Find the Best LLC & Business Formation Service for You
We independently compare ZenBusiness, Northwest, Incfile, and every major formation provider — pricing, features, speed, and support — so you can start your LLC or corporation with the right partner.
Best Business Formation Services — 2026
Our top-rated providers based on independent research. Updated February 2026.
ZenBusiness
Best combination of price, features, and support. LLC formation from $0 + state fee with registered agent, EIN, and worry-free compliance included.
- $0 formation + state fee
- Registered agent included (yr 1)
- EIN registration included
- Same-day rush available
Northwest Registered Agent
Dedicated account manager on every package — real humans, not chatbots. Privacy-first: their address on your filings, not yours.
- $39 formation + state fee
- Dedicated account manager
- Privacy protection included
- Industry-highest satisfaction
Incfile (Tailor Brands)
True $0 formation with operating agreement and compliance alerts. Over 1 million businesses formed. Lowest total cost to get started.
- $0 formation + state fee
- Free registered agent (yr 1)
- 1M+ businesses formed
- Logo & branding tools included
Not Sure Which Service to Choose?
Answer 4 quick questions about your entity type, goals, revenue, and priorities — and get a personalized recommendation matched to the right formation provider.
Free • No obligation • Personalized results
Which Business Entity Is Right for You?
Each structure offers different advantages for liability protection, taxation, and growth. Our guides help you choose — then match you with the best provider to file.
LLC Formation
The most popular choice for small businesses. Flexible ownership, pass-through taxation, minimal compliance. Ideal for freelancers, agencies, and partnerships.
- Personal asset protection
- No ownership restrictions
- Pass-through or corporate taxation
- Simple annual compliance
C-Corporation
Built for venture capital, stock options, and exits. The standard structure VCs expect — with QSBS eligibility for up to $10M in tax-free capital gains.
- Issue common & preferred stock
- Attract investors with SAFEs
- QSBS — $10M tax-free exit
- 21% flat corporate tax rate
S-Corporation
A tax election that saves profitable businesses $3K–$15K+ per year in self-employment taxes. Split income into salary and distributions to keep more.
- SE tax savings at $60K+ profit
- Pass-through taxation
- Salary + distribution split
- Corporate liability protection
Still deciding? Read our detailed comparisons: LLC vs. S-Corp · LLC vs. C-Corp · C-Corp vs. S-Corp — or use the Formation Finder quiz to get a personalized recommendation.
How Business Formation Works
Whether you file yourself or use a service, here’s what the process looks like — and what to expect.
Choose Your Entity & State
Decide between an LLC, C-Corp, or S-Corp. Most businesses form in their home state. Delaware is standard for VC-backed C-Corps; Wyoming for privacy and low fees.
File Formation Documents
Submit Articles of Organization (LLC) or Incorporation (Corp) with your state. A formation service handles this for $0–$500 and adds EIN, operating agreement, and registered agent.
Launch & Stay Compliant
Open a business bank account, set up bookkeeping, and start operating. Annual reports, registered agent renewals, and tax filings keep you in good standing.
What to Look for in a Formation Service
Not all providers are equal. Here’s what actually matters when choosing who files your business.
Transparent Pricing
Watch for hidden fees. The best services show your total cost upfront — service fee + state fee — with no surprises at checkout.
Included Documents
Operating agreement, EIN, and registered agent should be included — not expensive add-ons. Compare what’s in each tier.
Filing Speed
Some services file same-day; others take 7–10 business days. Check both service processing time and your state’s approval time.
Customer Support
Phone vs. chat? Dedicated rep or ticket queue? If you hit a snag, quality support is worth more than a $20 price difference.
Registered Agent
Required in every state. Check if it’s included or an add-on — and what the renewal price is after year one.
Compliance Tools
Annual reports, tax deadlines, and renewal reminders. The best services proactively alert you instead of letting deadlines slip.
Privacy Protection
Some services use their address on your filings so your home address stays off public records. Valuable for home-based businesses.
Verified Reviews
Check Trustpilot, BBB, and Google Reviews — not just the testimonials on their own site. We aggregate reviews from all sources.
Popular Formation Guides & Comparisons
In-depth resources to help you make the right decision for your business.
How to Start an LLC
Step-by-step guide to forming your LLC — benefits, costs, state requirements, and operating agreement essentials.
Read the guide →LLC vs. S-Corp
When to add S-Corp tax status to your LLC — the $60K break-even point, SE tax savings, and payroll requirements.
Read the comparison →LLC vs. C-Corp
Raising capital? Need stock options? Learn when a C-Corp makes sense over an LLC — and when it doesn’t.
Read the comparison →C-Corp vs. S-Corp
Same entity, different tax treatment. Compare corporate taxation, investor compatibility, QSBS eligibility, and ownership rules.
Read the comparison →Best Formation Services 2026
Independent rankings of ZenBusiness, Northwest, LegalZoom, Incfile, and more — pricing, features, and support compared.
See the rankings →Business Name Generator
AI-powered name ideas with state availability checking. Find a brandable, memorable name for your new business.
