BizFilings vs Clerky: pricing and features compared
Data last updated: Apr 21, 2026BizFilings starts at $99 plus state fees. Clerky starts at $427 plus state fees. Sticker-price differences between LLC formation services rarely tell the full story, since the cheapest tier usually excludes the EIN filing and operating agreement most filers need.
The registered agent renewal is the line item that actually matters over time: Clerky is $125 per year, BizFilings is $220. Over five years that delta adds up to $380, which is typically a larger swing than the formation-tier sticker price.
For most filers, the decision between two services is decided by three things: whether you need a $0 tier or can absorb a mid-tier to get the EIN and operating agreement bundled, how much the registered agent will cost you in year two and onward, and whether the support quality matters to you (it matters more if you're paying $200+ for the service in the first place).
Key differences at a glance
- BizFilings is $328 cheaper at the starting tier (both charge upfront).
- Clerky has the cheaper registered agent renewal ($125/yr vs $220/yr). Over five years that is a $380 difference.
- Clerky includes EIN filing in its default price; BizFilings sells it as a paid add-on. You can always get an EIN directly from the IRS in five minutes for free.
- Clerky supports non-US founders without a US SSN. The other is primarily US-resident oriented.
Where each service fits
Pick BizFilings when
Pick BizFilings when you want the lowest possible day-one sticker price.
Pick Clerky when
Pick Clerky when you're optimizing for lower long-term cost (RA renewal is cheaper); you're a non-US founder.
What each service offers that the other does not
Only Clerky
- EIN included free
- Non-US founder support
Both services
- Compliance dashboard
- Phone support
What it costs under your specific situation
Running the same LLC through three common scenarios. Year-1 and 5-year totals exclude state fees, which are identical for both services.
| Scenario | BizFilings Year 1 | Clerky Year 1 | BizFilings 5-year | Clerky 5-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just the basics: state filing, RA year 1, nothing else You file the EIN yourself at irs.gov and skip a written operating agreement. | $99 | $427 | $979 | $927 |
| You want EIN and operating agreement handled too Most new LLCs end up here. Assumes $70 EIN and $99 OA add-ons where the service charges for them. | $268 | $427 | $1,148 | $927 |
| Standalone registered agent only (no formation) You already formed the LLC elsewhere. Just swapping to this service's RA. | $220 | $0 | $1,100 | $0 |
Full feature comparison
| Dimension | BizFilings | Clerky |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price Cheapest tier, excludes state fees | $99 | $427 |
| Registered agent year 1 | Not included | Included |
| Registered agent renewal Year 2 onward, annual | $220/yr | $125/yr |
| Free $0 tier | No | No |
| EIN application | Paid add-on | Included free |
| Operating agreement | Paid add-on | Not offered |
| Compliance dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Mail scanning | No | No |
| International founders | No | Yes |
| Banking partner | None | None |
| Phone support | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time | Business hours; no explicit hours published on the contact page |
| Live chat | No | No |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.5/5 (170 reviews) | Not published |
Pricing tiers side by side
BizFilings
- Basic — $99
- Standard — $229
- Complete — $359
Clerky
- Pay Per Use (Delaware C-corp Incorporation) — $427
Includes RA year 1 · renews $125/yr - Company Lifetime Package — $819
Includes RA year 1 · renews $125/yr
Support and ratings, interpreted
BizFilings offers phone, email. Clerky offers phone, email.
BizFilings
Phone: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time.
Email: yes.
No live chat.
Trustpilot: 4.5/5 from 170 reviews.
Clerky
Phone: Business hours; no explicit hours published on the contact page.
Email: yes.
No live chat.
Before you pick either service
A few things apply no matter which one you choose. These catch enough first-time filers to be worth stating plainly.
The state fee is identical. Whether you use BizFilings, Clerky, or neither, your state charges the same formation fee. Nothing a service does lowers that number. The fee ranges from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts depending on where you form. See the state-by-state guide for exact numbers.
You can get an EIN for free at irs.gov in five minutes. Both BizFilings and Clerky either bundle EIN filing or sell it as a paid add-on. You're never required to pay for EIN filing; the IRS charges nothing and the online form takes about five minutes. If a service is pitching "we'll handle your EIN" as a headline feature, that's convenience pricing, not necessity.
The registered agent renewal is what matters long-term. The formation fee is a one-time cost. The registered agent is what recurs every year for as long as you keep the LLC open. Over five years, the RA renewal cost usually exceeds the formation fee. Compare on that number, not just the day-one sticker.
Operating agreements are separately priced at most services. Any LLC with more than one member, and any LLC relying on its liability shield, should have a written operating agreement. It governs ownership percentages, profit splits, management structure, and dissolution. California, Maine, Missouri, and New York require it by statute; every other state treats it as strongly recommended. Don't skip it to save $99.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Which is cheaper, BizFilings or Clerky?
BizFilings is cheaper at the starting tier ($99 vs $427). Over 5 years including RA renewals, the gap is about $52.
-
Does BizFilings or Clerky have better support?
BizFilings offers phone, email. Clerky offers phone, email.
-
Can a non-US founder use BizFilings or Clerky?
