Considering starting a business but find the process too daunting and confusing?
This blog post on Inc Authority vs. Incfile takes a close look at two of the most popular business formation services that make the process easy.
Inc Authority is one of the oldest business formation services known for its customer service. It’s been in business for over 30 years and has assisted 250k+ businesses get started.
Incfile, on the other hand, has worked with over 1 million businesses since its inception in 2004.
Both Incfile and Inc Authority offer free business formation packages in addition to a wide range of valuable services.
Go through our Inc Authority vs Incfile comparison to decide which is the better choice for you in 2024.
Inc Authority vs. Incfile: The Summary Box
| Inc Authority | Incfile |
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| As one of the oldest LLC formation companies, Inc Authority offers a variety of services that can help you get your business off the ground. Whether you need help with marketing, financing, or credit coaching, Inc Authority is a great resource to consider. | Incfile has a powerful presence in the business formation niche, having assisted over 800,000 businesses since 2004. Known for its transparent pricing and a wide range of add-on services, Incfile offers great value for money. |
Inc Authority
- As one of the oldest LLC formation companies, Inc Authority offers a variety of services that can help you get your business off the ground. Whether you need help with marketing, financing, or credit coaching, Inc Authority is a great resource to consider.
Incfile
- Incfile has a powerful presence in the business formation niche, having assisted over 800,000 businesses since 2004. Known for its transparent pricing and a wide range of add-on services, Incfile offers great value for money.
Ratings (Out of 5-stars)
| Inc Authority | Incfile | |
| Overall | ||
| Support | ||
| Features | ||
| User-Friendliness | ||
| Value for Money |
Inc Authority
- Overall:
- Support:
- Features:
- User-Friendliness:
- Value for Money:
Incfile
- Overall:
- Support:
- Features:
- User-Friendliness:
- Value for Money:
Pros and Cons: Inc Authority
| Pros | Cons |
| Free LLC formation package | Pricing information not available on the website |
| Comprehensive business services | Does not offer annual compliance or lifetime alerts |
| Positive customer reviews | |
| Fast turnaround time |
Pros
- Free LLC formation package
- Comprehensive business services
- Positive customer reviews
- Fast turnaround time
Cons
- Pricing information not available on the website
- Does not offer annual compliance or lifetime alerts
Pros and Cons: Incfile
| Pros | Cons |
| Free LLC formation package | Customer service is not responsive |
| Transparent pricing | No marketing or business planning assistance |
| User-friendly website and centralized dashboard | |
| Advanced compliance services and lifetime alerts |
Pros
- Free LLC formation package
- Transparent pricing
- User-friendly website and centralized dashboard
- Advanced compliance services and lifetime alerts
Cons
- Customer service is not responsive
- No marketing or business planning assistance
Pricing Details: Inc Authority
| Pricing Plan | Price |
| Free LLC package | $0 |
| Starter Business Bundle | Contact sales for pricing information |
| Fast Track Business Bundle | Contact sales for pricing information |
- Free LLC package: $0
- Starter Business Bundle: Contact sales for pricing information
- Fast Track Business Bundle: Contact sales for pricing information
Try Inc Authority for Free
Pricing Details: Incfile
| Pricing Plan | price |
| Silver Package | $0 |
| Gold Package | $199 (+filing fee) |
| Platinum Package | $299 (+filing fee) |
- Silver Package: $0
- Gold Package: $199 (+filing fee)
- Platinum Package: $299 (+filing fee)
Try Incfile for Free
Features Comparison: Inc Authority vs Incfile
| Inc Authority | Incfile | |
| Free LLC formation | ☑ | ☑ |
| Free Registered Agent service | ☑ | ☑ |
| Unlimited phone and email support | ☑ | ☑ |
| Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization | ☑ | ☑ |
| Tax consultation | ☑ | ☑ |
| Centralized dashboard | – | ☑ |
| Digital storage of documents | ☑ | ☑ |
| EIN/Tax ID number | ☑ | ☑ |
| File S Corp Tax Election | ☑ | ☑ |
| Trademark name search | ☑ | ☑ |
| Certificate of good standing | – | ☑ |
| Foreign qualification | – | ☑ |
| Business Funding Analysis | ☑ | – |
| Business credit coaching | ☑ | – |
| Business planning | ☑ | – |
| Accounting and bookkeeping | – | ☑ |
