Jake Lawson here. After 15+ years in the business formation world, I’ve seen plenty of companies come and go. Nolo isn’t one of them—they’ve been around since 1971, which means something. But longevity doesn’t automatically equal value. I’ve tested their LLC formation services extensively, and I’m about to give you the unvarnished truth about whether Nolo deserves your hard-earned money.
Bottom line first: Nolo offers decent LLC formation services wrapped in confusing legal jargon and delivered at premium prices. They’re not bad, but they’re not great either. For most entrepreneurs, you’ll get better value elsewhere.
Nolo’s Background: The Legal Self-Help Pioneer
Before diving into their LLC services, let’s understand what Nolo actually is. They started as Nolo Press in 1971, publishing legal self-help books. Think of them as the pioneers of “do-it-yourself” legal solutions
What they do well: Comprehensive legal resources, established reputation, broad service offerings
What’s changed: They’ve evolved from book publisher to online legal services platform
The challenge: They’re trying to be everything to everyone, which dilutes their focus on LLC formation
My take: Nolo’s legal heritage is impressive, but it doesn’t automatically make them the best choice for LLC formation. Sometimes specialists beat generalists.
Nolo LLC Formation Packages: Breaking Down the Options
Basic Package: $49 + State Fees
What you get:
- Business name availability check
- Articles of Organization filing
- That’s it
My analysis: This is bare-bones service at a reasonable price. But here’s the problem—you’ll likely need more than this, and Nolo knows it. They’re betting you’ll buy add-ons.
Standard Package: $149 + State Fees
What you get:
- Basic package features
- EIN application (free from IRS anyway)
- 30 legal document templates
The EIN reality: You can get an EIN yourself in 5 minutes for free from IRS.gov. Paying $100 extra for this “service” makes no sense.
The templates: Generic legal forms you can find free online. Unless you need documents specifically crafted for your situation (which requires an attorney anyway), these templates add little value.
Express Package: $299 + State Fees
What you get:
- Everything from Standard package
- Rush processing (both Nolo and state)
- Corporate kit and seal
The rush processing reality: Most states process LLCs within 5-10 business days anyway. Unless you’re in a genuine emergency, paying extra for speed usually isn’t worth it.
The corporate kit: A fancy binder and seal that aren’t legally required. Pure marketing fluff.
My verdict: Overpriced for what you’re getting.
The Hidden Costs: Where Nolo Really Gets You
The Upsell Assault
During my testing, Nolo hit me with upsells at every turn:
- Operating Agreement: $50
- Business License Research: $100
- Registered Agent Service: $149/year
- Accounting Services: $170/year
- Website Creation: $135/year
The psychological game: They start with a low base price, then pile on “necessary” add-ons. It’s the airline model—cheap ticket, expensive everything else.
The Partner Company Problem
Here’s what really bothers me: Nolo outsources most services to other companies:
- Business Licenses LLC (for license research)
- Vcorp Services (for registered agent services)
- Web.com (for website creation)
- 1-800-Accountant (for accounting services)
Why this matters: You’re paying Nolo markup prices for services you could buy directly from the providers. Plus, you’re dealing with multiple companies’ terms of service and customer support systems.
Processing Speed: Where Nolo Falls Behind
Basic/Standard packages: 4-5 business days to file
Express package: 1 business day to file
Industry comparison: Most competitors file within 1-2 business days without charging extra. Nolo’s standard processing is notably slower.
My experience: I’ve seen faster processing from companies charging half Nolo’s prices. Speed isn’t everything, but when you’re paying premium prices, you shouldn’t get slower service.
The Good: Where Nolo Actually Shines
Customer Service Quality
I’ll give credit where it’s due—Nolo’s phone support is solid:
- Knowledgeable representatives
- No aggressive upselling during support calls
- Honest about fees and limitations
- Professional, helpful approach
The downside: No chat support, which is standard with most competitors.
User Experience
Nolo’s website is well-designed and easy to navigate:
- Clear graphics and explanations
- Saves progress for up to 90 days
- Streamlined ordering process
- Professional presentation
Legal Resource Depth
If you need comprehensive legal resources beyond LLC formation, Nolo offers extensive self-help materials, forms, and educational content.
The Bad: Where Nolo Disappoints
Confusing Legal Language
For a company built on “self-help” legal solutions, Nolo’s terms of service are unnecessarily complex. Their legal jargon makes it hard to understand exactly what you’re getting.
Outsourcing Everything
When you hire Nolo, you’re really hiring a coordination service. They farm out most actual work to other companies, adding markup without adding value.
Premium Pricing for Standard Service
Nolo charges premium prices for services that competitors offer cheaper and faster. Their brand recognition comes with a “brand tax.”
Registered Agent Services: Overpriced and Outsourced
Nolo’s price: $149/year
Actual provider: Vcorp Services (part of Wolters Kluwer)
Direct Vcorp price: $136/year
Industry average: $100-150/year
Service quality: Digital document delivery (no physical mail forwarding), online portal access, annual report reminders.
My analysis: You’re paying a $13 markup for the Nolo brand name. The service itself is adequate but not exceptional.
Comparing Nolo to Competitors
vs. ZenBusiness
- Nolo Basic: $49 + state fees
- ZenBusiness: $0 + state fees
- Winner: ZenBusiness offers free formation with better included services
vs. Northwest Registered Agent
- Nolo Standard: $149 + state fees
- Northwest: $39 + state fees + free registered agent year
- Winner: Northwest provides better value and specialized expertise
vs. LegalZoom
- Similar pricing: Both overpriced for basic services
- Similar model: Both outsource key services
- Advantage: Nolo has cleaner user experience
When Nolo Makes Sense
Despite my criticisms, Nolo isn’t wrong for everyone:
Good Fit If You:
- Need comprehensive legal resources beyond LLC formation
- Value brand recognition and established reputation
- Don’t mind paying extra for coordination services
- Want one-stop shopping for multiple legal needs
Bad Fit If You:
- Want the best value for LLC formation
- Prefer specialized service providers
- Care about processing speed
- Want direct relationships with service providers
My Professional Recommendation
After testing Nolo extensively, here’s my honest assessment:
For LLC formation specifically: Nolo isn’t the best choice. You’ll pay more for slower service and deal with multiple outsourced providers.
For comprehensive legal needs: If you need ongoing legal resources and don’t mind paying premium prices, Nolo’s platform has value.
Better alternatives:
- ZenBusiness: Free formation with excellent included services
- Northwest Registered Agent: $39 + state fees with specialized expertise
- Incfile: $0 + state fees with good add-on options
The Nolo Tax: Is Brand Recognition Worth It?
Nolo charges what I call a “brand tax”—premium pricing based on name recognition rather than superior service. Here’s the math:
Nolo Standard Package: $149 + state fees
- EIN application (free from IRS)
- Generic legal templates (free online)
- Basic formation service
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 + state fees
- Same formation service
- Free registered agent service (first year)
- Specialized LLC expertise
- Faster processing
The difference: $110 for essentially the same core service.
Red Flags I’ve Noticed
Markup on Partner Services
When Nolo charges $149 for Vcorp registered agent services that cost $136 direct, they’re adding no value while increasing your costs.
Slow Processing as Default
Most competitors offer 1-2 day processing as standard. Nolo makes you pay extra for what should be normal service speed.
Complex Terms for Simple Services
LLC formation is straightforward. Nolo’s legal-heavy presentation makes it seem more complicated than necessary.
The Bottom Line: Good Company, Wrong Service Focus
Nolo is a legitimate, established company with solid customer service and comprehensive legal resources. But they’re not LLC formation specialists.
Think of it this way: Would you go to a general practitioner for heart surgery, or would you choose a cardiac specialist? Nolo is the general practitioner of legal services—competent across many areas but not exceptional in LLC formation.
My recommendation: Use Nolo for comprehensive legal research and resources. For LLC formation, choose a specialist who offers better value, faster service, and focused expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nolo legitimate?
Absolutely. They’ve been in business since 1971 and have an established reputation. Legitimacy isn’t the issue—value is.
Are Nolo’s prices competitive?
No. Their pricing is above market rate for LLC formation services, especially considering the outsourcing model.
Should I use Nolo if I need other legal services?
Possibly. If you need ongoing legal resources and document templates, Nolo’s comprehensive platform might justify the premium pricing.
How does Nolo compare to LegalZoom?
Similar models with premium pricing and outsourced services. Nolo has a cleaner user experience; LegalZoom has more aggressive marketing.
My Final Verdict: Skip for LLC Formation
Nolo rating: 6/10 for LLC formation services
- Pros: Established reputation, good customer service, comprehensive platform
- Cons: Overpriced, slow processing, outsourced services, confusing terms
Better choices for LLC formation:
- ZenBusiness (free formation, excellent value)
- Northwest Registered Agent ($39 + fees, specialized expertise)
- Incfile (free formation, good add-ons)
When to consider Nolo: If you need comprehensive legal resources beyond LLC formation and don’t mind paying extra for brand recognition and one-stop coordination.
My advice: Save your money and choose a specialist. Use Nolo for legal research if needed, but form your LLC elsewhere for better value and service.
Questions about LLC formation services? I’ve tested dozens of providers over 15+ years and helped over 1,200 entrepreneurs choose the right formation partner. Drop me a line through our contact form—I personally review every message and love helping entrepreneurs make smart formation decisions.
About Jake Lawson: LLC Formation Strategist with 15+ years helping entrepreneurs build protected, profitable businesses. MBA Finance (UT Austin), Certified Tax Consultant, and believer that specialized expertise beats generalist convenience when your business is on the line.