Best LLC Services in Georgia

Your dream business deserves a smooth start. Form an LLC in Georgia with these top-rated LLC services.

Forming an LLC in Georgia is pretty straightforward. However, it's a good idea to use an LLC service if you have other business needs.

Whether you need help registering a DBA or gathering business permit requirements, there's an LLC service in Georgia just for you.

To help you choose the right one, here are the best LLC services in Georgia worth checking out.

Northwest Registered Agent

Best for: LLCs in Atlanta, GA

With its business-friendly environment and broad customer base, it's not surprising that many entrepreneurs choose to start their LLCs in Atlanta.

If you're forming your LLC in Atlanta, Northwest Registered Agent is a great choice. It has an office in the city, so you'll get local expertise and easier access to registered agent services.

Plus, you can list Northwest's Atlanta address in the Articles of Organization instead of your own. This helps protect your privacy while giving your LLC a professional, state-compliant local address.

Established in 1998, Northwest Registered Agent is one of the country's oldest LLC services. It is best known for its enhanced privacy features, transparent pricing, and in-house customer service.

Business Formation Service - $39 + State Fees

Click Here to Find Out More

• Form Your LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit Today
• A Fully-Formed Business
• Registered Agent Service
• Business Address
• Mail Forwarding
• Privacy by Default

Core services and fees:
Northwest Registered Agent offers just one LLC formation package, with add-on services:

• Filing Services: $39 + state fees^[1]
  Aside from preparing and filing your documents, you also get one year of free registered agent service, an operating agreement, and 90 days of free website, email, and phone.

• Registered Agent Services: $125/year^[2]
  Get same-day scans, instant notifications, a business address, free mail forwarding, and more.

• Annual Report: $100/year + state fees^[3]
  Most states require LLCs to submit an annual report. It contains updated information about your business, including a new address, contact number, or member. Northwest files this report yearly, so you don't have to worry about due dates.

• Identity Services: $9+/monthly^[4]
  Northwest's business identity services are free for 90 days. Identity services include a website domain name, a customizable website, up to 10 business email addresses, and an Internet-accessible phone line (unlimited calls and texts).

Pros + Cons:

LegalZoom

Best for: LLCs with DBAs or trade names

It's pretty common for LLCs in Georgia to use a DBA, or "doing business as" name, especially if the LLC's legal name is long, hard to spell, or just not very catchy. However, using a DBA in Georgia isn't as simple as in other states.

In the Peach State, you'll need to register your DBA with the county where your business is located, not at the state level. That means different forms and filing fees depending on the county.

After registering your DBA, you must publish a notice in your local newspaper at least once a week for two consecutive weeks. And not just any paper—it has to be the one your county sheriff's office uses for legal ads.^[5]

Sounds complicated? That's why it's ideal to get an LLC service like LegalZoom. It helps free up your time by:

• Checking if the DBA you want is available,
  
• Completing and filing your application,
  
• Publishing your DBA in a local newspaper, and
  
• Filing your proof of publication with the county.

So, while all that paperwork might sound like a headache, with LegalZoom, you don't have to do it on your own.

Since 2001, LegalZoom has helped entrepreneurs with business formation needs over 4 million times.^[6] It's accredited by the Better Business Bureau and receives mostly positive reviews from verified customers.^[7]

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

Click Here to Form Your LLC

Core services and fees:^[8]
LegalZoom has three LLC formation packages to choose from:

• Basic: $0 + state fees
  With LegalZoom's free plan, you get a business name availability check and of course, preparation and filing of formation documents. You only pay for the state filing fees.

• Pro: $249 + state fees
  Pro comes with everything from Basic and a few helpful features, like an operating agreement and EIN. You might also appreciate the free year of e-signature services, bookkeeping tools, and editor access to customizable forms.

• Premium: $299 + state fees
  With Premium, you get everything in the first two plans, plus a 30-day subscription for legal guidance services, copyright registration service, and LLC amendments with rush filing.

Pros + Cons:

ZenBusiness

Best for: Worry-free annual compliance

All LLCs in Georgia must file an annual registration with the Secretary of State, due by April 1 each year. If you miss the deadline, you'll pay a $25 penalty fee.^[9] The Secretary of State can also administratively close your LLC, so you can't do business in Georgia anymore.

That's why many Georgia LLCs choose ZenBusiness for its worry-free compliance service. It takes care of your annual registration so you don't have to worry about late fees or missed deadlines.

Get reminders, automatic filings, and two free amendment filings every year if you ever need to update your business info. It's a hands-off solution that gives you peace of mind.

