We earn commissions if you shop through the links below. Read more
Written by: Natalie Fell
Published on August 13, 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 Texas? 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 four picks of business formation services in Texas.
ZenBusiness has three business formation plans to choose from, with annual fees ranging from $0 to $299. They have a solid rating with the BBB and a quick and easy purchase process.
Rocket Lawyer doesn’t offer any business formation packages, but instead offers a la carte services or a membership subscription for $39.99/month.
The BizFilings Basic Plan and Standard plan both offer a good value, and the site is easy to use.
BetterLegal offers one business formation plan for $299 plus state fees, and affordable registered agent services.
ZenBusiness has three business formation plans to choose from, with annual fees ranging from $0 to $299. They have a great track record with BBB, competitive pricing, and a seamless formation process.
In Texas, the Starter Plan costs $0 plus the $310 state filing fee. It includes a business name availability search through the state’s database and the business formation service, with full customer support. It also offers a few extras, including an accounting consultation to help you get started with your finances. You’ll also have access to your formation documents online at any time.
The $199 Pro Plan includes all the services above plus an operating agreement template and annual compliance service, which means ZenBusiness will remind you of any reporting due dates based on Texas’ requirements. The plan also includes expedited filing so that your LLC is approved and ready to go faster. In Texas, this costs $509 total when you factor in state fees.
The $299 Premium Plan includes everything in the Pro Plan with the advantage of rush filing, as well as a business domain name, website, and email. With state fees, you’ll pay $609.
Note that none of these plans include registered agent services. They are available for an additional $99 fee. ZenBusiness also has a document library that customers can access for $99.
Each of the ZenBusiness plans include a robust list of services. The Pro and Premium plans come with extras like an operating agreement and expedited and rush filing, making them a great value. However, registered agent services are not included in their packages and are offered at an additional cost.
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 on their site with which you can get legal services, documents, and advice. The subscription has a seven-day free trial.
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 Texas, the cost is $409. You can also purchase other services, including expedited business filing for $100 and an EIN for $59.
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.
The BizFilings Basic Plan offers a good value compared to others, since they offer a few extras with the plan, including registered agent services for six months. You can purchase extra services with all their plans, including an operating agreement and other forms, and a business license research package.
They don’t offer as many services as some competitors, but if you’re just interested in forming your business, this is a good option.
The $99 Basic Plan includes a business name availability search in Texas and the business formation service, as well as registered agent services for six months, which is something that some competitors do not offer. It also offers a 24/7 business monitoring tool, and a library of common business documents. In Texas, the total price is $409.
The $229 Standard Plan includes all the services above plus an LLC kit and seal, an operating agreement and other form templates, and expedited processing. With the state filing fee added, your total for this package will be $539.
The Complete Plan costs $359 and includes everything in the Standard Plan with several added benefits, such as:
In Texas, you’ll pay $669 when state filing fees are factored in.
Most of the BizFilings plans and services are a good value. Their site is easy to use, and they offer a great customer service experience. They don’t offer as many services as some competitors, but if you’re just looking for a business formation service, they are a good option. If you’re looking for more services, ZenBusiness might be a better choice.
BetterLegal’s LLC Formation Plan is their only packaged offering. For $299, it includes an operating agreement, employer identification number (EIN), and the business formation service. It also includes amendment or document research services and a business website.
In Texas, the LLC Formation Plan costs a one-time fee of $299 plus the $310 state filing fee, totaling $609. It includes business name availability search and preparation and filing of the articles of organization. It also includes an operating agreement draft, which allows you to record all pertinent information related to the ownership of your business, governance and business structure.
The BetterLegal LLC Formation Plan also includes a federal tax identification number, or EIN. You’ll need this number to open a business bank account to pay your employees as well as your taxes when they become due.
The plan also comes with free website services, insurance evaluation, and tax analysis. BetterLegal is known for being a leading tax services provider, so you can rest assured that you’ll receive expert tax advice. You also receive amendment or document research services, minute templates, officer designation, banking resolution, and S corp tax election.
Note that this plan does not include registered agent services, which you can add for $10 per month or $90 per year.
BetterLegal is a bit more expensive compared to competitors. However, their registered agent services are better priced and also offer a monthly payment option, which is unique.
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:
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.
Using a business formation service to start your Texas 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.
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.
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.
Published on September 11, 2022
If you’re starting a business, the business entity formation process is one of the first and most important hurdles. This step can be terriblycomp ...
Read Now
Published on September 8, 2022
If you’re starting a business, the business entity formation process is one of the first and most significant hurdles. This step can be terriblyco ...
Read Now
Published on September 8, 2022
Business entity formation is a crucial element of launching a business, and because it’s often complex and tedious many entrepreneurs hire aprofes ...
Read Now
No thanks, I don't want to stay up to date on industry trends and news.
Comments