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LLC Formation·Best Overall·Updated August 29, 2026

Best LLC Formation Services in Louisiana

October 1 resets Louisiana's price list. Act 921 lifts the LLC filing fee from $100 to $125 and the annual report from $30 to $35, so this page prices the state on both sides of that date.

August 29, 202615 min read
Daniel Wong
Written byGeekdiys Team
Legal & Compliance Analyst
6 services reviewed
Independently tested
Updated quarterly

Quick Comparison of All 6 Services

Compare pricing and ratings at a glance, then visit a service or read the full review below.

Louisiana

Sets the state fee and annual report below.

Include in every price

The agent is required in every state and the main reason provider prices differ. State fees go to the state and are identical with every provider.

Every price below is the full amount due, the $100† Louisiana filing fee is already in it. That fee goes to the state, not the company, and is identical whoever files for you. Only the provider's own fee varies. what the service charges $100† Louisiana state fee

NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

4.8Best Overall
Registered agent free year 1, then $125 a yearEIN and operating agreement start at the $139 package, not the $39 oneCancelling needs a phone call or email, not a dashboard click

Due today

$139

Registered agent included, free year 1State fees included

Then every year

$155

$125 agent renewal + $30 state report

Z logo

ZenBusiness

4.5Best for LLC Formation
$0 formation with guided, beginner friendly setupAgent is $199 a year, and that is most of the real costThe $99 agent year is half price and only if they file your LLC

Due today

$199

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$229

$199 agent renewal + $30 state report

TB logo

Tailor Brands

4.2Best for Branding
$0 filing with logo and website tools built inWeekend support and a guided setupAgent $199 a year plus pre-checked trial add-ons

Due today

$299

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$229

$199 agent renewal + $30 state report

F logo

FileNow

4.2Best for Speed
No free tier, filing starts at $49Premium at $199 includes the agent free for a year, the EIN and 24-hour processingOn the $49 Starter the agent is $119 a year and 24-hour processing is not included

Due today

$268

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$149

$119 agent renewal + $30 state report

SF logo

Swyft Filings

3.2Best for Fast Filing
Standard lists at $199 and Premium at $299, both $30 off in a sale running nowAgent is billed quarterly at $149, which is $596 a yearSame day filing only on the Premium plan, Basic takes 7 to 10 business days

Due today

$696

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$626

$596 agent renewal + $30 state report

L logo

LegalZoom

2.8Most Recognized
Best known brand with a big legal document libraryAgent costs $249 a year, charged on top of formationAggressive upsells during checkout

Due today

$349

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$279

$249 agent renewal + $30 state report

† Filed online via geauxBIZ. Reserving the name first is optional and costs $25, it is not required before filing.

* State fees verified July 30, 2026, provider prices verified September 5, 2026. Provider and government fees change.

Compare every detailShow
Service
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Overall
From $39
4.8
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best for LLC Formation
From $0
4.5
TB logo

Tailor Brands

Best for Branding
From $0
4.2
FN logo

FileNow

Best for Speed
From $49
4.2
SF logo

Swyft Filings

Best for Fast Filing
From $0
3.2
LZ logo

LegalZoom

Most Recognized
From $0
2.8

How We Chose the Best LLC Services for Louisiana

Louisiana operates under civil law rather than common law. It is the only state that does. That makes its LLC statutes read differently from every other state's. We evaluated each service on how well they handled the geauxBIZ filing portal, where the $100 fee becomes $105 once the state's card convenience fee lands, whether they filed the Initial Report alongside the Articles without charging extra for it, and whether they guided founders through Louisiana-specific operating agreement considerations that carry more legal weight here than in common-law states.

Until then the Articles of Organization cost $100 by mail, or $105 through geauxBIZ, because Louisiana adds a $5 statutory convenience fee to card payments. No routine turnaround is published. The state will handle yours in 24 hours for $30.

Two local quirks outrank the portal. Your Articles go in with an Initial Report carrying your agent's affidavit. The agent needs a real Louisiana street address. That is where a service earns its fee.

15

Services Tested Nationally

200

Hours of Research

50

States Covered

August 29, 2026

Last Updated

Full Reviews

1
NR logo
From $39
Best Overall

Northwest Registered Agent

A transparent LLC formation service that bundles a complete business identity (address, domain, email, phone, website) into a $39 entry package.

4.8
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

Pricing Plans

Popular
$39

Basic

+ state fees

  • Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
  • 1 full year of Registered Agent service included
  • Business address and privacy protection
$139

Deluxe

+ state fees

  • Everything in Basic
  • EIN obtained for you
  • Operating agreement prepared for you
$199

Premium

+ state fees

  • Everything in Deluxe
  • Same-day processing

Northwest is our top pick for LLC formation. The $39 package carries a business address, domain, website, email, phone line and mail scanning, plus the filing itself and a year of registered agent service. An EIN and a prepared operating agreement sit in the $139 package, not this one. It is privately held, and the Corporate Guides know the state rules they are quoting. The dashboard is plain rather than polished. At $125 a year to renew, that is a fair trade.

Pros

  • The $39 entry package covers the state filing and a full year of registered agent service.
  • Business Identity comes free, a business address, domain, hosted website, email address and phone line.
  • Agent renewal has held at $125 a year for 20 years, with no contract and cancellation at any time.
  • Registered agent mail is scanned and uploaded to your account at no extra charge, with no document cap.
  • Every filing carries a 100% error-free guarantee, and Northwest files any correcting amendment at no cost.
  • U.S.-based Corporate Guides who actually answer the phone.

Cons

  • An EIN and a prepared operating agreement need the $139 Deluxe package, not the $39 one.
  • Same-day processing only comes with the $199 Premium package.
  • The free business address scans just five pieces of mail a year, unlimited scanning is $20 a month.
  • Customer support is not available on weekends.
  • Online cancellation process can be cumbersome.
  • The free phone line covers 10 calls and 10 texts a month, unlimited talk and text is a $9 a month upgrade.

Best For: Founders who want a complete business setup (formation, address, domain, email, website, phone) in one $39 entry package.

Read full review
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

2
ZB logo
From $0
Best for LLC Formation

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness files your LLC for $0 and runs the clearest dashboard we have used. The add-ons are where it earns.

4.5
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Starter

+ state fees, does not renew

  • Name availability search
  • Articles of formation filing
  • Electronic document access
Popular
$199/yr

Pro

+ state fees, renews at $199/yr

  • All Starter features
  • Rush processing in 1 business day
  • Worry-Free Compliance included, not just a free year
$399/yr

Premium

+ state fees, renews at $399/yr

  • All Pro features
  • Registered agent service included
  • Advanced Compliance Protection

ZenBusiness runs the smoothest filing in this category. The setup walks a first-time founder through every step, and the dashboard chases your deadlines for you. Starter is $0 and never renews, so a founder who buys nothing else pays the state and stops. The catch sits beside it. Pro renews at $199 a year and Premium at $399, and on Starter the EIN, the operating agreement and the agent are each priced on their own. A strong pick if you want a polished filing and you read the cart before you pay.

Pros

  • Starter is $0, you pay only the state fee
  • The dashboard is the clearest we have used
  • Phone support runs 7 days a week
  • A free first year of Worry-Free Compliance on Starter
  • Good mobile app, 4.6 stars on iOS

Cons

  • Heavy push for add-ons at checkout
  • On Starter the EIN, the operating agreement and the agent each cost extra, $99, $99 and $199 a year
  • Renewals climb, Pro at $199 a year and Premium at $399
  • Auto-renewing subscriptions are hard to cancel

Best For: First-time founders needing an easy, guided, and affordable LLC setup

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

3
TB logo
From $0
Best for Branding

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands bundles logo design and a website into LLC formation, then charges $199 a year for the registered agent almost everyone needs.

4.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Lite

+ state fees

  • Filing of Articles of Organization
  • Standard processing, up to 14 business days
  • Business coaching platform access
Popular
$199/yr

Essential

+ state fees

  • Everything in Lite
  • Expedited processing, filed within 1 business day
  • Operating agreement creation
$249/yr

Elite

+ state fees

  • Everything in Essential
  • 1 year free domain
  • AI powered website builder

Formation is the free part. The logo and website builders are easy to use, and the guided setup is beginner friendly. The catch is checkout. Plan prices stay hidden until the end, a $39 a month bookkeeping trial comes pre-checked, and the registered agent most founders need costs $199 a year. That puts the real first-year cost at $199 plus your state's filing fee. If you want branding and formation together, it works. If you only need the LLC, Northwest files for a flat $39 with no upsells.

Pros

  • Free Lite plan files the LLC for $0 plus your state fee
  • Beginner-friendly dashboard that is easy to navigate
  • Built-in logo maker and website builder in one dashboard
  • Customer support available on weekends
  • Guided questionnaire walks you through setup

Cons

  • Plan prices stay hidden until the end of the questionnaire
  • Pre-checked $39 a month bookkeeping trial you must cancel yourself
  • Registered agent service costs $199 a year, more than budget rivals

Best For: First-time founders who want LLC filing and basic branding tools in one place.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

4
FN logo
From $49
Best for Speed

FileNow

FileNow files fast and sells cleanly, but the 24-hour processing its reputation rests on sits in the $199 Premium plan, not the $49 Starter.

