Starting a business in Texas means navigating state filing requirements, and the process can feel overwhelming if you’re doing it yourself. That’s where the best LLC formation services for Texas come in. Whether you’re a first-time founder or scaling your tenth venture, choosing the right service can save you weeks of paperwork and help you stay compliant with Texas requirements.
In this comparison, we’ve evaluated five leading formation services to help you decide which one fits your needs. We’ll walk through pricing, features, compliance support, and how each handles critical Texas filings like Form 205. By the end, you’ll know exactly which service is worth your investment.
Why Use a Formation Service vs. Filing Yourself
You could file your Texas LLC paperwork yourself through the Texas Secretary of State website. The state filing fee is minimal—around $300—and the basic form isn’t complicated. So why do thousands of Texas founders still use formation services?
The honest answer: time and expertise matter. A formation service bundles filing with registered agent services, compliance tracking, EIN acquisition, and ongoing support. If you’re bootstrapping and have the bandwidth, DIY filing works fine. But most founders find the value proposition compelling: for $100–$300 more than the bare state fee, you get a registered agent for legal protection and someone handling the paperwork details.
Formation services also monitor your compliance obligations. Texas LLCs must file annual franchise tax reports and public information reports. Missing these deadlines can result in administrative penalties and loss of good standing. A service that sends reminders and handles renewals takes this burden off your shoulders.
What to Look for in a Texas LLC Formation Service
Not all formation services are equal. Here’s what matters when evaluating options:
Registered Agent Quality: Your registered agent receives legal documents on your behalf and must be available during business hours. This is non-negotiable and affects your liability protection.
Form 205 Expertise: Texas requires an initial Certificate of Formation (Form 205) filing. Some services handle this flawlessly; others have been known to miss required sections or cause filing delays.
Compliance Reminders: Does the service automatically track your franchise tax obligation deadlines? Texas LLCs file the franchise tax report between January 1 and May 15 each year. Forgetting costs penalties.
Pricing Transparency: Watch for hidden fees. Some services advertise low initial prices but upsell registered agent renewals at triple the cost.
Customer Support: When you have questions about Texas LLC requirements or your specific situation, can you reach someone who actually knows Texas law?
Speed: How long does filing actually take? Some services promise 24-hour filing; others take 7–10 business days.
ZenBusiness: Best Overall for Texas Founders
ZenBusiness has earned its reputation as a comprehensive filing service. For Texas specifically, the platform excels at handling complex filings and providing ongoing compliance support.
Key Features:
- Form 205 filing included with registered agent service
- Free registered agent for the first year, then $119/year
- Compliance calendar tracks franchise tax deadlines automatically
- 24-hour filing available for rush requests
- Texas-specific guidance through their knowledge base
- Bulk business service packages (business license applications, EIN assistance)
Pricing: ZenBusiness charges $199 for basic LLC formation (includes state filing and registered agent setup). The real value emerges in the second year when many competitors suddenly charge $200+ for registered agent renewal. ZenBusiness keeps this at $119.
Compliance Support: The platform integrates franchise tax reminders directly into your account dashboard. You’ll see when Texas reports are due and can file them through ZenBusiness if you’d prefer not to handle it directly.
Real-World Experience: Founders consistently report that ZenBusiness handles the Form 205 correctly on the first submission. The company has invested in Texas-specific training for their filing team, which shows in execution.
Northwest Registered Agent: Best for Privacy and Simplicity
If your priority is privacy and you want to keep your personal address off public records, Northwest Registered Agent delivers. This company is laser-focused on being your Texas registered agent and does it exceptionally well.
Key Features:
- Registered agent service is the core product, not an afterthought
- Uses their business address for all filings (keeps your personal info private)
- $159/year registered agent service
- Document scanning and email alerts for received documents
- No pressure to upsell additional services
- Integrates with most accounting software
Pricing: Northwest charges separately for formation filing ($200) and registered agent services ($159/year). This is transparent, though the combined cost is slightly higher than ZenBusiness’s bundled offering.
