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Short reply · Montana

3 Best LLC Services in Montana (2026) and the Facts Behind Them

The 2026 order for LLC formation services in Montana is Montana Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and Registered Agent MT.org ($199). State fee: $35. Services over three years: $397 to $597.

LLC Q and A editorial team ·

Quick answers

State filing fee
$35, once
After that
$20 yearly
Registered agent
Yes, by statute
Pick
Montana Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing then Registered Agent MT.org

Montana ranking

Order set by our five criteria, three-year cost first.
1Top pick

1. Montana Registered Agent.co: best for a one-state LLC

Year one $199, later years $99

Montana Registered Agent.co ranks first since formation is $199 with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.

Lower three-year cost than Mainstay Filing, and cost is the heaviest criterion.

The annual report is excluded, so you file it.

Price covers

  • Montana formation filing
  • First-year agent included

For

  • Year-one agent included
  • $199 plus state fee to form
  • $99/yr from year two

Against

  • Annual report not included
  • $99 charge for the EIN application
Open Montana Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2All fifty states

2. Mainstay Filing: best for handing off upkeep

$199/yr plus the $35 state fee

Mainstay Filing ranks second since $199 a year covers three jobs: formation, the registered agent and the annual report.

A $200 three-year gap to Montana Registered Agent.co explains the lower place.

The annual report is filed for you; Montana's $20 is billed at cost.

Price covers

  • LLC formation filing
  • Registered agent for a year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • EIN application filed
  • State fees at cost

For

  • $199/yr covers filing, agent and report
  • Renews at $199
  • No fee for the EIN application

Against

  • Renewal $100 higher than Montana Registered Agent.co
Open Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Montana only

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

Year one $199, later years $99

Registered Agent MT.org ranks third since formation is $199 with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.

The annual report is excluded, so you file it.

Price for price a tie with Montana Registered Agent.co.

Price covers

  • Montana formation filing
  • First-year agent included

For

  • $99/yr from year two
  • Year-one agent included
  • $199 plus state fee to form

Against

  • Annual report not included
  • $99 charge for the EIN application
Open Registered Agent MT.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Comparison

#CompanyYear 1RenewalTotal, 3 yearsCovers
1Montana Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397montana formation filing; First-year agent includedOpen Montana Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597LLC formation filing; registered agent for a year; annual report prepared and filedOpen Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Registered Agent MT.org$199$99/yr$397montana formation filing; First-year agent includedOpen Registered Agent MT.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Service fees only, from company price pages read November 13, 2026. State fees are identical for every pick.

Questions and replies

Cost to form an LLC here?

$35 to the state, plus $199 if a service files in year one.

With the recurring report, state fees total $75 over three years. source of record: sosmt.gov, confirmed October 2026

What starts the LLC?

Your filing is the Articles of Organization, and it is sent to the Montana Secretary of State.

Law: Mont. Code Ann. § 35-8-201. source of record: sosmt.gov, confirmed October 2026

A registered agent required?

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

A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: an individual, including an owner, or an entity in Montana.

source of record: mca.legmt.gov, confirmed October 2026

What is due after formation?

Calendar the annual report (annual, $20). The deadline rule says April 15, which is worth a calendar entry.

Miss the date and pay $15 more.

source of record: sosmt.gov, confirmed October 2026

Is a service required?

Yes. Self-filing costs the state's fees only: $75 over three years.

Help costs $397 to $597 more across three years.

What decided #1?

Montana Registered Agent.co scores best on three-year price, which is 36% of the total.

Five criteria: three-year price (36%), chores removed from your list (26%), price shown up front (15%), year-two bill (12%) and states served (11%).

Using Montana Registered Agent.co instead of Mainstay Filing keeps $200 over three years.

Method

Montana LLC requirements

RequirementRule or amountSource
LLC filing fee$35source of record: sosmt.gov, confirmed October 2026
Registered agentYes, by statutesource of record: mca.legmt.gov, confirmed October 2026
Annual report$20 every yearsource of record: sosmt.gov, confirmed October 2026
Three-year state total$75Sum of the rows above
The last row adds the filing, two reports and any minimum tax. Variable costs are explained in the text and left out of the sum.

Also asked

EIN application included?

Mainstay Filing includes it. Others charge: Montana Registered Agent.co $99; Registered Agent MT.org $99.

Late fee for the report?

$15.

Three-year cost of each?

Totals over three years: Montana Registered Agent.co at $397, Mainstay Filing at $597, Registered Agent MT.org at $397, with state fees on top.

Where do the numbers come from?

Official Montana sources for the state side, published prices for the service side.

Do I have to hire one?

No law requires a service; it is a paid convenience.

Which LLC service should I use in Montana?

Montana Registered Agent.co, because $199 forms the LLC and the agent renews at $99. Then Mainstay Filing and Registered Agent MT.org.

Sources

  1. Reference line for Montana Secretary of State fee, drawn from sosmt.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  2. Reference line for Montana yearly filing: Annual report, drawn from sosmt.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  3. Reference line for Montana yearly filing: Annual report, drawn from sosmt.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  4. Reference line for Montana report due date, drawn from mca.legmt.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  5. Reference line for Mont, drawn from mca.legmt.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  6. Reference line for Montana formation fee: Filing fee, drawn from sosmt.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  7. Reference line for Montana registered agent statute, drawn from mca.legmt.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  8. Montana Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026
  9. Mainstay Filing Montana service page, read November 13, 2026
  10. Registered Agent MT.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026