Looking for the best online legal services for small businesses?
You’ve come to the right place.
Small business owners often need legal counsel but the high cost of hiring a licensed attorney prevents many from doing so.
Fortunately, the best online legal services providers offer affordable solutions like business formation, registered agent services, protection of intellectual property, and more.
This article explores different providers’ features, pros, cons, and costs to help you choose the best online legal services for your needs.
Let’s get started!
Quick Summary: Best Online Legal Services By Type
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- Best for Small Business: Rocket Lawyer, Inc Authority, Northwest Registered Agent
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- Best for DIY Legal Services: Nolo, Avvo, LegalNature
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- Best for Business Formation: LegalZoom, Inc Authority, ZenBusiness
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- Best for Outsourcing Legal Help: UpCounsel, LegalMatch, LegalNature
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How We Chose the Best Online Legal Services
Here are the factors we used to evaluate different service providers and identify the best online legal services for small businesses.
- Online Reviews: We checked online reviews to see what customers say about different service providers. Legal services are very delicate, and we’ve only listed providers with positive customer track records.
- Pricing Plans: Cost is essential when choosing the best online legal services. That’s why, we’ve listed budget-friendly solutions for small business owners with limited funds.
- Services Offered: Small business owners need legal assistance with business formation, drafting legal documents, and protecting intellectual property, among others. Therefore, we assessed different online legal service providers and selected those specializing in these services.
- User Interface: An intuitive user interface makes accessing online legal services easy for clients. Considering that these service providers offer legal services online, we’ve only shortlisted online legal service providers with an easy-to-use interface.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is crucial when dealing with legal issues. We scrutinized different online legal service providers’ customer support offerings and checked their response times to customers’ inquiries and legal issues to shortlist the best ones.
Also Read:
11 Best Online Legal Services in 2024
Small businesses can get prompt legal assistance from the best online legal services.
For instance, most business owners want to know the legal requirements for starting a small business to ensure their enterprises comply with state and federal law.
Others need assistance drafting legal forms and registering for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The best online service providers offer these services at an affordable rate, saving you the exorbitant costs of hiring licensed attorneys from established law firms.
To help you find the right online legal service providers, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the different services these providers offer. We explored their various features, service packages, and membership options.
Read on to discover which legal service provider best meets your legal needs and ensures your company’s long-term success.
1. Rocket Lawyer (4.9/5 Stars)
Rocket Lawyer is our top pick for the best online legal services. The company stands out for its comprehensive library of legal documents that small businesses need to run their operations smoothly.
Experts at Rocket Lawyer ask relevant questions to create a document that best suits your needs. You can also make unlimited revisions and sign the documents electronically to make them legally binding.
Rocket Lawyer offers affordable legal advice. You can connect with real lawyers to ask them legal questions or to review your documents. Their services are also very prompt, and you’ll receive a response within one business day.
With Rocket Lawyer, you can sign up for a membership plan that gives you access to all premium services for an affordable monthly fee. Alternatively, you can identify the legal services you need and pay for them separately.
Note: the legal fees tend to be high for non-members seeking separate services.
Key Features
- Priority Support: Rocket Lawyer has a team of trained specialists who provide priority support to clients.
- Professional Services: Rocket Lawyer also offers professional services, such as tax planning and trademark filing, which help business owners run operations efficiently.
- Registered Agent Service: Rocket Lawyer offers registered agent services. This ensures that you don’t miss important legal notices from the state and other institutions.
- Rocket Lawyer App: You can access legal services on the go through the Rocket Lawyer mobile app. Create legal documents and sign them from the app to save time and simplify your legal processes.
- Secure Document Storage: Rocket Lawyer uses Document Defense to protect your business contracts and other legal documents.
- Business Formation: Rocket Lawyer offers affordable business formation services to users on the Rocket Legal+ membership plan. The first formation is free and there’s 50% off for subsequent businesses.
