ZenBusiness vs Bizee: Which is the best LLC service for you?
ZenBusiness and Bizee are two providers of LLC formation services for small business. Here is a quick comparison of what they have to offer.
Both companies offer platforms to help you launch your business, but they cater to slightly different needs and budgets. This guide breaks down exactly how ZenBusiness and Bizee compare. You will learn about their pricing structures, package features, registered agent services, and overall reputation.
What are ZenBusiness and Bizee?
Before diving into the specific details, it helps to understand the core focus of each company. Both providers aim to simplify the business formation process, but they approach it from different angles.
ZenBusiness overview
ZenBusiness is known for its modern services interface and strong emphasis on ongoing compliance. The platform offers a customizable experience with add-on features, including website building tools, financial management software, and extensive educational resources. ZenBusiness offers free LLC formation (excluding state filing fees) and provides additional, post-formation compliance support.
Bizee overview
Bizee focuses heavily on providing LLC formation services with a straightforward approach. Their main draw is a free basic formation package (excluding mandatory state filing fees) that includes one free year of registered agent service.
Comparing LLC formation packages and pricing
When you start an LLC, managing your startup costs is critical. Both ZenBusiness and Bizee offer three main pricing tiers. Let take a closer at what each tier provides.
ZenBusiness LLC formation pricing tiers
ZenBusiness structures its packages to give you flexibility, though some of its ongoing services use a subscription model with recurring annual fees.
- Starter package: ZenBusiness’s Starter package provides free LLC formation (plus state fees). It includes a business name availability search, preparation and filing articles of organization, and standard filing speeds of 7 to 10 business days. It also includes an offer of a 30-day trial of web domain, email, and AI website builder tools.
- Pro package: At $199 per year, plus state fees, the Pro package includes everything in Starter plus one-day preparation and submission service. ZenBusiness also adds an employer identification number, an operating agreement template, and ongoing annual report filing.
- Premium package: ZenBusiness’s Premium package costs $399 per year. It includes all the features of the Pro package, plus business document templates, registered agent service, advanced compliance protection, a logo builder, and a business advisor consultation.
Bizee LLC formation pricing tiers
Bizee appeals to budget-conscious business owners by providing a year of registered agent in all of its pricing tiers, including the zero-cost package (plus state fees).
- Basic package: This LLC formation package is free, though state fees still apply. It includes the preparation and filing of your formation documents, one year of registered agent service, and one month of virtual address service. With this package, it takes about four weeks to prepare and file your LLC formation documents.
- Standard package: For $199, the Standard tier includes everything in the Basic plan, plus an employer identification number, an operating agreement, lifetime compliance notifications, access to Bizee’s online dashboard, and unlimited customer support.
- Premium package: At $299, the Premium tier adds expedited one-day filing, business contract templates, and a web domain name and business email. It also offers a business phone number for one year.
Key features for LLC business owners
Pricing is one part of the equation. The features included are:
Registered agent services
Every LLC needs a registered agent to receive service of process and other legal documents. Bizee includes one free year of registered agent service with all three of their packages, including their free Basic package. After the first year, the service renews at $119 annually.
ZenBusiness handles registered agent service differently. It is not included in the Starter or Pro packages. If you want a registered agent with either of those tiers, the service can be added for $199 per year. Only the top-tier Premium package includes it by default.
Ongoing compliance and reporting
Staying compliant with your state is essential to keeping your LLC in good standing and to avoid fines and penalties. ZenBusiness promotes its ongoing filing compliance service, which covers state-required annual report filings and up to two amendments per year. This is included in their Pro and Premium packages.
Bizee offers compliance notifications in its Standard and Premium packages. They will alert customers when state actions are due, but they do not actively file the documents for you in any of their LLC formation packages. Annual report filing is available at an additional charge (usually $99, plus state fees).
Turnaround times and filing speed
Filing speed determines how fast you can officially start operating your business. ZenBusiness offers standard processing of seven to 10 business days on its basic plan. If you upgrade to Pro or Premium, ZenBusiness processes your documents in one business day.
Bizee takes roughly four weeks to process Basic and Standard filings. If you want faster service, you must upgrade to the Premium package, which promises a preparation time of one business day.
Trustworthiness, reputation, and customer support
When you hand over sensitive legal documents, you need to trust the company processing them. Both ZenBusiness and Bizee have helped hundreds of thousands of businesses, but their customer experiences differ.
Support availability
Customer support is an important consideration when choosing an LLC formation service. ZenBusiness offers phone, email, and chat support seven days a week. This makes them accessible for business owners who may need assistance outside of standard business hours.
Bizee provides phone and email support, with unlimited support included in their Standard and Premium packages. However, their availability is limited to Monday to Friday.
Conclusion: Which should you choose?
Choosing a provider often depends on budget, how quickly you want to form your LLC, and the level of ongoing help required.
For a deeper dive into the top providers, check out our guide to finding the best LLC service for your business.
Check out this resource to learn more: Guide to forming an LLC