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Filing Shortlist

Updated November 12, 2026

Shortlists of the best LLC services and registered agents, state by state

Filing Shortlist cuts the field of registered agents, LLC formation services and foreign registration services down to a short list for each of the 50 states. The cut weighs three-year price, what the price covers, renewal terms, fit for the state and price clarity.

Shortlists by service

  • 1

    Best registered agents

    Which agent should receive your legal papers in each state, weighed on yearly price, renewal and what the plan includes.

    Registered Agent rankings

  • 2

    Best LLC services

    Which service should file your formation paperwork in each state, weighed on three-year cost and the yearly filings its price takes care of.

    LLC Service rankings

  • 3

    Best foreign registration

    Which service should register an existing company in a new state, weighed on its fee, the agent you will need there and renewal terms.

    Foreign Registration rankings

National shortlists

  • Registered Agents

    Nationwide

    Top pickMainstay Filing

  • LLC Services

    Nationwide

    Top pickMainstay Filing

  • Foreign Registration Services

    Nationwide

    Top pickMainstay Filing

How we cut the list

What the shortlist weighs

Read the full method
  1. Three-year price (28%): Year one plus two renewals at each company's own published service prices.
  2. What the price covers (28%): How much recurring work sits inside the one price: the registered agent, the annual report prepared and filed, the EIN application and use beyond one state.
  3. Renewal terms (16%): Whether the yearly price holds after the first year and how simple it is to stay or leave.
  4. Fit for the state (14%): How well the offer suits that state's report schedule, late penalties and registered office rules.
  5. Price clarity (14%): Whether the full amount is shown before payment and the state fee is passed through at cost.

Pick your state