Pros
- Reliable customer support
- Free business formation to clients on the Rocket Legal+ plan
- Direct access to qualified attorneys
- Huge library of legal documents
- Generous 7-day free trial
Cons
- Costly services to non-members
- Consultation services must be purchased separately
Pricing
Rocket Lawyer has 2 membership plans that come with a 7-day trial.
- Rocket Legal: $39.99 per month, billed monthly
- Rocket Legal+: $19.99 per month, billed annually
Image via Rocket Lawyer
2. LegalZoom (4.8/5 stars)
Image via LegalZoom
LegalZoom is one of the best online legal services providers for small businesses.
Having served more than 2 million entrepreneurs to date, LegalZoom has what it takes to help you easily start and manage your business.
The company has an intuitive platform for DIY legal services, such as creating custom legal documents. It also has an independent network of attorneys for one-on-one consultation.
As highlighted in our LegalZoom review, small business services fall into three distinct categories:
- Business registration: The company supports you in the business registration process. It helps you register a Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), or Corporation (C-Corp and S-Corp). It also provides support to file your Doing Business As ( DBA).
- Business management: LegalZoom provides services like tax filing, bookkeeping, business licenses, virtual mail, and registered agent services to help you run your business effectively.
- Brand protection: LegalZoom offers services such as trademark registration, patents, and copyrights to help you protect your brand.
Key Features
- Custom Legal Forms: The team at LegalZoom asks several questions to create custom legal documents for your business.
- AI-powered Doc Assist: The tool reviews legal documents and provides a summary to help you save time.
- Registered Agent Service: With offices in all 50 states, LegalZoom can act as your registered agent to ensure you don’t miss important notices.
- Online Consultations: LegalZoom offers unlimited 30-minute calls with experienced business attorneys. The online consultation lets businesses discuss company setup, taxes, and hiring.
- Reliable Customer Support: The LegalZoom customer support team provides 24-hour customer support.
- Pros
- Straightforward, flat-rate pricing
- Excellent customer support all days of the week
- Direct access to experienced attorneys for one-on-one consultation
- Customized plans for personal legal needs
Cons
- They have different pricing for different services, which can be confusing
- The cost of business formation is higher than the competition.
Pricing
LegalZoom has different pricing for the services it offers.
- Business Formation (LLC)
- Basic: $0 + state filing fees
- Pro: $249 + state filing fees
- Premium: $299 + state filing fees
- Business Legal Plans
- 12-month Business Advisory Plan: $39.09 per month, billed annually
- 6-month Business Advisory Plan: $43.17 per month, billed every 6 months
- Registered Agent Service: $249 per year
Image via LegalZoom
3. Inc Authority (4.7/5 Stars)
Inc Authority is an online legal services company that helps entrepreneurs register their LLCs for free.
You simply need to fill out an online application and submit it instantly. Online business registration helps save time and keeps your business documents safe.
Inc Authority’s free LLC service comes with complimentary registered agent services for one year.
Besides LLC formation, the experts at Inc Authority will also help you create a tax plan for your business via a consultation with a tax specialist. This will help you avoid getting into legal trouble with the authorities and reduce your tax liability.
Let’s check out its features, pros, and cons to see if it’s one of the best online LLC services for your business.
Key Features
- Digital Document Storage: Inc Authority stores all your legal documents online for easy access.
- Free Business Formation Services: It offers 100% free business formation services.
- Simple Business Formation Process: Inc Authority has simplified the business formation process to a few simple steps to help you get started quickly.
- Business Tax Consultation: The agency has a dedicated team of financial experts to help you with tax planning.
- S-Election Tax Forms: Inc Authority has a pre-drafted S-Election form that business owners can use to change the tax status of their businesses.
Pros
- Inc Authority offers free registered agent service for one year
- Reliable customer support via email and phone calls
- Easy business setup
Cons
- Premium packages are more expensive than the competition
Pricing
Inc Authority has a free plan and three premium packages.
