In addition to being a legal formality, choosing the best registered agent service also protects your business from missed deadlines, compliance headaches, and public exposure. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, the right service can quietly handle the essentials while you focus on everything else.

That said, not all providers are built the same. Below, we break down six top registered agent companies and how they stack up to help you pick one that fits your needs.

6 best registered agent services

Let's start with a side-by-side comparison of how the top registered agent companies compare across features, pricing, support, and more.

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1. Postal

Description

Postal is a virtual mailbox, business address, and registered agent service designed for modern companies that want smarter, scalable mail handling, premium addresses, and built-in compliance without the admin load.

Key features

Postal goes beyond basic mail forwarding with features that integrate directly into your workflows and reduce admin time. This includes:

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• Premium business addresses in major US cities.
• AI-powered mail summaries and response suggestions.
• Smart tagging and search across scanned documents.
• Automated deadline detection and compliance flags.
• Custom rules for mail forwarding, scanning, and shredding.
• Seamless integrations with existing business tools.
• An expert compliance team at your disposal.

Best for

Postal is best for businesses of all sizes that want a premium address and hands-off, efficient mailbox management.

Pricing

• Subscription price: $49/month.
• Extra costs: No extra costs.

Free trial

Try Postalk with a lengthy 6-month free trial. 

States

Postal is available in two locations for now: a premium address in New York (5th Ave) and one in California. Both locations offer professional credibility for growing businesses.

Service

Support is quick, always human, and based in the US, so no chatbots or long wait times.

2. Northwest Registered Agent

Description

Northwest is a privacy-first registered agent service that offers more than the basics. They help you build and manage your business identity from formation to ongoing compliance.

Key features

Northwest offers tools and services that support your business long after formation. This includes:

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• Registered agent services in all 50 states.
• Business address and free digital mail forwarding.
• Corporate guides for ongoing expert support.
• Privacy by default. Your personal info stays off public records.
• Free legal forms and compliance tools.
• Domain, email, phone, and web hosting.

Best for

Northwest Registered Agent is a great choice for entrepreneurs and small businesses that want full-service support, strong privacy protections, and guidance beyond registered agent basics.

Pricing

• Subscription price: One flat price at $125 per year.
• Extra costs: No hidden fees; everything is in-house and transparent.

Free trial

No free trial offered.

States

Available in all 50 states, with local business addresses and real offices. No third-party rental networks.

Service

Support is led by in-house Corporate Guides® who offer expert, responsive help by phone or email.

3. LegalZoom

Description

LegalZoom is a well-known legal services platform offering registered agent services as part of a broader suite. Their services are designed to help businesses stay compliant and reduce admin friction.

Key features

LegalZoom’s registered agent offering focuses on simplicity, privacy, and automated compliance support, including:

• Alerts for incoming legal mail and annual report deadlines.
• Documents scanned and uploaded to a secure digital dashboard.
• Unlimited cloud storage for business records.
• Registered agent address used on public records for added privacy.
• Paperwork handled if you’re switching from another provider.
• Annual Compliance Calendar with reminders.

Best for

LegalZoom is ideal for business owners who want an all-in-one legal platform with automated reminders, easy switching, and brand-name recognition.

Pricing

• Subscription price: One flat price $249 per year.
• Extra costs: State fees are covered if switching from another registered agent.

Free trial

No free trial offered.

States

LegalZoom offers registered agent services across the United States.

Service

Support is available via phone and chat. Customers benefit from automated alerts, compliance tools, and a familiar platform.

4. ZenBusiness

Description

ZenBusiness is an accessible business formation platform with an add-on registered agent service. They’re focused on simplifying compliance while protecting your privacy seamlessly.

Key features

ZenBusiness makes compliance easy with integrated alerts and document handling, so you stay informed without extra hassle:

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• Registered agent service available as an add-on or bundled with formation packages.
• Documents scanned, uploaded, and delivered to your online dashboard.
• Legal and state notice alerts sent promptly.
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
• Privacy protection. ZenBusiness address appears on public records, not yours.
• Physical registered agent offices in multiple states, adding credibility and compliance coverage.

Best for

ZenBusiness is a top choice for entrepreneurs and startups forming an LLC who want bundled formation and registered agent services with transparency and strong support.

Pricing

• Subscription price: $99 + state fees for the first year. Renews at $199 per year.
• Extra costs: None beyond renewal pricing (no hidden fees).

Free trial

No free trial offered.

