All right, so now when you want to make a startup, there is much intuition you can load, but the founder’s story will be only one piece of the puzzle. One of the first decisions entrepreneurs must make is how to formally structure their business. Setting up your LLC these days with services such as LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness is easier than ever, but which one is right for you? Both services claim to make LLC formation easier, though they include different features, prices, and services that are suitable for different situations.
In the full breakdown to come, we’ll look at a side-by-side comparison of LegalZoom vs ZenBusiness, including pricing, features, customer service, reputation, and much more. When you’re done, you’ll have all the tools to determine which service is right for your new business.
LegalZoom vs ZenBusiness: A Comprehensive Overview
Before we examine the details on LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness, it’s worth having a basic idea of who these two companies are and what they do.
LegalZoom is a trusted brand in the field of business formation and has been around for years, offering all sorts of services, including trademarking, intellectual property protection and ongoing legal assistance, in addition to LLC formation. An all-time trusted well-known brand among millions of business owners.
In contrast, ZenBusiness is a relative newcomer on the scene, but has quickly built an excellent reputation for providing affordable, effective, and supremely user-friendly services. ZenBusiness specializes in e-commerce and compliance services of all types, making it a great option if you’re looking for a single source to keep you compliant after you set up your LLC.
So let’s look in detail to see how these LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness stack up against each other.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness: Pricing and Value
Pricing is usually the crucial factor when starting your business. Both are competitively priced, but they structure their services differently. Also, Pricings may change over time, so we suggest you to check their pricings on their official websites.
| Feature | LegalZoom (2025) | ZenBusiness (2025) |
| Basic Plan | $159 + state fees | $0 + state fees |
| Pro Plan | $249 + state fees | $199/year + state fees |
| Premium Plan | $299 + state fees | $299/year + state fees |
| Registered Agent Service | $249/year | Free for 1st year, then $119/year |
| EIN & Operating Agreement | $159 | Included in Pro & Premium plans |
| Processing Time | 5–14 days | 1–2 business days (Rush filing) |
LegalZoom Pricing
LegalZoom also has a more conventional pricing model for their services, charging one-time fees. Yet extra charges for add-ons can quickly increase the overall price. You can also click here to see the current pricing if they have changed.
Basic Plan: $159 + State Filing Fees
What’s included: LLC formation, name availability check, and articles of organization.
Pro Plan: $249 + state filing fees
Adds to operating agreement and EIN
Premium Plan: $299 + state filing fees
All Pro plan features, plus a company seal and a VIP phone support line
LegalZoom also has ongoing services, including registered agent service for $249 per year, as well as a range of additional legal services ranging from business consultations with attorneys to trademark protection to estate planning. These can reach your bank account fairly fast depending on what rate of service you require.
ZenBusiness Pricing
ZenBusiness offers a simple solution with an initial free plan that gives you what you need, with the ability to pay for the additional services you may want. It’s a great option for cost-conscious business owners who require LLC formation without the frills. You can also click here to see the current pricing if they have changed.
Starter (contains ads) + $50 state filing fees
Includes LLC formation and name availability check.
Pro Plan: $199 a year + state filing fees
Price with first-year operating agreement, EIN, and registered agent service
Choose Your Business Entity Type and Package: $199/year + state tax + Filing fees
Everything from Pro Plan and an ongoing compliance service + website builder
Premium Plan: $299 a year
ZenBusiness’ Pro and Premium plans also include a free year of registered agent service, and because it offers transparent pricing — no hidden fees! It also costs $299 per year if you want registered agent service after the first year.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness: What’s Better for Your Budget?
If you’re getting started and want a no-frills option, ZenBusiness has a lower-cost, no-frills plan. LegalZoom might be useful to people who need a wider range of services, but it can be more expensive than just forming a simple LLC.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness: Features And Services
When it comes to LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness features and services, both of their offerings differ separately A table is shown below for you to understand their features and services. We’ve also described few of their features and services below the table for you to understand properly.
| Feature | LegalZoom | ZenBusiness |
| Website Builder | Available (Wix integration) | Integrated website editor |
| Domain Privacy | Available | Included in Premium plan |
| Business Email | Available | Included in Premium plan |
| Accounting Consultation | Not included | Free with all plans |
| Compliance Assistance | Available | Worry-Free Compliance included |
LegalZoom Features
LegalZoom is a long-established company that provides many more services other than LLC formation. If you want something more than the basics, LegalZoom can provide:
Broad Legal Offerings: LegalZoom is known for its wide range of legal services, including trademark registration, patent filing record and copyright protection, and continued business consultations.
