Best Illinois LLC Services for 2024: Ready to launch a business? Starting an Illinois LLC is your first big move.
With so many LLC formation services out there, each claiming to be the top choice, it’s easy to feel lost.
What if you had a clear, easy-to-follow guide pointing you straight to the best options?
That’s where LLCBuddy comes in. Our team has researched and vetted the top LLC services in Illinois just for you. Dive into our list, compare features and prices, and find the perfect fit for your business. Start your Illinois LLC journey with confidence. Check out the best Illinois LLC services from below.
Best LLC Formation Services in Illinois
Here is the list of best LLC services available in Illinois. The best thing about these services is starting your LLC for free. Some of the following services are offering LLC formation in Illinois 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 Illinois-
Below is the list of the best LLC formation services in Illinois we picked for you.
- ZenBusiness – Known for its affordable packages and efficient service, ZenBusiness has become a favorite among new entrepreneurs.
- TailorBrands – Beyond LLC services, TailorBrands stands out with its branding solutions, making it a one-stop shop for budding businesses.
- LegalZoom – With years of industry experience, LegalZoom offers comprehensive services and a vast array of legal resources.
- Northwest Registered Agent – Praised for its top-notch customer service, Northwest ensures personalized assistance and detailed compliance guidance.
- 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 Illinois, though you must pay the state filing fee of $15 to the Illinois 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 Illinois nonprofit |
Free LLC formation in Illinois | Additional cost for EIN |
User friendly | |
Standalone Registered Agent services |
ZenBusiness Overview
ZenBusiness is one of those top-rated companies that provide business formation in Illinois at a minimum cost (currently at $0). There is no charge to be paid to the company for forming your LLC in Illinois. 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 Illinois. Obtaining EIN, operating agreement drafting, name search, and all other services are available with the rush filing feature.
2. TailorBrands
Do you want to create a brand for your business in Illinois? Here is the LLC formation service provider, TailorBrands, for you. The company was established in 2015 in New York, and since then, it has offered several incredible services to set up your business. TailorBrands has a single LLC formation plan that starts at $49 a year. You can choose different other add-on services at an additional cost.
TailorBrands Services
TailorBrands offer a single plan for forming an LLC at $49. There are some basic services that TailorBrands offer, including starting an LLC, filing it, Illinois name availability search, priority support, and so on. You can use their add-on services as and when required. Add-ons are-
- Registered Agent Service – $199/year
- Employment ID Number (EIN) – $99 (one-time pay)
- Annual Compliances – $299/year
- Operating Agreement – $29
- Expedited Filing – $49
- Business bank account – Free
TailorBrands Pros and Cons
Why You Must Get TailorBrands | Why You Shouldn’t Get TailorBrands |
---|---|
Low-cost LLC formation | Not BBB Accredited |
Free business bank accounts | No business domain packages |
Hassle-free LLC formation | Additional charges to obtain EIN |
Additional services like logo, website, domain |
TailorBrands Overview
TailorBrands does not have vast LLC formation packages. Instead, it has a single package that includes the formation of LLCs. The name availability search is unlimited, and you don’t have to pay any additional fees. The state filing fee of $15 must be paid apart from the charges you pay for add-ons.
TailorBrands offers other business services such as logo making, domain, website, business bank account, merchandise, and other business services. As a small or start-up business, you must go for TailorBrands.
3. LegalZoom
LegalZoom is one of the service providers in Illinois 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 | Less number of add-on options |
Access to legal professionals | Some additional fees not included in plan prices |
Customer support available through phone or chat | Mixed customer reviews |
LegalZoom Overview
LegalZoom is one of the oldest companies in 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. Though you must pay the Illinois filing fee while filing the Articles of Organization with the Illinois 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 there is an access to legal documents and legal consultation. The registered agent service is a bit expensive. If you want to hire Registered Agent from LegalZoom, you must purchase that service separately, it does not come with any formation plans.
4. 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 Illinois. 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 Illinois are listed below-
- LLC formation in Illinois 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 Illinois | Not BBB accredited |
No plans, flat rate for all services | Additional charges to obtain EIN in Illinois |
Purchase only the service you need to form Illinois LLC. | The operating agreement draft is not included in the Core services |
Northwest offers standalone Registered Agent service in Illinois |
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 Illinois. 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 ($15). If you have already formed your LLC in Illinois and are willing to appoint 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 Illinois 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.
5. BetterLegal
BetterLegal is a comparatively new company than other competitors. But 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 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 ($150 for filing in-person and by mail in Illinois). 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, upon cancelation, no refund is made. However, basic LLC formation and registered agent services are much cheaper in BetterLegal than in other close competitors.
How to Form an LLC in Illinois
Illinois, popularly known as The Prairie State, is a business-friendly state with a population of 12,807,072. The Nominal Gross Domestic Product (in millions) of Illinois is $1,041,663 according to a 2022 study, which has been said to be increased over the past year. Hence, starting your business in Illinois will always be a good option. If you choose the state capital, Springfield, to start your LLC, you might get more tax and other benefits.
