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 October 2, 2023
If you’re starting an LLC in Idaho, 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 Idaho? 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 Idaho.
Best LLC Formation Services in Idaho
ZenBusiness
4.7/5
Best Overall
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 for those looking to establish a business in Idaho.
The Starter plan is $0 plus Idaho state fees, covering business name availability search in Idaho and formation with full support.
The Pro plan, at $199 plus Idaho state fees, includes the Starter plan services, an operating agreement template, an EIN, an annual compliance service, and rush filing.
Their Premium plan, at $349 plus Idaho state fees, delivers all Pro services, a business document template library, domain name, website, and email.
ZenBusiness stands out as the best overall LLC filing company for Idaho due to its low-cost base service, encompassing Idaho LLC filing, and a 100% accuracy guarantee starting at $0 plus state fees. Notably, ZenBusiness is a Public Benefit Corporation, indicating it’s a for-profit company with a community goal reminiscent of a nonprofit.
In addition to Idaho LLC formation, they offer a range of add-on services, from registered agents to business tools, although opting for these can increase costs. Historically, ZenBusiness has received positive feedback from its Idaho customers and those from other states.
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, at $39 plus state fees, encompasses business formation in Idaho, free registered agent services for a year, an Idaho business address, an operating agreement, and a few additional benefits.
This Idaho-focused plan offers outstanding value, especially given that registered agent services and an operating agreement, which are paramount for Idaho businesses, are included.
However, even if you decide against the registered agent services for your Idaho LLC, you’re still billed the full plan amount.
Northwest Registered Agent, as the title suggests, is renowned for registered agent services in Idaho. As registered agent service providers, they provide more personalized customer support and swift correspondence notifications for Idaho businesses.
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 Idaho state fees only, Swyft Filings’ Basic package includes verification of your company name in Idaho, preparation of the Certificate of Organization specific to Idaho regulations, and document filing with the Idaho state office. You’ll also gain online access to your Idaho-specific documents and enjoy lifetime customer support.
For $199 plus Idaho state fees, you can opt for the Standard package. It comes with all the features of the Basic package, complemented by a custom operating agreement tailored for Idaho LLCs and a federal tax ID, or EIN. Additionally, you’ll receive access to custom banking resolution services and custom organizational minutes, which are vital forms that help you establish your very first meeting as an Idaho LLC.
Swyft Filings’ Premium package, catering to Idaho businesses, encapsulates everything in the Standard package and ups the ante with expedited filing in Idaho. Added perks include a business document library, timely compliance notifications related to Idaho standards, and a business domain name and website. Furthermore, the package offers a digital LLC kit featuring a digital company “seal,” a ledger for overseeing transfers of ownership in Idaho, and tailored ownership certificates. This comprehensive Premium package is obtainable for $299 plus state filing fees.
Swyft Filings, with its robust offerings for Idaho businesses, has demonstrated commendable customer support and consistently receives positive feedback 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
Significant upselling
Uses third parties for some services
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.
Rocket Lawyer distinguishes itself in the Idaho business landscape by not offering traditional business formation service packages. Instead, for those seeking to establish a business in Idaho, they charge a flat fee of $99. However, an alternative option is to secure a membership for $39.99, which waives the business formation fee entirely.
For Idaho businesses, if you opt for a membership, you can also benefit from a discounted rate for registered agent services. Instead of the standard $149.99, members are charged $111.99, providing a considerable saving.
Moreover, the membership proves its value for Idaho entrepreneurs and business owners by granting access to a plethora of business document templates, including an essential operating agreement tailored for Idaho LLCs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Quick and easy purchase process
A+ rating from Better Business Bureau
Membership option is a good value if you need legal help
Free LLC formation service for new members
Discounts on various legal services
Cons
Some legal documents are expensive
Some customers complained on the complicated cancellation process
Even if you opt for a free trial, you need to enter credit card details
Rocket Lawyer simplifies business start-up, though it lacks some services offered by competitors. Their membership stands out, providing ongoing legal assistance and offering the best value.
For Idaho entrepreneurs looking to establish their businesses, MyCorporation provides a tiered plan structure.
MyCorporation’s Basic plan, priced at $99 plus Idaho state fees, facilitates business formation in Idaho, undertakes a name availability search in the state, and provides online document storage for easy access.
Their Standard plan, priced annually at $124 (plus Idaho state fees), introduces an added advantage of annual report filing, ensuring your Idaho LLC stays compliant with state requirements.
Opting for the Deluxe plan, at $224 (plus Idaho state fees) annually, Idaho businesses not only receive the annual report filing service but also benefit from registered agent services tailored to Idaho regulations.
The Premium plan, priced annually at $324 (plus Idaho state fees), incorporates a unique service known as MaintainMyBiz, ensuring continuous compliance and support.
However, potential Idaho LLC founders should be aware of MyCorporation’s unusual practice of marking up state fees. As an example, while establishing an Ohio LLC on their platform, we observed a disparity in the actual state fee for Ohio, which is $99, and what MyCorporation charges, which is $110. This pricing discrepancy isn’t transparently disclosed, so unless one is familiar with the specific state’s fees (like Idaho’s), such a markup might go unnoticed.
Apart from the foundational services, MyCorporation offers an array of additional services for supplementary fees, which might be of interest to Idaho businesses. This spectrum includes services that are rare among business formation service providers, like unemployment insurance and tax withholding registration.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Long-standing reputation
Wide range of business services
Easy to use website, with a very straightforward procedure
Great customer service with many positive reviews
Additional features for new business owners
Cons
Confusing and seemingly inflated prices
Pushy upselling
Lack of clarity on turnaround times
We put MyCorporation on the list because of the extensive list of services they offer, although we are not a fan of the marked-up state fees that are not disclosed. They have, however, been in business for a long time and have a good Trustpilot rating.
Harbor Compliance adopts a unique approach in the Idaho business landscape by forgoing traditional service packages in favor of a la carte offerings. For those in Idaho looking to establish a business, business formation is priced at $99 plus Idaho state fees.
Additionally, they offer registered agent services tailored for Idaho. Registered agent service is $99 annually ($50 off if you pay for five years upfront, $100 off if you pay for 10).
For Idaho businesses keen on streamlining compliance, annual report filing services are available at a rate of $175 plus any associated Idaho filing fees annually (you’ll get $250 off if you purchase ten years’ worth of annual report filing).
Furthermore, if an EIN is required for your Idaho business, Harbor Compliance can facilitate this for $99.
Beyond these foundational services, they extend a suite of tools and services tailored to the diverse needs of Idaho businesses, including business license management tools.
One of the standout features of Harbor Compliance is their swift processing capability, which is particularly beneficial for Idaho businesses aiming to launch without delays. They also offer a broader range of services compared to many competitors. Additionally, their registered agent services, when juxtaposed against the market average, are competitively priced, ensuring Idaho entrepreneurs receive good value for their investment.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Fast turnaround time
Easy to use website
Large variety of services including business licensing
Personal customer service
Cons
No free business formation
Prices of a la carte services can add up
No money-back guarantee
Harbor Compliance provides extensive services, including comprehensive annual compliance and business license guidance, surpassing competitors. Though on the pricier side, they cater to most needs of new business owners.
Why Use a Business Formation Service for your LLC in Idaho?
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 Idaho?
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, some more than others, and their plans are all designed differently. You may need some products but not others, so you need to choose a service that has everything you need. For example, some services offer annual report filing, while others do not.
If it’s important 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 require 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. You should look at both positive and negative reviews to find out what people love about the service and the issues they 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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