Attorney Network: Premium plans offer access to a network of attorneys for legal advice and consultations.
Website Builder: Thanks to a partnership with Wix, LegalZoom lets you build a business website, which can be convenient if you’re starting from scratch.
But these extra services can be expensive.
ZenBusiness Features
This is why ZenBusiness has a simple LLC formation service, but they don’t stop there. It offers a plethora of value-rich features even in its basic plans:
Business Formation: For the formation of the LLC, ZenBusiness provides a special process where it checks the LLC name availability, articles of organization, and state filing.
Registered Agent Service: If you need registered agent service, many of Incfile’s paid plans include it, which can save you quite a bit of money, as registered agent service is typically priced at $100–$300 per year.
ZenBusiness also offers ongoing compliance with their Worry-Free Compliance service to guarantee your business meets its state requirements.
Website Builder & Domain: Business owners can also benefit greatly from the Premium plan, as it comes with a business website builder and domain when setting up an online presence.
ZenBusiness doesn’t provide quite as broad a legal service set as LegalZoom, but for many entrepreneurs, the basics of how to start an LLC, followed up with compliance services, is more than enough.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness: Which LLC Gives You More for Less?
If you want a one-stop shop for legal matters, LegalZoom has a more extensive menu of services. But for simple service at an affordable price with ongoing compliance support, ZenBusiness is an unbeatable deal.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness: Customer Support- Which One’s Got Your Back?
Customer support is an important part of the equation when you’re working with legal and business formation issues. Here’s a closer look at how LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness compare in this space.
LegalZoom Customer Support
LegalZoom has several contact methods to reach their 24/7 support team, including live chat, phone, and email. They also offer consultations with lawyers for a fee. Although LegalZoom’s customer service is excellent, it is sometimes considered a little slow and a bit less personal than other services.
ZenBusiness Customer Support
ZenBusiness has responsive and friendly support by phone, live chat, and email and is rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot. Their mission is to work customers through the LLC formation process or answer any questions during the process.
Alongside high-quality support, ZenBusiness assigns a dedicated customer success manager in its Pro and Premium plans, so you get a tailored experience and assistance.
| LegalZoom | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|
| Trust pilot rating: 4.4/5 with over 16,000 reviews. | Trust pilot rating: 4.8/5 with over 21,000 reviews. |
| Offers access to a network of attorneys and CPAs for legal consultations | Recognized with a Silver Stevie® Award for Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year. |
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness: Which Platform Has the Better Support?
ZenBusiness is the winner when it comes to customer service. Quick responses, friendly staff and personalized service set them apart. LegalZoom provides decent customer service, but it can be perceived as less personable and a bit slower at responding.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness: Processing Time
Your time is money, and if you’re starting a business, you probably want to hit the ground running. Here’s a breakdown of each LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness turnaround time for processing your LLC formation:
LegalZoom: Usually takes 5–14 days to process an LLC. You can pay for expedited processing, which may reduce processing time to as little as 1–2 days.
ZenBusiness: Provides a much quicker turnaround time, often 1–2 business days for standard filing. The ZenBusiness service can also be expedited for an additional fee if you need it even faster.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusines: Who Wins on Processing Time?
If getting up and running quickly is your thing, ZenBusiness rules the day. Standard processing time is quicker so you can launch your business earlier. Although LegalZoom provides a speedy service, it usually will take longer if you do not opt for their premium processing service.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness: Final Thoughts- Which One Will You Choose?
Deciding between LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness really depends on what you value most in an LLC formation service. But here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
Choose LegalZoom if:
- You require a diverse array of legal services aside from LLC formation (trademark, patent, intellectual property, etc.).
- You want to cooperate with a reputable name with plenty of available specialists.
- You’re willing to spend a little more for extra features and services.
Choose ZenBusiness if:
- You want a service that’s affordable, works well and is easy to use.
- You appreciate customer service and ongoing compliance support.
- You want to hit the ground running and don’t need all the extra legal frills.
When comparing whether LegalZoom vs ZenBusiness is right for your LLC formation, it’s critical to understand each service’s key features to see what matches your business needs. Incfile and LegalZoom are both known for being strong, trustworthy LLC formation tools.
