We compared pricing, what's actually included, and real filing speed across the services people ask about most. Here's where each one wins — and where it doesn't.
Every service is scored against the same four weighted factors — so a $0 plan and a $149/mo plan get compared on equal footing, not just by price.
Starting cost, what renews, and whether the "free" plan stays free after add-ons.
Registered agent, EIN filing, operating agreement, and compliance tracking included vs. paid extras.
Standard vs. expedited turnaround, and whether rush filing costs extra.
Real phone/chat support vs. ticket queues, and verified customer sentiment.
The "best" service depends on what you're optimizing for. Here's the fast version before the full breakdown below.
| Service | Best if you want… | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest | Privacy, real support, and a registered agent that doesn't hike prices later | Not the cheapest sticker price upfront |
| ZenBusiness | An AI-guided filing flow and a strong money-back guarantee | Registered agent isn't in the starter tier |
| Tailor Brands | Your LLC and your brand (logo, site) done in one checkout | Registered agent is an add-on, not included |
We reviewed pricing, what's actually included, and processing speed across every major formation provider. These three came out ahead — here's how they rank.
Files your LLC in any state, includes a registered agent with a real street address for the first year at no extra cost, and never sells your data to third parties. Best fit if privacy and long-term price stability matter to you.
Scores reflect our own weighted methodology (see below) — not a third-party or user-submitted rating.
"Compared all three before deciding. Went with Northwest mainly because the registered agent price doesn't jump after year one — that mattered more to me than saving $20 upfront."
"ZenBusiness's tracker caught my annual report deadline before I would have. That alone was worth the plan cost."
"Used Tailor Brands mainly for the logo and site bundle — didn't want to hire a designer separately for a side project."