Jake Lawson here. After 15+ years helping entrepreneurs choose the right business formation services, I get this question constantly: “What about Rocket Lawyer?” Here’s the thing—Rocket Lawyer wants to be your everything: legal documents, attorney access, business formation, ongoing compliance. For most entrepreneurs, this jack-of-all-trades approach means you’re overpaying for services you don’t need. Unless you’re genuinely using their legal subscription monthly, there are much better alternatives for LLC formation.
Looking for alternatives to Rocket Lawyer? You’re smart to shop around. While Rocket Lawyer has name recognition and a broad service menu, their business model often doesn’t align with what most entrepreneurs actually need for LLC formation.
Why Most People Don’t Need Rocket Lawyer
Let me be direct about Rocket Lawyer’s business model: they want you to pay $40/month for legal services so they can offer “discounted” business formation. Here’s the math that doesn’t work for most entrepreneurs:
The Subscription Trap
Rocket Lawyer’s LLC Formation Pricing:
- Standalone: $99 + state fee
- With $40/month subscription: $0 + state fee
- Annual subscription cost: $480
What you actually need for LLC formation:
- Articles filed with your state
- Registered agent service
- Operating agreement (can draft yourself)
- EIN from IRS (free)
Reality check: You’re paying $480/year for subscription services to save $99 on formation. That math only works if you’re actually using legal documents and attorney consultations monthly.
The Target Audience Mismatch
Rocket Lawyer makes sense for:
- Established businesses needing regular legal document creation
- Companies with ongoing attorney consultation needs
- Multi-business owners requiring constant legal support
Most entrepreneurs need:
- Simple, one-time LLC formation
- Basic registered agent service
- Occasional legal document needs (not monthly)
My Top Rocket Lawyer Alternatives
#1. Northwest Registered Agent – The Honest Professional
Cost: $39 + state fee
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Northwest tops my list because they focus on what they do best—business formation and registered agent services—without trying to upsell you into monthly subscriptions you don’t need.
Why Northwest Beats Rocket Lawyer:
- Transparent pricing: $39 formation vs. Rocket Lawyer’s $99
- Address privacy: Use their address throughout formation (unique feature)
- No subscription required: Pay once, done
- Superior customer service: Actual experts, not sales reps
- One year registered agent included: Real value, not a subscription hook
Real-world advantage: Northwest’s address privacy feature means your personal information never appears on public records. Rocket Lawyer doesn’t offer this.
Customer service difference: When I call Northwest, I reach knowledgeable humans who answer questions without trying to upgrade my service. Rocket Lawyer’s support often feels like extended sales calls.
#2. DIY Formation – The Smart Saver
Cost: Just state fee ($90-200 depending on state)
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here’s something Rocket Lawyer won’t tell you: LLC formation is mostly paperwork that you can handle yourself. Most states offer online filing that takes 20-30 minutes.
When DIY makes sense:
- You’re comfortable with basic paperwork
- Your state offers simple online filing
- You don’t mind your address being public record
- You want to save $100-500 on formation fees
DIY advantages over Rocket Lawyer:
- No monthly subscription pressure
- Direct relationship with your state
- Immediate filing (no middleman delays)
- Complete control over your information
What you’ll need:
- Articles of organization (state-specific form)
- Operating agreement (free templates available)
- EIN application (free from IRS)
- Business bank account setup
#3. Bizee – The True Budget Option
Cost: $0 + state fee
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bizee (formerly IncFile) offers genuinely free LLC formation with one year of registered agent service included. Unlike Rocket Lawyer’s “free” formation that requires expensive subscriptions, Bizee’s free option is actually free.
Bizee vs. Rocket Lawyer:
- Formation cost: $0 vs. $99 (or $480/year subscription)
- Hidden fees: Minimal vs. subscription pressure
- Processing time: Faster than Rocket Lawyer
- Upsells: Reasonable vs. aggressive
Limitations:
- Basic customer service
- Limited ongoing support
- No address privacy options
Best for: Budget-conscious entrepreneurs who need basic formation without hand-holding.
#4. ZenBusiness – The Feature-Rich Alternative
Cost: $0 + state fee (but watch renewal costs)
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
ZenBusiness offers modern interface and comprehensive features, but like Rocket Lawyer, they use “free” formation to hook you into higher-priced ongoing services.
ZenBusiness vs. Rocket Lawyer:
- Better website: Cleaner, more intuitive than Rocket Lawyer
- Faster processing: Quicker turnaround times
- Lower ongoing costs: $199/year registered agent vs. Rocket Lawyer’s $250
- Less aggressive: Fewer pressure tactics than Rocket Lawyer
The catch: Their registered agent renewal at $199/year is expensive compared to alternatives.
Best for: Entrepreneurs who want modern interface and don’t mind paying premium prices for ongoing services.
