7 Best LLC Services in California (2025) Picked by Clients

Navigating the intricacies of establishing an LLC in California can be a daunting task due to the multitude of options available.

According to the Office of Advocacy, there are 4.1 million small businesses in California, accounting for 99.8 percent of all state businesses, with the majority being LLCs.

We consulted a team of legal professionals with years of experience in the industry and reviewed some of our top client's picks for the best California LLC formation services in 2024.
Together, we've spent over a month analyzing all the essential elements, including cost, speed, and customer service, to help you make the right choice.

Company	LLC Packages	LLC Fees	Registered Agent Price	Same & Next Day Filing	Money-Back Guarantee	Free Package Features	BBB Accredited	Advisory Services
ZenBusiness (Best Overall)	3	From 0$	$199	Pro & Premium Package	60 days	LLC Filing & 100% Accuracy Guarantee	Yes	Accounting Consultation
Northwest (Best Premium)	1	$39 (using our link)	First year free with LLC purchase / $125 from 2nd year	No	90 days	None	No, A rating	No
LegalZoom (Best Essentials)	3	From $0	$249	No	60 days	LLC Filing, Digital welcome packet, Customizable website	Yes, A+ rating	Attorney Consultations (Premium Plan)
Harbor Compliance (Most Affordable)	1	$99	$99	Depending on the state	No	None	Yes	No
Swyft Filings	3	From $0	$149	Premium Package	60 days	LLC Filing & Lifetime customer support	No	No
Bizee	3	From $0	First year free with LLC purchase / $119 from 2nd year	Platinum Package	Order refundable before state payment (usually 24h), minus $30 fee.	LLC Filing, FREE Registered Agent (1 year), EIN, Operating Agreement, Business Tax Consultation & more	No	Tax: Free 1-hour Consultation
SunDoc Filings	3	From $79	$159	Key & Premier Packages (Basic Package for $100)	Order refundable before state payment	None	Yes, A+	No

Top 7 Best LLC Services in California (April 2025)

1 - ZenBusiness (Best Overall)

Would you recommend ZenBusiness (Best Overall)?

When I started my first business in California, I turned to ZenBusiness.

From my experience, they truly stand out as the ideal LLC service provider for startups and entrepreneurs in the state, offering premium features without breaking the bank.

Their user-friendly interface ensures a swift initial filing process, clocking in at just 10-12 minutes. They offer clear package options, enriched by essentials like an EIN. My LLC was ready to roll in a mere four days, and I was equipped with a thorough New Business Kit.

Their intuitive dashboard demystifies the post-filing process, and their extensive library of resources is invaluable.

A noteworthy aspect is their billing approach for registered agent services, which kicks in only after LLC setup, showcasing their client commitment.

I found their starter pack particularly appealing, as it offers basic LLC services for $0, only covering the $1 state fee. This allowed me to begin my venture without making a significant financial investment.

Seeking a full analysis of this provider? Check out our detailed ZenBusiness analysis.

LLC Formation Packages:

• Starter Formation Package ($0 + $75 State Fee): LLC formation, standard filing speed (7 to 10 days), and includes a 100% accuracy guarantee. ZenBusiness offers LLC formation packages to suit any budget, with their basic tier starting at $0 plus the applicable state fee. Additionally, they offer worry-free compliance free for the first year, which is optional and renews at $199/year if accepted. The package also comes with added benefits like banking, bank account services, Money Pro Bookkeeping, and a Website Builder, all with a 1-month free trial followed by nominal monthly fees.
• Pro Package ($199 + $75 State Fee): Includes everything from the starter plus fastest "rush" filling speed (1 business day avg), registration of EIN (Employer Identification Number), priority processing, filing of an annual report, and two amendments annually. The package also includes an operating agreement template at $79.
• Premium Package ($299 + $75 State Fee): Everything included in the Pro and Starter plans, plus domain name registration with privacy, a business email address, business document templates, a customizable business website, and 1 business day filing speed.
• Registered Agent Services ($199): The service will renew at $199/year.

2 - Northwest Registered Agent Service (Best Premium)

Would you recommend Northwest Registered Agent Service (Best Premium)?

I remember when I was in the initial steps of my company venture, feeling burdened with all the requirements. Turning to Northwest Registered Agent was a life-saver. Their extensive expertise made a difference as they managed each of my issues efficiently and in detail.

In the United States, where small businesses hire 61.6 million workers, making up 45.9% of the country’s workforce according to the Small Business Economic Profile, the solutions provided by Northwest Registered Agent made forming my LLC easy and clear.

