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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 March 6, 2023
If you’re starting a business, 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 a professional formation service.
One of the top options is Swyft Filings. But is it the best service? And is it the right choice for you? This review takes a closer look — putting ourselves in the shoes of an entrepreneur — to help you choose the formation service that will put your business on the road to success.
Pricing
Turnaround Time
Help and Support
Customer Satisfaction
Ease of Use
Overall Score: 4.4/5
Swyft Filings 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, Swyft Filings takes care of all the red tape so you don’t have to.
Swyft Filings offers packages of services and a la carte options. We explored all of the options and have broken down the services and pricing here.
| Services | Basic Package | Standard Package | Premium Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49 one-time fee | $149 one-time fee | $299 one-time fee |
| Verify Company Name | √ | √ | √ |
| Prepare Articles of Organization | √ | √ | √ |
| Document Filing with Secretary of State | √ | √ | √ |
| Statement of the Organizer | √ | √ | √ |
| Online Access to Documents | √ | √ | √ |
| Lifetime Customer Support | √ | √ | √ |
| 1 Hour Business Tax Consultation | √ | √ | √ |
| ComplianceGuard Company Alerts | √ | √ | √ |
| Federal Tax ID (EIN) | √ | √ | |
| Custom LLC Operating Agreement | √ | √ | |
| Custom LLC Banking Resolution | √ | √ | |
| Custom Organizational Minutes | √ | √ | |
| Electronic Delivery of State Documents | √ | ||
| Customized Digital LLC Kit | √ | ||
| Business Website & Web Hosting | √ | ||
| Standard Filing | √ | √ | √ |
| Expedited Filing | √ | ||
| 1st Class Shipping & Handling | √ | √ | √ |
| FedEx with Tracking Number | √ |
Registered agent services are sold separately for a quarterly fee of $149.
Note that state filing fees still apply with all these plans. Fees vary by state, which we have listed below.
The $49 Basic Package includes company name verification, preparation of the articles of organization, document filing with the state. It also includes lifetime customer support, making it a great value.
The Basic Package includes verification of your company name, preparation of the articles of organization, and document filing with the state. You’ll also get online access to your documents and lifetime customer support.
This plan comes with a one-hour business tax consultation to help you prepare for your first tax season, and company compliance alerts so you never miss a deadline. This plan is a great value and appropriate for entrepreneurs with a limited budget that just want to get their business up and running and plan to handle annual reporting and the operating agreement themselves.
You can add additional services at the time of purchase or later. This plan also may be appropriate for established businesses forming a new business structure or changing their business structure.
The fee is good compared to the similar plan offered by LegalZoom for $79. It’s also the same price as Incfile’s Standard Plan, however with Swyft Filings, you get some additional features. Keep in mind that registered agent services cost extra and aren’t bundled in with any of the Swyft Filings packages.
The $149 Standard Package has the additional benefits of custom operating agreement and a federal tax ID. It also has custom banking resolution services and custom organizational minutes, so it’s an overall good value.
The Standard Package includes all the services included in the Basic Package, but with the addition of a custom 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.
This plan is appropriate for businesses that want a little more help in terms of the operating agreement, which is a critical document, and the state’s annual compliance requirements such as annual reports and document addendums. The price offers good value considering the extra services you receive, particularly if you renew every year.
The $299 Premium Package has the additional benefit of expedited filing, as well as website services. This plan also includes a customized digital LLC kit, which includes a company seal.
The Premium Package includes everything in the Standard Package with the advantage of expedited filing, as well as a business website and web hosting services. You also get a digital LLC kit, which includes a digital company “seal”, a ledger for tracking transfers of ownership, and customized stock certificates.
The advantages of this package are the expedited filing and the business website services. However, you can handle website services for less by using a web hosting site such as GoDaddy.
This plan would be beneficial for a business owner who wants to have a one-stop shop for their business services. The digital LLC package also includes some unique features that certain entrepreneurs may find appealing, like the digital company seal.