- Free: $0 + state fees
- Starter Business Bundle: $399 + state fees
- Executive Business Bundle: $499 + state fees
- Tycoon Business Bundle: $799 + state fees
Image via GovDocFiling
4. ZenBusiness (4.7/5 Stars)
Image via ZenBusiness
Starting a business can be difficult, especially for those embarking on this endeavor for the first time. You’ll fill out many forms, supply documents, and get approval to register a business.
ZenBusiness has simplified this process to make starting and growing your business easy. The online process saves countless trips to the State Department for approval.
You can use ZenBusiness’ free plan to register your business at no cost. The company also drafts LLC operating agreements and files annual reports to ensure business compliance.
Furthermore, ZenBusiness provides you access to qualified tax professionals to help you plan and manage your business taxes. This comprehensive support ensures your business runs smoothly and remains compliant with all legal requirements.
Key Features
- Robust Online Platform: Users have access to a personalized dashboard for storing legal documents and receiving compliance notifications.
- Fast Filing: ZenBusiness leverages technology and automation to file documents quickly and effectively.
- No Hidden Fees: ZenBusiness displays its packages on the website for enhanced pricing transparency.
- Business Documents Library: ZenBusiness offers customizable templates for a variety of business documents.
- Worry-free Compliance: ZenBusiness handles state filings to ensure you don’t miss important deadlines.
Pros
- Upfront, affordable pricing
- Annual compliance included
- Offers several packages that suit different client needs
Cons
- Purchasing separate services increases your costs
- EIN service is costly compared to competitors
Pricing
ZenBusiness has a free plan and two premium packages.
- Starter: $0 + state fees
- Pro: $199 per year + state fees
- Premium: $340 per year + state fees
Image via ZenBusiness
Also Read:
5. Registered Agent (4.3/5 Stars)
Image via Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent is the best online legal services provider for registered agent services.
The law requires companies to have a registered agent as a point of contact. All official legal communication from the state must go through this agent.
Northwest has offices in all states, making it one of the best online legal services providers and registered agents for small businesses.
Additionally, the agency offers several online legal services, such as business formation. “Forming a business is easy with Northwest. Submit your details online, and Northwest handles the rest.
The company also offers customizable legal documents for free. Some examples include articles of incorporation, stock certificates, and operating agreements.
Key Features
- Excellent Customer Support: Each client gets a dedicated guide they can reach via email, online support form, and phone.
- Corporate Guides: Northwest offers ongoing legal support to help you manage your business effectively.
- Legal Document Service: It provides access to all the legal documents needed for business.
- Lawsuit Help: Northwest provides clients with legal information and guidance to help them defend against lawsuits.
- Business Formation: Northwest business experts help you register an LLC or Corporation online. Each application includes a business address and free mail forwarding.
Pros
- Transparent pricing
- Quick and easy business formation
- Excellent customer support
- Strong privacy protection
Cons
- Limited plan option
- Add-ons can get expensive
Pricing
Northwest Registered Agent has different pricing for the services it offers.
- Registered Agent Service: $125 per year
Image via Northwest Registered Agent
- Starting a Business: $39 one-off fee
Image via Northwest Registered Agent
6. Nolo (4.7/5 Stars)
Image via Nolo
Nolo has decades of experience in the online legal services industry. It’s one of the best online legal service providers because its user-friendly interface and legal resources have helped many business owners.
All the legal documents and forms are professionally drafted by qualified attorneys and legal editors to ensure their accuracy and reliability.
What’s more, the content is presented in easy-to-understand terms to make complex legal issues comprehensible to users.
Nolo has an ebook to help clients understand the business registration process. Their legal forms are customizable to suit your business needs.
Do you need to connect with a lawyer to sort out your legal needs? Don’t worry, Nolo’s got your back. Simply enter your practice area and Zip code, and Nolo will give you a detailed list of qualified attorneys to work with.
Key Features
- Legal Books & Guides: Nolo has an extensive collection of ebooks and legal guides that address various legal issues.
- Software: Clients can use the Nolo software solution to plan estates and create custom forms.
- Lawyer Directory: It has a directory of easily accessible lawyers.
- Nolo Calculator: Nolo has a user-friendly calculator that estimates the costs of various legal services.
