Best Small-Business Formation Services 2023

Best Small-Business Formation Services

Business registration legally establishes your business, ensuring compliance with regulations. It involves choosing a structure, filing paperwork, and obtaining permits, offering protection, tax benefits, and credibility.

Business Registration for Small Businesses

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Proper registration is critical when forming a small business due to compliance with law and protection of personal assets. For instance, LegalZoom and IncFile make the process pretty easy and straightforward. If you want to establish an LLC, corporation, or a sole proprietorship, you can register it with them. They can help with filing documents, acquiring permits among other things, and they also offer services like registered agent support and compliance reminders.

IncFile offers free LLC formation for business owners on a tight budget, only charging state fees. LegalZoom provides comprehensive support and is geared best to business owners who are seeking a one-stop-shop solution for business registration and ongoing legal services. Zen Business is another great option offering low-cost packages, annual reporting, and other services including an operating agreement template.

Best Financial Software

Best Financial Software for Small Businesses

1. Northwest Registered Agent : Best Premium
2. ZenBusiness : Best overall
3. LegalZoom : Best features
4. Incfile : Best Budget Pick
5. Bizee : Best For International Businesses

Compare the Year's Best Business Registration Services

Starting Cost	Free Trial	User Limit	Additional Features
$39.00 + State Fees	N/A	Unlimited	✓ Registered Agent included in all plans
$0 + State Fees	N/A	Unlimited	✓ Free Registered Agent for 1st year
Free for LLCs	N/A	Unlimited	✓ Free Registered Agent for 1st year
$79.00*	30 days	Unlimited	✓ Legal documents and tax consultations
$0 Basics	60 days	Unlimited	✓ Free Registered Agent for 1st year

Northwest Registered Agent: Business Formation & Registered Agent Services

Starting at $39/month
Registered Agent services
Business formation (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
Mail forwarding services

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Northwest Registered Agent has professional business formation and registered agent services at $39/month. The company boasts of its elite customer service with LLC formations, corporations, and many more for businesses. They also offer a registered agent service to help businesses receive necessary documents and stay up-to-date on state requirements.

All business formation services, including mail forwarding, document scanning, and compliance alerts, set it atop the list for entrepreneurs looking to start up a business, ensuring they are in good standing from a legal standpoint. Northwest Registered Agent boasts of having personal, one-on-one customer support with a focus on helping small businesses.

One of the great sales pitches about Northwest Registered Agent is that it never charges the user any extra hidden fees; however, this service might be better for companies that are required to stay updated on their specific state's requirements and comply with them regularly.

Pros

Outstanding customer service and personal attention
Competitive registered agent pricing
No hidden fees

Cons

No DIY option or lower-cost formation plans
Fewer add-ons than competitors

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Incfile: The Best Business Registration Service

Free LLC formation + state fees
Free registered agent service for 1 year
Access to tax consultation and business compliance tools

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Incfile is one of the most affordable and extensive LLC formation services available. The free LLC registration plan offered, excluding state fees, makes it easy for new entrepreneurs to establish a legal business entity. Moreover, the basic plan includes an additional free registered agent service during the first year.

For small business owners, Incfile provides helpful business tools like tax consultation, access to operating agreements, and a variety of business compliance options that will make their operations simple but professional. As an added feature, access is given to a user-friendly dashboard in which business owners can manage their documents and important filings.

While Incfile is excellent for new and small businesses, it does bear mentioning that more mature services or tailored solutions would be required as your company matures, particularly for those requiring full-service bookkeeping, payroll, or legal assistance, as Incfile offers neither but works through third-party providers to provide such services.

Pros

Free LLC formation (excluding state fees)
Free registered agent service for the first year
User-friendly dashboard and compliance tools
Affordable pricing options

Cons

Limited to LLC formation and basic services
Does not offer advanced legal or accounting services natively

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LegalZoom: The Best Legal and Business Services

Starts at $79+ (State fees apply)
LLC formation and business registration
Trademark registration services
Custom legal documents and legal advice

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LegalZoom offers a more comprehensive legal and business approach, including LLC formation, trademark registration, and literally thousands of custom legal documents. They are known for flexibility and range of services beyond simple business formation. There is ongoing support both for individual and small businesses.

LegalZoom offers business compliance tools, estate planning, tax preparation, and even consultations with licensed attorneys; it is a good all-around choice for entrepreneurs to meet most of their legal needs at one place. Their plans include professional advice and document preparation that would suit those businesses in continuous legal matters.

