pick if you want a polished filing and you read the cart before you pay.

Pros

  • Starter is $0, you pay only the state fee
  • The dashboard is the clearest we have used
  • Phone support runs 7 days a week
  • A free first year of Worry-Free Compliance on Starter
  • Good mobile app, 4.6 stars on iOS

Cons

  • Heavy push for add-ons at checkout
  • On Starter the EIN, the operating agreement and the agent each cost extra, $99, $99 and $199 a year
  • Renewals climb, Pro at $199 a year and Premium at $399
  • Auto-renewing subscriptions are hard to cancel

Best For: First-time founders needing an easy, guided, and affordable LLC setup

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

3
TB logo
From $0
Best for Branding

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands bundles logo design and a website into LLC formation, then charges $199 a year for the registered agent almost everyone needs.

4.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Lite

+ state fees

  • Filing of Articles of Organization
  • Standard processing, up to 14 business days
  • Business coaching program access
Popular
$199/yr

Essential

+ state fees

  • Everything in Lite
  • Expedited processing, 1 to 2 business days
  • Operating agreement creation
$249/yr

Elite

+ state fees

  • Everything in Essential
  • 1-year free domain hosting
  • AI-powered website builder

Formation is the free part. The logo and website builders are easy to use, and the guided setup is beginner friendly. The catch is checkout. Plan prices stay hidden until the end, a $39 a month bookkeeping trial comes pre-checked, and the registered agent most founders need costs $199 a year. That puts the real first-year cost at $199 plus your state's filing fee. If you want branding and formation together, it works. If you only need the LLC, Northwest files for a flat $39 with no upsells.

Pros

  • Free Lite plan covers the LLC filing and standard processing
  • Beginner-friendly dashboard that is easy to navigate
  • Built-in logo maker and website builder in one dashboard
  • Customer support available on weekends
  • Guided questionnaire walks you through setup

Cons

  • Plan prices stay hidden until the end of the questionnaire
  • Pre-checked $39 a month bookkeeping trial you must cancel yourself
  • Registered agent service costs $199 a year, more than budget rivals

Best For: First-time founders who want LLC filing and basic branding tools in one place.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

4
FN logo
From $49
Best for Speed

FileNow

FileNow guarantees 24-hour processing on all orders, but its lack of a free entry-level plan makes it less competitive for founders on a strict budget.

4.2
Get Started

From $49 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$49

Starter

+ state fee

  • Filing Articles of Organization / Incorporation
  • Unlimited Phone & Email Support
  • Electronic Delivery of State Documents
Popular
$199

Premium

+ state fee

  • Filing Articles of Organization / Incorporation
  • Unlimited Phone & Email Support
  • Electronic Delivery of State Documents

FileNow delivers a remarkably fast and straightforward LLC formation experience. We appreciate that 24-hour processing is standard across all plans instead of being an expensive add-on. The checkout process is completely transparent with zero pre-checked upsells or hidden fees. However, because the base plan costs $49 and does not include a registered agent, budget-conscious founders might prefer cheaper alternatives.

Pros

  • 24-hour order processing included on all plans at no extra cost
  • Transparent pricing with zero hidden fees or pre-checked subscriptions
  • Simple two-tier pricing makes choosing a package easy
  • Premium plan provides excellent value by bundling essential startup documents
  • Customer support is accessible via phone, chat, and email

Cons

  • No free formation tier available
  • Starter plan does not include registered agent service
  • Lacks advanced legal tools and ongoing compliance dashboards

Best For: Entrepreneurs who prioritize fast 24-hour processing and straightforward, transparent pricing.

Read full review
Get Started

From $49 + state fees

5
SF logo
From $0
Best for Fast Filing

Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings offers exceptionally fast processing speeds, but you must navigate a minefield of expensive upsells during checkout.

