Natalie is a business writer with experience in operations, HR, and training & development within the software, healthcare, and financial services sectors.
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Published on August 16, 2022 Updated on April 9, 2024
If you’re starting an LLC in Florida, the business entity formation process is one of the first and most important hurdles. This step can be terribly complex and time-consuming, which is why many entrepreneurs turn to professional formation services.
But which are the best LLC formation services in Florida? This article takes a closer look, stepping into an entrepreneur’s shoes, to help you choose the service that puts you on the road to success.
Here we summarize our top picks of business formation services in Florida.
Best LLC Formation Services in Florida
ZenBusiness
4.7/5
Best Value
Price: $0 to $349 (3 plans offered) + state filing fees
Offers registered agent services, but as an add-on for $199
ZenBusiness offers various plans tailored for prospective Florida business owners.
The Starter plan is $0 plus Florida’s state fees, covering business name availability search and Florida LLC formation with full support.
The Pro plan, at $199 plus Florida’s state fees, encompasses the Starter plan services, an operating agreement template, an EIN, annual compliance service, and rush filing.
Their Premium plan at $349 plus Florida’s state fees provides all Pro services, a business document template library, domain name, website, and email.
ZenBusiness is our top pick for the best Florida LLC filing company due to its affordable base service, which includes Florida LLC filing and a 100% accuracy guarantee starting at $0 plus state fees.
Additionally, ZenBusiness is a Public Benefit Corporation, indicating it’s a for-profit company with community goals akin to a nonprofit.
Beyond Florida LLC formation, they provide various add-on services, from registered agents to business tools.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Competitively-priced packages offer good value ($0 business formation plan)
Great customer support
Positive customer reviews
Quick and easy purchase process
Company is socially responsible and active
Cons
Registered agent service not included in the plans (add-on)
Cancellation can be a lengthy process
Some information is difficult to find on the website
ZenBusiness offers valuable services for budding entrepreneurs. While registered agent services are an add-on, their excellent customer support, user-friendly site, and positive reviews make them a top choice.
Northwest’s plan is priced at $39 plus Florida’s state fees. This package covers Florida LLC formation, free registered agent services for a year, a business address, an operating agreement, and some additional perks. This plan represents outstanding value, especially since it includes crucial services such as registered agent services and an operating agreement specifically tailored for Florida LLCs.
However, it’s essential to note that if you decide against opting for the registered agent services in Florida, you’re still billed the entire plan amount.
As the name suggests, Northwest Registered Agent is renowned primarily for their registered agent services in Florida and other states. When acting as a registered agent service provider, they provide a more personalized customer support experience and rapid correspondence notifications, ensuring that Florida businesses stay compliant and informed.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Competitively-designed package offers good value (registered agent service included in the first year)
Outstanding customer service
Website is intuitive and resourceful (free legal documents and forms)
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent because of their transparent pricing, outstanding customer service, and a commitment to maintaining your privacy. They pride themselves on personalizing their approach to meeting your registered agent needs, which are their specialty.
For Florida state fees only, Swyft Filings’ Basic package includes verification of your company name, preparation of the articles of organization, and document filing with the Florida Secretary of State. You’ll also get online access to your documents and lifetime customer support.
You can purchase the Standard package for $199 plus state fees. This includes all the services included in the Basic package, but with the addition of a custom Florida operating agreement and a federal tax ID, or EIN. You will also get access to custom banking resolution services and custom organizational minutes, which is a form that helps you set up your very first meeting as an LLC.
Swyft Filings’ Premium package includes everything in the Standard package with the advantage of expedited filing, as well as a business document library, compliance notifications, and a business domain name and website. You also get a digital LLC kit, which includes a digital company “seal”, a ledger for tracking transfers of ownership, and customized ownership certificates. The Premium package is available for purchase for $299 plus Florida filing fees.
Swyft Filings offers excellent customer support and has a good track record in customer reviews.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Competitively-priced packages offer good value
Fast turnaround times
Personalized customer service specific to your needs
Quick and easy purchase process
Good rating from the Better Business Bureau
Cons
Registered agent services not included in packages and pricier than competitors
Swyft Filings offers fast processing but doesn’t include registered agent services in their packages, making additions somewhat costly. However, they provide good value overall and strong customer support.
The free Silver package includes the preparation and filing of the articles of organization, unlimited name searches, business tax consultation, business banking account offer, and lifetime compliance alerts, with free registered agent services for a year. Lifetime company alerts mean that Bizee will remind you of any reporting due dates based on your state’s requirements. You’ll also get access to a personalized online dashboard and unlimited phone and email support.
The Gold package includes all the services included in the Silver package, plus an operating agreement template, banking resolution, an EIN tax number, and the filing of IRS Form 2553, which allows LLCs to reap the tax benefits of an S Corporation. It costs $199.
