In general terms, a formation service does not unlock anything the state withholds from individuals. What you pay for is convenience, such as guided forms, compliance reminders, a registered agent, and help with follow-on tasks. Whether that is worth it depends on three things: how comfortable you are with your state's filing website, whether you have a reliable address you can list as your own registered agent, and how much ongoing help you want after the LLC exists.

Some things cost nothing, whichever route you choose. The IRS says an Employer Identification Number is free when you apply directly with it, and it warns against paying a third party for one. The IRS also says to form the entity with your state first and apply for the EIN afterward. On beneficial ownership, FinCEN now exempts companies created in the United States from federal BOI reporting, so a US-formed LLC has no federal BOI report to file.

The state's filing fee is the same whether you file yourself or through a provider. It varies by state and is published by each state's filing office, which is why the state pages below list it separately from any service fee.

Start here

If you are weighing the whole decision and want the plain tradeoff, begin with Is ZenBusiness Better than Filing an LLC Yourself?

If you suspect a service can do something you cannot, read What Does ZenBusiness Do That You Can't Do on Your Own When Forming an LLC?

If you are leaning toward filing yourself and want to know exactly what you would be taking on, see What's Included with ZenBusiness That You'd Have to Handle Alone if You DIY?

By state

Each state page compares filing directly with the state against using ZenBusiness, with the state's fee kept apart from the provider's.

  • Should You Use ZenBusiness or File Your California LLC Directly on bizfile?
  • Should You Use Sunbiz Directly or a Company Like ZenBusiness to Start Your Florida LLC?
  • Is ZenBusiness Worth it for a Georgia LLC Compared to DIY?
  • Is ZenBusiness Worth it for a Michigan LLC Compared to DIY?
  • Should You Use ZenBusiness or File Your New York LLC Directly with the State?
  • Should You Use ZenBusiness or File Your Texas LLC Directly with the SOS?

What ZenBusiness charges, separate from the state

As of 2026, ZenBusiness offers three tiers. Starter is $0 plus the state fee. Pro is $199 a year. Premium is $299 a year.

A registered agent is a separate service on every tier, including Premium. It costs $199 a year, discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with ZenBusiness, so you pay $99 in year one and $199 a year after that.

If you act as your own registered agent and file directly with the state, none of these service fees apply. You pay the state fee and handle the tasks yourself.

How this site is paid

This site earns a commission on some links, which may include ZenBusiness. That never changes which option a page recommends. Where filing directly with the state suits a situation better, the page says so and explains why.

Sources

This is general information rather than legal advice, and LLC requirements vary by state and change over time.