Jake Lawson here. I’ve tested dozens of LLC formation services over 15+ years, and MaxFilings caught my attention for two reasons: lightning-fast processing times and aggressively competitive pricing. But as I’ve learned from helping 1,200+ entrepreneurs, speed and price don’t tell the whole story. Let me share what I discovered when I put MaxFilings through my comprehensive testing process.
Bottom line first: MaxFilings offers solid LLC formation services at competitive prices with impressively fast processing. However, their customer service is subpar, and their upselling tactics can be misleading. They’re decent if you know exactly what you want and don’t need hand-holding.
MaxFilings Background: The Efficiency-Focused Player
MaxFilings positions itself around three core principles: convenience, competitive pricing, and transparency. Unlike some formation services that try to be everything to everyone, MaxFilings focuses primarily on business formation with some complementary services.
What sets them apart: Next-day filing turnaround (among the fastest in the industry)
What they promise: Transparent pricing without hidden fees
The reality: They deliver on speed and basic transparency, but fall short on customer experience
MaxFilings LLC Formation Packages: Breaking Down the Value
MaxFilings Interstate Mistake: Let MaxFilings form your LLC in Nevada while you’re sitting in Ohio, and you’ll owe both states forever—double filings, double fees, double headaches. Save yourself from this expensive geography lesson; form where you actually do business unless you enjoy burning money on unnecessary foreign registrations.
Silver Package: $49 + State Fees
What you get:
- Business name availability search
- Articles of Organization preparation and filing
- 1 year free registered agent service ($99 value)
- Tax consultation (sales pitch in disguise)
- Bank account assistance (Bank of America partnership)
My analysis: This is actually solid value. The free registered agent year alone justifies most of the service fee. The “consultations” are marketing calls, but the core formation service is competently priced.
Gold Package: $149 + State Fees
What you get:
- Everything from Silver package
- Operating Agreement (you can get free templates)
- Banking Resolution (unnecessary document)
- EIN application (free from IRS)
- Express shipping (speeds document delivery, not state processing)
My verdict: Poor value. You’re paying $100 extra for services you can get free or don’t need. The Operating Agreement is generic, the Banking Resolution is pointless, and EIN applications take 5 minutes on IRS.gov.
Platinum Package: $299 + State Fees
What you get:
- Everything from Gold package
- 25 legal document templates
- Basic business website through partner
The reality check: Generic templates you can find free online, plus a basic website you could build better yourself for less money. This package screams “we ran out of valuable things to include.”
My recommendation: Stick with Silver if you choose MaxFilings. The higher-tier packages are classic upselling without proportional value.
Processing Speed: Where MaxFilings Actually Excels
MaxFilings turnaround: Next business day filing Industry average: 2-3 business days My experience: They delivered as promised—fastest filing I’ve tested
Important distinction: This is how quickly MaxFilings submits your documents to the state, not how quickly the state approves them. But getting your paperwork in the queue faster can matter, especially for time-sensitive formations.
When speed matters:
- Year-end LLC formations for tax planning
- Time-sensitive business opportunities
- Investor deadline requirements
The Upselling Experience: Misleading But Not Aggressive
During my testing, MaxFilings presented upsells more transparently than some competitors, but with one annoying tactic:
The deceptive button design: Large “Continue with upsell” button vs. tiny “no thanks” link. Classic dark pattern psychology.
Common upsells I encountered:
- EIN application: $70 (free from IRS)
- Operating Agreement: $40 (competitive but still unnecessary)
- Banking Resolution: $35 (completely pointless)
- Legal templates: $150 (available free online)
- Business license research: $99 (fair price for legitimate service)
The business license research exception: This is actually reasonably priced for a legitimate service. While you can research licenses yourself, $99 isn’t outrageous if you value your time.
Customer Service: The Major Weakness
This is where MaxFilings disappoints significantly:
My testing experience:
- First call at 10 AM CT: No answer during stated business hours
- Second call at 2 PM CT: 10-minute hold time
- Representative quality: Clearly reading from scripts, couldn’t answer basic questions beyond the script
Industry comparison: Most competitors offer chat support plus knowledgeable phone reps. MaxFilings offers neither.
Online reviews: Limited presence on review platforms, and what exists isn’t encouraging.
My concern: If you need help during the formation process or have questions afterward, you’re likely to be frustrated.
The Transparency Promise: Mixed Results
What they do well:
- Clear pricing breakdown by state
- Honest total costs including state fees
- No hidden charges in final checkout
Where they fall short:
- Vague descriptions of “consultations” that are really sales calls
- Generic legal language that doesn’t explain what you actually get
- Limited information about partner services quality
Additional Services: Hit and Miss
Business Address Service: $29/Month
What it is: Privacy address for public filings (separate from registered agent)
My take: Expensive for what you get. Northwest Registered Agent includes similar privacy protection in their registered agent service at no extra cost.