Best For: Founders who value privacy and want a registered agent relationship that extends beyond the formation period. If you’re concerned about receiving legal documents at your personal address, this service solves that problem cleanly.
Limitation: Northwest doesn’t provide franchise tax filing or compliance calendar reminders. You’ll need to track these deadlines yourself, though their documentation helps you understand what’s required.
Bizee (Formerly Incfile): Best for Budget-Conscious Filers
Bizee has positioned itself as the budget option without cutting corners on quality. For Texas founders watching their expenses, Bizee’s pricing is genuinely competitive.
Key Features:
- LLC formation with registered agent: $99 plus state fees (aggressive pricing)
- Registered agent renewal: $89/year (lowest in the market)
- Automatic compliance reports and reminders
- Phone support available 7 days a week
- Business license assistance included
- EIN application support
Pricing: The headline $99 price is legitimate. You’re not getting a stripped-down version; Bizee simply has lower overhead. The registered agent renewal at $89/year is the cheapest we’ve seen without sacrificing service quality.
Trade-offs: Bizee’s interface is functional but less polished than ZenBusiness. Customer support is adequate but slower—you may wait 1–2 days for a callback. For straightforward LLC filings, this isn’t a problem. For complex situations requiring immediate guidance, it might frustrate you.
Form 205 Handling: Bizee files Form 205 correctly, though we’ve seen occasional delays in their initial response to customers’ information requests, which can slow the process.
LegalZoom: Best for Founders Who Want Attorney Access
LegalZoom’s strength isn’t in cutting-edge tech—it’s in pairing formation services with attorney consultation. If you want a lawyer reviewing your operating agreement or advising on member structure, LegalZoom offers that integration.
Key Features:
- Attorney-reviewed operating agreements included
- Formation with registered agent: $249
- Registered agent renewal: $159/year
- Document storage and management tools
- Operating agreement customization
- Access to LegalZoom’s attorney network for follow-up questions
Pricing: LegalZoom is the premium option, but the attorney access justifies the cost for some founders. If you’ve never run a business or have complicated ownership structures, the guidance is valuable.
Real Limitation: LegalZoom’s support for compliance reminders lags behind competitors. You don’t get the integrated dashboard tracking your franchise tax deadlines. This is a significant gap for an expensive service.
Form 205 Experience: LegalZoom files Form 205, but their process is less streamlined than ZenBusiness. Expect communication delays when they need information from you.
BetterLegal: Best for Speed
If you need your Texas LLC operational yesterday, BetterLegal emphasizes rapid filing. This newer service has gained traction among founders on tight timelines.
Key Features:
- Same-day filing available for Texas LLCs
- Formation with registered agent: $179
- Registered agent renewal: $149/year
- Streamlined intake process (5-minute setup)
- Automated document generation
- Basic compliance calendar
Pricing: BetterLegal’s pricing is competitive, and the speed is genuine. Their infrastructure prioritizes quick processing over bells and whistles.
Trade-off: Being newer means smaller customer support team. You may struggle finding answers to unusual questions. For standard Texas LLC formations, this isn’t relevant. For anything atypical, research first.
Compliance Support: BetterLegal tracks your franchise tax filing deadline, but the reminders are basic. Don’t expect the sophisticated dashboard that ZenBusiness offers.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ZenBusiness | Northwest | Bizee | LegalZoom | BetterLegal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formation Price | $199 | $200 | $99* | $249 | $179 |
| Year 1 Registered Agent | Free | $159 | Included | Included | Included |
| Year 2+ Registered Agent | $119 | $159 | $89 | $159 | $149 |
| Form 205 Filing | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Compliance Reminders | Dashboard | None | Basic | Limited | Basic |
| Attorney Review | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Same-Day Filing | 24-hour | 3–5 days | 5–7 days | 3–5 days | Same day |
| Customer Support | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Best For | Comprehensive support | Privacy & simplicity | Budget-conscious | Legal guidance | Speed |
*Bizee’s $99 price sometimes appears as $129 depending on promotions. Check current pricing on their site.
