Best LLC Formation Services in Connecticut: My 2025 Rankings & Reviews

By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist

After personally forming 180+ Connecticut LLCs and testing every major formation service with real client cases, I’m going to tell you exactly which services deliver—and which ones are wasting your money.

Bottom line first: ZenBusiness offers the best value at $49 + state fee for most Connecticut entrepreneurs. Northwest Registered Agent wins for privacy protection at $39 + state fee. Avoid the “free” services unless you enjoy being nickle-and-dimed later.

Here’s my no-nonsense breakdown based on real experience, not marketing promises.

Connecticut LLC Formation: The State Overview

Connecticut makes LLC formation relatively straightforward, but there are specific quirks you need to know:

Connecticut LLC Requirements:

• State filing fee: $120 (reasonable compared to neighbors)
• Registered agent required (can be you or a service)
• Annual report due by March 31st ($80 fee)
• No publication requirement
• Certificate of Organization is the formation document

Processing times: 3-5 business days online, 2-3 weeks by mail

The $120 state fee puts Connecticut in the middle range—not cheap like Wyoming ($100) but not brutal like Massachusetts ($520). This sweet spot means professional service fees have more impact on your decision.

My Top 5 Connecticut LLC Services (Real Testing Results)

I’ve used each service multiple times with actual Connecticut formations. Here’s what really happened:

1. ZenBusiness – Best Overall Choice

Price: $49 + $120 state fee = $169 total

What’s actually included:

• Connecticut LLC filing with state
• Registered agent service (first year free, then $199/year)
• Basic operating agreement template
• EIN application assistance
• Compliance monitoring dashboard

Why I recommend them: After 45+ Connecticut formations with ZenBusiness, they consistently deliver without drama. Their customer service actually knows Connecticut requirements (shocking, I know), and they don’t assault you with upsells during checkout.

The reality:

• Processing time: Filed 42 LLCs, average approval in 4 business days
• Customer service: Actually helpful, not just sales-focused
• Hidden fees: None that I’ve found
• Upsells: Present but not pushy

Best for: Most Connecticut entrepreneurs who want reliable service and reasonable ongoing costs

2. Northwest Registered Agent – Best for Privacy Protection

Price: $39 + $120 state fee = $159 total

What makes them special:

• True address privacy (use their address on all filings)
• No upsells or surprise fees
• 20+ years in business
• Excellent customer service

Why privacy matters in Connecticut: Connecticut makes LLC information publicly searchable. Northwest is the only service that lets you use their address throughout your entire filing, keeping your home address completely private.

Real client example: Small town consultant didn’t want neighbors knowing about her business. Used Northwest’s address, zero issues in 18 months of operation.

The good:

• Genuine privacy protection
• Lower ongoing fees ($125/year vs. competitors’ $199+)
• No sales pressure whatsoever
• Reliable execution

The limitations:

• Only one service package (some people want options)
• Website feels dated
• Limited add-on services

Best for: Anyone who values privacy or operates from a home address

3. Incfile (Now Bizee) – “Free” Option With Caveats

Price: $0 + $120 state fee = $120 total (if you resist upsells)

The marketing promise: Free LLC formation

The reality: Aggressive upselling during checkout

What’s included for “free”:

• Basic Connecticut LLC filing
• Registered agent (first year free, then $119/year)
• Basic operating agreement
• Access to partner banking offers

My honest assessment: I’ve watched dozens of clients use Incfile’s “free” service. About 70% end up spending $200-400 on add-ons they don’t need. The other 30% who resist all upsells get decent basic service.

Upsells you’ll see:

• EIN filing service ($70) – Do this yourself for free
• Express processing ($100) – Connecticut doesn’t offer this
• Operating agreement upgrade ($99) – Free templates work fine
• Business banking kit ($29) – Unnecessary paperwork

Best for: Experienced entrepreneurs who can firmly say “no” to everything

4. MyCompanyWorks – Best for Comprehensive Services

Price: $79 + $120 state fee = $199 total

What’s included:

• Connecticut LLC filing
• Registered agent (first year free, then $119/year)
• Operating agreement
• Business license research
• Compliance monitoring

Why they made my list: If you need more than basic formation, MyCompanyWorks delivers solid value. Their business license research is actually useful for Connecticut businesses navigating municipal requirements.

