- Business Corner
- Texas LLC Formation Services
Best Texas LLC Formation Services Compared (2026): Costs, Speed and How to Choose
BusinessRocket, our own service, is the best Texas LLC formation service by five-year cost, at $843 for a complete Texas LLC on prices checked October 27, 2026. A Texas LLC formation service files your Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State and sells the registered agent, EIN and company agreement most new owners need, plus the state's $300 fee.
On this page
| # | Provider | Best for | Year one in Texas | Five years in Texas | Agent renewal | Stated filing | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BusinessRocket Top pick | The lowest five-year cost in Texas | $447 | $843 Lowest | $99/yr Lowest | Same business day in most cases | Start my LLC |
| 2 | Northwest Registered Agent | The lowest first-year cost | $389 Lowest | $889 | $125/yr | Not stated | Compare |
| 3 | Bizee | A $0 package with the registered agent included | $469 | $1,065 | $149/yr | Premium about 4 days, Basic about 4 weeks | Compare |
| 4 | ZenBusiness | A free first year of compliance service | $697 | $1,493 | $199/yr | 1 business day (Pro) | Compare |
| 5 | LegalZoom | Attorney help at formation | $727 | $1,723 | $249/yr | Not stated | Compare |
| 6 | Rocket Lawyer | Legal documents after formation | $744 | $2,240 | $125/yr plus membership | Not stated | Compare |
| 7 | Tailor Brands | Branding at launch | Not totaled | Not totaled | $199/yr | 1 business day with Essential | Compare |
Includes Texas's $300 Certificate of Formation fee. A complete Texas LLC is the filing, a registered agent, an EIN and a company agreement (the Texas name for an operating agreement) at each provider's cheapest published combination. Five years adds four registered agent renewals, plus Rocket Lawyer's Plus membership, which its agent requires. Texas charges no yearly fee for an LLC under the franchise tax threshold. Filing times are what each provider states for its own submission, before the state's review.
- Prices checked Oct 2026
- 7 services compared
- Texas fees from the Secretary of State
- No affiliate commissions
- Published by BusinessRocket
By Alex Chernavsky, founder and CEO of BusinessRocket · Prices checked · Disclosure: BusinessRocket ranks itself first and earns no commission from the other six providers. Every price comes from the companies' own websites, so you can check it.
What are the best Texas LLC formation services in 2026?
The best Texas LLC formation service in 2026 is BusinessRocket, our top pick for the lowest five-year cost of a complete Texas LLC ($843 with the $300 state fee), and Northwest Registered Agent, Bizee, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer and Tailor Brands are the best fit for six specific needs. All seven file the same Certificate of Formation (Form 205) with the Texas Secretary of State, so the state's part of the job doesn't change. What changes is the price over the years, what the package leaves out and how fast the provider submits.
Our verdict
If you'll keep your Texas LLC for four years or more, BusinessRocket costs the least. If you expect to close it within three years, Northwest is the cheaper choice, because its first year costs $389 against our $447. From year four our $99 agent renewal (Northwest charges $125) puts BusinessRocket ahead, and by year five the gap is $46.
The picks rest on five Texas facts.
- A complete Texas LLC costs between $389 (Northwest) and $744 (Rocket Lawyer) in its first year, including the $300 state fee.
- Texas charges no yearly state fee for an LLC with revenue at or under $2.65 million, which owes no franchise tax and files only a Public Information Report each May 15.
- Texas moved online filing from SOSDirect to SOSPortal on September 29, 2026, so guides that still send you to SOSDirect are out of date.
- Only BusinessRocket, LegalZoom and Northwest say they'll get the EIN for an owner without a Social Security number.
- You can file on SOSPortal yourself for the $300 fee alone, and the IRS issues EINs free.
What does each Texas LLC formation service offer?
Each Texas LLC formation service here is built around a different business. BusinessRocket, Bizee and ZenBusiness sell formation and compliance services, Northwest Registered Agent sells registered agent service, LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer sell legal plans and documents, and Tailor Brands sells branding tools. Prices are as published on October 27, 2026, and every total includes Texas's $300 fee.
1. BusinessRocket, best for the lowest five-year cost in Texas
- Our top pick
- Year one in Texas $447
- Five years $843
- Agent renewal $99/yr
- Filing same business day in most cases
- Trustpilot 4.7 (1,598)
BusinessRocket is our top pick because a complete Texas LLC costs the least to own with us over five years, $843 including the $300 state fee. That covers the Essentials package ($147, with the EIN, a company agreement and the first registered agent year), the state's $300 and four agent renewals at $99 a year. That's $46 less than Northwest and $222 less than Bizee over the same five years.
We submit the filing the same business day in most cases, and our Texas order page shows an estimate of 5 to 7 business days for a standard order. Chat runs 24 hours a day. If you'll get the EIN and company agreement yourself, the Starter package costs $0, so your Texas LLC costs just the $300 state fee.
