By the Jobbers Editorial Team · Last updated: October, 2026 · Reading time: about 12 minutes
Most freelancers don’t wake up wanting to form a company. It usually happens after a client asks for a W-9 with a business name on it, or after a bad month where a disputed invoice makes you realize your personal savings are the only thing standing between your business and a lawsuit. Then you start googling, and within ten minutes you’re staring at six providers all promising a “$0 LLC.”
We’ve been through this ourselves and with a lot of the freelancers who use jobbers.io. The honest answer is that the formation fee is rarely the number that matters. What matters is what you pay in year two, year three and beyond, mostly for the registered agent, plus the state taxes nobody mentions on the checkout page.
This guide compares the services freelancers actually use in 2026, with pricing checked against provider pages and recent independent reviews in September and October 2026.
Important notice — please verify before you rely on these figures. Prices, state fees and federal rules change often, and providers run promotions that differ by state and by date. Every number in this article was checked in good faith as of October 2026, but it is general information, not legal or tax advice. Before you buy anything or file anything, confirm the current figures directly on the provider’s site and on the official state or federal source, and talk to a licensed attorney or tax professional about your own situation. Jobbers.io is not responsible for decisions made on the basis of this article.
Quick answer: which service fits which freelancer?
- Lowest predictable long-term cost (US resident): Northwest Registered Agent
- Cheapest first year: Bizee (formerly Incfile)
- Best guided, all-in-one dashboard: ZenBusiness
- Want attorney access in the same account: LegalZoom
- Non-US freelancer who wants formation, EIN and a US address bundled: doola
- Planning to raise money later (Delaware): Stripe Atlas
First, what does a registered agent actually do?
Every state requires an LLC to name a registered agent: a person or company with a physical street address in that state who is available during business hours to accept lawsuits (“service of process”), tax notices and official mail on your company’s behalf. The U.S. Small Business Administration covers this as part of its business registration guide.
Can you be your own registered agent? In your home state, usually yes. Plenty of freelancers do it. The catch is that your home address goes into the public record, and you have to be reachable at that address during business hours. If you travel, work from cafés, or simply don’t want a process server showing up at your front door in front of the neighbors, paying $100–$250 a year for a service starts to look reasonable. And if you form in a state where you don’t live (Wyoming and Delaware are the usual suspects), you need a commercial agent anyway.
The 2026 comparison table
| Provider | Formation fee (excl. state fee) | Registered agent | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 | Free 1st year with formation, then $125/yr | Privacy, flat pricing |
| Bizee (formerly Incfile) | $0 (Basic) | Free 1st year, then about $119/yr | Tight first-year budget |
| ZenBusiness | $0 (entry plan) | $99 1st year (promo with formation), then $199/yr | Guided setup, compliance tools |
| LegalZoom | $0 (entry plan) | $249/yr | Attorney add-ons |
| doola | Starter plan $297/yr (subscription) | Included in plan | Non-US founders |
| Stripe Atlas | $500 one-time (Delaware state filing fee included) | 1st year included, then $100/yr | Delaware, future fundraising |
Prices in USD, as published or reported in September–October 2026. Promotional prices can change without notice. Verify at checkout.
The providers, one by one
1. Northwest Registered Agent: the one we’d pick for most US-based freelancers
Northwest has been around since 1998 and built its business on registered agent service before it ever sold formations. Formation costs $39 plus the state fee, and the first year of registered agent service is free when Northwest forms your LLC. After that, the agent costs $125 a year, and independent reviewers who tracked the price over several years note it hasn’t jumped after a teaser period the way some competitors’ prices do.
What we like for freelancers specifically: Northwest lets you use its address on your formation documents in most states instead of your home address, and it doesn’t push a long list of upsells at checkout. What we don’t love: the dashboard is functional rather than pretty, and if you want hand-holding on taxes, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Three-year registered agent cost: $0 + $125 + $125 = $250.
2. Bizee (formerly Incfile): cheapest way in, but set a calendar reminder
Bizee rebranded from Incfile in 2023. Its basic package is $0 plus state fees and includes a free first year of registered agent service. Renewal is about $119 a year according to most 2026 reviews (one review site lists $149, so check the figure shown in your account before renewal).
The recurring complaint we see in BBB and forum threads isn’t about the formation itself. It’s surprise auto-renewals and add-ons. If you go with Bizee, decline what you don’t need (you can get an EIN free from the IRS yourself) and put a reminder in your calendar for month eleven.
Three-year registered agent cost: roughly $238 at $119/year.
