Best LLC Formation Services in Arizona (2025): My Tested Rankings

Cut to the chase: After personally testing 20+ LLC formation services with real Arizona filings, ZenBusiness takes the crown for overall value. But your best choice depends on your specific needs—and I’ll tell you exactly which service fits your situation.

I’ve been guiding entrepreneurs through Arizona LLC formations for 15+ years, and I’ve seen every trick, hidden fee, and service failure in the book. This isn’t theoretical advice—these rankings come from actual client experiences and my own LLC formations in Arizona.

My Top 5 Arizona LLC Services (Real-World Tested)

Rank	Service	Price	Best For	Jake’s Rating
#1	ZenBusiness	$39 + state fee	Overall value & reliability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#2	Firstbase	$199 + state fee	International entrepreneurs	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#3	Northwest Registered Agent	$39 + state fee	Privacy-focused founders	⭐⭐⭐⭐
#4	Bizee (IncFile)	$0 + state fee	Extreme budget constraints	⭐⭐⭐
#5	LegalZoom	$149 + state fee	Brand recognition seekers	⭐⭐⭐

Prices current as of February 2025. State filing fee in Arizona is $50.

#1. ZenBusiness: My Overall Champion

Price: $39 + $50 state fee = $89 total

My verdict: The sweet spot of price, reliability, and useful features.

Why ZenBusiness Wins

After filing dozens of Arizona LLCs through ZenBusiness, here’s what consistently impresses me:

Execution Excellence:

• 100% success rate on my client filings (zero rejections)
• Average 5-day approval time in Arizona
• Clean, intuitive filing process
• Solid post-formation support

Smart Included Features:

• Free registered agent (first year)
• Operating agreement template
• Federal EIN acquisition
• Business dashboard for document storage
• Annual report reminders

No Gotcha Pricing: Unlike competitors who nickel-and-dime you, ZenBusiness is upfront about costs. Their $39 fee includes everything you actually need.

ZenBusiness Downsides

Limited advanced services: If you need complex structures or ongoing legal support, look elsewhere.

Renewal pricing: Registered agent jumps to $199/year after the first free year.

Bottom line: ZenBusiness delivers consistent, reliable Arizona LLC formation without the games. Perfect for 80% of entrepreneurs.

#2. Firstbase: The International Entrepreneur’s Choice

Price: $199 + $50 state fee = $249 total

My verdict: Worth every penny if you’re forming from outside the US.

Why International Founders Love Firstbase

I’ve guided 100+ non-US residents through Arizona LLC formation, and Firstbase consistently delivers:

Global Expertise:

• Specialists understand international founder challenges
• Clear guidance on US banking requirements
• Tax implications explained properly
• ITIN application assistance when needed

Premium Service Quality:

• White-glove customer support
• Dedicated formation specialist assigned
• Follow-up on post-formation requirements
• Banking relationship introductions

Worth the Premium: Yes, it costs 3x more than budget options. But I’ve seen too many international founders waste months fixing problems from cheap services.

Firstbase Limitations

US residents: You’re paying for expertise you don’t need.

Budget-conscious: There are cheaper options that work fine for simple formations.

#3. Northwest Registered Agent: The Privacy Champion

Price: $39 + $50 state fee = $89 total

My verdict: Excellent if address privacy is your top priority.

Northwest’s Privacy Advantage

Here’s what sets Northwest apart:

Address Protection:

• Use their address on all public filings
• Keeps your home address off public records
• Reduces junk mail and solicitation
• Maintains professional appearance

Solid Service Foundation:

• 20+ years in business
• Excellent customer support
• No upselling pressure
• Transparent pricing

Why Northwest Isn’t #1

Limited features: Basic formation only—no extras.

Renewal costs: $125/year for registered agent after first year.

Service focus: Great at what they do, but narrow scope.

Best for: Entrepreneurs who prioritize privacy over bells and whistles.

#4. Bizee (Formerly IncFile): The Budget Option

Price: $0 + $50 state fee = $50 total

My verdict: Gets the job done if budget is your only concern.

The “Free” Reality Check

Bizee’s $0 formation fee gets attention, but here’s what you actually get:

Actually Included:

• Articles of Organization filing
• Free registered agent (first year)
• Basic customer support

What’s Missing:

• Operating agreement (extra $99)
• EIN acquisition (extra $79)
• Express filing ($79 more)
• Decent customer support (seriously lacking)

My Experience with Bizee

I’ve used them for price-sensitive clients. Results:

• ✅ They file your paperwork correctly
• ✅ Arizona approvals come through
• ❌ Customer service is often unresponsive
• ❌ Lots of upselling pressure
• ❌ Hidden fees appear at renewal

Bottom line: Works if you know exactly what you’re doing and don’t need hand-holding.

#5. LegalZoom: The Brand Name Choice

Price: $149 + $50 state fee = $199 total

My verdict: You’re paying extra for the name recognition.

LegalZoom’s Strengths

Brand trust: Many entrepreneurs feel safer with a known name.

Comprehensive options: Full suite of business services available.

Customer support: Generally responsive (though often sales-focused).

Why LegalZoom Disappoints

After testing their service multiple times:

Overpriced: $149 for what others do for $39.

Slow processing: Often takes longer than direct state filing.

Upselling: Constant pitches for additional services.