What you get
- Packages: Starter $0, Essentials $147, Supreme $249, one-time, plus the $300 Texas fee (Supreme adds rush processing and a yearly compliance service, then $99 a year)
- Registered agent: optional, first year free, then $99 a year
- EIN and company agreement: in Essentials and Supreme, not in Starter; owners without an SSN can get the EIN too, which currently takes 3 to 6 weeks for non-residents
- Filing: the same business day in most cases, plus the Secretary of State's review
- Included in every package: a web domain, a business phone line, logo design and a bank account concierge
- Support: chat 24 hours a day, phone Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time at 888-700-8213
Where it falls short
- Northwest costs less for the first three years ($389 against our $447 in year one), so it's the cheaper pick for an LLC you'll close quickly.
- Our refunds are narrow. Our terms of service (updated September 2, 2026) refund the service fee only before we start processing, and the registered agent renews automatically each year until you cancel.
Skip it if you expect to close the LLC within three years and want the lowest total for that period.
2. Northwest Registered Agent, best for the lowest first-year cost
- Year one in Texas $389
- Five years $889
- Agent renewal $125/yr
- Privacy by Default
- Trustpilot 4.1 (308)
Northwest Registered Agent is the pick for the lowest first-year cost, because $39 covers the filing and the first year of registered agent service, the EIN adds $50, and its company agreement template is free, so a complete Texas LLC costs $389 with the state fee. The agent renews at $125 a year. Northwest's Texas page shows the state fee as $310; the Secretary of State charges $300, plus about $7 if you pay by card.
Northwest lists its own address on public filings wherever a state allows, a policy it calls Privacy by Default. Without an SSN or ITIN it charges $200 for the EIN, which brings the first year to $539.
What you get
- Package: $39, one-time, with the first registered agent year
- Registered agent: $125 a year after year one
- Company agreement: a free template, not part of the package
- EIN: $50, or $200 without an SSN or ITIN
- Reminders: free annual report reminders; its report filing service is $100 plus state fees
Where it falls short
- Northwest doesn't publish a processing time, a rush price or support hours.
- Registered agent customers are enrolled in its compliance service automatically, and its terms make purchases final after 90 days.
Skip it if you want a stated turnaround before you buy, or you'll keep the LLC for four years or more.
3. Bizee, best for a $0 package with the registered agent included
- Year one in Texas $469
- Five years $1,065
- Agent renewal $149/yr
- $0 Basic package
- Trustpilot 4.8 (26,274)
Bizee is the pick for a $0 package with the registered agent included, because its Basic package costs $0 plus the state fee and comes with the first year of registered agent service. Add Bizee's EIN filing ($70) and company agreement ($99) and a complete Texas LLC costs $469.
The trade-off is time. On its Texas order page Bizee estimates about 4 weeks for Basic and Standard ($199) and about 4 days for Premium ($299), with a $50 rush option. The same page lists the Texas state fee as $309, $9 more than the Secretary of State's $300 filing fee.
What you get
- Packages: Basic $0, Standard $199, Premium $299, one-time
- Registered agent: first year included, then $149 a year
- EIN and company agreement: in Standard and Premium, or $70 and $99 on Basic
- Refunds: possible until Bizee pays the state, usually within 24 hours of the order
Where it falls short
- Basic takes about 4 weeks in Texas by Bizee's own estimate.
- Support runs Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central, with no weekend hours published.
- Bizee is testing a version of its site that gives 3 to 12 months of free registered agent service depending on the package, so check the term at checkout.
Skip it if you need the LLC approved within days and don't want to pay for Premium.
4. ZenBusiness, best for a free first year of compliance service
- Year one in Texas $697
- Five years $1,493
- Agent renewal $199/yr
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Trustpilot 4.8 (32,925)
ZenBusiness is the pick for a free first year of compliance service, because even its $0 Starter package includes a year of Worry-Free Compliance ($199 a year after that). It has the clearest refund promise of the seven, a 60-day money-back guarantee on formation plans, and phone support on weekends.
The registered agent isn't part of any package ($199 a year), which puts a complete Texas LLC at $697 on Starter plus add-ons, or $597 if its $99 first-year agent offer applies. Ask what the compliance service files in Texas, because Texas LLCs file no annual report with the Secretary of State and send their yearly report to the Comptroller.
What you get
- Packages: Starter $0, Pro $199 a year, Premium $299 a year
- Processing: 7 to 10 business days on Starter ($79 to rush), 1 business day on Pro and Premium
- EIN and company agreement: in Pro and Premium, or $99 each
- Registered agent: $199 a year (its registered agent page lists $99 for the first year when you form with ZenBusiness)
Where it falls short
- Pro and Premium renew every year, and Starter's free compliance year renews at $199 unless you cancel.
- A website-builder trial is preselected at checkout and costs $15 a month after 30 days if you keep it.
Skip it if you want the registered agent included in the package price.