3. ZenBusiness: the most polished experience
ZenBusiness has a $0 entry formation plan and a clean dashboard that tracks annual reports and deadlines. The registered agent is where you need to read carefully: it’s $99 for the first year when you form through ZenBusiness (a 50% promotional discount), then $199 a year after that.
For freelancers who want one place for formation, compliance alerts, and optional bookkeeping, it’s genuinely pleasant to use. Just budget for the $199.
Three-year registered agent cost: $99 + $199 + $199 = $497.
4. LegalZoom: pay more, get a lawyer on call
LegalZoom is the name most people already know. Its entry formation plan starts at $0 plus state fees, but the registered agent runs $249 a year, the highest on this list. The case for LegalZoom is its attorney-access plans: if you write a lot of contracts, deal with IP licensing, or just sleep better knowing you can ask a lawyer a question, that bundle can be worth it. If you only need the paperwork filed, it’s hard to justify.
Three-year registered agent cost: $747.
5. doola: built for freelancers outside the US
If you’re a designer in Casablanca, a developer in Lagos or a copywriter in Lisbon and you want a US LLC to work with American clients, doola is built for you. The Starter plan is $297 a year plus state fees and bundles formation, an EIN (without needing an SSN), an operating agreement, a US business address and the registered agent. Higher tiers add bookkeeping and tax filing.
Two things to keep in mind. First, it’s a subscription, so the $297 recurs. Second, a US LLC owned by a non-US person carries filing obligations that many people discover too late (see the Form 5472 section below). doola’s higher tiers are designed to handle that, but you’ll pay considerably more for them.
6. Stripe Atlas: only if Delaware is the right call
Stripe Atlas costs $500 once and covers the Delaware state filing fee, your EIN, legal templates and the first year of a Delaware registered agent. After that, the agent is $100 a year. It’s fast and very well documented.
The honest truth for most solo freelancers: Delaware is designed for companies that plan to raise venture capital. If you’re a one-person consultancy, a Delaware LLC means paying Delaware’s annual LLC tax (see below), plus registering as a foreign LLC in your home state if you live in the US. Atlas is excellent at what it does. It’s just often more than a freelancer needs.
The costs nobody puts on the checkout page
State annual fees and taxes
Your registered agent bill is only half of the recurring cost. The state wants its share too:
- Delaware: LLCs don’t file an annual report, but they pay a flat annual tax due June 1. Under House Bill 400, signed on May 21, 2026, that tax rose from $300 to $400 starting with the 2026 tax year, so the first $400 payment is due June 1, 2027. Check the Delaware Division of Corporations for current figures.
- Wyoming: formation costs $100, and the annual report license tax is $60 minimum (or $0.0002 per dollar of Wyoming-based assets, whichever is greater). Details are on the Wyoming Secretary of State site.
- California: most LLCs owe an $800 minimum annual franchise tax to the California Franchise Tax Board, which surprises a lot of first-time founders.
A tip from experience: if you live and work in one state, forming in Wyoming or Delaware usually doesn’t save you money. You’ll typically have to register as a foreign LLC in your home state as well, which means two sets of fees and two registered agents.
The BOI report: good news for US-formed LLCs in 2026
If you read older articles, you’ll see warnings about filing a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report with FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act. That has changed. On August 11, 2026, FinCEN issued a final rule permanently exempting companies created in the United States from BOI reporting. Foreign companies registered to do business in the US are still covered. If a provider tries to sell you a “BOI filing” for a US-formed LLC, ask why. The official guidance lives on FinCEN’s BOI page.
Form 5472: the $25,000 trap for non-US freelancers
This is the one we most want international readers to remember. A single-member US LLC owned by a non-US person is generally required to file IRS Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even if the LLC had no US income. The penalty for not filing, filing late or filing an incomplete form is $25,000 per form, per year, with further penalties if the failure continues after IRS notice. Read the IRS Form 5472 page, and seriously consider paying a tax professional to file it.
The EIN is free
Several providers charge $50–$100 to “get your EIN.” You can apply directly and for free with the IRS: apply for an EIN online. Non-US owners without an SSN typically apply by fax or mail using Form SS-4, which is the main reason they pay a provider to handle it.
Does an LLC actually help you win freelance work?
Partly. An LLC won’t magically bring in clients, but it does change how clients see you. Some US companies prefer to contract with a business entity rather than an individual, and having a business name, EIN and business bank account makes invoicing and tax paperwork smoother. The liability protection is real too, as long as you keep business and personal money separate.
Where the LLC pays for itself is when it’s attached to a steady flow of projects. That’s where jobbers.io comes in.
