8 Best Online Incorporation Services for Startups 2023
Last Updated: By TRUiC Team
Are you ready to incorporate your startup company? Second to choosing a business structure for your startup, selecting the right online incorporation service is one of the most important steps in structuring your company. If you’re having trouble deciding on the right startup incorporation service, we’re here to help with this guide to the best online incorporation services for startups.
Best Business Incorporation Service: Northwest Registered Agent ($29 + State Fees)
Note that forming a corporation is recommended for startups, especially those seeking outside investors, while forming an LLC is recommended for small businesses that do not plan to raise outside investment. You can learn more about which legal structure is right for you by reading our LLC vs. Corporation guide.
Top Incorporation Services Online
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Northwest
4.7/5 |
Highest Customer Satisfaction
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ZenBusiness
4.5/5 |
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Incfile
4.4/5 |
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Clerky
4.3/5 |
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Stripe Atlas
4.2/5 |
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Gust
4.1/5 |
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LegalZoom
3.9/5 |
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Rocket Lawyer
3.8/5 |
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Incorporating your startup means establishing your business as a formal legal entity, separate from its founders or owners. Startup incorporation has a number of advantages; your company will gain limited liability, establish credibility and trust, be more attractive to investors, and more.
In this business formation services guide, we’ve compared, reviewed, and ranked the 8 best online incorporation services for startups:
When deciphering the best incorporation service for your startup, it is important to identify the services offered (e.g., Employer Identification Number (EIN) assistance, registered agent services, etc.) compared to the price.
Each business incorporation service offers its own unique value; however, our overall recommendation for startup incorporation is Northwest Registered Agent. Not only does Northwest make structuring your new business online quick and easy, but it also offers exceptional, knowledgeable customer support, and premium registered agent service for a competitive price.
Whether you choose to start a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), nonprofit, or opt for another business entity — Northwest offers a great deal for the business incorporation services it provides.
Best Online Incorporation Service: Northwest
Northwest Registered Agent is our choice for best incorporation services because of its competitive pricing and knowledgeable customer support.
1. Northwest Registered Agent
Pricing: $29 + state fees
Northwest Registered Agent is our top pick for the best online incorporation service. Northwest is known for its knowledgeable and accessible customer service, which means you are likely to find the support you need during the critical stages of the incorporation process. They provide their customers with Corporate Guides, who are highly trained U.S.-based support agents.
Pros
- Excellent and knowledgeable customer support
- Quick and simple ordering process
- Free registered agent service for a year
- Free phone service for 60 days
Cons
- Northwest doesn’t include as many features as other incorporation services. For instance, they charge extra for some essential features such as an employer identification number (EIN). However, you can simply get one for free using our guide.
Northwest Registered Agent is an excellent and affordable choice for online incorporation services. Incorporate your startup with Northwest ($29 + state fees)
2. ZenBusiness
Pricing: $0 + state fees
ZenBusiness is another good option for online incorporation services. With services ranging from corporation to LLC formation, ZenBusiness can help you easily structure your company.
Additionally, ZenBusiness customers who choose to incorporate using its services gain worry-free compliance included in the price. For startups that want extra support, ZenBusiness also offers packages that include EIN and expedited filing services as well as domain names and a business website built into the annual cost.
Pros
- Competitive price
- Included features such as worry-free compliance
- Positive customer feedback
Cons
- Some helpful features (e.g., registered agent service) not included in any LLC formation or corporation packages
- Annual subscription model, no pay-per-service option
ZenBusiness is another great choice for online incorporation service, providing many features at an affordable price. Form your startup with ZenBusiness ($0 + state fees)
3. Incfile
Pricing: $0 + state fees
Incfile is known for having inexpensive incorporation and LLC formation services that don’t sacrifice features or reliability despite its competitive pricing. In fact, every formation service comes with a free year of registered agent services. With Incfile, you can form a corporation and obtain free registered agent services for a year by paying only the necessary state fees. But, if you would like additional perks such as a bank account, EIN, or help drafting corporate bylaws, you will need to pay extra.
The main drawback is that Incfile’s services are geared primarily towards LLC formation service. Therefore, if you are planning to form a C corp, other corporation formation services, such as Northwest or Clerky, might be better choices.
Pros
- Competitive price
- Free registered agent service for a year
- Free incorporation service package (with the exception of state filing fees)
Cons
- Focused primarily on LLC formation service
- Additional services (such as an operating agreement template) cost extra
Incfile is a suitable incorporation service for startups and small businesses that are are on a budget and want valuable added features. Form your business with Incfile ($0 + state fees)
4. Clerky
Pricing: $799 for Company Lifetime Package or $407 for incorporation
Clerky offers business formation services created for startups specifically, making it an ideal choice for startup founders. One of the best things about choosing Clerky for business formation is its pay-per-service model that allows customers to choose the exact services they need without having to pay for services they don’t.
Clerky breaks down the formation process into two chapters, the first being actually forming your corporation and the second being the required steps afterward such as drafting corporate bylaws and assigning founder vestment.
Pros
- Created for startups specifically
- Pay-per-service features
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Higher cost than many competitors
- Formation services only available for Delaware C corps
- Required expedited filing
5. Stripe Atlas
Pricing: Starts at $500 + state fees
Stripe Atlas is a business formation service through Stripe that offers a litany of services in addition to business structuring, including a guaranteed bank account with formation. For international startup founders who may find it difficult to acquire a bank account for their startup, this can be highly beneficial.
Pros
- Guaranteed bank account
- Created for startups specifically
- Great for international founders
Cons
- Higher cost than some competitors
- For corporations, no choice of bank
- Only offers Delaware company formation
6. Gust
Pricing: Starts at $300/year + state fees.
One of the main drawbacks of Gust's incorporation services is its subscription-based model. Despite the corporation process being a one-time event, startups that choose to use Gust’s services are required to sign up for a subscription for additional services such as a private founder community and software after they have formed their corporation.
Pros
- Created for startups specifically
- Business banking included in cost
- Post-incorporation support
Cons
- No unique features
- Subscription-based model
- Only offers Delaware corporation formation
7. LegalZoom
Pricing: Starts at $149 + state fees
LegalZoom is a highly popular business formation service that also offers ongoing legal services; however, it forms more LLCs than corporations. Its site will guide you through the business formation process and even help you decipher the right business structure for you.
The drawback of LegalZoom, compared to competitors, is the lack of additional features included in the cost of formation, such as registered agent services. Additionally, for help with essential documents such as corporate bylaws, EINs, or business licenses, you can expect to spend between $99 and $249 in additional fees. What’s more, recurring services such as tax preparation or compliance cost between $280 and $588 per year for each.
Pros
- Money-back guarantee
- A well-known, experienced company
- Legal services past business formation
Cons
- Higher price than some competitors
- High cost for additional services such as an operating agreement
8. Rocket Lawyer
Pricing: $349.99 + state fees
Rocket Lawyer is the best incorporation service provider if you want ongoing legal services beyond corporation or LLC formation.
We’ve actually negotiated a deal to bundle Rocket Lawyer’s premium membership services into an exclusive plan for our users at the discounted price of $349.99 (plus state fees). You’ll save approximately $300 (over 45%!) by choosing our New Business Bundle, which includes free incorporation services, one year of registered agent services, and one year of legal services.
Pros
- Great customer feedback and support
- Access to a library of easy-to-use legal forms (e.g., operating agreement) and documents
Cons
- Rocket Lawyer is focused more on legal services past company formation. If you are simply interested in incorporating a startup, there are more affordable options.
Interested in forming an LLC instead? Check out our review of the best LLC services!
Review Methodology
The TRUiC team evaluates the top online incorporation services based on the following criteria:
- Pricing: The company offers essential startup services at an affordable price for entrepreneurs.
- Features: The service's basic business package includes vital features such as incorporation filing, registered agent services, etc.
- User Reviews: Previous customers rated and reviewed the startup incorporation service positively, and the company is receptive to negative reviews.
- Customer Support: The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and responsive to customers. They provide startup founders with peace of mind throughout the business incorporation process.
- Accessibility and Transparency: The information on the service's website is easy for the customer to navigate and understand. The ordering process is straightforward, user-friendly, and void of hidden fees.
Overall, our main goal is to recommend online incorporation services that provide the best value for our users so they can more easily launch and grow successful startups.
FAQ
What is the concept of incorporation?
When you incorporate a startup, you register your new business with your state, and it becomes its own legal entity, or “person.” You can learn more about startup incorporation by reading our comprehensive guide on how to incorporate a startup, along with its supporting articles.
What is the purpose of incorporation?
One of the main purposes of incorporation is to gain personal liability protection; however, there are many other reasons to incorporate; your startup will establish credibility and trust, be more attractive to investors, and more.
What are business incorporation services?
Online incorporation services take care of the confusing business formation paperwork by completing and submitting incorporation documents to the appropriate government agencies. A lot of these services can also provide features such as annual report filing, business license searches, registered agents, operating agreement templates, etc.
Many incorporation services will often save you both time and money, provide you with peace of mind, reduce the chance of errors, and offer helpful customer support and tools throughout the complex business formation process.
What is the best incorporation service?
Our pick for best incorporation services is Northwest Registered Agent because of its affordability and knowledgeable customer service.
Should I form an LLC or corporation for my startup?
LLC formation vs corporation formation depends on the nature of your startup.
Limited liability companies (LLCs) are simpler structures that are often better for small, owner-managed businesses.
Corporations are more complex business structures that are better suited for startups that want to raise outside funding, grow significantly, etc.
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