Explained · Texas
3 Best LLC Services in Texas (2026), Compared
The gist
- Formation fee
- $300, one-off
- What recurs
- A report, no fee
- Registered agent
- Required
- Services we suggest
- Mainstay Filing, Texas Registered Agent.ai then TX Registered Agent.org
Our Texas recommendations
Ranked using five checks described on our method page.1. Mainstay Filing: best for staying out of the paperwork
Annual price $199, renewal price $199, state fee extra
Our first recommendation is Mainstay Filing, because the Public Information Report is built into its $199 annual price alongside formation and the registered agent.
Three years run $200 higher than Texas Registered Agent.ai, and the amount of work covered settles the question.
You also get the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report filed, at no state charge.
Includes
- The formation filing
- Registered agent for the whole year
- Public Information Report taken care of for you
- EIN application
- State fee passed through as is
Points in its favor
- $199 a year, all included
- $199 at renewal
- Takes care of the EIN application
Where it falls short
- From year two it costs $100 a year more than Texas Registered Agent.ai
2. Texas Registered Agent.ai: best for a lean start
$199 plus the state fee, followed by $99 a year
Texas Registered Agent.ai ranks second. In short, you pay $199 at the start with the first agent year included and $99 annually after that.
You need to set aside time for the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report, because it is not included.
Includes
- State filing done for you
- No agent charge in year one
Points in its favor
- A modest renewal of $99
- $199 to get started
- Year-one agent service is included
Where it falls short
- You file the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report on your own
- The EIN is not included ($99)
3. TX Registered Agent.org: best for owners comfortable doing their own reports
$199 plus the state fee, followed by $99 a year
TX Registered Agent.org ranks third. In short, you pay $199 at the start with the first agent year included and $99 annually after that.
You need to set aside time for the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report, because it is not included.
The prices match Texas Registered Agent.ai, so pick the one you prefer.
Includes
- State filing done for you
- No agent charge in year one
Points in its favor
- A modest renewal of $99
- $199 to get started
- Year-one agent service is included
Where it falls short
- You file the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report on your own
- The EIN is not included ($99)
Compare prices
| # | Provider | Year one | Renewal price | Total, 3 years | What you get | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | the formation filing; registered agent for the whole year; Public Information Report taken care of for you | Open Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Texas Registered Agent.ai | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | state filing done for you; no agent charge in year one | Open Texas Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | TX Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | state filing done for you; no agent charge in year one | Open TX Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Questions explained
What does it cost to set up an LLC in this state?
$300 goes to the state, and $199 more if you hire a service in year one.
By the end of year three the state will have taken $300. as of October 2026: sos.texas.gov
Which form do I file, and with whom?
The LLC comes into being when the Texas Secretary of State approves the Certificate of Formation (Form 205).
Statute: Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 3.005. as of October 2026: sos.texas.gov
Am I required to name a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A Texas resident, including an owner, officer or employee, or an organization registered or authorized in Texas with a business office at the registered office. The company cannot be its own agent, and the agent has to consent.
as of October 2026: sos.texas.gov
Are there costs every year?
Keep up with the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report each year (no fee). According to the state, it is due May 15, which is easy to miss.
A late filing adds $50.
as of October 2026: comptroller.texas.gov
Can I skip the service?
It is allowed. A do-it-yourself filer pays $300 in state fees across three years.
Hiring one adds $397 to $597 across three years.
Why is the order what it is?
It is how much work the price handles, weighted at 28%, that puts Mainstay Filing first.
What three years cost carries 34% and how much work the price handles carries 28%. Three smaller criteria decide close calls.
In Texas the Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report falls due every year, and only the first pick files it for you.
What Texas requires
| Item | Fee or rule | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of filing | $300 | as of October 2026: sos.texas.gov |
| Registered agent | Required | as of October 2026: sos.texas.gov |
| Follow-up report | No fee | as of October 2026: comptroller.texas.gov |
| Years one to three, state fees | $300 | Our total of the rows above |
More explanations
What about getting an EIN?
It is part of the Mainstay Filing price, while Texas Registered Agent.ai bills $99 and TX Registered Agent.org bills $99.
Is there a penalty for a late report?
Texas adds $50.
How much is each one after three years?
$597 with Mainstay Filing, $397 with Texas Registered Agent.ai, $397 with TX Registered Agent.org in service fees alone.
What are your sources?
Texas's official documents supply the state fees, and the companies' price pages supply the service fees.
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.
What is the best LLC service for Texas?
Mainstay Filing is on top because one yearly price of $199 handles the filing, serves as the registered agent and files the Public Information Report, and it renews at $199; Texas Registered Agent.ai and TX Registered Agent.org follow.
References
- Texas yearly filing: Annual report via comptroller.texas.gov, as of October 2026
- Texas report due date via statutes.capitol.texas.gov, as of August 2026
- Tex via sos.texas.gov, as of August 2026
- Texas registered agent statute via sos.texas.gov, as of October 2026
- Fetched November 13, 2026: the Mainstay Filing Texas service page
- Fetched November 13, 2026: the Texas Registered Agent.ai pricing page
- Fetched November 13, 2026: the TX Registered Agent.org pricing page