Active Filings review 2024: Cost, plans, features and more
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 5:59 p.m. UTC Jan. 3, 2024
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Our take
Active Filings has several of the features you’ll need to form an LLC at a comparatively low cost, but it lacks extra features offered by competitors.
Active Filings
Pros
- Plans start at $0.
- Free online business name search.
- Registered agent services are complimentary for the first year.
Cons
- Legal advice not included.
- No chat support.
- No mobile app.
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Active Filings is an online business incorporation service that offers LLC formation packages ranging from $0 to $250, not including state fees.
The name search service is free and each of its plans includes the filing of Articles of Organization or Incorporation, as well as registered agent services. After the first year, however, you’ll pay $99 to maintain their registered agent service, on top of your annual plan price.
Active Filings can check most of the boxes you need, including a preliminary name check to make sure the state will approve the desired business name; preparation of the Articles of Formation and filing the same with the Secretary of State; drafting of the LLC’s Operating Agreement; and obtaining an EIN.
According to LLC formation attorney Zac Copp these are the core formation steps required for a new LLC. And though Active Filings checks these boxes, it’s bare-bones compared to other LLC formation services. For example, you won’t have access to legal or tax experts, online chat, or a domain name, even with the highest-paid plan. Those services can prove invaluable to first-time business owners.
Active Filings overview and facts
Active Filings is a Florida-based company founded in 2001. Unlike some other incorporation services, they have filing available in Spanish and a dedicated Spanish-speaking staff. Their services are also available to international clients who wish to set up U.S.-based businesses, as well as residents of all 50 U.S. States and D.C.
The company’s online reviews don’t offer insight into their quality of service, however, Active Filings has a “B-” rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with only three complaints filed in the last three years.
While Active Filings lacks some of the attractive features that other incorporation services offer, such as complimentary legal advice or domain names and websites, not every service offers registered agent services, which are required for some LLCs.
Active Filings LLC plans and pricing
| PLANS | PRICING (NOT INCLUDING STATE FEES) | REGISTERED AGENT SERVICES | ANNUAL REPORT FILING AND ALERTS | EIN/FEIN | EXPEDITED FILING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starter
| $0
| ✔
| ✔
| X
| X
|
Sprinter
| $100
| ✔
| ✔
| X
| X
|
Finisher
| $250
| ✔
| ✔
| ✔
| ✔
|
Unlike some competitors, Active Filings’ offers packages start at $0. But even when the price starts at zero, you’ll still have to cover state fees, which can range from $50 to roughly $1,000.
Active Filings’ free Starter plan provides several of the services you’ll need to form your LLC, including free name search and filing of your Articles of Incorporation. But you’ll have to buy a paid plan in order to get an EIN, and it’s also unclear which packages come with an Operating Agreement. In other words, be prepared to pay extra for the full range of services you need.
If you’re thinking about springing for a more comprehensive plan than Active Filings’ free offering, make sure the features add value. Even if you don’t mind paying extra, it’s doubtful you’re looking for the embossing seal and leather corporate book that come exclusively with the top-tier package.
Starter
The Starter plan covers several of your basic needs for LLC formation. With this $0 plan, Active Filings will file Articles of Organization or Incorporation on your behalf. In addition, it’ll provide you with a complimentary registered agent address (for the first year), file your annual report with your state and send you alerts to help you stay on top of compliance deadlines.
The Starter plan is only free for the first year. After that, you’ll pay $99, which covers the cost of Active Filings’ registered agent services.
According to Copp, these recurring fees are fairly customary across the industry. “The growing trend in the LLC formation industry is to get customers to sign up for recurring services (i.e., registered agent service),” he says. “There are benefits to using a professional registered agent, but make sure you understand whether or not this service is needed.”
Customers can cancel their plan after year one to avoid the recurring fee.
Sprinter
For $100, plus state fees, you can get Active Filings’ intermediate plan. Like the Starter plan, a $99 annual fee kicks in the second year for registered agent services. You’ll also have to pay a $200 fee for your EIN/Federal Tax Number if you don’t have an SSN.
The Sprinter Package can be a good choice for someone who wants the features of the Starter plan, but is also looking to protect the privacy of certain employees and members, since the plan extends registered agent service to these individuals.
Plus, expedited filing is complimentary with this package, so the Sprinter is a good option for someone who’s already considering expedited, one-day processing, which otherwise costs $100. Speedy filing could be particularly valuable to someone who lives in a state with long processing timelines, like California, Illinois and Michigan (30 days) or Alabama (180 days), compared to most states other (14 days).
Here’s a review of the features you get for upgrading from the free plan:
- Business Address: Use Active Filings’ office address on formation documents (public records) in lieu of your personal address.
