Free LLC Formation Services
Which formation services file a US LLC or corporation for $0 in service fees today, what the catch is, whether a registered agent is included and what the first paid package costs, read from each service's own page. The state's filing fee is always extra.
Free allowances read on each provider's own pages, all checked on or after . Formation services change their packages and promotions often: confirm the terms on the service's page before you file, and check your state's own fee.
Formation services that file a US company for $0 in service fees today include Tailor Brands ($0 LLC formation plus state fees), Every (Free C-Corp, if you spread the word), Bizee ($0 Basic package, plus state fee), Firstbase (Formation on us, pay the state fee), and ZenBusiness (Form an LLC from $0 plus state fees). Each of the 8 $0 packages below links to the service's page that states it, with its main catch, the registered agent, and what the first paid package costs; the state filing fee is always extra.
Forming a US company has two costs: the state's filing fee, which every founder pays, and the fee of whoever files for you. Several formation services now charge $0 for the filing itself, and some startup services cover a Delaware incorporation in exchange for something else.
The headline rarely tells you the whole cost. A $0 package can leave out the registered agent every company needs, sell the operating agreement or the EIN as extras, take weeks to process, or turn into a yearly fee after the first year. Each service below shows what is free, its main catch, the registered agent, whether a card is needed and what the first paid package costs, quoted from the service's own page with the date we read it.
Which services we picked and the order they appear in are our editorial choices; the terms are the services'. Some of these services pay us a referral commission when someone signs up through our link: those links are labeled, and they play no part in which services are listed or where.
LLC formation services with a $0 package
Services that file a US LLC for $0 in service fees; the state fee is always yours to pay.
- 1
Tailor Brands
A US LLC with no up-front service fee
Tailor Brands forms an LLC from $0 plus state fees, and its Lite plan processes the filing within 14 business days. A card is needed for the state filing fee, and a registered agent is sold as a separate product.
- Registered agent
- Sold as a separate product (source: tailorbrands.com)
- First paid package
- Essential: $199 a year, plus state fees (source: tailorbrands.com)
Start free at Tailor BrandsReferral linkTerms read on tailorbrands.com on Tailor Brands: the free allowance and how to start - 2
Bizee
A $0 LLC or corporation with a free agent year
Bizee's Basic package forms for $0 plus the state fee and includes one free year of registered agent service. Its Standard package is $199 plus the state fee, and compliance costs continue after formation.
- Registered agent
- One free year of registered agent (source: bizee.com)
- First paid package
- Standard: $199 plus state fee (source: bizee.com)
- 3
ZenBusiness
Founders who want the LLC filed for $0 plus state fees
ZenBusiness starts at $0 plus state fees to form an LLC. Its registered agent service is a separate annual fee of $199, and state fees depend on the state you choose.
- Registered agent
- Paid, $199 a year (source: zenbusiness.com)
- First paid package
- Registered agent service, $199 a year (source: zenbusiness.com)
Start free at ZenBusinessTerms read on zenbusiness.com on ZenBusiness: the free allowance and how to start - 4
LegalZoom
Founders who will handle the rest themselves
LegalZoom's LLC plans start at $0 plus filing fees, and its Basic plan covers only the articles filing with the state. The Pro plan is $249 plus state filing fees.
- Registered agent
- Basic covers only the articles filing (source: legalzoom.com)
- First paid package
- Pro: $249 plus state filing fees (source: legalzoom.com)
Start free at LegalZoomTerms read on legalzoom.com on LegalZoom: the free allowance and how to start - 5
Swyft Filings
A formation-only LLC filing with no service fee
Swyft Filings' Basic package has a $0 service fee, so you pay only the state fee and any options you choose. Basic processes in 7-10 business days, and a registered agent is an add-on.
- Registered agent
- Add-on, not in Basic (source: swyftfilings.com)
- First paid package
- Standard: $169 plus state fees (source: swyftfilings.com)
Start free at Swyft FilingsTerms read on swyftfilings.com on Swyft Filings: the free allowance and how to start
Startup incorporation with a free or discounted route
Incorporation services built for startups, often a Delaware C corporation, with a free route or a discount.
- 1
Every
US startups that want a Delaware C-Corp
Every forms a Delaware C-Corp free if you spread the word about Every at sign-up. Its Delaware franchise fee renewal is $150 a year, and bookkeeping starts at $330 a month.
- First paid package
- Bookkeeping from $330 a month (source: every.io)
Start free at EveryReferral linkTerms read on every.io on Every: the free allowance and how to start - 2
Firstbase
Founders who can use Firstbase's current offer
Firstbase says formation is on it, so you pay only the state fee, and it calls the offer a limited time offer. A registered agent is required, from $299 a year through Firstbase Agent.
- Registered agent
- Required, from $299 a year (source: firstbase.io)
- First paid package
- Pricing page lists Start at $99 one-time (source: firstbase.io)
- 3
Stripe Atlas
Founders who want Stripe credits with a Delaware company
Stripe Atlas gives $2,500 in Stripe product credits for your first year after incorporation, after a $500 one-time setup fee. The registered agent renews at $100 a year after the first year.
- Registered agent
- Year one included, then $100 a year (source: stripe.com)
- First paid package
- $500 one-time setup fee (source: stripe.com)
Company formation startup programs
Programs from formation services that give startups perks or credits after incorporation.
Also useful for forms and surveys
Referral links, picked for fit and ordered by fit (70%) and what a signup earns us (30%), at no cost to you. They never change this page's ranking.
Compare the top options
How this comparison is built
The list covers company formation services a founder can use for free today without applying to a program. The order and the "best for" notes are our editorial reading of each service's terms. Every term comes from the service's own pricing or help page on the date shown, never from a third-party list; follow each link for the full conditions. Every $0 package still pays the state's filing fee, and a registered agent or extras can turn paid after the first year, so the comparison quotes those terms wherever the service states them. Some of these services pay StartupPerks a referral commission, and their links are labeled as referral links; that decides neither whether nor where a service appears, and no service pays for a placement on this page.
Read the full methodologyCommon questions
Can I form an LLC for free?
You can form one with no service fee, but never without the state's filing fee. By the terms each service states, Tailor Brands, Bizee, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom and Swyft Filings each have a $0 package plus state fees; what differs is the registered agent, the extras and the processing time.
Which free LLC service includes a registered agent?
Bizee says each package is eligible for one free year of registered agent service. ZenBusiness sells its registered agent at $199 a year, LegalZoom's Basic package files only the articles of organization, and Tailor Brands and Swyft Filings sell the registered agent separately.
Is there a free way to incorporate a Delaware C corporation?
Every says it will cover your incorporation for free if you spread the word about Every, and the $150 annual Delaware franchise fee still applies. Firstbase's start page says formation is on it and you pay only the state fee, though its pricing page lists the Start package at $99 one-time, so confirm at checkout. Stripe Atlas charges a $500 setup fee and gives $2,500 in Stripe credits for the first year.
Is ZenBusiness free?
ZenBusiness forms an LLC from $0 plus state fees. Its registered agent service costs $199 a year.
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