4.2
Get Started

From $49 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$49

Starter

+ state fee

  • Filing Articles of Organization / Incorporation
  • Unlimited Phone & Email Support
  • Electronic Delivery of State Documents
Popular
$199

Premium

+ state fee

  • Free Year of Registered Agent ($119 Value)
  • EIN / TAX ID ($75 Value)
  • 24-hour Order Processing ($50 Value)

FileNow runs the cleanest checkout in this category. Two plans, no pre-checked add-ons, no hidden fees, and every price visible before you commit. The speed is real but it is priced. FileNow's own plan comparison puts 24-hour order processing inside the $199 Premium plan and values it at $50, and same day filing is a separate $75 to $150 add-on on either plan. The $49 Starter files your Articles and runs the name search, nothing more, and the registered agent costs $119 a year on top of it. Premium bundles the agent for a free first year, the EIN, an operating agreement, a banking resolution and contract templates, which FileNow lists at $443 of value against the $199 price.

Pros

  • Checkout is transparent, no pre-checked add-ons and no hidden fees
  • Premium at $199 includes 24-hour processing, a free agent year, the EIN and an operating agreement
  • Two plans only, so the choice takes a minute
  • Support runs on phone, chat and email
  • Every plan price is shown per state before you start

Cons

  • No free formation tier, the entry plan is $49
  • 24-hour processing belongs to Premium, the $49 Starter does not carry it
  • Same day filing is an extra $75 to $150 on either plan
  • Starter leaves out the registered agent, which is $119 a year
  • No ongoing compliance dashboard

Best For: Entrepreneurs who want a clean, upsell free checkout and will take the $199 Premium plan to get 24-hour processing.

Read full review
Get Started

From $49 + state fees

5
SF logo
From $0
Best for Fast Filing

Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings offers exceptionally fast processing speeds, but you must navigate a minefield of expensive upsells during checkout.

3.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Basic

+ state fees

  • Preparation and filing of LLC documents
  • Business name availability check
  • Standard processing (7-10 business days)
Popular
$199

Standard

+ state fees

  • Everything in Basic
  • Federal Tax ID (EIN) obtainment
  • Custom Operating Agreement
$299

Premium

+ state fees

  • Everything in Standard
  • Expedited processing (1 business day)
  • 2 months of unlimited attorney consultations

Swyft Filings lives up to its name by offering some of the fastest LLC formation times on the market. Their 5-step setup process is simple and easy for beginners to understand. However, their aggressive upsells and missing registered agent service make their $0 starting price highly deceptive. We recommend them only if you desperately need same-day processing and know exactly which add-ons to decline.

Pros

  • Exceptionally fast processing speeds
  • Streamlined 5-step application interface
  • Knowledgeable and responsive phone support
  • Basic package starts at $0 plus state fees
  • No confusing legal jargon during setup

Cons

  • Registered agent service is billed quarterly at $149, which is $596 a year
  • Aggressive multi-page upsell flow
  • Difficult cancellation process for ongoing subscriptions

Best For: Founders needing fast turnaround who can navigate heavy upsells.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

6
LZ logo
From $0
Most Recognized

LegalZoom

A famous name with an aggressive checkout process and expensive recurring fees.

2.8
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Basic

+ state filing fees

  • Articles of organization filing
  • Business name availability check
  • Digital welcome packet
Popular
$249

Pro

+ state filing fees

  • Everything in the Basic package
  • Operating Agreement
  • EIN registration
$299

Premium

+ state filing fees

  • Everything in the Pro package
  • Business attorney guidance (30-day subscription)
  • Bookkeeping tools (6-month subscription)

LegalZoom relies heavily on its brand recognition to charge premium prices for basic services. While the platform is easy to navigate and offers excellent legal document libraries, the checkout process is a maze of expensive upsells and auto-renewing trials. We do not recommend it if you are on a budget. You will end up paying significantly more for registered agent and compliance services than you would with competitors.

Pros

  • Highly intuitive platform that is easy for absolute beginners to navigate.
  • Access to a massive library of legal documents and forms.
  • Long-standing brand reputation provides reliability and peace of mind.
  • Customer support is available seven days a week.
  • Basic LLC formation is free excluding mandatory state fees.

Cons

  • Incredibly aggressive upselling for simple tasks like obtaining an EIN.
  • Registered agent fees are heavily inflated at $249 per year.
  • Checkout includes pre-selected free trials that auto-renew at high prices.
  • Standard processing times are slow unless you pay a $99 expedite fee.

Best For: Founders prioritizing brand recognition and access to an extensive legal document library.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

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What Makes a Good LLC Service for Louisiana Founders

Louisiana runs on civil law. It is the only state that does, so its LLC statutes read differently from every other. An operating agreement is not required by law. But Louisiana courts weigh member disputes their own way, so having one matters more than usual.

The state used to charge a franchise tax on top of income tax. It is gone. The Department of Revenue confirms the repeal covers periods that begin on or after January 1, 2026. An LLC formed today owes nothing for it. Guides still quoting a $110 minimum are describing a tax that no longer exists.

Louisiana has no anonymous LLCs and no series LLCs. Want privacy above all? Delaware or Wyoming serve you better. This state is built for founders who actually work here.

Paper filings must be notarized. Online filings through geauxBIZ skip that step. Businesses in fourteen parishes, Orleans and East Baton Rouge among them, have to file online anyway. Every service on this list files online, so notarization is not your problem.

What to Do After You File Your Louisiana LLC

  1. Send the Initial Report with the Articles. Louisiana wants both at once. The report carries the affidavit your registered agent signs. Most services handle it at no extra cost, and our step by step Louisiana filing guide shows the whole sequence.
  2. Get your EIN from the IRS. The Articles do not ask for one, so it will not hold up your filing. You still need it for a bank account and for payroll. It is free. If your service got it for you, check that you have the notice, Form CP 575.
  3. File your Annual Report in your anniversary month. The fee is $30. It rises to $35 on October 1, 2026. Pay by card and add the $5 convenience fee. Miss it and there is no late fee, but you lose good standing and the state can revoke the LLC.
  4. Register for state taxes. Louisiana has an income tax and a 5% state sales tax. Selling taxable goods or services means a sales tax account with the Department of Revenue.
  5. Skip the BOI report. FinCEN exempted every company formed in the United States in March 2025. A final rule made that permanent on 14 August 2026. A domestic Louisiana LLC files nothing. Only companies formed abroad still report. A letter asking for a fee to file one is a scam, and FinCEN says so.
  6. Check local licensing. There is no general state business license. Parishes and towns often want an occupational license though. Ask your parish clerk before you open the doors.

Louisiana LLC Tax Overview

The franchise tax is gone. The Department of Revenue confirms the repeal covers periods that begin on or after January 1, 2026. An LLC formed today owes nothing for it. The guides still quoting a $110 minimum are a year out of date. State income tax still applies to what reaches the members.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For in Louisiana

  • The filing fee rises to $125 on October 1, 2026 - Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Session raises it from $100. The annual report goes from $30 to $35 the same day. Filing before October saves $25. The Secretary of State publishes both schedules.
  • Card payments carry a $5 fee - Louisiana adds a statutory convenience fee to every card payment, so a $100 filing costs $105 through geauxBIZ and a $125 one will cost $130. Online filings are card payments. Fourteen parishes have to file online, Orleans and East Baton Rouge among them.
  • Name reservation, $25 and optional - The Secretary of State says to reserve only if you expect a long wait, or you fear someone files the same name first. Filing your Articles takes the name off the board anyway. Most founders can skip it.
  • Expedited processing, $30 or $50 - Routine expedite is $30 and buys 24 hour handling. Priority expedite is $50 and buys 2 to 4 hours. Both rise on October 1, to $35 and $60. Both stack on the filing fee. Neither is in a formation service's base price.
  • Extra certificates, $20 - A bank or a landlord may want one from the Secretary of State. The charge is $20 today. It becomes $25 on October 1.
Grouped bar chart of every Louisiana LLC fee before and after October 1 2026 under Act 921. Articles of Organization go from $100 to $125 by mail and from $105 to $130 online with the card fee, the annual report from $30 to $35, 24 hour expedite from $30 to $35, priority expedite from $50 to $60, and an additional certificate from $20 to $25.
Every fee Louisiana charges an LLC, on both sides of the deadline. Every one rises. The gap on the online row is the $5 convenience fee the state adds to card payments, which is every online filing. Current fee schedule and the Act 921 schedule effective 10/1/26, Louisiana Secretary of State, both read 29 August 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana LLCs

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Louisiana?

The state charges $100 to file by mail and $105 through geauxBIZ, because card payments carry a $5 statutory convenience fee. Both figures rise on October 1, 2026 under Act 921, to $125 and $130. There is no franchise tax any more. It was repealed for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Add $30 if you want 24 hour handling.

Does Louisiana require a registered agent?

Yes. Your agent needs a real street address in the state. A P.O. box will not do. The agent also signs an affidavit that goes in with your Initial Report. Every service on this page includes agent service, and the table above shows what each charges to renew.

How long does LLC formation take in Louisiana?

The Secretary of State publishes no standard turnaround. It does sell speed. Pay $30 and your filing is handled in 24 hours. Pay $50 and it is 2 to 4 hours. Those become $35 and $60 on October 1, 2026. Paper filings run longer and must be notarized.

Do I need to reserve my LLC name before filing in Louisiana?

No. The Secretary of State says to reserve only if you expect a long wait, or you think someone may file the same name first. Filing your Articles takes the name anyway. A reservation costs $25 and holds for 120 days.

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