Web Hosting Partnership
Provider: Snap Web Quality: Basic websites with limited customization
My recommendation: Build your own website for better results and lower cost. Check our domain name guide for DIY options.
Registered Agent Service: Actually Decent
Pricing: $99/year (competitive)
Service: Digital document scanning and email notifications
Quality: Standard industry offering—adequate but not exceptional
When MaxFilings Makes Sense
Despite the customer service issues, MaxFilings isn’t wrong for everyone:
Good Fit If You:
- Need genuinely fast filing (next business day matters)
- Want basic LLC formation without hand-holding
- Value the free first year of registered agent service
- Don’t anticipate needing customer support
Bad Fit If You:
- Are new to LLC formation and need guidance
- Want comprehensive customer support
- Expect value from higher-tier packages
- Need reliable phone support for questions
Comparing MaxFilings to Top Competitors
vs. ZenBusiness
- MaxFilings: $49 + free registered agent year
- ZenBusiness: $0 + excellent ongoing support
- Winner: ZenBusiness for overall value and customer experience
vs. Northwest Registered Agent
- MaxFilings: $49 + state fees + free registered agent year
- Northwest: $39 + state fees + free registered agent year + superior support
- Winner: Northwest for better pricing and customer service
vs. LegalZoom
- MaxFilings: More transparent pricing, faster filing
- LegalZoom: Better brand recognition, more comprehensive services
- Winner: Depends on priorities—MaxFilings for speed and value, LegalZoom for comprehensive support
Red Flags I’ve Identified
Customer Service Reliability
Multiple failed contact attempts during stated business hours raises concerns about ongoing support quality.
Upselling Psychology
The deceptive button sizing shows they’re willing to use questionable tactics to increase sales.
Limited Online Presence
Lack of substantial reviews or testimonials makes it hard to verify customer satisfaction.
Partner Dependency
Several services rely on partnerships, potentially complicating customer service and quality control.
The Hidden Value: Free Registered Agent Year
Here’s what MaxFilings gets right: including a full year of registered agent service with all packages provides real value.
Industry context: Most competitors charge $100-200/year for registered agent services
MaxFilings approach: Build it into the formation fee
Actual value: Makes their $49 Silver package competitive with $0 competitors when you factor in ongoing costs
My Professional Assessment
After testing MaxFilings thoroughly, here’s my honest evaluation:
Strengths:
- Genuinely fast processing (best I’ve tested)
- Competitive pricing with transparent costs
- Solid basic formation service
- Valuable free registered agent year
Weaknesses:
- Poor customer service reliability
- Misleading upselling tactics
- Limited ongoing support resources
- Overpriced higher-tier packages
Overall rating: 7/10 for basic LLC formation (if you don’t need support)
When to Choose MaxFilings vs. Alternatives
Choose MaxFilings If:
- Speed is your top priority
- You’re experienced with LLC formation
- You want the free registered agent year
- You don’t anticipate needing customer support
Choose ZenBusiness If:
- You want free formation with excellent support
- You’re new to LLC formation
- Customer service quality matters
- You value ongoing business resources
Choose Northwest Registered Agent If:
- You want specialized LLC expertise
- You prioritize reliable customer service
- You need the best overall value proposition
- You want a company that focuses solely on LLCs
The Bottom Line: Good Service, Poor Support
MaxFilings delivers on their core promise: fast, affordable LLC formation with transparent pricing. Their Silver package offers legitimate value, especially with the included registered agent year.
The deal-breaker: Customer service quality is significantly below industry standards. If you need help, guidance, or have questions, you’ll likely be disappointed.
My recommendation: MaxFilings works for experienced entrepreneurs who know exactly what they want and don’t need hand-holding. For everyone else, choose a service with better customer support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MaxFilings legitimate?
Yes, they’re a legitimate LLC formation service. The question is whether they’re the best choice for your needs.
How does their speed compare to competitors?
MaxFilings offers the fastest processing I’ve tested—next business day filing vs. 2-3 days for most competitors.
Should I buy their Gold or Platinum packages?
No. Stick with Silver. The higher-tier packages offer poor value for money.
What if I need customer support?
This is MaxFilings’ weakest area. Consider alternatives if you anticipate needing guidance or support.
My Final Verdict: Fast but Frustrating
MaxFilings rating: 7/10 for experienced users, 5/10 for newcomers
Best use case: Experienced entrepreneurs who need fast filing and don’t require customer support
Better alternatives:
- ZenBusiness (free formation, excellent support)
- Northwest Registered Agent ($39 + fees, specialized expertise)
- Incfile (free formation, good balance of features)
My advice: MaxFilings isn’t bad, but they’re not great either. Unless you specifically need their fast processing and are confident you won’t need support, choose a competitor with better customer service.
Questions about LLC formation services? I’ve tested dozens of providers and helped 1,200+ entrepreneurs choose the right partner. Drop me a line through our contact form—I personally review every message and love helping entrepreneurs make informed 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 customer service quality is just as important as price and speed in business formation.