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LLC Formation·Best Overall·Updated August 14, 2026

Best LLC Formation Services in Tennessee

Headcount sets the price in Tennessee. The state charges $50 per member to form an LLC and $50 per member again each year, with a $300 floor and a $3,000 ceiling.

August 14, 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.

Tennessee

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 $300† minimum Tennessee 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 $300† minimum Tennessee 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

$339†

Registered agent included, free year 1State fees included

Then every year

$525‡

$125 agent renewal + $300 state report + $100 franchise tax

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
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

$399†

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$599‡

$199 agent renewal + $300 state report + $100 franchise tax

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
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

$499†

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$599‡

$199 agent renewal + $300 state report + $100 franchise tax

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
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

$468†

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$519‡

$119 agent renewal + $300 state report + $100 franchise tax

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
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

$896†

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$996‡

$596 agent renewal + $300 state report + $100 franchise tax

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
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

$549†

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$649‡

$249 agent renewal + $300 state report + $100 franchise tax

Get Started →Read the full review ↓

† Both the Articles of Organization fee and the annual report fee are $50 per member, with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 maximum, so 300 is the floor rather than a flat rate. An LLC with 7 or more members pays more. Card and e-check payments add a convenience fee, paying by check avoids it. Source, T.C.A. 48-249-1007(d) and SoS form SS-4270 (rev 01/25).

‡ The annual report fee is also $50 per member, minimum $300 and maximum $3,000, so the yearly figure shown is the floor for an LLC with one to six members. Source, T.C.A. 48-249-1007(d).

* Based on prices and renewal rates verified August 12, 2026. Provider and government fees change.

Compare every detailShow
Service
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Overall
From $39
4.8
Get Started →Read review
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best for LLC Formation
From $0
4.5
Get Started →Read review
TB logo

Tailor Brands

Best for Branding
From $0
4.2
Get Started →Read review
FN logo

FileNow

Best for Speed
From $49
4.2
Get Started →Read review
SF logo

Swyft Filings

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

LegalZoom

Most Recognized
From $0
2.8
Get Started →Read review

How We Chose the Best LLC Services for Tennessee

Owner count moves the state's fee. That makes the provider's charge the only part you actually shop. We priced every service against the Secretary of State's published schedule. Then we checked year two, when the registered agent renews and the annual report lands at $50 a member again. Each price below already carries the $300 state minimum.

12

Services Tested Nationally

200

Hours of Research

50

States Covered

August 14, 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

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 Tennessee Founders

Tennessee is one of nine states with no personal income tax, which is why most founders look here. The break stops at the entity. Your LLC still pays the franchise and excise taxes, and it still pays the Secretary of State by owner count.

Bar chart of Tennessee LLC state costs by owner count, $300 in year one for one through six members and $400 every year after, rising to the $3,000 cap at 60 members.
What Tennessee itself charges, by owner count. Sources, T.C.A. 48-249-1007(d) and Secretary of State form SS-4270, both read August 12, 2026.

The fee is $50 per member, floored at $300 and capped at $3,000. Six owners or fewer and you pay the floor, which is where most founders sit. A seventh owner is the first one you pay for, and a ten member LLC files at $500.

Tennessee is also one of roughly 22 states that allow a series LLC. The wall between series is not automatic. The statute grants it only when your documents establish the series, each series keeps its own books and assets, and the articles you file carry notice of the limitation. Leave that notice out at formation and the series are not separated at all.

One more Tennessee habit catches people. If your principal office is in the state, a copy of the articles also goes to the county Register of Deeds, which may charge $5 plus 50 cents a page past five pages.

What to Do After You File Your Tennessee LLC

  1. Record the articles with your county. If your principal office is in Tennessee, a copy goes to the county Register of Deeds. The statute lets the register charge $5, plus 50 cents a page past five pages. Missing it does not void your filing, but the requirement still stands.
  2. Check whether you owe business tax. The Department of Revenue asks you to register and remit once your business grosses $100,000 or more in a county or city. Smaller businesses may fall under a minimal activity license instead, handled by your local clerk.
  3. Apply for an EIN. You need one to open a business bank account, hire, or file taxes. The IRS issues it free in minutes. Nobody should charge you for this.
  4. Write an operating agreement. Tennessee does not require one. Your bank will ask anyway, and it is what keeps your liability shield credible in court.
  5. Diary the annual report. It is due the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends, at $50 a member with a $300 minimum. Miss it and the state can start administrative dissolution.
  6. File the franchise and excise return. Every Tennessee LLC files one. The franchise tax runs 0.25% of net worth with a $100 floor, and the excise tax is 6.5% of net earnings.

Tennessee LLC Tax Overview

Tennessee has no personal income tax, so what you draw out of the LLC is not taxed by the state. The company still pays. Every Tennessee LLC owes a franchise tax of 0.25% of net worth, with a $100 minimum, plus an excise tax of 6.5% of net earnings. One detail changed in 2024 and most guides still have it wrong. Tennessee repealed the property measure of the franchise tax, so the bill now rests on net worth alone.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For in Tennessee

  • The annual report is $50 a member too - Same math as formation, charged again every year. The floor is $300. It falls due the first day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends.
  • A $100 franchise tax minimum - A Tennessee LLC that earned nothing all year still owes it.
  • Excise tax of 6.5% on net earnings - Separate from the franchise tax and separate from the annual report.
  • $20 to move your registered agent - The Secretary of State adds it to any annual report that changes the agent or the registered office.
  • A card convenience fee - The state's own filing form says card and e-check payments carry one. Paying by check or money order avoids it, which is why some sites quote a few dollars more than $300.
  • County recording - $5 plus 50 cents a page past five pages, and only if your principal office sits in Tennessee.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee LLCs

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

Tennessee charges $50 per member, with a minimum of $300 and a maximum of $3,000. One owner and six owners both pay $300. A ten member LLC pays $500. Card and e-check payments add a convenience fee, so paying by check keeps you at the published figure. Formation services charge their own fee on top, from $0 to $299.

Does Tennessee charge a franchise tax on LLCs?

Yes. The franchise tax is 0.25% of your LLC's net worth, with a $100 minimum you owe even in a year with no revenue. A separate excise tax takes 6.5% of net earnings. Both go on one combined return. Tennessee repealed the old property measure in 2024, so net worth is now the only base.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Tennessee?

The state publishes no processing time. Treat any figure you see as an estimate, not a promise. Filing online through the Secretary of State's portal is the fast route, and the articles take effect when the state files them unless you name a later date. The fee schedule lists no expedited option to buy.

Does Tennessee require a registered agent?

Yes. The agent must be an individual living in Tennessee or a business authorized to operate there, and the registered office has to be a physical Tennessee street address. A PO box or route number alone will be rejected. Changing the agent later costs $20 on your annual report.

Do I have to pay again every year in Tennessee?

Yes, and this is where Tennessee stings. The annual report uses the same $50 per member math as formation, so the floor is $300 every year, not just the first. Add the $100 minimum franchise tax and a one member LLC pays the state $400 a year before any service fee or agent renewal.

Are LLC formation services worth it in Tennessee?

The state fee never changes. Whoever files, Tennessee takes the same $50 per member, so what you are buying is convenience and a registered agent. If you have a Tennessee street address you are happy to make public, filing yourself costs the fee and nothing more. If you would rather keep your address off the public record, the agent is what you are really paying for.

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.

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