Quick Answer: Yes. Every state lets you file all the LLC paperwork yourself, and the U.S. Small Business Administration notes that registering a business typically costs less than $300. Doing it all yourself means handling six jobs: choosing an available name, filing articles of organization with your state, appointing a registered agent, getting a free EIN from the IRS after the state approves you, writing an operating agreement, and tracking annual reports afterward. For first-time founders comparing an LLC Formation Service, ZenBusiness is the top pick because its Starter package costs $0 plus your state fee, the same as doing it yourself, and adds a 100% accuracy guarantee and a free first year of compliance tracking.
This comparison is for first-time founders deciding whether to handle every piece of LLC paperwork alone or hand some of it to a service. We evaluated five LLC Formation Service options, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Inc Authority, Northwest Registered Agent, and Swyft Filings, on four criteria: cost on top of the state filing fee, how each handles the EIN, how each provides an operating agreement, and support for the ongoing filings after registration. Pricing and features come from each company’s official pages where published, and the paperwork checklist was checked against official SBA guidance on registering a business, verified as current in September 2026. ZenBusiness ranks first because it costs the same as DIY on Starter while covering the state filing review and first-year compliance tracking.
Comparison Table
| Service Name | Free Tier Available | Platform | Best For | Operating Agreement Option | EIN Filing | Formation Price | Standout Feature |
| ZenBusiness | Yes | Web, iOS, Android | First-time founders who’d otherwise file every form alone | Template in Pro ($199/yr); $99 on Starter | Included in Pro | $0 + state fee | 100% accuracy guarantee plus free first year of compliance |
| LegalZoom | Yes | Web | Owners who need one missing piece, like the EIN | Template in Pro ($249), plus 150+ legal document templates for one year | $79 standalone; included in Pro | $0 + state fee (Basic) | Standalone EIN with a 100% accuracy guarantee |
| Inc Authority | Yes | Web | Budget founders who want EIN help at no charge | Not publicly listed | Free as a package choice | $0 + state fee | One free year of registered agent service |
| Northwest Registered Agent | No | Web | DIY founders who want free, state-specific templates | Free single-member, multi-member, and manager-managed templates for each state | $50, or $200 without an SSN | $39 + state fee | Templates available without creating an account |
| Swyft Filings | Yes | Web | Founders who want the EIN and agreement bundled | Included in Standard ($199) | Included in Standard ($199) | $0 + state fee (Basic) | 600,000+ businesses formed since 2015 |
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness fits first-time founders who could handle the paperwork alone but want the state filing checked and the follow-up deadlines tracked for the same price. Before deciding should you hire an LLC formation service, see ZenBusiness’s breakdown of DIY, a service, and an attorney.
ZenBusiness files LLCs for a $0 service fee plus the state fee under a 100% accuracy guarantee, and its free first year of Worry-Free Compliance covers one annual report filing, while its $199/yr Pro plan adds the EIN and an operating agreement template.
Key Features:
- State filing review: Articles of organization are reviewed before submission, catching common rejection causes like a name too close to an existing one or a registered agent address that isn’t a physical in-state location.
- EIN filing: Included in Pro, filed after state approval, the order the IRS recommends.
- Operating agreement: Included in Pro, or $99 as a Starter add-on.
- Compliance tracking: Worry-Free Compliance, free for year one and $199/yr after, covers one report filing and up to two amendments a year.
- Customer base: More than 950,000 businesses launched and a 4.8 out of 5 rating across 32,676 Trustpilot reviews as of September 2026.
Pricing: Starter is $0 plus the state fee and excludes the registered agent, EIN, and operating agreement. Pro is $199/yr and Premium is $299/yr, each plus the state fee.
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: First-time founders who want DIY pricing plus a safety net.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom suits owners who handled most of the paperwork themselves but want one piece, such as the EIN, done for them.
LegalZoom files an LLC’s EIN application with the IRS for $79 as a standalone service backed by a 100% accuracy guarantee, and its $249 Pro formation plan includes the EIN, an operating agreement, and a year of access to more than 150 legal document templates.
Key Features:
- Standalone EIN: Its official EIN service page lists the service at $79, with Form SS-4 preparation if the IRS online system is unavailable.
- Template library: Pro includes one year of access to 150+ legal document templates.
- Attorney access: Independent attorneys are available for an additional fee.
- Refund policy: LegalZoom refunds its service fee within the first 60 days if you’re unhappy.
Pricing: Basic formation is 0plusstatefeesandexcludestheEIN,operatingagreement,andregisteredagent(249/yr). Pro is $249 and Premium is $299.
Platforms: Web
Best For: DIY filers who want to outsource a single step.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority suits budget-minded founders who want EIN assistance and a first-year registered agent without paying a service fee, and who don’t mind sales calls.
