A transparent, repeatable framework for evaluating LLC formation services. No subjective hunches, no paid placements — just structured testing and weighted scoring you can verify yourself.
Most LLC review sites publish vague rankings backed by little more than affiliate priorities. We took the opposite approach: a documented scoring framework, applied identically to every service, that anyone can audit.
Each provider we cover goes through the same five-stage testing process. Each is scored across the same six criteria. Each score is grounded in evidence — pricing screenshots, support transcripts, filing timestamps, dashboard recordings — that we retain for verification.
When a service updates its pricing, features, or support model, we re-test and re-score. Our methodology doesn't change with the wind, but the data behind every score does.
This framework was last reviewed and updated in April 2026. We review the methodology itself every 12 months to ensure scoring criteria reflect the realities of today's LLC formation market.
We retain raw testing artifacts — order confirmations, screenshots, and support emails — for every service we score. If you ever question a rating, the receipts are on file.
Every LLC service is scored out of 100, weighted across the six areas that matter most for real business owners.
Two-year total cost of ownership — including formation fees, registered agent renewals, compliance add-ons, and any upsells the service pushes during checkout.
Time from order placement to state approval. We measure standard and expedited timelines, then verify that filed documents match what the customer ordered.
Response time and answer quality across phone, chat, and email. We test with both simple and complex questions, posing as a first-time founder.
Breadth and quality of post-formation tools — registered agent service, operating agreement templates, EIN filing, compliance reminders, and banking integrations.
Pricing clarity, refund policy fairness, opt-out mechanisms for auto-renewals, and the absence of dark-pattern upsells during the checkout flow.
Dashboard usability, document accessibility, mobile responsiveness, and the overall experience of managing your LLC after the formation is complete.
From order to evaluation, here's exactly what happens before a single number gets published.
We sign up using a real entrepreneur's identity, pay full price out of pocket, and decline every optional add-on. No discount codes, no industry accounts, no special access.
We complete an actual LLC filing in a real state, document every checkout screen, timestamp each milestone, and capture the exact paperwork the service generates and submits.
We contact the service through phone, chat, and email — with both routine and intentionally tricky questions — and grade response time, accuracy, and tone for each touchpoint.
We hold the account for at least 12 months to track auto-renewals, surprise charges, upsell behavior, and what actually happens when you try to cancel a recurring service.
Two reviewers independently score the service against the framework. Discrepancies are reconciled with evidence, and a final score is locked before the review is written.
A short list of common industry practices that have no place in our methodology.
No LLC service can pay to be ranked higher, featured more prominently, or have negative findings softened in their review.
We do not scrape Trustpilot, repackage Reddit threads, or summarize competitor sites. Every score is grounded in firsthand testing.
Service providers do not preview, approve, or influence the wording of a review before publication. Our editorial process is firewalled from sales.
Every number we publish is backed by retained artifacts — screenshots, transcripts, and timestamps — that we can produce if a score is challenged.
