Can You Form an LLC for Free?
Several companies advertise $0 LLC formation, including Bizee, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom's Basic package, and Tailor Brands' Lite plan, as published on each company's site in October 2026, but none of these waive the state's own LLC filing fee, which still applies no matter which service, or no service, you use. LLC Register similarly charges no separate service fee for LLC formation, bundling it into its $99-a-year registered agent service rather than charging for it separately.
By LLC Register · Last reviewed October 5, 2026
Comprehensive Guide
What "Free LLC Formation" Actually Advertises
When a company advertises free LLC formation, it is describing its own service fee for preparing and submitting your Articles of Organization, not the total cost of forming an LLC. As published on each company's own site in October 2026, several providers advertise a $0 base package: Bizee's Basic package, ZenBusiness's Starter plan, LegalZoom's Basic package, and Tailor Brands' Lite plan are each $0 plus the state's filing fee. None of these include the state fee itself.
The State Filing Fee Applies No Matter What
Every state charges its own fee to file Articles of Organization, set by statute and published by the state's own filing agency. These fees range from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts, with many states between $50 and $200. This charge goes to the state, not the formation company, so it applies whether you file the paperwork yourself or pay a company, free or otherwise, to file it for you.
Companies With a Free Base Tier
Bizee's Basic LLC package is $0 plus the state fee, with registered agent service free for the first year, then $149 a year. ZenBusiness's Starter plan is $0 plus the state fee, with its first year of Worry-Free Compliance included free, though registered agent service is a separate purchase. LegalZoom's Basic package is $0 plus the state fee, though registered agent service is not included and is priced separately at $249 a year. Tailor Brands' Lite plan is $0 plus the state fee, with about 14 business days of processing and no registered agent, annual compliance filing, or operating agreement included.
A Membership-Based Free Offer
Rocket Lawyer takes a different approach: without a membership, its LLC formation service is $99.99 plus state fees, but customers with an active Rocket Legal or Rocket Legal+ membership get their first LLC formation free, with the state fee still applying. Since Rocket Legal and Rocket Legal+ memberships themselves run $149 to $349 a year, this free formation is only free in the sense that it does not add a separate formation charge on top of a membership you are already paying for.
Inc Authority's Free Package
Inc Authority publishes only one LLC package: $0 plus state fees, including one free year of registered agent service, EIN filing, and a custom business website. Inc Authority does not publish a flat renewal price for registered agent service after the free first year; its own blog cites a range of roughly $179 to $249 a year depending on state.
How LLC Register compares
LLC Register's registered agent service is $99 a year, the same price at renewal. LLC formation in year one and annual report filing are included, while most providers charge $99 to $199 a year extra for annual report filing. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before checkout.
What to Check Before Choosing a "Free" Offer
Read the order summary at checkout for any $0 formation offer and confirm four things: the state's own filing fee (verify it against your state's Secretary of State site), whether registered agent service is included or separate, what the registered agent renewal price becomes after any free period, and whether annual report filing is included or billed separately later.
Practical Considerations
Free Formation and Free Registered Agent Are Different Offers
A $0 formation fee and a free first year of registered agent service are two separate things that some companies bundle together and others do not. Confirm both pieces separately rather than assuming a $0 headline price covers registered agent service too.
A Membership Fee Can Make "Free" Formation Cost More Overall
Rocket Lawyer's free-with-membership LLC formation only avoids a separate charge if you were already planning to pay for a Rocket Legal or Rocket Legal+ membership; added up, the $149-to-$349-a-year membership cost is higher than several competitors' paid formation packages.
The State Fee Is Public Information
You do not need to rely on any company's advertised price to know your state's actual LLC filing fee. Every state publishes this fee on its own Secretary of State or filing agency site, and checking it directly lets you confirm a free-formation offer is not quietly marking up the state's own charge.
Compare the First Two Years, Not Just Signup Day
A free formation offer paired with a free first year of registered agent service can still cost more in year two than a provider with a flat price from day one, once the registered agent renewal rate applies. Add up a realistic two-year total before deciding.
This Is Not Legal or Tax Advice
Which free or paid formation offer fits your business depends on your state and situation. Talk to a tax professional if you are unsure how ongoing compliance costs, such as annual report filing, factor into a free-formation decision.
Sources
The official sources used for this article.
Montana Secretary of State: Business filing fees | sosmt.gov/business/fees |
|---|---|
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: Corporations Division fee schedule | sec.state.ma.us/divisions/corporations/download/Fee_Schedule.pdf |
IRS: Apply for an EIN online | irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online |
SBA: Choose a business structure | sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/choose-business-structure |
Created by: LLC RegisterLast reviewed October 5, 2026
Updated: October 5, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies advertise free LLC formation?
As published on each company's site in October 2026, Bizee, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Tailor Brands, and Inc Authority each advertise a $0 base LLC formation package plus the state's own filing fee, which is never included in the $0 price.
Is Rocket Lawyer's free LLC formation really free?
Only with an active Rocket Legal or Rocket Legal+ membership, which itself costs $149 to $349 a year; the state's own filing fee still applies separately. Without a membership, Rocket Lawyer's LLC formation service is $99.99 plus state fees.
Does LLC Register charge a separate fee for LLC formation?
No. LLC Register does not charge a separate formation service fee; LLC formation in year one is included with its $99-a-year registered agent service, and the state's filing fee is passed through at cost.
What is typically not included in a free LLC formation offer?
A $0 package usually covers only the core Articles of Organization filing. Registered agent service, an operating agreement, EIN filing assistance, and expedited processing are commonly separate paid add-ons even when the base formation fee is advertised as free.
Form your business with LLC Register
$99 a year for a registered agent, with LLC formation in year one and annual report filing included. State fees are passed through at cost.
