Best Online Incorporation Services in 2026: How to Choose, and Who We'd Pick
Disclosure: BetterLegal publishes this guide and forms corporations and LLCs. We rank our $299 package first for founders who want filing, an EIN application, bylaws or an operating agreement, and a banking resolution for one fee, plus state fees. Lower-cost services can make sense if you only need basic filing.
Quick Answer: BetterLegal is our pick among the best online incorporation services for founders who want state filing, an EIN application, and core business documents for $299 plus state fees. Bizee suits basic filing, while Northwest includes the first year of registered agent service with qualifying formation.
A $0 filing offer can be a good deal. But if you still need help applying for an EIN and preparing bylaws, the cheapest checkout may leave you with more work than you planned.
Start with what you’re forming. A founder issuing stock and an owner setting up an LLC may buy from the same provider, but they need different documents.
We compared five incorporation services on what they file, what they include, and what you’ll still pay after the business is formed.
Want the filing and paperwork handled together? Start your business with BetterLegal for $299 plus state fees, with an EIN application, bylaws or an operating agreement, and a banking resolution included.
Five Takeaways Before You File
- Choose your entity before your vendor; use our business resources to prepare your questions.
- Check whether the price includes EIN assistance, bylaws or an operating agreement, and a banking resolution.
- Record year-two agent, compliance and subscription charges before accepting a first-year offer.
- Separate questionnaire time, provider processing, state approval and IRS processing when planning your launch.
- Need only the state filing? Compare a basic package with filing directly through your state.
What Online Incorporation Services Actually Do
Online incorporation services prepare and submit state formation paperwork. Some add EIN assistance, governance documents, registered agent service or compliance tools.
Incorporation creates a corporation. Many providers also form LLCs, so searches for the best online business incorporation services mix both.
A filing package doesn’t replace individualized legal advice or guarantee a bank account, tax treatment or state approval.
Do You Need a Corporation or an LLC?
Choose the structure first. A cheap filing is poor value if your ownership or investment plans need a different setup.
The SBA’s business-structure guide explains the trade-offs. State rules vary; discuss tax treatment separately with a qualified adviser.
LLC, Corporation or Sole Proprietorship?
A sole proprietorship doesn’t create a separate business entity or the separation between personal and business liabilities founders often seek through an LLC or corporation.
An LLC offers liability protection in most instances and flexible ownership arrangements. Consider it for an owner-operated business, subject to your circumstances and state requirements.
A corporation can issue stock and accommodate certain investment plans. Settle outside-funding and founder-equity requirements before ordering standard formation documents.
Use our LLC, sole proprietorship and corporation comparison for the broad differences, then explore types of entities.
For a closer choice, read Corporation vs. LLC: Which Is Right for You?.
Picture how you’ll run the business to make those differences concrete. Our video uses illustrative small-business scenarios to connect structure to everyday needs, rather than treating incorporation as a universal upgrade.
Watch Do I need a Corporation for my small business?.
An S Corp Is a Tax Election, Not an Entity
An S corporation election is a federal tax choice, not a third state-law entity alongside an LLC and a corporation. Eligible LLCs and corporations can elect S corporation treatment using Form 2553.
The IRS explains S corporation elections. Ask a qualified tax adviser about eligibility and suitability.
We include an S corporation election form in our formation package. The form alone doesn’t determine eligibility or establish IRS acceptance.
Once you separate legal structure from tax treatment, “LLC or S corp?” becomes a more useful conversation. Our video illustrates that distinction; use current IRS guidance and professional advice for your actual election requirements.
Watch LLC vs S Corp - Which is Better?.
What Will You Pay at Checkout and Next Year?
A formation quote can combine a one-time filing fee, optional documents, and subscriptions. Find out what each charge covers before you compare totals.
Flat Formation Package
You pay one formation-service price for defined work. State fees remain separate; “flat” doesn’t include every future service.
At BetterLegal, formation is $299 plus state fees. In year two, optional registered agent and compliance services remain separate, each at $120 annually or $12.50 monthly if selected. Formation itself isn’t an annual subscription.
$0 Filing Plus Add-Ons
The service charge starts at $0; state fees still apply. EIN assistance and governance documents may require a higher package or separate purchase.
In year two, a free registered agent offer can become a paid renewal. Check that price and any subscriptions.
Tiered Packages
Progressively priced plans add documents, faster provider processing or ongoing tools. Check the exact corporation package.
In year two, recurring plans can renew even though you’ve already formed the business. ZenBusiness, for example, lists corporation Pro at $199/year and Premium at $299/year, before separate registered agent charges.
Legal Subscription
You pay for ongoing access to defined legal services. Read the scope, exclusions and cancellation terms; don’t assume comprehensive representation.
In year two, legal-plan billing can continue alongside agent and state obligations. Introductory benefits don’t establish indefinite representation.
Alternatively, file directly with your state or hire an attorney. DIY can reduce service fees; an attorney can provide advice and negotiated documents beyond filing assistance.
Three Checks Before You Pay
- Look for preselected extras and trials. Remove anything you didn’t plan to buy and check what renews automatically.
- Read reviews from owners in your state who formed the same type of business. Look for how the provider handled delays or questions.
- Ask who answers filing questions and what help is included. If you need tailored equity terms or ownership documents, settle that with an adviser first.
Compare Two Quotes Side by Side
Fill in this worksheet for each provider using the same entity, state, and documents. If a quote leaves a line unclear, ask before paying.
| Your Situation | Resolve First | Compare Next | Year-Two Check |
| Owner-operated business | LLC or corporation suitability | Governance documents, EIN help, banking resolution | Agent and compliance renewals |
| Planned stock issuance or outside investment | Ownership and investor requirements | Filing plus appropriate legal work | Ongoing legal and compliance costs |
| Lowest upfront spend | Tasks you can handle yourself | Basic filing versus the complete document basket | Free-service renewals and subscriptions |
| Tight launch deadline | Actual state and IRS dependencies | Provider processing and available options | Don’t buy recurring tools just for speed |
Add the one-time charges and subscriptions separately so you can see what drops off after year one.
The IRS provides EIN applications free. A service charges for assistance, not a government EIN fee.
How We Compared the Incorporation Services
We compared published corporation offers for document coverage, price clarity, renewal exposure and processing transparency. Prices below were checked November 5, 2026, using each provider’s own published information.
We gave the most weight to what founders get for the price, including which documents come prepared and which are templates or paid extras.
We’ve helped form more than 20,000 businesses. Explore our 1,369 customer reviews, filterable by state, to see how founders describe the setup process and support they received.
BetterLegal has earned recognition from CNN Underscored for “Best for quick LLC filing” and Forbes Advisor for “Best for à la Carte Options.” U.S. News & World Report also ranked us joint No. 1 in its 2024 Best LLC Services comparison.
Our $299 package brings filing, an EIN application, bylaws or an operating agreement, and a banking resolution together, so you can focus on getting your business ready to operate.
Best Online Incorporation Services Compared
Prices exclude state fees. A basic filing isn’t equivalent to a package with EIN assistance and governance documents.
| Service | Corporation Starting Price | Documents and Extras | Registered Agent Renewal | Timing |
| BetterLegal | $299 | EIN application, bylaws, banking resolution and bonus forms, including S election form | Optional: $120/year or $12.50/month | Two-business-day provider estimate, subject to state and IRS processing |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 | Bylaws and first registered agent year; EIN and S election extra | $125/year after included first year | Depends on package and state |
| ZenBusiness | $0 Starter; Pro $199/year; Premium $299/year | EIN and a user-customized bylaws template in Pro/Premium; bylaws separately $99 | Separate: $199/year through corporation offer | Upper packages advertise one-business-day provider processing, excluding state time |
| Bizee | $0 Basic | Higher tiers add EIN, bylaws, banking resolution and Form 2553 | $149/year after free first year with formation | Depends on package and state |
| LegalZoom | $149 Economy; $329 Standard; $349 Express Gold | Filing, digital formation packet and support; check document and legal-service extras | Separate: $249/year | Depends on package and state |
Which Incorporation Service Fits Your Plans?
1. BetterLegal for Filing and Core Documents in One Package
Fit: You’ve chosen a corporation or LLC and want the filing and core documents handled together for $299 plus state fees.
Included: EIN application, bylaws or an operating agreement, a banking resolution and bonus forms, including an S election form. These support business setup without promising bank approval.
Cost: Registered agent service is optional at $120/year or $12.50/month. Compliance service is a separate option at the same rates, not an included benefit of buying registered agent service.
Trade-Off: A basic filing can cost less if you’re handling the documents yourself. BetterLegal’s two-business-day estimate covers provider processing. State and IRS timelines are separate.
2. Northwest Registered Agent for Low-Cost Filing With an Agent Year
Fit: You want low-cost corporation filing, an included first registered agent year and a clear renewal figure.
Included: Northwest lists corporation formation at $39 plus state fees, with bylaws and the first registered agent year.
Cost: Registered agent renewal is $125/year. EIN service is an additional $50 or $200 depending on application circumstances; S election assistance is $100 extra.