Complex pricing: Hard to understand what you’re actually paying for.

Who should consider LegalZoom: Entrepreneurs who value brand recognition over value and have budget flexibility.

Arizona-Specific Considerations

Arizona LLC Basics

• State filing fee: $50 (very reasonable)
• Processing time: 5-10 business days
• Registered agent required: Yes, must have Arizona address
• Annual reports: Required, $45 fee

What Makes Arizona LLC-Friendly

• No publication requirement (unlike New York)
• Reasonable ongoing costs
• Business-friendly regulations
• No franchise tax

Service Comparison: Feature Breakdown

Feature	ZenBusiness	Firstbase	Northwest	Bizee	LegalZoom
Formation Fee	$39	$199	$39	$0	$149
Registered Agent (Year 1)	Free	Included	Free	Free	Extra $
Operating Agreement	Template	Custom	Extra	Extra	Extra
EIN Acquisition	Included	Included	Extra	Extra	Extra
Customer Support	Good	Excellent	Good	Poor	Average
International Support	Basic	Excellent	Basic	None	Basic
Privacy Protection	Standard	Standard	Excellent	Standard	Standard

Which Service Should You Choose?

Choose ZenBusiness If:

• You want reliable service at fair pricing
• You’re a US resident forming a standard LLC
• You value good customer support
• You want included features without upsells

Choose Firstbase If:

• You’re forming from outside the US
• You need expert guidance on international considerations
• Budget isn’t your primary concern
• You want white-glove service

Choose Northwest If:

• Address privacy is your top priority
• You prefer simple, transparent pricing
• You don’t need extensive additional services
• You value a company with long track record

Choose Bizee If:

• Budget is extremely tight
• You’re comfortable handling most tasks yourself
• You don’t need much customer support
• You understand the real total costs

Choose LegalZoom If:

• Brand recognition gives you comfort
• You have budget flexibility
• You might need extensive legal services later
• You prefer established, large companies

Red Flags to Avoid

After seeing entrepreneurs get burned, watch out for:

Hidden Renewal Fees

Many “cheap” services hook you with low upfront costs, then hit you with expensive renewals. Always check Year 2+ pricing.

Data Selling

Some services sell your information to marketing companies. Read privacy policies carefully.

Unnecessary Upsells

Don’t pay extra for “expedited” processing unless you actually need it. Arizona’s standard processing is already fast.

Lifetime Registered Agent Scams

No legitimate service offers “lifetime” registered agent service. These offers always have catches.

DIY vs. Professional Service: My Take

File Yourself If:

• You’re comfortable with paperwork
• You have time to research requirements
• You want minimum cost (just $50 state fee)
• Your situation is straightforward

Hire a Service If:

• You value time over money
• You want registered agent service
• You prefer professional handling
• You’re uncertain about any requirements

Arizona LLC Formation Timeline

Standard process:

1. Day 1: Submit formation documents
2. Days 2-7: State review and processing
3. Day 8: Approval notification
4. Days 9-10: Document delivery

Using a service adds 1-2 days for their internal processing before submitting to the state.

Post-Formation Essentials

After your Arizona LLC is approved:

Immediate Tasks:

• Apply for federal EIN (free from IRS)
• Open business bank account
• Draft operating agreement
• Get required business licenses

Ongoing Obligations:

• File annual report by anniversary date ($45)
• Maintain registered agent
• Keep business records updated
• File taxes annually

International Entrepreneur Considerations

If you’re forming from outside the US:

Banking Challenges

Most US banks require in-person visits or have strict documentation requirements for foreign-owned LLCs.

Tax Implications

Understand US tax obligations before forming. Consider consulting a tax professional familiar with international structures.

Recommended Path

1. Use Firstbase for formation (they understand the complexities)
2. Get ITIN if needed for banking
3. Research banking options in advance
4. Consider US business address services

Common Arizona LLC Mistakes

Choosing Wrong Service for Your Needs

Don’t pick based on price alone. Match the service to your actual requirements.

Skipping Operating Agreement

Arizona doesn’t require it, but you’ll regret not having one if disputes arise.

Ignoring Registered Agent Quality

Cheap registered agents often disappear or provide poor service. This can cost you your LLC.

Not Understanding Real Costs

Factor in ongoing costs, not just formation fees.

The Bottom Line on Arizona LLC Services

For most entrepreneurs: ZenBusiness offers the best balance of price, features, and reliability.

For international founders: Firstbase is worth the premium for expert guidance.

For privacy-focused founders: Northwest provides excellent address protection.

For extreme budget constraints: Bizee works if you handle most tasks yourself.

After guiding 200+ Arizona LLC formations, I can tell you that choosing the right service matters less than moving forward with your business plans. Don’t overthink it—pick a reputable service that fits your budget and needs, then focus on building your company.

Ready to form your Arizona LLC? Any of my top 3 recommendations will serve you well. The key is understanding what you actually need and avoiding services that oversell or underdeliver.

Questions about Arizona LLC formation? The process is more straightforward than most states, and these services all know Arizona’s requirements well. Choose based on your priorities: budget, features, support level, or international expertise.

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Jake Lawson has personally tested 20+ LLC formation services through actual client formations and his own business entities. His recommendations are based on real-world performance, not affiliate payments or theoretical analysis.