Inc Authority
- Free LLC formation
- Free Registered Agent service
- Unlimited phone and email support
- Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
- Tax consultation
- Centralized dashboard
- Digital storage of documents
- EIN/Tax ID number
- File S Corp Tax Election
- Trademark name search
- Certificate of good standing
- Foreign qualification
- Business Funding Analysis
- Business credit coaching
- Business planning
- Accounting and bookkeeping
Incfile
- Free LLC formation
- Free Registered Agent service
- Unlimited phone and email support
- Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
- Tax consultation
- Centralized dashboard
- Digital storage of documents
- EIN/Tax ID number
- File S Corp Tax Election
- Trademark name search
- Certificate of good standing
- Foreign qualification
- Business Funding Analysis
- Business credit coaching
- Business planning
- Accounting and bookkeeping
Detailed Review: Inc Authority
Based in Reno, Nevada, Inc Authority is known for its free LLC formation service and good customer support. Here is an in-depth Inc Authority review:
Free LLC Bundle
The free bundle is ideal for small businesses and startups who are looking to incorporate their business for free anywhere in 50 states in addition to getting a host of value-adds. Here are the services included in Inc Authority’s free LLC bundle:
Business Name Check
Inc Authority provides a user-friendly search feature to quickly check if your chosen business name is available.
Image via Inc Authority
Free Registered Agent Service
Inc Authority provides free registered agent service for the first year. They will act as your official correspondent for all legal documents from the state and will forward them to you.
This can save you a significant amount of hassles and money.
Preparation and Filing of Articles of Organization
Inc Authority assists you with preparing and filing the Articles of Organization for your LLC formation process with the state in which you intend to do business.
Tax Planning Consultation
When you sign up for Inc Authority’s free LLC package, you will get an hour’s free tax consultation with a professional. This helps understand the deductions and credits you’re eligible for and how you can minimize your tax liability.
Free Analysis of Business Credit and Funding
Inc Authority’s experts offer free business credit funding evaluation as well as a wide variety of financing options to meet your needs.
They will also help you rebuild your credit if necessary.
Digital Storage of Documents
Inc Authority makes it easy to store, access, and share documents through its online storage service. This way you get to keep track of everything from a single platform.
Free Preparation of the S-Election Form
Inc Authority’s free LLC package offers free preparation of S-Election Form 2553 and filing it with the IRS. This is for businesses that want to be taxed as S-corporations.
Inc Care Support
Customer support is one of Inc Authority’s strong points. Their basic free package gives you email and phone access to a customer service representative on all business days.
Image via Inc Authority
Premium Bundles
The premium bundles include Starter package and Fast Track bundle that offer these services:
Image via Inc Authority
Complete Operating Agreement and Bylaws
Inc Authority offers complete assistance in drafting an operating agreement for LLCs or corporate bylaws for Corporations.
New businesses need these documents to give them a sense of direction. For instance by outlining owner responsibilities, setting conflict resolution rules, and more.
Sometimes it can be hard to come up with these drafts, and Inc Authority helps with this.
An operating agreement/ bylaws can include these details:
- The ownership structure of your LLC
- The roles and responsibilities of each member
- The rules for decision making
- How profits and losses will be distributed
- Procedures for admitting new members
Employer Identification Number and Tax ID
To form an LLC, you’ll need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. It’s a nine-digit number that helps your state and the IRS identify your business for tax purposes.
You can use Inc Authority’s EIN and Tax ID assistance service to obtain your EIN quickly and easily.
Deluxe Record Book
Inc Authority’s Deluxe Record Book makes it easy to store and access key business documents from a single location.
Professional Tax Consultation
The premium bundle includes a consultation with a tax expert who helps you with exemptions, deductions, and other tax obligations.