Trade-Off: Add the extras you need before comparing totals. Confirm whether a banking resolution is included rather than assuming access to a forms library supplies a completed document.
3. ZenBusiness for Ongoing Business Tools
Fit: You want a choice between basic filing and recurring packages with additional documents and tools. Check the corporation offer, not an LLC advertisement.
Included: Corporation Starter is $0 plus state fees. Pro at $199/year and Premium at $299/year include EIN service and access to a user-customized bylaws template. Bylaws are also listed separately at $99.
Cost: Registered agent service isn’t included in these corporation packages. The corporation offer lists it separately at $199/year; a standalone promotion lists $99 initially, then $199/year. Confirm the offer in your cart.
Trade-Off: Pro and Premium are recurring charges. Their advertised one-business-day provider processing excludes state time, so match the speed claim to your actual deadline.
4. Bizee for a $0 Filing Service Fee
Fit: You want to keep the initial filing fee low and are comfortable choosing which documents to handle yourself.
Included: Basic corporation formation starts at $0 plus state fees, with a free first registered agent year. Higher paid tiers include EIN service, bylaws, a banking resolution and Form 2553.
Cost: Registered agent service renews at $149/year. Bizee’s corporation page lists Standard at $149, while other official formation material lists $199. Confirm the corporation package price and contents before paying.
Trade-Off: Price the paid tier if you need an EIN application, bylaws, and a banking resolution. That’s the quote to compare with a flat-fee package.
5. LegalZoom for Optional Legal Support
Fit: You want formation and optional legal services from one provider. Check the access included before deciding it replaces an attorney engagement.
Included: Corporation Economy starts at $149, Standard at $329 and Express Gold at $349, plus state fees. Published formation features include filing, a digital formation packet and support.
Cost: Registered agent service is separate at $249/year. Confirm the price and scope of EIN assistance, bylaws and a banking resolution instead of assuming they’re included in these corporation packages.
Trade-Off: Some higher offers include 30-day legal-subscription features, not permanent lawyer representation. Check renewal terms and service scope, and don’t confuse corporation pricing with a $0 LLC offer.
When Does a C Corp Founder Need More Than Filing?
A founder in a Reddit discussion knew they wanted a C corporation and asked which service to use. The replies raised a more important question: who would help work out the founders’ equity arrangements?
Ask whether you need someone to submit paperwork for decisions you’ve already made or help you decide how shares and voting rights should work.
If those terms are still open, resolve them before you buy a standard filing package.
When a Filing Package Isn’t Enough
If you’re negotiating founder equity, planning multiple funding rounds or building a complex multi-entity structure, professional advice may matter more than package convenience. Resolve that scope before asking a filing service to execute it.
BetterLegal isn’t the right fit for individualized legal representation or non-U.S. formation. Consider DIY if you’re comfortable handling filing and documents yourself.
Start With the Business You’ve Chosen to Form
Have your entity, state, and ownership details ready before you order. That makes it easier to spot which documents you’ll need and skip extras you can handle yourself.
BetterLegal prepares the state filing, EIN application, bylaws or operating agreement, and banking resolution for $299 plus state fees.
Start your business with BetterLegal to get the filing and core documents handled together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I incorporate on my own?
Yes. You can submit formation paperwork directly to your state. Compare that route with the time and help you need for governance documents, an EIN and ongoing requirements. State filing fees still apply.
Do I need a lawyer or an online service?
A service can help with standard formation paperwork. Consider a lawyer when you need advice, negotiated equity terms or tailored documents. Buying a package doesn’t automatically create an attorney-client relationship.
What should I compare in two incorporation quotes?
Check whether both quotes include the same state filing, EIN assistance, governance documents, and banking resolution. Then add year-two agent fees and subscriptions so a first-year discount doesn’t skew the comparison.
How long does incorporating take?
Provider preparation and state processing run on different clocks, with IRS processing relevant to an EIN. Ask which stage an advertised estimate covers. Completing a questionnaire isn’t the same as receiving approved documents.
Which state should I choose?
Start with where you operate and any investor requirements, then check the obligations your choice creates. Don’t choose Delaware solely because another founder did. A qualified adviser can help assess your circumstances.
What will my first year cost?
Add the service price, state fee, necessary extras and recurring services. BetterLegal formation is $299 plus state fees; optional registered agent and compliance services are separate. Other entry prices cover different baskets.
Can an incorporation service also form an LLC?
Yes. All five providers discussed here offer LLC formation as well as corporations. Compare the package for your chosen entity, because prices and included documents can differ. An S election is a separate tax decision.
