StartupOwl

StartupOwl is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click links on this page - at no extra cost to you.

LLC Formation·Best Overall·Updated Mar 12, 2026

Best LLC Formation Services in Kansas

Filing an LLC in Kansas costs $160 online , and the Secretary of State processes filings immediately.

Mar 12, 202615 min read
Daniel Wong
Written byDaniel Wong
Legal & Compliance Analyst
5 services reviewed
Independently tested
Updated quarterly

How We Chose the Best LLC Services for Kansas

Kansas processes filings immediately and charges $160, so our evaluation centered on what each service delivers beyond the initial filing. We tested how well providers handled Kansas's Articles of Organization requirements, $55 annual report obligation, and the availability of Series LLCs. Because Kansas files through the Secretary of State's online system with instant confirmation, accuracy on the first submission was the primary speed differentiator.

Kansas is one of the few states that files annual reports on a biennial cycle. Your $90 Information Report is due every two years on April 15th, and if you miss the three-month grace period, the state will forfeit your LLC entirely. Pick a service that sends reminders, or mark your calendar now.

12

Services Tested

200

Hours of Research

50

States Covered

March 2026

Last Updated

Quick Comparison: All 5 Services

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

Service
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best Overall Value
From $0
4.5
Visit →Read review
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Privacy
From $39
4.8
Visit →Read review
TB logo

Tailor Brands

Best for Branding
From $0
4.2
Visit →Read review
SF logo

Swyft Filings

Best for Fast Filing
From $0
3.2
Visit →Read review
LZ logo

LegalZoom

Most Recognized
From $0
2.8
Visit →Read review

Full Reviews

1
ZB logo
From $0
Best Overall Value

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness offers a phenomenal $0 base plan and an incredibly intuitive dashboard, making it our top recommendation for first-time founders.

4.5
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Starter

+ state fees

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

Pro

+ state fees

  • All Starter features
  • 1-day rush processing
  • Operating agreement template
$399/yr

Premium

+ state fees

  • All Pro features
  • Business document templates
  • Registered Agent service

ZenBusiness stands out as the absolute best LLC formation service for first-time founders. The platform is incredibly intuitive and offers a genuine $0 Starter plan that only requires you to pay state fees. You do need to watch out for pre-checked upsells during checkout that trigger recurring annual costs. We highly recommend ZenBusiness if you want a guided, stress-free path to starting your business.

Pros

  • $0 Starter plan requiring only state filing fees
  • Highly intuitive dashboard that simplifies the formation process
  • Responsive support team available on Sundays
  • First year of Worry-Free Compliance included for free
  • Excellent mobile app for managing your business on the go

Cons

  • Heavy push for add-on services during the checkout process
  • Registered agent and compliance renewals become expensive after the first year
  • Difficult-to-cancel auto-renewing subscriptions

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

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

2
NR logo
From $39
Best Privacy

Northwest Registered Agent

An exceptionally transparent LLC formation service that prioritises your privacy and completely skips the annoying upsells.

4.8
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

Pricing Plans

Popular
$39

LLC Formation

+ state fees

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

Northwest Registered Agent delivers a masterclass in straightforward LLC formation. We loved the flat $39 fee and the inclusion of a full year of registered agent service with zero hidden gotchas. The U.S.-based Corporate Guides offer outstanding support for first-time founders navigating complex state requirements. While their online cancellation process could be smoother, we highly recommend Northwest as a top choice for privacy-conscious entrepreneurs.

Pros

  • Highly transparent $39 flat-rate pricing.
  • Exceptional privacy protection using their business address.
  • Includes a full year of registered agent service.
  • Outstanding support from U.S.-based Corporate Guides.
  • Same-day filing speeds with no extra rush fees.

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: First-time founders who value data privacy, transparent pricing, and expert U.S.-based customer support.

Read full review
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

3
TB logo
From $0
Best for Branding

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands combines free LLC filing with brilliant design tools to help you launch your business in record time.

4.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Lite

+ state fees

  • Filing of Articles of Organization
  • Standard processing
  • Business coaching program access
Popular
$199/yr

Essential

+ state fees

  • Everything in Lite
  • Expedited 2-day processing
  • Operating agreement creation
$249/yr

Elite

+ state fees

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

Tailor Brands is a fantastic choice for first-time founders who want to build a cohesive brand alongside their legal entity. The platform pairs a $0 LLC formation tier with incredibly intuitive logo and website builders. The main drawback is the heavy push toward recurring subscriptions and expensive basic add-ons during checkout. We highly recommend this service if you want a true all-in-one business launchpad and prefer having everything in one dashboard.

