If you want to start an LLC in Ohio , it is important to hire a company with the best LLC services in Ohio. But which Ohio LLC formation service is the best and right for you? We’ve tested, analyzed, and reviewed some of the top LLC services to help you make an informed decision.
Our review is going to help you hire a company that:
- Reduces the startup cost of your small business
- Offers free registered agent
- Help you get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- File an Articles of Organization with the Ohio Division of Corporations in due time
- Offer compliance alerts
Ohio LLC Services: A Quick Comparison Table
| Formation Services | Key Features | Value | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
Top pick  |
The Best Overall Formation Service
|
||
 |
High-Quality Customer Support
|
||
 |
The Most Cost Effective & Affordable
|
Are you thinking of starting a business in the Sunshine State? After all, Ohio is home to some of the most well-known companies in the world, including Walt Disney World, Publix, and Carnival Cruise Lines.
But it’s not just big businesses that thrive in Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of State, small businesses make up 99.3% of all businesses in Ohio.
What is an LLC?
An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a business entity that offers LIMITED LIABILITY protection to its owners.
This means that if your LLC is sued or incurs debt, you as an owner will not be held personally liable—the limited liability shield will protect your personal assets.
In addition, forming an LLC can also help to distinguish your personal finances from your business finances and offer a flexible tax structure.
The Best Way to Start an LLC in Ohio
Though you can form an LLC by yourself in Ohio, the best LLC filing services save your time, energy, and money by providing free LLC name search, registered agent, and operating agreement templates in their starter packages.
Online LLC formation companies offer faster and more accurate LLC registration by providing a satisfaction guarantee. Moreover, in their gold and platinum package, these best LLC formation services in Ohio offer EIN registration, domain name, website formation, and much more to keep your LLC compliant and thriving.
We’ve done a thorough research and compiled a list of the Best LLC Formation Services in Ohio to help you decide which one is right for you. This review will cover everything from formation and filing fees to customer service and ease of use. So, let’s get started!
What to Seek from Online Formation Companies?
Before you decide on the Ohio LLC service, you must know what you seek from these online formation companies. For that, you may need to answer the following questions:
- What is the nature and type of your business?
- What is your company size?
- What additional services do you need besides LLC registration from an online filing company?
Once you know your customized needs, you can analyze the LLC services using our editor’s criteria or buying guide.
Our Methodology to Review
Our experts tested the LLC features of each company and went through online customers’ feedback. After thorough research they reviewed and rated the best Ohio LLC formation Services based on the following factors:
- Company’s track record
- Pricing and overall value
- Ease of use
- Customer support
- Users’ feedback and review
5 Best LLC Services in Ohio (OH) Review
After using some of the formation features and an in-depth analysis of the company’s website, third-party review platforms, and previous clients’ feedback, we picked the 5 best LLC formation ServIces in OH in the following order:
- Best Overall: ZenBusiness
- Best For Data Privacy: Northwest Registered Agent
- Most Affordable for Filing: Incfile
- Most Suitable for Branding: Tailor Brands
- Best for Legal Assistance: LegalZoom
So whether you’re a first-time filer or an experienced business owner, you’ll be able to find the perfect LLC service for your needs once you finish reading this review.
#1. Zenbusiness
ZenBusiness is rated the best overall among our 5 best LLC formation services in Ohio for offering incredible features, exceptional customer support, and affordable prices. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of forming an LLC with ZenBusiness:
Company’s track record
ZenBusiness was founded in 2015, so it is relatively new or less experienced than its competitors, who have been in the LLC formation business for more than 20 years.
However, within 7 years, ZenBusiness has acquired more than 250,000 customers proving that ZenBusiness is well prepared to compete with big giants in the business formation industry. Moreover, earning that many customers also proves that quality matters more than the number of years in the business.
Pricing and overall value
Starting at just $49, ZenBusiness offers affordable packages with valuable features for LLC formation in Ohio. They offer LLC name search and availability, registered agents, and worry-free compliance in every package. Here are the salient features of every package:
| Starter | Pro | Premium | |
| Price | $49 + state fee | $199 + state fee | $299 + state fee |
| Turnaround Time | 2 – 3 weeks | 4-6 business days | 1 – 2 business days |
| Price | Name check, articles of organization, worry-free compliance | Standard features plus operating agreement | Pro features plus, domain name, business email, customizable website |
Ease of use
ZenBusiness customers find the website very user-friendly. You can easily navigate through ZenBusiness’ website and get the desired information. While subscribing to any of their Ohio LLC formation packages, you can place your order in a few minutes and encounter very few upsells.
Users’ Feedback and review
It is very hard to beat the positive feedback from previous customers that ZenBusiness has acquired on third-party platforms. With 10,136 reviews, ZenBusiness has gotten a 4.6/5 stars rating on Trustpilot. Other platforms such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) (4.34/5) and Google reviews (4/6/5) have rated ZenBusiness on a satisfactory end.
Customer Support
ZenBusiness has incredible customer support with friendly, knowledgeable, and professional customer care representatives. They are ready to answer your questions in the best capacity with extended business hours to make them available for their customers. You can contact their customer support team on Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm Central time or on Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm Central time.
#2. Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent has gotten the second position in our 5 best LLC formation services in Ohio due to its supreme data privacy policy, vast experience, and tremendous customer profile. Here are listed advantages and disadvantages of Northwest Registered Agent’s LLC formation services:
Company’s track record
Established in 1998, Northwest Registered Agent is pretty experienced in business formation services. With more than 2 million customers, Northwest Registered Agent has a reputation as an incredible business formation service in the U.S.
Pricing and overall value
Pricing is one of the features that made us place Northwest Registered agent one place below ZenBusiness. It has a few features spread across two LLC formation packages, and we found Northwest Registered Agent pricier than Zenbusiness:
| Price | $39/month or $225 + state fee |
| Turnaround Time | 7 – 10 business days |
| Included Feature | Name search, articles of organization, free registered agent for one year, free phone service for 60 days, privacy by default, corporate guide service |
Ease of use
The most incredible feature of Northwest Registered Agent is that they value your privacy above all. They do not sell your data to third-party platforms and do not annoy you with upsells while you are subscribing to any of their LLC packages. Their website is well designed for an easy user experience, and you can easily navigate through the website for the desired information.
Users’ Feedback and review
Previous customer reviews are a massive drawback for Northwest Registered Agent’s LLC formation service. You find very few reviews on third-party platforms compared to a more extensive customer profile, around 2 M clients. You will find only 10 reviews with 3.5/5 on Trustpilot, 4.4/5 with 100 reviews on Better Business Bureau (BBB), and 4.7/5 with 531 reviews on Google Reviews. However, this is justifiable as most of the customers are satisfied, so they do not launch complaints on BBB or other related platforms, and the customers keep increasing every day, so the company is not focusing on acquiring online reviews from the previous clients.
Customer Support
The refreshing customer support from Northwest Registered Agent’s customer service representatives is another plus for Northwest Registered Agent. They handle everything related to customer care through their in-house customer service agents called “Corporate Guides.” They have 700 customer service employees throughout the U.S.
When you call or email, a live representative is always ready to serve you and do their best to make things easy for their customers. You can reach out to them from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) Monday through Friday.
#3. Incfile
With a $0 starter package and having almost 20 successful years in the business, Incfile has gotten 3rd place in our 5 best Ohio LLC formation Services. Below are listed some advantages and disadvantages of Incfile Ohio LLC formation services:
Company’s track record
Incfile was founded in 2004 and has served more than 800,000 customers in forming LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits. Hence, Incfile has vast experience and an impressive record to start your LLC in Ohio.
Pricing and overall value
While the free LLC startup package attracts many entrepreneurs and business owners who have a tight budget, the advanced LLC packages of Incfile are a bit expensive compared to its competitors. Moreover, they have limited refund options and no money-back guarantee.
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | |
| Price | $0 + state fee | $149 + state fee | $349 + state fee |
| Turnaround Time | 15 business days | 10 business days | 3 – 5 business days |
| Included Feature | Unlimited name search, articles of organization, one full year of registered agent services, lifetime company compliance alerts, next-day order processing, business website, business tax consultation | Silver features plus professional binder, official seal, contract library, EIN, IRS form 2553, operating agreement, banking resolution | Silver features plus domain name and business email |
Ease of use
Incfile’s website is user-friendly and easy to navigate. However, you will find many upsell while opting for an LLC formation package and may end up paying extra than you have expected. Moreover, upsells also make your order placement time-consuming.
Users’ Feedback and review
Incfile has gotten fantastic customer feedback on ShopperApproved with a 4.8/5 star rating from 37,984 customer reviews. Other platforms such as Trustpilot rated Incfile 4.7/5 with 3,984 reviews, and Better Business Review (BBB) rated Incfile 4.7/5 with 1,579 reviews. We did not find any customer feedback on Google reviews.
Customer Support
Incfile offers friendly customer support through professional and knowledgeable customer care representatives. You can call them from Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm CST and get your queries answered. They are not available on weekends, while ZenBusiness offers customer support on Sundays, making it easy for the clients who are busy on weekdays.
#4. Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands is a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs and business owners to launch their companies efficiently. It helps with business formation, website building, and branding under one roof, allowing Tailor Brands to secure 4th position in our 5 best LLC services in Ohio review. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Tailor Brands LLC formation services:
Company’s track record
Tailor Brands was started in 2014 and has launched over 500,000 businesses. This means the company has gotten impressive experience compared to the time in the business formation niche.