Note that none of these plans feature registered agent services. You can add those services for an additional quarterly fee of $149.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Registered Agent | $149 (quarterly fee) |
| DBA Name | $99 |
| Annual Report | $99 |
| Initial Report | $55 |
| EIN | $79 |
| Amendments | $99 |
| Conversion | $199 |
| Foreign Qualification | $199 |
| Change of Registered Agent | $149 |
| Withdrawal From Foreign State | $99 |
| Apostille | $75 |
| Dissolution | $149 |
| Digital LLC Kit | $99 |
| Business License Research Package | $99 |
| Seller’s Permit | $129 |
| Operating Agreement | $35 |
| S Corporation Tax Election | $99 |
| Certificate of Good Standing | $45 |
| Certified Copy | $65 |
*Some services and filings have additional state fee costs, listed below.
**Registered agent service price may vary depending on your state
If you purchase products a la carte, you need to be careful as the cost can add up fast.
Your LLC must be formed with your state by filing articles of organization, sometimes called a certificate of organization or a certificate of formation. This can be done online or by mail. Swyft Filings handles the filing for you online, and the LLC approval time varies by state.
This can be a time-consuming and difficult process for an entrepreneur and getting customer support from your state government office is often a challenge. With Swyft Filings, you have access to customer support during normal business hours.
Once your LLC is approved and official, you can access your formation documents on the Swyft Filings website at any time.
When you form your LLC, depending on the state where you want to register your business, there will likely be an added state fee. Below we have listed the fees for each state so you can calculate the overall expenses for creating your LLC.
Please note that the state fees are costs that you will pay in addition to the Swyft Filings formation service costs, or any other formation service you choose.
Use our dropdown calculator to check how much LLC formation will cost using Swyft Filings. Simply, choose a plan and a la carte service and select the state where you want to form an LLC to calculate the exact cost based on your needs and preferences.
In most states, when you form an LLC you need a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or business authorized to accept and respond to legal, tax, and financial documents on behalf of your business.
For $149 per quarter, Swyft Filings can act as your registered agent and ensure that all official correspondence is handled on time and properly filed. They also keep track of deadlines and send reminders of things you need to file, such as tax forms and annual reports.
A registered agent service will help keep you in compliance with the law and save you time by keeping track of key documents and filing deadlines. The agency will also provide support if any issues arise.
Swyft Filings registered agent services will enable you to have flexible hours. If you are your own registered agent, you must be personally available from 8 AM to 5 PM at your registered agent address. If you use an agency, they are available during those hours so you can focus on growing your business.
If you use a national agency like Swyft Filings, you can also form an LLC or corporation in another state or multiple states where you do not have residency.
Using Swyft Filings also offers you a level of privacy, as you would never be served with a summons at your business in front of customers or employees.
Swyft Filings offers an operating agreement template customized for your state. An operating agreement for an LLC is an important legal document that details who owns the business and also provides essential information pertaining to member duties.
An LLC operating agreement establishes the financial relationship between business owners (“members”) and the basics of the working relationships between those owners and the managers who oversee daily operations.
By using the Swyft Filings template, you can just fill in the blanks, rather than having an attorney draw up the agreement for you from scratch. At an a la carte price of $35 with the Basic Package it’s a good value compared to the attorney fees you would otherwise pay.
It’s included in the Standard and Premium packages. Only a handful of states require an operating agreement, but having one is highly recommended.
We tested the Swyft Filings customer service experience from all angles. Here’s what we found.
When you first go to the Swyft Filings site, enter your entity type (LLC) and the state of formation and then click the Get Started button to begin your filing.
Next, you’ll be prompted to enter your desired business name and the state of incorporation once more. You’ll then get a confirmation message that your name is available, along with another Get Started button. The following screen prompts you to enter in your contact information. Once you’ve entered your information, click Get My LLC.
The next screen asks what type of business your LLC will be. Begin typing your description and choose an option from the dropdown menu. If none of the options fit, you can type a custom description in your own words. You’ll then be asked to enter how many employees you expect to have.
At this point, you’ll have a chance to add registered agent services to your filing for an additional $149 per quarter. Click your appropriate choice to move to the next step.
Next, you will be asked if you’d like to add a business license and compliance package for an additional $99. Make your selection to move to the next screen, which is where you will get to review the three service packages offered.
Review the packages and what’s included in each and click the Select button underneath your choice. The next screen asks if you want to add a business bank account with Bank of America. You can accept or decline.
Finally, you’ll get a chance to review all of your information before making your purchase. You also have the option to pay in monthly installments or pay the full amount.
Click the Confirm button to move forward with payment and complete your filing.
Overall, the initial process to begin formation was quick, easy, and straightforward. However, one downside was not being able to see all of the details of the three plans until you actually begin your filing. It would be helpful to be able to compare pricing and packages beforehand so you can truly assess if Swyft Filings is right for you upfront.
You are also continuously upsold through the process and provided with several a la carte services, all before you get a chance to review the three available packages. There is also no option to save your information in case you want to come back to your filing later on. You have to complete the entire process in one sitting or else you’ll need to start over from the beginning.
Swyft Filing promises next-day filings for each of its three packages. Though it typically only takes between 7 and 10 days to form an LLC, the length of the formation process depends on the state in which you’re starting a business.
For an additional fee, expedited processing can be requested so that your application is reviewed before others. Expedited processing is also included in the Premium Package.
Business owners can contact the Swyft Filings custom support team to get specific information about how long the formation process takes in your state.
Overall, the site is easy to use if you’re ready to go, and just want to complete the process. Otherwise, information can be difficult to find to form an LLC on your own.
Swyft Filings lives up to its name in terms of speedy processing times. However, the biggest drawback is that they don’t include registered agent services in any of their packages. Additionally, the registered agent service is $149 per quarter, whereas most other LLC formation services either charge an annual fee or bundle it with other offerings.
Incfile is better for entrepreneurs on a budget, as their Silver Package covers the basics and includes a free year of their registered agent service. Other LLC formation services like LegalZoom and ZenBusiness have a more robust suite of services, but they are also more expensive.
Although Swyft Filings offers a 100% money-back guarantee, this refund only applies when errors are made with your filing. If you discover an error and would like to discontinue their services, you must do so within 60 days of your purchase. Also note that any state filing fees are non-refundable.
Swyft Filings’ registered agent service is handled through a partner company called LegalCorp Solutions. If you need to cancel this service, you will first need to appoint a new registered agent with the appropriate state authority. You can then get in touch with Swyft Filings to proceed with canceling your registered agent service.
Be aware that Swyft Filings also partners with other companies for some other services. To cancel them, you may need to contact those third-party companies directly. If you need assistance, contact customer service.
We tested all three forms of Swyft Filings customer support, and detail our findings below.
When we tested the customer service response time through the online chat option, we received a response within 24 hours. We discovered that the online chat feature is not a live chat feature, it’s more of a contact form. Once you fill out your information, it sends an email to customer support, so the chat and email features are essentially the same.
The question we asked was about the registered agent services and whether or not they were included in any of the service packages. A representative got back to us and explained that registered agent services are not included in any package but you can add at check out for a $149 quarterly fee.
They also mentioned that there is the option to provide your own registered agent at check out. The response was thorough and polite and didn’t include any sales pitches. They also closed with an invitation to reach out again if we had any further questions.
Chat & Email Support Rating:
Response time:
Reasonable
We called Swyft Filings to ask the same question regarding registered agent services. Our call was answered almost immediately, and the question was answered promptly.
The question was whether registered agent services are included in any of the plans, and the answer was no. The representative proceeded to explain the quarterly service the same way it was outlined in the email response. The customer service representative was very professional and polite and did not try to sell additional services.
Phone Support Rating:
Response time:
Immediate
We wanted to know how real ZenBusiness customers feel about the service, so we thoroughly explored customer reviews at the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.
Swyft Filings is not currently accredited with the BBB.
Swyft Filings is not currently accredited with the BBB, but has 4.44/5 stars in customer reviews. They closed 129 complaints in the last three years, including 58 in the past year.
Positive customer reviews highlighted the politeness of staff members and being helpful to new entrepreneurs. People also said they appreciated the thoroughness of customer service, especially over the phone.
Some customer service representatives were mentioned by name and customers who made mistakes during the filing process mentioned that problems were quickly addressed and remedied.
Negative reviews and complaints mentioned a lack of responsiveness, especially over email. There were also complaints regarding Swyft not honoring the money-back guarantee.
Swyft Filings also recently changed their registered agent services from an annual fee to a quarterly fee, which came as a surprise to many existing customers, signaling a potential lack in communication.
You can read reviews on the BBB website.
Swyft Filings has a high trust score rating on Trustpilot.
The Trustpilot score for Swyft Filings is 4.7/5 stars.