Pros

  • Free Lite plan covers basic LLC formation and standard processing
  • Extremely intuitive and beginner-friendly dashboard design
  • Incredible built-in tools for designing logos and launching websites
  • Helpful customer support available during the weekend
  • Guided step-by-step questionnaire simplifies the setup process

Cons

  • Pricing tiers are hidden until the end of the initial questionnaire
  • Pre-checked $30 monthly bookkeeping free trial requires manual cancellation
  • Steep $199 annual fee for Registered Agent services

Best For: First-time founders wanting an all-in-one platform for LLC formation and seamless branding.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

4
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 costs an extra $149 per 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

5
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

Editorial Standards & Affiliate Disclosure

StartupOwl may earn a commission when you use our links - at no additional cost to you. Our editorial team independently selects and ranks all services. Affiliate relationships do not influence our ratings or recommendations. Read our editorial policy →

What Makes a Good LLC Service for Kansas Founders

Kansas is one of a handful of states that allows Series LLCs, letting you create separate series within a single LLC to isolate assets and liabilities. This is useful for real estate investors and multi-brand businesses without forming multiple entities.

The Articles of Organization in Kansas do not require member or manager names. While this is not a full anonymous LLC (the registered agent is public), it does give you a layer of privacy that states like California and New York do not offer.

Compared to neighboring Missouri ($50 filing fee), Kansas is more expensive to form. But Missouri charges $354 for a five-year registration on foreign LLCs, while Kansas charges $165 flat. If you plan to operate across both states, Kansas is the cheaper home base for a domestic filing.

Kansas requires your registered agent to be either an individual Kansas resident or a business entity authorized to operate in the state. P.O. Boxes are not accepted. Every formation service on this list provides a compliant Kansas registered agent.

What to Do After You File Your Kansas LLC

  1. Get your EIN from the IRS (free, immediate online). You need this before opening a business bank account or hiring employees. Apply directly at IRS.gov.
  2. File your Information Report by April 15th of the next applicable year ($90). Kansas uses a biennial cycle. If your LLC was formed in an even year, you file in even years. Odd-year formations file in odd years. Miss the deadline plus the three-month grace period, and your LLC is forfeited.
  3. Register for Kansas sales tax if you sell taxable goods or services. The state sales tax rate is 6.5%, and many cities add local taxes on top. Register through the Kansas Department of Revenue.
  4. Draft an operating agreement. Kansas law specifically requires LLCs to have one, even though it is not filed with the state. You can adopt it before, at the time of, or after filing your Articles of Organization.
  5. Check local licensing requirements. Kansas has no general state business license, but cities like Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City (KS) each have their own business licensing rules. Contact your local clerk's office.
  6. File a BOI report with FinCEN. LLCs formed in 2024 or later must submit a Beneficial Ownership Information report within 90 days of formation. This is a federal requirement, not a Kansas one, but missing it carries penalties up to $500 per day.

Kansas LLC Tax Overview

Kansas has a state income tax with rates ranging from 3.1% to 5.7% for individuals, which flows through to single-member and multi-member LLCs under default classification. There is no franchise tax, but the biennial $90 Information Report is your recurring state obligation.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For in Kansas

  • Biennial Information Report - Kansas charges $90 every two years, due April 15th. Missing the three-month grace period results in forfeiture of your LLC.
  • Reinstatement After Forfeiture - Reviving a forfeited LLC costs $35 plus an $85 penalty, plus all delinquent report fees you owe.
  • Name Reservation - Reserving your LLC name before filing costs $30 and lasts 120 days.
  • Good Standing Certificate - If a bank or lender requests a Certificate of Good Standing, the Kansas Secretary of State charges $10.

Frequently Asked Questions — Kansas LLC

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

The Kansas Secretary of State charges $160 to file Articles of Organization online. On top of that, you will pay $90 every two years for your Information Report. If you use a formation service, expect to add $0 to $299 depending on the package, plus registered agent fees if not included.

Does Kansas require a registered agent for an LLC?

Yes. Your registered agent must be a Kansas resident or a business entity authorized to operate in the state, with a physical street address in Kansas. P.O. Boxes do not qualify. All six services we tested provide a compliant Kansas registered agent, though some charge extra after the first year.

How long does LLC formation take in Kansas?

Online filings with the Kansas Secretary of State are processed immediately. There is no expedited option because standard processing is already instant. Most formation services submit your filing within 1 to 3 business days after you place your order.

Can I form a Series LLC in Kansas?

Yes. Kansas is one of the few states that permits Series LLCs, which let you create separate protected series under one parent LLC. Each series can hold its own assets and liabilities. This structure is popular with real estate investors who want liability separation without forming multiple entities.

About the Author

Daniel Wong
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.

Was this article helpful?