- Online LLC formation: Nolo helps business owners register an LLC for a small fee.
Pros
- A large library of legal documents and publications
- Has multiple free-to-download legal forms
- Easily accessible legal consultation
Cons
- The Nolo software looks and feels outdated
- Users have to download and edit the legal documents offline
Pricing
Nolo has different pricing for its forms and business documents. Below is a breakdown of the cost of the documents and forms related to business formation.
- Form Your Own LLC eBook: $31.49
- Incorporate Your Business eBook: $34.99
- Business Forms Bundle: $199.99
- Consultant & Independent Contractors Agreements: $25.99
- LLC Operating Agreement: $99
- Nolo’s Start & Run a Business Bundle: $39.99
Image via Nolo
7. LegalShield (4.5/5 Stars)
Image via LegalShield
LegalShield is one of the best online legal service providers with affordable plans for small businesses, starting at $49 per month.
The small business plans include unlimited consultations on employment contracts, business licenses, and federal and state requirements within your state.
Clients also get three free consultations on out-of-state issues, such as patents, trademarks, and intellectual property.
Upgrading to the highest tier plans gives you access to custom contract drafting for up to 25 pages and IRS audit legal services.
Key Features
- Business Formation Services: Get the necessary support to register your business with the state.
- Lawyer Directory: An extensive directory of competent local lawyers to help you with your legal issue.
- Brand Protection: LegalShield offers expert assistance to protect your intellectual property.
- Document Review: Certified legal experts will review your documents to ensure everything is okay.
- Contracts & Agreements: Large library of business contract templates you can customize to suit your needs.
Pros
- Affordable monthly plans
- 24/7 access to live chat support
- No long-term contracts
Cons
- Additional services can be expensive
- There’s no free trial
Pricing
LegalShield has different pricing plans for the services it offers.
- Small Business Plans
- Small Business Legal Essentials: $49 per month
- Small Business Legal Plus: $99 per month
- Small Business Legal Pro: $169 per month
Image via LegalShield
- Starting a Business: $149 + state filing fees
Image via LegalShield
8. UpCounsel (4.5/5 Stars)
Image via UpCounsel
UpCounsel is the best online legal services provider if you’re looking to find a qualified attorney to handle your legal matters. The company has a robust engine that connects businesses with experienced lawyers from licensed law firms.
All you have to do is answer a few questions to describe your legal needs and budget and Upcounsel will match you with experienced attorneys.
Its smooth process and free basic consultation make it the best online legal services provider for legal counsel.
Moreover, the platform offers a wide range of free legal resources to ensure you have all the information you need to navigate legal challenges with confidence. You can search the platform to find free educational content on patent law, trademark law, and startup law.
Key Features
- Large Network of Lawyers: Upcounsel has a large network of attorneys specializing in different areas of business law.
- Affordable Fees: Upcounsel charges a small commission when you hire a lawyer from its network.
- Free Document Management: You can manage and sign legal documents online.
- Free Legal Advice: Upcounsel has an extensive library of free legal resources that cover a wide range of business information.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support accessed through chat and email.
Pros
- The platform connects businesses with qualified attorneys
- The platform publishes its lawyers’ and clients’ profile ratings online
- Online payments on the platform are secure when you hire a lawyer
Cons
- May not appeal to businesses with simple needs
Pricing
- UpCounsel doesn’t reveal the exact commission it charges clients on the website.
9. LegalNature (4.5/5 Stars)
Image via LegalNature
LegalNature is one of the best online legal services providers that specialize in legal document preparation.
The platform has an extensive library of customizable legal documents. Each document comes with detailed instructions to guide you through the editing process.
LegalNature also offers business formation services. Business registration takes about 5 minutes, saving you time and countless trips to the State Department.
The company has received many positive reviews from customers who have benefited from its extensive document library, time-saving legal services, and user-friendly interface.
Key Features
- Free Legal Resources: LegalNature has an extensive library of legal guides, documents, and FAQs to simplify complex legal issues.
