The 4 Best LLC Services in North Carolina 2023
Find the Best Service for Your LLC in North Carolina
A limited liability company (LLC) creates an opportunity to separate your personal and business assets and establish credibility.
Professional business formation services can streamline the entire process for you; we’ve gathered the best LLC services in North Carolina based on the features they offer as well as their overall ability to meet your venture’s unique needs.
Recommended North Carolina LLC Formation Service: Northwest
Best North Carolina LLC Formation Services
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Best LLC Services |
|---|---|
Northwest 4.7/5 |
HIGHEST CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
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TailorBrands 4.5/5 |
BEST PREMIUM, ALL-IN-ONE PACKAGE
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ZenBusiness 4.2/5 |
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Incfile 4.0/5 |
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We reviewed and ranked the four best company formation services by actually forming separate LLCs with each service provider.
In this business formation services review, we’ll look at some of the best North Carolina LLC services in 2023 and share what makes them the top choice.
Best LLC Services in North Carolina:
Best North Carolina LLC Service: Northwest
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent as the overall best online business formation service because of its affordability and knowledgeable customer support.
($29 + State Fees)
1. Northwest
Northwest's incorporation service starts at just $29 plus state fees; it includes Virginia LLC filing, premium registered agent services, customer privacy protection, online document dashboard, free mail forwarding, and more.
Northwest is known for its top-notch customer service; they provide their clients with Corporate Guides, who are highly trained US-based support agents. Every customer gets a Corporate Guide assigned to their specific account, so you can talk to the same person if you have any questions or concerns.
Pros
- Positive customer reviews
- User-friendly online ordering process
- No hidden fees or “free trials” that cost money later on
- Professional US-based customer service representatives
Cons
- You’ll need to pay extra fees for important company formation features such as an EIN. Another option is to get an EIN for free on your own.
Read our full Northwest Registered Agent review to learn more.
Northwest
Northwest provides personalized, knowledgeable customer service at an affordable price.
($29 plus state fees)
2. Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands is a platform that provides a one-stop-shop service for business formation, branding, compliance, and more. Tailor Brands offers three formation packages. The one we most recommend is their premium Elite plan, which comes with North Carolina LLC formation, annual compliance support, a free domain name for one year, a website builder, digital business cards, and so much more. The cost of all these perks is just $199 plus state fees.
Pros
- The all-in-one package provides everything your venture needs to get up and running
- You get access to brand-building tools like a logo maker and website builder
Cons
- $199 is costly compared to other company formation services
- No included registered agent services for a year like some competitors offer
Read our full Tailor Brands review to learn more.
Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands provides the best premium, one-stop shop package for entrepreneurs to form an LLC and build their online presence.
($199 + state fees)
3. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is another dependable LLC formation service for North Carolina entrepreneurs. It offers fast filing speeds and a 100% guarantee. For basic features, pricing starts at $0 plus state fees. The premium plan is $299 annually and has top features including a customizable business website, rush filing, and a free domain name and email address.
Pros
- Excellent customer support to help you throughout the process
- Worry-free compliance services
Cons
- More expensive and offers less features than some other providers
Read our full ZenBusiness review to learn more.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness provides essential services to help get your venture up and running.
($0+ State Fees)
4. Incfile
Incfile's company formation service has helped over 500,000 businesses launch since it opened in 2004. Incfile handles tasks like company name verification, preparation and filing of the articles of organization. It also offers lifetime company alerts and next-business-day processing to get your venture up and running as quickly as possible.
Pros
- $0 plus state fees option
- You get free registered agent services for one year
Cons
- Customer support is lacking in some areas
Read our full Incfile review to learn more.
Incfile
Incfile is one of the best LLC services if you are working with a limited budget, and want a lot of added features.
($0 + State Fees)
Honorable Mentions
Although the following services didn’t make the list above, their offerings are still worth mentioning briefly.
Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer is a great platform if you require ongoing legal assistance past company formation. In addition, this service is an ideal selection for new entrepreneurs who lack experience in drafting contracts. TRUiC partnered with Rocket Lawyer to provide a New Business Bundle that includes free incorporation services, legal advice, and so on.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority is a popular choice among new founders since it allows you to file your LLC free of charge (aside from state fees). While you will have to pay extra for features such as an EIN and operating agreement, Inc Authority is a great option for North Carolina entrepreneurs who are on a budget and only need basic formation services.
