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If you plan to start an LLC in California, you must know that the paperwork can be endless. Though forming a limited liability company is easier than other types of business structure, the paperwork and tax filing can still be hectic. It is wise to get an LLC formation service in California.
On this page, the LLCBuddy team listed down the best LLC formation service in California so that you can explore their services, the prices they are offering, or any other points you need to know before hiring them. If you’re not a reading type of person, you can watch this video before you make your purchase.
Best LLC Formation Services in California
Here is the list of the best LLC services available in California. The best thing about these services is starting your LLC for free. Some of the following services are offering LLC formation in California at $0. Other than the state fees and charges, you do not have to pay any charges to the service provider. You will get the basic formation package for free. Now, let’s check out the list of best LLC formation service providers in California-
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK
 | $0 + State Fees |
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 | $39 + State Fees |
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Below is the list of the best LLC formation services we picked for you in California.
- ZenBusiness – Known for its affordable packages and efficient service, ZenBusiness has become a favorite among new entrepreneurs.
- Northwest Registered Agent – Praised for its top-notch customer service, Northwest ensures personalized assistance and detailed compliance guidance.
- LegalZoom – With years of industry experience, LegalZoom offers comprehensive services and a vast array of legal resources.
- Swyft Filings – Best for small business formation, Swyft Filings offers incredible customer support.
- BetterLegal – Speed is BetterLegal’s forte, promising the fastest LLC formation process in the market.
Our Editorial Team selects these companies through thorough research and market study. It is recommended that you cross-check all the factors before choosing the right one for your business.
1. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a Texas-based company that provides services from formation to annual compliance to an LLC. It offers three plans, Starter, Pro, and Premium. The Starter plan starts from $0. That means you can form your LLC for free in California, though you must pay the state filing fee of $70 to the California Secretary of State. But, the company charges nothing to form your business in the state.
ZenBusiness Plans
- Starter Plan at $0 + state filing fee
- Pro Plan at $199/year + state filing fee
- Premium Plan at $299/year + state filing fee
ZenBusiness Pros and Cons
| Why You Must Get ZenBusiness | Why You Should Not Get ZenBusiness |
|---|---|
| 100% accuracy rate | Does not form California nonprofit |
| Free LLC formation in California | Additional cost for EIN |
| User friendly | |
| Standalone Registered Agent services in California |
ZenBusiness Overview
ZenBusiness is one of those top-rated companies that provide business formation in California at a minimum cost (currently at $0). There is no charge to be paid to the company for forming your LLC in California. The state filing fee and other necessary fees must be paid, including the registered agent fee.
ZenBusiness offers three plans, among which the Pro plan is recommended. The Pro plan has everything you need to start an LLC in California. Obtaining EIN, operating agreement drafting, name search, and all other services are available with the rush filing feature.
2. Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent is a family-owned business based in Spoken, Washington state. The company offers LLC formation, registered agent service, annual compliances, and other business-related services in all 50 states, including California. It offers LLC formation at $39 + state fees and registered agent service at $125 yearly.
Northwest Plans
Northwest does not have conventional packages. It offers Core, Business maintenance, and business development services. Under these categories, various services are available at a flat rate. Some of the services offered by Northwest in California are listed below-
- LLC formation in California at $39 + state filing fee
- Registered Agent at $125 yearly
- Annual report filing at $100 + state filing fee
- Obtaining EIN at $50
- Northwest offers National Agent Service. If you operate your LLC Registered Agent in 5 or more states, you can pay $100 + state fees (if applicable) to get a single agent for all states.
Northwest Registered Agent Pros and Cons
| Why You Must Get Northwest | Why You Should Not Get Northwest |
|---|---|
| DIY Packages for your LLC in California | Not BBB accredited |
| No plans, flat rate for all services | You must form California LLC to purchase only the service you need. |
| You must form California LLC to purchase only the service you need. | The operating agreement draft is not included in the Core services |
| Northwest offers a standalone Registered Agent service in California |
Northwest Registered Agent Overview
Northwest is one of those service providers that offer DIY packages. Northwest is not for you if you want a wholesome formation package in California. It does not have conventional LLC formation packages. It is simply like a departmental store for you. You don’t need to buy everything, but the only thing you need.
Northwest has in-house corporate guides to guide you through the formation process. It offers LLC formation at $39 plus the state filing fee ($125). If you have already formed your LLC in California and are willing to appoint a Registered Agent only, then Northwest can provide a standalone registered agent service at $125 per year.
