LLC formation cost calculators + California
3 Best LLC Services in California (2026): Cost Calculator
Result order: Formula: 41% cost, 27% coverage, three lesser terms. Details
Calculator summary
California ranking
1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who want the upkeep handled
Best valueMainstay Filing gives the best result in California: no other service has the Statement of Information inside a $199 yearly input.
The $200 premium over CA Registered Agent.org at year three buys coverage, and coverage decides the order.
California bills $20 for the Statement of Information, and the service hands that on without markup.
Inputs covered
- Formation handled for you
- Agent for service of process for the full year
- Statement of Information, filed when due
- EIN application prepared
- State fee at cost
Adds up well
- Year two calculates to $199
- EIN application included
- A single yearly input of $199
Adds up badly
- Renews $100 above CA Registered Agent.org
2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for the smallest three-year result
California focusPosition 2 is CA Registered Agent.org: $199 for year one, then $99 for every year after.
Keep the Statement of Information on your own task list.
Inputs covered
- Formation paperwork, completed
- Agent service for the first year
Adds up well
- $99 yearly from year two
- Year-one agent covered
- Formation inputs at $199
Adds up badly
- The Statement of Information remains with you
- It bills $99 for the EIN application
3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for companies rooted in the state
California focusPosition 3 is California Registered Agent.ai: $199 for year one, then $99 for every year after.
Keep the Statement of Information on your own task list.
Its inputs match CA Registered Agent.org's exactly.
Inputs covered
- Formation paperwork, completed
- Agent service for the first year
Adds up well
- Formation inputs at $199
- Year-one agent covered
- $99 yearly from year two
Adds up badly
- The Statement of Information remains with you
- It bills $99 for the EIN application
Totals at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years
| Rank | Service | Result, year 1 | Result, year 2 | Result, year 3 | Result, year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $398 | $597 | $995 | Open Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | CA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $298 | $397 | $595 | Open CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | California Registered Agent.ai | $199 | $298 | $397 | $595 | Open California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Choose your own span
California state fees (official)
| Input | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation filing | $70 | leginfo.legislature.ca.gov {input read August 2026, shown in full} |
| Statement of Information | $20 every two years | sos.ca.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full} |
| Late fee | $250 | sos.ca.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full} |
| Minimum tax per year | $800 per year | ftb.ca.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full} |
| State fees over three years | $2,490 | Our sum |
Notes on the order
Mainstay Filing wins filing work in the price, worth 27%, with CA Registered Agent.org close behind.
A Statement of Information filed on your behalf outweighed CA Registered Agent.org's smaller three-year result.
Count the EIN application and CA Registered Agent.org calculates lower from year 2.
How California describes its LLC filing fee and filing requirements
You submit the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) to the California Secretary of State along with $70 (Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.01). Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
- $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Cited at: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov {input read August 2026, shown in full}
State fees only
$2,490 is the lowest this calculation goes, because it holds only state fees. The services above put $397 to $597 on top.
Quick answers
What do LLC formation services cost in California?
$199 for the service and $70 for the state.
What do these services calculate to over three years?
$397 to $597 across the services, not counting state fees.
How much does California charge to file an LLC?
$70 is due when you submit the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1).
What does California charge each year after formation?
$20 every two years goes to the Statement of Information, with the state setting the deadline at last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. The minimum tax comes with it.
Is the EIN application part of the price?
Mainstay Filing, nothing added, CA Registered Agent.org, plus $99 and California Registered Agent.ai, plus $99.
When does one service pass another in total cost?
They hold one order for ten years.
Which LLC formation service calculates best in California?
Mainstay Filing, which wins on filing work in the price. CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai follow.
Input sources
- We entered California Secretary of State after reading sos.ca.gov in August 2026.
- We entered California Secretary of State after reading bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov in August 2026.
- We entered California yearly filing: Statement of after reading sos.ca.gov in October 2026.
- We entered Cal after reading leginfo.legislature.ca.gov in August 2026.
- We entered California registered agent statute after reading leginfo.legislature.ca.gov in October 2026.
- We entered California other cost: Annual LLC after reading ftb.ca.gov in October 2026.
- We entered California other cost: Annual LLC after reading ftb.ca.gov in October 2026.
- Input from Mainstay Filing: California service page (November 13, 2026)
- Input from CA Registered Agent.org: pricing page (November 13, 2026)
- Input from California Registered Agent.ai: pricing page (November 13, 2026)