If you’re planning to form your LLC or Corporation and have decided to seek expert help, you may have considered LegalZoom. It’s one of the most popular online business formation services in the market.
It’s, however, always safe to weigh your options, so you should consider LegalZoom alternatives as well.
While LegalZoom has excellent customer service and robust features, the platform has shortcomings that may make it unsuitable for your business. For instance, their services can get pretty expensive compared to other alternatives.
This post reviews the top 7 LegalZoom alternatives that you can explore before making your decision.
But first, we’ll briefly review LegalZoom’s services, pricing, strengths, and weaknesses to help you compare it with its alternatives.
About LegalZoom
If you’re looking to start an LLC, Nonprofit, or Corporation, LegalZoom would make the process easier for you. It’s a user-friendly, convenient business formation service that offers great expertise and support.
Besides business formation, LegalZoom also provides online legal services to customers at an additional fee. The platform has an experienced team of attorneys that you can access even for your private legal matters.
LegalZoom has three major pricing packages for LLC formation including the Basic plan ($0 + state filing fees), the Pro plan ($249 + state filing fees), and the Premium plan ($299 + state filing fees).
Pricing fees for forming Corporations start at $149 while that of Nonprofits starts at $99 (plus state filing fees).
What We Love About LegalZoom
Here are some features that make LegalZoom an excellent business formation platform:
Free Plan
LegalZoom provides a free plan for your LLC formation which includes the following services:
- Filing your Articles of Organization
- Free name-check
- Customizable website
- Step-by-step digital welcome packet when your LLC is formed
Most other services that offer free packages do not offer a free customizable website.
Additional Expert Services
LegalZoom offers a wide range of legal services from expert attorneys as well as professional guidance from tax consultants.
Other additional services you can apply for include Doing Business As filing, Employee Identification Number filing, Operating Agreement drafting, and annual report filing.
Customizable Website
LegalZoom partners with Wix to help businesses establish their online presence. They provide a free customizable website that businesses can build to fit their needs.
This is unlike what most LegalZoom alternatives offer. It’s especially useful for new businesses that do not have an official website yet.
Ease of Use
It’s easy to contact LegalZoom’s team of attorneys and customer support through their phone contacts. This means that you can access all their services, including hiring attorneys, online.
60-Day Refund
With LegalZoom, you can get a 60-day refund for some paid services if certain external actions have not been taken with your order. For instance, if your documents have not been submitted to a government agency.
This gives you a chance to cancel an order in case anything comes up on your end.
Where We Think LegalZoom Falls Short
While LegalZoom offers excellent business formation and legal services, the pricing packages do not include some vital services. You’d need to pay for them as add-ons and this can get pretty expensive.
These include Registered Agent services which cost $249 a year, or annual report filing which costs $99 a year.
The pricing is also confusing, as business formation services and legal services are priced separately.
For these reasons, you may need to consider some LegalZoom alternatives. We’ll discuss a few of the top ones in this next section.
Top 7 LegalZoom Alternatives
Here are the top 7 business formation alternatives to LegalZoom that you can consider in case LegalZoom isn’t your first choice.
1. ZenBusiness
Image via ZenBusiness
One of the top LegalZoom alternatives in the market is ZenBusiness. The platform has great customer reviews on Trustpilot, with a 4.7-star rating from over 13k reviews.
ZenBusiness is best known for its feature-packed pricing packages. It uses a chatbot that you can interact with in addition to its live chat and phone support options.
Here are some of ZenBusiness’s features:
- Business filing services
- Worry-Free Compliance
- Business name check
- Access to a tax expert
- Registered Agent services
- Operating Agreement
- Online access to business documents
- Filing for an Employee Identification Number (EIN)
- Business website, domain name, and email address for premium plans
- Expedited filing for premium customers
ZenBusiness provides a free package, just like LegalZoom, as well as two paid ones. The paid plans include the Pro plan ($199/year + state filing fees) and the Premium plan ($349/year + state filing fees).
There are also optional add-ons such as Registered Agent services, business website formation, and business banking services.
Why Choose ZenBusiness over LegalZoom
Here is how ZenBusiness excels as an alternative to LegalZoom:
- Worry-Free Compliance: Unlike LegalZoom, ZenBusiness provides this package both as an add-on and as part of the paid business packages. You also get free compliance services for the first year. This feature ensures that you don’t have to worry about filing your annual reports.
- Registered Agent services: You can get Registered Agent services from ZenBusiness for an extra $199/year. This is slightly less expensive compared to LegalZoom’s fee of $249/year.
- Expedited filing: ZenBusiness offers to file your business and submit your formation documents in days on the paid plans, unlike LegalZoom.
You can also get a rush filing add-on, regardless of your plan, for a one-time fee of $79 for even faster filing speed. LegalZoom does not offer this option.
