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Straight talk · Texas

3 Best LLC Services in Texas (2026), Plainly

If you need LLC formation services in Texas in 2026, we'd go with TX Registered Agent.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and Texas Registered Agent.ai ($199), in that order. Everyone pays the state the same $300, and the service fees come to $397 to $597 for three years.
From the LLC Plainly editorial team

In a nutshell

Cost at the state
$300, a single payment
Later on
No-fee report
Registered agent
Yes, the law says so
Our ranking
TX Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing then Texas Registered Agent.ai

Texas: the ranking

The scoring is spelled out on this page.
Best overall

1. TX Registered Agent.org: best for an LLC that stays in one state

First year $199; after that $99 annually

TX Registered Agent.org is our favorite here, because it starts at $199 with the first agent year included and runs $99 a year after that.

With a lower three-year cost than Mainstay Filing, it comes first for a company that stays put.

The Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report isn't part of the price, so that's on you.

Your money buys

  • LLC filing handled
  • Agent included for year one

The good

  • You don't pay for an agent in year one
  • Then $99 a year for the agent
  • A $199 formation fee, plus the state fee

Trade-offs

  • The Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report remains a job for you
  • The EIN add-on is $99
Nationwide

2. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who want the upkeep handled

Annual price $199, renewal price $199, state fee on top

Mainstay Filing takes second, because the Public Information Report comes with the $199 yearly price, next to formation and the registered agent.

TX Registered Agent.org is $200 less across three years, which is enough to rank higher.

The Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report is covered, and Texas doesn't bill for it.

Your money buys

  • Articles prepared and submitted
  • Registered agent for the full year
  • Public Information Report filed for you
  • EIN application
  • State fees billed at cost

The good

  • They also apply for your EIN
  • Everything for $199 a year
  • Stays at $199 when you renew

Trade-offs

  • TX Registered Agent.org charges $100 less at renewal
One-state pick

3. Texas Registered Agent.ai: best for companies that stay in one state

First year $199; after that $99 annually

Texas Registered Agent.ai takes third, because it starts at $199 with the first agent year included and runs $99 a year after that.

The Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report isn't part of the price, so that's on you.

The same published prices as TX Registered Agent.org, so go with whichever you like.

Your money buys

  • LLC filing handled
  • Agent included for year one

The good

  • Then $99 a year for the agent
  • You don't pay for an agent in year one
  • A $199 formation fee, plus the state fee

Trade-offs

  • The Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report remains a job for you
  • The EIN add-on is $99

At a glance

#WhoStart priceRenews at3 yearsWhat you get
1TX Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397LLC filing handled; agent included for year oneCheck out TX Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597articles prepared and submitted; registered agent for the full year; Public Information Report filed for youCheck out Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Texas Registered Agent.ai$199$99/yr$397LLC filing handled; agent included for year oneCheck out Texas Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices as of November 13, 2026. Your state's own fees are in the checklist below.

The questions, one by one

How much do I need to get an LLC going?

The state fee is $300. Hire a service and add $199.

Add the state's fees from filing through year three: $300. official: sos.texas.gov, October 2026

What do I file and who gets it?

The Texas Secretary of State receives the Certificate of Formation (Form 205), and approval is what forms the company.

Where the law says so: Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 3.005. official: sos.texas.gov, October 2026

Will the state make me 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.

official: sos.texas.gov, October 2026

What's the upkeep?

The Public Information Report + Franchise Tax Report costs nothing and comes due every year. The due date, per the state, is May 15; put it on your calendar.

Miss the deadline and the state tacks on $50.

official: comptroller.texas.gov, October 2026

Do I have to pay a service at all?

Nothing stops you from filing yourself, and then the three-year bill is $300 in state fees.

Expect $397 to $597 over three years if you hire.

How did you decide the order?

It comes down to cost across three years, and TX Registered Agent.org is best at it.

Together, cost across three years and work taken off your hands make up 64% of the score.

On cost, TX Registered Agent.org takes it at $397, a saving of $200 against Mainstay Filing.

Our method, in full

Texas rules at a glance

The ruleThe answerCheck it
LLC filing fee$300official: sos.texas.gov, October 2026
Registered agentYes, the law says soofficial: sos.texas.gov, October 2026
Report after formationNo feeofficial: comptroller.texas.gov, October 2026
What the state gets in three years$300Our total of the lines above
The bottom row isn't a state figure. It's our total of the filing fee, the next two reports and the minimum tax, if the state has one.

A few more

Is the EIN application part of the price?

Free with Mainstay Filing. At the other picks it's $99 (TX Registered Agent.org) and $99 (Texas Registered Agent.ai).

What happens if I'm late with the report?

A late report costs $50 more.

What's each pick's bill across three years?

TX Registered Agent.org $397; Mainstay Filing $597; Texas Registered Agent.ai $397 (services only).

How official are these figures?

What the state charges comes from official Texas publications; what services charge comes from what they publish.

Does the state make me use a service?

Not required. What you'd pay a service is for convenience.

Who tops the list in Texas?

TX Registered Agent.org comes first: three years add up to $397 with its $99 renewal. Then come Mainstay Filing and Texas Registered Agent.ai.

Check our work

  1. October 2026: confirmed Texas yearly filing: Annual report using comptroller.texas.gov
  2. August 2026: confirmed Texas report due date using statutes.capitol.texas.gov
  3. August 2026: confirmed Tex using sos.texas.gov
  4. October 2026: confirmed Texas registered agent statute using sos.texas.gov
  5. TX Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
  6. Mainstay Filing Texas service page, read November 13, 2026
  7. Texas Registered Agent.ai pricing page, read November 13, 2026