
By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist
After testing dozens of LLC formation services over 15 years, I’ve learned that being “family-owned” doesn’t automatically translate to better value or service. CorpNet, established in 1997, markets itself as offering “personalized service” from a small, focused company—but their pricing tells a different story.
Let me cut through their marketing and give you the straight facts about what CorpNet actually delivers for your money.
CorpNet Overview: The Small Company with Big Company Prices
Founded: 1997 (27+ years in business) Structure: Family-owned business Claims: Hundreds of thousands of businesses formed Focus: LLC/Corporation formation and Registered Agent services Registered Agent Partner: Registered Agents, Inc. (separate company)
My Initial Take: CorpNet has the experience to handle formations reliably, but their “small company personalization” comes with some surprisingly corporate-level pricing and customer service challenges.
CorpNet Pricing Analysis: Where the Numbers Don’t Add Up
CorpNet follows the standard three-tier pricing model, but their value proposition gets murky when you dig into the details:
Basic Package: $79 + State Fees
What’s Included:
- Business name availability check
- Articles of Organization filing
- Compliance alert service
- 60 days Registered Agent service
My Assessment: At $79, this is pricier than many competitors’ basic packages, and you only get 60 days of Registered Agent service versus the industry standard of 12 months. That’s a red flag right off the bat.
Missing Standard Features: Most competitors include a full year of Registered Agent service in their basic packages. CorpNet’s 60-day offering feels like a bait-and-switch.
Deluxe Package: $199 + State Fees
Additional Items:
- 24-hour expedited processing
- Physical copy of Articles (vs. digital only)
- One year Registered Agent service
- EIN filing service
My Analysis: You’re paying $120 extra to get what most competitors include in their basic packages (1-year Registered Agent service). The EIN filing is free from the IRS, and many services offer fast processing without charging extra.
Red Flag: This package essentially holds standard features hostage to force you into higher-priced tiers.
Complete Package: $249 + State Fees
Additional Items:
- Customized Operating Agreement
- Corporate kit (binder, seal, certificates)
My Verdict: At $249, you’re paying premium prices for items you can get free elsewhere. Their “customized” Operating Agreement is likely a template with your info filled in—something you can do yourself with free templates.
Better Alternative: Download free Operating Agreement templates and skip the overpriced corporate kit entirely.
Processing Times: Adequate but Nothing Special
Standard Processing: Not clearly disclosed (customer reports suggest 2-3 business days) Expedited Processing: 24 hours (included in Deluxe/Complete packages, extra for Basic)
My Take: The lack of clear standard processing times is frustrating. Most reputable services publish their typical turnaround times upfront. The 24-hour expedited processing is industry standard, not a special perk.
Customer Service: The Disappointing Reality
Here’s where CorpNet’s “personalized service” marketing falls apart completely:
My Experience:
- Phone-only support (no email or chat options)
- Took five attempts over three days to reach a representative
- Rep was friendly but seemed uncertain about details
- No proactive advice or insights provided
Major Concern: If you can’t reach customer service when evaluating the company, what happens when you need help after paying? This is a serious red flag for any service provider.
Industry Comparison: Top competitors offer multiple contact methods and typically answer within 1-2 calls.
The Upsell Menu: Hit or Miss Pricing
CorpNet offers numerous add-on services with wildly inconsistent value:
Reasonably Priced:
- DBA Filing: $79 (good value vs. $100+ competitors)
- Annual Report Filing: $89 (fair pricing)
Industry Standard:
- Sales Tax Registration: $199 (typical pricing)
- Foreign Qualification: $199 (standard rate)
- EIN Filing: $69 (average, but IRS does it free)
Overpriced:
- Amendment Filing: $149 (competitors charge ~$100)
- Business License Search: $149 (standard is ~$100)
- S-Corp Election: $99 (competitors charge ~$50)
- Operating Agreement: $99 (competitors charge ~$50)
- Trademark Services: $299 (competitors charge ~$200)
Pattern: CorpNet seems to price based on what they think they can get away with rather than consistent value delivery.
Registered Agent Service: The Outsourcing Issue
CorpNet doesn’t handle Registered Agent services directly—they partner with Registered Agents, Inc.
Problems with This Approach:
- You sign agreements with two different companies
- Communication becomes more complex
- Customer service issues multiply
- Price: $149/year (higher than industry average of ~$120)
My Concern: When your formation company outsources their Registered Agent service, you lose the benefit of dealing with a single provider for ongoing needs.
What CorpNet Gets Right
Clear Website: Easy to navigate and understand pricing Established History: 27 years in business shows staying power Focused Services: Concentrates on formations rather than spreading too thin Straightforward Process: No confusing or deceptive ordering procedures
What CorpNet Gets Wrong
Poor Customer Service Access: Five attempts to reach support is unacceptable Misleading Basic Package: 60 days Registered Agent service vs. industry standard 12 months Inconsistent Pricing: Some services fairly priced, others significantly overpriced Outsourced Key Services: Registered Agent service handled by separate company No Modern Support Options: Phone-only support in 2025 feels outdated
CorpNet vs. Top Competitors
Service | CorpNet Basic | Northwest | ZenBusiness | LegalZoom |
Base Price | $79 + state fees | $39 + state fees | $49 + state fees | $149 + state fees |
Free RA Service | 60 days | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
Customer Support | Phone only (hard to reach) | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email, chat |
EIN Service | $69 extra | Free guidance | $79 extra | $79 extra |
Processing Time | 2-3 days (undisclosed) | 1-2 business days | 4-6 business days | 5-7 business days |
Clear Winner: Northwest offers better value, accessibility, and service for half the price.
Who Should Consider CorpNet
Might Work For You If:
- You value family-owned businesses over efficiency
- You don’t mind paying extra for established name recognition
- You’re comfortable with phone-only customer support
- You need their specific mix of add-on services
Skip CorpNet If:
- You want responsive customer service
- You prefer transparent, competitive pricing
- You value getting full service for your money
- You want modern support options (email, chat)
My Honest Recommendation
CorpNet feels like a company that’s been coasting on their established reputation without keeping up with modern customer expectations or competitive pricing.
The Math Doesn’t Work: You pay $79 for their basic package and get 60 days of Registered Agent service, then pay $149/year afterward. Compare that to Northwest at $39 + state fees with a full year included.
The Service Doesn’t Deliver: When it takes five attempts over three days to reach customer service during the evaluation phase, that’s a preview of future frustrations.
Better Alternatives:
- Northwest Registered Agent: $39 + state fees, excellent service, responsive support
- ZenBusiness: $49 + state fees, modern platform, comprehensive service
- DIY: File directly with your state if you’re comfortable with paperwork
The Bottom Line
CorpNet isn’t a scam—they’ll form your LLC correctly and have been doing so for nearly three decades. But being established doesn’t justify their pricing or excuse their customer service issues.
In today’s competitive LLC formation market, you shouldn’t have to choose between personalized service and reasonable pricing. Companies like Northwest prove you can have both.
My Rating: 2.5/5 stars—Functional but overpriced with service issues
Final Recommendation: Unless you have a specific reason to choose CorpNet (maybe you know them personally?), better options exist at better prices with better service.
Looking for my detailed comparison of the top LLC formation services? Check out my comprehensive ranking where I test providers based on real-world performance, not marketing promises—helping you avoid overpriced services that underdeliver.
About This Review: I have no business relationship with CorpNet and tested their services independently. My goal is helping entrepreneurs make informed decisions based on actual value delivered, not company marketing claims. After helping 1,200+ businesses get formed properly, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.