Head-to-Head

Inc Authority

100% Free Business Formation Services

VS

US Registered Agents

Nationwide Registered Agent Services in All 50 States

Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.

Founded
Inc Authority: 1989
US Registered Agents: 1998
Rating
8.4/10
7.8/10
First Year Cost
~$0 + state fees (free formation + RA)
~$129 + state fees (RA included)
Formation Speed
24 hours processing + state time
1-5 business days standard
RA Annual
Free Year 1; $99/year renewal (or higher bundles)
$129/year per state (multi-state discounts)

Company Background

Inc Authority

HQ: Reno, Nevada (3773 Howard Hughes Pkwy, Suite 500S)

Ownership: Private (independent)

Employees: 120+

Formations: 250,000+ entities

Key Milestones

  • Founded 1989 in Reno, NV
  • Pioneered free formation model
  • Hit 250,000+ formations
  • Partnered with Daymond John (Shark Tank) in 2021
  • Inc. 5000 ranking for multiple years

US Registered Agents

HQ: Nyack, New York (407 N Highland Avenue)

Ownership: Private (independent)

Employees: 11-50 (small to mid-size team)

Formations: Hundreds of thousands (focus on RA; high WY volume)

Key Milestones

  • Founded 1998 in Pacific Northwest (now NY-based)
  • Expanded to full 50-state + territories network
  • Became major provider for incorporation wholesalers
  • Added Canada representation
  • Built multi-jurisdiction change-of-agent service

Core Services

Inc Authority Services

Formation types:

  • LLC
  • Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
  • Foreign Qualification (limited)
  • Change of Registered Agent

Differentiators:

  • Truly free formation ($0 service fee + state fees only)
  • Free 1-year RA + EIN
  • Tax-deductible state fees
  • Worry-free guarantee
  • High-volume upsell support (credit, funding)

US Registered Agents Services

Formation types:

  • LLC
  • Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
  • Foreign Qualification (all states)
  • Change of Registered Agent

Differentiators:

  • 50-state + territories coverage
  • Multi-state discounts & partner programs
  • Pays state fees for change of agent
  • Global network (Canada provinces)
  • Simple, wholesale-friendly model

Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.

Pricing & Value

Category Inc Authority US Registered Agents Winner
First Year Total ~$0 + state fees (free formation + RA) ~$129 + state fees (RA included) Inc Authority
RA Annual Fee Free Year 1; $99/year renewal (or higher bundles) $129/year per state (multi-state discounts)
Value Score 8.5/10 7.9/10 Inc Authority

Speed & Performance

Inc Authority

Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time

Expedited: Free 24-hour (standard)

US Registered Agents

Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard

Expedited: Available (varies by state)

Pros & Cons

Inc Authority — Pros

  • 100% free service fee
  • Free 1-year RA + EIN
  • 24-hour fast processing
  • Tax & funding analysis
  • #1 rated on Trustpilot

Inc Authority — Cons

  • ✗ Heavy marketing/upsells
  • ✗ Persistent emails/calls
  • ✗ Billing disputes
  • ✗ BBB complaints
  • ✗ Limited add-on depth

US Registered Agents — Pros

  • All 50 states + territories
  • Multi-state/partner discounts
  • Pays change of agent fees
  • Canada representation
  • Simple RA model

US Registered Agents — Cons

  • ✗ Limited direct reviews
  • ✗ Basic support tools
  • ✗ RA $129/year
  • ✗ No free Year 1
  • ✗ Wholesale emphasis

The Verdict

Choose Inc Authority if: The ultimate free formation option—ideal for bootstrappers ignoring upsells. Delivers value if you want zero-cost startup with pro perks.


Choose US Registered Agents if: The specialist for nationwide and territorial RA needs—ideal for businesses spanning states or wholesalers. Reliable coverage at a fair price; great if you need broad reach without complexity.

Higher rating: Inc Authority (8.4/10)