9 Cheapest Registered Agent Services (2025 Buying Guide)

According to the Office of Advocacy, 99.9 percent of US businesses are classified as small businesses, with LLCs constituting the largest portion of these entities, indicating their vast presence and significance in the national economy.

Finding the cheapest registered agent service requires balancing cost with reliability and essential features.

It can be challenging to locate a cheap provider that still offers all of the necessary features for your business.

To help you out, I worked with my legal advisors and tested different registered agent services across the country based on service features and pricing.

9 Cheapest Registered Agent Services (January 2025)

1 - Northwest Registered Agent (Best Value for Money)

Would you recommend Northwest Registered Agent (Best Value for Money)?

Northwest Registered Agent is one of the best-rated services for forming a business through the internet.

We tested this renowned company to evaluate the process of creating an LLC, and based on our assessment, you’ll be provided with continuous assistance from expert agents assigned to your account.

Northwest provides a special LLC creation deal for just $39, which comes with a free registered agent service for the initial year. This promotion is available when you sign up via our link.

During our use, their service guided us preparing all the necessary legal paperwork, and their team made us feel guided at every step of the procedure.

We felt confident knowing that Northwest Registered Agent values customer privacy and operates with a secure online platform that doesn’t share client data to unauthorized organizations.

While Northwest provides a solid range of assistance, their plans at this time don’t include an EIN, which we think would make their offering even further.

Service Highlights:

• Registered Agent Service ($125/year): The 1st year of registered agent service is free when Northwest manages your LLC formation. This feature provides mail forwarding, professional corporate guides, and built-in privacy protections.
• Full-Service LLC Formation Plan ($39 + State Fee): This comprehensive package includes quick filing, a full year of registered agent service, an LLC operating agreement, free business tools like a domain, website, email, and business phone, and built-in privacy practices.

2 - MyCompanyWorks (Cheapest Registered Agent)

Would you recommend MyCompanyWorks (Cheapest Registered Agent)?

Businesses across the United States can employ a registered agent service from MyCompanyWorks for just $119 per year.

Their business-focused package and the comprehensive package offer a free first year of registered agent service, making them cost-effective.

We were impressed with their compliance monitoring feature, which made it effortless to keep track of compliance obligations.

MyCompanyWorks is also known for its reliable customer support. Based on our interaction, they get back to phone calls and emails within 30 minutes or less during business hours—unlike many industries alternatives, which can take longer.

Service Highlights:

• Registered Agent Services ($119/year): Starting at $119 annually if purchased separately, the middle-tier and all-in-one packages come with the first year of registered agent service for free.
• Basic Formation Package ($79 + State Fee): This foundational package includes essential LLC formation services like Articles of Organization, same-day processing, unlimited phone/email support, name availability search, a personalized operating agreement, business bank account setup, banking resolution, access to scanned documents online, a free logo, and more.
• Entrepreneur Formation Package ($199 + State Fee): Includes everything from the Basic Package, including lifetime access to MyCompanyForms & tax guide, a free first-year registered agent service, and a Federal Tax ID (EIN).
• Complete Formation Package ($279 + State Fee): This top-tier package features everything in the Entrepreneur Package plus MyCompanyWorks Premium, which includes Initial and Annual Report Filing Service, ComplianceLock™ Alerts, Automatic Minutes and Resolutions, E-Ledger, E-Certificates, Business Entity Monitoring, and Priority Support.

3 - Bizee (Best Essentials)

Would you recommend Bizee (Best Essentials)?

The price offered by Bizee is around the bottom end of online registered agent pricing.

Bizee (formerly Incfile) offers a cost-effective solution for business formation, particularly LLCs, with services starting at $0 plus state fees.  Their services extend beyond LLC filing to include annual reports, compliance reminders, and a suite of tools for business growth.

Bizee's platform is designed to simplify the start-up process, offering fast filing speeds and a user-friendly dashboard to manage business essentials.