The disadvantage, however, is that LegalZoom is not a very cheap package, especially comparing it to Incfile or ZenBusiness. This service provider is a little costlier and rather advisable for people in need of less basic services such as LLC formation. The value added about legal advice and more services will be worthwhile for persons looking for much more business and legal support.

Pros

Comprehensive legal services beyond LLC formation
Custom legal documents and ongoing legal advice
Reputable brand with long-standing experience

Cons

Higher pricing compared to basic LLC formation services
Limited customization options on lower-tier plans

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ZenBusiness: Affordable LLC Formation and Legal Services

Starting at $0 + state fees
LLC formation and business registration
Registered agent service
Compliance tools and business resources

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This makes ZenBusiness particularly affordable in LLC formation and other business services. One plan that has piqued everyone's interest is their $0 LLC formation plan, minus the state fees, making it one of the cheapest options available, yet still boasting an impressive array of features to get your business off to a smooth start.

In addition to LLC incorporation, ZenBusiness offers services that include a registered agent service, business compliance tools, and other useful resources for business owners. Its platform also includes easy access to additional ongoing legal support and compliance filings that are ideal for the small business owner who wants a streamlined, efficient way to manage those legal obligations.

While ZenBusiness does offer great value, its premium services, such as expedited filing or business licenses, are only available in higher-tier plans. For users who only require basic LLC formation or very minimal legal services, the lower-tier plans are very affordable. Advanced legal, payroll, or bookkeeping needs will require additional third-party providers for a business.

Pros

$0 LLC formation (excluding state fees)
Free registered agent service for the first year
Affordable pricing and transparent plans
User-friendly platform with excellent customer support

Cons

Additional fees for premium services like expedited filing
Limited advanced legal and accounting services

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Rippling: Integrated HR and Payroll Solutions

$0 + state filing fees
Fee to file an annual report is $99
LLC and Corporation Formation
Easy business registration

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Bizee offers full services that are meant to make the process of formation and compliance easy for businesses. Bizee helps entrepreneurs form LLCs and corporations, manage registered agent duties, obtain EINs, and stay on top of compliance, all for $0 + state fees(Basic). Bizee is a good fit for businesses looking to establish their legal framework and keep operations running smoothly, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency.

Bizee stands out by combining essential business formation tools with added compliance services, helping businesses thrive right from the start. Its services are perfect for those seeking an all-in-one platform to get their business off the ground.

Pros

All-in-one business formation and compliance platform
Easy registration and quick setup
Comprehensive support for LLC and corporation formation

Cons

Pricing varies by state fees
May be overkill for businesses only needing basic formation services

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Business Registration Service Comparison

Compare Business Registration Services

Starting Price	Free Trial	Price for Additional Users	Registered Agent
$39.99/month	7 days	$39.99/month. per additional user	✓
$49.00/year	No free trial	39.00/year per additional user (Registered Agent)	✓
$99.00/year	No free trial	$39.00/year. per additional user (Registered Agent)	✓

Rocket Lawyer: Legal Services for Small Businesses

Starting at $39.99/month
Legal document creation and management
Legal consultations and advice
Business incorporation and trademark services

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Having provided a variety of online legal services, Rocket Lawyer would be a very good fit for small businesses given access to legal documents, advice, and incorporation services. It starts at $39.99 per month, therefore giving business owners the chance to get their hands on customizable legal templates, consultations with licensed attorneys, or even services for forming an LLC or trademarking a business name.

With Rocket Lawyer, businesses can easily generate legal documents such as contracts, agreements, and NDAs. It also provides access to attorney consultations for legal advice-a super powerful tool for entrepreneurs looking not just to stay compliant but be protected. That's perfect for small businesses looking for reasonably priced legal aid without an attorney on the payroll.

One of the strengths of Rocket Lawyer is its membership model, which offers unlimited document access and consultations for a fixed month-to-month fee. In this aspect, it is a bit too pricey for businesses with only a limited use of legal services or simple documents.

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BizFilings: Business Formation & Incorporation Services

Starting at $99 + state fees
Business formation services (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
Registered agent services
Comprehensive compliance support

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BizFilings offers complete business formation services starting at $99, along with state fees. The firm offers a wide range of services designed for entrepreneurs, including LLC formations and incorporation and registered agent services. BizFilings is one of the best-known firms when it comes to businesses looking to get duly established as well as keeping compliant with their state and federal regulations.

