Formation services love a $0 headline, then quietly charge you $120 to $250 every year for the registered agent. So the number that matters is the multi-year total. Tell it how long you plan to keep the LLC and this ranks every service by what you will actually pay, renewals included.
Pricing reviewed 11 July 2026. Service fees in USD, excluding your state's filing fee (which is the same whichever service you pick). This is a price comparison, not legal advice.
Renewals are where the real money is. Change the years and watch the ranking flip.
| Service | Formation fee | Agent yr 1 | Renewal / yr | Total over term | Best for |
|---|
Your state filing fee ($35 to $500, the same whichever service you use) plus the service fee. Many services form you for $0 then earn on the registered agent renewal, typically $100 to $250 a year. The honest comparison is the multi-year total above.
Yes, every state requires one with a physical address. You can be your own for free, but the address is public, so many owners pay a service for privacy. That renewal fee quietly dominates long-term cost.
Over several years, usually Bizee or Northwest, because their renewals are low. A $0 formation with a $249 agent costs more by year three than a small upfront fee with a $120 renewal. Set your years above to see.
The service can be free, but you still pay the state fee, the free first-year agent renews at full price, and checkout upsells things like an EIN or operating agreement you can often get yourself for nothing.