Bizee also offers free tools and services for entrepreneurs, including a DIY mail curriculum, a limited company assessment, a how-to-start business guide, and a firm running checklist.

Service Features:

• Top Registered Agent Services ($119): Free mail forwarding, 24/7 customer support, easy-to-use online Registered Agent Dashboard, and compliance alerts.
• LLC Formation (starts at $45): Provides three different levels of LLC creation plans, with the first year of the basic plan being free. The state filing fees still apply.

4 - ZenBusiness (Best Premium)

Would you recommend ZenBusiness (Best Premium)?

When it comes to registered agent services, ZenBusiness offers a free option for the first year and they charge $199 each year after that.

I wanted to ensure that my business was always compliant, so I opted for ZenBusiness's Worry-Free Compliance Guarantee. This guarantee sent me reminders about significant paperwork, such as my company's annual report and filings.

Additionally, this service will cover expenditures if documentation is mismanaged and will assist you in regaining your business's credibility if that happens.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service Worry-Free Compliance Package ($199 per year): Here, you get your own registered agent for this price every year. The service then renews annually for the same amount.
• LLC Starter Formation ($0 + State Fees): This package offers excellent customer support and essential company filing tools and services. It guarantees a standard filing speed of 7 to 10 days and a 100% accuracy guarantee. You'll also have the option to add worry-free compliance for the first year, with renewal available at $199/year. Additionally, the package includes a 1-month free trial of Website Builder, Banking, Bank Account, and Money Pro Bookkeeping for complete financial management.
• Pro Plan ($199 + State Fees): Has everything from the starter bundle plus an operating agreement, banking resolution, and EIN acquisition. The package also has a rush filing speed, ensuring your business filings are processed swiftly within 1 business day on average. 
• Premium Plan ($299 + State Fees): Includes all Pro plan services, business document templates, and additional business website features such as domain name and hosting. It also comes with a 1-day expedited filing speed.

5 - Harbor Compliance

Would you recommend Harbor Compliance?

Harbor Compliance, as my registered agent, seamlessly assisted me in establishing an LLC, forwarding my mail, and ensuring I had a representative accessible during regular business hours.

The company specializes in streamlining multi-state compliance, offering both expert services and advanced software to manage entity formation, business licensing, and tax registration. Their solutions are designed to save time, reduce risk, and enable growth, with a focus on making compliance accessible.

This registered agent also maintains a comprehensive database of nationwide requirements, positioning itself as a valuable resource for businesses expanding or maintaining their presence across states

Because they provide excellent services at reasonable costs, Harbor Compliance is a perfect choice if you require a registered agent firm that offers full service and is reasonably priced.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($99): As your registered agent, they receive essential documents on your behalf and offer free digital mail forwarding, same-day electronic filing, and exceptional data security.
• Annual Reports ($100): In this plan, they file your annual reports on time and offer software for alerts and tracking progress.

6 - Swyft Filings

Would you recommend Swyft Filings?

When I was juggling a packed schedule while establishing my third startup, Swyft Filings was truly a lifesaver. They took care of all my filing needs efficiently, giving me the freedom to dedicate time to other important aspects of my operations.

Swyft Filings features 24/7 access to mail and provides helpful reminders for critical due dates and deadlines. This ensures you stay on top of things and that your business remains in line with regulations.

This is very important in states where the unemployment rate reached a notable 3.5% in 2024, according to the Department of Commerce. This highlights the state’s economic stability and business potential for entrepreneurs.

Although Swyft Filings is newer to the registered agent service industry, they’re becoming prominent as one of the best providers, backed by strong customer reviews.

Service Highlights:

• Registered Agent Service ($149 every 3 months): Swyft Filings requires a quarterly fee for this critical service.
• Basic Plan ($0 + State Fee): Features the submission of your articles of incorporation and LLC setup.
• Standard Plan ($199 + State Fee): This comprehensive LLC package expands upon the basic plan, including a Federal Tax ID (EIN) and key documents like an operating agreement, banking resolution, and organizational minutes.
• Premium Package ($299 + State Fee): Includes all foundational services plus premium features such as free domain registration, hosting for your business website, a tailored digital corporate kit, and FedEx delivery with a tracking number for your authorized articles.