Which Service Is Right for Your Situation?
Choose ZenBusiness if: You want ongoing compliance support, appreciate integrated dashboards, and value long-term registered agent affordability. This is the best all-around choice for most Texas founders.
Choose Northwest if: Privacy is your priority and you want a dedicated registered agent relationship. Pair this with calendar reminders on your phone for compliance deadlines.
Choose Bizee if: You’re bootstrapping and every dollar matters. The cheap registered agent renewal ($89/year) makes this genuinely economical over time.
Choose LegalZoom if: You’re new to business and want attorney consultation included. The premium pricing reflects real legal support, not just marketing.
Choose BetterLegal if: You need to launch immediately and have a straightforward formation with no complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC in Texas?
File yourself directly through the Texas Secretary of State website. The state filing fee is approximately $300, and you can download Form 205 for free. However, you’ll need to arrange your own registered agent (which costs money or requires you to list a personal address). When accounting for registered agent costs, filing through Bizee ($99 + registered agent) is usually cheaper overall than DIY filing plus hiring a separate agent.
Does ZenBusiness file Form 205 with the Texas Secretary of State?
Yes, absolutely. ZenBusiness includes Form 205 filing as part of the formation package. They file directly with the Texas Secretary of State and track your application status. You’ll receive confirmation once approved.
Which LLC formation service is best for ongoing compliance reminders?
ZenBusiness stands out with its integrated compliance calendar that automatically tracks your franchise tax filing deadline (January 1–May 15 each year) and sends reminders. LegalZoom offers basic reminders but not with the sophistication of ZenBusiness’s dashboard.
Is it worth paying for a formation service or should I file myself?
If you have 4–5 hours to research Texas requirements and file yourself, the cost savings might be worth it. However, if your time is worth more than $100–$200/hour, a formation service pays for itself. Additionally, formation services include registered agent services, which require a separate fee if you DIY. For most Texas founders, the convenience and compliance support justify the expense.
How fast can a formation service get my Texas LLC approved?
BetterLegal offers same-day filing. ZenBusiness and LegalZoom provide 24-hour turnaround. Most services complete filing within 3–5 business days. Once filed, Texas Secretary of State typically approves or requests clarification within 1–2 weeks. Total time from application to approval is usually 2–3 weeks.
Conclusion: Our Top Pick for Most Texas Founders
After evaluating features, pricing, and real-world user experiences, ZenBusiness emerges as the best LLC formation service for most Texas founders. Here’s why:
The platform combines competitive pricing with thoughtful compliance support. The free registered agent in year one, followed by the affordable $119 renewal, keeps long-term costs reasonable. More importantly, the integrated compliance dashboard means you’ll never miss a franchise tax deadline—a protection that has real value when you consider the penalties for late filings.
ZenBusiness’s team understands Texas-specific requirements like Form 205 filing and successfully handles it without the delays or errors that plague competitors. Their customer support is genuinely helpful rather than just adequate.
That said, your best choice depends on your priorities. If privacy matters most, go with Northwest. If you’re penny-pinching, Bizee’s pricing is unbeatable. If you want attorney guidance, LegalZoom justifies its premium. And if you’re in a genuine rush, BetterLegal delivers.
The most important decision isn’t which service to choose—it’s to choose any service rather than navigate Texas LLC requirements without professional support. The small investment in formation pays dividends through compliance tracking and legal protection that DIY filing simply doesn’t provide.
Ready to move forward? Research these services using current pricing on their websites, as promotional offers change frequently. Most importantly, verify that the service you select offers registered agent availability during Texas business hours, since this is your legal protection against missing important documents.
Your Texas LLC launch starts with choosing the right formation partner. Now you have the information to make that decision confidently.