It’s essential to choose the right LLC formation services for your new venture as it can make all the difference in how easily you’ll be able to get started.
While Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom are all great LLC formation companies, it’s important to know which one is the right choice for you.
So, go through our comprehensive comparison between the three to decide which is the better choice for you in 2024.
Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom: The Summary Box
| Incfile | ZenBusiness | LegalZoom |
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| Incfile is a prominent business filing service which has assisted more than 800,000 businesses in the US since 2004. This service is known well for its transparency and ease of business formation. | ZenBusiness helps entrepreneurs start their journey with their free business formation services. It also offers services to enable smooth business operations once the company is up and running. | LegalZoom is one of the biggest names among business filing services. They’ve been in the industry for 2 decades and have helped over 2 million businesses get started in the United States. |
Ratings (Out of 5-stars)
| Incfile | ZenBusiness | LegalZoom | |
| Overall | |||
| Support | |||
| Features | |||
| User-Friendliness | |||
| Value for Money |
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 and Cons: ZenBusiness
| Pros | Cons |
| Free LLC formation package | Filing speed depends on the package |
| Provides compliance services with yearly retainer pricing | Free plan is only for the first year |
| Expedited filing available | |
| Numerous add-on services available |
Pros and Cons: LegalZoom
| Pros | Cons |
| One of the most reputable names in the industry | No free plan |
| Transparent pricing | Costlier than other services |
| Excellent track record | |
| Provides a website with each package |
Pricing Details: Incfile
| Pricing Plan | Price |
| Silver | $0 |
| Gold | $199 |
| Platinum | $299 |
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Pricing Details: ZenBusiness
| Pricing Plan | Price |
| Silver Package | $0 |
| Pro | $199/year |
| Premium | $299/year |
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Pricing Details: LegalZoom
| Pricing Plan | price |
| Economy | $79 |
| Standard | $329 |
| Express Gold | $399 |
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Features Comparison: Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom
| Inc Authority | Incfile | LegalZoom | |
| 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 | – | ☑ | ☑ |
| Website | – | ☑ | ☑ |
| Business bank account | ☑ | ☑ | – |
| Accounting and bookkeeping | – | ☑ | – |
Detailed Review: Incfile
In this section of the Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom comparison, we’ll review the plans offered by Incfile, along with the services you get with each.
Incfile offers three main packages for starting your business in the United States. Each one comes with different features, depending on the pricing. Let’s take a look at each.
Silver
This package is the free plan offered by Incfile where you only pay the state filing fees based on the state you’re starting your business in. Let’s see what services are included in this free plan, so you can compare it with those offered by ZenBusiness.
Name Search
This basic package includes an unlimited number of name searches for your new business using the platform’s Business Name Lookup Tool.
Image via Incfile
Articles of Organization
To start your LLC, you need to file your Articles of Organization. Incfile helps you with both preparation and filing.
Registered Agent Services
When you opt for the Silver package, you’ll get free Registered Agent service for the first year. From the next year, you’ll have to pay $119/year for it.
Customer Support
Even with the free plan, you get free customer support through both emails and phone. So, you’ll never be left alone once you opt for their filing service.
Start Your Business with Incfile
Gold
The first paid package offered by Incfile is the Gold package, which comes for $199 and includes all the things offered in the Silver package. It also comes with a host of added services like EIN service, IRS Form 2553, Operating Agreement creation, and more.
Business Bank Account
Your business needs a business bank account once it launches. With the Gold package, you won’t have to worry about it as Incfile will take care of the process.
Lifetime Company Alerts
You’ll always get alerts through emails for any upcoming filing requirements throughout the lifetime of your business.
Dashboard
One of the best features here is the Online Access Dashboard which shows you everything about your business—from documents to company formation progress. Additionally, the dashboard shows you all the actions that you need to take so you’ll always be on top of things that need to be done.
Image via Incfile
Tax Consultation
When you opt for the Gold package, you get a free tax consultation for your business. This session will help you understand:
- Which taxes you have to pay
- The timeline for paying taxes, and more
Platinum
The Platinum plan gives you access to all the features offered by the Gold package. Along with them, it has a few highlights that make it a highly desirable plan.
Business Contract Templates
Incfile offers over 25 legal document templates that you can quickly edit and customize.
Next Day Filing
Your business application will be filed the very next day so your business can start operating soon. This service is available for free.
Domain and Email
With the Platinum package, you also get a free domain name for your business website. This can come in handy for launching your business website. Additionally, you get a free business email address.
Accelerate Your Business Registration with Incfile
Detailed Review: ZenBusiness
In this section of the Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom comparison, you’ll get an in-depth look at the plans offered by ZenBusiness.
Let’s get started.
ZenBusiness has helped thousands of entrepreneurs start their businesses in the United States. It also provides ongoing support to these businesses for legal compliance and operations through its legal services. And that’s why its packages are designed for renewal each year.
Let’s take a look at them.
Image via ZenBusiness
Starter
This is the free business formation package offered by ZenBusiness. While it doesn’t offer as many features as the free package offered by Incfile, it does come with the expense and deduction tracking. However, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks for the filing to be complete. When doing an Incfile vs. ZenBusiness comparison, we found Incfile to be better in this aspect.
Pro
This package includes all the features offered in the Starter package along with a host of other services. The highlight here is that the filing process is much faster and completes within 4 to 6 days.
Worry-Free Compliance
This service offered by ZenBusiness helps new and existing business owners stay on top of all their compliance requirements. ZenBusiness sends alerts for all filing events and even has an annual report service. Finally, you can get up to two amendments done each year with this service.
Guided Operating Agreement
The ZenBusiness team will guide you through all the steps involved in getting your Operating Agreement ready. This can come in handy when you’re starting an LLC.
Premium
The most expensive plan offered by ZenBusiness, the Premium plan includes all the features offered by the Pro plan. Additionally, it offers the fastest business filing speed, with filing completed in 1 to 2 days.
Domain Name and Email
Along with the business filing service, you also get a custom domain name for your business website. You also get a business email address that can be used to communicate with stakeholders.
Business Website
With this plan, you also get a completely customizable business website that can go a long way in strengthening your business’s online presence. With that, we come to an end of this section of Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom comparisons. Now, let’s take a look a LegalZoom with an in-depth review of its plans.
Begin Your Business Journey with ZenBusiness
Detailed Review: LegalZoom
Lastly in this Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom comparison, we’ll discuss the plans offered by LegalZoom. When doing our Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom comparison we found LegalZoom to be lacking, as the other two offer free services.
As one of the oldest business filing services in operation in the United States, LegalZoom offers one of the most comprehensive business packages. While it lacks a free business formation package, it offers value with each plan and excels at them.
Image via LegalZoomEconomy
This is the basic package offered by LegalZoom and costs $79. In this package, you get comprehensive name searches, tax-saving consultations, a digital LLC welcome packet, and more.
Along with that, you get the Peace of Mind Review from LegalZoom and a customizable Wix website. Finally, you get a digital tracker and standard processing time for filing.
Standard
This package comes for $329 and offers a 5-day priority processing for your business filing. This means your business will be operational quickly. It includes everything that’s offered in the Economy package, and also comes with a personalized notebook that has your business name on its cover.
Finally, it provides you with a Deluxe Founder’s Kit that serves as a single place to store your important documents.
Express Gold
The most comprehensive package offered by LegalZoom, the Express Gold plan gives you the fastest filing time of just 1 day, along with expedited shipping. This means your documents will be with you in a few days.
In terms of features, this plan offers the same features as the Standard plan, but offers much faster processing, due to which it costs $349.
Launch Your New Business with LegalZoom
What Do Their Customers Say About Them?
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Incfile |
ZenBusiness |
LegalZoom |
| I compared Incfile to LegalZoom and other online LLC filing services. Incfile has the best price and services that I’ve been able to find. Most of the services that LegalZoom charges you monthly for Incfile gives to you for free or charges you a small annual fee. The value and price is unbeatable. Highly recommend.
– Nick B |
ZenBusiness did the leg work to help my business an LLC. It was fast and very inexpensive compared to other companies and people I looked into.
– Sarah Monzon |
So easy to understand. The staff are amazing and so helpful. So friendly and informative. Made starting my own business a breeze when it came to the filing
– Brittani Rodriguez |
| It was very convenient. The whole process was made to be straight forward and simple to understand. Additionally, there is a promotion right now for free extra services normally worth $250, but currently $95. I choose this because of the promotion.
– Ramona Hicks |
When the time came to establish the new business we had been discussing for a few years, Zen Business took care of the filing and other business needs so that we can focus on our business. I appreciate that there is a business to help me with the bookkeeping and governmental forms, so I don’t have to worry about it. Zen Business has thought of everything it seems. I feel ZB has my back. – K. King |
Jordan represented great knowledge of what the company offers and was very helpful in my decision making on which plan I should choose. I will recommend this company for anyone in need of experience Representatives to make the process of starting an LLC – Patricia DeCarlo |
FAQs
1. Is Incfile or ZenBusiness better?
Incfile and ZenBusiness are both comparable in terms of their pricing and services offered. This makes them equally good for businesses. However, ZenBusiness has a slight edge over Incfile as it offers a lot of additional services. To learn more about ZenBusiness and its services, read our in-depth ZenBusiness review. This will give you a fair idea of the kind of services you can expect and their prices.
2. Is LegalZoom or Incfile better?
LegalZoom and Incfile have both been in operation for over a decade, making them reliable names in the industry. However, when it comes to pricing, Incfile is the better option as it’s more affordable than LegalZoom, especially with its free LLC plan.
3. Is Incfile trustworthy?
Yes, Incfile is a trustworthy business formation service that’s been operational since 2004 and has helped over 800K businesses since then. In fact, it is one of the best LLC services, especially when you consider the free services that it offers. It has an average rating of 4.7 on Trustpilot with over 13K reviews, further proving that it is a legit and reliable company.
4. Is Incfile good for LLC?
Yes, Incfile is a great service for LLC formation, as you can get it done without any fees. You only have to pay the state fees to get started. If you’re looking for more options, you can check out this Incfile alternatives post to find other similar business formation service providers.
5. Which among Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom is the most affordable?
Among the three services, Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom, Incfile and ZenBusiness are the most affordable services as they offer free business formation services. Read this detailed Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom comparison to find more information on the plans and services offered by each. Based on your this comparison, you can make an informed decision.
Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom: The Final Verdict
All three services — Incfile vs. ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom — are the best in the market for business formation and other allied services. While Incfile and LegalZoom have years of experience, ZenBusiness has grown rapidly.
Even though LegalZoom doesn’t offer a free package like the other two, it offers value for its paid packages, which makes it worth the price point. But if free LLC formation is more appealing to you, going ahead with Incfile or ZenBusiness makes more sense.
So, go ahead and choose the service that seems fit for your business.
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