What it means · Massachusetts
3 Best LLC Services in Massachusetts (2026), Compared
In brief
- State filing charge
- $500, one time
- Later years
- $500 once a year
- Resident agent
- Must be named
- Who we recommend
- MA Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing then Massachusetts Registered Agent.co
Our Massachusetts recommendations
Order and weights are explained on how we pick.1. MA Registered Agent.org: best for staying in one state
$199 up front, $99 annually after that
MA Registered Agent.org comes out on top: three years add up to $397 with the $99 renewal.
On three-year cost it comes in under Mainstay Filing, and cost counts for the most in our ranking.
You need to set aside time for the Limited Liability Company Annual Report, because it is not included.
Includes
- The LLC, filed for you
- No agent charge in year one
Points in its favor
- $99 annually after that
- Year-one agent service is included
- $199 plus the state fee
Where it falls short
- Nothing in the price touches the Limited Liability Company Annual Report
- Charges $99 to apply for the EIN
2. Mainstay Filing: best for paperwork taken off your hands
$199 a year, with the $500 state fee on top
In second place is Mainstay Filing, because the annual report is built into its $199 annual price alongside formation and the resident agent.
That $200 gap over three years explains why it ranks below MA Registered Agent.org.
Filing the Limited Liability Company Annual Report is included, and the $500 state fee is passed along as is.
Includes
- Your LLC filed with the state
- Resident agent all year long
- Annual report filed by Mainstay
- EIN request submitted for you
- Official fees at cost
Points in its favor
- Takes care of the EIN application
- Renewal is $199
- A fixed $199 per year
Where it falls short
- Each year after the first is $100 more
3. Massachusetts Registered Agent.co: best for one-state companies
$199 up front, $99 annually after that
Our third recommendation, Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, earns it since three years add up to $397 with the $99 renewal.
You need to set aside time for the Limited Liability Company Annual Report, because it is not included.
With the same prices as MA Registered Agent.org, this is a near tie.
Includes
- The LLC, filed for you
- No agent charge in year one
Points in its favor
- Year-one agent service is included
- $199 plus the state fee
- $99 annually after that
Where it falls short
- Nothing in the price touches the Limited Liability Company Annual Report
- Charges $99 to apply for the EIN
The picks compared
| # | Provider | First-year price | Each year after | Three-year total | Covers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | The LLC, filed for you; no agent charge in year one | See MA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | Your LLC filed with the state; resident agent all year long; Annual report filed by Mainstay | See Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Massachusetts Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | The LLC, filed for you; no agent charge in year one | See Massachusetts Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Explanations
How much does it cost to start an LLC here?
The state charges $500. A service adds $199 in the first year.
State fees for years one through three: $1,500. sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026
Which form do I file, and with whom?
You submit one document, the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization, to the Massachusetts Secretary of State.
Read the law: M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12. sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026
Must I have 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
Are there costs every year?
Keep up with the Limited Liability Company Annual Report each year ($500). According to the state, it is due on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization, which is easy to miss.
malegislature.gov, confirmed August 2026
Do I need a service at all?
You can. Without a service, you pay the state alone: $1,500 across three years.
A service adds $397 to $597 over three years to do the filings and, with Mainstay Filing, the reports.
What decided the ranking?
MA Registered Agent.org scores best on what three years cost, worth 34% of our ranking.
Most of the score, 62%, comes from what three years cost and how much work the price handles.
Picking MA Registered Agent.org leaves $200 in your pocket after three years compared with Mainstay Filing.
What Massachusetts requires
| Item | What the state says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $500 | sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026 |
| Resident agent | Must be named | sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026 |
| Limited Liability Company Annual Report | $500 every year | malegislature.gov, confirmed August 2026 |
| Years one to three, state fees | $1,500 | Added up from the rows above |
FAQ
Does the price include the EIN application?
Only Mainstay Filing includes it. At the others: $99 at MA Registered Agent.org, $99 at Massachusetts Registered Agent.co.
What are the three-year totals?
MA Registered Agent.org: $397 | Mainstay Filing: $597 | Massachusetts Registered Agent.co: $397, and state fees come extra.
What are your sources?
Each state fee links to its official source, and each service price comes from the company's website.
Do I have to hire a service?
No. The state takes filings from owners directly; a service just saves time and covers the agent role.
Are there recurring state costs?
Keep up with the Limited Liability Company Annual Report each year ($500). According to the state, it is due on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization, which is easy to miss.
Which LLC service do you recommend in Massachusetts?
MA Registered Agent.org is on top because year one costs $199 and each later year $99; Mainstay Filing and Massachusetts Registered Agent.co follow.
References
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, found at sec.state.ma.us, confirmed August 2026
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, found at malegislature.gov, confirmed August 2026
- M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12, found at sec.state.ma.us, confirmed August 2026
- Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, found at sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026
- Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee, found at sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026
- Massachusetts registered agent statute, found at sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026
- MA Registered Agent.org, pricing page, accessed November 13, 2026
- Mainstay Filing, Massachusetts service page, accessed November 13, 2026
- Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, pricing page, accessed November 13, 2026