The founder essentials stack.
Every tool we recommend for new Florida LLC owners, organized by category. We affiliate with most — but not all — of these. Where we don't have an affiliate relationship, we still recommend the tool when it's the right pick.
See our full affiliate disclosure for context.
Business banking
For most new Florida LLCs, an online-first bank is the right starting point. Pick one based on whether you take cash and how much idle cash you want earning interest.
Mercury
No-fee business checking with the cleanest software experience in the category. The default pick for tech, services, and ecommerce LLCs that don't deposit cash.
Learn more →Bluevine
Up to 3.7% APY on idle cash with qualifying activity. Highest interest of any major US business checking account.
Learn more →Relay
Up to 20 sub-checking accounts on the standard tier. Built for Profit First and multi-entity owners.
Learn more →Registered agent & formation
Every Florida LLC needs a registered agent. Most owners use a commercial service to keep their home address off public record and ensure compliance.
Northwest Registered Agent
$125/year, free mail scanning, real phone-answered support, "Privacy by Default" data policy. The default pick for most Florida LLCs.
Learn more →ZenBusiness
$199/year as a standalone RA service, or bundled free into their formation packages. Strong customer service and a clean dashboard.
Learn more →doola
Specialized in formation and EINs for non-US-resident founders. The right pick if the standard online IRS application won't work for you.
Learn more →Bizee (formerly Incfile)
$0 + state fees for the basic formation package, with one year of registered agent service free. Year-two RA renewal is $119.
Learn more →Payroll
Once you hire your first employee — or elect S-Corp tax treatment for yourself — you need a payroll provider that handles Florida state filings automatically.
Gusto
Handles W-2/1099 filings, Florida unemployment, workers' comp integration, and tipped-employee payroll for restaurants. The cleanest small-business payroll on the market.
Learn more →Bookkeeping & accounting
The cheapest moment to start clean books is day one. The next-cheapest is now.
Bench
Full-service monthly bookkeeping with a real human team. $249–$499/month depending on volume. The most common pick for under-$1M Florida LLCs.
Learn more →Pilot
Bookkeeping plus tax and CFO services for venture-backed and high-growth software companies. More expensive than Bench, more sophisticated.
Learn more →1-800Accountant
Bookkeeping plus tax filing and registered agent services bundled. Strong for small operators who want everything in one relationship.
Learn more →Business phone
Your personal cell number on every customer interaction is a privacy and professionalism risk. A dedicated business line costs less than $15/month.
OpenPhone
Modern business phone with a real mobile app, voicemail transcription, shared team inboxes, and CRM integrations. The default pick for new Florida LLCs.
Learn more →Industry-specific software
Recommendations vary heavily by what your LLC actually does. Here are the picks we cover most.
Shopify
The default ecommerce platform for new DTC brands. Strong app ecosystem, fast time-to-launch, fair pricing on the basic plan.
Learn more →Insurance
Florida LLCs need (at minimum) general liability. Construction, healthcare, and professional services typically need additional coverage.
Hiscox
Small-business GL, professional liability, and BOP policies with a fast online quote-and-bind. Best for service-based LLCs.
Learn more →Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you sign up through them, at no cost to you. Recommendations reflect our actual assessment, not the affiliate payout. Full disclosure →