Swyft Filings costs less at the mid tier and offers faster processing options, while LegalZoom costs more but puts attorney consultations and a large template library into its Pro plan.
If you want a lower price and a quick filing, Swyft Filings is the stronger fit. If you want to talk to an attorney and have more legal documents at hand, LegalZoom is the stronger fit.
Swyft lists its registered agent price only as "$149+ Quarterly," and LegalZoom's page showed no price, so budget for that separately.
This comparison uses each company's own pricing pages (checked October 2026), Trustpilot snapshots, and IRS and SBA guidance.
Prices, promotions, and refund terms change often, and several pages showed no dates. Confirm everything at checkout before you buy.
The Short Answer
- Lower mid-tier price: Swyft Filings Standard at $169 (listed at $199 before a $30 savings) versus LegalZoom Pro at $249.
- Faster filing: Swyft says Premium can file in as little as one business day. LegalZoom's page showed no processing times.
- Attorney access: LegalZoom Pro includes 30 days of unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations, which renew at $49 a month unless you cancel.
- Registered agent: Swyft lists "$149+ Quarterly." LegalZoom's page showed no price.
- Reviews: Both show a 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot. LegalZoom has far more reviews.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Swyft Filings | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Basic, $0 + state fees | Basic, $0 + state fees |
| Mid plan | Standard, $169 (listed $199) | Pro, $249 |
| Top plan | Premium, $269 (listed $299) | Premium, $299 |
| EIN | Standard and up | Pro and up |
| Operating agreement | Standard and up | Pro and up |
| Attorney consultations | Premium (conditions marked with an asterisk) | Pro and up, 30 days |
| Processing | Basic 7 to 10 business days, Standard about 3, Premium about 1 | Not shown on the page checked |
| Registered agent | "$149+ Quarterly" | Price not shown |
| Accuracy guarantee | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot | 4.6, 8,019 reviews | 4.6, 33,629 reviews |
All prices are plus state filing fees. Two private fee compilations checked in October 2026 put state fees between $35 in Montana and $500 in Massachusetts.
The SBA says the total cost to register a business "will be less than $300," though fees vary by state (SBA, page last modified August 28, 2026).
Pricing and Packages
Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings' LLC page lists three packages with no effective date:
- Basic, $0: Articles of organization and a 100% accuracy guarantee, with processing in 7 to 10 business days.
- Standard, $169 (listed as $199): Adds custom organizational minutes, a banking resolution, an EIN, and an operating agreement, with processing in about 3 business days.
- Premium, $269 (listed as $299): Adds same-day processing, a professional business address, a digital kit, attorney consultations, and compliance monitoring.
- The page marks some of these with an asterisk and doesn't show the terms, so check the conditions before you count on them.
All packages include an online portal, a free business tax consultation, and a trial of ComplianceGuard, its compliance service.
Add-ons include express processing at $50, same-day processing at $100, and a virtual business address at $29 a month.
The page's table was hard to read, so it was unclear which add-ons come free in each package.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom's LLC page, which shows no date, lists:
- Basic, $0: Articles of organization, a name check, and a tax consult from 1-800Accountant.
- Pro, $249: Adds an operating agreement, an EIN, unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations for 30 days, 150+ customizable legal documents for one year, eSignatures, and a Wix website.
- Premium, $299: Adds bookkeeping tools for 6 months, proposals and invoices, income and expense tracking, and mileage capture.
The attorney advises auto-renew at $49 a month unless you cancel, and the bookkeeping tools auto-renew at $9.99 a month. Read those terms before you check out.
What the gap costs
Swyft's Standard plan is 80cheaperthanLegalZoom'sPro(249 - $169), or $50 cheaper at Swyft's $199 list price.
Swyft's Premium is 30cheaperthanLegalZoom'sPremium(299 - $269). The plans don't match feature for feature, so compare what you need, not just the sticker price.
Speed
Swyft says its timelines refer to how quickly it prepares and submits your filing, not guaranteed state approval.
It adds that most states process standard filings in 1 to 5 business days, though backlogs can stretch that to several weeks (Swyft support FAQ, checked October 2026). LegalZoom's page showed no processing times.
One outside comparison lists LegalZoom at 5 to 14 days with a $99 rush add-on, but it's an unverified third-party claim, so check LegalZoom's checkout page.
Registered Agent Service
Every LLC needs a registered agent in its state, and the SBA says you need one before you file. You can act as your own agent, or you can pay for a service.
Swyft's registered agent page lists "$149+ Quarterly" and describes a dedicated registered office address, secure document uploads, and a dashboard.
It doesn't state an annual price. If billed at $149 each quarter, the yearly total would be 4 x $149 = $596, but the page doesn't say that, so confirm the billing at checkout.
Each entity needs its own subscription, and foreign-qualified businesses need one per state.
LegalZoom's page showed no registered agent price. One outside comparison lists $249 a year, but that figure isn't verified.
If you want to compare costs, ask each company for the total yearly price before you buy.
Swyft's support page also notes that you can change agents later through a state filing and that the company offers a Change of Registered Agent service.
Customer Support and Reviews
On Trustpilot, Swyft Filings shows a 4.6 out of 5 from 8,019 reviews, with the newest dated October 20, 2026.
Reviewers often praise phone staff for being knowledgeable and patient. Complaints include unexpected charges and auto-billing, difficulty canceling subscriptions, upselling, and long hold times.
One reviewer said Swyft wasn't listed as their registered agent with California's Secretary of State, so confirm your agent shows on your state's records after you file.
Some review dates on the page looked inconsistent, so treat the timeline loosely.
LegalZoom shows a 4.6 out of 5 from 33,629 reviews, with the newest dated October 20, 2026.