This way, you can find the best ways to take advantage of tax breaks to minimize your expenses and maximize profit.
Corporate Forms Package
Starting a new business involves lots of paperwork and businesses need to keep track of many documents. Inc Authority offers a corporate forms package that includes all the forms you need to get started with your LLC or corporation.
Membership or Stock Certificates
Signing up for Inc Authority’s premium bundle will allow you to get personalized stock certificates with the name of your company as well as the number of shares or units.
If you own an LLC, you can get personalized ownership certificates for your members.
INC Success Advisor Package
The INC Success Advisor Package is designed to help you quickly and easily get the most out of your premium membership with expert advice on multiple aspects of your business.
Expedited Processing
When you opt for the Fast Track Bundle, Inc Authority will prioritize your order and have it processed within 1-2 business days.
You’ll also get free unlimited revisions to your business plan within the first three months.
Private Banking Specialist
Inc Authority’s Fast Track bundle gives you access to their team of private banking specialists who are dedicated to providing you with the personalized attention and tailored solutions you need to help manage your business finances.
Personalized Business Advice
Their team of business experts will work with you to understand your unique situation and needs, and provide customized advice to help you reach your goals.
Add-On Services
Inc Authority offers a variety of add-on services to help you protect your intellectual property and grow your business.
Business plan: Inc Authority offers a dedicated advisor and comprehensive business plan services that include market research, financial planning, and business model development.
Website and marketing: Right from consultation with a web designer, dedicated marketing specialist, and SEO services, to custom logo design, Inc Authority offers a range of useful marketing services.
Image via Inc Authority
Business funding: Inc Authority leverages its network of lenders and financial partners to help you identify the best low-interest personal loans in addition to pre-qualifying you for a loan within minutes.
With this service by Inc Authority, you can get between $30,000 to $100,000 in business loans. They’ll help submit your application with the best chances of approval. You also get business credit assistance to boost your credit ratings to improve approval rates.
This is an important aspect you should consider for your Inc Authority vs Incfile comparison.
Revocable living trust: If you’re concerned about probate and want to plan for your funds as soon as possible, Inc Authority can help. If the majority of your assets are in real estate, a revocable living trust is preferable to a Last Will and Testament.
This is because it eliminates the need for an executor to sell the property at reduced prices or using insurance money to pay for probate costs.
Federal trademark: In addition to a trademark specialist, you can leverage Inc Authority’s expedited e-filing, and trademark registration assistance.
Image via Inc Authority
Detailed Review: Incfile
Incfile offers a host of services under one roof so you can get your new business up and running with less hassle. Their plans are divided into Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages.
In this section of our Inc Authority vs Incfile comparison, we’ll give you a look at each package offered by the latter.
Silver Package
The Silver package is similar to Inc Authority’s free LLC package and offers these services free of charge:
Unlimited Name Searches
With Incfile’s Business Name Lookup Tool, you can easily find out if your chosen business name is available.
Image via Incfile
Preparing & Filing the Articles of Organization
Incfile’s professionals prepare and submit your Articles of Organization in the state of choice.
Registered Agent Service Free For One Year
Irrespective of the package you choose, Incfile gives you Registered Agent services free of charge for the first year.
After one year, it will cost $119 each year to renew the Registered Agent Service.
Unlimited Phone and Email Support
In addition to phone and email support, Incfile also has an online help center that can help you quickly find answers to commonly asked questions.
Gold Package
If you’re looking for a comprehensive service for starting a business, Incfile’s Gold package has everything you need. For just $199 + state fees, you’ll get registered agent service, a year of corporate compliance, and much more.
EIN Business Tax Number
Once you sign up for the Gold or Platinum package, a representative will contact you to get the details needed to file the EIN in the state of incorporation.
IRS Form 2553
Incfile handles all the steps involved in filing this form when you opt for its paid services. This is the form you fill out if you’re an LLC or Corporation and you want your business to be treated as an S-corp for your tax obligations.
Operating Agreement
Incfile’s experts help create a custom Operating Agreement, a service that is included in both Platinum and Gold packages.
You can also choose to add this service for $40 to your Silver package.
Banking Resolution
Incfile’s team prepares this document, clearly defining the obligations, privileges, and roles of each member related to your company’s banking activities.
This way, the financial institution your business banks with knows who is authorized to manage the account.
Lifetime Company Alerts
Incfile’s lifetime alerts through email reminders are designed to keep you informed of upcoming filing requirements, ensuring you file them on time. This includes various alerts, such as one for filing your state annual report, if it’s a requirement.
Inc Authority also offers annual compliance notifications on their starter package.
Online Access Dashboard
The Online Access Dashboard is one of the best features of Incfile. It allows you to track your company’s progress and access all of your documents in one place. You can also get a quick view of the compliance and renewals that are due in the dashboard.
Image via Incfile
Business Tax Consultation
Incfile offers a 30-minute free tax consultation where a tax expert will discuss:
- The types of taxes you need to pay
- The forms you’ll need to file
- The timeline for paying estimated taxes
Platinum Package
In addition to the services included in Incfile’s Gold package, the Platinum plan gives you access to the following features:
Business Contract Templates
Incfile offers over 25 legal document templates that you can quickly edit and customize. This is similar to what Inc Authority offers with its corporate forms feature.
Expedited Filing
Just like Inc Authority, Incfile offers express processing, helping you jump the line and form your business faster.
Add-On Services
Incfile also offers a wide range of add-ons as part of its LLC formation service that you can take advantage of. These services, just like Inc Authority’s additional services, are crucial to the growth of your business. Make sure you compare the add-on services offered by Incfile vs Inc Authority to make a fair comparison.
Here are the add-ons offered by Incfile.
Articles of Amendment: You can leverage Incfile’s Articles of Amendment filing services to update the Secretary of State of any changes.
Certificate of Good Standing: Incfile helps you obtain the Certificate of Good Standing, a document that shows that your business is incorporated in good standing with the state.
Certain institutions and people may ask for this certificate within the course of your business, e.g. investors, banks or lenders, other state governments, etc.
Filing a DBA (Doing Business As): Incfile handles the complex steps of DBA filing and name verification to make the process hassle-free. This makes it easy for businesses to operate with a different name from their registered names. Make sure you understand the difference between DBA and LLC before you file for one.
Business license research: Incfile’s business license package includes the services of a licensing expert who will determine the permits and licenses required at different levels.
This is a useful feature that Inc Authority lacks, so consider that for your Inc Authority vs Incfile comparison.
Trademark registration: For $299 (plus filing fee), you can get trademark assistance from Incfile. This includes thorough trademark research by a qualified trademark attorney, who will then file your trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Accounting and bookkeeping: In addition to a qualified bookkeeper, Incfile offers monthly financial reports, unlimited tax consultation, business tax filing, and bookkeeping software.
Image via Incfile
Inc Authority Pricing Plans
Inc Authority has three different packages: the Free LLC package, the Starter bundle and the Fast Track bundle.
Here’s a quick recap of what Inc Authority offers for free:
- Registered Agent for one year
- Business name check
- Digital storage and delivery
- Business formation filing
- S-Election form filing
- INC CARE support
- Tax planning consultation
- Business credit and funding analysis
Image via Inc Authority
The Premium bundle is divided into two packages: Starter bundle and Fast Track bundle. Both packages offer these services:
- Registered Agent for one year
- Business name check
- Deluxe record book
- Custom State Filed Articles
- Corporate Bylaws or Operating Agreement
- Tax ID or EIN
- Stock or ownership certificates
- Professional tax consultation
- Corporate Forms Package
- Annual Compliance Notifications
- Web domain
Inc Authority has not displayed the pricing information for the Premium packages. You can get in touch with their representative to get the pricing information and book one of the packages.
Incfile Pricing Plans
Whether you are looking to incorporate an LLC, S-Corporation, or C-Corporation, Incfile has a range of pricing plans to suit your needs.