Pricing and overall value
From the price and included features point of view, Tailor Brand is a bit expensive. Here is an overview of all 3 packages offered by Tailor Brands:
| Lite | Essential | Elite | |
| Price | $49 + state fee | $149 + state fee | $199 + state fee |
| Turnaround Time | Not specified | Faster than lite | 7 – 10 business days |
| Included Feature | Name check, articles of organization, | Lite features plus annual compliance, and operating agreement | essential features plus Free domain for a year, logo maker, website builder, digital business card, social media post maker, business cards tool |
Ease of use
Tailor Brands has a pleasing and eye-catching website, but the LLC formation packages are not transparent. You have to go through a long process or log in to their website to learn about their packages which can be frustrating.
If they have mentioned the straightforward prices of all their services, that could be very helpful for entrepreneurs looking for different options before deciding on suitable services or other features.
Users’ Feedback and review
Tailor Brands have gotten average customer feedback on third-party review platforms. Trustpilot rated Tailor Brands 3.9/5 with 2,850 customer reviews. On Better Business Bureau (BBB), Tailor Brands has gotten a 1.16/5 star rating from 55 reviews, while the company is not BBB accredited. We have not found any reviews on Google Reviews.
One of the reasons for a relatively low rating and few reviews is that only dissatisfied customers have shared their feedback. Having a colossal customer profile of 500k customers with very little feedback does not make sense otherwise.
Customer Support
Tailor Brands offers average customer service. You can find answers to the most common questions on their website, offering email or live chat support. However, they do not provide phone support. As many business owners and entrepreneurs find it more convenient to address their issues through a phone call, Tailor Brands lacks this vital aspect.
#5. LegalZoom
LegalZoom offers low-price legal services and carries brand power by serving 3.5M customers over the last 22 years. They have formed over 2 M businesses including sole proprietorships, LLCs, S and C corporations, DBA, etc, Here are some advantages and disadvantages of forming a Ohio LLC with LegalZoom:
Company’s track record
LegalZoom has been around since 1999 and offers services to more than 3.5 million customers with over 1 million active subscriptions. However, this customer profile includes customers other than those seeking business formation.
While Northwest Registered Agent had 2 million customers, all related to business formation, during the same time period.
No wonder they’re among the most trusted names in legal advice and business formation today. Legal Zoom provides excellent customer service that will meet your needs, whether you need help creating an LLC or just want some general guidance.
Pricing and overall value
LegalZoom is a bit expensive and offers a few included features in its formation packages. You can get similar features will much less price and good user experience from ZenBusiness or IncFile. Let’s have a look at its LLC formation packages:
| Economy | Standard | Express Gold | |
| Price | $79 + state fee | $329 + state fee | $349 + state fee |
| Turnaround Time | 30 business days | 10-15 business days | 7 – 10 business days |
| Included Feature | Name check, articles of organization, lifetime customer support, financial account authorization letter | Basic features plus deluxe organizer,20 official certificates and seal, personalized binder | Standard features plus express shipping |
Ease of use
LegalZoom’s website offers a good user experience, and you can quickly get what you are looking for on the website. However, their upsells make your checking out process longer.
Moreover, your LLC formation becomes costly as all upsells add up to more than $1600. Therefore, subscribing to their LLC formation package can consume a lot of time, and you may end up paying extra than you have anticipated.
Users’ Feedback and review
LegalZoom received mixed baggage when it comes to customer feedback. Some customers are delighted, while others are utterly disappointed with LegalZoom’s services. Sitejabber rated them 3.5/5 with 1,054 customer reviews, Better Business Bureau (BBB) gave them 4.56/5 stars with 5,686 customer reviews, and Trustpilot rated them 4.5/5 with 1,675 customer reviews.
Customer Support
For weekdays you can connect to customer care representatives from 8 am to 10 pm ET, and for weekends you can reach out to customer service from 10 am to 7 pm ET. Despite their extensive business hours and weekend availability, getting in touch with their customer care representatives is hard.
Owing to an extensive customer profile, perhaps its representatives are busy resolving the issues of its customers, making it difficult to connect with them.
Final Verdict
There are many LLC services out there, but not all of them are created equal. When it comes to choosing the best Ohio LLC service, your personalized needs and the company’s key features both play an important role.
Our editors strongly recommend ZenBusiness as it provides essential LLC services and a la carte option at a pocket-friendly price. However, you may choose other LLC companies from our 5 best LLC services in Ohio list that best suits your needs. We hope you will find this review useful in deciding on your Forida LLC service.
Aisha Noreen is an owner of a small business with more than 9 years of experience in the marketing industry. With the wisdom of an old soul, she always seeks innovation and mind-blowing ROI techniques. Her unique approach helped many small businesses thrive and she can surprise you in many ways as well. Believe it or not, her energy, passion, and creativity are contagious enough to transform your business and take it to another level.
