True Cost Comparison · No Marketing Spin · Verified June 2026
Cheapest LLC Services (2026): Real Cost Comparison + Who's Actually Free
The cheapest LLC service in 2026 is forming it yourself directly through your state — $0 service fee, just the state filing fee. If you want help, Bizee and Inc Authority charge $0 with registered agent included free. Northwest charges $39 but is actually cheaper than any "$0" competitor over three years. Here's the math, without the marketing.
Written & verified by Ahmad Adil, LLC School · Updated June 2026
Cheapest LLC Services — Quick Rankings (2026, service fee only, not including state fees)
#1 Cheapest
DIY Self-Filing
$0
Service fee. State fee same as everyone else.
#2 — Most included free
Inc Authority
$0
RA + EIN free. Founded 1989.
#3 — Cheapest RA renewal
Bizee
$0
RA free yr 1 · $119/yr renewal
#4 — Best 3-year value
Northwest
$39
RA + OA + domain + email free yr 1
The Truth About "Cheapest LLC Service" — What the Ads Don't Tell You
Every cheapest LLC service comparison page on the internet puts the "$0 formation" services at the top. What they don't show you is the math for year two, three, and four — when those "$0" services charge $199–$249/yr for registered agent service that a service with a $39 upfront fee charges $125/yr for. Over three years, a "$0 formation" service often costs $300–$450 more than a service that charges $39 upfront.
This page shows you the real numbers: service fee, registered agent year 1, RA renewal, what's actually included, what costs extra, and the true 3-year total. No marketing. Just math.
The state fee is the same no matter what. Every LLC formation service charges your state's filing fee on top of their own service fee. Montana charges $35. Massachusetts charges $500. That fee goes directly to your state — no service can make it cheaper or more expensive. The only thing that differs between services is the service fee and what they include for it.
Cheapest LLC Service — True Cost Comparison Table (2026)
This table shows the honest cost of each service over three years, including what you'll actually pay for registered agent service. State fees are excluded because they're the same regardless of which service you use.
| Service | Formation Fee | RA Year 1 | RA Year 2+ | OA Included? | EIN Included? | True 3-Year Total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY (self-file) | $0 | $0 (be own RA) | $0 (be own RA) | Find template free | Free at IRS.gov | $0 |
| Inc Authority | $0 | Free yr 1 | ~$99–149/yr | No | Free included | ~$248 |
| Bizee (Basic) | $0 | Free yr 1 | $119/yr | No — Standard plan | No — Standard plan | $238 |
| Northwest | $39 | Free yr 1 | $125/yr | Yes — free | $50 add-on (skip — IRS is free) | $289 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $0 | Not included | $199/yr | No — Pro plan | No — Pro plan | $597 |
| LegalZoom (Basic) | $0 | Not included | $249/yr | No | No | $747 |
*3-Year Total = formation fee + RA fees for years 1–3. DIY assumes you act as your own registered agent. State fees excluded — same for all. ZenBusiness Starter requires RA added separately from day one.
Cheapest LLC Service Calculator — Compare Your State's Total Cost
Select your state and see exactly what each service costs over 3 years including your state's filing fee — so you can find the truly cheapest LLC service for your specific situation.
True LLC Cost Calculator — 3-Year Total by State (2026)
Select your state to add the actual state filing fee to each service's cost.
The cheapest LLC service by 3-year total: DIY at $0, Bizee at $238, Northwest at $289 — all dramatically less expensive than ZenBusiness ($597) and LegalZoom ($747) despite their "$0 formation" advertising.
Cheapest LLC Services — Full Reviews (2026)
Absolutely Cheapest Option
DIY — File Directly With Your State
$0 service fee · Same state fee as everyone else · Full control
$0
Service fee + state fee
$0
Service fee
$0
RA (be own RA)
$0
EIN (IRS free)
$0
3-year total
The genuinely cheapest LLC option: File your Articles of Organization directly on your state's Secretary of State website. You pay only the state filing fee — no service fee, no ongoing RA fees if you act as your own registered agent. Get your EIN free at IRS.gov. Use a free operating agreement template. Total service cost: $0. This is the path if you want to pay the absolute minimum and are comfortable handling a form.
Pros
- Absolute lowest cost — $0 service fee
- State fee is identical to using any service
- No upsells, no auto-renewals, no data sharing
- Full control over every detail of your filing
- EIN free at IRS.gov in 10 minutes
- Free OA templates available online
Cons
- No filing assistance — you navigate state forms alone
- Acting as own RA: your home address on public records
- Being own RA: must be available at that address during business hours
- Missing annual report deadlines = you're responsible
- Some states have complex forms (NY, CA, PA)
- No compliance reminders
Most Included for Free
Inc Authority
Founded 1989 · All 50 States · 250,000+ entities formed
$0
+ state fee · RA + EIN free
$0
Formation fee
Free
RA year 1
Free
EIN included
~$248
3-year total
The most generous free tier available. Inc Authority is the only major service that includes formation ($0), free RA year 1, AND a free EIN in their basic package. Founded in 1989 — they have a longer operating history than any other service in this comparison. Less well-known than Bizee or ZenBusiness but provides more included value for free than either. Best choice if you want a hands-off $0 formation with the most included features and don't mind a less prominent brand name.
Pros
- $0 formation + free RA yr 1 + free EIN — unmatched free tier
- Founded 1989 — longest operating history of any service
- 250,000+ entities formed
- EIN included free — saves $50–$99 vs competitors
Cons
- Less brand recognition — fewer independent reviews
- Renewal pricing less clearly published
- No Privacy by Default
- Less polished dashboard than ZenBusiness
Cheapest Ongoing RA
Bizee (formerly Incfile)
Founded 2004 · 1M+ businesses · Trustpilot 4.7/5 from 25,400+ reviews
$0
+ state fee · $119/yr RA renewal
$0
Formation fee
Free
RA year 1
$119
RA year 2+
$238
3-year total
Cheapest ongoing RA price at $119/yr. Bizee's $0 formation plus free RA year 1 gives you the lowest absolute first-year cost of any service that includes RA. After year 1, $119/yr is the cheapest renewal in the industry. The documented cons: Bizee sells customer data to third-party marketers (spam after formation is a common documented complaint), no Privacy by Default, slower processing on the free Basic plan (~4 weeks), and the OA and EIN require the $199 Standard plan. Choose Bizee if lowest cost is your only priority and you accept those trade-offs.
Pros
- $0 formation + free RA year 1
- $119/yr RA renewal — cheapest of any service
- $238 true 3-year total — lowest after DIY
- Trustpilot 4.7/5 from 25,400+ reviews
- 1M+ businesses formed — proven at scale
Cons
- Sells customer data — spam calls/emails after formation
- No Privacy by Default — home address on public filings
- Basic plan processing ~4 weeks — slow
- OA and EIN only on $199 Standard plan
- No BBB accreditation
Best 3-Year Value
Northwest Registered Agent
Founded 1998 · All 50 States · BBB A+ · Ahmad Adil's #1 pick
$39
+ state fee · cheapest long-term
$39
Formation fee
Free
RA year 1
$125
RA year 2+
$289
3-year total
Not the cheapest upfront — but the cheapest quality option over any multi-year period. Northwest's $39 formation includes everything: free RA year 1, operating agreement template, Privacy by Default, domain, website, email, business phone, mail scanning, same-day filing, and Corporate Guide support. No upsells. Data never sold. The $39 upfront is offset within 6 months of RA savings compared to ZenBusiness ($199/yr) — and within year 3 vs Bizee ($119/yr). The only meaningful upfront con: EIN is a $50 add-on, but you can get it free at IRS.gov in 10 minutes.
