Best LLC Services in Alabama

Starting an LLC in Alabama can get expensive fast. But with the right LLC service, you'll save time, stress, and costly mistakes.

Start Your LLC for $0 - Just Pay State Fees

• Check business name availability
• Lifetime compliance alerts
• Lifetime support via email and phone
• LLC filing + optional tools to build your brand

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Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees

Form your business at $0, just pay the state filing fees, with the Basic package. The Basic package includes:

• Articles of organization
• Name check service
• Digital welcome packet
• Customizable website

Form Your LLC

LLC Formation Service - $39 + State Fees

• Files all paperwork with the state
• 1 year registered agent included
• Privacy by Default (use their address instead of yours)
• Free LLC Operating Agreement
• Never sells your data. Ever.

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Starting an LLC in Alabama isn't exactly cheap. You have to pay at least $225 in one-time fees. And that's just for filing the Articles of Organization and reserving a business name.

If you're going to spend that kind of money, you'll want to get it right the first time. And expert LLC services can help with that.

But the best LLC services in Alabama don't just handle paperwork. The ones on the list below offer extras that make launching and managing your LLC in the Yellowhammer State much easier.

ZenBusiness

Best for: Business permit and license assistance

Here's something many new business owners don't realize: most businesses in Alabama need a business privilege license. Yes, even LLCs. And it's not just a one-time thing. It's issued at both the state and county levels, so you might need one in each county where you operate.^[1]

Plus, depending on what your business does, you might also need other permits and licenses. It can get complicated, especially if you don't know where to start.

ZenBusiness makes this part easier by offering a custom business license report. Instead of falling down research rabbit holes, you get a clear summary of the exact licenses and permits your business needs at the local, county, state, and federal levels.

The report usually arrives within one to three days after your order or once your LLC is officially registered. You can get started on getting the ones you need right away and avoid further delays in launching your business.

Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has an A+ BBB rating^[2] and has helped over 850,000 businesses.^[3] It offers comprehensive services that complement LLC formation, from registered agent to EIN services.

Starter - $0 + State Filing Fees

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• Includes 1 optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/year
• Standard filing speed
• 100% accuracy guaranteed
• Other services are available with additional costs

Packages and fees:^[5]
ZenBusiness offers three packages for LLC formation: a free basic package, and 2 paid tiers with annual fees.

• Starter: $0 + state fees
  With Starter, you get standard formation features like business name search, preparation and filing of formation documents, and an online account to access documents.

  The Starter plan also includes a free year of Worry-Free Compliance services and a free tax savings consultation.

• Pro: $199/yr + state fees
  Pro is ideal if you want ZenBusiness to handle most of your LLC's requirements without paying for each service separately. You get everything in Starter plus an operating agreement, EIN, and rush filing.

• Premium: $299/yr + state fees
  Premium includes everything in the first two plans, plus unlimited access to ZenBusiness's business template library, a business website, and business email.

Pros + Cons:

Rocket Lawyer

Best for: Ongoing business tax and legal services

In Alabama, LLCs must pay an annual business privilege tax for doing business in the state. The state could close your LLC if you receive a delinquent notice and still don't pay both the tax and penalties.

Rocket Lawyer can help prevent that by helping you with tax preparation and filing, as well as other legal processes. For instance, their Rocket Tax services can help you:

• Choose the right LLC and tax structure
  
• Prepare and file tax returns
  
• Find deductions and credits to lower your tax bill

Rocket Lawyer's licensed attorneys can also review other forms for your Alabama LLC—like custom operating agreements and client contracts—before you file or implement them. This can help you catch issues early and avoid legal headaches later on.

Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer has an A BBB rating.^[6] Its extensive network of on-call professional attorneys can assist with business registration, business contracts, trademarks, and more.

Plans and Pricing:^[7]
Rocket Lawyer offers two membership plans:

• Rocket Legal: $39.99/mo
  
• Rocket Legal+: $19.99/mo or $239.88/yr

Both plans offer the same benefits, including unlimited custom legal documents, Document Defense® in case of contract dispute, and access to an experienced lawyer for any legal questions.

