Choosing an LLC formation service for your Florida business means comparing pricing, included features, and ongoing costs. Most services advertise low starting prices but charge extra for essentials like registered agent service and EIN filing.
We’ve analyzed the major LLC formation services to help you make an informed decision. This ranking considers true total costs, included features, processing speed, and Florida-specific value.
How We Ranked These Services
Our ranking methodology:
- True first-year cost – Not just advertised price, but total cost including required services
- Included features – Registered agent, operating agreement, EIN filing
- Ongoing annual cost – What you’ll pay year after year
- Processing speed – How quickly your LLC is formed
- Florida expertise – Understanding of Florida-specific requirements
- Customer experience – Transparency, support quality, upsell practices
Quick Comparison Table
| Service | Advertised | True Year 1 Cost | Annual Cost | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IncCraft | $0 + state | $125 | $187.75 | Best Overall |
| Northwest | $39 + state | $214 | $263.75 | Best Privacy Focus |
| Bizee | $0 + state | $323 | $257.75 | Best Budget Option |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state | $522 | $536.75 | Most Marketed |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state | $453 | $387.75 | Biggest Name |
True costs include registered agent, operating agreement, and EIN for a functional LLC. Annual costs include registered agent renewal and Florida annual report ($138.75).
1. IncCraft — Best Overall for Florida LLCs
Rating: 5/5
| Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Formation fee | $0 |
| Florida state fee | $125 |
| Registered agent (Year 1) | Included |
| Registered agent (renewal) | $49/year |
| Operating agreement | Included |
| EIN filing | Included |
| True first-year cost | $125 |
Why IncCraft Ranks #1
IncCraft wins because it includes everything you need at the lowest total cost:
What’s included:
- Complete Articles of Organization filing
- Registered agent service (first year)
- Florida-specific operating agreement
- EIN filing assistance
- Compliance calendar with reminders
- Document storage
Florida-specific advantages:
- Built specifically for Florida businesses
- Staff expertise in Sunbiz and Florida requirements
- Florida annual report reminders
- Local business license guidance
Processing: 3-5 business days standard, 24-48 hours expedited (+$50)
The Bottom Line
For Florida LLC formation, IncCraft delivers the most value. You get a complete, functional LLC for $125 total (just the state filing fee), with the lowest ongoing costs in the industry.
[Form your Florida LLC with IncCraft →]
2. Northwest Registered Agent — Best for Privacy Focus
Rating: 4.5/5
| Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Formation fee | $39 |
| Florida state fee | $125 |
| Registered agent (Year 1) | Included |
| Registered agent (renewal) | $125/year |
| Operating agreement | Included |
| EIN filing | $50 |
| True first-year cost | $214 |
Why Northwest Ranks #2
Northwest built its reputation on privacy and transparent pricing:
What’s included:
- Articles of Organization filing
- Registered agent service (first year)
- Operating agreement template
- Corporate address usage on filings
- Corporate Guides® resources
Strengths:
- No aggressive upsells during checkout
- Strong privacy focus and marketing
- Excellent customer service reputation
- Works in all 50 states
Weaknesses:
- Higher registered agent renewal ($125/year vs $49)
- EIN filing costs extra ($50)
- Not Florida-specific
Processing: 3-5 business days standard
The Bottom Line
Northwest is a reputable, honest service with transparent pricing. Choose Northwest if you need multi-state presence or strongly value their privacy branding. For Florida-only LLCs, IncCraft offers better value.