Pros
- $289 true 3-year total — cheapest quality option
- Privacy by Default — no home address on public records
- No data selling — zero spam after formation
- OA, domain, email, website, phone — all included
- $125/yr RA (price-locked) — cheapest quality RA
- Corporate Guides — real human support
Cons
- $39 upfront — not $0 (though cheaper long-term)
- EIN is $50 add-on — skip and use IRS.gov instead
- No weekend support — M–F only
- No live chat — phone and email only
Form My LLC with Northwest →
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Best beginner experience
ZenBusiness (Starter Plan)
Founded 2015 · Trustpilot 4.8/5 from 30,500+ reviews · Best dashboard
$0
+ state fee · RA $199/yr extra
$0
Formation fee
Not incl.
RA year 1
$199
RA year 2+
$597
3-year total
Warning: ZenBusiness Starter is "$0" but NOT "$0 total." The Starter plan doesn't include registered agent service — you must add it separately at $199/yr from day one. The Worry-Free Compliance service auto-renews at $199/yr after the free trial. The OA and EIN require the $199 Pro plan. ZenBusiness's $597 true 3-year cost is more than double Northwest's $289. Choose ZenBusiness only if you specifically need 7-day live chat and a polished mobile app — not because it's cheap.
Pros
- Best dashboard and beginner guidance
- 7-day live chat — only service with weekend support
- Highest Trustpilot score (4.8/5)
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- $597 true 3-year cost — NOT cheap
- RA not in Starter — $199/yr from day 1
- Worry-Free Compliance auto-renews $199/yr
- OA and EIN require $199 Pro plan
Hidden costs that turn "$0 formation" into the most expensive option: RA not included in Starter plans, auto-renewing compliance subscriptions, EIN charges for something always free at IRS.gov, and OA fees for templates available free online.
Hidden Costs That Make "Cheap" LLC Services Expensive
The cheapest LLC services advertise "$0 formation" but recover revenue through recurring fees and upsells. Here are the specific hidden costs that catch most LLC owners off guard.
Registered agent not included in "$0" Starter plans
The biggest "$0" trap — RA costs $119–$249/yr on top
A registered agent is legally required in every state. It's not optional. Yet ZenBusiness's Starter plan ($0) doesn't include RA — you must add it separately at $199/yr from day one. LegalZoom's Basic plan ($0) doesn't include RA — it's $249/yr. This single charge turns "$0 formation" into the most expensive option in the market within 3 years.
The math that matters: ZenBusiness charges $199/yr for RA. Northwest charges $125/yr and includes the first year free. Over 3 years: ZenBusiness RA totals $597. Northwest's total (including $39 formation, RA free yr 1, then $125 × 2) totals $289. ZenBusiness's "$0 formation" costs $308 MORE than Northwest's "$39 formation" over 3 years.
What to look for: Before signing up for any "$0 formation" service, specifically check whether registered agent is included in the starter plan — and what it costs separately. Always compare the 3-year total, not the day-one price.
The math that matters: ZenBusiness charges $199/yr for RA. Northwest charges $125/yr and includes the first year free. Over 3 years: ZenBusiness RA totals $597. Northwest's total (including $39 formation, RA free yr 1, then $125 × 2) totals $289. ZenBusiness's "$0 formation" costs $308 MORE than Northwest's "$39 formation" over 3 years.
What to look for: Before signing up for any "$0 formation" service, specifically check whether registered agent is included in the starter plan — and what it costs separately. Always compare the 3-year total, not the day-one price.
EIN charges — $50–$99 for something always free
Never pay for an EIN. The IRS issues them free in 10 minutes.
Bizee charges $70 for EIN assistance. ZenBusiness charges ~$99 as an add-on or includes it only in the $199 Pro plan. Northwest charges $50. All of these are charges for a service that is completely free at IRS.gov.
The IRS EIN online application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and issues your EIN immediately at the end of the session. There is no fee. There never has been. Every service that charges for EIN assistance is charging for the convenience of submitting the IRS form on your behalf — something you can do yourself for free in under 10 minutes.
