Best LLC service: our picks for 2026
Mainstay Filing is our best overall LLC filing service. Below are the five best-for picks, each with the price behind it, then the best choice in every state.
- Prices verified October 2026
- State fees checked August 2026 to October 2026
Mainstay Filing
$199 / year, all-in, plus state fees
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
Our five picks
- Best overall: Mainstay Filing ($597 over 3 years). One $199 price a year covers the formation filing, registered agent, EIN application and annual report, and it stays $199 at renewal.
- Lowest first-year cost: Bizee ($0 for year 1 with an agent). Its entry package is $0 plus the state fee and the registered agent is free for the first year when you form with it. Why
- Lowest three-year cost: Northwest Registered Agent ($289 over 3 years). A $39 package with the agent included the first year, then a $125 agent, adds up to the smallest service total over three years. Why
- Lowest agent price after year 1: Northwest Registered Agent ($125 a year from year 2). Its registered agent renews at the lowest rate of the five. Why
- Most included in one price: Mainstay Filing ($199 a year, all-in). Formation, agent, EIN application and annual report filing share one yearly price; the others sell the agent, EIN or report filing separately. Why
Best pick by state
| State | Filing fee | Lowest 3-yr total | Mainstay Filing 3-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $236 | $525 | $833 |
| Alaska | $250 | $639 | $947 |
| Arizona | $50 | $339 | $647 |
| Arkansas | $45 | $634 | $942 |
| California | $70 | $379 | $687 |
| Colorado | $50 | $389 | $697 |
| Connecticut | $120 | $569 | $877 |
| Delaware | $110 | $1,199 | $1,507 |
| Florida | $125 | $691.50 | $999.50 |
| Georgia | $110 | $519 | $827 |
| Hawaii | $51 | $365 | $673 |
| Idaho | $100 | $389 | $697 |
| Illinois | $150 | $589 | $897 |
| Indiana | $95 | $416 | $724 |
| Iowa | $50 | $369 | $677 |
| Kansas | $85 | $464 | $772 |
| Kentucky | $40 | $359 | $667 |
| Louisiana | $125 | $484 | $792 |
| Maine | $175 | $634 | $942 |
| Maryland | $100 | $989 | $1,297 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $1,789 | $2,097 |
| Michigan | $50 | $389 | $697 |
| Minnesota | $155 | $444 | $752 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $339 | $647 |
| Missouri | $50 | $339 | $647 |
| Montana | $35 | $364 | $672 |
| Nebraska | $100 | $414 | $722 |
| Nevada | $425 | $1,414 | $1,722 |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $589 | $897 |
| New Jersey | $100 | $539 | $847 |
| New Mexico | $50 | $339 | $647 |
| New York | $200 | $498 | $806 |
| North Carolina | $125 | $814 | $1,122 |
| North Dakota | $135 | $524 | $832 |
| Ohio | $99 | $388 | $696 |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $439 | $747 |
| Oregon | $100 | $589 | $897 |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $428 | $736 |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $539 | $847 |
| South Carolina | $110 | $399 | $707 |
| South Dakota | $150 | $549 | $857 |
| Tennessee | $300 | $1,189 | $1,497 |
| Texas | $300 | $589 | $897 |
| Utah | $59 | $384 | $692 |
| Vermont | $155 | $534 | $842 |
| Virginia | $100 | $489 | $797 |
| Washington | $200 | $629 | $937 |
| West Virginia | $100 | $439 | $747 |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $469 | $777 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $509 | $817 |
Before you buy
Use the six-question checklist.
Questions
What is the best LLC filing service?
Mainstay Filing, for most owners: One $199 price a year covers the formation filing, registered agent, EIN application and annual report, and it stays $199 at renewal.
What is the cheapest LLC filing service?
It depends on the horizon. For year 1, Bizee. Over three years, Northwest Registered Agent. Neither includes what Mainstay Filing bundles, such as the EIN application and annual reports.
Do I need a filing service at all?
No. You can file directly with the state for $35 to $500 and act as your own agent in most states. A service saves time and keeps your address off the public record.
Which services did you compare?
Mainstay Filing, Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, Bizee and LegalZoom. Prices are from each company’s own pages, checked October 2026.