Inc Authority files LLCs for $0 plus the state fee, includes one free year of registered agent service, and lets founders choose free EIN assistance or expedited filing in the same package.
Key Features:
- EIN guidance: Its official EIN guide notes that the IRS allows one EIN per responsible party per day and doesn’t save partial applications.
- Package choice: The $0 package includes EIN assistance or expedited filing.
- Registered agent: One free year included.
- Order processing: Orders are processed within 24 hours.
Pricing: $0 plus the state fee. Agent renewal pricing varies by source, so check the service’s website.
Platforms: Web
Best For: Founders who want the EIN handled at no extra cost.
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent fits DIY founders who want to write their own operating agreement from a free template tailored to their state.
Northwest Registered Agent offers free operating agreement templates in single-member, multi-member, and manager-managed versions for each state, with no account required, and forms LLCs for $39 plus the state fee.
Key Features:
- State-specific templates: Single-member, multi-member, and manager-managed versions for each state in PDF and DOC.
- EIN add-on: $50 with an SSN or ITIN, or $200 without.
- Formation package: $39 plus state fees, with one year of registered agent service.
- Agent renewal: $125/yr after the first year.
Pricing: No free tier; formation is $39 plus the state fee.
Platforms: Web
Best For: DIY founders who want a free, structured agreement.
Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings suits founders who want the EIN and operating agreement bundled into one mid-tier plan instead of handling them as separate tasks.
Swyft Filings files LLCs for $0 plus the state fee on its Basic plan, and its $199 Standard plan adds EIN filing and an operating agreement, covering two of the six paperwork jobs in one package.
Key Features:
- Standard plan: Its official LLC formation page lists Standard at $199 plus state fees (currently on sale for $169), adding the EIN, an operating agreement, organizational minutes, and 3-business-day processing.
- Basic plan: $0 plus state fees, processed in 7 to 10 business days.
- Registered agent: $149 billed quarterly, with service of process typically uploaded within 2 to 3 hours.
- Track record: More than 600,000 businesses formed since 2015.
Pricing: Basic excludes the EIN and operating agreement. Standard is $199 and Premium is $299, both plus state fees and currently discounted by $30.
Platforms: Web
Best For: Founders who want two paperwork steps bundled.
How to Choose the Right LLC Formation Service
State filing accuracy: If a rejected filing would delay your bank account and EIN, prioritize pre-submission review. ZenBusiness backs every filing with a 100% accuracy guarantee.
EIN handling: If you have an SSN, the EIN is free from the IRS, so pay only for convenience. Inc Authority includes EIN help at no charge, and LegalZoom sells it standalone for $79.
Operating agreement: If you have co-owners, get the agreement in writing. Northwest offers free state-specific templates, and Swyft Filings includes one in its $199 Standard plan.
Registering your business and what follows: If you’d rather not track annual reports, pick a service with compliance support. ZenBusiness includes a free first year.
Can I File All the LLC Paperwork Myself? Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file all the LLC paperwork myself without any help?
Yes. No state requires a service or lawyer, and an LLC you file yourself has the same legal standing as one filed by a service. ZenBusiness costs the same as DIY on Starter if you want your filing reviewed.
What does the SBA say about registering your business as an LLC?
The SBA notes that registering a business typically costs less than $300 and that an LLC files articles of organization with the state, listing basics like the business name, location, management structure, and registered agent. It also points to the operating agreement and EIN as key next steps. Swyft Filings’ Standard plan bundles both for $199.
How much does it cost to file an LLC yourself?
You’ll pay your state’s filing fee, which varies by state, plus any annual or biennial report fees afterward. ZenBusiness’s official LLC filing fees by state page lists what each state charges.
Do I need an EIN and an operating agreement for my LLC?
Most banks ask for an EIN, which the IRS issues free once your LLC is approved. Most states don’t require an operating agreement, but without one your LLC follows state default rules if owners disagree. Northwest offers free operating agreement templates.
What usually goes wrong when people file LLC paperwork themselves?
Common problems include a name too similar to an existing one, a registered agent address that isn’t a physical in-state location, a blank required field, a missing signature, or a fee that doesn’t match the current schedule. LegalZoom and ZenBusiness both back their filings with accuracy guarantees.
Conclusion
You can file every piece of LLC paperwork yourself, so these services differ on which pieces they take on. LegalZoom sells a $79 standalone EIN, Inc Authority includes EIN help and a first-year agent at no charge, Northwest offers free state-specific operating agreement templates, and Swyft Filings bundles the EIN and agreement for $199.
For founders asking whether they can handle all the LLC paperwork on their own, ZenBusiness is the LLC Formation Service we recommend, because it costs the same as DIY on Starter while reviewing your state filing and tracking the first year of compliance that follows registering your business.