- Customizable Legal Documents: The platform provides detailed instructions to help you edit and customize your legal documents.
- Registered Agent Service: With LegalNature as your registered agent, you won’t miss important legal notices.
- Compliance Services: LegalNature provides essential services, such as filing annual reports, to keep your business compliant.
- Customer Support: It offers reliable customer support all days of the week.
Pros
- The monthly subscription plan has a 7-day free trial
- LegalNature provides all the legal documents to run your business
- It offers essential services to keep your business compliant
Cons
- Doesn’t provide attorney services
Pricing
LegalNature has different pricing for the services it offers.
- LegalNature+ Subscription
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- Monthly Subscription: $39 per month
- Annual Subscription: $9.92 per month billed annually
Image via LegalNature
- Start an LLC: Starting at $49 + state fees
Image via LegalNature
- Business Services:
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- Certified Copies: $39
- Registered Agent Service: $125
- Articles of Amendment: $75
- Articles of Dissolution: $99
- Foreign Entity Registration: $129
- Certificate of Good Standing: $119
- Employer Identification Number: $99
Image via LegalNature
10. Avvo (4.4/5 Stars)
Image via Avvo
Avvo is the best online legal services provider if you’re looking for free legal advice.
For some people, the first course of action when faced with a legal challenge is hiring an attorney. This should not be the case when there are free alternatives like Avvo.
Avvo’s online platform allows you to submit your legal queries and receive free legal advice. Submit your questions, and lawyers registered with Avvo will respond in a few hours.
It’s important to note that the answers shared on Avvo’s Q&A board are not protected under attorney-client privilege. You may have to hire a lawyer for serious legal matters.
Key Features
- Large Library of Qualified Lawyers: Avvo has a large library of qualified attorneys from licensed law firms who are available to solve your legal concerns promptly.
- Free Legal Advice: Post a question on the public Q&A board and get free legal advice within 12 hours.
- Legal Article Topics: You get easy access to articles that provide guidance on general legal issues.
- User-friendly Interface: Avvo has an intuitive platform that makes it easy to ask questions, find relevant articles, and browse attorney profiles.
- Attorney Ratings and Reviews: To help users find suitable lawyers to work with, Avvo publishes attorney profiles with reviews from past clients.
Pros
- Allows clients to ask follow-up questions at no cost
- Groups lawyers by state and practice areas
- Clients receive answers to their questions within 12 hours
Cons
- The free legal advice is limited to general legal issues
- The platform is full of ads
Pricing
Avvo has membership plans for attorneys looking to connect with clients on the platform.
11. LegalMatch (4.4/5 Stars)
Image via LegalMatch
LegalMatch is a reliable online legal services provider for finding an attorney. It has a database of experienced lawyers from different regions across the country. The platform connects lawyers with clients in need of legal representation or services.
LegalMatch is one of the best online legal services because it allows businesses to find the right attorney by issue or state.
The process of finding a lawyer is quite smooth on the platform. Post your legal issue, and attorneys willing to work with you will respond.
This straightforward process only takes a matter of minutes, providing you with a quick and hassle-free way to connect with the right legal experts.
Its online library of 10,000+ articles also provides the right guidance to help you solve your legal issues yourself or learn what to do in various situations. These articles have been crafted by qualified legal experts to help you solve your challenges quickly.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Attorney Profiles: LegalMatch provides detailed attorney profiles to help you make an informed decision when choosing a lawyer to represent you.
- Timely and Affordable Legal Services: The platform offers a simple and effective process of finding competent attorneys to address your legal challenges effectively.
- User-friendly Interface: LegalMatch has an intuitive platform that significantly simplifies the process of connecting you with the right attorney.
- Online Law Library: LegalMatch has an extensive library of 10,000+ articles that offer free guidance and insights to help you solve your legal issues.
Pros
- Offers access to experienced attorneys
- The detailed attorney profiles simplify decision-making for clients
- Extensive library with valuable legal information
Cons
- The cost of basic services like preparing a document can be exorbitant
Pricing
- LegalMatch doesn’t charge clients to use the platform.