Swyft Filings
With Swyft Filings, you will be able to choose from three LLC formation packages. Depending on the specific plan that you choose, you can look forward to quick and reliable LLC filing along with additional features such as customized banking resolution, electronic delivery of state documents, and a free business website.
MyCompanyWorks
MyCompanyWorks offers three different LLC formation packages ranging in price from $59-$259 (plus state fees). One benefit of using MyCompanyWorks to form your new enterprise is that its filing service is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. MyCompanyWorks also doesn’t limit the number of support calls and emails that a client is allowed.
LegalZoom
Though LegalZoom costs more than other platforms, this service is still worth mentioning due to its superior legal support and brand power within the LLC industry. If you value brand recognition and need ongoing legal services, LegalZoom may be the perfect selection for your new venture.
Our Review Methodology
The TRUiC team evaluates each formation service based on the following:
Pricing
Pricing is an important factor to consider when choosing a formation service because the cost can vary significantly between different providers. Choosing a service that offers a fair and transparent pricing structure can help you avoid hidden fees and unexpected charges down the line.
Features
Along with standard formation services, many LLC packages offer a variety of additional features. This includes features such as help obtaining licenses and permits, an EIN/Tax ID number, business website hosting, and a wide range of others. These features are often highly useful to new entrepreneurs and are a big part of the value offered by professional providers.
User Reviews
Reviews can help you understand the level of customer support, quality of the product, and overall satisfaction of previous customers. They can also highlight potential areas of concern or issues to watch out for.
Customer Support
When questions and issues arise, working with a company that will be there to answer your call is invaluable. While it can be difficult to evaluate the quality of a service’s customer support until you’ve worked with them yourself, researching user reviews is one effective way to gauge customer support quality.
Accessibility & User Experience
The platform that your LLC formation service provides for managing your company needs to be as accessible and user-friendly as possible. Along with offering a streamlined and intuitive UI, a good service should also design its platform to be accessible to users with disabilities such as vision impairment.
How to Form an LLC in North Carolina
You can start an LLC in North Carolina on your own in five easy steps:
1. Name Your LLC
You won’t be able to form your company until you actually name it. Be sure to follow the LLC naming rules that are outlined in the North Carolina naming requirements.
Then, make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the state’s website.
We also recommend using our LLC Name Generator tool to help secure a domain name for your venture.
2. Choose a Registered Agent
You are required to designate a registered agent for your North Carolina LLC, which is an individual or business entity in charge of receiving legal documents, government correspondence, and more on behalf of your company.
If you form your company online on the North Carolina Secretary of State website, your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested when you file your Articles of Organization online.
If you form an LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization form, fill out the required fields, and submit a physical copy to the North Carolina Secretary of State. You’ll be asked to provide your registered agent’s information starting with number 3 in the middle of the page:
Learn more by reading our guide on North Carolina registered agents.
3. File the Articles of Organization
To register your company, you will need to file Form L-01 - Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. You can apply online, by mail, or via PDF upload.
Learn more with our North Carolina Articles of Organization guide.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and operating procedures of your LLC in North Carolina.
Although an operating agreement is not required, it’s recommended. According to the North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act Section 57D-2-30, all members of an LLC may enter into an operating agreement to regulate the internal affairs of the company.
You can read more about North Carolina LLC operating agreements in our full guide.
5. Get an EIN
You can think of an Employer Identification Number as a Social Security number for your venture. Get one for free through the IRS website.
Final Thoughts
If you would like assistance filing your North Carolina LLC rather than going through the hassle of doing it on your own, there are plenty of great services on the market. Our top recommendation, though, is Northwest Registered Agent. With Northwest, you will receive affordable pricing, swift turnaround time, and high-quality customer support. These benefits make the process of forming your new venture as smooth and stress-free as possible.
FAQs
How much does it cost to start a North Carolina LLC online?
It costs $125 to form a North Carolina LLC online.
How do I file the North Carolina LLC annual report?
You can file your annual report through the Secretary of State website. You must search for your company and select the corresponding “annual report” option from the results list.
What are some local resources to help me form a company in North Carolina?
To help you start your venture, we have identified the best resources across the state: