When you file directly with your state, you pay only the required state filing fee and retain direct control over your entity documents. You also assume full responsibility for managing every requirement yourself. Every renewal date is yours to track, for as long as the entity exists. When you pay a formation service, you pay extra fees to have someone else submit the paperwork, act as your registered agent, or deliver reminders that arrive whether or not you would have remembered.

Some setup steps never require paid assistance. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is free ($0) directly from the Internal Revenue Service. You must form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN, and you should never pay a third party for an EIN. Furthermore, under the rule effective August 14, 2026, entities created in the United States are exempt from federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting according to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network guidance. New York's Transparency Act likewise applies only to LLCs formed under the law of a foreign country.

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Depending on your situation, explore these comparisons to determine the right fit for your business:

  • Does Using a Formation Service Actually Reduce the Risks of Filing an LLC Yourself?
  • What's the Difference Between Filing an LLC Yourself and Using an LLC Formation Service?
  • What Are the Downsides of DIY LLC Filing Versus Using ZenBusiness?

When evaluating commercial providers like ZenBusiness, package pricing as of 2026 includes Starter at $0 plus state fee, Pro at $199 per year, and Premium at $299 per year. Registered agent service is a separate $199 per year service on every tier, including Premium, discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with them.

By State

Select your state below to review specific state rules, filing portals, and procedural requirements:

  • What's the Difference Between Filing a California LLC Yourself and Using a Service?
  • What's the Difference Between Filing on Sunbiz Yourself and Paying a Florida LLC Service?
  • What's the Difference Between Filing a Georgia LLC Yourself and Using a Service?
  • What Does a New York LLC Service Handle That You'd Have to Do Yourself, Like the Publication Step?
  • Filing a Texas LLC Through SOSDirect Yourself vs. Using a Service, What Changes for You?

This article provides general information rather than legal advice, and requirements vary by state and change over time.

Sources:

Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”