Lowest quoted state filing fee
$35
Montana · Formation filing only. See the state page for other obligations and source evidence.
View sourceTopic
Business Formation
LLC formation, registered agents, EINs, and compliance tools.
At a glance
Figures from our published reviews and source records. Products and eligibility differ; open each source for its terms and checked date.
Highest quoted state filing fee
$500
Massachusetts · Formation filing only. See the state page for other obligations and source evidence.
View sourceLowest quoted formation service price
$0 + state fee
ZenBusiness
LLC formation — starting price (named plan not established)
View sourceBrands reviewed
3
ZenBusiness Review 2026: LLC Plans, Renewals, and Registered Agent Costs
View sourceTop picks
Full rankingThe top three from 3 Best LLC Formation Services of 2026, in that list’s published order.
- #14.6 / 5
ZenBusiness
Best overall for first-time founders
Guided LLC formation with optional registered-agent and compliance services.
See why it ranks - #24.4 / 5
Northwest Registered Agent
Best for privacy and registered-agent support
Privacy-focused LLC formation and registered-agent service.
See why it ranks - #34.3 / 5
LegalZoom
Best for broader legal services
LLC formation within a broad legal-services and attorney-support marketplace.
See why it ranks
How to choose
Form in the state where the business actually operates unless a documented legal or economic reason supports another state.
How to Start an LLC in 2026Confirm the name and registered agent before filing articles of organization through the official state website.
How to Start an LLC in 2026Use an operating agreement to document ownership, authority, contributions, distributions, departures, and disputes—even for a single-member LLC.
How to Start an LLC in 2026Treat state formation, federal tax classification, licenses, banking, and recurring compliance as separate workstreams.
How to Start an LLC in 2026U.S.-created entities are currently exempt from federal CTA beneficial ownership reporting, but banks and states can still request ownership information.
How to Start an LLC in 2026
Plan your LLC
All statesPreview quoted formation filing fees. Open a state for its recurring obligations, source evidence and unverified costs.
Related tools
All toolsYour quarterly estimated tax
$60,000 profitExample
- Self-employment$8,478
- Federal$6,691
- State$3,000
Enter your expected self-employment profit. See your self-employment tax, your estimate with your own income tax rate, and what to pay by each remaining due date.
LLC cost by state
Example
- Year 1$890
- Year 2$800
- Year 3$820
Quoted-fee subtotal; unknown charges excluded. California fees and missing items.
Pick your state. See quoted filing and recurring fees over the years you choose, with the source for each. Missing fees are never guessed.
Know the terms
GlossaryPrincipal
Principal is the amount of money borrowed or invested before interest, gains, and most fees; on a loan, outstanding principal is the balance on which interest is commonly calculated and that payments gradually reduce.
Read definitionPremium
An insurance premium is the price charged for coverage during a stated period; it is generally owed whether or not the policyholder files a claim.
Read definitionDefault
Loan default is the failure to meet a material obligation in a credit agreement, commonly after missed payments reach the contract or program’s specified threshold, allowing the creditor to exercise collection or collateral remedies.
Read definition
Rankings
Reviews
ZenBusiness
4.6 / 5Guided LLC formation with optional registered-agent and compliance services.
Read reviewLegalZoom
4.3 / 5LLC formation within a broad legal-services and attorney-support marketplace.
Read reviewNorthwest Registered Agent
4.4 / 5Privacy-focused LLC formation and registered-agent service.
Read review