There is no single formation service that is best for every business. The right choice depends on whether you want the cheapest bare-bones filing, registered-agent privacy, attorney access, software subscriptions, or a more complete filing package with ongoing compliance support.
Keystone Filings is one of the companies being compared here, so this is not an independent review. We publish the competitor-friendly parts too, use publicly available provider pricing, and tell you where another company may be the better fit.
Advertised starting point: $149 + state fees
Formation filing, EIN, operating agreement or bylaws, name check, digital document vault, filing tracking, and lifetime compliance calendar.
Owners who want a complete formation package plus a filing company that can continue handling state compliance work after formation.
Not the lowest advertised entry price if you only want the state formation document filed and nothing else.
Advertised starting point: $0 + state fees (Basic)
Basic includes formation filing and name check. Its Pro package publicly lists an EIN and operating agreement at $249 + state fees.
Owners who value a large, established legal-services ecosystem and optional attorney access.
The $0 tier is intentionally basic; compare the package that contains the documents and services you actually need.
Advertised starting point: $0 + state fees (Starter)
Starter includes formation filing and dashboard tools. Pro publicly lists an EIN and operating agreement at $199 + state fees and renews at $199/year.
Owners who want a broad business-services platform with compliance and software tools bundled into plans.
Some plans and included services renew, so compare first-year price with ongoing cost.
Advertised starting point: $39 + state fees
Publicly advertises LLC formation for $39 + state fees with one year of registered agent service and its Business Identity tools.
Owners whose first priority is registered-agent coverage, privacy, and keeping personal information off public filings where possible.
Its formation offer is structured differently from a package centered on EIN, governing documents, and broader post-formation filings.
A $0 formation tier can be a perfectly good choice when you only want a provider to prepare and submit your formation document. But most new businesses also need an EIN, internal governing documents, a way to keep track of state obligations, and help with filings that come after formation.
Keystone's Complete package is $149 plus state fees and includes formation preparation and submission, an EIN, an operating agreement or bylaws, a name availability check, digital document storage and tracking, and a lifetime compliance calendar. That is the package to compare against competitor tiers that include the same core formation documents—not merely the advertised entry price.
Choose a bare-bones $0 tier if your only goal is to have the formation document prepared and filed and you are comfortable obtaining the EIN, operating agreement, compliance support, and other services yourself.
Consider Northwest if your primary buying decision is privacy and registered-agent coverage. Its current $39 formation offer is unusually aggressive and includes a year of registered agent service.
Consider LegalZoom if access to a broad legal-services ecosystem or optional attorney guidance matters more than having a filing-focused provider.
Consider ZenBusiness if you specifically want its wider software and subscription ecosystem along with formation.
Competitor pricing and features were reviewed from the providers' public websites on August 18, 2026. Providers can change pricing, promotions, package contents, and renewal terms at any time, so confirm current terms directly before purchasing. Keystone Filings is not affiliated with LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, or Northwest Registered Agent. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Keystone's Complete formation package is $149 plus state fees and includes the core documents most new businesses need, with a filing team available for the compliance work that follows.
