LegalZoom is the best-known name in online business formation, and for a lot of founders it is a genuinely good choice. It is also more expensive over time than most people realise when they sign up, because the sticker price and the second-year price are not the same number.
Here is what it actually costs in 2026, what each plan includes, where it is worth paying for, and where it is not.
What LegalZoom is
LegalZoom files your formation paperwork with the state and handles the surrounding admin — name availability checks, operating agreements, EIN registration, and in the higher tiers, access to attorneys.
The value is not that it does something you cannot do yourself. You can file articles of organisation directly with the Illinois Secretary of State. The value is that it removes the research, the forms, and the risk of getting a detail wrong.
What LegalZoom costs in 2026
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $0 + state filing fees | Articles of organisation filed, name check, customer support |
| Pro | $249 + state fees | Everything in Basic, plus operating agreement, EIN, bookkeeping tools, custom legal documents and eSign for a year, Wix website |
| Premium | $299 + state fees | Everything in Pro, plus attorney access during formation |
State filing fees run roughly $40 to $500 depending on where you register, and they are not optional at any tier. LegalZoom frequently discounts the paid plans — at the time of writing, Pro and Premium were being advertised at 20% off, bringing them to about $199 and $239.
Why this matters: "Free" formation is real, but it only covers the filing itself. If you need an EIN, an operating agreement, and a registered agent — which most LLCs do — you are not on the free plan for long.
The registered agent fee is where the cost lives
Every LLC needs a registered agent: a person or company with a physical address in your state who accepts legal documents on the business's behalf. It is a legal requirement, not an upsell.
LegalZoom's registered agent service runs $249 for the first year, and there are public complaints of renewals rising substantially after that — one widely cited report describes a jump to $499 a year.
Stack that up and a first year on Premium looks like this: $299 for the plan, $249 for the agent, plus your state filing fee. That is roughly $550 before a single add-on, and the recurring cost continues every year you stay registered.
For comparison, our Illinois registered agent service is $78 a year, flat. That is not a criticism of LegalZoom's filing product, which is fine. It is a comment on one specific line item that renews forever.
Where LegalZoom is genuinely worth it
- You want it done and off your plate. The platform is clear, the steps are guided, and support is responsive.
- You are forming in a state you do not live in, and do not want to research that state's rules.
- You want attorney access during formation. The Premium tier's legal consultation is real value if your structure is unusual — multiple members, outside investment, an operating agreement that needs to reflect an actual deal.
- You need the surrounding documents. The template library and legal document access save real money against hourly attorney rates.
Where it is not the best value
- Registered agent, long term. See above. This is the single easiest place to cut recurring cost, and switching agents is straightforward.
- A basic single-member LLC in your home state. If you are one person forming in Illinois, filing directly with the Secretary of State plus a cheap registered agent will cost you meaningfully less.
- International founders. Formation services generally have limits on non-US members and partnerships. Confirm your specific situation before paying.
- Ongoing subscriptions. Several useful features are annual subscriptions rather than one-time purchases. Check what renews before you assume a cost was one-off.
What LegalZoom does not give you
A business address.
Your formation filing needs a physical street address, and so does your registered agent. LegalZoom will act as your agent, but the address on your public filing is still a decision you have to make — and if you use your home, it becomes public record permanently.
That is the gap we fill. A virtual office gives you a real Chicago street address at 1655 S Blue Island Ave with a signed lease that Illinois filings, city business licenses and Google Business Profile verification accept — $75 a month, or $800 paid annually. A business mailbox is $35 a month if you only need mail handled. Pair either with our $78-a-year registered agent and the recurring compliance cost of your LLC gets substantially cheaper.
If you are forming in Illinois specifically, our guide on how to set up an LLC walks through the filing itself.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC with LegalZoom?
The Basic plan is $0 plus state filing fees, which run about $40 to $500 depending on the state. Pro is $249 and Premium is $299, both plus state fees, and both are frequently discounted. Registered agent service is a separate $249 for the first year.
Does LegalZoom include a registered agent?
Not in the plan price. Registered agent service is sold separately at $249 for the first year, with reports of significantly higher renewal rates afterwards. You are free to use any registered agent you like, including a local one, and you can switch at any time.
How long does LegalZoom take to form an LLC?
Standard processing depends mostly on your state and typically runs a few weeks. LegalZoom sells expedited filing as an add-on, which can shorten that to a handful of business days where the state supports it.
Can I use LegalZoom's address for my business?
No. LegalZoom files your paperwork and can serve as your registered agent, but it does not provide a business address for your filings, your bank, or your Google listing. You need to supply that separately — either your own address or a commercial one.
Is LegalZoom worth it compared to filing yourself?
If you value the guidance and the bundled documents, yes. If you are forming a straightforward single-member LLC in your own state and are comfortable reading your Secretary of State's instructions, filing directly plus a low-cost registered agent will cost you considerably less for the same legal outcome.
Can I switch registered agents after forming with LegalZoom?
Yes. Changing your registered agent is a routine filing with your state, and there is no penalty for doing it. We cover the process in our guide to changing your Illinois registered agent.
The bottom line
LegalZoom is a solid formation product with a recurring-cost problem. Use it for what it is good at — filing, documents, attorney access when your structure is genuinely complicated — and price the registered agent separately, because that is the fee you will still be paying in year five.
If you are starting an Illinois business, compare our plans or talk to our team. We will tell you honestly which parts you need and which you do not.
