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Written by: Natalie Fell
Natalie is a business writer with experience in operations, HR, and training & development within the software, healthcare, and financial services sectors.
Edited by: David Lepeska
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.
Updated on October 2, 2023
If you’re starting an LLC in South Dakota, 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 South Dakota? 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 for business formation services in South Dakota.
Best for Startups
Best Registered Agent Service
Best Turnaround Time
Best for Small Budget
Best Variety of Legal Services
Best for Ensuring Compliance
Best for Speedy Processing
ZenBusiness offers tailored solutions for those looking to establish a South Dakota LLC.
Their Starter plan, priced at $0 plus South Dakota’s state fees, ensures a business name availability search specifically within South Dakota and assists with the formation process, backed by comprehensive support.
The Pro plan, at $199 plus South Dakota’s state fees, integrates all offerings from the Starter plan, while also introducing a South Dakota-specific operating agreement template, an EIN, annual compliance services tailored for South Dakota regulations, and a rush filing option for quicker formation in the state.
Their Premium plan, at $349 plus the state’s fees, consolidates all Pro services and adds a comprehensive business document template library, domain name registration, and an inclusive website and email setup for South Dakota businesses.
ZenBusiness stands out as our top pick for the best overall LLC filing company in South Dakota, given its affordable base service that encompasses both LLC filing and a 100% accuracy guarantee starting at just $0 plus South Dakota state fees.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that ZenBusiness operates as a Public Benefit Corporation, a unique model that allows it to function as a for-profit entity while championing community goals akin to a nonprofit, benefiting the South Dakota community.
Beyond South Dakota LLC formation, ZenBusiness offers an array of add-on services, from registered agent appointments to valuable business tools tailored for the South Dakota market. Though these might elevate costs, historically, ZenBusiness has consistently received positive feedback from its South Dakota clientele.
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 offering, tailored for South Dakota LLCs, is priced at $39 plus South Dakota state fees. This package ensures business formation in South Dakota, complimentary registered agent services for a year specific to the state, a business address within South Dakota, an operating agreement aligned with South Dakota regulations, and a few other essential extras.
For South Dakota entrepreneurs, this plan represents exceptional value. It encompasses both registered agent services and an operating agreement, both of which are critical components for a South Dakota LLC’s smooth operation.
However, it’s worth noting that if you opt out of the registered agent services tailored for South Dakota, the total plan price remains unchanged.
Northwest Registered Agent, true to its name, is predominantly recognized for its registered agent services in South Dakota. When serving as a registered agent in the state, they extend more personalized customer support and ensure rapid notification of any correspondence, keeping South Dakota LLCs promptly informed.
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.
The Basic package, priced at South Dakota’s state fees, includes company name verification, articles of organization preparation, and state filing. South Dakota businesses also get online document access and lifetime support.
The $199 Standard package covers the Basic’s features but adds a South Dakota-specific operating agreement and an EIN. It also provides custom banking resolutions and organizational minutes, crucial for the initial South Dakota LLC meeting.
The Premium package, at $299 plus state fees, integrates the Standard’s benefits and adds expedited South Dakota filing, a business document library, compliance alerts, and a domain with a website. South Dakota LLCs also receive a digital kit with a company “seal”, a transfer ledger, and tailored ownership certificates.
Overall, Swyft Filings is renowned for superior customer service and is favored among the South Dakota LLC community.
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 Silver package, priced at South Dakota’s state fees, provides preparation and filing of the articles of organization, unlimited name searches in South Dakota, and a year of free registered agent services within the state.
The Gold package, at $199 plus state fees, extends Silver’s offerings with a South Dakota-specific operating agreement, lifetime company alerts keeping you updated on South Dakota’s reporting due dates, and a business tax consultation. Additionally, South Dakota LLCs receive an EIN, filing of IRS Form 2553 for tax benefits, banking resolution services, business bank account setup guidance, a personalized online dashboard, and continuous support.
The Platinum package, for $299 plus state fees, enhances the Gold services, offering expedited South Dakota filing, a domain name, business email, and access to over 20 attorney-reviewed business contract templates, beneficial for South Dakota business owners.
Incfile 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, Incfile stands out in the competition.
LegalZoom’s Basic plan for a South Dakota LLC is priced at South Dakota state fees. This package ensures a business name availability search within South Dakota and provides a comprehensive business formation service backed by dedicated customer support. Additionally, South Dakota entrepreneurs benefit from perks like a digital welcome packet and a business website. Conveniently, formation documents are accessible online anytime.
The Pro plan, priced at $249, augments the Basic plan’s offerings, introducing a custom operating agreement tailored for South Dakota, an EIN, a business license guide specific to South Dakota regulations, and initial phone consultations with experts.
The Premium plan, at $299, encompasses all Pro plan services. South Dakota LLC owners will particularly value unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations, the flexibility of making changes to their LLC within 30 days, and direct assistance from a business attorney well-versed in South Dakota’s legal landscape.
A standout feature of LegalZoom is the broad range of supplementary legal services and documents they furnish, making them a popular choice for South Dakota businesses.
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.
Harbor Compliance provides specialized a la carte services rather than packages for those establishing a South Dakota LLC. Business formation for a South Dakota LLC is priced at $99 plus South Dakota state fees.
Additional services tailored for South Dakota include registered agent services, annual report filing, and EIN. Registered agent service is $99 annually ($50 off if you pay for five years upfront, $100 off if you pay for 10). Annual report filing services are available at a rate of $175 plus any associated state filing fees annually (you’ll get $250 off if you purchase ten years’ worth of annual report filing). Furthermore, Harbor Compliance can facilitate the EIN obtainment for $99.
For South Dakota businesses, they also offer business license management tools and a range of other vital services.
Harbor Compliance stands out in the South Dakota market with swift processing and a broader range of services than many competitors. Their registered agent services, tailored for South Dakota LLCs, are also competitively priced.
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.
Filenow presents a Starter plan tailored for those forming a South Dakota LLC, priced at $49. This plan encompasses company compliance alerts, a tax consultation, and assistance with opening a business bank account within South Dakota.
For South Dakota entrepreneurs seeking a comprehensive solution, Filenow’s Premium plan, priced at $199, offers the distinct benefits of a complimentary year of registered agent services in South Dakota, a state-specific operating agreement, an EIN, a banking resolution, business contract templates suitable for South Dakota businesses, and a swift 24-hour processing.
Filenow sets itself apart in the South Dakota market with its rapid processing times and a dependable money-back guarantee. The value proposition of their Premium plan for South Dakota LLCs is especially commendable.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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:
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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