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Researched and written by the Launchwise Review editorial team
Launchwise Review

Rankings of registered agents, LLC formation and foreign registration services in all 50 states.

Launch guide · South Carolina · LLC service

3 Best LLC Services in South Carolina (2026)

Researched and written by the Launchwise Review editorial team
For a 2026 launch in South Carolina, Launchwise Review grades LLC services this way: Mainstay Filing ($199), SC Registered Agent.org ($199) and South Carolina Registered Agent.co ($199). Mainstay Filing earns the top grade here: the formation and registered agent duty come together for $199 a year, renewing at $199.
1
Number one here

1. Mainstay Filing: best for one flat yearly price for the whole launch

$199 yearly, state fee billed on top ($309 at checkout in all)

Our mark 9.1 out of 10

Top grade, Mainstay Filing: for $199 you get the South Carolina formation and a year of registered agent service, with the EIN application added in.

South Carolina has no yearly LLC report to file, so after year one you are paying for the registered agent alone (year one also covered your EIN application).

It runs $200 above SC Registered Agent.org across three years; the extra paperwork it handles is worth that to us.

In the price

  • The formation filing, done for you
  • Registered agent duty for the whole year
  • Your EIN application, done for you

Pros

  • South Carolina's fee goes through at cost
  • Renews at $199 without add-ons
  • A single $199 yearly price
  • Your EIN application is included

Less good

  • After year one the agent portion is $100 a year above SC Registered Agent.org's
  • South Carolina has no yearly report, so the bundle gives less
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the Mainstay Filing launch review
2
Best local option

2. SC Registered Agent.org: best for a South Carolina LLC that wants to stay close to home

$199 to form, then $99 a year for the agent, plus the state fee

Our mark 8.9 out of 10

Next up is SC Registered Agent.org: it forms the LLC in South Carolina for $199 over the state's fee, with the registered agent free for year one, and keeps the agent for $99 a year.

You get an in-state street address for the registered office, and any papers served on the company are scanned into your online account.

In the price

  • Articles prepared and filed
  • Year-one registered agent service

Pros

  • Keeps your agent for $99 yearly
  • $199 to start the LLC, plus the filing fee
  • Year-one registered agent duty is covered

Less good

  • EIN application costs extra ($99)
Visit SC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the SC Registered Agent.org launch review
3
Best value here

3. South Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for a launch that stays in South Carolina

$199 to form, then $99 a year for the agent, plus the state fee

Our mark 8.7 out of 10

Rounding out the list is South Carolina Registered Agent.co: it forms the LLC in South Carolina for $199 over the state's fee, with the registered agent free for year one, and keeps the agent for $99 a year.

You get an in-state street address for the registered office, and any papers served on the company are scanned into your online account.

Nothing in the published price or features separates SC Registered Agent.org from South Carolina Registered Agent.co; go with whichever you like.

In the price

  • Articles prepared and filed
  • A first year as your registered agent

Pros

  • A $199 service price plus the state fee
  • Your first registered agent year comes at no cost
  • Year-two agent price: $99

Less good

  • EIN application costs extra ($99)
Visit South Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read the South Carolina Registered Agent.co launch review

The 3 grades at a glance

Place Company Launch grade Service price Second year Best fit Go
1 Mainstay Filing 9.1 $199 $199/yr Formation and agent wrapped into one price Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 SC Registered Agent.org 8.9 $199 $99/yr A South Carolina launch on a tight budget Visit SC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 South Carolina Registered Agent.co 8.7 $199 $99/yr A South Carolina launch on a tight budget Visit South Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each grade out of 10 reflects our editors' reading of the weighted criteria on How we rank, not a customer rating.

South Carolina LLC service cost in 2026: first year, renewals, three-year total

Company Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Three years, total EIN included
Mainstay Filing $199 $199 $199 $597 Included
SC Registered Agent.org $199 $99 $99 $397 $99 add-on
South Carolina Registered Agent.co $199 $99 $99 $397 $99 add-on
Prices were copied from each company's own pages on November 12, 2026. Add South Carolina's $110 filing fee to any row; it is not in the totals.

The thinking behind the order

Launchwise Review puts 26% on cost to launch and stay and 26% on launch paperwork handled, then spreads 48% over renewal behavior, state match and price transparency. For South Carolina, the call came down to launch paperwork handled.

South Carolina has no yearly report, so a bundle matters less, but one fixed price that includes your EIN application still nudged SC Registered Agent.org aside on coverage.

Every criterion and weight is listed on How we rank.

Launching in South Carolina: the state filing fee and form

Plan on $110 at the South Carolina Secretary of State when you file the Articles of Organization. Each company below adds that state fee at cost.

Your South Carolina LLC after launch: the upkeep list

Nothing recurs here: South Carolina has no yearly LLC report. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Quick answers about South Carolina LLC services

What will it cost to launch an LLC in South Carolina?

The state filing fee is $110; add a service fee of $199.

Which form starts the LLC?

Look for the Articles of Organization at the South Carolina Secretary of State.

Is a registered agent required on the South Carolina formation form?

Yes. You name one on the formation form and keep one on file, with a street address in South Carolina.

What stays on the to-do list after the LLC is launched?

Very little. South Carolina does not require a yearly LLC report.

Will the EIN application be handled in this price?

Mainstay Filing folds it into the yearly price. The application runs $99 at SC Registered Agent.org and South Carolina Registered Agent.co. Founders can also get an EIN from the IRS directly, with no fee.

Which service is the best start for a new South Carolina LLC?

Mainstay Filing, because $199 a year handles the South Carolina filing and the registered agent and your EIN application, renewing at $199.

See also

Sources and dates

  1. S.C. Code § 33-44-202 and § 33-44-203, dated August 2026
  2. From Mainstay Filing: South Carolina service page, copied November 12, 2026
  3. From SC Registered Agent.org: pricing and service pages, copied November 12, 2026
  4. From South Carolina Registered Agent.co: pricing and service pages, copied November 12, 2026