Starting your own business, LLC, or nonprofit comes with a lot of paperwork. One crucial step in that process is appointing a Registered Agent to file in the state where your business operates.
After researching how to help people launch their own LLCs, we discovered the value of Registered Agent services. With the right service, you can not only meet the state’s legal requirement of having a registered agent on file, but they can also handle many of your filings for you.
We’ve reviewed the five best Registered Agent Services. Each one has its strengths—some excel at out-of-state filings, for example—so make sure to read through the reviews to find the best fit for your needs. Still have questions? Check out our FAQ section at the end.
Do I Need a Registered Agent?
Yes, having a registered agent is a legal requirement in every state where you do business. While you don’t need to hire a professional service, it can save time and hassle. A registered agent serves as the contact for legal proceedings, such as lawsuits, and receives important documents on your behalf.
In an ideal world, your registered agent will only contact you once a year to renew your filings. However, if your company faces legal action, the agent will also handle those notifications, ensuring you don’t miss any critical documents.
Why Should I Hire a Registered Agent Service?
Beyond handling legal notices, professional Registered Agents offer expanded services such as managing your paperwork and staying on top of annual renewals. We chose the five services below for their excellent business offerings, many of which can help you with tasks you might not have considered, such as filing for an Employee Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS.
We recommend one of these five services because they are cost-effective, offer excellent customer support, and allow you to customize services based on your budget and needs.
The Right Agent for You
We recommend reading through all the reviews to find the best Registered Agent service for your specific needs. Some services focus on affordability, while others provide a wide range of business services. We’ve also included the base prices for each company.
ZenBusinesss: Best All-Around
ZenBusiness is a full-service LLC Registered Agent. Their website makes it easy to check if your preferred business name is available and guides you through a simple, step-by-step filing process.
We tested ZenBusiness’s virtual agent, which provided a comprehensive service package for a one-time fee of $547, excluding $200 in state fees. Their services include:
The total services included:
For total Registered Agent Services, we found ZenBusiness to be the best All-Around. While the other services we reviewed have a lot to recommend them, and while some are more inexpensive, ZenBusinesss heads our list.
Related: ZenBuiness vs Incfile, ZenBuiness vs Swyft filings
Northwest Registered Agent: Best Customer Service
If you prefer a straightforward service without the extras, Northwest Registered Agent is a great choice. Their motto, “We’re Just Not Annoying®,” reflects their no-nonsense approach. They offer clear, upfront pricing and don’t pressure you into additional services.
What truly sets Northwest apart is their excellent customer service. Based in a small town in Eastern Washington, they provide real human support when you call. Here’s what we found during our test:
We stuck with the same state (Washington) that we used for filing with ZenBusiness, and here’s a breakdown of the services we found from them.
Including a three-day turnaround on the paperwork, the total from Northwest Registered Agent came to $225. We skipped some of the add-ons, but with Northwest you can always back out and start over. And remember, their customer service is absolute tops.
Incfile: Most Affordable
Many of the Registered Agent sites we looked at for our reviews said that they had low fees, but none of them actually had a $0 option—except for Infile.com. With their Silver Package, you can get preparation of your paperwork, filing, and a free year of Registered Agent services, for $0. All you have to pay is the State fee for wherever you’re doing business.
One of the great features of Incfile is that you can look at all their payment plans and options right up front. For instance, if you decided to go with the step up from free, their Gold Package, you would still only pay $199 plus the state fee, and you’d get a whole host of options.
Incfile is a start-up, just like you’re probably going to be. So they have had experience with what small business owners and innovators have to face. You know you’re working with like-minded people when you’re with Incfile.
The full list of what you get with their $199 option is:
For all the services you get for just under $200, Incfile was the clear winner for affordability.
Swyft Filings: Fastest Process
Saving money is nice, but sometimes saving time is even better. If you’re in a hurry, and you just want to get the filing process over with as soon as possible, then like their name implies, Swyft Filings should be your choice.
Swyft Filings has a decently low price, coming in on their basic option at $49, plus state fees. Where they really pull ahead in their own respect is how quickly and easily their website is laid out.
From the homepage, you click your type of business, the state you’re filing, and the very next thing you see is a breakdown of pricing options and where you’re at in the process. You can select up to a Premium plan for $299 plus state fees, or you can stay basic.
Their speed is built in to every step of the process, with each form going right to the next. One thing to note, filing with Swyft Filings is so fast you may miss the box to check if you want them to be your Registered Agent. This fee isn’t processed until you’re granted the Certificate from your state, and it is $149.
The list of services you get from their basic option are:
Swyft Filings is quick and easy. We went through the entire process and we got to the payment screen almost before we realized we were done with the questionnaires. If you want more services it will obviously take a little more time. But for being in and out in under five minutes, Swyft Filings can’t be beat for time.
Inc Authority: Most Trusted
In some circles they say to put “your money where your mouth is,” and Inc Authority does just that: they have a 60 day money back guarantee. That means if you’re not satisfied with the services they provide, you can get your money back.
Not only that, but they have a Trustpilot review of 5 stars—across almost 11,000 reviews. That’s a lot of small business owners just like you having a great experience with Inc Authority.
The process at Inc Authority is simple and easy. They ask you a few simple questions, offer you some add-ons like EIN, Operating Agreement, and website registration, and then you’re done. They even have a free year of Registered Agent Service available.
In the end, not only is Inc Authority trustworthy, not only are they affordable, but they also have a money-back guarantee. It’s the trifecta of trust, and Inc Authority has it.
The services available at the most basic level, for only $138, include:
For all the services they offer, they’re also one of the best reviewed Registered Agent Services out there, which means they can deliver on everything they offer. They get our vote for Most Trusted.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Registered Agent service is an important step in establishing and managing your business smoothly. While each service we reviewed has its strengths, the right one for you will depend on your specific needs—whether it’s affordability, speed, customer service, or comprehensive business solutions.
ZenBusiness is a great all-around option if you want a full-service experience. For those who value top-notch customer service, Northwest Registered Agent is the way to go. If you’re looking for affordability without sacrificing quality, IncFile offers unbeatable pricing. Swyft Filings is the fastest choice for those in a hurry, and Inc Authority provides peace of mind with its trusted reputation and money-back guarantee.
Ultimately, any of these Registered Agent services will help you stay compliant and handle the paperwork so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business. Take the time to assess your needs, explore the options, and you’ll be set up for success.
FAQs
No, you don’t. But almost all of the filing and Registered Agent Services we reviewed recommend filing for the first time as an LLC. It saves you time and covers your liabilities in the future.
Absolutely not. It’s your businesses. The State only requires that you file paperwork, and separately, that you have a registered agent. Many people simply find it more affordable and time-saving to file with the same people that will be their Registered Agent.
It’s not really possible to file without one. So you can’t actually get your business going unless you’re prepared to be your own, or you hire one ahead of time.
Yes, you can. Anytime you like you can log in to your State’s filing system and change what you need to.
Certain things are essential to filing with the state, like Articles of Incorporation. You don’t need to pay a Registered Agent to prepare these things for you, but it can save you invaluable time to let someone else take care of that paperwork.