5. LegalZoom, best for attorney help at formation
- Year one in Texas $727
- Five years $1,723
- Agent renewal $249/yr
- Attorney access ($299 tier)
- Trustpilot 4.6 (33,501)
LegalZoom is the pick for attorney help at formation, because its $299 Expert Service tier includes 30 days of attorney access, then $99 a month unless you cancel. Basic costs $0 but leaves out the EIN, the company agreement and the registered agent, and the agent isn't part of any package, so a complete Texas LLC costs $727, made up of Basic, the EIN ($79), a company agreement ($99), the agent ($249 a year) and the $300 state fee.
Its $249 Managed Service tier includes the EIN and company agreement, plus a 30-day Business Advisor Plan that renews at $49 a month.
What you get
- Packages: Basic $0, Managed Service $249, Expert Service $299
- Registered agent: $249 a year, sold separately, renews automatically
- EIN and company agreement: in the $249 and $299 tiers, or $79 and $99 separately
- Refunds: within 60 days, if the order hasn't been sent to the state
- Support: phone and chat, including weekends
Where it falls short
- The advisor or attorney plan in the paid tiers renews monthly after 30 days ($49 or $99 a month) unless you cancel.
- Its registered agent is the most expensive of the seven.
Skip it if you don't need a lawyer at formation, because the same Texas filing costs far less elsewhere.
6. Rocket Lawyer, best for legal documents after formation
- Year one in Texas $744
- Five years $2,240
- Membership from $149/yr
- Attorney Q&A included
- Trustpilot 4.5 (9,838)
Rocket Lawyer is the pick for legal documents after formation, because its membership ($149 to $349 a year) bundles a legal document library and written answers from attorneys, and members pay $0 plus the state fee for their first LLC. The registered agent ($125 a year) and EIN filing ($70) both need the Plus or Pro plan, so a complete Texas LLC on the annual Plus plan costs $744.
Over five years the Plus membership is most of the bill, so Rocket Lawyer is good value only if you'll keep using it for contracts, notices and legal questions.
What you get
- Membership: Standard $149, Plus $249, Pro $349 a year
- LLC filing: $0 for the first one with a membership
- Registered agent: $125 a year, Plus or Pro only
- EIN: $70, Plus or Pro only
- Company agreement: a template you fill in yourself, included
Where it falls short
- Its terms rule out refunds on incorporation-related payments, including the registered agent.
- There's no published formation price without a membership.
Skip it if all you need is the LLC formed and you don't expect regular legal paperwork.
7. Tailor Brands, best for branding at launch
- Lite $0
- Essential $199/yr
- Elite $249/yr
- Logos and website builder (Elite)
- Trustpilot 4.8 (17,862)
Tailor Brands is the pick for branding at launch, because its Elite plan ($249 a year) adds a website builder, a one-year domain and eight logos to the filing. Its Lite plan costs $0 but takes as long as 14 business days, and Essential ($199 a year) adds 1-business-day processing, a company agreement and a yearly compliance service.
Tailor Brands now publishes its registered agent ($199 a year) and EIN filing ($99), so the $0 Lite plan with both comes to $598 in year one with the Texas fee. We don't rank it on cost, because its plan pages list an operating agreement item without saying whether a written company agreement is drafted for you.
What you get
- Plans: Lite $0, Essential $199 a year, Elite $249 a year
- Processing: within 14 business days on Lite ($99 to rush), 1 business day on Essential and Elite
- Registered agent and EIN: add-ons, prices not published
Where it falls short
- Its terms make fees non-refundable, and any refund it does issue carries a $29 charge.
- Essential and Elite renew every year.
Skip it if you already have a logo and website and want the lowest complete price.
How do the seven Texas LLC formation services compare side by side?
The seven Texas LLC formation services differ most on whether the registered agent is included in year one (it's included at BusinessRocket, Northwest and Bizee), what the agent costs after that ($99 to $249 a year), and what the cheapest package leaves out. None of the cheapest packages includes the EIN, and only Rocket Lawyer's membership includes a company agreement template; Northwest gives its template away free.