The difference? Rocket Legal+ is billed annually and offers up to 50% discount on most a la carte services:

Pros + Cons:

Bizee

Best for: Free LLC formation w/ registered agent services

Since Alabama's state filing fees are pricey, Bizee's basic LLC formation package can be worth looking into.

With this plan, they'll prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Alabama Secretary of State for free—you just pay the state fees. You can start a business at no additional cost and avoid costly filing mistakes.

What's more, it already includes a free year of registered agent services, which other providers usually charge extra for. This can help you save $100 or more in first-year expenses. And it keeps your LLC legally compliant because Alabama requires all LLCs to have a registered agent.

However, Bizee takes approximately three weeks to file your LLC documents with the state. So, choose this free service only if you aren't in a hurry.

Bizee, previously known as Incfile, helps business owners start an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit in any state. It's one of the first to offer free LLC formation with a free year of registered agent services.

Plans and Pricing:
Bizee has three formation packages, each designed to fit different business needs. Here's what to expect from each plan:

• Basic: $0 + state fees^[8]
  Bizee's free plan prepares and files your documents with the state, and also includes unlimited business name search and one year of free registered agent. You'll also get lifetime compliance alerts, electronic delivery of LLC formation documents, and business tax consultation.

• Standard: $199 + state fees^[9]
  The Standard plan offers helpful extras like an operating agreement, EIN, and banking resolutions. It also provides unlimited phone and email support.

• Premium: $299 + state fees^[10]
  Premium is ideal if you want comprehensive business formation services in one plan. You get all the features of the first two plans plus business document templates, a website with a domain name, a business email, and express delivery of physical documents.

Aside from business formation, you can pay for a la carte services like business license research, DBA filing, and annual report services.

Pros + Cons:

Swyft Filings

Best for: Installment payments

If you need more than just basic filing but don't have the budget to pay for everything at once, check out Swyft Filings.

You can pay for their Standard or Premium plan in two installments and still get the included services immediately. You can set up your Alabama LLC and start doing business without waiting until the full payment is complete.

On top of the flexible payments, you also get features that can help your business run smoothly from day one. Like a custom operating agreement, banking resolutions, an EIN, and more.

All plans also include 15% off Google Workspace Business Standard plans for 12 months. So you can enjoy streamlined workflows and communication while keeping your startup costs low.

Founded in 2015, Swyft Filings is one of the few LLC services that offer free LLC formation and installment payments for comprehensive packages. In 2022, it made the Inc. 5000 list for the third consecutive year.^[11]

Plans and pricing:
Swyft Filings offers three LLC formation packages:^[12]

• Basic Plan: $0 + Filing Fees
  With this free plan, Swyft will prepare and file your LLC formation documents with the state within 10 days of receipt of your details. You can also use the Basic plan's free business name check and lifetime customer support.

• Standard Plan: $199 + Filing Fees
  Standard prepares and files your documents with the state within five days of receipt and payment. It includes extra features like an operating agreement, EIN, and banking resolution. You also get a website plus free domain and access to 250+ customizable documents.

• Premium Plan: $299 + Filing Fees
  Premium prepares and files your documents with the state within one business day of receipt and payment. You also get expedited FedEx shipping, ComplianceGuard, and access to 250+ customizable documents.

Pros + Cons:

MyCompanyWorks

Best for: Same-day processing

The Alabama Secretary of State can take two to three weeks to process your application. And because that's separate from an LLC service's processing times, it could take even longer for your LLC to become official.

If you're targeting a much closer launch date for your Alabama LLC, MyCompanyWorks can be a good fit. No matter which plan you choose, they will always submit your docs to the state within one business day at no additional cost. Other providers usually charge extra for filing that fast.

It's also easy to ask for updates about your order with their unlimited phone and email support. Alternatively, log in to your account to track your order and check real-time status updates.

