Filenow
Quick & Affordable Business Formation with 24-Hour Processing
Active Filings
Fast & Affordable Business Formation Since 2001
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
Filenow
HQ: New York, NY (small team of experts)
Ownership: Private (independent; founder-led team of entrepreneurs/lawyers)
Employees: Small team (1-10)
Formations: Thousands (growing; focus on quality)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2018 by team of entrepreneurs, lawyers, tax pros
- Grew via affordable formation model
- Launched Incorporation Wizard for entity selection
- Achieved 4.8/5 on ShopperApproved (600+ reviews)
- Expanded to full compliance add-ons
Active Filings
HQ: Dania Beach, Florida (381 E Sheridan St)
Ownership: Private (independent, founder-owned; no VC backing)
Employees: 4
Formations: 100,000+ satisfied customers
Key Milestones
- Founded 2001 by immigrant Roberto Neuberger in Florida
- Expanded from FL-only to all 50 states + DC + PR
- Pioneered online incorporation tech (pre-VC era)
- Developed proprietary compliance review system
- Remained independent (no institutional investors)
Core Services
Filenow Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- 24-hour order processing (no extra cost)
- Error-free guarantee (money back if errors)
- Transparent, no-hidden-fees pricing
- Incorporation Wizard (entity selector)
- Unlimited expert support (phone/email/chat)
Active Filings Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ International Incorporation Plan (for non-US residents)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- More free services than competitors (lifetime support, checklists)
- 19+ years experience; 3rd oldest service
- Error-free filing guarantee
- Proprietary compliance tech
- Dedicated support for law firms & small biz
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | Filenow | Active Filings | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$49-$199 + state fees (RA included in Premium) | ~$0 + state fees (RA included) | Filenow |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1 (Premium); $119/year renewal | Free Year 1 (with formation); $99/year renewal | — |
| Value Score | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 | Filenow |
Speed & Performance
Filenow
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time (fastest standard)
Expedited: Included (24-hour); same-day in select states
Active Filings
Avg formation: 2-5 business days standard
Expedited: 2 business days (varies); same-day in select states
Pros & Cons
Filenow — Pros
- ✓ 24-hour processing included
- ✓ Starter from $49 + state
- ✓ Error-free money-back guarantee
- ✓ Free RA Year 1 (Premium)
- ✓ Unlimited expert support
Filenow — Cons
- ✗ Small team (emerging)
- ✗ RA $119 renewal
- ✗ Fewer add-ons
- ✗ Low review volume
- ✗ No enterprise tools
Active Filings — Pros
- ✓ Lifetime free support
- ✓ 3rd oldest; proven track record
- ✓ All 50 states + international
- ✓ Error-free guarantee
- ✓ Strong Spanish support
Active Filings — Cons
- ✗ Small team (less scale)
- ✗ RA renewal after free year
- ✗ Fewer reviews than giants
- ✗ Basic tech vs. AI tools
- ✗ Expedited varies by state
The Verdict
Choose Filenow if: Excellent for founders who want fast, affordable setup with pro help—great alternative to giants if you prioritize transparency and speed.
Choose Active Filings if: Veteran player with human touch—great for immigrants needing reliable help, but check pricing vs. budget options.
Higher rating: Filenow (8.1/10)