- ZenBusiness: Most Flexible LLC Packages
- LegalZoom: Best for Growing Teams
- Bizee: Best for à la Carte Add-Ons
- Northwest Registered Agent: Best for Multistate Expansion
- Inc Authority: Best No-Starter-Fee Bundle
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Finding the best Rhode Island limited liability company (LLC) service in 2025 will mean determining the requirements of the state and your own business to ensure you find a provider that offers all the services you need. Consider whether you require just a filing service or if you need any extra features such as legal advice, financial advice, registered agent services, business license help or trademark services, and whether it comes within your budget.
We’ve reviewed some of the biggest and best Rhode Island LLC services available, assessing their features, pricing, support and reputation to help you make an educated decision and find the right LLC service for you.
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ZenBusiness
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Tailor Brands
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5 Best Rhode Island LLC Services of 2025
Forbes Advisor Ratings
The table below includes our full list of the best LLC services in the United States. To learn more about other top LLC services in Rhode Island, read our full ranking.
Methodology
| Decision Factor | Scoring Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 30% | General features for the best LLC companies include name availability search, online document access, registered agent add-on, articles of organization and whether additional legal services are available. |
| Value | 30% | We researched the average price points of small business-oriented LLC services and scored providers based on their transparency and affordability. Companies with prices listed publicly on their websites scored better than those that don’t display this information. |
| Service and Support | 20% | We looked at what LLC formation services offer in terms of over-the-phone support, live chats and the availability of 24/7 help to get an overall sense of customer support quality. |
| Expert Score | 20% | Our expert score considered overall value for money, ease of use, popularity and standout features. Some of those features may include security features, access to customer support, whether the service offers a knowledge base and what type of money-back guarantee is offered, if any. |
Learn how we evaluate company formation services.
State LLC Services Guides
What Is an LLC Service?
Setting up an LLC service and keeping it in good standing requires business owners to take care of certain administrative tasks. For a fee, an LLC service will take care of those responsibilities, freeing up entrepreneurs’ time to focus on other things such as actually running their business. For example, in Rhode Island, setting up an LLC requires filing the articles of organization, an essential task that the best LLC services can handle for you.
Learn more: For a step-by-step guide, read our walk-through on how to set up an LLC in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island LLC Requirements
Two critical steps are required prior to filing the official paperwork with the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division to create your LLC:
- Select a unique name. In addition to clearly representing the nature of your business, your LLC’s name has to be one-of-a-kind and within the parameters of Rhode Island regulations. For example, the name can’t be vulgar or misleading. The Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division website provides the Rhode Island business search tool for confirming that your chosen business name is available.
- Appoint a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or business entity authorized to receive legal and official correspondence from the state and other public and private parties. Rhode Island regulations allow the registered agent to be any resident of the state or entity qualified to do business in the state with a physical address in the state. The registered agent must be available to receive official correspondences at the stated address during normal business hours.
Once you’ve confirmed the LLC’s name and chosen registered agent, you’re ready to file the articles of organization form with the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division. The filing fee is $150.
LLCs must also file an annual report with the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division within 90 days of the LLC’s formation and every year thereafter. The fee for the initial and required periodic statement of information filings is $50.
Rhode Island does not require that LLCs have an operating agreement, but they can be helpful because they lay out the rules governing the LLC. These include the names of owners and managers, profit distribution and the process for resolving problems. A carefully crafted operating agreement is especially important for multi-member LLCs (ones with multiple owners) to anticipate and mitigate potential conflicts.
LLCs should also request an EIN from the IRS, even though single-member LLCs without employees or excise taxes aren’t required to have one. EINs are used to pay the entity’s income tax separately from the owners’ filing. They also qualify for tax deductions that aren’t available when filing with a Social Security number, and they give the business more flexibility in hiring and determining the LLC’s structure.
After filing the articles of organization and other paperwork with the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division, the documents are reviewed by the office and, upon approval, the LLC becomes a legal business entity.
Finally, most Rhode Island LLCs are required to file a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network within their first 90 days of business. Beginning on January 1, 2025, this filing period will be reduced to 30 days.
How To Choose the Best Rhode Island LLC Service
It’s important to consider a few crucial factors when trying to find the best Rhode Island LLC service for your business. Ideally, you want a service that offers a straightforward route to formation, with a fast turnaround time and good customer support.
Essential LLC Service Features
While specific needs are likely to vary between different types of businesses and industries, here are some of the key services to look for in an LLC service.
- Formation service: It should offer assistance with filing paperwork such as the articles of organization.
- Registered agent service: It may also offer registered agent services so it can receive important legal documentation on your LLC’s behalf.
- Compliance monitoring: A good LLC service will monitor deadlines for compliance requirements such as your annual report and various other state-specific due dates.