| Provider | Lowest package | Registered agent | EIN | Company agreement | Stated processing | Refunds | Support hours | Trustpilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BusinessRocket | $0 | Optional; year one free, then $99/yr | In Essentials ($147) | In Essentials | Same business day in most cases; Texas order page estimate 5 to 7 business days | Only before processing starts | Chat 24 hours; phone Mon to Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT | 4.7 (1,598) |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 | Year one included, then $125/yr | $50 ($200 without SSN or ITIN) | Free template | Not stated | State fees not refunded; purchases final after 90 days | Not published | 4.1 (308) |
| Bizee | $0 | Year one included, then $149/yr | In Standard ($199) or $70 | In Standard or $99 | Texas: Basic and Standard about 4 weeks; Premium about 4 days | Until Bizee pays the state, within about 24 hours of the order | Mon to Fri, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT | 4.8 (26,274) |
| ZenBusiness | $0 | $199/yr, not included | In Pro ($199) or $99 | In Pro or $99 | Starter 7 to 10 business days; Pro 1 business day | 60-day money-back guarantee on formation plans | Mon to Fri 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT; weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT | 4.8 (32,925) |
| LegalZoom | $0 | $249/yr, not included | In $249 tier or $79 | In $249 tier or $99 | Not stated | Within 60 days if not yet sent to the state | Weekdays 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT; weekends 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT | 4.6 (33,501) |
| Rocket Lawyer | Membership from $149/yr | $125/yr, Plus or Pro plan | $70, Plus or Pro plan | Template included | Not stated | Within 30 days, but none on formation or agent fees | Mon to Fri, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT | 4.5 (9,838) |
| Tailor Brands | $0 | $199/yr add-on | $99 add-on | Listed in every plan; written agreement not stated | Lite within 14 business days; Essential 1 business day | Fees non-refundable; $29 charge on any refund | Not published | 4.8 (17,862) |
Published prices, October 27, 2026; refund terms and support hours as published October 14 to 25, 2026. Trustpilot score and review count as shown October 14, 2026. Texas's $300 filing fee is extra.
For a first-time Texas founder, the registered agent and refund columns matter most. They decide what you pay from year two on and what happens if you change your mind after ordering.
How did we compare Texas LLC formation services?
We compared seven Texas LLC formation services on nine criteria, using the prices and terms each company published on its own website and the Texas fees in the Secretary of State's fee schedule (Form 806, revised September 2026) and the Comptroller's franchise tax pages, checked October 27, 2026. We rank them by the five-year cost of a complete Texas LLC, the number that decides what an LLC costs to own, and BusinessRocket also leads on registered agent renewal and stated filing time. Each other label names the need that service fits best, backed by the facts in its profile.
| Criterion | What we checked | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Five-year cost in Texas | A complete Texas LLC in year one plus four registered agent renewals, with the $300 state fee | Provider pricing pages, Texas fee schedule |
| First-year cost in Texas | The cheapest published way to get the filing, a registered agent for year one, an EIN and a company agreement, plus $300 | Provider pricing and Texas order pages |
| Registered agent | Whether year one is included and the yearly price after | Provider pricing and terms pages |
| What the lowest package includes | EIN, company agreement, registered agent | Provider package pages |
| Filing time | The time each provider states for its own submission, and its rush price | Provider package and Texas order pages |
| Refund terms | The refund window and what it excludes | Provider terms of service |
| Support | Channels and published hours | Provider contact pages |
| Non-US founders | Whether the provider gets the EIN without a Social Security number | Provider EIN and international pages |
| Customer rating | Trustpilot score and review count, shown for context | Trustpilot profiles |
We capped the list at seven services so each one got the same depth of checking. Other services you'll see in Texas comparisons include Inc Authority, Swyft Filings, MyCompanyWorks and CorpNet. The method is the same one behind our national comparison of the best LLC formation services, which covers every state.
Sources we checked on October 27, 2026. Each provider's own pricing, terms, contact and Texas order pages; the Texas Secretary of State's Certificate of Formation (Form 205) and its instructions, fee schedule (Form 806, revised September 2026), Texas Express page and SOSPortal notices; the Texas Comptroller's franchise tax and Public Information Report pages; FinCEN's beneficial ownership page (final rule effective August 14, 2026); and the IRS page on getting an EIN.
How does BusinessRocket deal with its conflict of interest when comparing Texas LLC formation services?
Our conflict of interest
BusinessRocket deals with the conflict by ranking on a number you can check, taking no commission from the other six providers, and naming where they beat us. Northwest costs $58 less than BusinessRocket in a Texas LLC's first year and stays cheaper until year four. ZenBusiness has a 60-day money-back guarantee we don't match, and LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer include attorney access that isn't part of our packages.
What did this Texas LLC formation service comparison not test?
This comparison didn't test anything that requires placing an order, so a few things stay unmeasured.
- We didn't place orders, so checkout prices, discount codes and add-ons can differ from the published prices here.
- We didn't time Texas approvals ourselves. Filing times are what each provider states, and the Secretary of State's standard review time wasn't published on the pages we could open.
- Rocket Lawyer's new $149 Standard plan includes a free first LLC but not its registered agent or EIN filing, so the totals here use the Plus plan.
- We didn't time support responses; the support column lists the published channels and hours.
How much does a Texas LLC formation service cost in total?
A Texas LLC formation service costs its package price plus Texas's $300 filing fee, plus whatever the provider charges for the registered agent, EIN and company agreement you'll need. On October 27, 2026, a complete Texas LLC came to between $389 (Northwest) and $744 (Rocket Lawyer) in year one, and between $843 (BusinessRocket) and $2,240 (Rocket Lawyer) over five years.
Package + $300 Texas fee + registered agent + EIN + company agreement = the cost of a complete Texas LLC.
After year one, the registered agent renewal is the main recurring cost for most Texas LLCs, because Texas charges no annual report fee and no franchise tax at or under $2.65 million in revenue.