Action: Never add an EIN service from any formation company. Complete the IRS online EIN application yourself after your LLC is approved. Inc Authority is the only service that includes a free EIN in their basic package — which is why they earn the "most included for free" ranking on this page.
The IRS EIN online application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and issues your EIN immediately at the end of the session. There is no fee. There never has been. Every service that charges for EIN assistance is charging for the convenience of submitting the IRS form on your behalf — something you can do yourself for free in under 10 minutes.
Action: Never add an EIN service from any formation company. Complete the IRS online EIN application yourself after your LLC is approved. Inc Authority is the only service that includes a free EIN in their basic package — which is why they earn the "most included for free" ranking on this page.
Operating agreement upsells — $40–$99 for a free template
OA templates are available free from multiple sources
ZenBusiness charges $99 for an operating agreement template on Starter. Bizee requires the $199 Standard plan to include one. LegalZoom charges similarly. These are templates, not custom-drafted documents.
Free alternatives: Our operating agreement guide includes a free customizable template. Many state bar associations publish free OA templates. For a standard single-member LLC, a free template is more than adequate.
Northwest is notable here because they include an operating agreement template in their $39 base fee — which means you don't need to pay extra for it. For multi-member LLCs with complex ownership arrangements, custom profit-sharing, or unusual management structures, a real attorney should review or draft the OA regardless of what any formation service provides — the $99 template from a formation service is not a substitute for legal advice in complex situations.
Free alternatives: Our operating agreement guide includes a free customizable template. Many state bar associations publish free OA templates. For a standard single-member LLC, a free template is more than adequate.
Northwest is notable here because they include an operating agreement template in their $39 base fee — which means you don't need to pay extra for it. For multi-member LLCs with complex ownership arrangements, custom profit-sharing, or unusual management structures, a real attorney should review or draft the OA regardless of what any formation service provides — the $99 template from a formation service is not a substitute for legal advice in complex situations.
Auto-renewing compliance subscriptions
ZenBusiness Worry-Free Compliance auto-renews at $199/yr
ZenBusiness's Starter plan includes "Worry-Free Compliance" free for the first year. This sounds great — but it auto-renews at $199/yr after the free period. Many users don't notice this until they're charged. This is one of the most commonly cited complaints in ZenBusiness user reviews.
LegalZoom's Pro plan ($249) includes a 30-day trial of attorney services that auto-renews at $49/month ($588/yr) if not cancelled. This is clearly disclosed but easy to overlook during the formation flow.
How to avoid this: Before completing checkout with any formation service, read the auto-renewal terms for every included "free" service. Set a calendar reminder 45 days before each trial ends to cancel anything you don't need. Northwest is specifically notable for NOT having this problem with its core formation and RA service — the one documented exception is the Business Identity suite (domain, email, website, phone) which has separate renewal terms for each component.
LegalZoom's Pro plan ($249) includes a 30-day trial of attorney services that auto-renews at $49/month ($588/yr) if not cancelled. This is clearly disclosed but easy to overlook during the formation flow.
How to avoid this: Before completing checkout with any formation service, read the auto-renewal terms for every included "free" service. Set a calendar reminder 45 days before each trial ends to cancel anything you don't need. Northwest is specifically notable for NOT having this problem with its core formation and RA service — the one documented exception is the Business Identity suite (domain, email, website, phone) which has separate renewal terms for each component.
State-specific costs that blow up your LLC budget
California, New York, Arizona publish notices — add hundreds to thousands
Some states have formation costs that no formation service can reduce:
California: $800/yr minimum franchise tax on top of the $70 filing fee. This hits every California LLC — domestic or foreign — every year. It's not avoidable by forming in Wyoming or Delaware if you operate in California.
New York: Publication requirement for new LLCs — you must publish a notice of formation in two local newspapers for 6 consecutive weeks. This costs $1,000–$2,000 in most NY counties. Some formation services handle this for you ($200–$400 service fee on top). This is a genuine cost no "$0 formation" service eliminates.