The initial filing was finished in just 9 minutes, with everything wrapped up within 72 hours, even though we chose a 5-day service and began on a Saturday. Their focus on accuracy and customer support were clear throughout.

Using PrivacybyDefault made sure that we had no concerns about protecting our data.

LLC Formation Packages:

• Basic Plan ($39 + $75 State Fee): Fast LLC setup service with additional state filing fees, including one year of free registered agent service, a business address, and complimentary mail forwarding when you set up your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent. Enjoy added privacy by default, along with a free domain, website, email, and business phone to kick-start your business seamlessly.
• Registered Agent Services ($125): Once you form your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent, you receive the first year of this service for free. Following that, it will be charged each year. Discounted to $100 for national registered agent service for multi-state operations.

3 - LegalZoom (Best Essentials)

Would you recommend LegalZoom (Best Essentials)?

LegalZoom represents one of the most well-known names in the LLC formation and incorporation industry.

They are well-known not only because of their LLC formation services but also for their extensive range of online legal services and contractual arrangements templates they provide.

You may also expect fast response times when filing and obtaining papers.

Their registered agent service stood out for its efficiency. We enjoyed working with them, and the overall experience was delightful.

However, LegalZoom prices are comparatively higher than some of its competitors which may not provide the best value for money.

LLC Formation Packages:

• Basic Package ($0 + $75 State Fee): Adds name search, articles of organization document, professional website by WIX, and digital welcome packet.
• Pro Package ($249 + $75 State Fee): Upgrades to even more deluxe features, including an operating agreement, EIN, in-depth guidelines on business licensing, and a 30-minute phone consultation addressing tax savings and insurance.
• Premium Package ($299 + $75 State Fee): Has both Basic and Pro packages, plus 30-minute countless consultation with a business attorney addressing new legal issues for the first 3 months of subscription. You'll also have interactive guidance from professionals in business law based on your state. The professional will also handle any changes in your LLC formation documents for the first 3 subscription months.
• Registered Agent Service ($299): Their premium registered agent service includes advanced features like identity theft protection, rigorous data security, and unrestricted virtual storage.

4 - Harbor Compliance (Most Affordable)

Would you recommend Harbor Compliance (Most Affordable)?

If you've been looking for relevant LLC formation services, Harbor Compliance has most likely surfaced on very few listings.

They provide companies and NGOs with full-service compliance solutions throughout their years of existence.

Harbor Compliance is the industry leader for critical compliance solutions required to launch a new business.

Their LLC services range from expert LLC forms, incorporation assistance, and more, offering the essential tools needed to start your own company confidently.

Harbor Compliance is legit and famous for its excellent customer service.

We chose to give it a try and were quite impressed with the outcomes.

The company is reliable in terms of facilitating communication between business entities and government agencies. This keeps the company legally compliant at all times.

They prioritize their customers' privacy, using Norton and Trustwave to ensure website security and data encryption.

LLC Formation Packages:

• Formation Package ($99 + $75 State Fee): Covers existence of Names, operating agreement form, articles of incorporation, EIN federal, and a registered representative.
• Registered Agent Service (89-$99): Among all LLC formations, Harbor Compliance offers a one-year period of registered agent service. This service will continue yearly at a price of $99 once the period term expires, and there are no additional charges.

5 - Swyft Filings

Would you recommend Swyft Filings?

When I was in a rush to get my LLC started, I relied on Swyft Filings. Their rapidity and efficiency in the LLC formation process were remarkable.

Forming a business doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming, so they supply a formation package that can help businesses get started swiftly.

While establishing an LLC with them, we discovered that Swyft Filings extends a 100% money-back guarantee.

The most significant downside of working with them is that their packages do not include a free registered agent service for your New Mexico business.

LLC Formation Packages:

• Basic Package ($0 + $75 State Fee): This will offer basic LLC incorporation plus document filing.
• Standard Package ($199 + $75 State Fee): Features LLC incorporation and document filing, along with a Federal Tax ID (EIN) and a robust selection of documents to start your business. Premium
• Premium Package ($299 + $75 State Fee): The premium package includes all Basic and Standard services, plus a customized digital corporate kit, free domain, and business website hosting.
• Registered Agent Service ($149 per three months): The registered agent service is a subscription billed every 3 months.

6 - Bizee

Would you recommend Bizee?

For California businesses seeking affordable startup assistance, Bizee (formerly Incfile) is the go-to resource for filing formation documents quickly and cost-effectively.

Bizee is a corporation that provides business creation and registered agent services.