What does each Texas LLC formation service charge for a complete LLC in year one?
A complete Texas LLC costs $389 with Northwest, $447 with BusinessRocket and $469 with Bizee in year one, and $697 to $744 with ZenBusiness, LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer, each including the $300 state fee. For ZenBusiness and LegalZoom, most of the gap comes from one line, the registered agent, which they charge from day one ($199 and $249) while Northwest, BusinessRocket and Bizee include the first year.
| Provider (sorted by cost) | Cheapest complete combination | Provider cost | Texas fee | Year-one total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 package (agent year one) + EIN $50; company agreement template free | $89 | $300 | $389 Lowest |
| BusinessRocket | Essentials $147 (agent year one, EIN and company agreement included) | $147 | $300 | $447 |
| Bizee | Basic $0 (agent year one included) + EIN $70 + company agreement $99 | $169 | $300 | $469 |
| ZenBusiness | Starter $0 + EIN $99 + company agreement $99 + agent $199 | $397 | $300 | $697 |
| LegalZoom | Basic $0 + EIN $79 + company agreement $99 + agent $249 | $427 | $300 | $727 |
| Rocket Lawyer | Plus membership $249 + agent $125 + EIN $70 (first LLC filing $0) | $444 | $300 | $744 |
| Tailor Brands | Lite $0 + agent $199 + EIN $99 (written company agreement not stated) | $298 | $300 | $598, before any agreement |
Published prices, October 27, 2026, with no discount codes. Northwest's total assumes an SSN; without one its EIN costs $200 and the total is $539. Paying the state online by card adds about $7.
See your Texas LLC total with each service
Texas charges $300 once to file the Certificate of Formation, and no yearly fee for an LLC under the franchise tax threshold.
| Provider | Provider cost | Texas fee | Total |
|---|
Provider cost covers the filing service, a registered agent, an EIN and a company agreement at each provider's cheapest published combination, plus agent renewals after year one (and Rocket Lawyer's Plus membership each year).
Are $0 Texas LLC formation services free?
No, $0 Texas LLC formation services aren't free, because Texas charges $300 to file the Certificate of Formation and every $0 package leaves out at least one thing most LLCs need. BusinessRocket, Bizee, LegalZoom, Tailor Brands and ZenBusiness each sell a $0 package.
- BusinessRocket's $0 Starter files the LLC but leaves out the EIN and company agreement, so your Texas total is $300 if you get those yourself.
- Bizee's $0 Basic includes the first registered agent year but not the EIN or company agreement ($70 and $99), and Bizee estimates about 4 weeks in Texas.
- LegalZoom's $0 Basic files only the Certificate of Formation; the EIN, company agreement and registered agent cost $427 more.
- Tailor Brands' $0 Lite takes as long as 14 business days and leaves out the registered agent ($199 a year) and the EIN ($99).
- ZenBusiness's $0 Starter leaves out the registered agent, EIN and company agreement ($397 together) and takes 7 to 10 business days.
A $0 package makes sense if you live in Texas, can be your own registered agent at a Texas street address and will apply for the EIN yourself, which the IRS doesn't charge for.
What does the Texas Secretary of State charge besides an LLC formation service?
Besides the formation service's own price, the Texas Secretary of State charges $300 for the Certificate of Formation, plus $50 to $750 if you want a faster review through Texas Express. Paying online on SOSPortal by card adds $0.25 plus 2.25% (about $7 on $300), or you can pay by ACH instead. Provider checkout pages can show a higher state fee than $300, such as the $309 on Bizee's Texas order page.
| Filing or service | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (Form 205) | $300 | Online on SOSPortal, by mail or in person in Austin |
| Online card payment | $0.25 + 2.25% | About $7 on $300; ACH payment accepted |
| Texas Express, standard expedited | $50 | Per document; the state estimates 2 to 3 business days |
| Texas Express, next day | $500 | Per document |
| Texas Express, same day | $750 | Per document, filed by 12 p.m. |
| Draft preclearance | $50 | The state reviews a draft before you file |
| Name reservation | $40 | Holds a name for 120 days |
| Assumed name certificate (DBA, Form 503) | $25 | Filed only with the Secretary of State since September 1, 2019; lasts up to 10 years |
| Certificate of amendment | $150 | Changes the name or other formation details |
| Change of registered agent | $15 | Form 401 |
| Certificate of fact | $15 | Certifies the LLC's status on the state's records |
| Certificate of termination | $40 | Closes the LLC |
| Reinstatement after tax forfeiture | $75 | Needs a tax clearance letter (Form 801) |
| Foreign LLC registration | $750 | For an LLC formed in another state |
Texas Secretary of State fee schedule (Form 806, revised September 2026), Form 205 instructions, the Texas Express page and SOSPortal notices, checked October 27, 2026. Texas Express fees are per document and added to the filing fee. Same-day and next-day Texas Express have been available online since October 8, 2026.
