Compare LLC Formation Services
Side-by-side comparison of the four leading LLC formation services — price, speed, registered agent cost, support, and upsell pressure.
| Feature | LegalZoom | ZenBusiness Best Overall | Northwest Best Support | Bizee (Incfile) Best Free Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base price | $0+ state fee | $0+ state fee | $39+ state fee | $0+ state fee |
| Registered agent | 60-day trial then $299/yr | Included first year, then $199/yr | Included (1 year) | Included (1 year) |
| RA renewal fee | $299/yr | $199/yr | $125/yr | $119/yr |
| Processing speed | 3–5 business days | 2–3 business days | 1–2 business days | 2–3 business days |
| Support quality | Average | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Upsell pressure | Heavy | Moderate | Light | Moderate |
| Operating agreement | Paid add-on | Included in paid plans | Included | Paid add-on |
| EIN service | Paid add-on | Paid add-on | Included | Paid add-on |
| Money-back guarantee | 60-day satisfaction | 60-day | 90-day | None stated |
| Get started | Get started | Get started | Get started |
Service details
LegalZoom
$0
+ state fee
Best for: Brand recognition / legal consultations bundled
Pros
- +Most recognized brand
- +Attorney consultations available
- +Broad range of legal services
Cons
- −Heavy upsell pressure
- −Expensive registered agent ($299/yr)
- −Support can be inconsistent
ZenBusiness
Best Overall$0
+ state fee
Best for: First-time LLC owners who want an all-in-one platform
Pros
- +Worry-Free Compliance alerts
- +Registered agent included
- +Good dashboard and UX
- +Affordable ongoing plans
Cons
- −Some upsells during checkout
- −RA renews at $199/yr
- −EIN costs extra
Northwest
Best Support$39
+ state fee
Best for: Owners who value privacy, low upsells, and real human support
Pros
- +Cheapest registered agent renewal ($125/yr)
- +Outstanding US-based support ("Corporate Guides")
- +Privacy by default — uses their address on public filings
- +Operating agreement included
- +EIN included
- +Minimal upsell pressure
Cons
- −$39 base fee (vs $0 elsewhere)
- −Smaller brand than LegalZoom/ZenBusiness
Bizee (Incfile)
Best Free Option$0
+ state fee
Best for: Budget-conscious filers who want $0 base price + free RA first year
Pros
- +$0 base fee
- +Free registered agent first year
- +Lower RA renewal rate ($119/yr)
- +Simple dashboard
Cons
- −Operating agreement costs extra
- −EIN costs extra
- −Support quality below Northwest
- −Moderate upsells
Our recommendation
- Best overall: ZenBusiness — good UX, compliance reminders, included RA, $0 base
- Best support & privacy: Northwest — worth the $39 for outstanding support, $125/yr RA renewal, and privacy-by-default
- Best free option: Bizee — $0 + free RA first year, lowest RA renewal at $119/yr
- Best if you want attorneys: LegalZoom — add legal consultations and broader services, but higher cost
Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission if you purchase through these links. This does not affect our recommendations.