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4.2
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With Inc Authority, transform your ideas from problems, into possibilities in 3 easy online steps. |
Kickstart your business in minutes with LegalZoom's business formation services. |
Business formation for as little as $0 + state fee. No contracts. No hidden fees. |
With Inc Authority, transform your ideas from problems, into possibilities in 3 easy online steps.
Kickstart your business in minutes with LegalZoom's business formation services.
Business formation for as little as $0 + state fee. No contracts. No hidden fees.
ZenBusiness is a popular business formation service for new entrepreneurs and seasoned SMBs.
While it offers a wide range of features, the pricing of add-on features when mixed with annual subscription fees can get confusing — potentially leading you to overpay for what you really need.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ZenBusiness alternatives to consider.
Consider these top contenders.
1. Inc Authority
Best for: Inc Authority is ideal for small business owners looking for support forming and managing their business.
Pricing: $0 + state filing fees
Free LLC and EIN
Free registered agent
5 star rating on TrustPilot
Live expert support
Pricing not listed on website
State filing fees vary
Inc Authority is an online service that you can use to file an LLC or corporation. They also provide additional features to manage your business after it’s formed, like website services and domain registration.
Features
- LLC and corporation formation
- Registered agent service
- Website domain and email addresses
- Website and marketing services
Inc Authority Vs ZenBusiness
Criteria | Inc Authority | ZenBusiness |
---|---|---|
Best For | Aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs and small business owners |
Standout Feature | Free LLC formation | Expedited filing speeds |
Pricing | $0 + state filing fees | $199/yr – $349/yr |
Conclusion
Inc Authority and ZenBusiness offer many of the same features, but the biggest difference between them is the price.
Most features you get with Inc Authority are completely free, while ZenBusiness charges steep fees for comparable services.
For example, with Inc Authority, you’ll get a free EIN and business email address.
Get started with Inc Authority
Get started with Inc Authority2. LegalZoom
Best for: LegalZoom is ideal for entrepreneurs, SMBs, and individuals looking for accessible, cost-effective legal and tax assistance.
Pricing: $149 – $349
Services in all 50 states
Flat-rate fees
60-day money-back period
Incredible customer support
Expensive add-ons
Turnaround time depends on the states
LegalZoom is a legal services provider for both individuals and business owners. As part of their legal offerings, they provide done-for-you business formation.
Features
- Business formation services
- Secure document storage and retrieval
- Trademark search and registration
- Attorney consults
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness
Criteria | LegalZoom | ZenBusiness |
---|---|---|
Best For | Entrepreneurs, SMBs, and individuals | Entrepreneurs and small business owners |
Standout Feature | Comprehensive suite of legal offerings | Expedited filing speeds |
Pricing | $149 – $349 | $199/yr – $349/yr |
Conclusion
LegalZoom is more of an all around legal services provider than ZenBusiness. If you’re looking for a service that has multiple use cases, this is definitely one to consider.
It’s useful for both entrepreneurs and individuals and offers a wide range of services, including everything from business formation to estate planning to personal name changes.
Start your business with LegalZoom
Get started with LegalZoom3. Bizee
Best for: Bizee is a good choice for any entrepreneur seeking a low-cost solution for filing an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit.
Pricing: $0 – $299 + state filing fees
100% free Formation
Free 1-year registered agent
Fast filing speeds
Free compliance reminders
Mediocre customer service
Limited online features
Bizee, previously known as Incfile, is an online formation service that can walk you through the process of forming a business and handle the annual compliance paperwork for you.
Features
- Free LLC, corporation, or nonprofit formation
- 24-hour processing
- Business contract templates
- Registered agent services (first year free)
Bizee Vs ZenBusiness
Criteria | Bizee | ZenBusiness |
---|---|---|
Best For | Entrepreneurs seeking low-cost formation | Entrepreneurs and small business owners |
Standout Feature | Free business formation with 24-hour processing | Expedited filing speeds |
Pricing | $0 – $299 + state filing fees | $199/yr – $349/yr |
Conclusion
With Bizee, you’ll only need to pay a one-time package fee to form a business, plus annual fees for additional services. ZenBusiness is a yearly subscription fee, making it overall more expensive in the long run.
Bizee’s processing time is also faster at just 24 hours on any plan — whereas with ZenBusiness, you have to pay extra for rush filing which can take 1 to 2 business days.
Start your business today with Bizee
Get started with Bizee4. Northwest Registered Agent
Best suited for: Northwest Registered Agent is ideal for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their business.
Pricing: $39 + state filing fees
Simple flat-rate pricing
DIY Options
Free templates
Additional services
Mailboxes not available in all states
Virtual offices not available in all states
Northwest Registered Agent is a registered agent and compliance provider for established companies. It also provides business formation services.
Features
- Registered agent services
- Annual report filing
- Mail forwarding and scanning
- Virtual office and office leasing
Northwest Registered Agent Vs ZenBusiness
Criteria | Northwest Registered Agent | ZenBusiness |
---|---|---|
Best For | Entrepreneurs looking to start/expand their business | Entrepreneurs and small business owners |
Standout Feature | Registered agent services | Expedited filing speeds |
Pricing | $39 + state filing fees | $199/yr – $349/yr |
Conclusion
Compared to ZenBusiness, Northwest Registered Agent places more of an emphasis on their registered agent services.
They also provide virtual offices — a feature that ZenBusiness currently doesn’t have.
Start your business with Northwest Registered Agent
Get started with Northwest Registered Agent5. Tailor Brands
Best suited for: Tailor Brands is best for entrepreneurs looking for LLC formation and a comprehensive business-building platform rolled into one.
Pricing: $0-$249/year
Free plan available
Easy setup wizard
Logo creation
Additional services to support your business
2 week wait time on entry plan
Only works for LLCs
Tailor Brands is a company formation and business building platform for entrepreneurs looking to file an LLC.
Features
- LLC formation
- Brand identity creation
- AI-powered graphic design tools
- Website builder
Tailor Brands Vs ZenBusiness
Criteria | Tailor Brands | ZenBusiness |
---|---|---|
Best For | Entrepreneurs looking to file an LLC affordably | Entrepreneurs and small business owners |
Standout Feature | Comprehensive business-building services | Expedited filing speeds |
Pricing | $0-$249/year | $199/yr – $349/yr |
Conclusion
Tailor Brands is overall the more budget-friendly option for individuals looking to file an LLC.
It also offers more services that focus on actually developing your business, such as brand identity creation and AI-powered graphic design tools.
Launch your business with Tailor Brands
Get started with Tailor Brands6. Stripe Atlas
Best suited for: Stripe Atlas is best for startups looking for a formation service with integrated payment processing.
Pricing: $0-$249/year
Exclusive discounts
Stripe ecosystem
Built for founders
Automated process
Only LLC’s and C-Corps
Focus on Delaware incorporation
Stripe Atlas is a business formation platform by Stripe. It specializes in filing services for first-time founders, specifically those located in Delaware.
Features
- LLC and C-Corporation formation
- Free registered agent for 1 year
- Annual report filing
- Extensive library of legal templates
Stripe Atlas Vs ZenBusiness
Criteria | Stripe Atlas | ZenBusiness |
---|---|---|
Best For | Entrepreneurs looking to file an LLC affordably | Entrepreneurs and small business owners |
Standout Feature | Comprehensive business-building services | Expedited filing speeds |
Pricing | $0-$249/year | $199/yr – $349/yr |
Conclusion
Stripe Atlas’ biggest leg up against ZenBusiness is that it’s part of the Stripe product ecosystem, which includes billing and invoicing, accounting automation, reporting, and payment processing.
If you’re already a Stripe user, are looking for a solution for accepting customer payments, or are located in Delaware, it makes sense to consider Stripe Atlas when forming your business.
7. Swyft Filings
Best suited for: Swyft Filings is ideal for new entrepreneurs looking for a cost-effective filing service that can also help with ongoing maintenance.
Pricing: $0 – $299 + state fees
Multiple business types
Create a business in minutes
Lifetime customer support
Free package available
No registered agent service
No mobile app
Swyft Filings is a fast formation service that can help you launch your LLC, corporation, or nonprofit in just a few minutes.
Features
- Document preparation and filing
- Registered agent services
- Compliance monitoring
- Business name changes
Swyft Filings Vs ZenBusiness
Criteria | Swyft Filings | ZenBusiness |
---|---|---|
Best For | New entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs and small business owners |
Standout Feature | Ease of use and quick turnaround | Expedited filing speeds |
Pricing | $0 – $299 + state fees | $199/yr – $349/yr |
Conclusion
Swyft Filings offers operating agreements, trademark registration, business name changes, business dissolution, and business formation for LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits.
Overall, its features are pretty comparable to ZenBusiness. However, Swyft Filings’ plans are more affordable, which may make them a better choice for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.
Start your business today with Swyft Filings
Get started with Swyft FilingsWhich Swyft Filings alternative should I pick?
ZenBusiness is one of the most popular business formation services, and for good reason.
It has a lot of great qualities, but its annual pricing structure along with separate one-time and annual fees for its other services can be convoluted for the average consumer.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by ZenBusiness’ pricing and extensive roster of features, consider one of these ZenBusiness alternatives.
Here’s a recap of our top contenders for ZenBusiness alternatives: