LLC Price Compare › Compare › Mainstay Filing vs ZenBusiness vs LegalZoom
Mainstay Filing vs ZenBusiness vs LegalZoom: 3-Year Cost and What’s Included
Over three years, service and registered agent: Mainstay Filing $597, ZenBusiness $497, LegalZoom $747. Mainstay Filing is our pick if you want one price that includes the annual report and does not rise; ZenBusiness 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.
ZenBusiness 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 |
| ZenBusiness | $99 | $199 | $199 | $497 | Starter formation; agent bought separately; Pro ($199 a year) adds EIN and annual-report filing |
| 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: ZenBusiness
- Year 2: Mainstay Filing and ZenBusiness
- Three years: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness: Starter package $0 plus the state fee; Pro is $199 a year with the EIN and annual-report filing, and its registered agent is a separate $199 a year that no package includes. (checked October 20, 2026).
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
ZenBusiness 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). ZenBusiness if you want the lowest start ($99 in year 1).
Which is cheaper in the second year?
Mainstay Filing $199, ZenBusiness $199, LegalZoom $249.
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