Step by step · Ohio
2 Best LLC Services in Ohio (2026): What You Get
In brief
- Cost at the state
- $99, one time
- Later years
- No recurring filing
- Statutory agent
- Mandatory
- Who we recommend
- Mainstay Filing then OH Registered Agent.org
Who we recommend in Ohio
Prices come from each company's own pricing page. The ranking is explained on how we pick.1. Mainstay Filing: best for a steady annual price
$199 a year, renewing at $199
Mainstay Filing is where we would start in Ohio. In short, formation and the statutory agent arrive together for $199 a year, plus the EIN application.
Over three years this is $200 more than OH Registered Agent.org, a difference that reach across states justifies.
Includes
- Your LLC filed with the state
- Statutory agent throughout the year
- An EIN, applied for
- Official fees at cost
Points in its favor
- No extra fee for the EIN application
- The price holds at $199
- $199 a year pays for the filing, the agent
Where it falls short
- Renews $100 higher than OH Registered Agent.org
- Fewer jobs to bundle here
2. OH Registered Agent.org: best for keeping three-year cost down
Year one costs $199; later years cost $99
Number 2 on the list is OH Registered Agent.org, where it charges $199 to form the LLC, with the agent included in year one, then $99 a year.
Includes
- State filing done for you
- No agent charge in year one
Points in its favor
- $199 plus the state fee
- The agent is free for the first year
- $99 annually after that
Where it falls short
- An EIN application is $99 more
The picks compared
| # | Company | Opening price | Each year after | Three-year total | Included in the price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | Your LLC filed with the state; statutory agent throughout the year; An EIN, applied for | Open Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | OH Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | state filing done for you; no agent charge in year one | Open OH Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Key questions
What does it cost to set up an LLC in this state?
The state charges $99. A service adds $199 in the first year.
Counting the recurring report, the state collects $99 in the first three years. codes.ohio.gov · verified October 2026
Where does the formation paperwork go?
The Ohio Secretary of State receives the Articles of Organization (Form 610), and that is what creates the LLC.
Authority: Ohio Rev. Code § 1706.16. codes.ohio.gov · verified October 2026
Must I have a statutory agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
An Ohio resident, or a business entity with a business address in Ohio.
codes.ohio.gov · verified October 2026
Are there costs every year?
Report fees: none.
Do I need a service at all?
Yes. Doing it yourself costs only the state's fees, $99 over three years.
Services charge $397 to $597 over three years for that work.
Why is the first pick first?
It is how much work the price handles, weighted at 28%, that puts Mainstay Filing first.
Our weighting leans on what three years cost first and how much work the price handles second, then three smaller factors.
Without a Ohio report to file, coverage barely tips the balance.
Ohio requirements checklist
| Requirement | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of filing | $99 | codes.ohio.gov · verified October 2026 |
| Statutory agent | Mandatory | codes.ohio.gov · verified October 2026 |
| Paid to the state in three years | $99 | Our total of the rows above |
FAQ
Will they apply for my EIN?
Mainstay Filing applies for it at no extra charge. OH Registered Agent.org adds $99.
What does each pick cost across three years?
Over three years: Mainstay Filing ($597), OH Registered Agent.org ($397), with state fees on top.
What are your sources?
The state side uses Ohio's own publications. The service side uses published company prices.
Is hiring anyone mandatory?
No law demands one. A service is a convenience.
Are there recurring state costs?
Report fees: none.
Who would you hire first in Ohio?
Mainstay Filing ranks first on how much work the price handles, ahead of OH Registered Agent.org.
Where the facts come from
- Ohio Rev, found at codes.ohio.gov, confirmed August 2026
- Ohio formation fee: Filing fee, found at codes.ohio.gov, confirmed October 2026
- Ohio registered agent statute, found at codes.ohio.gov, confirmed October 2026
- Fetched November 13, 2026: the Mainstay Filing Ohio service page
- Fetched November 13, 2026: the OH Registered Agent.org pricing page