Why Choose LegalZoom Over ZenBusiness
Overall, choosing between ZenBusiness and LegalZoom depends on your business needs as both platforms offer varying features for each plan.
You may choose LegalZoom over ZenBusiness since their free package offers a digital welcome package and a customizable website which ZenBusiness lacks. Or if you’re looking for affordable legal services besides business formation.
2. Rocket Lawyer
Image via Rocket Lawyer
Just like LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer provides legal services to small businesses at a more affordable price than hiring an attorney. It provides business formation services as well, making them more similar to each other than any other platform discussed.
Rocket Lawyer is among the best LegalZoom alternatives if you’re looking to get legal advice on an ongoing basis.
The main difference between Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom is their pricing models. With Rocket Lawyer, you can get a membership or choose the services you need a la carte.
There are two membership plans, RocketLegal ($39.90/month billed monthly) and RocketLegal+ ($19.99/month billed annually). With each membership, you’ll get all the business formation and legal services Rocket Lawyer provides.
These include:
- Access to customizable legal documents
- Online signatures
- Document defense to protect your contracts
- Professional lawyer services
- Professional tax preparation and filing
- Business registration for LLCs, Corporations, and Nonprofits
- Trademark registration
- Registered Agent services
Alternatively, you can get each of the above services separately.
As mentioned, LegalZoom offers tiered pricing that includes a free plan (+ state filing fees) and two paid plans.
Why Choose Rocket Lawyer Over LegalZoom
Here’s why Rocket Lawyer makes for one of the best alternatives to LegalZoom:
- Affordability: Getting a Rocket Lawyer membership seems more affordable as it also includes legal services. This is unlike LegalZoom which has separate legal service and business formation plans.
You’ll also get cheaper Registered Agent services on the RocketLegal+ plan at $124.99/year.
- Legal documents: Unlike LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer gives you access to legal documents through your online portal without limitation.
- Simple pricing: Rocket Lawyer’s pricing is straightforward, unlike LegalZoom. You also get the option to get a membership or purchase services a la carte.
- Excellent mobile app reviews: Both platforms provide a mobile app but Rocket Lawyer has near-perfect reviews for it. Its rating on the Apple Store is 4.9 out of 5 for 7.7k reviews so far, while LegalZoom’s rating is 4.3 stars out of 5 for 1.1K reviews.
Why Choose LegalZoom Over Rocket Lawyer
Unlike LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer does not offer a free business registration service and hence it’s not a beginner-friendly alternative.
3. Northwest Registered Agent
Image via Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent is yet another one of the top LegalZoom alternatives that has made it to this list. The business has been around for over two decades and is known for its personalized customer support and Registered Agent services.
Here are some of this platform’s features:
- Business state filing services
- Online library for business formation documents
- Registered Agent services
- Annual report reminders
- EIN services
- Annual compliance filing
- Trademark registration services
- Certificate of good standing
Northwest Registered Agent does not offer tiered pricing. If you’re looking to open an LLC, a Corporation, or a nonprofit, they’ll provide all the documents you need to do it yourself in a free account.
However, if you decide to hire their team of experts, it’ll cost you $100 in service fees, $125 for Registered Agent services, and your respective state filing fees.
Why Choose Northwest Registered Agent Over LegalZoom
Here’s why you should consider Northwest Registered Agent vs LegalZoom as an alternative.
- Personalized customer support: One of the reasons Northwest Registered Agent makes for an excellent LegalZoom alternative is because of its customer support network.
Once you choose this platform, you’ll be assigned a knowledgeable customer support agent to see you through your business formation process.
- Free Registered Agent services: The company also focuses on providing Registered Agent services at a more affordable fee of $125 per year. Also, unlike LegalZoom, Northwest Registered Agent provides free Registered Agent services for a year.
- Privacy: This platform offers privacy for businesses that access Registered Agent services through their Privacy by Default feature. Northwest Registered Agent lists their business address on your public listings instead of your own so you can keep your business’s information private.
- Simple pricing: Northwest Registered Agent has simple pricing for business formation services. It includes filing, Registered Agent services, Operating Agreements, free forms, and tools. There are also other optional add-ons with separate pricing that you can choose if need be.
- DIY formation: You can register with Northwest Registered Agent and get access to their online list of business formation documents and other resources to help you form your business on your own.
Why Choose LegalZoom Over Northwest Registered Agent
Unlike LegalZoom, Northwest Registered Agent does not offer a free package with state filing, business name checks, and other services. It also does not provide legal services from certified attorneys like other alternatives.
4. Inc Authority
Image via Inc Authority
Inc Authority is an established online business formation platform that is worth considering as one of the top LegalZoom alternatives. The business has been in operation for over 30 years, providing excellent LLC formation services to its customers.