- Templates: You should also have access to customizable templates for various legal documents and items of paperwork.
- Business license research: Your chosen service might also identify necessary licenses or permits you require to conduct business in Rhode Island.
Packages and Add-Ons
Some of the providers we’ve reviewed offer an add-on pricing structure that often gives you access to its core LLC filing service for free (not including state fees, which in Rhode Island amount to $150). This can be useful for businesses that may only need some of the services listed above, while more premium plans are likely to offer some or all of these as standard.
However, the cost of add-ons can quickly stack up, so it can offer better value for some businesses, especially bigger companies with more complex requirements, to choose higher-tier plans and benefit from the full range of services.
Ease of Use
Most platforms will give you access to a centralized dashboard where you can view and manage various aspects of your business, including paperwork and deadlines. Look for something with an easy-to-use and intuitive interface, along with helpful resources and quick access to support.
Customer Service
Customer service and support are key for resolving issues. Unfortunately, 24/7 support is rare for LLC services; only one of the providers we’ve reviewed offers it. Most will offer support Monday through Friday during their business hours, but some also offer support on weekends, which can be ideal for businesses that operate on all days of the week.
Live chat and phone support are the quickest ways to access help when you need it, so look for companies that offer one or both of these options.\
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ZenBusiness
Pricing
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2
Tailor Brands
Pricing
$0 + state fee
Service Time
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3
Formations
Pricing
$0 + State Fee
Service Time
Varies By State & Package
4
Northwest Registered Agent
Pricing
$39 + State Fees
Service Time
Varies By State & Package
How Much Do LLC Services Cost in Rhode Island?
A business could complete its own LLC paperwork and file its application with the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division for only the cost of filing the articles of organization ($150). You will also need to file an annual report for a $50 fee.
On the other end of the spectrum, a company may require financial and legal advice before filing, and it may need to pay for business and other licenses. It may also want to pay for LLC compliance, expedited processing and other add-on services that can drive up the total cost of the process to $4,000.
You’ll also have to pay Rhode Island state income tax based on your net income. However, you can deduct up to $5,000 of the cost of forming the LLC in one tax year.
| Company | Free Plan ($0 Plus $150 State Filing Fee) | Premium Package (Base Price Before State Fee) | Plans Include Registered Agent (RA) or Compliance? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LegalZoom | Yes | $0 to $299 | Compliance included in Pro and Premium plans only; available as add-on |
| ZenBusiness | Yes | $0 to $299 | Compliance only; RA as add-on |
| Bizee | Yes | $0 to $299 | RA through first year, compliance alerts |
| Rocket Lawyer | Yes, with a premium membership | $19.99 to $39.99 per month plus $0 to $99.99 for business registration | No, available as add-on |
| Active Filings | Yes | $0 to $250 | RA for first year, annual report compliance |
| Swyft Filings | Yes | $0 to $299 | No, available as add-on |
| Northwest Registered Agent | No | $39 | RA service free for first year |
| BetterLegal | No | $299 (flat rate) | No, add-ons only |
| Filenow | No | $49 to $199 | RA through first year (Premium plan), compliance alerts |
| Inc Authority | Yes | $0 basic package; call for a quote on premium bundles | RA for first year, yearly compliance notifications |
Alan Bradley, Alison Kilian, Dennis O’Reilly, Deirdre Mundorf and Mehdi Punjwani also contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I register an LLC in Rhode Island?
To register an LLC in Rhode Island, you must file the articles of organization with the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division. You must also pay a $150 filing fee. Registration can be done online, in person or by mail.
How do I check if an LLC name is available in Rhode Island?
You can check if your desired LLC name is available using the corporation and business entity database. Every Rhode Island LLC must have a unique name that’s distinguishable from other LLC names on the state record.
Does an LLC need a registered agent in Rhode Island?
Yes, Rhode Island law requires that every LLC have a registered agent. Registered agent requirements for Rhode Island are as follows: The registered agent can be any resident of the state or entity qualified to do business in the state with a physical address in the state. The registered agent does not need to consent to serve in writing.
Does Rhode Island require an LLC operating agreement?
No, Rhode Island does not require an LLC’s members (owners) to adopt a written operating agreement. This document outlines how the LLC is structured and run, including details such as each member’s rights, duties and obligations concerning the LLC.
Do I have to renew my LLC every year in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, you have to file an annual report every year to keep your LLC in good standing. The fee for the annual report is $50. The LLC annual report is filed with the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division and confirms the address to which the Rhode Island Secretary of State should send formal correspondence for the LLC.
How do I dissolve an LLC in Rhode Island?
To dissolve an LLC in Rhode Island, you must file the articles of dissolution with the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division and pay a $50 fee.