3. Bizee (formerly Incfile) — Best Budget Alternative
Rating: 4/5
| Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Formation fee | $0 |
| Florida state fee | $125 |
| Registered agent (Year 1) | Included |
| Registered agent (renewal) | $119/year |
| Operating agreement | Standard plan ($199) |
| EIN filing | Included (Standard+) |
| True first-year cost | $323 (with Standard) |
Why Bizee Ranks #3
Bizee offers a genuine $0 formation with free first-year registered agent:
What’s included (Basic plan):
- Articles of Organization filing
- Registered agent service (first year)
- Unlimited name searches
- Online dashboard
What requires upgrade:
- Operating agreement (Standard plan: $199)
- EIN filing (Standard plan)
- Expedited processing (Premium: $299)
Strengths:
- True $0 formation option
- Free first-year registered agent
- Competitive renewal rate ($119/year)
- Established company (since 2004)
Weaknesses:
- Operating agreement requires paid upgrade
- Processing can take 3-4 weeks (Basic)
- Some upselling during checkout
Processing: 3-4 weeks standard, faster with paid upgrades
The Bottom Line
Bizee works if you’re comfortable creating your own operating agreement or don’t mind paying $199 for their Standard plan. The $119/year registered agent renewal is competitive.
4. ZenBusiness — Most Heavily Marketed
Rating: 3.5/5
| Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Formation fee | $0 |
| Florida state fee | $125 |
| Registered agent (Year 1) | $199 extra |
| Registered agent (renewal) | $199/year |
| Operating agreement | $99 extra (Starter) |
| EIN filing | $99 extra (Starter) |
| True first-year cost | $522 |
Why ZenBusiness Ranks #4
ZenBusiness spends heavily on marketing but delivers less value:
What’s included (Starter):
- Articles of Organization filing
- Name availability search
- Worry-Free Compliance (free Year 1, then $199/year)
- Velo AI assistant
What costs extra:
- Registered agent: $199/year
- Operating agreement: $99
- EIN filing: $99
The Worry-Free Compliance trap: ZenBusiness’s “free” Worry-Free Compliance auto-renews at $199/year. It files your annual report and sends reminders—something other services include free.
Strengths:
- Modern interface and dashboard
- Fast processing on paid plans
- Banking integration tools
Weaknesses:
- High true cost despite $0 advertising
- Aggressive auto-renewal practices
- Registered agent not included
- $397 more than IncCraft in Year 1
Processing: 7-10 business days (Starter), 1 day (Pro: $199)
The Bottom Line
ZenBusiness’s marketing suggests value, but the numbers tell a different story. You’ll pay $522 for Year 1 and $536 annually—among the highest in the industry.
5. LegalZoom — Biggest Name, Not Best Value
Rating: 3/5
| Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Formation fee | $0 |
| Florida state fee | $125 |
| Registered agent (Year 1) | $249 extra |
| Registered agent (renewal) | $249/year |
| Operating agreement | Pro plan ($249) |
| EIN filing | $79 extra |
| True first-year cost | $453 |
Why LegalZoom Ranks #5
LegalZoom pioneered online legal services but hasn’t stayed competitive on pricing:
What’s included (Basic):
- Articles of Organization filing
- That’s essentially it
What costs extra:
- Registered agent: $249/year (highest in industry)
- Operating agreement: Pro plan required ($249)
- EIN filing: $79
Strengths:
- Biggest name in the industry
- Access to legal services network
- Long track record
Weaknesses:
- Highest registered agent pricing
- Slow processing (7-30 business days)
- Aggressive upselling
- $328 more than IncCraft in Year 1
Processing: 7-30 business days standard
The Bottom Line
LegalZoom’s brand recognition doesn’t translate to value. You’re paying premium prices for slower service. Their registered agent fee alone ($249/year) is five times what IncCraft charges.