Nebraska and Georgia: Also have publication requirements that add $200–$500.
Key insight: The "cheapest LLC service" is significantly shaped by which state you form in. A $0 formation service + California's $800/yr franchise tax is far more expensive than any formation service fee. See our LLC annual fees by state guide for the complete cost of each state.
California: $800/yr minimum franchise tax on top of the $70 filing fee. This hits every California LLC — domestic or foreign — every year. It's not avoidable by forming in Wyoming or Delaware if you operate in California.
New York: Publication requirement for new LLCs — you must publish a notice of formation in two local newspapers for 6 consecutive weeks. This costs $1,000–$2,000 in most NY counties. Some formation services handle this for you ($200–$400 service fee on top). This is a genuine cost no "$0 formation" service eliminates.
Nebraska and Georgia: Also have publication requirements that add $200–$500.
Key insight: The "cheapest LLC service" is significantly shaped by which state you form in. A $0 formation service + California's $800/yr franchise tax is far more expensive than any formation service fee. See our LLC annual fees by state guide for the complete cost of each state.
Choosing the cheapest LLC service for your situation: DIY if you're comfortable with paperwork, Bizee if you want the lowest service cost, Northwest if you want the best long-term value including privacy and no spam.
Which Is the Cheapest LLC Service for Your Specific Situation?
The right answer depends on how you're defining "cheapest" and what trade-offs you'll accept. Here's the decision made simple.
If you want the absolute minimum spend ever: File directly with your state's Secretary of State, act as your own registered agent, get your EIN free at IRS.gov, use a free OA template. Total service cost: $0. You pay only the state filing fee. This works for most single-member LLCs in states with clean online filing systems.
If you want $0 service fee with the most included: Use Inc Authority. They're the only service to include formation ($0), RA free year 1, and EIN free — all in their basic package. Founded in 1989. Less well-known but genuinely the most generous free tier available.
If you want $0 service fee with the cheapest ongoing RA: Use Bizee. The $0 formation + free RA year 1 + $119/yr renewal gives you the lowest ongoing cost. Accept that your data will be sold, your home address goes on public records, and processing is slow on the Basic plan.
Ahmad Adil's Take: When people search for the "cheapest LLC service," what most of them actually want is "the most affordable way to form a real, protected LLC without getting ripped off." The answer to that question is Northwest at $39 — not because $39 is lower than $0, but because the 3-year total of $289 is lower than every other service that includes all the essentials (privacy protection, RA, operating agreement, no spam). If you genuinely want to spend the least amount possible and you're comfortable being your own registered agent, the DIY route costs $0. If you want help without being nickel-and-dimed, Northwest is the choice. The "$0 formation" services that charge $199–$249/yr for RA are not cheap — they're expensive with deferred billing.
Ahmad Adil's #1 Pick — Cheapest Quality LLC Service
Northwest Registered Agent — $289 True 3-Year Total
★★★★★Cheapest 3-year cost of any quality service · All 50 States
- ✓$39 + state fee — cheaper over 3 years than any "$0 formation" competitor
- ✓$125/yr RA flat — $74/yr cheaper than ZenBusiness, $124/yr cheaper than LegalZoom
- ✓OA, domain, email, website, phone — all free · Privacy by Default
- ✓No data selling · No upsells · Corporate Guides · Same-day filing
$39+ state fee
Form My LLC →Disclosure: LLC School may earn a commission via this link, at no cost to you. See our advertising disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cheapest LLC Service FAQ
What is the cheapest LLC service in 2026?
The absolutely cheapest LLC service is filing directly with your state's Secretary of State yourself — $0 service fee, just the state filing fee. If you want a service to handle the paperwork, Inc Authority includes formation + RA year 1 + EIN free ($0 service fee). Bizee offers $0 formation with free RA year 1, then $119/yr (cheapest ongoing RA). Northwest charges $39 upfront but is cheapest over 3 years ($289 total) because their $125/yr RA is less than Bizee's $119/yr difference costs them more in the long run. ZenBusiness ($597 over 3 years) and LegalZoom ($747 over 3 years) are the most expensive despite advertising "$0 formation."