3.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Basic

+ state fees

  • Preparation and filing of LLC documents
  • Business name availability check
  • Standard processing (7-10 business days)
Popular
$199

Standard

+ state fees

  • Everything in Basic
  • Federal Tax ID (EIN) obtainment
  • Custom Operating Agreement
$299

Premium

+ state fees

  • Everything in Standard
  • Expedited processing (1 business day)
  • 2 months of unlimited attorney consultations

Swyft Filings lives up to its name by offering some of the fastest LLC formation times on the market. Their 5-step setup process is simple and easy for beginners to understand. However, their aggressive upsells and missing registered agent service make their $0 starting price highly deceptive. We recommend them only if you desperately need same-day processing and know exactly which add-ons to decline.

Pros

  • Exceptionally fast processing speeds
  • Streamlined 5-step application interface
  • Knowledgeable and responsive phone support
  • Basic package starts at $0 plus state fees
  • No confusing legal jargon during setup

Cons

  • Registered agent service is billed quarterly at $149, which is $596 a year
  • Aggressive multi-page upsell flow
  • Difficult cancellation process for ongoing subscriptions

Best For: Founders needing fast turnaround who can navigate heavy upsells.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

6
LZ logo
From $0
Most Recognized

LegalZoom

A famous name with an aggressive checkout process and expensive recurring fees.

2.8
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Basic

+ state filing fees

  • Articles of organization filing
  • Business name availability check
  • Digital welcome packet
Popular
$249

Pro

+ state filing fees

  • Everything in the Basic package
  • Operating Agreement
  • EIN registration
$299

Premium

+ state filing fees

  • Everything in the Pro package
  • Business attorney guidance (30-day subscription)
  • Bookkeeping tools (6-month subscription)

LegalZoom relies heavily on its brand recognition to charge premium prices for basic services. While the platform is easy to navigate and offers excellent legal document libraries, the checkout process is a maze of expensive upsells and auto-renewing trials. We do not recommend it if you are on a budget. You will end up paying significantly more for registered agent and compliance services than you would with competitors.

Pros

  • Highly intuitive platform that is easy for absolute beginners to navigate.
  • Access to a massive library of legal documents and forms.
  • Long-standing brand reputation provides reliability and peace of mind.
  • Customer support is available seven days a week.
  • Basic LLC formation is free excluding mandatory state fees.

Cons

  • Incredibly aggressive upselling for simple tasks like obtaining an EIN.
  • Registered agent fees are heavily inflated at $249 per year.
  • Checkout includes pre-selected free trials that auto-renew at high prices.
  • Standard processing times are slow unless you pay a $99 expedite fee.

Best For: Founders prioritizing brand recognition and access to an extensive legal document library.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

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What Makes a Good LLC Service for Connecticut Founders

Connecticut has no Series LLC law. Chapter 613a of the General Statutes runs from formation to closing with no series section in it. So you cannot build separate liability shells inside one parent company here. Guides that say you can are describing another state.

What Connecticut wants is a home address. Section 34-247 asks for the name, work address and home address of at least one member or manager. That goes on the public Certificate of Organization. Section 34-247k then asks for the same three every year on the annual report. Naming your formation service as organizer does not help. The rule follows a member or manager, not whoever signs the form.

There is a way out, and almost nobody mentions it. Both sections let the Secretary of the State take a work address in place of your home address for good cause. The statute gives the example itself. Good cause includes a real risk to that person's safety if the home address is public. You ask the state. No service can sell it to you.

Two fields joined the certificate on 1 January 2025 under Public Act 24-111, a valid email for the company and its NAICS industry code. Look yours up before you start.

New York makes new LLCs publish notices in newspapers. Connecticut does not. Nothing follows your filing into the papers here. If you are weighing the two states, our New York guide prices that difference.

