Best 10 business services of 2025
Launch Your LLC, S Corp, or C Corp Today

LLC benefits

An LLC offers business owners the simplicity of a general partnership in terms of formalities and taxes, yet with the personal protection and shield against company debts and liabilities of a corporation. Otherwise, you could be held personally responsible for the mistakes your business might make.

Another huge benefit of forming an LLC is its flexibility. You get to choose whether you want to be managed as a partnership (member-managed LLC) or as a corporation (manager-managed LLC) with all the formalities, such as having a board of directors and annual meetings. You can also turn your LLC into a corporation down the road if the business takes that direction.

S Corporation benefits

An S corporation is a tax classification designed for smaller corporations, not a legal entity. Unlike a C corporation, an S corporation doesn’t pay income tax at the corporate level. Instead, the company’s credits, deductions, income, and losses are passed through to the shareholders, who report them on their personal tax returns. An S corporation can have up to 100 shareholders, each receiving common stock.

S corp owners are treated as company employees for tax purposes. They receive a salary and pay income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes on it. Company profits are then distributed to shareholders and taxed differently.

S corporations are generally designed for smaller business entities and provide personal asset protection similar to an LLC. Owners can pay themselves a salary and pay personal income tax on profits. The business income and losses pass to the owners’ tax returns. With a limit of 100 shareholders, S corporations remain small and have a different management structure than C corporations. Additionally, shareholders must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens.

Why use an online formation service to form an LLC or an s corporation?

Online filing services offer a fast and cost-effective solution to forming a business. These filing services and industry experts offer all the services you would need to launch your business, such as preparation and filing of LLCs and corporations, business licenses, legal documents, compliance and registered agent services, all in one place, for an affordable price.

Do you need help starting an LLC or an s corp? With online LLC filing services registering your business is a quick, straightforward, and smooth process and they can advise you on the right structure for your business. Forming your LLC and launching your business is no longer a complicated, lengthy, and expensive process when you leave it to these industry professionals to do the work for you. The top services also offer very knowledgeable chat support.

Professional services can also help you expedite your LLC formation. If it’s important for you to start your business fast and with minimal effort, ZenBusiness offers expedited filing including banking resolution in their Pro package for $199 + state fees. Their pro package includes everything you need to launch your business.

How to form my LLC or an s corp in 3 simple steps

Registering your company is super easy and fast when using a trusted professional formation service. Once you’ve selected a filing service, complete the following 3 steps:

1. Fill in your company name and address
2. Designate a registered agent
3. Pay for the filing service (and possible add-ons such as Operating Agreement, expedited filing service, etc…) + state fees

Domestic LLC vs. Foreign LLC

A domestic LLC means you file in your state of residence and you do business mainly in that state. This is the most common and cost-effective scenario. A foreign LLC is used when you have filed papers in one state, and you have a physical facility or storefront in another state.

In order to do business in that second state, you need to file a foreign LLC. Foreign LLCs tend to cost more and require a registered agent. Conversely, if you file for an LLC in another state for some reason, and you do business in your home state, you will have to file a foreign LLC in your home state in order to do business there.

Additional LLC & business services

LLC vs s corp: Do I need to appoint a registered agent?

Yes, in most states, appointing a registered agent is mandatory. We highly recommend using a professional registered agent service. All brands listed on our charts offer professional registered agent services.

BOIR for LLC and corporations

Starting in 2024, new and existing U.S. businesses must submit the ‘Beneficial Ownership Information Report’ (BOIR) to FinCEN. This report includes personal information about key individuals in the company including the entity, its beneficial owners, and in some cases its company applicants. The top LLC filing services listed on our chart can help you with the BOIR requirement.

Business license

Many businesses might require licenses or permits. The license and permits requirements will depend on the type of business as well as the state in which you incorporate your business. Professional business formation services can help you obtain a business license in all 50 states and assist with submitting your BOIR.

Same day LLC filing

Rush LLC filing is available in the Pro and Premium packages with most of our top business formation services or as an upgrade to the free LLC package. ZenBusiness offers a comprehensive service that includes everything you need to launch your business. Their Pro package, priced at $199 plus state fees, covers all necessary steps for business formation.