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 15, 2022 Updated on April 9, 2024
If you’re starting an LLC in New Jersey, 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 New Jersey? 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 New Jersey.
Best LLC Formation Services in New Jersey
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
For those eyeing the establishment of a New Jersey LLC, ZenBusiness offers a range of plans tailored to your needs.
Their Starter plan, set at $0 plus New Jersey’s state fees, takes care of the business name availability search and full-fledged formation support for New Jersey enterprises.
Meanwhile, the Pro plan, at $199 plus state fees, incorporates all the offerings of the Starter plan alongside a New Jersey-specific operating agreement template, an EIN, yearly compliance service, and rush filing.
For businesses seeking a comprehensive solution, the Premium plan, priced at $349 plus state fees, ensures New Jersey LLCs benefit from all Pro services, an extensive business document template library, domain name, website, and email services.
When it comes to forming an LLC in New Jersey, ZenBusiness emerges as our top pick. The key reasons include their competitively priced base service, encompassing LLC filing for New Jersey with an unbeatable 100% accuracy guarantee beginning at $0 plus the state’s fees.
Moreover, ZenBusiness operates as a Public Benefit Corporation, showcasing the commitment not just to profit but to serving the broader New Jersey community, akin to a nonprofit’s mission.
Besides the core LLC formation for New Jersey entities, ZenBusiness offers an array of additional services, from registered agent services to diverse business tools. While some of these can add to the costs, they’re often worth the investment, given ZenBusiness’s historical track record of positive customer feedback and reviews.
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 at just $39 plus the New Jersey state fees. This package encompasses business formation, complimentary registered agent services for one year, a designated business address, an operating agreement tailored for New Jersey LLCs, and a few other benefits.
This plan stands out as exceptional value for New Jersey businesses, primarily because it integrates crucial components like registered agent services and a New Jersey-specific operating agreement. However, it’s worth noting that even if you opt out of the registered agent services, the plan’s pricing remains unchanged.
Central to the offerings of Northwest Registered Agent, and as the name suggests, is their specialty in registered agent services. Catering especially to New Jersey LLCs, they pride themselves on offering an elevated level of customer support and prompt notifications, ensuring New Jersey businesses always 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 forming a New Jersey LLC, Swyft Filings has tailored packages to assist. The Basic package, at only the New Jersey state fees, provides company name verification, Certificate of Formation preparation, and state filing. It also grants online document access and lifetime customer support.
For $199 plus New Jersey state fees, the Standard package adds a custom operating agreement, an EIN, and tools for your first New Jersey LLC meeting.
Their Premium package, at $299 plus state fees, includes all Standard features but with expedited filing, a business domain, a website, and a comprehensive digital LLC kit tailored for New Jersey businesses.
Across the board, Swyft Filings is praised for its exemplary customer support and a strong reputation among New Jersey LLCs.
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.
For New Jersey LLCs, the Silver package is priced at only the state fees. It 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, costing $299, includes everything in the Gold package with the advantage of free NJ 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.
These packages make Bizee a go-to choice for many looking to start an LLC in New Jersey.
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.
Rocket Lawyer, catering to New Jersey LLCs, opts for a straightforward pricing model instead of traditional business formation packages. If you’re starting a New Jersey LLC, their business formation fee stands at $99 plus state fees. However, for those who opt for their $39.99 membership, the formation of your New Jersey LLC becomes free.
Additionally, this membership offers an attractive discount for registered agent services in New Jersey, bringing the price down to $111.99 from the standard $149.99.
Beyond these offerings, members benefit from access to a plethora of business document templates tailored for New Jersey businesses, inclusive of an operating agreement, an essential document for any New Jersey LLC.
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.
Tailor Brands’ Lite plan is priced at only $49 plus New Jersey state fees. This plan covers your business formation within the state of New Jersey and follows the standard processing times set by the state.
Their Essential plan, tailored for New Jersey businesses, includes annual compliance service, an operating agreement, and expedited processing, all for $199 annually.
For those New Jersey LLCs looking for a comprehensive package, the Elite plan is available at $249 annually. This encompasses a domain name, eight distinct logos, a business website builder tailored for the New Jersey market, and a few added perks.
A notable feature of Tailor Brands is their focus on modern business tools. With offerings like a logo maker, website, and domain name, they present a unique value proposition for budding businesses in New Jersey.
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 New Jersey?
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 New Jersey?
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, not all 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 should look for the quickest service. You don’t want your order to sit in an office 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 and Trustpilot ratings and reviews. It’s wise to look at both positive and negative reviews to find out what people love about the service and the issues customers have encountered.
Remember that fake reviews are common, so you should 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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