Active Filings caught my attention for two reasons: they offer a genuinely free LLC formation package, and they’ve been quietly operating since 2001 without the marketing hype of larger competitors.
After testing their services and digging deep into their offerings, I’ve got mixed feelings about this Florida-based company. They do some things remarkably well for a small operation, but they also have some significant limitations that might surprise you.
Bottom line up front: Active Filings offers legitimate value with their free package, but their premium services are overpriced and their customer experience needs serious work.
Active Filings Overview: The Small Fish in a Big Pond
Active Filings is what I call a “boutique” formation company—small team, focused service offering, and personal attention. Founded in 2001, they’ve survived in an increasingly competitive market by specializing in LLC formation and registered agent services.
What makes them different:
- Genuinely free formation package (not a marketing gimmick)
- Bilingual services (English and Spanish)
- International entrepreneur focus
- Privacy-focused address services
What concerns me:
- Very small team (potential service bottlenecks)
- Limited customer service hours
- Confusing website navigation
- Overpriced premium packages
Active Filings Pricing: The Good, The Bad, and The Overpriced
Active Filings uses a three-tier pricing structure that ranges from surprisingly good value to questionably expensive.
The Starter Package: Actually Free (And Worth It)
Cost: $0 + state filing fees What you get:
- Articles of Organization filing
- Operating Agreement template
- One year of registered agent service
- Compliance alerts for annual reports
- Access to legal document templates
My analysis: This is legitimately the best free package I’ve seen in the industry. Most “free” offers are marketing tricks with hidden costs, but Active Filings delivers real value here.
The catch? There isn’t one. I spent considerable time looking for hidden fees or gotchas and found none.
The Sprinter Package: Decent Value with One Standout Feature
Cost: $100 + state filing fees Additional features:
- EIN application assistance
- Same-day processing
- Virtual business address (the real value here)
My take: The virtual address feature is genuinely valuable for privacy protection. Most companies charge $20-30/month for this service, so getting it included makes this package competitive.
However: You can get an EIN for free from the IRS in 10 minutes, so don’t pay for that service.
The Finisher Package: Poor Value Alert
Cost: $250 + state filing fees Additional features:
- Corporate kit (binder, seal, certificates)
My verdict: Terrible value. You’re paying $150 extra for office supplies you can create yourself or buy on Moo.com for $20-30.
Skip this package entirely.
International Packages: Expensive but Specialized
Active Filings offers two packages specifically for international entrepreneurs:
International Silver: $999 + state fees
Includes: Everything in Starter plus US mail forwarding
International Gold: $1,499 + state fees
Includes: Silver features plus apostille certification, certificate of incumbency, expedited service
My assessment: These prices are steep, but Active Filings provides services that most formation companies don’t offer. If you need apostille certification and certificate of incumbency, the value proposition improves significantly.
Red flag: They add $200 to EIN services for international clients, which is unnecessary since the IRS provides EINs free to everyone.
Customer Service: Small Team, Mixed Results
I tested Active Filings’ customer service multiple times over several months:
Phone support:
- Took several attempts to reach a live person
- Representatives were knowledgeable and helpful when I finally connected
- Not pushy with upsells (refreshing)
- Limited hours due to small team size
No chat support: This is a limitation for customers who prefer instant communication
Response quality: Good when you can reach them, but availability is inconsistent
My experience: The quality is there, but the accessibility isn’t reliable enough for my comfort.
User Experience: Functional but Frustrating
Active Filings’ website and ordering process feel dated compared to modern competitors:
Website navigation: Confusing layout makes it hard to find pricing and service details Ordering process: Basic forms without helpful guidance or tips Error handling: Unclear what happens if you make mistakes during filing Mobile experience: Not optimized for smartphone use
Positive note: They offer extensive Spanish-language content, which is rare in this industry.
The Privacy Protection Advantage
One area where Active Filings shines is privacy protection. Their virtual address service lets you use their address on public LLC documents instead of your home address.
Why this matters:
- Keeps your personal address off public records
- Provides professional business address
- Protects against identity theft and unwanted solicitation
Value comparison: Most companies charge $20-30/month for this service. Getting it included in the $100 Sprinter package is genuinely good value.