#5. MyCompanyWorks – The Value Alternative
Cost: $79 + state fee
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
MyCompanyWorks provides solid formation services with more included extras than competitors charge separately for, all without subscription requirements.
MyCompanyWorks vs. Rocket Lawyer:
- Simpler pricing: $79 flat fee vs. subscription complexity
- Faster processing: Better turnaround times
- Better value: More included services
- Clearer communication: No legal jargon or confusing offers
What’s included:
- LLC formation
- First year registered agent service
- Operating agreement template
- Banking resolution
- Lifetime customer support
Best for: Entrepreneurs who want good value with included extras but don’t need premium features.
The Real Problem with Rocket Lawyer
After testing dozens of formation services, here’s what bothers me about Rocket Lawyer’s approach:
Subscription Pressure
Everything is designed to funnel you into their $40/month subscription. Their “free” formation only makes sense if you’re paying for subscription services most entrepreneurs don’t need.
Complexity Overload
Their website combines business formation with legal services, attorney matching, document creation, and more. For simple LLC formation, this creates unnecessary confusion.
Legal Theater
Rocket Lawyer emphasizes attorney access and legal document creation, making LLC formation seem more complex than it actually is. Most entrepreneurs don’t need monthly legal services.
Poor Value for Simple Needs
If you just need an LLC formed, you’re paying for capabilities you won’t use. It’s like buying a Swiss Army knife when you need a screwdriver.
When Rocket Lawyer Actually Makes Sense
I’m not completely against Rocket Lawyer. They can work for specific situations:
Established Businesses
- Companies already paying for legal document services
- Businesses with regular attorney consultation needs
- Multi-entity owners managing complex structures
Legal-Heavy Industries
- Professional services requiring regular contract creation
- Businesses with frequent legal document needs
- Companies operating in heavily regulated industries
Ongoing Legal Support
- Entrepreneurs who genuinely need monthly legal guidance
- Businesses with complex partnership or investment structures
- Companies planning rapid expansion requiring ongoing legal input
Decision Framework: Choosing the Right Alternative
Choose Northwest If:
- You want professional service with address privacy
- You prefer straightforward pricing without subscriptions
- Customer service quality matters to you
- You value proven reliability over flashy features
Choose DIY If:
- You’re comfortable with basic paperwork
- You want to save money and understand the process
- You don’t mind your address being public record
- You have time to research state-specific requirements
Choose Bizee If:
- Budget is your primary concern
- You need basic formation without extras
- You don’t require ongoing support
- You’re comfortable with minimal customer service
Choose ZenBusiness If:
- You want modern interface and features
- You don’t mind paying premium prices for ongoing services
- Website design and user experience matter to you
- You plan to use compliance management features
Choose MyCompanyWorks If:
- You want good value with included extras
- You prefer clear, simple pricing
- You need some ongoing support but not premium service
- You want more than basic formation without subscription pressure
What You Actually Need for LLC Formation
Most entrepreneurs overcomplicate LLC formation. Here’s what you actually need:
Essential Services:
- Articles of organization filed with your state
- Registered agent service (or serve as your own)
- Operating agreement (can use free templates)
- EIN from IRS (free, takes 15 minutes)
Usually Unnecessary:
- Monthly legal document subscriptions
- Attorney consultation packages
- Corporate kits and seals
- Expedited processing (most states are fast anyway)
- Business credit monitoring
- Trademark searches (for most small businesses)
The Cost Reality:
Professional formation (Northwest): $39 + state fee + $125/year registered agent
DIY formation: State fee only ($90-200)
Rocket Lawyer subscription approach: $480/year + state fee
The Bottom Line
Rocket Lawyer isn’t necessarily bad—they’re just the wrong solution for most LLC formation needs. They’ve built a business model around monthly subscriptions and ongoing legal services, which means they’re expensive overkill for entrepreneurs who just need a simple LLC formed.
For most people looking at Rocket Lawyer alternatives, Northwest Registered Agent provides the best combination of service quality, fair pricing, and unique features (like address privacy) without subscription pressure.
If you’re budget-conscious and comfortable with paperwork, DIY formation saves significant money and gives you direct control over your business formation.
The key is choosing based on your actual needs, not the services companies want to sell you. LLC formation is straightforward—don’t let subscription-based models convince you it’s more complicated than it actually is.
Most successful entrepreneurs I work with prefer spending their money on growing their business rather than monthly legal subscriptions they rarely use. Choose the formation method that aligns with your actual needs and budget, not the one with the most impressive marketing.
Questions about LLC formation alternatives or need help deciding what’s right for your specific situation? That’s exactly why I built llciyo.com—to provide honest guidance based on real experience, not subscription revenue models.
Ready to form your LLC without subscription pressure? Check out our comprehensive formation guides for all 50 states, including DIY instructions and service comparisons. No sales pitches, just the facts you need to make smart decisions.