Northwest offers single flat rates for all services in California and other states. The best part about the company is it does not outsource any of its services. Northwest offers corporate guides to help you through the steps of LLC formation.
3. LegalZoom
LegalZoom is one of the service providers in California that offers free LLC formation services. If you want to avoid spending money to form your LLC, then LegalZoom is for you. It offers various formation packages that include all types of LLC services. Aside from LLC formation, LegalZoom offers C and S Corp formation. With over thousands of customers, the company offers basic LLC formation services at $0.
LegalZoom Plans
- Basic Package- $0 + State Filing Fees (Tax deduction may be applicable)
- Pro Package – $249 + State Filing Fees (Tax deductible may be applicable)
- Premium Package – $279 + State Filing Fees (Tax deduction may be applicable)
Apart from these packages, LegalZoom offers a bunch of add-on services as well. Add-on services include the following-
- Registered Agent – $299 per year. Available as an add-on and not included in any packages
- Trademark registration: Assisting with the US trademark application process
- Copyright registration: Guidance on registering copyrights for creative works
- Patent services: Support in obtaining utility, design, and plant patents
- Estate planning: Offering personalized wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents
- Legal advice: Access to a network of lawyers for consultations and legal guidance
- Expedited Filing: With an additional $99, you can speed up your filing process.
LegalZoom Pros and Cons
| Why You Must Get LegalZoom | Why You Shouldn’t Get LegalZoom |
|---|---|
| Free LLC formation | Expensive add-ons, such as Registered Agent |
| Trustworthy and established reputation | Higher pricing compared to some competitors |
| Quick turnaround time | Fewer add-on options |
| Access to legal professionals | Some additional fees not included in plan prices |
| Customer support is available through phone or chat | Mixed customer reviews |
LegalZoom Overview
LegalZoom is one of the oldest companies in the USA. This company is a service provider offering LLC formation at $0. It offers three broad packages, Basic, Pro, and Premium. The Basic package costs $0. However, you must pay the California filing fee while filing the Articles of Organization with the California Secretary of State. The filing fee depends on which method, mail, online, or any other method you choose.
LegalZoom offers vast add-ones like others. Hence, the chances of getting diverse services are comparatively high. The best part about the company is that it has access to legal documents and legal consultations. The registered agent service is a bit expensive. If you want to hire a Registered Agent from LegalZoom, you must purchase that service separately; it does not come with any formation plans.
4. Swyft Filings
An online business formation service, Swyft Filings, is popular among budding entrepreneurs for its customer support and quick document processing. The company offers three types of formation plans for diverse benefits. Swyft Filings, like other close competitors, offers LLC formation at $0. Swyft Filings is an appropriate service for small businesses in California.
Swyft Filings Plans
- Basic Plan at $0 + State filing fee
- Standard Plan at $199 + State filing fee
- Premium Plan at $299 + State filing fee
Swyft Filings Pros and Cons
| Why to Choose Swyft Filings | Why Not to Choose Swyft Filings |
|---|---|
| Free LLC Formation ($0 + state filing fee) | Non-transparent cost, expensive add-ons |
| Quick processing time | Registered Agent is not included in any plans |
| Smooth customer support | |
| Good for small business |
Swyft Filings Overview
Swyft Filings is one of the services that are known best for a small business. It offers LLC formation at $0 and a 10-day processing and expedited option. However, they don’t include registered agent service with any of its packages. Besides, once you proceed to check out after selecting your package, many add-ons appear, leading to a bigger amount.
Swyft Filings offers three broad packages, Basic, Standard, and Premium, along with many expensive add-ons. Compared to other competitors, Swyft Filings’ add-ons are a bit expensive. If you want to start a small business (LLC, S-Corp, Corporation, Nonprofit, etc), Swyft Filings has everything you need.
5. BetterLegal
BetterLegal is a comparatively new company compared to other competitors. However, this company has successfully grabbed a large portion of the market in the United States. Serving in 51 states, BetterLegal has been in business since 2016. Unlike other experienced companies, it does not have a list of packages and plans for LLC formation.
BetterLegal Plans
BetterLegal offers one single plan at a flat $299 + state filing fees. It has a list of add-on services as well. BetterLegal is an online service that started off with a very small team. However, even after being in the business for so long, they didn’t increase their team size much. They have transparent pricing, and no hidden charge exists for any services they provide.
