Starting Your LLC Formation Journey

If you have multiple business partners, a formation service template will not suffice. Multiple members require an operating agreement that reflects actual ownership arrangements, voting rights, and profit splits, which generic service documents do not provide. Conversely, for administrative tasks, filing yourself is often straightforward. For example, getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is completely free ($0) directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS guidance). You must form your LLC with the state before applying for an EIN, and you should never pay a third party for an EIN.

If you prefer software assistance, commercial options exist. As of 2026, ZenBusiness offers a Starter plan for $0 plus state filing fees, a Pro plan for $199 per year, and a Premium plan for $299 per year. Registered agent service is a separate $199 per year fee across all ZenBusiness tiers, though discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with them. Federal compliance rules are also streamlined: under federal rules effective August 14, 2026, U.S.-formed entities are exempt from federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting (FinCEN guidance). This site evaluates these exact choices without fluff or bias.

Start Here: Route by Situation

Select the decision guide below that fits your current situation and questions:

  • Is it Worth the Risk of Forming an LLC Yourself Just to Save Money?
  • Do You Really Need a Formation Service to Start an LLC?
  • Should You Form Your LLC Yourself or Hire a Formation Service?
  • Should a Solo Founder Use ZenBusiness or Just File the LLC Themselves?
  • Is it Worth Paying ZenBusiness or Should You Just File Your LLC Yourself?
  • ZenBusiness vs. Doing it Yourself, Which is Better for a First LLC?

State Guides

State laws, filing fees, and online portals vary significantly. Review our state-specific breakdowns:

  • California: Do You Need a Filing Service for a California LLC or Can You Use bizfile Yourself?
  • Florida: Sunbiz vs. an LLC Filing Service for Florida, Which Should a New Business Owner Pick?
  • Georgia: DIY Georgia LLC vs. a Formation Service, Which Should a New Founder Pick?
  • Michigan: DIY Michigan LLC vs. a Formation Service, Which is Better for a New Business?
  • New York: DIY New York LLC vs. a Filing Service, Which is Better for a New Founder
  • Texas: DIY Texas LLC vs. a Formation Service, Which Should You Choose?

How to Use This Site

Use these articles to review facts and trade-offs before spending money. Where a detail is only knowable by completing a specific filing step, our guides state that directly rather than guessing. This site earns a commission on some provider links. That commission never changes which option a page recommends, and this site does not claim unearned independence.

Sources

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Requirements vary by state and change over time.