Cheapest LLC Filing Service 2026 — Ranked by Total Cost
ZenBusiness and Bizee both charge $0 service fees — pay state fees only (~$50–$150 depending on your state). ZenBusiness has a larger review base (28,000+); Bizee includes one free year of registered agent. Both are legitimate and widely used.
Cheapest LLC Filing Service Buying Guide
Photo by RDNE Stock project / PexelsQuick Verdict: For lowest total cost: ZenBusiness free + state fee + free EIN at IRS.gov. Add LawDepot ($7.99/month) for the operating agreement. For all-in-one filing with the fewest steps: Northwest Registered Agent at $39 + state fees.
True Cost of Cheap LLC Formation in 2026
The cheapest advertised price rarely reflects the true cost. To form an LLC with everything you actually need, calculate: state filing fee + registered agent + operating agreement + EIN. State fees alone range from $50 (New Mexico) to $800+ first year (California). ZenBusiness and Bizee both charge $0 service fee, but ZenBusiness's free tier excludes the operating agreement and registered agent. Bizee's free tier includes one year of registered agent but also excludes the operating agreement. Here's how the real first-year costs compare:
First-Year Cost Comparison
- ZenBusiness free + LawDepot + IRS EIN: $0 service + $7.99 LawDepot + $0 EIN + state fee = cheapest if you cancel LawDepot after 1 month
- Bizee free tier: $0 service + registered agent included year 1 ($119 renewal) + state fee — best free-plus-agent combo for year 1
- Northwest Registered Agent ($39): $39 service + registered agent included year 1 ($125 renewal) + state fee — best all-in-one value with quality service
- LawDepot ($7.99/month): Document templates only — you file Articles of Organization directly with the state, no service filing fee. Operating agreement included. No registered agent.
State fees (unavoidable, same regardless of service): New Mexico $50, Wyoming $100, Delaware $90, Florida $125, California $70 + $800 franchise tax, Texas $300, New York $200 + publication requirement. Prices as of 2026 — verify at your state's Secretary of State website.
What "Free" LLC Formation Really Includes
The "$0 LLC formation" offer from ZenBusiness and Bizee means:
- Included: Filing of Articles of Organization with your state, confirmation documents, digital storage
- Not included (free tier): Operating agreement, registered agent, EIN filing, expedited processing, compliance reminders
An operating agreement is required by some states and required by virtually all banks to open a business account. An EIN is free at irs.gov and takes 15 minutes. A registered agent ($99–$125/year) is technically optional — you can list your own name/address — but exposes your home address in public state records and requires you to be available during business hours to receive legal documents.
Who Each Service Is Best For
- ZenBusiness: Beginners who want the simplest guided experience and a compliance dashboard; pair with LawDepot for operating agreement
- Bizee: Cost-focused founders who want $0 service fee with registered agent included the first year — the lowest true first-year total with agent
- LawDepot: Experienced self-filers who want document templates only and will file Articles of Organization directly with the state themselves
- Northwest Registered Agent: Anyone who values address privacy, top-rated customer support, and wants all-in-one service with transparent renewal pricing
What to Watch Out For
- California $800 franchise tax. California LLCs owe $800/year minimum franchise tax starting their first tax year — more than the filing fee and any service fee combined. This is a state tax, not a service charge.
- New York publication requirement. New York LLCs must publish formation notice in two local newspapers for 6 weeks — a requirement that can cost $400–$1,500 in addition to the $200 filing fee.
- Renewal rate shock. ZenBusiness registered agent renews at $99–$199/year; Bizee at $119/year. Factor this into your multi-year cost analysis.
- EIN is always free. Any service charging for EIN filing is charging for a form you can file yourself for free at irs.gov/ein in 15 minutes. Skip this add-on at every service.
How to Form Your LLC at Minimum Cost
- Check your state filing fee at the Secretary of State website (search "[state] LLC filing fee")
- Use ZenBusiness free or Bizee free to file Articles of Organization — pay state fee only
- Get your EIN free at irs.gov/ein (takes 15 minutes, online, instant)
- Generate your operating agreement at LawDepot ($7.99/month — cancel after)
- Open a business bank account with your LLC documents and EIN
- For registered agent: either use Northwest ($39 first year all-in) or list your own name/address to start
For the two most popular services in this price range compared head to head, our LegalZoom vs ZenBusiness 2026 covers what's included in each free/base tier and where the upsells appear. For the privacy-first budget option, Northwest Registered Agent Review 2026 covers their $39 flat-fee model that avoids the upsell patterns of larger services. For freelancers who need specific documents alongside cheap formation, Best LLC Formation Service for Freelancers 2026 ranks services that include operating agreements and EIN filing without major add-on fees.
At a Glance
ZenBusiness
“$0 service fee LLC formation — pay state fees only, 28,000+ reviews.”
What we like
- $0 service fee — full LLC filing for just state fees
- 28,000+ reviews confirms reliable formation
- Good for those who want filing handled without paying for documents
Watch out for
- Operating agreement not included in free tier
- No document library — formation service only
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Bizee
“Free LLC formation with one year registered agent — cheapest all-in first-year cost.”
What we like
- $0 service fee with one year registered agent
- First-year total cost = state filing fee only
- Simple process, fast turnaround
Watch out for
- Lower customer satisfaction than Northwest (4.5 vs. 4.8 stars)
- More checkout upsells than Northwest
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
LawDepot
“Complete LLC documents at $7.99/month — cancel after one month once you have everything.”
What we like
- $7.99/month for 2,000+ attorney-reviewed document templates
- 14-day free trial — generate all documents before first charge
- State-specific customization via guided questionnaire
- Covers LLC, real estate, employment, personal legal needs
Watch out for
- No filing service — you submit documents to state yourself
- Monthly subscription model — must cancel actively to avoid renewal
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Northwest Registered Agent
“$39 LLC formation with registered agent — no upsells, 4.8-star rated.”
What we like
- $39 includes filing + registered agent — keeps home address off records
- 4.8 stars — highest-rated formation service
- No upsells — transparent all-in pricing
Watch out for
- $39 service fee vs. ZenBusiness free tier
- Operating agreement not included (use LawDepot)
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How We Evaluate Financial Products
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