By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist
After personally testing 15+ LLC formation services with real Alaska filings and helping over 120 Alaska entrepreneurs launch their businesses, I’m going to cut through the marketing noise and tell you exactly which services are worth your money—and which ones to avoid.
The bottom line upfront: ZenBusiness offers the best overall value for Alaska LLCs at $49 + state fee, but Northwest Registered Agent wins for privacy protection at $39 + state fee. Skip the “free” services—they’ll nickle-and-dime you later.
Here’s my honest breakdown of what actually works in 2025.
Alaska LLC Formation: What You Need to Know First
Before we dive into service comparisons, let’s talk reality. Alaska charges $250 for LLC formation—one of the highest state fees in the country. Add service fees, and you’re looking at $300-400 total for professional formation.
Key Alaska requirements:
- $250 state filing fee (ouch, I know)
- Registered agent required (can be you or a service)
- Biennial report due every two years ($100 fee)
- No publication requirement (unlike New York)
The high state fee means the difference between service providers matters less than in other states. You’re already spending $250, so paying an extra $50 for good service and protection makes sense.
My Top 5 Alaska LLC Services (Tested and Ranked)
I’ve used each of these services multiple times with real client formations. Here’s what actually happened:
1. ZenBusiness – Best Overall Value
Price: $49 + $250 state fee = $299 total
What’s included:
- LLC formation filing
- Registered agent (first year free, then $199/year)
- Operating agreement template
- EIN application assistance
- Compliance calendar
Why I recommend them: After working with ZenBusiness on 30+ Alaska formations, they consistently deliver without drama. Their customer service actually knows what they’re talking about (rare in this industry), and they don’t bombard you with upsells.
The good:
- Transparent pricing (what you see is what you pay)
- Solid customer support that answers phones
- Clean, easy-to-use website
- Useful compliance reminders
The limitations:
- Registered agent renewal at $199/year is pricey
- Some add-on services feel unnecessary
- Not the cheapest option upfront
Best for: Most Alaska entrepreneurs who want reliable service without headaches
2. Northwest Registered Agent – Best for Privacy
Price: $39 + $250 state fee = $289 total
What’s included:
- LLC formation filing
- Registered agent (first year free, then $125/year)
- Privacy protection (use their address)
- Excellent customer service
Why they’re special: Northwest is the only service that lets you use their address throughout your entire Alaska LLC filing. This keeps your home address completely off public records—huge for privacy.
The good:
- True privacy protection (address never appears publicly)
- Lower ongoing registered agent fees ($125 vs. $199)
- 20+ years in business (they know what they’re doing)
- No upsells or surprise fees
The limitations:
- Only one package option (some people want choices)
- Website feels a bit dated
- Limited add-on services
Best for: Anyone who values privacy or lives in a small Alaska community
3. Incfile (Now Bizee) – Best “Free” Option
Price: $0 + $250 state fee = $250 total
What’s included:
- LLC formation filing
- Registered agent (first year free, then $119/year)
- Basic operating agreement
- Access to business banking offers
The reality check: Incfile’s “free” formation sounds great until you realize they make money on aggressive upsells and higher ongoing fees. I’ve seen clients spend $500+ on unnecessary add-ons during checkout.
The good:
- Lowest upfront cost
- Decent filing success rate
- Helpful banking connections
The limitations:
- Constant upselling pressure
- Customer service focused on sales, not help
- Hidden fees in renewal pricing
- Confusing cancellation policies
Best for: Experienced entrepreneurs who can resist upsells and just need basic filing
4. LegalZoom – Most Recognizable Name
Price: $149 + $250 state fee = $399 total
What’s included:
- LLC formation filing
- Registered agent (first year included, then $279/year)
- Operating agreement template
- Business website builder credit
The honest truth: LegalZoom spends millions on advertising but delivers mediocre service at premium prices. I stopped recommending them after multiple client complaints about slow processing and poor support.
The good:
- Brand recognition (some clients prefer familiar names)
- Comprehensive add-on services
- Professional-looking documents
The limitations:
- Overpriced for what you get
- Slow processing times unless you pay extra
- Customer service quality inconsistent
- Expensive ongoing fees
Best for: Nobody, honestly. Save your money.
5. MyCompanyWorks – Best for Extra Services
Price: $79 + $250 state fee = $329 total
What’s included:
- LLC formation filing
- Registered agent (first year free, then $119/year)
- Operating agreement
- Business license research
- Compliance monitoring
Why they made the list: If you need more than just basic formation, MyCompanyWorks delivers solid value. Their business license research is actually useful for Alaska businesses.
The good:
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Fast turnaround times
- Helpful educational resources
- Good customer support
The limitations:
- More expensive than top choices
- Some services you might not need
- Recent acquisition creates uncertainty
Best for: Businesses needing licensing help or comprehensive ongoing support
What I Don’t Recommend (And Why)
Rocket Lawyer: Expensive ($99 + monthly subscription fees). Only makes sense if you’re already paying for their legal services.
CorpNet: Overpriced and pushy sales tactics. Had multiple clients complain about surprise charges.
Harvard Business Services: Outdated website, slow response times, limited Alaska experience.
BizFilings: Part of a larger corporation that treats LLC formation like a commodity. Impersonal service.
Alaska-Specific Considerations
The High State Fee Reality At $250, Alaska’s filing fee is brutal. This actually works in your favor when choosing services—the difference between a $39 service and a $149 service is less significant when you’re already spending $250.
Remote Business Considerations Many Alaska entrepreneurs operate remotely or seasonally. Choose a service with:
- Digital document delivery
- Online account access
- Remote customer support
- Flexible registered agent options
Registered Agent Requirements Alaska requires a registered agent with an Alaska address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you:
- Have an Alaska physical address (no P.O. boxes)
- Are available during business hours
- Don’t mind your address being public
Most people should use a service. It’s worth the $125-199/year for privacy and reliability.
Real Client Examples: What Actually Happened
Case 1: Tourism Business in Anchorage Used ZenBusiness for a tour guide LLC. Formation completed in 12 business days, no issues. Client appreciated the compliance reminders for Alaska’s biennial report.
Case 2: Remote Consulting Business Chose Northwest for privacy protection. Lives in small town, didn’t want home address public. Formation took 14 business days, perfect execution.
Case 3: Fishing Guide Service Went with Incfile’s “free” option but ended up spending $380 on unnecessary add-ons during checkout. Lesson learned: free isn’t always cheaper.
Formation Timeline Expectations
Standard processing: 10-15 business days
Alaska’s timing factors:
- State processing: 10-12 business days currently
- Service preparation time: 1-3 business days
- Mail delivery (if applicable): 2-3 business days
Pro tip: Alaska doesn’t offer expedited processing, so don’t pay extra for “rush” services that don’t actually speed up state review.
Cost Comparison: What You’ll Actually Pay
| Service | Year 1 Total | Year 2+ Annual | 5-Year Total |
| ZenBusiness | $299 | $199 | $1,095 |
| Northwest | $289 | $125 | $789 |
| Incfile | $250* | $119 | $726 |
| LegalZoom | $399 | $279 | $1,515 |
| MyCompanyWorks | $329 | $119 | $805 |
*Incfile’s $250 assumes you resist all upsells—unlikely for most people.
Red Flags to Avoid
Based on my experience with 15+ services, watch out for:
Pricing red flags:
- “Free” formation with expensive ongoing fees
- Hidden renewal pricing
- Automatic billing without clear cancellation terms
- Services that won’t quote renewal rates upfront
Service red flags:
- Customer service that can’t answer basic Alaska LLC questions
- Companies that can’t provide Alaska processing time estimates
- Services requiring long-term contracts for “discounts”
- Providers that sell your information to third parties
My Honest Recommendations by Situation
For most Alaska entrepreneurs: ZenBusiness ($299 total)
- Reliable, transparent, good ongoing support
For privacy-focused businesses: Northwest ($289 total)
- Address protection, lower ongoing costs
For budget-conscious solopreneurs: Incfile ($250 total)
- Only if you can resist upsells and handle minimal support
For complex businesses: MyCompanyWorks ($329 total)
- If you need licensing help or comprehensive services
For DIY entrepreneurs: File yourself
- Save service fees, pay only the $250 state fee
Alaska LLC Formation: DIY vs. Professional
DIY makes sense if:
- You’ve formed LLCs before
- You have time to research Alaska requirements
- You’re comfortable with legal documents
- You can serve as your own registered agent
Professional service makes sense if:
- This is your first LLC
- You want privacy protection
- You need ongoing compliance help
- Time is more valuable than money
The DIY reality: Alaska’s online filing system works well, but the $250 state fee means professional services offer better relative value than in cheaper states.
International Entrepreneurs and Alaska LLCs
About 15% of my Alaska clients are non-U.S. residents, often establishing LLCs for U.S. business activities or real estate investments.
Special considerations:
- ITIN may be required for tax purposes
- Banking can be more complex
- Registered agent service is practically mandatory
- Consider tax implications in your home country
Best services for international clients:
- ZenBusiness (familiar with international clients)
- Northwest (privacy protection valuable for foreign nationals)
Post-Formation: What Happens Next
Immediate tasks (first 30 days):
- Obtain EIN from IRS (free, do this yourself)
- Open business bank account
- Draft operating agreement (use free templates)
- Research business licenses if needed
Ongoing compliance:
- File biennial report every two years ($100 fee)
- Maintain registered agent
- Keep business records updated
- File annual tax returns
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Forgetting about biennial reports (leads to dissolution)
- Mixing personal and business finances
- Not updating agent address when moving
- Ignoring ongoing compliance requirements
The Bottom Line: My 2025 Alaska LLC Recommendations
After testing all major services with real Alaska formations:
Best overall choice: ZenBusiness at $299 total
- Reliable execution, fair pricing, good ongoing support
Best for privacy: Northwest at $289 total
- Address protection, lower long-term costs
Budget option: Incfile at $250 total
- Only if you resist upsells and expect minimal support
Don’t choose: LegalZoom
- Overpriced, slow, poor value for Alaska formations
DIY alternative: File yourself for $250
- Alaska’s system works well if you have the time
The reality is that Alaska’s high state fee reduces the impact of service fee differences. Paying an extra $50-100 for good service and protection makes sense when you’re already spending $250.
Choose based on your priorities: privacy (Northwest), overall value (ZenBusiness), or lowest cost (Incfile with discipline).
Ready to Form Your Alaska LLC?
My top recommendation: Start with ZenBusiness for most situations. Their $299 total cost includes everything you need, and their customer service actually helps instead of just trying to sell you more stuff.
For maximum privacy: Choose Northwest if keeping your address off public records matters to your business.
Questions about Alaska LLC formation? Check out our comprehensive Alaska LLC guide or contact our team for personalized recommendations based on your specific situation.
Remember: The service you choose matters less than getting started. Don’t spend weeks comparing options—pick a reputable service and launch your business.
About the Author: Jake Lawson is an LLC Formation Strategist with 15+ years of experience helping entrepreneurs launch their businesses. He’s personally guided over 120 Alaska LLC formations and tested every major formation service. Connect with Jake on LinkedIn or follow llciyo.com for more business formation insights.