BetterLegal offers a list of add-on services. Following are the additional services they offer-
- Registered Agent service – $10/month or $90/year
- State Annual compliance services – $10/month or $90/year
- Permit & License Search Service – $125
- Amendment & document research – Free with the core formation service package
BetterLegal Pros and Cons
| Why You Must Get BetterLegal | Why You Shouldn’t Get BetterLegal |
|---|---|
| No refund; all sales are final | The basic package does not include a registered agent service |
| Quick Turnaround time | Additional charge for EIN |
| A+ BBB Accredited | The basic package does not include a registered agent service |
| Single plan for all incorporation |
BetterLegal Overview
Even though the company is called BetterLegal, no attorneys or legal services are available. The company offers a single plan for all types of business formation. Hence, if you are planning to form a corporation, you can pay $299 + incorporation fee ($100 for filing online and by mail. $115 for in person filing in California). It offers comparatively better turnaround time at a reasonable price than other companies. You can file your LLC within 10 minutes with BetterLegal.
It offers a resource center for new entrepreneurs. They provide guidance to make things easier when it comes to filing your business. Their small team sometimes fails to cater to their customers on time. Reaching out to their customer support team is very difficult. Another disadvantage is it does not have a refund policy. All sales with BetterLegal are final, and at any stage, no refund is made upon cancelation. However, basic LLC formation and registered agent services are much cheaper in BetterLegal than in other close competitors.
How to Form an LLC in California
Forming an LLC in California takes a few steps. The first step is to get a clear idea about doing business in California. Before jumping into the pool of paperwork, make sure you have a thorough knowledge of taxes and the costs of starting any business in California.
In general, California, popularly known as The Golden State, is a business-friendly state with a population of 40,223,504. The state has the nominal GDP is 3,634,821 (in millions). Hence, you can start any small or medium-sized business in California based on your budget. Forming an LLC in California can be a good option as it is less complicated than other forms of business. If you choose the state capital, Sacramento, to start your LLC, you might get more tax and other benefits.
There are five most important steps to follow when you establish an LLC in California:
- Step 1: Give a name to the LLC: Make sure the name is available to use in California. You can also get a DBA.
- Step 2: Get a Registered Agent in California. The person will be responsible for all communications between your LLC and the State.
- Step 3: File the California Articles of Organization.
- Step 4: Draft an LLC operating agreement in California.
- Step 5: Get an EIN in California
Now, these steps seem to be easy. But unfortunately, it is not that simple. Each business has to file different documents based on local licenses and permits. From January 1, 2024, all the LLCs and Corporations have to file the BOI Report with the FinCEN. If you start an LLC, you must file the BOI Report in California.
You can do that on your own. However, getting a professional on board is always recommended to guide you through the process. These steps are crucial and sensitive. You must complete everything to avoid canceling your formation process. Hence, having a professional LLC formation service for your LLC is better.
How to Choose the Best LLC Formation Service in California
It is important to choose the best service for your business carefully. Before you select the best one, make sure you thoroughly research the following points-
- Reputation: Look for a company with a good reputation. Check reviews and ratings from previous clients to see how they feel about the services offered.
- Experience: Choose a company with years of LLC formation experience. This ensures that they have knowledge of the process and can provide quality services.
- Cost: Compare prices between different companies. Choose a company that offers affordable pricing for the services you need.
- Customer Service: Ensure that the company has good customer service. They should be responsive, helpful, and willing to answer any questions.
- Services Offered: Look for a company that offers a range of services, including entity formation, registered agent services, and ongoing compliance support to ensure your LLC remains in good standing.
- Ease of Use: Choose a company with a user-friendly website and easy-to-use online platform. This makes the process of forming an LLC simple and straightforward.
- Guarantees: Check if the company offers a satisfaction guarantee or a refund policy. This gives you peace of mind that you are getting the best possible service.
FAQs
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Conclusion
Starting a business in California is a big step. It’s really helpful to have experts on your side. When you use a professional LLC service, you’re making sure everything is done right without any headaches. We’ve given you a list of the top choices in this article. Take your time to look at each one. Check their prices, see what they offer, and think about what’s best for your business.
Remember, picking the right California LLC service can make things smoother and better for your business as it grows. If you want the best for your business, check out ZenBusiness. They’re our number one recommendation for their compelling offer of $0 + state fee for LLC formation, combined with an impressive array of 5-star Trustpilot reviews. Seize this exceptional opportunity for your business!