3 Best LLC Services in California (2026), No Fluff
If you need LLC formation services in California in 2026, here's the order we'd go in: Mainstay Filing ($199), CA Registered Agent.org ($199) and California Registered Agent.ai ($199). Here's the money: $70 to the state, $397 to $597 to a service across three years.
Straight from the LLC Straight Talk editorial team
The short of it
The short of it
State fee
$70, once, up front
After that
$20 every second year + $800 minimum tax every year
Agent for service of process
Yes, you have to
Who we'd use
Mainstay Filing, CA Registered Agent.org then California Registered Agent.ai
Who we'd use in California
The order comes from our five tests: three-year cost first, then what the price covers.
#1Our top pick
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price for setup and upkeep
$199 a year, plus the $70 state fee
Mainstay Filing wins the top spot: the Statement of Information gets filed inside the $199 yearly price, along with formation and the agent for service of process.
Here's the catch: CA Registered Agent.org costs $200 less over three years, and you'd do more of the paperwork yourself.
The Statement of Information is part of the service. The only extra's the state's $20.
What you get
Formation handled start to finish
Agent for service of process for twelve straight months
Statement of Information taken care of when due
EIN application
State fees at cost
Pluses
$199 a year covers filing, agent and report
The EIN application's included
Renews at $199
What's not
CA Registered Agent.org renews for $100 less
#2California specialist
2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for owners who'll stay home
$199 to form, $99 a year after
CA Registered Agent.org comes in second because three years with it total $397, thanks to a $99 renewal.
Nobody here files the Statement of Information for you.
What you get
California formation filing
Agent service covered for year one
Pluses
Starts at $199 over the state fee
The first agent year's included
$99 a year from year two
What's not
Doesn't file the Statement of Information
EIN's not included ($99)
#3California specialist
3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for another in-state choice
$199 to form, $99 a year after
California Registered Agent.ai comes in third because three years with it total $397, thanks to a $99 renewal.
Nobody here files the Statement of Information for you.
Price for price, it's a tie with CA Registered Agent.org.
What you get
California formation filing
Agent service covered for year one
Pluses
Starts at $199 over the state fee
The first agent year's included
$99 a year from year two
What's not
Doesn't file the Statement of Information
EIN's not included ($99)
Side by side
#
Company
Year one
Then
Three-year total
What you get
1
Mainstay Filing
$199
$199/yr
$597
formation handled start to finish; agent for service of process for twelve straight months; Statement of Information taken care of when due
Do I have to name an agent for service of process?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
There's one filing that keeps coming back: the Statement of Information, on a two-year cycle, for $20. In the state's own words it's due last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. The minimum tax is billed separately.
You can. Skip the service and your three-year bill is the state's $2,490.
A service adds $397 to $597 over three years, and with Mainstay Filing the reports are in that price.
What put number one on top?
On jobs the price actually covers (30% of the score), Mainstay Filing wins.
We run five tests: money out the door in three years (35%), jobs the price actually covers (30%), no hunting for the price (14%), no surprise at renewal (11%) and where it works (10%).
This is the tiebreaker: the first pick's price already covers the Statement of Information, and CA Registered Agent.org makes you do it.
Want to check the total? Add the filing fee, the next two reports and any minimum tax. We don't count costs without a set amount.
Still wondering?
Who handles the EIN?
Mainstay Filing includes the EIN application. The others make you pay: CA Registered Agent.org $99; California Registered Agent.ai $99.
What if I'm late with the report?
Expect a $250 late fee.
What do the picks cost over three years?
Mainstay Filing will set you back $597, and CA Registered Agent.org will set you back $397, and California Registered Agent.ai will set you back $397, services only.
Are the fees official?
Official California sources back the state side, and posted prices back the service side.
Is a service required?
No law says you need a service. It's a convenience you pay for.
Who should I use for a LLC service in California?
Mainstay Filing is first: for $199 a year, formation, the agent for service of process and the Statement of Information are all handled. Then comes CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai.