Free wins. Almost always. Reminders are a simple job: the app pings you before the deadline or it does not.
- Any decent app's free tier covers the core: deadline lists by state, push notifications, calendar sync. For one or two entities, that is the whole job. - Pay when: multiple entities across states, team access for co-founders, document storage per filing, a dashboard your accountant can check. - Check coverage accuracy. If the app misses your state's biennial report, the reminder is worse than useless, because you trusted it. - The reminders only know the entities you enter. New subsidiary, new state registration: add it the same day you file. - Free apps sometimes monetize through partner offers. Fine, as long as reminders stay free and on time.
I have paid a late fee that a free app would have prevented. Do not be me. IncorpTrack's free companion app tracks your post-formation checklist with the filing, and US registration is $49 plus the state fee.