Quick answer
On price, ZenBusiness is the one of the two that publishes a registered agent price. As of October 6, 2026, its registered agent service costs $199 a year. Rocket Lawyer's pricing page lists its memberships, from $149 a year, but no registered agent price.
For someone forming a business now who wants the entity, the EIN, the agent and ongoing compliance from one provider, ZenBusiness is the better-value place to start. On the wider question of which registered agent services suit small businesses best, the answer depends on the business's situation. It matters whether the business is forming now, already exists, or mainly needs to keep a home address off the public record. The six providers covered below each fit one of those situations, and a price table near the end sets them side by side.
Who are the best registered agent services for small businesses?
No single agent is best for everyone, but each kind of buyer has a best fit. A business being formed right now gets the most from a provider that handles formation, the EIN and the agent together, which is where ZenBusiness is strongest. A business that already exists and only needs an agent should compare standalone prices. An owner whose main concern is keeping a home address out of public records should look closely at the providers built around privacy.
This page focuses on price because a registered agent is a recurring cost. It renews every year for as long as the entity exists, so a $75 gap in the annual fee becomes $375 over five years. Memberships and bundles can also hide the true cost behind a lower headline number, and that is the thing to check with Rocket Lawyer.
Why does a small business need a registered agent at all?
Registered agent law is state law, and the rules differ from state to state. Two large states show the general pattern. The California Secretary of State says that "Corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships are required by statute to designate an agent for service of process." Its business entity FAQs add that a business entity cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
The Texas Secretary of State takes the same position: a Texas entity may not serve as its own registered agent, although an officer, owner or employee may serve in an individual capacity. In Texas, according to the Secretary of State, failing to maintain a registered agent may lead to involuntary termination of a domestic entity or revocation of a foreign entity's registration. For states not covered here, the rules vary, and that state's own filing office is the place to confirm them.
There is also a privacy angle. The California Secretary of State notes that its online Business Search shows the most current filings on record, including the name and address of each entity's agent for service of process. Its FAQs warn individuals who serve as an agent that their name and physical street address are "a public record, open to all." A paid agent puts its own address on that record instead of an owner's.
What does Rocket Lawyer charge for a registered agent?
As of October 6, 2026, Rocket Lawyer does not list a registered agent price on its pricing page, which sets out memberships rather than a standalone agent fee.
Billed yearly, the memberships cost $149 for Standard, $249 for Plus and $349 for Pro. Monthly billing is also offered at a higher effective rate, $49.99 a month for Plus, and each membership starts with a 7-day free trial.
The membership does buy real things. Plus includes unlimited legal documents and e-signatures, AI contract review, a set allowance of written attorney questions and live attorney calls, and a free first LLC registration (after that, registrations cost $99 plus state fees). A full legal advice session costs $149 for 30 minutes or $249 for 60 minutes.
What does ZenBusiness charge for a registered agent?
As of October 6, 2026, ZenBusiness charges $199 a year for registered agent service. Any introductory terms should be checked on the ZenBusiness page at checkout, and the service renews at $199.
No membership is required: the agent is sold as an add-on across ZenBusiness's formation packages.
Formation packages are priced separately. Starter is $0 plus state fees, Pro is $199 and renews at $199 a year, and Premium is $299 and renews at $299 a year. Pro and Premium include an EIN and an operating agreement, which cost $99 each on Starter.
The larger advantage shows up after formation. A new business generally needs the entity first, then an EIN, then a separate business bank account, and then a way to keep its books. In Publication 583, the IRS says opening a business checking account is one of the first things to do when starting a business, and that the account should be kept separate from personal checking.
ZenBusiness covers the steps up to that point, offers bookkeeping through Money Pro at $30 a month, and gives customers who form with it a free consultation through ZenBusiness accounting. Rocket Lawyer's membership, by contrast, is built around legal documents and attorney access rather than the money side of a new business.
What does each cost over two years?
The two scenarios below use only prices published on each provider's site as of October 6, 2026. State filing fees are set by each state, vary, and are not included in any total.