States

ZenBusiness supports registered agent services across the United States and maintains physical offices in several key states for local representation.

Service

Support is available by phone and online. They scan your legal mail and compliance documents and notify you via dashboard and email promptly.

5. Rocket Lawyer

Description

Rocket Lawyer combines legal services with registered agent support. Their offering includes tech-savvy document handling and broad-state availability through its Rocket Legal+ membership.

Key features

Rocket Lawyer’s registered agent service is built to keep you compliant, connected, and protected without the legwork:

• Registered agents across all 50 states, ensuring broad legal coverage.
• Scanned legal notices emailed directly to your inbox for fast delivery.
• Serves as your official contact point. Your address stays private on public records.
• Part of Rocket Legal+ membership, providing discounts on the service and access to legal tools.
• Satisfaction guarantee. Get a refund if you're not satisfied.

Best for

Rocket Lawyer is best suited for business owners looking for a polished, digital-first legal toolkit, nationwide compliance coverage, and the peace of mind of a recognition‑brand platform.

Pricing

• Subscription price: Typically $124.99 per year with Rocket Legal+ membership (half off the standard $249.99 rate).
• Extra costs: No hidden fees reported beyond the membership and registered agent charge.

Free trial

No free trial available for the registered agent service.

States

Rocket Lawyer offers registered agent services in all 50 states, ensuring consistent coverage no matter where your business operates.

Service

Rocket Lawyer keeps you up to date with timely notifications, digital filing, and a large legal support ecosystem rooted in the Rocket Legal+ membership.

6. Inc Authority

Description

Inc Authority offers free LLC formation and registered agent services for the first year, positioning itself as a cost‑effective choice for new business owners.

Key features

Inc Authority’s appeal lies in simplicity and affordability, which are ideal for low-budget startups:

• Free registered agent service included for one year with LLC formation.
• Digital document storage and prompt delivery of filings.
• Basic legal notifications forwarded and scanned to your dashboard.
• Tax planning consultation included in the free bundle.
• Business credit and funding analysis support.
• Transparent “you only pay state fees” messaging.

Best for

Inc Authority is ideal for entrepreneurs or founders on a budget who want to quickly set up. It makes them a contender for the title of best registered agent for llcs if cost is a key concern.

Pricing

• Subscription price: $0 first year (aside from state fees).
• Extra costs: $179 per year after the free first year.

Free trial

Not offered, but the first year of service is free with LLC formation.

States

Available throughout the U.S.. Coverage includes all states where LLCs can be formed.

Service

Support is accessible via phone or email. Benefit from document scanning, digital storage, and prompt forwarding.

Best registered agent for LLCs

Postal is ideal for LLC owners who want a premium address, fast mail handling, and less admin. Custom forwarding rules, AI-powered summaries, and a clean dashboard make compliance easy without the clutter. It’s especially useful if you're remote-first or managing multiple entities and want everything digitized, centralized, and automated from day one.

Choosing the best registered agent service for you

The right registered agent depends on your business stage, how hands-on you want to be, and how much support you need behind the scenes. Here’s what to consider:

• State coverage: Services in all 50 states as opposed to just a few.
• Privacy: Ensure your personal address stays off public records.
• Digital tools: Fast scans, alerts, and a clean dashboard help.
• Support: Human help matters, especially for first-timers.
• Pricing: Watch for renewals and hidden fees.

Frequently asked questions about registered agent services

A few questions repeatedly pop up when picking a registered agent. Let’s clear up the most commonly asked ones.

What does a registered agent do?

A registered agent receives legal documents and government notices on your behalf. They're your business’s official point of contact, so nothing important slips through the cracks or gets lost.

Which is the best registered agent service?

It depends on what you need. Some want nationwide coverage or legal extras, while others prefer simplicity and automation. If you’re leaning digital-first, Postal is a smart, modern option.

Can you be your own registered agent?

Yes, but it comes with trade-offs. You’ll need a physical address, be available during business hours, and be okay with your details on public record.

Is it hard to be your own registered agent?

Not necessarily, but it’s easy to miss something. Staying compliant means being reliably available, organized, and okay with sacrificing some privacy and flexibility.

What happens if I don't have a registered agent?

You risk missing legal notices, falling out of good standing, or even losing your business license. States require one, so it’s not just a nice-to-have.

Do you need to be a lawyer to be a registered agent?

No, you don’t. You just need a physical address in the state and availability during business hours. Most registered agents aren’t lawyers, so a legal background is optional.