Also Read:
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FAQs
Q1. Which are the best online legal services providers?
The best online legal services providers you can consider for your legal needs include:
- Rocket Lawyer: Best for online legal documents
- LegalZoom: Best for online LLC formation
- Inc Authority: Best for free business registration services
- ZenBusiness: Best for starting and managing a business
- Northwest Registered Agent: Best for registered agent services
- Nolo: Best for custom online forms for business owners
- LegalShield: Best for unlimited online consultation with qualified attorneys
- UpCounsel: Best for finding experiences lawyers to work with
- LegalNature: Best for legal document preparation
- Avvo: Best for free legal advice
- LegalMatch: Best for finding the right attorney by issue or state
Q2. What should I consider when choosing the best online legal services provider for my needs?
When choosing a legal services provider, it’s important to consider the following:
- Services Offered: Check the services offered by the company to determine if they cater to your legal needs.
- Online Reviews: Check online reviews to see what past clients have to say about the company. Avoid companies with many negative reviews from customers, especially those relating to customer support.
- Pricing Plans: Check the fees charged by the company to ensure it falls within your budget.
- User Interface: The platform should have an intuitive interface to make it easy to access the legal services you need.
- Customer Support: Assess the customer support options offered by the company to ensure you’ll get prompt assistance when you run into problems.
Q3. What kind of legal services can one access online?
The best companies offer a variety of online legal services to help you run your business smoothly. Here are some common ones.
- Business formation: You don’t have to waste your time visiting the state department to register your business when such services are now available online. Companies like Inc Authority, Zen Business, and LegalZoom offer affordable business formation services online.
- Custom document formation: Do you need help preparing custom legal documents for your business? The best online legal services providers like Rocket Lawyer and Nolo can help you prepare custom legal forms and documents for your business online.
- Legal advice: You can also access legal advice on matters that affect your business from reliable online legal services companies like LegalShield and UpCounsel.
- Finding a competent attorney: Online legal services companies like LegalMatch have made it easy for you to find qualified attorneys to represent you or your business in a legal matter. Simply share details about your issue and these platforms will provide suitable attorneys to work with.
The companies listed in this post have made legal services accessible to everyone by offering affordable online legal services. Depending on your current needs, you can pick the right service provider from this list.
Q4. Is LegalZoom the same as LegalShield?
No, it’s not. LegalZoom is an online legal services provider that helps small business owners start and manage their businesses with ease.
On the other hand, LegalShield is an online legal company that offers consultation on various issues, such as employment contracts, business licenses, and federal and state requirements.
Q5. Which online legal services are best?
The best online legal services provider for you depends on your immediate legal needs. Carefully assess your needs and compare them with what the best online legal services companies are offering to ensure the perfect fit.
Wrapping Up
Businesses have many legal needs, but the cost of hiring an attorney to handle these issues is often out of the reach of many. Fortunately, many legal matters can now be handled online by the best online legal services providers.
The companies highlighted in this post can help solve your legal needs. They register businesses, draft legal documents, and help you adhere to compliance regulations. You can also consult a licensed attorney to represent you in a lawsuit.
Small businesses can get prompt legal solutions online with the right online service provider. Take advantage of our comprehensive list and select the best online legal service provider for your business.
About the author
From selling flowers door-to-door at hair salons when he was 16 to starting his own auto detailing business, Brett Shapiro has had an entrepreneurial spirit since he was young. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and years traveling the world planning and executing cause marketing events, Brett decided to test out his entrepreneurial chops with his own medical supply distribution company.
During the formation of this business, Brett made a handful of simple, avoidable mistakes due to lack of experience and guidance. It was then that Brett realized there was a real, consistent need for a company to support businesses as they start, build and grow. He set his sights on creating Easy Doc Filing — an honest, transparent and simple resource center that takes care of the mundane, yet critical, formation documentation. Brett continues to lead Easy Doc Filing in developing services and partnerships that support and encourage entrepreneurship across all industries.
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