You get the Silver package for free (plus state fees) and it comes with services like preparation and planning, name search, free registered services for a year, and unlimited phone and email support.
Here are the list of services offered under the Gold and Platinum packages:
- Preparation and filing of the Articles of Organization
- Registered Agent Service free for one year
- IRS Form 2553
- EIN/Business Tax Number
- Business banking account
- Online access dashboard
- Corporate Bylaws
- Tax consultation
- Lifetime company alerts
- Banking resolution
The pricing varies based on the state where you are looking to incorporate your business.
If you want to set up an LLC in Alabama, for instance, these are the pricing points for Gold, Silver, and Platinum packages:
Image via Incfile
When you exclude the state fee ($236) in Alabama, the package fee for Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans are $0, $199, and $299 respectively.
What Do Their Customers Say About Them?
|
Inc Authority |
Incfile |
| I looked at a handful of companies to help form my LLC. What I liked the most about Inc Authority was the competitive pricing and the ability to pick and choose which items I needed. A lot of the other companies were a ‘one size fits all’ package, and that just didn’t work for my business needs. Once I decided to go with Inc Authority, the selection and check-out process was easy and fast!
– Ebony Brewer |
The process to set up a business with Incfile is very easy to understand. The steps are to follow make the process seamless. I love the fact that they also provide several options (packages) to make your experience even easier. The different product offers are great for people that are just getting started for the first time. Will use this service again. Thanks!
– Marie-Michelle |
| Inc Authority is a one-stop shop! You can fill out an application for your LLC, get your business email and website domain, set up your new business bank account with Bank of America, and have a free agent for a year to help you with your new business. You can’t go wrong applying for your LLC through the company.
– Ramona Hicks |
There was an ample amount of information to help me decide what type of corporation to set up. Then the actual process was very easy to go through, understand. I appreciate the clear and intuitive layout!
– Wade Licup |
FAQs
1. Is Incfile credible?
Incfile has been in business since 2004, and they’ve helped over 800,000 businesses get started. It also finds a place in Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in the US.
In addition to a wide range of services, Incfile has earned thousands of positive reviews, making it one of the credible online LLC formation services.
2. How long has Inc Authority been around?
Being founded in 1989, Inc Authority is one of the oldest business formation companies in the US, making it a trusted brand.
3. What are some Incfile and Inc Authority alternatives?
There are many Incfile and Inc Authority alternatives out there that you can explore. These include BizFilings, LegalZoom, and ZenBusiness, all of whom offer business formation services, including LLC formation, incorporation, and trademark registration.
4. Inc Authority vs. ZenBusiness: Which is better?
In terms of experience, Inc Authority scores over ZenBusiness, which was founded in 2015. If you want completely free LLC formation services, including free Registered Agent services, opt for Inc Authority.
However, if you are looking for annual compliance and web domain services in the basic package, ZenBusiness is the ideal choice.
5. How do I start an LLC for free?
You can explore companies such as Inc Authority and Incfile that offer free business formation services in their basic packages. You will only need to pay the filing fee in the state where you want to incorporate your business.
Inc Authority vs Incfile: The Final Verdict
Inc Authority and Incfile are two of the most popular LLC services on the market.
They offer a lot of features and benefits, but there are some key differences between the two. Both Incfile and Inc Authority offer free LLC services in their basic packages.
The major difference is that Incfile’s pricing is transparent while Inc Authority has not displayed its premium pricing information. However, Inc Authority offers a faster turnaround time in addition to being rated highly for customer service.
Each of them also offers certain services that the other does not. For instance, Inc Authority is the right choice if you are looking for comprehensive business funding, credit coaching, marketing, and business planning services.
If you are looking for assistance with DBA, Certificate of Good Standing, bookkeeping, accounting, foreign qualification, and business dissolution, opt for Incfile.
As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the right provider for your business will depend on a number of factors.
However, we hope that our comparison of Inc Authority and Incfile has given you a better idea of what each service offers, and helped you narrow down your options to find the best fit for your business.
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