Finding clients for your new LLC on Jobbers
Jobbers is a freelance marketplace that takes 0% commission on completed work. Clients post projects, freelancers send proposals (using paid credits, so proposals aren’t free, which keeps spam down), and then the two sides discuss and agree on payment terms directly. There’s no platform cut sitting between your invoice and your bank account.
For an LLC owner, that direct relationship is useful. You can invoice under your company name, set your own payment terms, and use whatever payment method you and the client agree on. Browse current freelance jobs across development, design, writing, marketing and more.
Because Jobbers doesn’t run escrow or process the payment itself, it’s your responsibility to use a written contract, agree on milestones and choose a payment method you trust. Treat your LLC like a real business from day one, and those habits come naturally.
How we’d decide, step by step
- Pick your state first. If you live in the US, start with your home state. If you’re outside the US, Wyoming and New Mexico are popular for low ongoing fees; Delaware only makes sense if you plan to raise money.
- Compare the three-year cost, not year one. Add the registered agent renewals and the state’s annual fee or tax.
- Decide how much help you want. Paperwork only (Northwest, Bizee), guided dashboard (ZenBusiness), legal help (LegalZoom), or international bundle (doola).
- Skip upsells you can do yourself, like the EIN.
- Get a tax professional involved early if you’re a non-US owner, plan to elect S-corp taxation, or have multiple members.
Sources and further reading
- U.S. Small Business Administration: Register your business
- FinCEN: Beneficial Ownership Information
- IRS: About Form 5472
- IRS: Single-member limited liability companies
- IRS: Apply for an EIN online
- Delaware Division of Corporations: Annual taxes
- Wyoming Secretary of State: Business Division
- California Franchise Tax Board: LLCs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do freelancers need an LLC?
No. In the US you can legally freelance as a sole proprietor. An LLC is optional, but it can separate your personal assets from business liabilities, make you look more established to some clients, and simplify business banking. Talk to a tax professional before deciding, because the tax impact depends on your situation.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Usually yes, if you have a physical street address in the state where your LLC is formed and you are available there during business hours. The downside is that your address becomes public record and you must be reachable at all times during business hours. If you form in a state where you don’t live, you need a commercial registered agent.
How much does a registered agent cost in 2026?
Most commercial registered agents charge between about $100 and $250 per year. As of October 2026, Northwest charges $125 per year, Bizee about $119, ZenBusiness $199 after a $99 promotional first year, LegalZoom $249 and Stripe Atlas $100 after the first year. Always verify the current price before you buy.
What is the cheapest way to form a freelancer LLC?
Filing directly with your state yourself and acting as your own registered agent is the cheapest option, because you only pay the state fee. If you want a service, Bizee and ZenBusiness offer $0 formation plans plus state fees, but compare the registered agent renewal price over three years before choosing.
Should a freelancer form an LLC in Wyoming or Delaware?
If you live in the US, usually neither: forming in your home state is normally simpler and cheaper, because an out-of-state LLC generally also needs to register in the state where you actually work. Non-US freelancers often choose Wyoming for its $60 minimum annual report fee. Delaware mainly suits companies planning to raise venture capital.
Do I still need to file a BOI report for my LLC?
Not if your LLC was formed in the United States. On August 11, 2026, FinCEN issued a final rule permanently exempting US-created companies from beneficial ownership reporting. Foreign companies registered to do business in the US remain subject to reporting. Check FinCEN’s official BOI page for the latest guidance.
Can a non-US freelancer open a US LLC?
Yes. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident to own a US LLC. You will need a US registered agent and an EIN, and a foreign-owned single-member LLC generally has to file IRS Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 each year, with a $25,000 penalty for failing to file. Services like doola and Stripe Atlas cater to international founders.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS issues EINs for free. You can apply online if you have a valid SSN or ITIN, or by fax or mail with Form SS-4 if you don’t. Formation services that charge for an EIN are charging for the convenience of filing it for you.
Does Jobbers take a commission from freelancers?
No. Jobbers.io charges 0% commission on completed work. Freelancers use paid credits to send proposals, and clients and freelancers discuss and agree on payment terms directly, so you can invoice through your LLC using the payment method you both choose.
Where can my new LLC find freelance clients?
You can find freelance jobs on commission-free marketplaces like Jobbers.io, as well as through referrals, LinkedIn, and niche job boards. A marketplace without commission lets you keep the full project value and invoice clients directly from your business.
Written and reviewed by the Jobbers Editorial Team. Last updated October, 2026. Figures are provided for general information only. Please verify all numbers, fees and legal requirements with official sources and a qualified professional before acting on them.
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