ZenBusiness vs. Swyft Filings: LLC Formation Service Comparison
ZenBusiness's Starter LLC plan is $0 plus the state fee, with Pro at $199 a year and Premium at $299 a year, both renewing annually. Swyft Filings's Basic package is also $0 plus the state fee, with Standard at $169 and Premium at $269, both one-time fees, as published on each company's site in October 2026. The two formation prices are close; their registered agent pricing is not.
By LLC Register · Last reviewed October 5, 2026
Comprehensive Guide
What ZenBusiness Charges for LLC Formation
As published on its own site in October 2026, ZenBusiness's Starter LLC plan is $0 plus the state's own filing fee, a one-time charge. Its Pro plan is $199 a year and Premium is $299 a year, both renewing annually rather than as one-time fees.
What Swyft Filings Charges for LLC Formation
Swyft Filings's Basic LLC package is $0 plus state fees with 7-10 business day processing. Standard is $169 (marked down from $199, 3 business days, adding an operating agreement, EIN application, and organizational minutes) and Premium is $269 (marked down from $299, 1 business day). Unlike ZenBusiness's Pro and Premium plans, Swyft Filings's Standard and Premium packages are one-time formation fees.
The Key Structural Difference: One-Time vs. Annual Paid Tiers
ZenBusiness's Pro and Premium plans renew every year at their listed price, while Swyft Filings's Standard and Premium packages are paid once. Choosing ZenBusiness's higher tiers carries an ongoing annual cost that Swyft Filings's equivalent tiers do not.
Registered Agent Service Is Where the Two Diverge Most
ZenBusiness's registered agent page advertises $99 for the first year, renewing at $199 a year. Swyft Filings bills registered agent service quarterly from the start, at $149 or more per quarter, about $596 a year, with no separate discounted first-year rate. This is the largest cost gap between the two companies.
Annual Report Filing
ZenBusiness charges $100 plus the state fee for annual report filing. Swyft Filings publishes $99 plus state fees on its own comparison blog post rather than a dedicated pricing page. The two are close.
How LLC Register compares
LLC Register's registered agent service is $99 a year, the same price at renewal. LLC formation is included in year one and annual report filing is included every year, 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 Confirm Before You Choose
The two companies' formation prices are close at every tier, but Swyft Filings's quarterly-billed registered agent service costs substantially more over a year than ZenBusiness's. If you plan to use the same company for both formation and ongoing registered agent service, compare the combined first-year and renewal totals, not just the formation fee alone.
Practical Considerations
One-Time Fee vs. Annual Subscription Changes the Real Cost
A ZenBusiness Pro or Premium plan costs its listed price every year, while a Swyft Filings Standard or Premium package is paid once. Multiply ZenBusiness's annual tier price by the number of years you plan to keep that tier active before comparing it with Swyft Filings's one-time equivalent.
Convert Swyft Filings's Quarterly Billing to a Yearly Number
Swyft Filings's per-quarter registered agent price can look smaller than a competitor's annual price at first glance. Multiply the quarterly figure by four before comparing it directly with ZenBusiness's annual rate.
The Registered Agent Price Gap Is the Larger Factor
Because a registered agent is required every year the LLC exists, a gap of several hundred dollars a year in that price matters more over time than a modest difference in the one-time formation fee.
What Else the Price Includes
Check whether an operating agreement, EIN application help, and organizational minutes are bundled into the package you are comparing or sold as separate add-ons, since similar headline prices can buy different things.
This Is Not Legal or Tax Advice
Which service costs less for your specific LLC depends on your state's own filing fee and how long you plan to keep the business running. Talk to a tax professional before deciding how to structure ongoing compliance costs.
Sources
The official sources used for this article.
IRS: Apply for an EIN online | irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online |
|---|---|
FTC: The Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule, Questions and Answers | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumer-reviews-testimonials-rule-questions-answers |
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
Do ZenBusiness and Swyft Filings charge the same price to form an LLC?
Both publish a $0-plus-state-fee entry tier. Their higher tiers are close in price ($169-$299), but ZenBusiness's Pro and Premium plans renew annually while Swyft Filings's equivalent tiers are one-time fees, as published on each company's site in October 2026.
Which company costs more for registered agent service over a full year, ZenBusiness or Swyft Filings?
Swyft Filings's quarterly billing works out to about $596 a year with no first-year discount, well above ZenBusiness's $99 first-year or $199 renewal rate, as published on each company's site in October 2026.
Why does Swyft Filings not offer a discounted first-year registered agent rate like ZenBusiness does?
Swyft Filings bills registered agent service quarterly from the start rather than as a flat annual fee, so its first-year and renewal cost are the same, unlike ZenBusiness's advertised $99 first-year discount.
Is annual report filing priced similarly at ZenBusiness and Swyft Filings?
Yes. ZenBusiness charges $100 plus the state fee, and Swyft Filings publishes $99 plus state fees on its own comparison blog post, close figures as published on each company's site in October 2026.
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.
