Published on August 16, 2022 Updated on January 29, 2023
If you’re starting an LLC, 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 Delaware? 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.
Why Use a Business Formation Service for your LLC in Delaware?
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.
What to Look for When Purchasing an LLC Service in Delaware?
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.
Features
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.
Customer Service and Reviews
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 ratings and reviews, as well as TrustPilot 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.
Pricing
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 felt about it.
Turnaround time
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.
Here we summarize our top five picks of business formation services in Delaware.
Best LLC Formation Services in Delaware
Northwest Registered Agent
4.4/5
Northwest Registered Agent offers a la carte services and a financing plan that allows customers to spread their total formation fees over one year.
LegalZoom has three business formation plans, with one-time fees ranging from $79 to $349. Their economy plan is great value for what’s included and they have great customer service.
Incfile offers three business formation packages. Their Silver Package only charges state filing fees and includes free registered agent services for one year.
Northwest Registered Agent offers several a la carte services and one business formation package, the Corporate Guide Service plan, which includes a year of registered agent services and allows you to pay your LLC formation fees over the course of a year. All customers will have online access to their documents and full customer support.
Pricing and features
The Corporate Guide Service spreads your filing and service fees over your first year of business. Your monthly bill and total expenses will include Delaware fees. Monthly bills will be $49, while the total expenses for the year will be $588.
This package includes the preparation and filing of both your LLC formation documents and an EIN application. Customers receive same-day processing, an operating agreement, registered agent services for one year, a business address and a limited mail forwarding address, in addition to a prepared banking resolution.
It also provides online access to your documents, customer service support, and a virtual business guide, making it a great value at a reasonable monthly price. Additional services will need to be purchased separately at a later time.
Northwest Registered Agent’s a la carte services must be paid for in full at the time of purchase. This option allows customers to add more business services or tools to your LLC formation order, such as a certified copy or a second phone number. Paying upfront for business formation services will cost $315 when state fees are added in.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Competitively-designed payment package offers good value
Prompt customer service
Quick and easy purchase process
Good rating with the Better Business Bureau
Website is intuitive and resourceful
Cons
No business license filing or support
Unable to add services to the Corporate Guide Service package
Northwest Registered Agent’s Corporate Guide Service plan is a great value for entrepreneurs with a limited budget. Competitors like LegalZoom offer similar packages, but Northwest Registered Agent’s plan tends to be cheaper and include more services. Their a la carte streamlined pricing is uncommon among competitors and benefits businesses that intend to take over responsibilities gradually.
LegalZoom is an industry leader when it comes to LLC formation services. They offer three business plans, with one-time fees ranging from $79 to $349. Their Economy Plan is great value for what’s included and they have great customer service.
Pricing and features
In Delaware, the Economy Plan costs $79 plus the $140 state filing fee, totaling $219. It includes a business name availability search through the state database, your business’s formation, and full customer support. It also offers a few extras, including a digital welcome packet and a business newsletter. You’ll also have access to your formation documents online at any time.
The $329 Standard Plan includes all the services in the Starter Plan plus a founder’s kit, personalized business embosser, and membership certificates. In Delaware, this costs $469 with the state filing fee.
The $349 Express Gold Plan includes all of the services listed above plus expedited filing and express document shipping, making it a better value than the Standard Plan. This plan costs $489 when state filing fees are factored in.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The Economy Plan is a good value
Reliable customer service
Quick and easy purchase process
Mostly positive reviews
Cons
Some information is difficult to find
Some ala carte services and packages are not good value
Some customers claim delivery issues
Cancellation can be a lengthy and difficult process
LegalZoom’s services are easy to use and they offer great customer experience. LegalZoom is more expensive than some competitors but they do 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.
Unlike most other LLC formation services, Rocket Lawyer does not offer packages of services, just a la carte service options. They also offer a $39.99 per month subscription service, with which you can get legal services, documents, and advice. The subscription has a seven-day free trial.
Pricing and features
With a $39.99 per month Rocket Lawyer subscription, the business formation service only charges state filing fees, and you can get a 25% discount on registered agent services. The subscription gives you access to a host of business document templates, including an operating agreement.
Without a subscription, the business formation service costs $99 plus state fees. In Delaware, the cost is $239. You can also purchase other services, including expedited business filing for $100 and an EIN for $59.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Quick and easy purchase process
Good rating with the Better Business Bureau
Membership option is a good value if you need ongoing legal help
Rocket Lawyer is a unique option, not offering packages of business formation services, but a subscription service instead that allows you to form your business for free and get access to a host of business form templates. We feel that the best value that they offer is their subscription membership, as you’ll be able to get assistance for any ongoing legal concerns.
Incfile offers three business formation packages: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Silver Package is free and includes free registered agent services for one year. Incfile also gives customers access to an online dashboard and unlimited phone and email support.
Pricing and features
In Delaware, the free Silver Package includes the preparation and filing of the articles of organization and unlimited name searches. It also includes free registered agent services for a year. You’ll only pay the $140 state filing fee, making it a great value.
The $149 Gold Package offers the added services of an operating agreement, business tax consultation, and lifetime company alerts. It has a few other benefits as well, so it’s an overall good value. In Delaware, this costs $289.
The $299 Platinum Package offers the additional benefit of expedited filing as well as domain name and business formation. You’ll also receive access to business contract templates. With the Delaware filing fee, this package totals $439.
Incfile also offers a number of a la carte services. For a fee, Incfile can handle tasks like filing your annual report and changing your registered agent. If you have either the Silver or Gold package, you can gain access to the entire document library for an additional $150.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Affordable, with a free plan that includes all the basics
Most services have a one-time fee vs. annual
Plans include free registered agent services for at least a year
Access to an online dashboard for paid plans
Unlimited phone and email support
Cons
Customer service may be less responsive than other services
Limited legal services available
Limited customer support hours, no weekend availability
Incfile is great for entrepreneurs on a budget, as their Silver Package covers the basics and includes a free year of their registered agent service. Competitors like LegalZoom have a more robust suite of services, but can be more expensive.
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:
Examined every page of the service’s website
Reviewed all of their offerings, from a la carte products to packages
Put ourselves in the customer’s shoes, creating an account
Communicated with customer service via chat, email and phone
Used the service to actually form an LLC
Gained a full understanding of the customer experience and service value
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.
FAQs
Why should I use a business formation service to start my Delaware LLC?
Using a business formation service to start your Delaware LLC frees you up to focus on growing your business. These services handle the filing process for you and offer additional services that can make life easier for a new business owner.
What should I take into consideration when choosing the right business formation service for my Delaware LLC?
When assessing whether or not a business formation service is right for you, it’s important to dive into the following four categories: included features, customer service, pricing, and turnaround time.
Where can I learn more about what real customers think of the various business formation services?
To learn more about the customer experience at a particular business formation service, check out the reviews and ratings on the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot websites. Also see our summaries of customer reviews for each LLC formation service, detailed near the start of this article.
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