LLC price index · California
3 Best LLC Services in California (2026): Price Index
Index basis: Index of five columns: three-year cost (38%), coverage per dollar (32%), renewal step, crossover year and price transparency. Basis explained
Quick tally
The California index
1. Mainstay Filing: best for covering the most paperwork
First lineBest value in California is Mainstay Filing: filing, agent for service of process and Statement of Information together for $199 a year, renewing at $199.
A $200 three-year premium over CA Registered Agent.org buys more coverage, which decides this index.
The service files the Statement of Information; you pay California's $20 at cost.
Line includes
- State formation handled
- Agent for service of process for the full year
- Statement of Information, prepared and filed
- The EIN application
- State fee at exact cost
Credits
- A flat $199 every year
- Renews at the same $199
- The EIN step is covered
Debits
- $100 more every year from year two than CA Registered Agent.org
2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for a company that stays in one state
California onlyNext on the ledger: CA Registered Agent.org, with $199 to form with the agent included for year one, $99 a year afterward.
Its price stops short of the Statement of Information.
Line includes
- The California LLC formation, filed
- Agent service in year one
Credits
- A $99 renewal
- Agent service free for year one
- A formation price of $199
Debits
- The Statement of Information sits outside the price
- EIN help is a separate $99
3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for owners comfortable filing their own reports
California onlyNext on the ledger: California Registered Agent.ai, with $199 to form with the agent included for year one, $99 a year afterward.
Its price stops short of the Statement of Information.
It matches CA Registered Agent.org to the dollar.
Line includes
- The California LLC formation, filed
- Agent service in year one
Credits
- Agent service free for year one
- A formation price of $199
- A $99 renewal
Debits
- The Statement of Information sits outside the price
- EIN help is a separate $99
What each line costs, year by year
| Line | Provider | Total, year 1 | Total, year 2 | Total, year 3 | Total, year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $398 | $597 | $995 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | CA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $298 | $397 | $595 | Visit CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | California Registered Agent.ai | $199 | $298 | $397 | $595 | Visit California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Crossover check
State fees, with citations
| Entry | Amount | Cited from |
|---|---|---|
| Filing the LLC | $70 | leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (read August 2026) per the state |
| Statement of Information | $20 every two years | sos.ca.gov (read October 2026) per the state |
| If the report is late | $250 | sos.ca.gov (read October 2026) per the state |
| Tax each year | $800 each year | ftb.ca.gov (read October 2026) per the state |
| 3-year state cost | $2,490 | Total of the above |
Index notes
The deciding column for California was coverage per dollar (32% of the index), where Mainstay Filing led.
The Statement of Information column moved the bundle to the top.
Add the EIN application and CA Registered Agent.org becomes the lower subtotal from year 2.
Official California LLC filing fee and requirements
What to file: the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1). Where: the California Secretary of State. How much: $70. 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.
Citation: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (read August 2026) per the state
If you file it yourself
Skip the service and you pay California $2,490 over three years while handling every form yourself. The services bill $397 to $597 on top for that work.
FAQ
How much does LLC formation service cost in California?
Our lines charge $199 up front; the state adds $70.
What is the three-year subtotal for these services?
$397 to $597 in service fees, state charges excluded.
What fee does California charge to file an LLC?
The fee is $70, and the filing is the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1).
What does California charge after the first year?
The recurring charge is $20 for the Statement of Information every other year (last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially). The minimum tax is separate.
Does any line include the EIN application?
Mainstay Filing: included; CA Registered Agent.org: $99; California Registered Agent.ai: $99.
When does one line pass another in total cost?
Not within ten years; no line overtakes another.
Which LLC formation service indexes best in California?
Mainstay Filing indexes first. CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai follow.
Source lines
- Cited under California Secretary of State: sos.ca.gov (August 2026).
- Cited under California Secretary of State: bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov (August 2026).
- Cited under California yearly filing: Statement of: sos.ca.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under Cal: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (August 2026).
- Cited under California registered agent statute: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under California other cost: Annual LLC: ftb.ca.gov (October 2026).
- Cited under California other cost: Annual LLC: ftb.ca.gov (October 2026).
- November 13, 2026 reading of the Mainstay Filing California service page
- November 13, 2026 reading of the CA Registered Agent.org pricing page
- November 13, 2026 reading of the California Registered Agent.ai pricing page