The Platinum package, at $299, includes everything in the Gold package with the advantage of free expedited filing, as well as a domain name and business email. You’ll also receive access to business contract templates, which can be extremely helpful for new business owners. There are over 25 different contracts, all created and reviewed by attorneys.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Affordable, with a free plan that includes all the basics
Unlimited name searches
Free registered agent service for a year
Access to an online dashboard for paid plans
Unlimited access to phone and email support
Cons
Customer service may be less responsive than other services
Limited legal services available
Limited customer support hours, no weekend availability
Bizee provides substantial value, especially with their Silver package that costs only state fees and includes a year of registered agent service. For first-time entrepreneurs looking to save, Bizee stands out in the competition.
LegalZoom’s Basic plan costs Florida state fees only and includes a business name availability search through your state and the business formation service, with full customer support. It also offers a few extras, including a digital welcome packet and a business website. You’ll also have access to your formation documents online at any time.
The Pro plan, at $249, includes all the services included in the Basic plan, but with the addition of a Florida LLC operating agreement, an EIN, and a business license guide, and initial phone consultations with specialists.
The Premium plan, at $299, includes everything in the Pro plan with the advantage of unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations and changes to your Florida LLC for 30 days, plus hands-on guidance from a business attorney.
LegalZoom’s differentiator is the extensive additional legal services and documents they offer.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Reputable and reliable services
Local attorneys available in all 50 states
Great customer support
Quick and easy purchase process
Variety of legal services and documents available to business owners
Cons
Registered agent service cost is higher compared to competitors
LegalZoom’s services are easy to use and they offer great customer experience. They offer a wider variety of legal services and have been in business for more than 20 years. Overall, they’re a great one-stop shop for all of your business formation and legal needs.
Tailor Brands offers a Lite plan which comes at the cost of $49 plus state fees and includes your business formation with the state and standard Florida processing times.
Their Essential plan includes the additional benefits of their annual compliance service, a Florida LLC operating agreement, and expedited processing. The cost is $199 annually.
Their Elite plan offers a domain name, eight logos, a business website builder, and a few extras for a cost of $249 annually.
Tailor Brands differentiates itself by offering a host of modern business tools (logo maker, website, domain name) that are particularly beneficial for new businesses.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Easy to use website — users can begin with just a few clicks
A comprehensive platform for entrepreneurs looking to form an LLC and build an online presence
Provides superior branding and business-enhancing tools
Tailor Brands’ plans are a decent value, but the main reason that we chose them for the list is the extensive business tools they offer. If you can overcome their aggressive sales tactics, you can access a variety of services to meet all your business needs.
Why Use a Business Formation Service for your LLC in Florida?
A business formation service handles the business formation process for you, making it nearly seamless while offering additional services that can make life easier for a new business owner. Whether you’re forming a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation, a business formation service takes care of all the red tape, freeing you up to focus on growing your business.
What to Look for When Purchasing an LLC Service in Florida?
With so many business formation services to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which is best for you. There are four essential elements that can help you make your decision.
Features
Each service offers various products and services, and their plans are all designed differently. You may need some services but not others, so you need to choose the service that offers everything you need. For example, only some of the providers offer annual report filing.
If it’s important to you to get that task off your plate, you’ll want a service that offers that feature. Another feature you might need is a digital dashboard where you can always access your business formation documents.
You’ll want to choose a service that has everything you need to make starting and running your business as easy as possible.
Pricing
Of course, you’ll want to get the best value for your money!
Compare the cost of each service for everything you need. The price can really add up when you start adding extras, so be careful not to go too far. You also want to get good value and great customer service, so if you’re considering the cheapest service, check the reviews to see how people feel about it.
Turnaround Time
Business formation turnaround times vary with each service, so if you’re in a hurry to get your business up and running, you’ll want to look for the quickest service. You don’t want your order to sit in an office for too long before your paperwork gets filed with the state. Some services differentiate themselves with fast turnaround times, so if they also offer good value, that might be your best choice.
Customer Service and Reviews
One good way to learn about the quality of anything you’re buying is to listen to what people are saying about it. When we review services we look at Better Business Bureau ratings and reviews, as well as TrustPilot reviews. It’s wise to look at both positive and negative reviews to find out what people love about the service and about issues customers have encountered.
Remember that fake reviews are common, so you’ll have to take some of the reviews with a grain of salt.
Our Approach
As an entrepreneurial advisory site, we take our responsibilities seriously. We understand that countless entrepreneurs, and potential entrepreneurs, rely on our judgments and insights, particularly when it comes to creating their business.
As a result, our writers do their utmost to gain a comprehensive understanding of the services offered and the actual customer experience. In nearly every case, we:
Examined every page of the service’s website
Reviewed all of their offerings, from a la carte products to packages
Put ourselves in the customer’s shoes, creating an account
Communicated with customer service via chat, email, and phone
Used the service to actually form an LLC
Gained a full understanding of the customer experience and service value
Thanks to this full immersion in the actual customer experience, our reviewers are able to provide the most complete and insightful analysis of various LLC formation services.
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