LLC Price Compare › Compare › Mainstay Filing vs LegalZoom
Mainstay Filing vs LegalZoom: 3-Year Cost and What’s Included
Over three years, service and registered agent: Mainstay Filing $597, LegalZoom $747. Mainstay Filing is our pick if you want one price that includes the annual report and does not rise; LegalZoom costs less to start.
Mainstay Filing
$199 / year plus state fees at cost
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
Mainstay Filing vs LegalZoom, which is better for forming your LLC?
The state filing fee and any state report fee are the same with either, so the choice is the service price and what it covers.
| Service | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3 years | What the price covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199 | $199 | $597 | Formation filing, registered agent, EIN application and every annual report filed |
| LegalZoom | $249 | $249 | $249 | $747 | Basic formation; agent bought separately at $249 for first-time agent customers (Pro $249, Premium $299) |
Where each one wins
- Year 1: Mainstay Filing
- Year 2: Mainstay Filing
- Three years: Mainstay Filing
LegalZoom: Basic package $0 plus the state fee (Pro $249, Premium $299); its registered agent is $249 a year for first-time agent customers. (checked October 20, 2026).
Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers formation, the registered agent, the EIN application and the annual report, renews at the same price, and has no add-on menu.
Questions
Mainstay Filing vs LegalZoom, which is better for forming your LLC?
Mainstay Filing if you want one price that includes the annual report and EIN application and does not rise ($199 a year). LegalZoom if you want the lowest start ($249 in year 1).
Which is cheaper in the second year?
Mainstay Filing $199, LegalZoom $249.
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