Just like LegalZoom, Inc Authority offers a free plan (plus state filing fees) as well as two paid plans and lots of additional services. The prices of the paid plans are not provided on the website and you’d have to contact them to find out.
Inc Authority features include:
- Business registration and name check
- Registered Agent services and EIN application
- Online documents library
- Inc Care support
- Articles of Organization
- Operating Agreement
- Tax and business advisory services
- Business funding and credit analysis
- Official website design and marketing services
- Business plan preparation
- Trademark application
Why Choose Inc Authority Over LegalZoom
Here are some reasons why Inc Authority is among the top LegalZoom alternatives:
- Generous free plan: While both business formation services offer a free plan, Inc Authority’s free plan has more features. This includes tax planning consultation, business credit and funding analysis, digital document storage, and more.
- Free Registered Agent and EIN acquisition: If you register your LLC or Corporation for free with Inc Authority, you’ll get free EIN acquisition and Registered Agent services for a year.On LegalZoom, tax ID acquisition only comes with the paid packages if you’re forming an LLC.
- Turnaround: Inc Authority offers a competitive turnaround compared to LegalZoom. While you can pay for expedited filing, the time it takes mostly depends on the state rather than their speed.
With LegalZoom, it will depend on the package you’re on, with some applications taking up to 30 business days.
- Excellent customer reviews: Inc Authority has over 25K five-star reviews on Trustpilot. Customers seem to love how responsive and knowledgeable their customer service team is. LegalZoom has a little over 3k reviews so far, though most are positive.
Why Choose LegalZoom over Inc Authority
Unlike LegalZoom, Inc Authority does not provide formation services for non-profit organizations. It also does not offer services from expert attorneys like other alternatives.
5. Filenow
Image via Filenow
Filenow was created by entrepreneurs, tax experts, and legal professionals with experience forming businesses. It was meant to simplify the business formation process for small business owners.
Some of Filenow’s features include:
- Articles of Organization
- Business name check
- Electronic alerts for compliance
- Online order tracking
- Tax consultation and business bank account
- 24-hour processing
- Registered Agent service
- Business contract templates
The platform has two paid plans, Starter and Premium, each priced differently for LLC, Corporation and S-Corp formation services. For LLC formation, the prices are $49 + state filing fees and $199 + state filing fees, respectively.
Other additional services, such as EIN application and Registered Agent services, are also available.
Why Choose FileNow Over LegalZoom
- Registered Agent services: Filenow offers free one-year Registered Agent services which can be helpful for new entrepreneurs.
- Fast turnaround: Compared to LegalZoom, Filenow offers faster internal processing for customers on the Premium plan.
- Affordability: Filenow’s paid packages are affordable compared to LegalZoom’s. For instance, the Premium package is feature-packed and includes free Registered Agent services for one year and EIN application at $199/year.
Why Choose LegalZoom Over FileNow
Like most of the above services, LegalZoom sets itself apart from its alternatives by providing exemplary legal advisory services.
6. Swyft Filings
Image via Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings is one of the best LegalZoom alternatives if you’re looking for affordable LLC formation services. It’s been in business since 2015, in which time they’ve formed over 300K businesses.
Swyft has over 6k customer reviews on Trustpilot with a 4.8-star rating. The platform provides a wide variety of business formation and management services and a few additional services.
Here are some of Swyft Filing’s features:
- Articles of Incorporation
- Registered Agent services
- Business name verification
- Legal document templates
- EIN application
- Customer support
- Digital corporate kit
- Business website package
- Company alert system
Swyft Filings provides three plans: the Basic plan ($0 + state filing fees), the Standard plan ($199 + state filing fees), and the Premium plan ($299 + state filing fees).
Why Choose Swyft Filings Over LegalZoom
- Affordability: While both platforms offer a free plan and fairly affordable additional packages, Swyft Fillings’s paid packages are cheaper than those of LegalZoom.
- Faster turnaround: Swyft guarantees that they send your paperwork to the state in the shortest time possible. The free plan takes 10 business days while the premium plan offers same-day filing and expedited shipping.
While this doesn’t guarantee a faster turnaround from the state, it ensures your documents aren’t held up on their end. With LegalZoom’s cheaper plans, your application can take up to 30 days in the pipeline.
- Customer reviews: Positive customer reviews are one of Swift Fillings’s strengths. On Trustpilot, Swyft has a higher rating of 4.8 for more than 6k reviews compared to LegalZoom which has a 4.5 rating from over 3k reviews.
Why Choose LegalZoom Over Swyft Filings
LegalZoom has more experience in the market having been formed in 2001 and with 2 million business formations under their belt. Swyft has been in the market since 2015 and has formed fewer businesses.
Also, LegalZoom offers services from qualified attorneys, unlike Swyft.
7. Incfile
Image via Incfile
Incfile is another one of the top LegalZoom alternatives best known for its affordability and ease of use. It offers free registration services and is suitable if you’re looking for a budget-friendly service.
