Plain English · Ohio

2 Best LLC Services in Ohio (2026), Plainly Answered

In Ohio for 2026, we would use OH Registered Agent.org ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199), in that order. Count on $99 for the filing itself and $397 to $597 in service fees over three years.

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

Answer in brief

What the state charges: $99, once, up front
What recurs: Nothing yearly
Statutory agent: Must have one
Our order: OH Registered Agent.org then Mainstay Filing

Who we'd hire in Ohio

Ranked by how we choose: three-year cost first, then what the price covers.

1Our first pick

1. OH Registered Agent.org: best for a low three-year cost

First year $199, then $99 a year

OH Registered Agent.org leads our list: you pay $199 in year one and $99 in each later year.

Lower three-year cost than Mainstay Filing puts it first for a company staying in Ohio.

The price covers

State filing handled
Agent included, year one

Upsides

Year-one agent included
Low $99 renewal
Forms the LLC for $199

What to weigh

$99 add-on for the EIN

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

2Most included

2. Mainstay Filing: best for formation and agent in one price

$199 yearly, renewing at $199

Mainstay Filing is next: you pay $199 a year for the filing plus a full year of statutory agent service.

It costs $200 more than OH Registered Agent.org over three years, and cost carries the most weight with us.

The price covers

Your LLC filed with the state
Statutory agent for twelve months
EIN request filed
State fee passed through

Upsides

$199 at renewal
$199 yearly, all in
Applies for your EIN

What to weigh

$100 a year more than OH Registered Agent.org from year two
The bundle saves less here

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

Prices together

#	Service	Year one	Renewal	Three-year total	You get
1	OH Registered Agent.org	$199	$99/yr	$397	state filing handled; agent included, year one	Visit OH Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2	Mainstay Filing	$199	$199/yr	$597	Your LLC filed with the state; statutory agent for twelve months; EIN request filed	Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Read from company pricing on November 12, 2026; three years means the first year plus two renewals.

The plain answers

How much should I budget to form it?

$99 to the state, plus $199 if a service files it for you.

Counting the recurring report, the state's own fees reach $99 by the end of year three. codes.ohio.gov, confirmed October 2026

Which form creates the LLC?

It takes one filing, the Articles of Organization (Form 610), which goes to the Ohio Secretary of State.

Legal basis: Ohio Rev. Code § 1706.16. codes.ohio.gov, confirmed October 2026

Does the law require a statutory agent?

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

An Ohio resident, or a business entity with a business address in Ohio.

codes.ohio.gov, confirmed October 2026

What comes due after the LLC exists?

Report fees: none.

Can I file it myself?

Yes. Filing yourself leaves only the state's fees, $99 over three years.

What you pay a service ($397 to $597 over three years) buys the paperwork and the agent role.

How did you rank them?

OH Registered Agent.org wins on three-year cost, our 35% criterion.

Most of our weighting sits on three-year cost and what the price takes off your plate.

$397 over three years for OH Registered Agent.org, which is $200 under Mainstay Filing.

The criteria in full

Requirements, cited

Requirement	Detail	Cited
Formation fee	$99	codes.ohio.gov, confirmed October 2026
Statutory agent	Must have one	codes.ohio.gov, confirmed October 2026
Paid to the state by year 3	$99	Our sum of the fees above

Three-year state total = filing + reports in years 2 and 3 + any minimum tax; variable costs are not added.

FAQ

Is the EIN application included?

It is free with Mainstay Filing. OH Registered Agent.org: $99 extra.

Over three years, what does each charge?

OH Registered Agent.org $397 and Mainstay Filing $597, before state fees.

Where do these figures come from?

Each state fee links its official source; each service price comes from the company's site.

Does the state require a service?

No. The state accepts filings from owners; a service saves time and handles the agent role.

Any yearly state fees?

Report fees: none.

Which LLC service would you pick in Ohio?

First OH Registered Agent.org, then Mainstay Filing.

Sources

Ohio Rev: codes.ohio.gov (August 2026)
Ohio formation fee: Filing fee: codes.ohio.gov (October 2026)
Ohio registered agent statute: codes.ohio.gov (October 2026)
Prices from the OH Registered Agent.org pricing page on November 12, 2026
Prices from the Mainstay Filing Ohio service page on November 12, 2026