What do Texas LLC formation services cost after the first year?
After the first year, a Texas LLC formed through a service keeps paying the registered agent renewal, $99 to $249 a year across the seven, and Texas adds no yearly fee for an LLC at or under the $2.65 million franchise tax threshold. Over five years, a complete Texas LLC costs the least with BusinessRocket ($843), followed by Northwest ($889) and Bizee ($1,065).
| Provider | Agent after year one | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BusinessRocket | $99/yr | $447 | $546 | $645 | $744 Lowest | $843 Lowest |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125/yr | $389 Lowest | $514 Lowest | $639 Lowest | $764 | $889 |
| Bizee | $149/yr | $469 | $618 | $767 | $916 | $1,065 |
| ZenBusiness | $199/yr | $697 | $896 | $1,095 | $1,294 | $1,493 |
| LegalZoom | $249/yr | $727 | $976 | $1,225 | $1,474 | $1,723 |
| Rocket Lawyer | $374/yr with membership | $744 | $1,118 | $1,492 | $1,866 | $2,240 |
Provider prices published October 27, 2026, plus Texas's $300 filing fee in year one. Rocket Lawyer's yearly cost is its $125 agent plus the $249 Plus membership the agent requires. Optional compliance services aren't included. Tailor Brands isn't shown because its plans don't say whether a written company agreement is included.
How long does a Texas LLC formation service take?
A Texas LLC formation service takes its own submission time, anywhere between the same business day and about 4 weeks depending on the provider and package, plus the Texas Secretary of State's review. Texas doesn't publish a standard review time on the pages we could open, but it sells faster review through Texas Express, at $50 for standard expedited review (typically 2 to 3 business days), $500 for next day and $750 for same day. Paying for speed doesn't skip the review, and the Secretary of State says requesting expedited service "does not guarantee a filing."
| Stage | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| The provider submits your Certificate of Formation | Same business day in most cases (BusinessRocket); 1 business day (ZenBusiness Pro, Tailor Brands Essential); Bizee estimates about 4 weeks for Basic | In the package price |
| Secretary of State review, standard | Not published | In the $300 fee |
| Texas Express, standard expedited | 2 to 3 business days (state estimate) | $50 |
| Texas Express, next day or same day | Next business day, or the same day if filed by 12 p.m. | $500 or $750 |
| EIN from the IRS | Online with an SSN or ITIN; by fax (about 4 business days) or phone for international applicants | Free from the IRS |
BusinessRocket's Texas order page shows an estimate of 5 to 7 business days for a standard order. If you need the LLC to start on a set date, Form 205 lets you delay its effective date by as many as 90 days after filing, so you can file early and still start on time. Other states' review times are in our list of LLC processing times for all 50 states.
What does a Texas LLC owe the state each year?
A Texas LLC owes the state one yearly filing, a report to the Texas Comptroller due May 15, and it must keep a registered agent at a Texas street address. Texas LLCs file no annual report with the Secretary of State. An LLC with total revenue at or under $2.65 million (the threshold for 2026 and 2027 reports) owes no franchise tax and files only a Public Information Report (Form 05-102).
| Obligation | Filed with | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Information Report (Form 05-102), revenue at or under $2.65 million | Texas Comptroller | Each May 15 (next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday) | No franchise tax due |
| Franchise tax report, revenue above $2.65 million | Texas Comptroller | Each May 15 | 0.75% (0.375% for retail and wholesale), or 0.331% on the EZ computation for revenue of $20 million or less |
| Registered agent | Your provider, or you | Every year | $99 (BusinessRocket) to $249 (LegalZoom), or $0 if you serve yourself |
| Assumed name (DBA), only if you trade under another name | Secretary of State | Lasts up to 10 years | $25 |
The No Tax Due Report ended with the 2024 reports, so guides that still tell Texas LLCs to file it are out of date. If an LLC doesn't file, it forfeits its right to transact business in Texas and can't sue or defend itself in Texas courts, its managers and members can become personally liable for certain debts, and the Secretary of State can then forfeit its registration. Reinstating costs $75 plus a tax clearance letter (Form 801). The Texas Comptroller's franchise tax page has the current forms, and our guide to annual reporting vs taxes explains why a yearly report and a tax are separate obligations.
Texas has no state income tax. If you sell taxable goods or services, you'll also collect sales tax at 6.25% plus as much as 2% local (8.25% at most). And since FinCEN's final rule took effect on August 14, 2026, an LLC formed in Texas files no beneficial ownership (BOI) report.
Which Texas LLC formation service fits your situation?
The Texas LLC formation service that fits you depends on how long you'll keep the LLC and what you need beyond the filing. Start with the complete cost over the years you expect to own it, then check what the cheapest package leaves out, the stated filing time and the refund terms.
- Add up the complete first-year cost, counting the package, the registered agent, the EIN, the company agreement and the $300 state fee.
- Compare registered agent renewals, because that's the fee you'll pay every year after the first.