Is there a completely free LLC formation service?
Yes — filing your LLC directly through your state's Secretary of State costs $0 in service fees. You only pay the state filing fee, which ranges from $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts). Using the DIY approach with the state's online portal, getting your EIN free from IRS.gov, and using a free OA template, your total cost is just the state fee. Formation services like Bizee, Inc Authority, ZenBusiness, and LegalZoom all offer "$0" service fees — but they still require you to pay the state fee, and most require $119–$249/yr for registered agent service.
Why is Northwest cheaper than "free" services?
Over 3 years, Northwest's $289 total (including $39 formation, free RA year 1, then $125/yr × 2 = $250) beats ZenBusiness's $597 (RA at $199/yr × 3) and LegalZoom's $747 (RA at $249/yr × 3). The math works because "$0 formation" services recover revenue through higher annual RA fees. Northwest charges $39 upfront but $125/yr RA — $74/yr less than ZenBusiness. By month 6 of year 1, Northwest has effectively already recouped its $39 premium through lower RA costs. The "$39 vs $0" comparison is only relevant for the first few months. The 3-year comparison is what matters for a business you intend to keep running.
Can I form an LLC for free by myself?
Yes — filing directly with your state's Secretary of State is free in terms of service fees. Most states have online portals where you complete and submit your Articles of Organization. You pay only the state filing fee ($35–$500 depending on your state). You'll need to designate a registered agent — you can be your own RA in most states if you have a physical address in the state and are available during business hours, though this means your home address goes on public records. Get your EIN free at IRS.gov. Use a free OA template. Total service fee: $0. See our step-by-step LLC guide for exact instructions for every state.
What is actually included in "free" LLC formation services?
It varies significantly by service and needs careful reading. Bizee's Basic ($0): Articles of Organization filing, RA year 1 free, 1 month virtual address — but no EIN, no OA. ZenBusiness Starter ($0): Articles of Organization filing, no RA, no OA, no EIN. LegalZoom Basic ($0): Articles of Organization only — no RA, no OA, no EIN. Inc Authority ($0): Articles, RA year 1, EIN — the most inclusive free tier. Northwest ($39): Articles, RA year 1 free, OA template, Privacy by Default, domain, email, website, phone, mail scanning, Corporate Guide support. "Free" means different things at each service. Always verify what's included before signing up.
What hidden costs should I watch for with cheap LLC services?
The four main hidden costs: (1) Registered agent not included in Starter plan — ZenBusiness and LegalZoom both require RA to be added separately at $199–$249/yr. (2) EIN charges — Bizee ($70), ZenBusiness (~$99), Northwest ($50) all charge for something always free at IRS.gov. (3) Auto-renewing compliance subscriptions — ZenBusiness's Worry-Free Compliance auto-renews at $199/yr; LegalZoom's attorney trial auto-renews at $49/month. (4) Operating agreement upsells — ZenBusiness charges $99; Bizee requires the $199 Standard plan. On top of these, state-specific costs like California's $800/yr franchise tax and New York's $1,000–$2,000 publication requirement can dwarf any formation service fee.
About the Author
Ahmad Adil
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. The pricing data in this guide — Bizee $0/$119/yr, ZenBusiness $0/$199/yr, Northwest $39/$125/yr, LegalZoom $0/$249/yr, Inc Authority $0/$99–149/yr — was verified against each company's publicly listed pricing as of June 2026. This guide is updated annually. LLC School has affiliate relationships with Northwest, ZenBusiness, Bizee, and LegalZoom — all disclosed throughout this page. Northwest is the recommended service not because of commission rates but because the 3-year cost math supports it for most LLC owners who want quality service.
About Ahmad Adil → Full Service Comparison →