Incfile has been in operation since 2004 and within this time, the platform has helped over 1 million businesses get started. Here are some of its features:
- Business incorporation
- Registered Agent services
- Doing Business As
- Articles of Amendment
- Certificate of Good Standing
- EIN and IRS form 2553
- Banking resolutions
- Online access dashboard
- Business banking and tax consultation
- Lifetime company alerts
Incfile offers a free plan (Silver) which includes basic filing features, name search, and free Registered Agent service for a year.
There are two paid plans: Gold ($199 + state filing fees) and Platinum ($299 + state filing fees). You also get an extensive list of additional services.
Why Choose Incfile Over LegalZoom
Here’s why Incfile would be a great LegalZoom alternative
- Registered Agent: It offers free Registered Agent services for a year, and $199/year thereafter.
- Ease of use: Compared to LegalZoom, Incfile offers more straightforward business formation and management services without getting subjected to constant upsells.
Why Choose LegalZoom Over Incfile
LegalZoom offers expert advice from both qualified attorneys and tax experts, which is one of its main upsides.
How to Identify the Right LegalZoom Alternatives for You
If you decide to look for LegalZoom alternatives, there are some crucial business formation features that you’ll need to consider while making your decision. These include:
Affordability
Most business owners, especially those who are new to business formation, will have cost as one of their top priorities.
If you’re on a budget, there are LegalZoom alternatives that offer free formation services and affordable business management packages.
Ease of Use
This ranges from how easy the company website is to navigate, to their formation process and online dashboard.
You’d want an LLC formation service that provides an online portal where you can access all your business contract templates and registration documents. It’d also help if you can track your filing progress through their dashboard.
Turnaround Time
Different LLC formation services have varying timelines for their incorporation services. In some cases, like with LegalZoom, it takes longer to file paperwork for applicants on the free plan than it does for those on paid plans.
Others, like ZenBusiness, have rush filing as an additional service, giving businesses the option to get their application processes expedited at an extra fee.
Depending on what your business needs are, this would be an important factor to consider when picking LegalZoom alternatives.
Customer Support
It’s important to make sure that the LegalZoom alternatives you consider have a responsive and helpful customer service team. Check online for customer reviews and see what their customers say about them.
Also, make sure that these open communication channels suit your needs.
For instance, if they have a phone or live chat support, check when their human agents are available. Or how long it takes for you to get a response if you reach out to them via email and so on.
This way, you’ll have an expert guide you through your business formation process, as needed.
Registered Agent Services
Most states require LLCs and Corporations to have a Registered Agent to receive legal documents and correspondence on their behalf.
This makes Registered Agent services one of the most crucial features to consider when choosing a business formation service. Choose LegalZoom alternatives that offer this service at an affordable rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I start an LLC without a business formation service?
You can complete your incorporation process on your own and submit it to your secretary of state without expert help. However, it can get difficult to track all the moving pieces involved.
For instance, each state has its regulations and in some states, the local governments have their separate specifications. You’ll need to know all these, and more before getting your business up and running.
As such, it’s advisable to seek expert help during formation.
Q2. Who are LegalZoom’s competitors?
Some of LegalZoom’s top alternatives include:
- ZenBusiness
- Rocket Lawyer
- Northwest Registered Agent
- Inc Authority
- Filenow
- Swyft Filings
- Incfile
Q3. Is LegalZoom or Incfile better?
It depends on the functionality you’re looking for. Incfile is a better alternative for businesses that are looking for an affordable service to help primarily with business formation.
LegalZoom, on the other hand, offers more robust business formation and management services and is great if you’re looking for legal expertise for both personal and business purposes.
Q4. Is LegalZoom legitimate?
LegalZoom is a trustworthy business formation platform that offers incorporation, business management, and legal services to customers.
The platform has been in operation for over two decades and is responsible for the formation of over 2 million businesses. They also offer a 60-day fee refund if you’re unhappy with their services.
Q5. Does LegalZoom require a subscription?
LegalZoom has subscription-based plans, membership plans, and a la carte services. Incorporation plans are subscription-based, while other business management services are priced separately.
LegalZoom’s legal advisory services are membership-based and you can choose either a 12-month business plan or a 6-month one.
LegalZoom Alternatives: Wrap Up
LegalZoom is an excellent business formation service, especially if you’re looking for legal expertise as well. However, if you think it’s not ideal for your business, the above alternatives are worth checking out.
For instance, you may prefer more affordable options such as Inc Authority, or an option with more direct pricing packages like Rocket Lawyer.
All in all, be sure to consider all the crucial factors such as customer support, Registered Agent services, and turnaround time before picking a LegalZoom alternative. Finally, make sure you check if they provide services even once your company is formed. This can help you run your business smoothly.