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Formation Facts

What the state wants, and what it costs.

The whole country

3 Best LLC Services (2026)

Our national ranking for 2026: Mainstay Filing ($199), NC Registered Agent.org ($199) and Connecticut Registered Agent.co ($199). Mainstay Filing tops the list since $199 a year in any state pays for formation, the registered agent and the yearly report wherever the state has one.
Briefing by the Formation Facts team

Our shortlist

The order follows five weighted criteria (method).

Number one

1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies that may add states later

Fee $199, renewing at $199

The best nationwide choice is Mainstay Filing, since $199 a year in any state pays for formation, the registered agent and the yearly report wherever the state has one.

Three years cost $200 more than NC Registered Agent.org, with every state covered.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares your formation papers and files them
  • Acts as your registered agent all year
  • Files your state report if the state asks for one
  • Prepares your EIN application

What works

  • The same $199 in every state
  • Renewing costs what year 1 did
  • Report filing is included

What to weigh

  • Costs more a year than a one-state agent
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

North Carolina pick

2. NC Registered Agent.org: best for North Carolina businesses

Fee $199, renewing at $99

Next, NC Registered Agent.org. A North Carolina formation at $199 plus state fees, then $99 a year.

Choose it if your company stays in North Carolina.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares and files your North Carolina formation
  • Agent for North Carolina, first year

What works

  • Costs less from year 2
  • Year 2 costs $99

What to weigh

  • One state (North Carolina)
  • No report filing
Visit NC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Connecticut pick

3. Connecticut Registered Agent.co: best for Connecticut businesses

Fee $199, renewing at $99

In third place, Connecticut Registered Agent.co: a Connecticut formation at $199 plus state fees, then $99 a year.

Choose it if your company stays in Connecticut.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares and files your Connecticut formation
  • Agent for Connecticut, first year

What works

  • Costs less from year 2
  • Year 2 costs $99

What to weigh

  • One state (Connecticut)
  • No report filing
Visit Connecticut Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The list in numbers

RankWhoYou pay in year 1Then per yearTheir fees across 3 years
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2NC Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit NC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Connecticut Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Connecticut Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
The two state providers sell only in their own state, and every price here is the one shown on November 13, 2026; add your state's fee to each row.

What the state adds

Three-year state fees for an LLC start at $50 and go as high as $2,490. They come on top of every pick. The full list is at LLC costs by state.

Our reasoning

The most weight goes to what a provider bills across three years and to how much of the state paperwork the price covers. A national list favors the service that works wherever you file. Local providers cost less in North Carolina and Connecticut, and that earns them second and third.

Find your state

Your state's briefing has its fees and the providers we would use there. LLC costs by state.

LLC Service FAQ

What are the best LLC services in 2026?

For 2026 we rank Mainstay Filing, NC Registered Agent.org and Connecticut Registered Agent.co.

How much does a LLC service cost?

The range runs from $199 to $199, before state fees.

How much do state fees vary?

Three-year state fees for an LLC start at $50 and go as high as $2,490.

Can one service cover every state?

Yes, Mainstay Filing, at the same price everywhere. The other two cover a single state each.

Why are single-state services on a national list?

Within its own state, a local provider can be the better buy. NC Registered Agent.org is our pick for North Carolina businesses; Connecticut Registered Agent.co for Connecticut businesses.

How did you choose the order?

Three-year fees and filings covered count most, followed by renewal, state fit and a clear state fee.

More for this state

Where this briefing comes from

  1. Want to double-check Ariz? Go to azleg.gov, where we confirmed the details in August 2026.
  2. Want to double-check Arizona formation fee: Filing fee, official source? Go to azcc.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  3. Want to double-check Cal? Go to leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, where we confirmed the details in August 2026.
  4. Want to double-check California Secretary of State? Go to sos.ca.gov, where we confirmed the details in August 2026.
  5. Want to double-check California Secretary of State? Go to bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, where we confirmed the details in August 2026.
  6. Want to double-check California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source? Go to sos.ca.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  7. Want to double-check California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and? Go to ftb.ca.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  8. Want to double-check California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and? Go to ftb.ca.gov, where we confirmed the details in October 2026.
  9. Mainstay Filing states pricing page on its site, and we looked on November 13, 2026
  10. NC Registered Agent.org states pricing page on its site, and we looked on November 13, 2026
  11. Connecticut Registered Agent.co states pricing page on its site, and we looked on November 13, 2026