Founded in 2015, ZenBusiness has helped over 800,000 businesses and received mostly positive customer reviews.^[10] It is also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.^[11]

Starter - $0 + State Filing Fees

Click Here to Learn More

• 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:^[13]
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: LLC tax and legal assistance

By default, Georgia LLCs are treated as "pass-through" entities for tax purposes. That means the business itself doesn't pay income taxes. Instead, its profits and losses go straight to your tax returns. However, depending on what your LLC does, you could still be on the hook for other taxes, like employment and excise taxes.

If taxes make your head spin, Rocket Lawyer can help. Its network of tax professionals can handle your filings from start to finish. You can even get an attorney to review your business setup and make sure you're maximizing your tax benefits.

Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer is an online legal services technology company with an A BBB rating.^[14] Its extensive network of on-call professional attorneys can assist with business registration, business contracts, trademarks, and more.

Plans and Pricing:^[15]
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:

Swyft Filings

Best for: LLCs with business permit and license needs

While Georgia doesn't require a general business license on the state level, most LLCs still need some kind of business license or permit to operate legally.

Depending on what your business does and where it's located, you might need more than one. For example, a restaurant in Atlanta might need a zoning permit, a food service license, and a health inspection—that's a lot of paperwork.

To save time, you could hire Swyft Filings to handle your LLC formation and figure out exactly which licenses and permits you need. After answering a few questions about your LLC, it will do the research and then assist in filing the applications.

Founded in 2015, Swyft Filings is best known for its free basic business formation services and fast turnaround time. In 2022, it made the Inc. 5000 list for the third consecutive year, establishing its reliability as an LLC service provider.^[16]

Plans and pricing:
Swyft Filings offers three LLC formation packages:^[17]

• 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:

Methodology

To identify the best LLC services in Georgia, 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 Georgia.

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 ZenBusiness are better if you need more startup business-oriented services, like registered agent services or annual compliance assistance.

Setup Fee	Starts at $0 + state fees (Basic)	Starts at $0 + state fees (Starter)	$39 + state fees
Registered Agent	$249/year	$199/year	$125/year
Order Processing Time	1 to 2 weeks	7 to 10 business days	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	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	90-day money-back guarantee; State fees are non-refundable
Customer Service	Phone: (888) 379-0854 Monday - Friday: 5AM - 7PM PT Weekends: 7AM - 4PM PT Online chat	Phone: 844-493-6249 Monday - Friday: 8AM - 8PM CT Saturday - Sunday: 9AM - 6PM CT Online chat Web form	24/7 Phone: 509-768-2249 Online chat Web form

DIY vs. Hire LLC Services in Georgia

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 ZenBusiness 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 Georgia?

Forming an LLC in Georgia offers several benefits. For instance, the Peach State offers a lower cost of living than the national average. You could find lower commercial rent and pay cheaper utilities.

Additionally, starting an LLC in Georgia may require less initial investment due to the lower cost of equipment and supplies. This can be especially beneficial for startups and small businesses with limited capital.

How to Form an LLC in Georgia

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

1. Choose a name
   Your LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other businesses registered in Georgia. It must also have LLC, Ltd., or similar at the end.

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 Articles of Organization
   Next, submit the Articles of Organization and the filing fee to the Georgia Secretary of State. This form usually includes details like the LLC name, registered agent, and business purpose.

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
   Depending on your business, you may need additional licenses or permits. For example, you need a sales tax permit if you sell consumable goods. Research state-specific requirements and local rules that apply to your LLC.

Once your LLC is up and running, comply with ongoing requirements like filing the annual registration and renewing business permits and licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Georgia a good state to form an LLC?

  Georgia can be a good state to form an LLC because it has low filing and annual fees. It also has a business-friendly environment, especially in major cities like Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah.

• How much does an LLC cost in GA?

  It costs at least $105 to file the Articles of Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State.^[19] However, the total cost of forming an LLC in Georgia could be higher, as you might need to pay for business permits and licenses, DBA fees, and registered agent services.

• What is the cheapest way to get an LLC in Georgia?

  The cheapest way to get an LLC in Georgia is to do it yourself. You will only pay the state filing fees, which start at $105 if you file the Articles of Organization online.^[19]

• Do LLCs pay taxes in Georgia?

  Yes, LLCs usually pay taxes in Georgia. Although the profits and losses go straight to the LLC owner's personal return, your Georgia LLC may still owe sales, employment, or industry-specific taxes.

• How long does it take for an LLC to be approved in Georgia?

  If you file the Articles of Organization online, the usual processing time is 7 to 10 days. Paper filings will take around 15 days. The Secretary of State also offers expedited services so you can have your documents processed as fast as 1 hour after receipt.^[19]

Bottom Line

Northwest Registered Agent, LegalZoom, and ZenBusiness are the best LLC services in Georgia because they do more than just filing and preparing business documents.

From registered agents to ongoing compliance, their comprehensive services can help your business thrive in the competitive Georgia market.

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

References