To find the highest-rated registered agent services, we performed an in-depth examination of more than 15 providers in the industry and selected the 10 top options. We evaluated these services across six major categories, using 17 different metrics in total. The criteria were weighted to focus on features that are vital for small businesses.
Here are the metrics we considered to judge the leading registered agent services:
Pricing
We considered both the startup and renewal fees for registered agent services, as well as whether or not there are any additional or unforeseen fees, such as unexpected add-ons. We also factored in any guarantees and extra inclusions. Pricing accounts for 20% of the final score.
General Features
Thirty percent of our review methodology examined how providers manage documents, notify the arrival of new correspondence and whether they alert you to important registration renewal deadlines and urgent documents.
Mobile App
These days, business takes place in far more locations than a single office. Many business owners rely on mobile technology to keep things running smoothly. We made sure to take into consideration whether services offered a mobile app; however, this functionality only accounts for 5% of the score since it doesn’t contribute to the services provided by the actual agent.
Service and Support
We concluded that, unlike mobile features, having the ability to reach live help at any time is a vital element of a top-notch service. We investigated the customer support options of each provider, assessing them on the number of contact methods, the availability of 24/7 support and the presence of a self-help knowledge base. These criteria make up 15% of a provider’s total score.
Ratings and Reviews
To gain insight into user sentiments of each provider, we examined third-party user reviews and ratings. We considered the average rating for each provider and the count of reviews they collected. These ratings contribute to 10% of the total score.
Expert Score
Relying on our direct experience, we evaluated various metrics such as user-friendliness, feature quality and popularity to determine the best services. This expert review represents the remaining 20% of the total rating.
