Answered simply · Massachusetts

3 Best LLC Services in Massachusetts (2026), Plainly Answered

We'd pick Mainstay Filing ($199), Massachusetts Registered Agent.co ($199) and MA Registered Agent.org ($199) in Massachusetts for 2026, in that order. Every option pays the same $500 filing fee; service fees for three years run $397 to $597.

By the Plain Charter editorial team · Reviewed and updated November 12, 2026

Answer in brief

Fee to form: $500, once, up front
What recurs: $500 yearly
Resident agent: Must have one
Our order: Mainstay Filing, Massachusetts Registered Agent.co then MA Registered Agent.org

Who we'd hire in Massachusetts

The order follows our five criteria, led by cost and coverage.

1First choice

1. Mainstay Filing: best for having the annual report filed for you

$199 a year plus the $500 state fee

We put Mainstay Filing at the top because you pay $199 a year and the formation, the resident agent and the annual report are handled.

It costs $200 more than Massachusetts Registered Agent.co over three years, and for that you hand off more of the paperwork.

Report filing is included, with the $500 state fee passed through.

The price covers

Your LLC filed with the state
Resident agent for the full year
Annual report filed for you
EIN request filed
State fee passed through

Upsides

One yearly price of $199
Renewal stays $199
No extra charge for the EIN application

What to weigh

$100 more per year after year one

Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2One-state plan

2. Massachusetts Registered Agent.co: best for a small first-year bill

$199 plus state fees; renewal $99

Pick number 2, Massachusetts Registered Agent.co, makes the list because three years come to $397 with its $99 renewal.

Its price does not cover the Limited Liability Company Annual Report.

The price covers

The Massachusetts formation filing
Year-one agent

Upsides

Agent service, year one
Low $99 renewal
$199 plus the state fee

What to weigh

No help with the Limited Liability Company Annual Report
EIN help is $99 more

Visit Massachusetts Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3One-state plan

3. MA Registered Agent.org: best for another local option

$199 plus state fees; renewal $99

Pick number 3, MA Registered Agent.org, makes the list because three years come to $397 with its $99 renewal.

Its price does not cover the Limited Liability Company Annual Report.

Same published prices as Massachusetts Registered Agent.co; pick whichever you prefer.

The price covers

The Massachusetts formation filing
Year-one agent

Upsides

$199 plus the state fee
Low $99 renewal
Agent service, year one

What to weigh

No help with the Limited Liability Company Annual Report
EIN help is $99 more

Visit MA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices together

#	Provider	First year	Renewal	Three years	Includes
1	Mainstay Filing	$199	$199/yr	$597	Your LLC filed with the state; resident agent for the full year; annual report filed for you	Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2	Massachusetts Registered Agent.co	$199	$99/yr	$397	The Massachusetts formation filing; Year-one agent	Visit Massachusetts Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3	MA Registered Agent.org	$199	$99/yr	$397	The Massachusetts formation filing; Year-one agent	Visit MA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Each company's published prices, November 12, 2026. State fees come on top and do not change by pick.

Questions, answered plainly

What does an LLC cost to set up here?

The state takes $500; a service adds $199 in year one.

Over three years the state collects $1,500 in total, filing fee included. October 2026 · sec.state.ma.us

Who receives the filing?

The LLC starts life when the Massachusetts Secretary of State accepts the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Organization.

Under M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12. October 2026 · sec.state.ma.us

Does the law require a resident agent?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

A Massachusetts resident, a Massachusetts corporation, or a corporation from another state authorized to do business in Massachusetts. State regulations (950 CMR 112.13) also allow other business entities authorized in Massachusetts.

October 2026 · sec.state.ma.us

What comes due after the LLC exists?

One recurring filing: the Limited Liability Company Annual Report ($500, yearly). It falls due on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.

August 2026 · malegislature.gov

Can I do it without a service?

You can. Without a service you pay just the state: $1,500 across three years.

The trade-off is $397 to $597 over three years against doing every form yourself.

Why this order?

Mainstay Filing leads on what the price takes off your plate, which weighs 30% in our order.

The two biggest criteria are three-year cost and what the price takes off your plate, at 35% and 30%.

The Limited Liability Company Annual Report comes around every year in Massachusetts, and only the first pick files it for you.

Read our criteria

What Massachusetts requires

Requirement	Amount or rule	Source
State filing fee	$500	October 2026 · sec.state.ma.us
Resident agent	Must have one	October 2026 · sec.state.ma.us
Limited Liability Company Annual Report	$500 every year	August 2026 · malegislature.gov
Paid to the state by year 3	$1,500	Total of these fees

We add the filing, two years of reports and any minimum tax for the three-year line. Publication and other variable costs are excluded.

FAQ

What about the EIN?

Mainstay Filing applies for it at no extra cost. Massachusetts Registered Agent.co adds $99; MA Registered Agent.org adds $99.

What do the picks cost over three years?

Mainstay Filing $597, Massachusetts Registered Agent.co $397 and MA Registered Agent.org $397 in service fees.

Where do these figures come from?

Official Massachusetts sources for state fees, company price pages for service fees.

Do I have to use a service?

Not required. Services charge for doing the paperwork for you.

What does the LLC owe the state yearly?

One recurring filing: the Limited Liability Company Annual Report ($500, yearly). It falls due on or before the anniversary date of filing of the certificate of organization.

Who comes first in Massachusetts?

We rank Mainstay Filing first on what the price takes off your plate, with Massachusetts Registered Agent.co and MA Registered Agent.org behind it.

Cited sources

Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: sec.state.ma.us (August 2026)
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: malegislature.gov (August 2026)
M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12: sec.state.ma.us (August 2026)
Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee: sec.state.ma.us (October 2026)
Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee: sec.state.ma.us (October 2026)
Massachusetts registered agent statute: sec.state.ma.us (October 2026)
November 12, 2026: Mainstay Filing Massachusetts service page
November 12, 2026: Massachusetts Registered Agent.co pricing page
November 12, 2026: MA Registered Agent.org pricing page