What to Do After You File Your Connecticut LLC

  1. Get your EIN from the IRS. It is free at irs.gov. You need it for a bank account and for payroll.
  2. Register with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services if you will collect sales tax at 6.35% or hire anyone. Registration runs through the myconneCT portal.
  3. Diary your first annual report. It is due between 1 January and 31 March of the year after you form, then $80 every year. There is no late fee. But a company that skips it for over a year can be dissolved.
  4. Skip the federal Beneficial Ownership Information report. FinCEN exempted every company created in the United States in a rule published 26 March 2025, so a Connecticut LLC files nothing. A final rule made that permanent on 14 August 2026. Only companies formed under foreign law and registered here still report. A letter demanding a fee to file one is a scam, and FinCEN says so.
  5. Draft an operating agreement. Connecticut does not require one. Banks ask for it anyway, and a court reads it when someone tests your liability shield.
  6. Check your industry. Connecticut has no general business license. Contractors, food service and healthcare each answer to their own board.

Connecticut LLC Tax Overview

Connecticut taxes personal income from 2% to 6.99%, and a single member LLC is a pass through by default, so the profit lands on your own return. The bottom two brackets were cut in 2024, from 3% to 2% and from 5% to 4.5%. The $250 Business Entity Tax no longer exists. That leaves the $80 annual report as the only yearly state charge on the company itself.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For in Connecticut

  • $60 name reservation - It holds your name for 120 days, and most states charge $20 to $30 for the same hold. Skip it unless you are weeks from filing.
  • $50 rush filing, which the state says you likely do not need - It is $50 per transaction, online only. The Secretary of the State's own guidance says most filings made on Business.CT.gov are accepted automatically, so expedited service is unnecessary. Anyone charging you for speed in Connecticut is selling what the state already gives away.
  • $50 Certificate of Legal Existence - That is the Connecticut name for a certificate of good standing, and banks and other states ask for it. Search the state portal for good standing and you will find nothing.
  • $50 to change your business address, and $50 again to change your agent - They are two separate filings. Form at your kitchen table, then move, and the paperwork bites.
  • $120 reinstatement - Miss enough annual reports and the state dissolves you. Coming back costs the same $120 as starting over, plus every report you skipped. Closing on purpose, oddly, is free.
Stacked bar chart of mandatory state cost over two years for seven northeastern states. Connecticut totals $280, a $120 formation fee plus two years of $80 annual report fees. New York is $209, Vermont $215, Rhode Island $256, New Jersey $275, New Hampshire $302 and Massachusetts $1,520.
Formation filing fee plus two years of annual report fees, from each state's published fee schedule, verified 10 August 2026. Provider fees are separate. Connecticut's first annual report falls due in the year after you form. New York files one $9 biennial statement per two years, and its figure excludes the newspaper publication requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut LLCs

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Connecticut?

The state fee is $120 for the Certificate of Organization. After that you owe $80 a year for the annual report. A formation service adds its own charge on top, anywhere from $0 to a few hundred dollars. Watch the agent renewal. That is the line that comes back every year, and it is usually the biggest one. Rush filing exists at $50, but the state says most online filings clear on their own, so it rarely buys you much.

Can you keep your name off a Connecticut LLC filing?

Not by default. Section 34-247 wants the name, work address and home address of at least one member or manager on the public certificate. The annual report asks again each year. Listing your formation service as organizer will not help, because the rule follows a member or manager. Connecticut does let the Secretary take a work address instead of your home address for good cause, such as a real risk to your safety.

Does Connecticut require a registered agent?

Yes, every Connecticut LLC needs one. The agent is either a Connecticut resident with a street address in the state or a company cleared to do business here. A post office box will not do. Most services sell agent cover between $100 and $299 a year. That renewal is usually the largest repeating line in the whole package, so compare it before you compare filing fees.

How long does LLC formation take in Connecticut?

Most filings sent through Business.CT.gov are accepted on their own. That is why the Secretary of the State calls rush service unnecessary. Paper filings by mail take far longer and cannot be rushed at all. Services file through the same door. Paying one does not move you up any state queue, because no such queue exists.

About the Author

Daniel Wong

Legal & Compliance Analyst

Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.

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