MyCompanyWorks was founded in 2001 "to make starting a business as simple, fast, and inexpensive as possible."^[14] It has an A+ rating from BBB^[15] and is also part of Inc. 5000 awardees^[16].

Pricing and packages:^[18]
MyCompanyWorks offers three types of packages.

• Basic: $79 + State Fees
  You get unlimited name availability searches, same business day processing, and a personalized LLC operating agreement.

  Once your LLC is formed, MyCompanyWorks will send you lifetime company alerts so you don't miss any state compliance requirements. Additionally, your startup might benefit from included services like tax and trademark consultation.

• Entrepreneur: $199 + State Fees
  Your LLC will need a registered agent as well. Fortunately, the entrepreneur package saves you $117 since it already includes access to MyCompanyForms, registered agent services, and an EIN.

• Complete: $279 + State Fees
  The only difference between the entrepreneur and complete packages is the MyCompanyWorks Premium service. Also called a "peace of mind compliance" service includes annual report filing services and business entity monitoring.

Pros + Cons:

Methodology

To identify the best LLC services in Alabama, we evaluated five key criteria: pricing and formation packages, turnaround time, registered agent, compliance assistance, and customer support.

We reviewed each service's pricing structures and formation packages, ensuring cost transparency and valuable features—such as operating agreements, EIN, and expedited turnaround time.

Next, the cost and availability of registered agent services and compliance assistance were assessed. These services help businesses stay in good standing with the state.

Finally, customer support was evaluated based on office hours and response times. These two factors allowed us to identify the most dependable and user-friendly LLC services in Alabama.

How to Choose the Best LLC Service

There are a lot of LLC services out there. Choosing the best one can be tough, especially if this is your first time using one.

Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• Compare the included features
  LLC formation services don't include the same features in their packages. Compare each to see which package has the services you need at the price you're willing to pay.

• Read customer reviews
  You want an LLC service that provides high-quality customer support, even after placing your order. Check customer reviews to see how well they handle concerns and inquiries.

• Consider their specialty
  LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are better choices if you need legal assistance. But Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent are better if you need more startup business-oriented services, like registered agent services or annual compliance assistance.

		Rocket LawyerLegalZoomNorthwest Registered AgentTailor Brands	BizeeLegalZoomNorthwest Registered AgentTailor Brands
Setup Fee	Starts at $0 + state fees (Starter)	$99.99 + state fees ($0 + state fees with Rocket Legal+)	Starts at $0 + state fees (Basic)
Registered Agent	$199/year	$249.99/year ($124.99 with Rocket Legal+)	Free for the 1st year then renews at $119/year
Order Processing Time	7 to 10 business days	2 to 3 weeks	Within 1 business day
Expedited Processing	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs
Cancellation	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	30-day satisfaction guarantee	Refundable until payment is forwarded; Minus $30 cancellation fee + other incurred expenses
Customer Service	Phone: 844-493-6249 Monday - Friday: 8AM - 8PM CT Saturday - Sunday: 9AM - 6PM CT Online chat Web form	Phone: (877) 881-0947 Monday - Friday: 6AM - 6PM PT Online chat Web Form	Phone: (844) 830-8267 Fax: 877-919-2613 Monday - Friday: 9AM - 6PM CST Web form

DIY vs. Hire LLC Services in Alabama

The decision to DIY or hire an LLC service depends on your comfort level, budget, and priorities. Here are points to consider:

• Cost
  Filing business formation documents on your own is cheaper as you only pay state filing fees. Alternatively, subscribe to free LLC formation services like those offered by Tailor Brands and Bizee. Just be prepared for the upsells of other services.

• Time and convenience
  You can DIY if you have time to research the requirements, prepare the documents, file them with the state, and track its status. Otherwise, hire an LLC service to do the job.

• Expertise
  Use LLC services if you’re unsure about legal jargon or don’t want to risk making mistakes. Alternatively, take time to learn them before filing documents with the state.