BizFilings not only helps form companies but also provides monthly and annual compliance products, including reports, document management, and ensuring registered agents receive important legal documents. Its main objective is to help small business organizations navigate a complex process of company formation and management.

BizFilings is very transparent in its pricing, even though it's a bit pricey compared to other competitors. Its strength lies in good customer support and complete services that ensure that your company is always on the correct side of the law. Added counsel and a registered agent can be priceless for long-term business prosperity.

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Swyft Filings: Fast and Affordable LLC Formation Services

Starting at $49 + state fees
LLC formation and business registration
Registered agent service
Compliance tools and business resources

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Swyft Filings provides the quickest and most affordable LLC formation through an online system at $49 plus your state fees. It is probably one of the cheapest LLC formation services that provides excellent customer service support and flexible filing processes to get your business up and running hassle-free.

In addition to LLC formation, Swyft Filings offers some very valuable add-ons like registered agent services, business compliance tools, and annual filing reminders. It also provides a broad range of useful business resources to help new entrepreneurs manage their ongoing legal needs.

Swyft Filings has great customer support and ease of use, but the real value will be to the user wanting a painless, no-frills solution to LLC formation. Businesses that need more adequate legal assistance or more substantial services like accounting or tax preparation must also look elsewhere as those services are lacking.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Business formation involves the legal process of establishing a new business entity, either LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship. It goes through the procedure of state registration, choice of legal structure, and the fulfillment of other regulatory requirements. Doing so provides business law and tax benefits along with giving more credibility to a business.

A registered agent is the official person or business through which the state will deliver official correspondence, including legal documents and tax forms, to your company. He or she receives the documents on behalf of your company, ensuring your business stays compliant with the requirements of the state by forwarding the received documents to you.

The cost depends on the type of business service provider you choose and the specific structure of the business, whether LLC, Corporation, etc. For instance, while some services, such as IncFile, offer free LLC formation services, you will be charged a fee for state filing. Starting fees at other companies are subject to state fees, with LegalZoom or BizFilings having fees starting from $49 to $99. You may also have extra services like registered agent services or compliance tools.

An LLC (Limited Liability Company) provides flexibility and simplicity with the protective feature of personal liability. It is easy for small businesses to form an LLC and has fewer formalities. A corporation is a bigger entity than an LLC: it can be used to issue stock and attract investors; it can expand; is strong in protection against personal liabilities, but requires more regulatory requirements and taxes.

Business formation services facilitate the registration of your business and ensure compliance with state and federal laws. They can help choose the right business structure and their associated paperwork, obtain permits, and provide the service of a registered agent. All these processes save time, diminish risk of error, and get the business off to a proper start.

Every state requires businesses to have a registered agent. The registered agent receives important legal and tax documents on behalf of your business and ensures that you stay in compliance with state regulations. Many business formation services offer registered agent services as part of their packages.

Legitimate business formation services, such as IncFile and ZenBusiness, are transparent with their pricing. While you may be required to pay state fees for forming an LLC or corporation, services like IncFile and ZenBusiness offer free LLC formation (with the exception of state fees) and clearly communicate any other possible charges. Always read the fine print and find out exactly what you’re getting for your money.

The time it takes to create a business depends on the type of business and the state in which you are registering. Generally, this process takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Some services, like ZenBusiness and Swyft Filings, provide expedited filing options for an extra fee.

Yes, you can change the structure of your business, such as converting an LLC to a corporation. However, it is a complex process that requires additional paperwork in the state where you registered. Before making such changes, it is advisable to consult with a lawyer or financial advisor.

Many business formation companies, such as LegalZoom and BizFilings, offer additional services beyond business registration. These include trademark registration, creation of legal documents, tax consultations, business compliance tools, payroll services, and more. Be sure to check the details of each plan to determine which services you need.

If you have a small business, ongoing legal and tax support is valuable, especially as your business grows. Services such as LegalZoom offer ongoing legal advice and business consultations. Companies like ZenBusiness and IncFile provide compliance tools to help your business stay up-to-date with state requirements. If you anticipate needing ongoing support, consider a plan that includes access to professional legal and tax advisors.

Failure to comply with state requirements may result in fines, penalties, or even the dissolution of your business. To avoid these consequences, many business formation services, such as BizFilings and Northwest Registered Agent, provide compliance monitoring and document reminders to ensure that you stay compliant with state regulations.