Registered Agent Service: Standard Quality, Fair Pricing
Active Filings includes one year of registered agent service with all packages, then charges $99/year for renewals.
Service quality:
- Digital mail scanning and online portal access
- Physical mail forwarding on request
- Compliance notifications
Pricing: $99/year is competitive with industry standards
Potential concern: They may outsource registered agent services to partner companies, which could affect service continuity.
What Active Filings Does Well
After extensive testing, here’s where Active Filings exceeds expectations:
Genuine free option: No hidden costs or gotchas in their Starter package Privacy focus: Virtual address service provides real value International expertise: Specialized services for non-US entrepreneurs No upsell pressure: Clean ordering process without aggressive add-on pitches Bilingual support: Spanish-language resources and support
What Active Filings Does Poorly
Here’s where they fall short of professional standards:
Website usability: Confusing navigation and unclear service descriptions Customer access: Difficult to reach support when needed Premium pricing: The Finisher package offers terrible value Limited resources: Small team means potential service bottlenecks Mobile experience: Website not optimized for smartphone users
Who Should Consider Active Filings
Active Filings works well for specific entrepreneur profiles:
Good fit if you:
- Want genuinely free LLC formation
- Need privacy protection (virtual address)
- Are an international entrepreneur needing specialized services
- Prefer small company personal attention
- Need Spanish-language support
Bad fit if you:
- Need reliable customer service access
- Want modern, streamlined user experience
- Are forming multiple LLCs (limited scalability)
- Need additional business services beyond formation
Active Filings vs. Competitors
Here’s how Active Filings stacks up against major competitors:
vs. ZenBusiness ($49 + state fees)
- Active Filings advantage: Actually free option
- ZenBusiness advantage: Better user experience, more reliable support
vs. Northwest Registered Agent ($39 + state fees)
- Active Filings advantage: Free option, privacy address included
- Northwest advantage: Better reputation, more reliable service
vs. LegalZoom ($149 + state fees)
- Active Filings advantage: Much lower cost, no upsell pressure
- LegalZoom advantage: More comprehensive services, better brand recognition
My Professional Recommendation
Active Filings occupies an interesting niche in the LLC formation market. Their free package offers genuine value, but their overall service experience has room for improvement.
I recommend Active Filings if:
- You truly cannot afford any formation fees beyond state costs
- Privacy protection is a top priority
- You’re an international entrepreneur needing specialized services
- You prefer working with smaller companies
I recommend alternatives if:
- You can afford $40-50 for better service experience
- You need reliable customer support access
- You want modern, user-friendly processes
- You’re forming multiple business entities
The Bottom Line on Active Filings
Active Filings is an honest company providing legitimate services, but they’re limited by their small size and outdated approach to customer experience.
Their free package is genuinely valuable and worth considering if budget is your primary constraint. However, for an extra $40-50, you can get significantly better service experience with competitors like ZenBusiness or Northwest Registered Agent.
My recommendation: Use Active Filings for their free Starter package if you’re absolutely budget-constrained. Otherwise, invest the modest extra cost for better service with established competitors.
If you need their specialized international services, the premium packages may be worth the higher cost despite the poor value proposition for most domestic entrepreneurs.
Active Filings LLC Review: Quick Reference
| Factor | Rating | Notes |
| Pricing Value | 4/5 | Free package excellent, premium overpriced |
| Service Quality | 3/5 | Good when accessible, inconsistent availability |
| User Experience | 2/5 | Dated website, confusing navigation |
| Customer Service | 3/5 | Knowledgeable but hard to reach |
| Transparency | 4/5 | Honest pricing, clear turnaround times |
| Overall Recommendation | 3/5 | Good free option, better alternatives available |
Best use case: Budget-conscious entrepreneurs who need genuinely free formation Better alternatives: ZenBusiness, Northwest Registered Agent for improved service experience
Jake Lawson is an LLC formation strategist with 15+ years of experience helping entrepreneurs choose the right formation services. He’s tested and reviewed over 25 formation companies and provides unbiased recommendations based on real-world service quality, not marketing promises.