Trustpilot scores are self-selected, so read the low-star reviews on both and look for patterns, especially on billing and cancellation.
Refunds and Guarantees
Both companies offer an accuracy guarantee. Swyft's FAQ says that if it doesn't form your company correctly, it will "make it right or refund your fees."
LegalZoom's page describes a "100% Accurate Filing Guarantee" and says it will correct a rejected or incorrect filing caused by its error at no extra cost.
LegalZoom's page links to a separate guarantee and refund policy, but that page didn't load when we checked.
For Swyft's refund terms, one outside write-up covers the Swyft Filings refund policy.
It says service fees can be refunded within 60 days of purchase, state fees aren't refundable once submitted, and registered agent service is generally non-refundable once the period starts.
It's an unsigned page with a coupon link to a third-party domain and no affiliate disclosure, and Swyft's own refund policy page didn't load for us.
Treat the 60-day figure as unverified, and read the policy on Swyft's site before you pay.
Either way, state filing fees usually can't come back once the state has your paperwork, and canceling your account doesn't cancel a filing already submitted, per Swyft's FAQ.
Which Company Is Better for Your Situation?
| If you... | Consider |
|---|---|
| Want the lowest mid-tier price | Swyft Filings |
| Need faster filing options | Swyft Filings |
| Want attorney consultations and a big template library | LegalZoom |
| Prefer a larger review base | LegalZoom |
| Plan to add bookkeeping tools | LegalZoom Premium |
| Want a virtual business address | Swyft Filings Premium |
| Want the lowest cost overall | File with your state yourself |
Other Options Worth Comparing
Swyft and LegalZoom aren't the only choices. One outside page lists the best LLC services.
It's an unsigned Google Sites page with a blank "updated" date, it links to a coupon-style domain for Swyft, and some of its figures conflict with each other, so use it as a starting list only.
Here's what the companies' own pages show:
- Bizee: $0 plus state fees, with a free first year of registered agent service (Bizee's site, checked October 2026).
- ZenBusiness: $0, $199, and $299 plans plus state fees (page last modified October 20, 2026).
- Northwest Registered Agent: $39 plus state fees, with registered agent service and privacy features included (page last modified October 20, 2026).
- Tailor Brands: $0, $199 a year, and $249 a year plans plus state fees (page last updated October 18, 2026).
LLC, S Corp, or C Corp: Does Your Service Matter?
A formation service files paperwork. It doesn't pick your tax structure. The IRS says an S corporation is a pass-through election for an eligible corporation, and it's made by filing Form 2553, signed by all shareholders (IRS, page reviewed June 11, 2026).
Eligible S corporations can have no more than 100 shareholders, only one class of stock, and only allowable shareholders such as individuals, certain trusts, and estates.
For a plain overview of the two paths, an outside PDF explains C corp vs. S corp. It names no publisher or date, and it promotes Swyft Filings pricing without saying whether it has a financial relationship with the company.
Its IRS-based points, such as the S corp eligibility limits and the Form 2553 election, match the IRS page above.
Its claims about venture funding, QSBS, and tax deductions should be checked with a CPA or tax attorney.
Many small businesses start as an LLC and revisit the tax choice as profits grow.
How to Choose Between Them
- Check your state's fee first. It's the same no matter who files.
- Decide on a registered agent. Get the full yearly price from each company.
- List what you need. EIN, operating agreement, attorney access, speed.
- Read renewal terms. Look at monthly add-ons and quarterly or yearly renewals.
- Compare refund terms. Read the actual policy before you pay.
- Check your state record after filing. Confirm the registered agent and filing details.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Comparing plan prices without checking features. The plans differ.
- Missing auto-renewing add-ons, such as LegalZoom's $49 attorney plan or $9.99 bookkeeping plan.
- Skipping the registered agent price. It can add a lot each year.
- Paying for an EIN. The IRS says, "You never have to pay a fee for an EIN" (IRS, page updated October 16, 2026).
- Assuming a refund covers state fees. They usually don't.
- Trusting coupon pages without checking. Verify discounts at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swyft Filings cheaper than LegalZoom?
At the mid tier, yes. Swyft's Standard is $169 (listed at $199), while LegalZoom's Pro is $249. The plans include different features.
Which is faster, Swyft Filings or LegalZoom?
Swyft says Premium can file in as little as one business day. LegalZoom's page showed no processing times. State processing time affects both.
Does LegalZoom include an attorney?
Pro and Premium include unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations for 30 days, which renew at $49 a month unless canceled.
Do both companies include an EIN?
Swyft includes it from Standard, and LegalZoom from Pro. You can also get one free from the IRS.
How much is Swyft's registered agent service?
Its page lists "$149+ Quarterly." It doesn't give an annual price, so confirm before you buy.
What is Swyft Filings' refund policy?
Swyft's FAQ promises to "make it right or refund your fees" if it doesn't form your company correctly. The full refund policy page didn't load for us, so read it on Swyft's site.
Can I form an LLC without either one?
Yes. You can file with your state and appoint a registered agent yourself.
Do domestic LLCs have to file a federal ownership report?
Under FinCEN's final rule issued August 11, 2026, domestic companies are exempt from beneficial ownership information reporting.
The Bottom Line
Pick Swyft Filings if you want a lower price and faster filing options, and read its registered agent billing and refund terms first.
Pick LegalZoom if attorney access and its template library matter to you, and cancel the add-ons you don't need.
If you only need the basics, filing with your state costs the least. Whichever you choose, confirm every price, renewal, and refund term on the company's site before you pay.
Sources
- SBA, Register your business. Page last modified August 28, 2026.
- IRS, S corporations. Page reviewed June 11, 2026.
- IRS, Get an employer identification number. Page updated October 16, 2026.
- FinCEN, Beneficial ownership information reporting. August 11, 2026 alert.