7 - Incorp

Would you recommend Incorp?

Incorp is a good fit for small business owners on a limited budget.

When I was a novice in the business world, InCorp's customer service team was my guiding light. Their thoroughness and friendliness made the challenging process of LLC creation seem manageable.

If you want to save more, I recommend prepaying for 5 years to get a registered agent for only $66 each year afterward.

This LLC creation service takes the necessary precautions to safeguard its clients and restrict unauthorized third-party access.

Service Features

• Registered Agent Service ($129): InCorp will receive any court orders and legal notices and ensure they securely and discreetly reach you.

8 - Rocket Lawyer

Would you recommend Rocket Lawyer?

Rocket Lawyer is a preferred solution for businesses looking for trusted registered agent services. Their comprehensive range of business solutions is carefully designed to serve the unique demands of business operations, guaranteeing seamless LLC creation and legal compliance.

They provide multiple LLC creation and attorney services, taking care of paperwork and filings with efficiency. Additionally, they provide a free trial, so you can experience their platform before signing up.

Rocket Lawyer’s attorney services simplified the task of managing our paperwork and filings. The free trial was an great way to experience their offerings without risk.

Their clear list of premium services and pricing helped us assess options and choose the best plan for our needs.

For more information about this provider, we suggest reading our Rocket Lawyer review.

Service Highlights:

• Registered Agent Service ($249.99 for non-members): For Rocket Legal+ members, this service is discounted to $124.99/year, with a membership cost of $19.99/month (billed annually at $239.88 after a free 7-day trial).
• LLC Formation Package ($0 + State Fee): Register your first LLC for FREE when you subscribe to Rocket Legal+ ($19.99/month billed annually at $239.88 after a free 7-day trial).

9 - LegalZoom

Would you recommend LegalZoom?

LegalZoom offers an unbiased team of attorneys to support you since they firmly think that every business deserves complete legal protection.

During my trial, the registered agent received my legal papers and promptly sent them to the SOS on my behalf.

They provide you the peace of mind that during regular business hours, there will always be someone on hand to accept delivery of any critical notices and papers.

Another encouraging development I liked is that you may split most LLC orders into three equal monthly payments based on the total value.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent ($299): This is the flat rate for LegalZoom to be your registered agent and act as the primary contact point with the state.

Why Should You Trust Us

You should trust Venture Smarter for your registered agent service needs because our team, comprised of seasoned legal advisors, has conducted extensive evaluations of various registered agent services based on service features, pricing, and reliability. Venture Smarter's methodology is thorough and unbiased, ensuring that our recommendations are based solely on the services' performance and value to our readers.

The Venture Smarter team is dedicated to transparency and integrity. We interact anonymously with registered agent services and leverage the insights of an independent review team to provide you with unbiased, evidence-based recommendations. This approach ensures that our suggestions are made with your best interests in mind.

We understand the importance of finding a registered agent service that balances cost with reliability and essential features. That's why we've meticulously reviewed each service's features, pricing, customer support, and efficiency. Our goal is to empower Venture Smarter readers with the information needed to make an informed decision that aligns with their business needs and budget constraints.

By choosing Venture Smarter, you're not just selecting any registered agent service; you're choosing a partner committed to your business's success and legal compliance. Trust us to guide you to the best registered agent service that meets your specific needs, ensuring your business remains in good standing with state laws and regulations.

How We Tested The Cheapest Registered Agent Services

We evaluated over a dozen registered agent services through anonymous interactions and expert consultations. Our analysis covered pricing, customer support, turnaround time, service features, confidentiality, ease of use, transition processes, and third-party reviews.

We rated each service on responsiveness, technological capabilities, and user experience, integrating customer scores and reputational factors to recommend the cheapest providers for your business.

1. Turnaround

The speed at which a registered agent service processes and relays documents is critical for maintaining legal compliance and timely operations.

In terms of filing and delivery, MyCompanyWorks, which offers same-day paper submission, stands out for its efficiency.

Services with slower processing times like ZenBusiness and LegalZoom lag behind.

"Determine the features that are most important for your business. This might include the speed of document delivery, privacy measures, compliance management tools, customer support quality, and the availability of additional services like business formation or legal advice."

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

2. Service Features

The range of features offered by a registered agent service can greatly enhance the value of a business, providing tools for compliance, document management, and additional legal services.

From our thorough key features analysis, Bizee and ZenBusiness offer features such as online dashboards, compliance alerts, and additional services like mail forwarding and annual report filings.

In contrast, LegalZoom does not fare as well because despite its higher pricing it is lacking in comprehensive features and has limited services in its basic packages.

3. Price

For new businesses or those with limited funds, the cost of a registered agent service can be a significant factor. Affordable services enable businesses to comply with legal requirements without overstretching their budgets.

Based on our evaluation, MyCompanyWorks offers a competitive price of $59 annually for basic package services, while Bizee provides a free first year with its LLC formation package.

In contrast, LegalZoom's $299 fee is comparatively higher, which may not be as attractive for cost-sensitive businesses.

See also: How much does a registered agent cost

4. Customer Support

Reliable customer support is essential for addressing urgent queries and ensuring that businesses can navigate legal complexities with ease.

After analyzing the communication channels offered by different companies we found MyCompanyWorks and ZenBusiness to have multiple channels for communication, including phone, email, and chat. The responsiveness and availability of ZenBusiness were topnotch with immediate and professional assistance.

However, Harbor Compliance lacks in this area as they took over 3 hours to respond to our live chat queries.

5. Third-Party Reviews

Third-party reviews provide insight into customer satisfaction and service reliability, which are crucial for trust and credibility.

We based our third-party review analysis on platforms like TrustPilot that offer a wealth of user feedback.

Based on this, ZenBusiness and InFile received high ratings on these platforms mostly because of their free LLC formation plan and prompt customer service.

LegalZoom and InCorp on the other hand, received average ratings due to high pricing and delayed filing respectively.

6. Confidentiality

Protecting sensitive business information is paramount to prevent misuse or unauthorized access.

Based on our evaluation, Northwest Registered Agent shines in this area because of its Privacy by Default feature that safeguards client data.

We also like InCorp because it has a strict data privacy policy that restricts third-party access.

7. Ease of Use

A straightforward and easy-to-navigate online platform is vital for a seamless user experience.

From our review of platform usability, services with user-friendly online platforms, such as ZenBusiness, are likely to provide a better customer experience.

In contrast, companies with complicated or outdated interfaces like Bizee and LegalZoom did not meet this criterion as effectively.

8. Transition Process

A seamless switch to a new registered agent service is crucial to avoid any gaps in legal coverage.

Based on transition excellence, we found ZenBusiness and Northwest to be the most helpful as they facilitate an easy transition process, providing clear instructions and support.

We would rate InCorp's transition process a 4.2/5 as it was relatively complex and the instructions were unclear.

How Much Do Registered Agent Service Providers Cost?

Registered agent service providers cost between $99 to $299 for an LLC in the US. This fee varies depending on the pricing of the company you hire and the state in which your LLC is located.

However, it is completely free if you act as your own registered agent service for your LLC or designate a trusted friend of family member.

Requirements For A Registered Agent

FAQs

Our Verdict

After spending countless hours researching registered agent services, I've got to say, that MyCompanyWorks truly stood out to me.

I personally tried their registered agent and it didn't disappoint. For just $99 for the first year, I received faster filing, easy online updating, and statutory compliance for my LLC.

During my trial, the company also offered prompt customer service and immediate notification and delivery of Service of Process and other legal forms.

If you're anything like me and love a good deal without skimping on service, I'd wholeheartedly recommend giving this registered agent a shot.