Registered Agent Cost Compare

Registered Agent Cost Compare › Compare › Mainstay Filing vs LegalZoom

Mainstay Filing vs LegalZoom: Registered Agent Cost Over 1, 3 and 5 Years

Over five years, registered agent only: Mainstay Filing $745, LegalZoom $1,245. Mainstay Filing is our pick if you want a price that does not change at renewal; Mainstay Filing costs the least in year one.

Mainstay Filing vs LegalZoom, which registered agent is cheaper?

Registered agent service only, state fees excluded. Prices read October 2026. Sources.
ProviderYear 1Each year after3 years5 years
Mainstay Filing$149$149$447$745
LegalZoom$249$249$747$1,245

What is included, and where each wins

Mainstay Filing: Service of process is scanned and uploaded the same business day at no fee. The first three government mailings a year are scanned free; after that a per-piece fee applies. There is no add-on menu: no EIN add-on, no operating-agreement upcharge, no rush tier and no compliance plan.

LegalZoom: Alerts when mail arrives; documents scanned and uploaded; annual report reminders. Price for first-time agent customers. Auto-renews at the purchase rate; LegalZoom says the renewal rate is subject to change. Read October 20, 2026.

Questions

Mainstay Filing vs LegalZoom, which registered agent is cheaper?

Year one: Mainstay Filing. Three years: Mainstay Filing. Five years: Mainstay Filing. Mainstay Filing is $149 a year with no step-up.

What does each include?

Mainstay Filing: Service of process is scanned and uploaded the same business day at no fee. The first three government mailings a year are scanned free; after that a per-piece fee applies. LegalZoom: Alerts when mail arrives; documents scanned and uploaded; annual report reminders.