They provide a comprehensive range of formation, compliance, and filing LLC services which we found very comprehensive and helpful.

We learned we could count on Bizee's knowledgeable customer service team, which responded quickly and effectively.

Limited liability companies (LLCs), C-corporations, S-corporations, and charities may all be formed using Bizee.

This service has been highly praised by 10,000 satisfied customers, with nearly every single one of them awarding a perfect five-star rating.

LLC Formation Packages:

• Silver Package (0 + $75 State Fee): Includes California LLC formation service, one-year registered agent service, and lifetime compliance alerts. They charge $0 for their California LLC formation services, requiring you to only be responsible for state fees and minimal additional expenses like address confirmation and certification fees.
• Bizee Gold ($199 + $75 State Fee): Includes drafting the operating agreement and banking resolution, and registration of an EIN. This package also brings Operating Agreements and Lifetime company alerts.
• Platinum Package ($299 + $75 State Fee): This package contains everything as the Gold package, and adds preferred rush filing, free domain name, and website, contract templates.
• Registered Agent Services ($119): Free first year of registered agent service which renews on an annual basis at $119 included. It is free for the first year if made with an LLC formation package.

7 - SunDoc Filings

Would you recommend SunDoc Filings?

SunDoc is not among the top companies overall, but since you’re here to look for the best online LLC formation service in California, you might want to consider this.

They offer to hand-deliver paperwork to the California Secretary of State's office three times every day–that’s already an advantage when it comes to turnaround time. This perk is hard to find elsewhere.

As per our experience, SunDoc was really a surprise. We must say that we didn't expect much but it turns out they delivered a pretty decent service.

Sundoc's customer support was very knowledgeable and super helpful and we managed to stay on top of all of our legal obligations.

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Why Should You Trust Us

At Venture Smarter, we secretly test different service providers and use our expert team to give you honest and detailed advice. This careful approach ensures our advice is reliable and made just for California businesses.

Trust the Venture Smarter team because we know how important it is to choose the right services for your company's legal needs and efficiency. Our reviews are based on real experiences and legal knowledge, giving you clear and detailed feedback that is better than quick, shallow tips.

Venture Smarter team are dedicated to helping your California business grow and follow the law. We carefully check each service for how well it works, how good the customer service is, how affordable it is, and how efficient it is to make sure they are good enough for your business's success in the state.

Also, our promise to be clear and excellent means that choosing a service recommended by Venture Smarter is like choosing a partner who cares about your success. Our reviews aim to help you make smart decisions that help your business grow.

How We Picked And Tested The Best LLC Services In California

We conducted an extensive review of multiple LLC services in California, focusing on client recommendations and expert opinions. Our team, including legal professionals, spent over a month analyzing various aspects of these services including cost, speed, customer service, and first-hand experiences.

Our assessment criteria included the cost of services, the range of primary and supplementary services offered, overall reputation, user-friendliness of the platform, expertise in California-specific regulations, operational speed, quality of customer support, and user feedback.

1. Pricing

Considering the price of an LLC service is essential for effective financial management, ensuring value for money, and making an informed decision that aligns with the business’s financial capabilities and long-term strategy

Our top picks for pricing are ZenBusiness and Bizee which offer compelling free packages, including a registered agent. Northwest also stands out with its $39 deal, including a free registered agent for account openings through our link.

Conversely, Harbor Compliance is at a disadvantage with its base formation package which costs $99.

"Don't be fooled by solely the cheapest option. Look for a service that offers value and features that support your unique needs."

- Delina Yasmeh, J.D./Tax LL.M, Distinguished Expert in Mergers & Acquisitions

2. Customer Support

Efficient customer support is vital for the timely and effective resolution of queries and issues. We evaluated the communication channels available and the response time and availability of the support team.

Overall, ZenBusiness and Northwest stood out with their excellent, prompt, and professional customer service reachable via phone, email, and online chat.

However, LegalZoom lags in certain aspects like response time and their automated responses weren't as helpful during our formation process.

3. Service Offered

A wide range of services, including essential like name searches and filing the Articles of Organization, and additional offerings like EIN and operating agreement, is crucial for comprehensive LLC formation and management.

Based on this criterion, ZenBusiness got a 5/5 as its basic plan has all the essential features of forming an LLC plus useful additional services like bank account services, website builder, and Money Pro Bookkeeping.

Some services, however, like Swfyt Fillings may not be as extensive as their basic plan lacks essential features like registered agent service and annual reports.