To form an LLC in Illinois, you need to follow some basic steps, including getting an LLC name, appointing your Illinois Registered Agent, filing the Illinois Articles of Organization, creating Illinois LLC operating agreement, and finally getting an EIN for filing required taxes.
You can do that on your own. However, it is always recommended to get a professional person on board to guide you through. 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 Illinois
It is important to choose the best service for your business carefully. Before you select the best one, make sure you thoroughly research on 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.
Also Read
- Best Alabama LLC Formation Services
- Best Alaska LLC Formation Services
- Best Arizona LLC Formation Services
- Best Arkansas LLC Formation Services
- Best California LLC Formation Services
- Best Colorado LLC Formation Services
- Best Connecticut LLC Formation Services
- Best DC LLC Formation Services
- Best Delaware LLC Formation Services
- Best Florida LLC Formation Services
- Best Georgia LLC Formation Services
- Best Hawaii LLC Formation Services
- Best Idaho LLC Formation Services
- Best Illinois LLC Formation Services
- Best Indiana LLC Formation Services
- Best Iowa LLC Formation Services
- Best Kansas LLC Formation Services
- Best Kentucky LLC Formation Services
- Best Louisiana LLC Formation Services
- Best Maine LLC Formation Services
- Best Maryland LLC Formation Services
- Best Massachusetts LLC Formation Services
- Best Michigan LLC Formation Services
- Best Minnesota LLC Formation Services
- Best Mississippi LLC Formation Services
- Best Missouri LLC Formation Services
- Best Montana LLC Formation Services
- Best Nebraska LLC Formation Services
- Best Nevada LLC Formation Services
- Best New Hampshire LLC Formation Services
- Best New Jersey LLC Formation Services
- Best New Mexico LLC Formation Services
- Best New York LLC Formation Services
- Best North Carolina LLC Formation Services
- Best North Dakota LLC Formation Services
- Best Ohio LLC Formation Services
- Best Oklahoma LLC Formation Services
- Best Oregon LLC Formation Services
- Best Pennsylvania LLC Formation Services
- Best Rhode Island LLC Formation Services
- Best South Carolina LLC Formation Services
- Best South Dakota LLC Formation Services
- Best Tennessee LLC Formation Services
- Best Texas LLC Formation Services
- Best Utah LLC Formation Services
- Best Vermont LLC Formation Services
- Best Virginia LLC Formation Services
- Best Washington LLC Formation Services
- Best West Virginia LLC Formation Services
- Best Wisconsin LLC Formation Services
- Best Wyoming LLC Formation Services
Why Illinois is One of the Best Places for Business
First and foremost, Illinois boasts a diverse and dynamic economy that provides a solid foundation for business growth. With a mix of industries ranging from manufacturing and agriculture to technology and finance, there are plenty of opportunities for companies of all sizes and sectors to succeed. This diversity also means that businesses can take advantage of a variety of resources, such as skilled labor, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and access to global markets, all of which are crucial for long-term success.
Moreover, Illinois is home to a highly educated workforce that is ready and willing to help businesses succeed. With some of the top universities and research institutions in the country, the state offers a steady stream of talented individuals who are knowledgeable in a wide range of fields. This not only makes it easier for companies to find and retain top talent but also fosters a culture of innovation and creativity that is essential for staying ahead in today’s fast-paced business environment.
In addition to its economic advantages, Illinois also offers a high quality of life that makes it an attractive place for employees to live and work. With vibrant cultural scenes, world-class dining and shopping options, and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, the state provides a well-rounded lifestyle that appeals to a wide range of professionals. This not only helps businesses attract and retain top talent but also contributes to a strong sense of community and belonging that can be instrumental in building and sustaining successful companies.
Another key advantage of doing business in Illinois is its strategic location in the heart of the country. With easy access to major transportation networks, including highways, airports, and railroads, the state serves as a crucial hub for both domestic and international trade. This makes it easier for businesses to connect with suppliers, customers, and partners from around the world, ultimately driving growth and innovation within the state.
Furthermore, Illinois boasts a business-friendly environment that is conducive to growth and success. From its competitive tax incentives and subsidies to its streamlined regulations and licensing processes, the state offers numerous opportunities for companies to minimize costs and maximize profits. Additionally, organizations such as the Illinois Business and Economic Development Association are dedicated to supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors, providing them with the resources and connections they need to thrive in today’s ever-changing market.
In conclusion, Illinois truly has a lot to offer businesses looking to establish a strong foothold in the marketplace. With its diverse economy, talented workforce, high quality of life, strategic location, and business-friendly environment, the state provides an ideal setting for companies to start, grow, and expand. For entrepreneurs seeking a place where their vision can flourish and their business can thrive, Illinois is undoubtedly one of the best options available.
Conclusion
Starting a business in Illinois 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 Illinois 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. With their compelling offer of $0 + state fee for LLC formation, combined with an impressive array of 5-star Trustpilot reviews, they’re our number one recommendation. Seize this exceptional opportunity for your business!