- Privacy Protection: Use Active Filings’ registered agent address in lieu of your members’, managers’ and directors’ addresses.
- EIN / FEIN: Covers EIN / Federal Tax ID number preparation and filing.
- Expedited Service: Includes same-day filing services and any extra state filing fees.
Finisher
Active Filings’ most comprehensive plan is $250 a year, plus state fees. Like the other plans, a $99 annual fee kicks in in the second year and you’ll have to pay a $200 fee for your EIN/Federal Tax Number if you don’t have an SSN.
However, the priciest plan from Active Filings doesn’t deliver much value. For $150 more than The Sprinter Package, you’ll get these additional offerings:
- Corporate Seal: Laser-cut embossing seal with your corporate name, state and date of formation.
- Corporate Book: Leather corporate book, three-ring binder and zipper cover.
The Sprinter plan will be the better option for most businesses.
Active Filings add-ons and optional features
Some business formation companies offer a list of services you can add to your plan for an additional fee. For example, Northwest Registered Agent has a “Law on Call Service” that’s available in Utah for a monthly subscription fee of $9.
Active Filings doesn’t appear to offer much in this area. While the website states that additional services can be purchased from within your open Active Filings’ account, details are not disclosed.
On the other hand, all Active Filings’ packages include Registered agent services, which many companies charge for.
Active Filings customer support and experience
Active Filings lacks some of the convenient support features you may be looking for, like live chat support or a mobile app.
If you wish to get in touch with a representative, you’ll have to submit a message online or place a call. They can be reached at 1- 800-609-2521 during office hours of 9 am – 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday.
Active Filings’ website says that the company attempts to respond to all contact within two hours, however, we submitted a message online and did not receive a response as of one day later.
Active Filings vs. Bizee
| COMPANY | STARTING PRICE | BBB COMPLAINTS (LAST 3 YEARS) | REGISTERED AGENT FEE | ANNUAL REPORT FILING | FREE BUSINESS TAX CONSULTING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active Filings
| $0 plus state fees
| 3 | $99 after first year
| ✔
| X
|
Bizee
| $0 plus state fees
| 546 | $119 after first year
| X
| ✔
|
Active Filings and Bizee have some key differences. While both offer useful features for business formation, only Active Filings offers annual report filing for free.
However, Bizee has features that you might find more valuable, like chat support and free tax consulting. Plus, Bizee has add-ons that your business may eventually want, including website domains, accounting services and business insurance.
Active Filings vs. LegalZoom
| COMPANY | STARTING PRICE | REGISTERED AGENT FEE | ANNUAL REPORT FILING | COMPLIMENTARY WEBSITE | CHAT SUPPORT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active Filings
| $0 plus state filing fees
| $99 after first year
| Complimentary
| X
| X
|
LegalZoom
| $0 plus state filing fees
| $299
| $99 plus filing fees
| ✔
| ✔
|
You may find Active Filings more cost-efficient for your business when compared to LegalZoom, since Active Filings has a lower recurring fee for registered agent services and its annual report filing is complimentary.
But LegalZoom isn’t a bad alternative. While neither company provides EINs with their free plans, LegalZoom’s free plan includes a Wix website, and customers can access chat support online.
Is Active Filings right for your business?
Active Filings can be a good choice for someone who wants the essential services required to start an LLC, especially if you’re looking for a low price. There’s no charge for some of the basic features you need, like name search and filing of Articles of Organization or Incorporation. By comparison, some other formation services treat these as add-ons.
Where Active Filings may come up short is in the area of customer support. If you’re looking for professional advice or for convenient access to a live representative, you’ll want to look for another business formation service.
Methodology
We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.
We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. Our methodology is thorough, so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the Best LLC Services.
Featured LLC service offers
ZenBusiness
Free version available
Yes
Lowest published package price
$199
Live chat
Yes: Human
LegalZoom
Free version available
Yes
Lowest published package price
$249
Live chat
Yes
Northwest Registered Agent
Free version available
No
Lowest published package price
$39
Live chat
Yes
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Active filings provides a cost-effective package with the main services you need to form an LLC. The $0 plan includes filing of your Articles of Organization or Incorporation, name search and free registered agent services for the first year.
Active Filings takes care of your annual report filing, regardless of whether you have a paid package, and they help you stay on top of deadlines by sending you complimentary alerts.
Active Filings’ provides a disclaimer in fine print stating that there is a $99 fee for the annual filing service after year one. You can cancel your plan with Active Filings to avoid the fee.
Purchases with Active Filings are final and non-refundable after 90 days.
Active Filings provides business formation services, including registered agent services, for LLCs, corporations and nonprofit corporations. Their formation services and customer support are available in both English and Spanish.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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