3 Best LLC Services in Massachusetts (2026): The Straight Story
For LLC formation services in Massachusetts in 2026, we'd rank Mainstay Filing ($199), Massachusetts Registered Agent.co ($199) and MA Registered Agent.org ($199), best first. Here's the money: $500 to the state, $397 to $597 to a service across three years.
Straight from the LLC Straight Talk editorial team
Quick facts
The short of it
What the state charges
$500, one time
Every year after
$500 every year
Resident agent
Yes, it's the law
Who we'd use
Mainstay Filing, Massachusetts Registered Agent.co then MA Registered Agent.org
Prices as of November 13, 2026. The state's own fees are in the checklist below.
What you need to know
What's it cost to form an LLC here?
$500 goes to the state. Hire a service in year one and that's $199 more.
Across three years the state collects $1,500, filing fee included. sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026, if you don't believe us
What do I actually send the state?
The Massachusetts Secretary of State takes the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization. Once it approves, you've got a company.
The law: M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12. sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026, if you don't believe us
Do I have to name a resident agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A Massachusetts resident, a Massachusetts corporation, or a corporation from another state authorized to do business in Massachusetts. State regulations (950 CMR 112.13) also allow other business entities authorized in Massachusetts.
sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026, if you don't believe us
What do I owe after that?
The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is the one you can't forget. It's annual and runs $500. Per the state, it's due on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.
Nobody's making you hire anyone. State fees alone run $1,500 across three years.
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?
Mainstay Filing takes jobs the price actually covers, which counts 30%.
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 Limited Liability Company Annual Report, and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co 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?
Is the EIN application included?
Mainstay Filing includes the EIN application. The others make you pay: Massachusetts Registered Agent.co $99; MA Registered Agent.org $99.
What's the three-year damage for each?
Over three years you're looking at $597 at Mainstay Filing, $397 at Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, $397 at MA Registered Agent.org, before state fees.
Where do these numbers come from?
Official Massachusetts sources back the state side, and posted prices back the service side.
Is a service required?
No. You can file with the state yourself. A service saves you time and can be your agent, but nothing makes you hire one.
Any yearly state fees?
The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is the one you can't forget. It's annual and runs $500. Per the state, it's due on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.
Who should I use for a LLC service in Massachusetts?
Mainstay Filing is first: the annual report gets filed inside the $199 yearly price, along with formation and the resident agent. Then comes Massachusetts Registered Agent.co and MA Registered Agent.org.