- Check what the cheapest package leaves out, then price the add-ons you'd need.
- Match the stated filing time to your deadline, and price Texas Express if you're in a hurry.
- Read the refund terms before you pay, above all what happens once the filing reaches the state.
| If you need | Look at |
|---|---|
| The lowest cost to own a Texas LLC for four years or more | BusinessRocket |
| Same-business-day filing and 24-hour chat | BusinessRocket |
| The lowest first-year cost | Northwest Registered Agent |
| A $0 start with a registered agent included | Bizee |
| Attorney access at formation | LegalZoom |
| Contracts and legal questions after formation | Rocket Lawyer |
| A logo and website on day one | Tailor Brands |
| A compliance service in year one and a long refund window | ZenBusiness |
Our video on choosing a Texas LLC formation service covers the same checks in about four minutes: how a low advertised price can climb to $400 or $500 once you add the EIN, a company agreement and compliance help, the three mistakes new owners make, and the yearly franchise tax filing that keeps the LLC in good standing.
Key moments in the video
- 0:31Why founders pick Texas: no state income tax and a fast-growing economy
- 0:54The yearly franchise tax filing that keeps the LLC in good standing
- 1:10How a low starting price climbs to $400 or $500
- 2:28Three mistakes: price alone, the registered agent and compliance deadlines
- 2:57What to look for in a Texas LLC formation service
- 3:13How BusinessRocket's packages work
Read the video transcript
0:00 Most people think forming an LLC in Texas only costs about $300, but what they don't realize is by the time they finish, they've paid $500 or more without even noticing. And the worst part, it usually comes down to choosing the wrong Texas LLC formation service. In this video, I'll show you how to choose the best Texas LLC formation services, avoid hidden fees, and set up your business the right way from day one. Before we compare the services, there's one reason why so many people are rushing into Texas LLC formation right now. And it's not just the taxes.
0:31 When it comes to forming your LLC in Texas, there are a few big advantages. There's no state income tax, but honestly, that's not even the biggest win. Texas has one of the fastest-growing economies in the US, which means more customers, more opportunities, and more room to scale. And if you live there, keeping your Texas LLC filing in state makes everything simple. No extra registrations, no multi-state headaches.
0:54 Now, there is something most people don't realize. Even though many businesses don't pay it early on, Texas still requires a yearly filing related to the franchise tax. And if you miss it, your LLC can fall out of good standing. That's where choosing the right service actually matters.
1:10 Now, here's where things can get a bit confusing, because there are many other companies in the online market offering Texas LLC formation services. And at first glance, they all seem to offer the same thing. Fast setup, low price, and easy application online for your Texas LLC. So, naturally, most people just pick the cheapest option and move forward. But here's what actually happens with many of these companies. They advertise a very low starting price, which sounds like a great deal. But once you begin the process, things start to change. You start your Texas LLC creation, fill in your details, and then step by step you're asked to add important items. Your EIN, your operating agreement, help with ongoing Texas LLC filing requirements. And the truth is, these are not optional. You actually need them to run your business properly. So, by the time you reach the end, that low Texas LLC formation fee you saw at the beginning has quietly increased to $400 or even $500, and this is where most people feel stuck. They didn't expect the cost to grow like this, but they've already come too far in the process to start over. That's why it's important to understand that not all Texas LLC formation services are built the same way. Some are designed to look cheaper up front, while others focus on giving you a clear, complete setup from the start. And once you understand this difference, you can make a much smarter decision when choosing the best LLC service for your business.
2:28 Making an uninformed decision can lead to three common mistakes. First, choosing based on price alone. Cheap upfront almost always means expensive later. Second, ignoring the registered agent stipulation, which isn't optional. It's required by the Texas Secretary of State for your LLC formation. And third, misunderstanding compliance. Even if you don't owe taxes, you still need to file the required reports by their respective deadlines. Missing them means your business could face penalties.
2:57 So, instead of chasing the cheapest option, focus on what actually matters. Clear upfront pricing, help with your Certificate of Formation Texas filing, a reliable registered agent, and ongoing compliance support. Because forming an LLC isn't just about getting approved. It's about setting it up correctly from day one.
3:13 Now, after comparing all of this, there's one type of service that stands out, and not because it's the cheapest, but because it avoids the biggest hurdle people run into: incurring hidden fees. So, if you're looking for the best Texas LLC formation service, BusinessRocket keeps things simple. You start with just the Texas LLC filing fee, and everything is handled correctly for you. No surprise upsells, no confusing checkout process, and if you need more support, you can get help with your EIN, operating agreement, and compliance. So, you're not figuring everything out on your own, especially if this is your first time creating an LLC in Texas. That support makes a big difference. At the end of the day, the value in your LLC formation isn't just about saving money. It's about avoiding mistakes that can cost you later. So, if you're ready to start your Texas LLC formation the right way, check the link below and get started today. If you have any questions, go ahead and drop them in the comments and I'll see you in the next video.
Which Texas LLC formation services work for non-US founders?
The Texas LLC formation services that say they'll get the EIN for an owner without a Social Security number are BusinessRocket, LegalZoom and Northwest Registered Agent ($200 at Northwest). Texas doesn't require the organizer or the owners to live in Texas, but the LLC needs a registered agent with a Texas street address, and the IRS online EIN application needs an SSN or ITIN. Without one, you apply by phone at 267-941-1099 or by faxing Form SS-4 (about 4 business days).
BusinessRocket's order page notes that EIN processing for non-US residents currently takes 3 to 6 weeks. Our guide to forming an LLC for non-US residents covers the bank account steps.
Is a Texas LLC formation service worth it?
Yes, a Texas LLC formation service is worth it if you want a registered agent with a Texas street address, a second check on your Certificate of Formation and reminders for the May 15 Comptroller report in one place, and the provider's part ($89 to $444 in year one here) is small next to your time. No, if you live in Texas, have one owner and can be your own registered agent, because the $300 state fee is the only required cost.
Worth it if
You want the registered agent, a filing review and the yearly report reminders kept in one place, or you don't live in Texas.
File it yourself if
You live in Texas, have one owner, can be your own registered agent and are comfortable filing on SOSPortal.
Can you form a Texas LLC yourself on SOSPortal?
Yes, you can form a Texas LLC yourself by filing the Certificate of Formation (Form 205) on SOSPortal, the Secretary of State's online system since September 29, 2026, and paying the $300 fee by ACH or card. You'll need a name that includes "limited liability company", "limited company" or an abbreviation such as LLC, and a registered agent who consents and has a Texas street address, which can be you or another owner if you live in Texas. The organizer doesn't have to live in Texas, and nothing needs to be notarized. Our guide on how to start an LLC in Texas walks through each step.
How do you check if a Texas LLC name is available?
You check whether a Texas LLC name is available by searching the Texas Secretary of State's business records for the same or a similar name before you file. If you aren't ready to file yet, you can reserve the name for 120 days for $40. Our Texas LLC name search guide shows each search option and what it costs.
What else does it cost to run an LLC in Texas?
Beyond formation, running an LLC in Texas costs the registered agent renewal (or nothing if you serve yourself), $25 for an assumed name if you trade under another name, $150 for each amendment and $15 to change your registered agent. Most small Texas LLCs owe no franchise tax, and there's no state income tax. The full list is in our guide to the cost of an LLC in Texas.
Why form an LLC in Texas instead of Delaware?
Form your LLC in Texas instead of Delaware if your business operates in Texas, because a Delaware LLC doing business in Texas has to register here as a foreign LLC ($750) and keeps paying Delaware's $400 annual tax each June 1. A Texas LLC costs $300 to file and owes no franchise tax at or under $2.65 million in revenue, against Delaware's $110 filing fee and $400 a year. Our Texas vs Delaware LLC comparison goes through both states' fees and taxes.
Frequently asked questions about Texas LLC formation services
How long does a Texas LLC formation service take to form an LLC?
A Texas LLC formation service takes its own submission time plus the Secretary of State's review, which Texas doesn't publish as a standard time. BusinessRocket files the same business day in most cases and its Texas order page estimates 5 to 7 business days, while Bizee estimates about 4 weeks for its Basic package. Texas Express shortens the state's part for $50 (typically 2 to 3 business days), $500 (next day) or $750 (same day).
Can a Texas LLC formation service be your registered agent?
Yes, a Texas LLC formation service can be your registered agent, as long as it has a Texas street address where it can accept legal papers during business hours. BusinessRocket, Northwest and Bizee include the first year, then charge $99, $125 and $149 a year. The LLC can't be its own registered agent, but an owner who lives in Texas can serve. See what a registered agent fee for an LLC covers.
Do you file a company agreement with the Texas Secretary of State?
No, you don't file a company agreement with the Texas Secretary of State, which says no statute permits filing it. You keep it with the LLC's own records. The agreement sets out ownership and management, and BusinessRocket's Essentials and Bizee's Standard package include one, and Northwest offers a free template.
What's the cheapest way to form an LLC in Texas?
The cheapest way to form an LLC in Texas is to file the Certificate of Formation yourself on SOSPortal for $300, be your own registered agent and get the EIN free from the IRS. With a service, BusinessRocket's $0 Starter package also comes to $300 in total, and Northwest's complete first year costs $389. Paying the state by card adds about $7.
Can you switch Texas LLC formation services after your LLC is formed?
Yes, you can switch by filing a change of registered agent with the Texas Secretary of State for $15 (Form 401) and moving any compliance subscription. The LLC itself stays the same. Cancel the old provider's renewal so you aren't billed twice.
Do you need a business license for a Texas LLC?
No, Texas has no general business license, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Some activities need a license from a state agency, so check the rules for your industry before you open. Our guide to the difference between an LLC and a business license explains what each one covers.