The Swyft Filings reviews from Trustpilot have the following range:
Positive reviews under Trustpilot were similar to those at the Better Business Bureau. Customers were pleased with the helpfulness and patience of customer service representatives and mentioned some of them by name. Other reviews mentioned the user-friendly website and quick turnaround times.
Some of the negative reviews focused on undisclosed extra fees, being charged for services without consent, and that the process “felt like a scam”. People also complained about feeling nickeled and dimed for extra services and how they ultimately wound up spending more than they had anticipated.
You can read reviews on the TrustPilot website.
Overall, Swyft Filings’ services offer advantages and drawbacks, as detailed below.
Swyft Filings was founded in 2015 and is based in Houston, Texas. The current CEO is Alan Godfrey. They are a privately-held firm with between 50 and 200 employees.
The company prides itself on quick turnaround times and taking care of the business formation process to take the burden off busy entrepreneurs. Swyft Filings serves both US and foreign nationals.
We explored several services similar to Swyft Filings to see how they stack up.
Swyft Filings is a bit less expensive than some of the other LLC formation service providers. Package prices are generally lower, and more services are offered in the packages.
ZenBusiness offers three service plans:
Each of the ZenBusiness plans are charged the fees above each year, whereas the Swyft Filings packages only cost a one-time fee. Similar to Swyft Filings, registered agent services are not included in their packages and are offered at an additional cost. Visit ZenBusiness site.
LegalZoom has three packages of services as well.
None of the LegalZoom plans come with an operating agreement service. It costs $99 extra for the service. Annual compliance services are also not included in LegalZoom plans. Turnaround times with LegalZoom are longer. Visit LegalZoom site.
Incfile has a similar pricing structure as Swyft Filings. However, their basic package, called the Silver Package, is free and includes registered agent services for a year.
Their middle-tier Gold Package is also $149 and includes the operating agreement as well as a banking resolution. Their Premium Package is also $299, but includes some additional services that Swyft Filings does not, like a business template library. Visit Incfile site.
Overall, Swyft Filings provides extremely valuable services for aspiring business owners. They can ensure that your new business gets off on the right foot. Their service is easy to use and offers a great customer experience, which we learned from testing their support services, reading countless customer reviews and forming our own LLC.
Swyft Filings can take the time and hassle out of starting your business and the ongoing process of staying in compliance with your state’s laws. Their pricing is very competitive, so you’ll get outstanding value for what you pay. We highly recommend Swyft Filings.
As a leading 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 this case, we:
Thanks to this full immersion in the actual customer experience, our reviewer and team are able to provide the most complete and insightful review of Swyft Filings’ LLC formation services.
A service like Swyft Filings can make the business formation process easy for you and ensure that it’s done correctly. They provide customer support and additional services to support your business.
Swyft Filings offers business formation services to handle the paperwork and cut through the red tape with your state, so you don’t have to. They also offer additional services, including registered agent services and annual compliance.
The $49 Basic Package includes company name verification, preparation of the articles of organization, document filing with the Secretary of State. It also includes lifetime customer support, making it a great value
The $149 Standard Package has the additional benefits of custom operating agreement and a federal tax ID. It also has custom banking resolution services and custom organizational minutes, so it’s an overall good value.
The $299 Premium Package has the additional benefit of expedited filing, as well as website services. This plan also includes a customized digital LLC kit, which includes a company seal.
The Swyft Filings registered agent service is a professional service that will ensure that all correspondence is handled on time and keep copies of documents for you. They will keep track of deadlines for you and send you reminders of things you may have to file, such as tax forms or annual reports.
Registered agent services from Swyft Filings cost $149 per quarter
According to their profile on the Better Business Bureau website, Swyft filings has 4.44/5 stars in customer reviews. They are not currently accredited with the BBB.
You can cancel your Swyft Filings plan by contacting customer services during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm CST. You can call them at (877) 777-0450 or reach them through the chat feature on their website.
There are no fees or penalties to cancel your subscription with Swyft Filings. Although Swyft offers a 100% money-back guarantee, this refund only applies when errors are made with your filing. If you discover an error and would like to discontinue their services, you must do so within 60 days of your purchase. Note that state filing fees are non-refundable.
Yes, overall Swyft Filings offers great value and excellent support for business owners. Their pricing is very competitive, and they offer many supplementary services that can make life much easier for new business owners.
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