The good:

• Fast turnaround (usually 3 business days)
• Helpful educational resources
• Good customer support
• Comprehensive service offerings

The limitations:

• Higher upfront cost
• Some services you might not need
• Recent acquisition creates some uncertainty

Best for: Businesses needing licensing help or comprehensive ongoing support

5. LegalZoom – Name Recognition, Poor Value

Price: $149 + $120 state fee = $269 total

What they promise: Professional service with legal backing

What you get: Overpriced formation with mediocre support

Why they’re ranked last:

• Slow processing (5-7 business days typical)
• Expensive registered agent ($279/year ongoing)
• Customer service hit-or-miss
• Lots of unnecessary upsells

The only reason to choose LegalZoom: You really, really want a recognizable brand name and don’t mind paying 60% more for the same basic service.

Services I Don’t Recommend (And Why)

Rocket Lawyer: Only makes sense if you’re already paying for their legal subscription service ($40/month). Otherwise, expensive and unnecessary.

CorpNet: Pushy sales tactics and surprise renewal fees. Had multiple client complaints.

Harvard Business Services: Outdated systems and slow customer service.

BizFilings: Treats LLC formation like a commodity. Impersonal and expensive.

Connecticut-Specific Considerations

Municipal Requirements Matter Connecticut towns and cities often have their own business registration requirements. Some services help with this research—others leave you to figure it out.

Registered Agent Reality You can serve as your own registered agent in Connecticut if you:

• Have a Connecticut street address (no P.O. boxes)
• Are available during business hours
• Don’t mind your address being public

Most people should use a service for $119-199/year. It’s worth it for privacy and reliability.

Annual Report Deadlines Connecticut requires annual reports by March 31st ($80 fee). Miss it, and you face penalties plus potential dissolution. Choose a service that provides real compliance reminders.

Real Client Case Studies

Case 1: Hartford Consulting Firm Used ZenBusiness. Formation completed in 4 business days, no issues. Client appreciated the compliance dashboard for tracking Connecticut requirements.

Case 2: Fairfield County E-commerce Chose Northwest for privacy. Home-based business owner didn’t want address public. Formation took 5 business days, perfect execution.

Case 3: New Haven Food Truck Went with Incfile’s “free” option but spent $290 on unnecessary add-ons during checkout. Lesson: “Free” isn’t always cheaper.

Case 4: Stamford Tech Startup Used MyCompanyWorks for comprehensive services including business license research. Saved 15+ hours of municipal research.

Connecticut LLC Timeline Expectations

Standard processing: 3-5 business days for online filing

Factors affecting timing:

• State processing: 3-4 business days currently
• Service preparation: 1-2 business days
• Mail delivery (if applicable): 2-3 business days

Pro tip: Connecticut offers expedited processing for an extra $50. Only worth it if you need formation within 24-48 hours.

True Cost Comparison (5-Year Analysis)

Service	Year 1 Total	Annual Agent Fee	5-Year Total
ZenBusiness	$169	$199	$965
Northwest	$159	$125	$659
Incfile	$120*	$119	$596
MyCompanyWorks	$199	$119	$675
LegalZoom	$269	$279	$1,385

*Assumes you resist all Incfile upsells—most people don’t.