Full Pricing Comparison
First-Year Costs (Everything You Need)
| Service | Formation | State Fee | Reg Agent | Op Agreement | EIN | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IncCraft | $0 | $125 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $125 |
| Northwest | $39 | $125 | $0 | $0 | $50 | $214 |
| Bizee | $0 | $125 | $0 | $199 | $0 | $324 |
| LegalZoom | $0 | $125 | $249 | $0 | $79 | $453 |
| ZenBusiness | $0 | $125 | $199 | $99 | $99 | $522 |
*Bizee Standard plan required for operating agreement and EIN
LegalZoom Basic doesn’t include operating agreement; create your own
Ongoing Annual Costs
| Service | Reg Agent | FL Annual Report | Other Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IncCraft | $49 | $138.75 | $0 | $187.75 |
| Northwest | $125 | $138.75 | $0 | $263.75 |
| Bizee | $119 | $138.75 | $0 | $257.75 |
| LegalZoom | $249 | $138.75 | $0 | $387.75 |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | $138.75 | $199 | $536.75 |
ZenBusiness Worry-Free Compliance auto-renewal
5-Year Cost Projection
| Service | Year 1 | Years 2-5 | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| IncCraft | $125 | $751 | $876 |
| Northwest | $214 | $1,055 | $1,269 |
| Bizee | $324 | $1,031 | $1,355 |
| LegalZoom | $453 | $1,551 | $2,004 |
| ZenBusiness | $522 | $2,147 | $2,669 |
Over 5 years, IncCraft saves you $1,793 compared to ZenBusiness.
What Every Florida LLC Actually Needs
Before choosing a service, understand what’s required:
Required
- Articles of Organization – Filed with Florida Division of Corporations ($125 state fee)
- Registered Agent – Someone to receive legal documents on your LLC’s behalf (required by law)
Essential for Operations
- Operating Agreement – Banks require this to open business accounts
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) – Needed for business banking, hiring, taxes
Helpful but Optional
- Expedited Processing – Only if you need your LLC immediately
- Compliance Reminders – Helpful for annual report deadlines
Any complete LLC service should include items 1-4. Services that charge extra for these essentials are padding their margins.
Red Flags to Watch For
When evaluating LLC services, watch for:
1. “$0” That Isn’t Really $0
Many services advertise $0 formation but don’t include registered agent service ($199-249/year extra).
2. Auto-Renewal Traps
Free trials that auto-renew at high rates (ZenBusiness Worry-Free Compliance: $199/year).
3. Upsell Pressure
Services that push add-ons aggressively during checkout (LegalZoom, ZenBusiness).
4. Slow Standard Processing
Some services take 30+ days for standard processing, pushing you toward paid expedited options.
5. EIN Fees
The IRS provides EINs for free. Services charging $79-99 for EIN filing are capturing pure margin.
The DIY Alternative
You can form a Florida LLC yourself through Sunbiz.org for just the $125 state fee. However, you’ll need to:
- Handle all paperwork yourself
- Serve as your own registered agent (using a Florida address)
- Create your own operating agreement
- Apply for your own EIN
- Track compliance deadlines yourself
For most business owners, a formation service saves time and ensures nothing is missed. But DIY is viable if you’re comfortable with the process.
Our Recommendation
For most Florida business owners, IncCraft offers the best combination of value, included features, and Florida expertise:
- Lowest total cost – $125 Year 1, $187.75 annually
- Everything included – Registered agent, operating agreement, EIN
- Florida-focused – Staff who understand Sunbiz and Florida requirements
- Fast processing – 3-5 business days standard
The $400+ you save compared to ZenBusiness or LegalZoom is better invested in your actual business.
Start Your Florida LLC
IncCraft handles your complete Florida LLC formation for $0 + the $125 state filing fee. That includes registered agent service, operating agreement, and EIN filing.
Form your Florida LLC with IncCraft today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I form an LLC myself for free?
You can file directly with Sunbiz.org for $125 (state fee only). However, you’ll need to handle registered agent duties, create your own documents, and track compliance yourself.
Why do prices vary so much between services?
Services charge differently for “extras” like registered agent service, operating agreements, and EIN filing. Always calculate the true total cost, not just the advertised formation fee.
Is the cheapest option always best?
Not necessarily. The cheapest option should include everything you need. A $0 formation that requires $300 in add-ons isn’t actually cheap.
How fast can I get my Florida LLC?
IncCraft’s standard processing is 3-5 business days. With expedited processing, you can have your LLC in 24-48 hours (plus the $125 state fee and $50 expedited fee).
Do I really need a registered agent service?
Yes. Florida law requires every LLC to have a registered agent with a Florida address. You can serve as your own if you have a Florida address and are available during business hours, but most business owners prefer a professional service.