Montana LLC Costs (2026): Official Fees and the 3 Best LLC Services
Short answer for Montana in 2026: Montana Registered Agent.co ($199), Registered Agent MT.org ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199), in that order. The state's own part is $35 to file, plus the annual report at $20 every year, which puts Montana 5th of 50 on three-year state fees.
Weights: 35% three-year service fees, 30% filings covered, 30% the rest (methodology).
We would start here
1. Montana Registered Agent.co: best for low formation fees
$199 first year, $99 after
Montana Registered Agent.co leads here. The case for it: a $199 formation fee and a $99 yearly agent renewal.
Its three-year service fees come in under Mainstay Filing's, and service fees are our heaviest criterion at 35%.
Plan to file the annual report yourself every year.
What you pay for
The formation paperwork
First year of agent service
For
Agent renews at $99
$199 to form
Agent included for year one
Against
No annual report service
EIN help is $99
Single state
2. Registered Agent MT.org: best for a second Montana option
$199 first year, $99 after
Pick 2, Registered Agent MT.org: a $199 formation fee and a $99 yearly agent renewal.
Plan to file the annual report yourself every year.
Prices match Montana Registered Agent.co exactly; either works.
What you pay for
The formation paperwork
First year of agent service
For
$199 to form
Agent renews at $99
Agent included for year one
Against
No annual report service
EIN help is $99
Widest coverage
3. Mainstay Filing: best for having the annual report filed for you
$199 a year, renewing at $199
Mainstay Filing slots in third. What it offers: the annual report is filed for you inside a flat $199 yearly price that also pays for the registered agent.
Its three-year service fees are $200 above Montana Registered Agent.co, and service fees carry 35% of our score.
Filing the annual report is part of the renewal; the $20 state fee is extra, at cost.
What you pay for
Formation prepared and filed
Registered agent, all year
Annual report prepared and filed
EIN application
State fee at cost, no markup
For
Flat $199 a year
Gets your EIN application done
Renews at $199
Against
$100 a year more than Montana Registered Agent.co's agent renewal
The Montana Secretary of State charges $35 to file the Articles of Organization under Mont. Code Ann. § 35-8-201. No service on this page marks it up.
Montana annual report: fee, due date and late fee
The annual report is due every year, by April 15, and the fee is $20. Filing late adds $15.
What decided the order
Of our five criteria, service fees over three years (35%) settled first place in Montana.
Three-year service fees come to $397 with Montana Registered Agent.co, saving $200 against Mainstay Filing.
Questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Montana?
$35 to the state. Add $199 if a service files it.
How much is the Montana annual report?
$20, every year, due April 15. Late filing adds $15.
Where does Montana rank on LLC costs?
5th of 50 on three-year state fees, at $75, counting from the least expensive state.
Is a registered agent required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Which LLC services are on this page?
Montana Registered Agent.co ($199), Registered Agent MT.org ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199), as ranked.
Which LLC service would you use?
Our order is Montana Registered Agent.co, Registered Agent MT.org and Mainstay Filing. For Montana Registered Agent.co: $199 to form in Montana, agent included for year one, $99 a year after.