Generate names →Start a Business in Any State
All the providers we recommend file in every state. Here are the most popular states and their filing fees.
🗽 Delaware
The #1 state for C-Corps. Court of Chancery, business-friendly laws. The standard for VC-backed startups.
LLC: $90 · Corp: $89
🤠 Texas
No state income tax. Fast filing (2–3 days). One of the most popular states for LLCs and small businesses.
LLC: $300 · Corp: $300
🏔️ Wyoming
No state income tax, low fees, strong privacy. Ideal for online businesses and holding companies.
LLC: $100 · Corp: $100
🌴 Florida
No state income tax, large business community, fast processing. Growing hub for tech and e-commerce.
LLC: $125 · Corp: $70
🌉 California
Largest state economy, home to Silicon Valley. Note: $800 annual franchise tax applies to all entities.
LLC: $70 · Corp: $100
🗽 New York
Major business hub. LLC publication requirement adds $200–$1,500 depending on county.
LLC: $200 · Corp: $125
🏛️ Nevada
No state income tax, no franchise tax, strong charging order protections for LLC members.
LLC: $75 · Corp: $75
🌲 Washington
No personal income tax. Growing tech hub. Business & Occupation tax applies instead.
LLC: $200 · Corp: $180
State filing fees are approximate and may change. Most businesses should form in the state where they operate. See all state guides.
What Founders Say
Entrepreneurs who used our guides and recommendations to start their businesses.
“The LLC vs. S-Corp comparison saved me from making a $6,000/year tax mistake. I went with ZenBusiness for the S-Corp election based on their recommendation.”— Sarah K., Agency Owner (Texas)
“Used the Formation Finder quiz and it pointed me to Stripe Atlas for my C-Corp. Exactly what I needed for our seed round — wouldn’t have found it otherwise.”— David R., SaaS Founder (Delaware)
“The provider comparison table made the decision obvious. Northwest’s dedicated account manager was worth the extra $39 over the free options for my peace of mind.”— Priya M., Consultant (Wyoming)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business formation and choosing a provider.
What does BusinessFormations.com do?
We’re an independent comparison site. We research, test, and rank the top business formation services — ZenBusiness, Northwest, LegalZoom, Incfile, and others — so you can find the right provider for your LLC or corporation. We don’t file formations ourselves; we help you find the best service that does.
How do you make money?
We earn affiliate commissions when you sign up with a provider through our links. This costs you nothing extra — you pay the same price as going directly to the provider. Commissions never affect our rankings; we’ve ranked free services above paid ones when warranted. See our editorial policy.
How much does it cost to start an LLC?
Formation service fees range from $0 to $500+ depending on the provider and package. State filing fees are additional — typically $50–$500 depending on your state. Total cost ranges from $50 to $1,000. Compare pricing across all providers.
Which formation service is the best?
It depends on your priorities. ZenBusiness is best overall for value. Northwest is best for customer service. Incfile is best for the lowest price. Stripe Atlas is best for VC-track startups. Take our quiz for a personalized match.
LLC or Corporation — which should I choose?
An LLC is best for most small businesses — flexible, simple, and tax-efficient. A C-Corp is essential for raising venture capital. An S-Corp saves $3K–$15K in SE taxes for profitable businesses. Compare LLC vs. S-Corp or LLC vs. C-Corp.
What state should I form my business in?
Most businesses should form in their home state. Delaware is standard for VC-backed C-Corps, and Wyoming offers low fees and strong privacy. Forming out-of-state means registering in both states (additional cost and complexity).
Is a registered agent required?
Yes. Every LLC and corporation needs a registered agent. Most formation services include a year of registered agent service in their packages — check renewal prices, which range from $100 to $300/year.
Are your recommendations really independent?
Yes. We earn affiliate commissions from some providers, but commissions never influence rankings. We’ve ranked lower-commission providers above higher-commission ones when the data supports it. All rankings are based on our published methodology.
Your Independent Guide to Starting a Business
BusinessFormations.com is an independent comparison and education platform for entrepreneurs forming LLCs, corporations, and other business entities in the United States. We don’t file formations ourselves — instead, we research, test, and rank every major formation service so you can make an informed decision about which provider to trust with your business.
Our team analyzes pricing, included features, filing speed, customer support quality, and user reviews across providers like ZenBusiness, Northwest Registered Agent, LegalZoom, Incfile, Stripe Atlas, and more. We update our rankings monthly as pricing and features change, and we verify everything independently.
Beyond provider rankings, we publish comprehensive guides on choosing the right entity type — LLC formation, C-Corp incorporation, and S-Corp election — along with detailed comparison guides: LLC vs. S-Corp, LLC vs. C-Corp, and C-Corp vs. S-Corp. Our Formation Finder quiz matches your specific situation to the best provider in 60 seconds.
We earn affiliate commissions when you sign up with a provider through our links — this is how we fund our research and keep the site free. You pay the same price whether you use our links or go directly to the provider. Commissions never affect our rankings. For full transparency, see our editorial policy and disclosures.
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Find the best formation service for your LLC or corporation in 60 seconds — personalized to your entity type, goals, and budget.
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