Red Flags to Avoid

Based on my experience testing 15+ services:

Pricing red flags:

• “Free” formation with expensive ongoing fees
• Services that won’t quote renewal rates upfront
• Automatic renewals without clear cancellation terms
• Hidden processing fees

Service red flags:

• Customer service that can’t answer Connecticut-specific questions
• Companies pushing unnecessary “expedited” processing
• Services requiring long-term contracts
• Providers that sell your data to third parties

My Honest Recommendations by Situation

For most Connecticut entrepreneurs: ZenBusiness ($169 total)

• Best balance of price, service, and reliability

For privacy-focused businesses: Northwest ($159 total)

• True address protection, lower long-term costs

For budget-conscious solopreneurs: Incfile ($120 total)

• Only if you can resist all upsells

For complex businesses: MyCompanyWorks ($199 total)

• If you need licensing help or comprehensive services

For DIY entrepreneurs: File yourself ($120 total)

• Connecticut’s online system works well

International Entrepreneurs and Connecticut LLCs

About 25% of my Connecticut clients are international entrepreneurs, often choosing Connecticut for proximity to New York markets.

Special considerations:

• ITIN may be required for banking
• Registered agent service practically mandatory
• Consider tax implications in home country
• Banking relationships can be more complex

Best services for international clients:

1. ZenBusiness (experienced with international clients)
2. Northwest (privacy protection valuable for foreign nationals)

Connecticut vs. Neighboring States

Why choose Connecticut over:

New York: Lower formation cost ($120 vs. $200+), no publication requirement

Massachusetts: Much lower cost ($120 vs. $520), faster processing

Rhode Island: Similar costs but Connecticut has better business resources

New Jersey: Lower ongoing fees, simpler compliance requirements

Connecticut advantages:

• Business-friendly courts
• Strong legal framework
• Access to NYC and Boston markets
• Reasonable costs and requirements

Post-Formation: Connecticut LLC Compliance

Immediate tasks (first 30 days):

• Obtain EIN from IRS (free, takes 15 minutes online)
• Open Connecticut business bank account
• Draft operating agreement
• Research municipal business registration

Ongoing requirements:

• Annual report by March 31st ($80 fee)
• Maintain registered agent
• Keep business records current
• File tax returns (federal and Connecticut)

Common Connecticut mistakes:

• Missing annual report deadline (leads to penalties)
• Forgetting municipal registration requirements
• Not updating registered agent when moving
• Mixing personal and business finances

DIY vs. Professional Service in Connecticut

DIY makes sense if:

• You’ve formed LLCs before
• You have time for research and paperwork
• You’re comfortable navigating Connecticut’s system
• 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: Connecticut’s online filing system is user-friendly, but professional services offer valuable ongoing support for reasonable fees.

The Bottom Line: My 2025 Connecticut Recommendations

After testing all major services with real Connecticut formations:

Best overall choice: ZenBusiness at $169 total

• Reliable, transparent, good ongoing support

Best for privacy: Northwest at $159 total

• Address protection, lower long-term costs

Budget option: Incfile at $120 total

• Only if you resist upsells and expect minimal support

Comprehensive option: MyCompanyWorks at $199 total

• If you need licensing help or extra services

Don’t choose: LegalZoom

• Overpriced with poor value proposition

DIY alternative: File yourself for $120

• Connecticut’s system works well if you have time

Connecticut’s reasonable state fee and efficient processing make professional services a smart investment for most entrepreneurs. The difference between a $39 service and $149 service matters when you’re not facing a $500+ state fee.

Choose based on your priorities: overall value (ZenBusiness), privacy (Northwest), or lowest cost (Incfile with discipline).

Ready to Form Your Connecticut LLC?

My top recommendation: Start with ZenBusiness for most situations. Their $169 total cost includes everything you need, plus ongoing support that actually helps.

For maximum privacy: Choose Northwest if keeping your address off public records matters to your business.

Questions about Connecticut LLC formation? Check out our comprehensive Connecticut LLC guide or contact our team for personalized recommendations.

The most important decision isn’t which service to choose—it’s getting started. Don’t spend weeks comparing options. Pick a reputable service and launch your business.

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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 180 Connecticut LLC formations and tested every major formation service with real client cases. Connect with Jake on LinkedIn or follow llciyo.com for more business formation insights.