Harbor Compliance
Multi-State Compliance & Entity Management Platform
Active Filings
Fast & Affordable Business Formation Since 2001
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
Harbor Compliance
HQ: Lancaster, Pennsylvania (812 N Prince St)
Ownership: Private (founder-led; Mike Montali CEO)
Employees: 51-200
Formations: 40,000+ clients served (focus on compliance, not pure formation)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2012 by regulatory specialists & tech experts
- Hit Inc. 5000 for 7th year in 2025
- Acquired Labyrinth Inc. (added nonprofits)
- Launched Compliance Core™ algorithm
- Grew to 40k+ clients across 50 states
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
Harbor Compliance Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
- ✓ Conversions & Mergers
Differentiators:
- Compliance Core™ scans 22,000+ requirements
- Air-Tight Onboarding™ (90% issue resolution)
- SaaS + managed hybrid for enterprises
- Direct SOS database feeds for real-time status
- Unlimited users & collaboration tools
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 | Harbor Compliance | Active Filings | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$99 + state fees (RA-focused; higher for full compliance) | ~$0 + state fees (RA included) | Harbor Compliance |
| RA Annual Fee | $99 first year; $149 renewal (multi-year discounts) | Free Year 1 (with formation); $99/year renewal | — |
| Value Score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 | Harbor Compliance |
Speed & Performance
Harbor Compliance
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day document delivery (included)
Active Filings
Avg formation: 2-5 business days standard
Expedited: 2 business days (varies); same-day in select states
Pros & Cons
Harbor Compliance — Pros
- ✓ 22k+ regulatory scans
- ✓ SaaS + managed hybrid
- ✓ All 50 states RA
- ✓ Entity management suite
- ✓ Proven for enterprises
Harbor Compliance — Cons
- ✗ Premium pricing
- ✗ Mixed Trustpilot (3.5)
- ✗ Billing complaints
- ✗ Steep for startups
- ✗ Basic formation vs. specialists
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 Harbor Compliance if: The powerhouse for complex, multi-state compliance—ideal for growing businesses needing software + service. Skip if you're a solo founder on a budget.
Choose Active Filings if: Veteran player with human touch—great for immigrants needing reliable help, but check pricing vs. budget options.
Higher rating: Harbor Compliance (7.9/10)