4. Turnaround Time

Fast turnaround time saves you time that would otherwise be spent waiting for documents or services. This time can be redirected to more productive activities.

ZenBusiness received a 5/5 with its rush filing option that offers a 1-2 business day turnaround on LLC formation.

Other notable services with swift turnaround times include Northwest Registered Agent service and Bizee which processed and filed our formation paperwork within 72 hours.

5. Reliability and Reputation

A reliable service with a strong reputation ensures confidence in LLC formation and management.

Northwest Registered Agent has built a solid reputation with its 20+ years in business formation and compliance handling.

Based on TrustPilot ratings and user reviews, ZenBusiness and Northwest are highly reliable with 5-star ratings.

LegalZoom however, has mixed reviews, especially on their pricing structure and limited customer support hours.

6. Ease of Use

A user-friendly website is essential as it ensures clients can access services and information easily, which is especially important for business owners with busy schedules.

Based on customer experience and platform usability, ZenBusiness got a  4/5 with its user-friendly website and an online dashboard that allows easy access to documents.

However, we rated LegalZoom a 2/5 because of its outdated and complicated website that might be difficult to navigate and less intuitive.

7. Local Expertise

Lack of knowledge about state-specific laws can lead to errors that border on legal malpractice. Local expertise mitigates this risk, ensuring that the legal service meets professional standards of care.

All of the services we tested demonstrate strong local expertise in California, particularly with state laws surrounding business formation, document filing, and managing compliance.

Key Financial & Business Insights in California

1. California-Specific Resources

1. California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network: Provides free business consulting and affordable training to help small businesses start, grow, and succeed.
2. California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz): Works to promote economic development and attract businesses to California.
3. Chambers of Commerce: Includes the California Chamber of Commerce and local chambers (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego) for networking, advocacy, and business support.

2. California Business Statistics

• Projected 155,000 business openings and 135,000 closings in 2024, resulting in a net increase of 20,000 businesses.
• Small businesses are expected to account for 140,000 openings and 120,000 closings.
• Employment is projected to expand at 165,000 establishments and contract at 145,000 establishments in 2024.
• Opening and expanding businesses are expected to add 1.6 million jobs, while closing and contracting businesses may lose 1.4 million jobs, resulting in a net increase of 200,000 jobs.
• Small businesses are projected to contribute 150,000 net new jobs, representing 75% of total job growth.
• In 2024, California businesses with revenues under $1 million are expected to receive $16 billion in small business loans.
• Total new lending to businesses is projected at $9 billion for loans under $100,000 and $21 billion for loans under $1 million.

Source: Projections based on 2023 trends and early 2024 indicators from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and CRA Aggregate Data (FFIEC).

3. Financial Incentives for LLCs

1. California Competes Tax Credit: Provides tax credits to businesses that create jobs and make significant investments in California.
2. California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program: Offers loan guarantees to small businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing.
3. Workforce Development Programs: California invests in workforce training through programs like the California Workforce Development Board.

4. California State Taxes

• Corporate Income Tax: California imposes a corporate income tax rate of 8.84%, one of the highest in the U.S.
• LLC Taxes: LLCs in California are subject to an annual minimum franchise tax of $800, regardless of income. LLCs must file an annual report with the California Secretary of State.
• Personal Income Tax: California has a progressive personal income tax rate ranging from 1% to 13.3%, making it one of the highest in the nation.
• Sales Tax: The state sales tax rate is 7.25%, with local jurisdictions able to add up to 2.5% for a maximum combined rate of 9.75%.

 

Steps To Start an LLC in California

Individuals forming an LLC in California may be able to save money by foregoing the use of an LLC formation service.

The California Secretary of State does not require their utilization, although they can certainly provide valuable benefits during the process [3].

Follow these eight easy steps to form a California LLC:

• Step 1: Find a suitable LLC name
• Step 2: Find a California registered agent
• Step 3: File California LLC Articles of Organization
• Step 4: File LLC Initial Statement of Information
• Step 5: Decide on the type of your California LLC
• Step 6: Make an LLC operating agreement
• Step 7: Obtain a California LLC EIN
• Step 8: Obtain LLC licenses and business permits

FAQs

Our Verdict

Though many California LLC formation services may assist you in forming your LLC, based on our personal experience and research, we recommend ZenBusiness.

They are the best choice because of their well-rounded LLC services and customer support. Their services offer an accessible and economical way to get your business off the ground, providing all necessities for success.
We were delighted with the LLC formation service packages, registered agent services, and processing time. Positive reviews from their former clients also testify to this.