• Registered agent services
  You can be the LLC's registered agent as long as you qualify. But if you aren't ready to shoulder this responsibility, appoint someone else or an LLC service as the registered agent.

• Compliance requirements
  Most states have annual LLC requirements, including annual fees and reports. If you want someone else to manage these, hire an LLC service.

• Control
  You hire LLC services because they can do the heavy lifting. However, that also means you rely on them to do everything correctly. That said, DIY is ideal if you want complete control over the process.

Generally, DIY is easy if your LLC is simple, like a single-member LLC with no special tax needs.

Why Form an LLC in Alabama?

Establishing an LLC in Alabama offers several advantages. For instance, Alabama's Enterprise Zone Program provides tax incentives and benefits to businesses in designated enterprise zones. Tax credits and exemptions can reduce your tax liability.

Meanwhile, the Alabama Industrial Development Training provides free workforce training programs to new and expanding businesses, ensuring a skilled workforce.

The state's tax benefits and workforce development initiatives are just two reasons why it's ideal to form an LLC in Alabama.

How to Form an LLC in Alabama

Starting an LLC in Alabama is easy enough. You can even do it yourself in six steps:

1. Reserve Your LLC's Name
   Your LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other businesses registered in Alabama. It must also have LLC, Ltd., or similar at the end.

   Once you've checked the name's availability through the Secretary of State's online database, go ahead and pay the $25-$28 business name reservation fee.^[21] After paying, you'll receive a Name Reservation Certificate, which you must attach to your Certificate of Formation.

2. Appoint a registered agent
   A registered agent receives legal documents on behalf of your LLC. They must have a physical address in the state where the LLC does business.

3. File the Certificate of Formation
   Next, submit the Certificate of Formation and the filing fee to the Secretary of State. This form includes details like the LLC name, registered agent, and business type. Don't forget to attach a copy of your Name Reservation Certificate.

4. Create an operating agreement
   An LLC operating agreement contains information like the roles and responsibilities of each member, how new or departing members will be treated, and how business profits and losses will be divided.

5. Get an EIN
   Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

6. Get business permits and licenses
   Most businesses in Alabama are required to get a Business Privilege License. It's issued at state and county levels, so you'll likely need a license for each county where you do business.

Once your LLC is up and running, comply with ongoing requirements like paying the state's annual business privilege tax and renewing business permits and licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does an LLC cost in Alabama?

  It costs at least $225 to form an LLC in Alabama. $200 goes towards filing your Articles of Organization with the state^[22], while the remaining $25 is for reserving your LLC name^[23].

  However, the total cost of forming an LLC in Alabama could be much higher. You might pay for things like registered agent services, permits and licenses, and other state filing fees.

• Do I need to renew my LLC every year in Alabama?

  LLCs in Alabama don't have to file an annual report, but you must pay the annual business privilege tax to keep doing business in the state. The cost depends on your LLC's net worth, and rates may change yearly. However, LLCs that owe $100 or less in tax are exempt from filing and payment.

• What do I need to start an LLC in Alabama?

  To start an LLC in Alabama, you must have a valid LLC name, an approved Articles of Organization, and a registered agent who has a physical street address in the state. These are just minimum requirements, though. You will need a lot more as your business grows.

• Can I be my own registered agent in Alabama?

  Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Alabama as long as you meet the state requirements. You must:
  

  • Have a physical street address in Alabama
    
  • Be available during regular business hours to receive documents
    
  • Be at least 18 years old

• How long does it take to get an LLC approved in Alabama?

  It could take two to three weeks for the Alabama Secretary of State to process your LLC application. Expedited services are available for an additional $100 fee.

Bottom Line

ZenBusiness, Bizee, and Rocket Lawyer are the best LLC services in Alabama because they do more than just filing and preparing business documents.

From free registered agents to affordable legal assistance, their comprehensive services help your business thrive in the competitive Alabama market.

Carefully compare their offers, pricing, and customer reviews to select the perfect partner for your business needs.

References