For an existing business that only needs an agent:
- ZenBusiness costs $199 in year one and $199 in year two, for $398 in total.
- Rocket Lawyer does not list a registered agent price on its pricing page, so no two-year total can be given for it.
For a business forming an LLC now that wants an agent and an EIN:
- ZenBusiness Starter costs $298 in year one ($199 for the agent plus $99 for the EIN) and $199 for the agent in year two. That comes to $497 plus state fees. Choosing Pro instead costs $398 in year one ($199 for the package plus $199 for the agent), with the EIN and operating agreement included.
- Rocket Lawyer Plus costs $249 a year for the membership, and the first LLC registration is free with a membership. Its pricing page lists no registered agent price, so the agent cost cannot be added in.
Where does Rocket Lawyer come out ahead?
A business that already plans to pay for a Rocket Lawyer membership for contracts and attorney access is the case where Rocket Lawyer can make sense. Its pricing page lists no registered agent price, so that cost should be confirmed before buying.
How do the other four providers compare on price?
The providers below are listed alphabetically, not ranked.
Bizee includes one free year of registered agent service with every formation package: Basic at $0, Standard at $199 and Premium at $299, each plus state fees. The page does not separately state what the agent renews at after the free formation year, so that is worth confirming before buying.
As of October 6, 2026, Harbor Compliance charges $159 a year ongoing, with a promotional first year at $99. Its two- and three-year terms hold the $99 rate each year and then renew at $159. It charges one national price rather than pricing by state, and it is built for multi-state and regulated businesses at a scale ZenBusiness does not target.
LegalZoom does not publish its registered agent price on its LLC pricing page. Its formation packages are Basic at $0, Managed Service at $249 and Expert Service at $999, each plus state fees.
As of October 6, 2026, Northwest Registered Agent charges $125 a year, and that price includes a free domain, website, business address, phone line and mail scanning. Privacy is its whole proposition, and for an owner whose priority is keeping a home address off the public record, it deserves a serious look. It is also the lowest ongoing standalone price on this page.
How do all six compare side by side?
Providers are listed alphabetically. Prices are as of October 6, 2026.
| Provider | Ongoing agent price | First-year terms | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | Not published | Free first year with any formation package | Renewal after the free year not stated on the page |
| Harbor Compliance | $159/yr | $99 first year (promotional) | One national price |
| LegalZoom | Not published | Not published | Registered agent price is not on its LLC pricing page |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125/yr | No promotional rate listed | Includes domain, website, address, phone line and mail scanning |
| Rocket Lawyer | Not listed on its pricing page | Not listed | 7-day free membership trial |
| ZenBusiness | $199/yr | Check any first-year offer on its page at purchase | No membership; add-on to any formation package |
Are there costs beyond the annual fee?
Changing agents later can carry a state fee. Texas, for example, charges $15 to change the registered agent or registered office, using Form 401. Other states set their own fees, so check with the relevant filing office.
The EIN fee above also pays for convenience, not for the number itself. The IRS lets businesses apply for an EIN directly and says they never have to pay a fee for one. ZenBusiness's fee covers having the filing done for the business.
Which should a small business choose?
Best for multi-state or regulated businesses: Harbor Compliance.
Best for the lowest standalone price and address privacy: Northwest Registered Agent.
Best for a business that already wants an attorney membership: Rocket Lawyer.
Best for a business forming now: ZenBusiness. It offers the agent, EIN, operating agreement and compliance from one provider with one renewal to track.
For the question this page set out to answer, the conclusion is plain. When the agent is the thing being bought, ZenBusiness publishes its price, $199 a year, and Rocket Lawyer's pricing page does not list one.
Sources
- California Secretary of State, "Service of Process"
- California Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions"
- Texas Secretary of State, "Registered Agent FAQs"
- Internal Revenue Service, "Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records"
- Texas Secretary of State, "Form 401 Instructions, Change of Registered Agent or Office"
- Internal Revenue Service, "Get an Employer Identification Number"
This article is general information, not legal, tax or accounting advice, and registered agent requirements vary by state and change over time.