Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.
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 Indiana, 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 Indiana? 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 Indiana.
Best LLC Formation Services in Indiana
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 prospective business owners in Indiana.
The Starter plan is $0 plus state fees, covering business name availability search in Indiana and formation with full support.
The Pro plan, at $199 plus state fees, encompasses the Starter plan services, an operating agreement template for Indiana businesses, an EIN, an annual compliance service, and rush filing.
Their Premium plan at $349 plus state fees, provides all Pro services tailored for Indiana businesses, a business document template library, domain name, website, and email.
ZenBusiness is our winner as the best overall LLC filing company, especially for entrepreneurs in Indiana, due to its low-cost base service, including LLC filing and a 100% accuracy guarantee starting at $0 plus state fees. In addition, ZenBusiness is a Public Benefit Corporation, meaning it’s a for-profit company with a community goal similar to a nonprofit.
In addition to LLC formation services for Indiana and other states, they provide various add-on services, from registered agents to business tools, although these can raise costs.
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 offers a comprehensive plan for potential business owners in Indiana. Priced at $39 plus state fees, the plan covers business formation tailored for Indiana, free registered agent services for a year, a business address suitable for Indiana businesses, an operating agreement in line with Indiana regulations, and a few additional features.
This plan provides remarkable value, especially for entrepreneurs in Indiana, as it includes vital services like registered agent services and an operating agreement.
But if you do not choose the registered agent services, you’re still charged the full plan price.
Northwest Registered Agent, as the name implies, is best known for registered agent services. As registered agent service providers, they offer more personalized customer support and fast correspondence notification.
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.
Swyft Filings offers a series of tiered packages for prospective business owners in Indiana, catering to the diverse needs of startups and existing businesses.
For the price of state fees only, the Basic package from Swyft Filings ensures your company name is available, prepares your articles of organization, and takes care of filing them with the state of Indiana. Once processed, you can access all your official documents online. A significant highlight of this package is that it provides lifetime customer support, ensuring that your company receives continuous assistance throughout its existence.
Priced at $199 plus state fees, the Standard package offers everything present in the Basic package. However, it takes a step further by introducing a custom Indiana operating agreement and procuring a federal tax ID (EIN) for your business. Furthermore, clients gain access to custom banking resolution services and custom organizational minutes. The latter is crucial for businesses as it aids in organizing your inaugural meeting as an LLC, ensuring you commence operations on the right note.
The Premium package, available at $299 plus state filing fees, is the most comprehensive of Swyft Filings’ offerings. It incorporates all the features of the Standard package and then some. Your filing will be expedited, ensuring quicker processing. Additionally, Indiana businesses benefit from a vast business document library, timely compliance notifications, and a unique business domain name accompanied by a website. The digital LLC kit, a part of this package, provides a digital company “seal”, a ledger to diligently track transfers of ownership, and personalized ownership certificates, which are vital for any modern LLC.
Swyft Filings’ structured packages aim to accommodate businesses at various stages and with different requirements, ensuring streamlined company formation and operational support.
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.
LegalZoom has positioned itself as a go-to service for business owners, providing a range of plans suited for different needs and budgets. Let’s break down their offerings.
With the Basic plan, you pay only the state fees. In return, LegalZoom conducts a thorough business name availability search in the state of Indiana and offers a business formation service. They support their clients throughout this process with comprehensive customer service. Some of the added perks include a digital welcome packet and the provision of a business website. Moreover, business owners can conveniently access their formation documents online whenever they need to.
For a price of $249, the Pro plan offers all the benefits available in the Basic plan. On top of that, you get an Indiana LLC operating agreement tailored to your business’s needs, an EIN (essential for tax and banking purposes), a business license guide, and initial phone consultations with specialists. These additions make the Pro plan ideal for Indiana entrepreneurs who want a more comprehensive setup and guidance.
Priced at $299, the Premium plan is the most exhaustive of LegalZoom’s offerings. It encompasses all the Pro Plan features and further enhances the package with unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations. This is particularly beneficial for Indiana entrepreneurs facing complex legal queries or needing specialized advice. Moreover, within the first 30 days, you can make unlimited changes to your LLC and benefit from direct guidance from a business attorney, ensuring you start on the right legal footing.
A significant aspect of LegalZoom is their extensive assortment of legal services and documents. This wide range ensures that businesses of various sizes and requirements can find a suitable plan, and they can also benefit from the vast legal resources and consultations that LegalZoom provides. With their tiered packages, LegalZoom is equipped to assist businesses from their inception and beyond.
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 a great customer experience. LegalZoom is more expensive than some competitors but they do 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.
MyCorporation’s Basic plan, at $99 plus state fees, includes business formation, a name availability search in Indiana, and online document storage.
Their Standard plan, at $124 (plus state fees) annually, has the added benefit of annual report filing for your Indiana LLC.
The Deluxe plan, at $224 (plus state fees) annually, includes the annual report filing plus registered agent services in Indiana.
Finally, their Premium plan, at $324 (plus state fees) annually, includes a service called MaintainMyBiz, suitable for Indiana-based businesses.
MyCorporation offers quite a few additional services for added fees. These include some services that other business formation services do not offer, such as unemployment insurance and tax withholding registration for businesses in Indiana and other states.
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.
Filenow offers a Starter plan for Indiana businesses at a cost of $49 that includes company compliance alerts, a tax consultation, and a business bank account tailored for Indiana enterprises.
Their Premium plan, priced at $199 for Indiana LLCs or corporations, has the additional benefits of a free year of registered agent services within Indiana, an operating agreement, an EIN, a banking resolution, business contract templates suitable for Indiana business regulations, and 24-hour processing.
Filenow distinguishes itself in Indiana with fast processing times and a money-back guarantee. Their premium plan, tailored for Indiana’s business environment, is also an exceptional value.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Good value offered without hidden fees
Live 24-hour order processing
24/7 customer support
Money-back guarantee
Error-free filing, or your money back
Cons
No free business formation plan
Limited service options (no annual reporting, no legal services)
Filenow’s Premium plan is an exceptional value based on what you get for the price. It’s less expensive than similar plans offered by competitors. They also offer fast turnaround times, and a money back guarantee.
Why Use a Business Formation Service for your LLC in Indiana?
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 Indiana?
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. You should look at both positive and negative reviews to find out what people love about the service and about the 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.
Comments