Clerky supports non-US founders without a US Social Security Number. The other service is primarily US-resident oriented and may require additional workarounds for the EIN application, since non-US applicants need to file paper Form SS-4 rather than use the instant online path. For heavy non-US founder needs, services like Doola, Firstbase, or Stripe Atlas are purpose-built for that market.
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Should I just file the LLC myself instead of using BizFilings or Clerky?
You can. The state fee is identical whether you use a service or not. What these services sell is convenience: a handled registered agent (which you can also buy standalone), a bundled operating agreement, compliance reminders, and in some cases banking and tax integrations. If your time is worth more than $50 an hour and you would rather not research your state's specific filing quirks, a service pays for itself. If you like DIY administrative work, file directly at your state's Secretary of State portal.
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How much does the registered agent cost with each service from year 2 onward?
BizFilings renews at $220/yr. Clerky renews at $125/yr. This number matters because it recurs every year for as long as you keep the LLC. Over a five-year window, the registered agent renewal cost typically exceeds the formation fee, so it's worth more attention than most reviews give it.
Full reviews
Sources
- Pricing: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings · verified April 21, 2026
BizFilings markets LLC formation starting at $99 plus state fees on the Wolters Kluwer solutions landing page. Package tiers (Basic $99, Standard $229, Complete $359) are shown on the PackageSelect ordering screen at secure.bizfilings.com/PackageSelect.aspx. Prices vary by state. - Registered agent renewal usd: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings/registered-agent-service… · verified April 21, 2026
Registered Agent Services page quotes $220 for 1 year, $370 for 2 years, and $489 for 3 years. All formation packages include 3 months free registered agent, then auto-renew at standard rates. - Registered agent only: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings/registered-agent-service… · verified April 21, 2026
Registered agent available as a standalone product independent of formation package. - Features: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings · verified April 21, 2026
BizComply online compliance monitoring tool bundled with registered agent. EIN only included at Complete tier. Operating agreement template included at Standard and up. No mail scanning, no international founder product, no named banking partner. - Support: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings/contact · verified April 21, 2026
Contact page lists phone 608-827-5300 with office hours 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time Monday to Friday. Email via web form. No live chat advertised on the contact page. - Headquarters: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings/contact · verified April 21, 2026
Contact page lists 525 Junction Road Suite 5000, Madison, WI 53717. Area code 608 matches Madison, WI. - Founded: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings · verified April 21, 2026
BizFilings was founded in 1996 and acquired by Wolters Kluwer (CT Corporation) in 2002. Now operated under the Wolters Kluwer solutions portfolio. - Ratings: www.trustpilot.com/review/wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings · verified April 21, 2026
Trustpilot profile for BizFilings (Wolters Kluwer) shows approximately 4.5/5 across roughly 170 reviews as of April 2026. Review volume is modest relative to consumer-facing competitors. - Pricing: www.clerky.com/pricing · verified April 21, 2026
Clerky pricing page shows two formation options: Pay Per Use at $427 one-time and Company Lifetime Package at $819 one-time. Both are Delaware C-corp incorporation. Clerky does not offer LLC formation. This is editorially important: readers comparing Clerky to Bizee or ZenBusiness should be aware it is not the same product category. - Registered agent renewal usd: www.clerky.com/pricing · verified April 21, 2026
First-year Delaware registered agent fee of $125 is bundled with both formation packages. Renewal pricing beyond year one is not explicitly published on the pricing page; $125/yr is used as the reasonable standing estimate based on year one. - Registered agent only: www.clerky.com/formation · verified April 21, 2026
Registered agent is bundled inside Clerky formation, not sold as a standalone SKU. - Features: www.clerky.com/formation · verified April 21, 2026
Formation product includes post-incorporation setup (bylaws, stock issuance, IP agreements) and an EIN Application workflow including support for non-US founders via pre-filled IRS forms and in-house fax submission. No LLC-style operating agreement (C-corp uses bylaws). No general mail scanning or banking partner integration (corporate bank account opening supported via partner banks as informational guidance). - Free filing tier: www.clerky.com/pricing · verified April 21, 2026
Entry price is $427 one-time; there is no $0 formation tier. This is intentional per Clerky positioning for fundraising-track startups. - Support: www.clerky.com/ · verified April 21, 2026
Contact info on the site lists email support@clerky.com and phone 650-440-5449. Area code 650 maps to the San Francisco Peninsula, consistent with the founders' Orrick Menlo Park background. No live chat. - Headquarters: www.clerky.com/ · verified April 21, 2026
Business address listed as 440 N. Barranca Ave. #1881, Covina, CA 91723 (Clerky is a bonded legal document assistant registered in Santa Clara County, LDA258). - Founded: www.ycombinator.com/companies/clerky · verified April 21, 2026
Y Combinator company profile and third-party sources (Tracxn, press coverage) place Clerky's founding in 2011 by Darby Wong (CEO) and Chris Field, both former startup attorneys at Orrick Herrington and Sutcliffe. - Ratings: www.trustpilot.com/review/clerky.com · verified April 21, 2026
Clerky has a limited Trustpilot footprint (well under 100 reviews). Per playbook policy, rating and review count are left null because the sample is not representative. The Trustpilot URL is kept for reference.