Starting a small business or a large scale one, both LegalZoom and ZenBusiness can provide the required services as per the needs to get your business set-up properly with the necessary legal protection. So the decision between the two comes down to what you value and how much you want to pay.
LegalZoom is well known in the legal services industry, and its LLC formation service is no different. They able to buy several packages according to their needs from LLC establishment to solicitor protections and advice.
LegalZoom’s vast experience in the legal field means users can take advantage of a wide array of additional services beyond LLC formation, including trademark protection, ongoing legal support, and the ability to speak to lawyers. This becomes extremely important if you are a business owner and know that as the business grows, there is the need for legal advice, contracts or guidance.
ZenBusiness, on the other hand, is a newer company that specializes in offering low-cost, efficient services to small businesses. Though not as well known as LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness distinguishes itself with its convenience, ease of use, and transparent rates.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness Provides a more streamlined service for creating LLCs, which may be attractive to entrepreneurs seeking a budget friendly and simple solution. ZenBusiness also comes with a registered agent service and compliance assistance, which helps you stay compliant and in good standing with the state. Its packages tend to be more affordable than LegalZoom’s, making it a solid option for budget-conscious consumers.
Although LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness are designed to streamline the LLC formation experience, several aspects of the customer experience and additional services differ. LegalZoom has more people-oriented customer service and the opportunity to consult with attorneys who specialize in a wide array of legal issues.
This helps provide peace of mind for business owners who may not have the legal expertise background of running a business. In contrast, ZenBusiness is a way more efficient and cost-effective process that has all the tools needed to get your LLC running without any trouble. Service is generally well-reviewed but it doesn’t offer direct access to attorneys, like LegalZoom does.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness provide a variety of valuable resources and assistance at every stage of the LLC formation process. If you prefer to have professional legal counsel or have a complex legal issue to navigate, LegalZoom may be the better choice. But if you want a lower-cost, no-frills solution which performs the fundamentals of LLC formation effectively, ZenBusiness could be more suited to your requirements.
FAQ
Differences between LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness?
LegalZoom is a well-established option for those looking for LLC services, but they do a whole lot more than just LLC formation — trademarks, patents, and other legal access. ZenBusiness, in contrast, is a newer service that specializes in low-cost, efficient LLC formation, offering features like ongoing compliance assistance and a free registered agent service during your first year in business.
LegalZoom vs ZenBusiness: Which is Cheaper?
ZenBusiness usually costs less than its competitors, with a $0 LLC formation option (not including state fees). Their Pro plan costs $199/year and includes some nice features including EIN registration and a free registered agent for your first year. The basic plan starts higher at $159 for LegalZoom, and they charge more for add-ons like registered agent service on a yearly basis, as well.
Which is faster at forming an LLC, when it comes to LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness?
In general, ZenBusiness has faster processing times for LLC formation, usually 1–2business days. LegalZoom has standard processing times of 5–14 days, but you can pay for expedited services if necessary.
Does ZenBusiness include Registered Agent Service?
Yes, ZenBusiness offers a free registered agent service for the first year as part of their Pro and Premium plans. After that, the service is $119 per year. LegalZoom registration agent service is $249 per year even with their top-tier plans.
Will I be provided with legal advice by these services?
If you need ongoing legal advice, LegalZoom provides access to a network of attorneys (as well as legal consultations with its higher-tier plans) that may prove useful for you. On the other hand, while ZenBusiness offers great customer service and support, and is great for LLC formation and compliance, they do not provide you with direct access to a network of attorneys.
Do ZenBusiness Vs LegalZoom have a money back guarantee?
ZenBusiness and LegalZoom provide up to a 60-day money-back guarantee for their services to form LLCs. You have that long to find out if you’re satisfied with the service — if you’re not, just ask for your money back. Note that while most services do come with a money-back guarantee, those guarantees don’t generally include other services, such as registered agent or legal consultations, so check the terms for each particular service.
LegalZoom Vs ZenBusiness both can help you set up an LLC and provide corporate assistance to keep your business compliant with state requirements. Your choice will hinge on what you value more, the legal knowledge and additional services from LegalZoom, or ZenBusiness’s affordability and uncomplicated range. Either way, each will support your business’s journey and contribute to protecting your interests as you embark on your entrepreneur journey. Good luck with your business!
