ZenBusiness vs. LegalZoom: overview
ZenBusiness launched in 2015 with a focus on helping small business owners form and grow their companies. The platform offers a streamlined, user-friendly dashboard and guided workflows. ZenBusiness caters primarily to entrepreneurs who want an affordable, straightforward way to start an LLC.
LegalZoom started in 2001 and operates as a comprehensive legal services provider. Beyond basic business formation, LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys, intellectual property protection services, and an extensive library of legal documents. It serves business owners who might need ongoing legal advice alongside their LLC setup.
Pricing comparison
Both ZenBusiness and LegalZoom offer three main pricing tiers for LLC formation. You will need to pay state filing fees regardless of which package or provider you choose.
Basic or starter packages
Both ZenBusiness and LegalZoom offer a free entry-level package. You pay $0 plus your state filing fees. These basic plans cover a business name availability check and the filing of your Articles of Organization.
Pro packages
The mid-tier packages introduce more compliance features.
- ZenBusiness Pro: Costs $199 per year plus state fees. It includes an operating agreement template, rush processing, and ongoing compliance services.
- LegalZoom Pro: Costs $249 plus state fees. It includes an Employer Identification Number, an operating agreement template, access to a legal document library for one year, and a 30-day trial of attorney support.
Premium packages
The highest tiers bundle extra business tools.
- ZenBusiness Premium: Costs $399 per year plus state fees. It builds on the Pro plan by adding ongoing state filing compliance, registered agent service, a business logo builder, and access to a business documents library.
- LegalZoom Premium: Costs $299 per year plus state fees. It includes everything in the Pro plan, plus six months of bookkeeping tools, unlimited customizable proposals and invoices, and income and expense tracking.
Features and services
While both companies file your initial paperwork, their add-on services cater to different business needs.
Registered agent services
Most states require your LLC to have a registered agent. ZenBusiness includes the service in its most expensive LLC formation package. LegalZoom does not include registered agent services in any of its formation packages; you must purchase this service separately.
- ZenBusiness includes registered agent service in its $399 Premium package.
- LegalZoom charges $249 per year for its registered agent service.
Employer identification number and operating agreements
An Employer Identification Number allows you to open a business bank account and hire employees. An operating agreement outlines how your LLC will run. LegalZoom and ZenBusiness includes both of these in their Pro and Premium plans.
Legal support and document libraries
LegalZoom stands out for its legal support. Its Pro and Premium plans include 30 days of unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations for new legal topics. LegalZoom also provides over 150 customizable legal document templates. ZenBusiness does not offer attorney consultations and provides a much smaller library of about 25 document templates in its highest tier Premium plan.
Customer support
Getting help when you need it is crucial during the business formation process. Both ZenBusiness and LegalZoom provide customer support seven days a week. You can reach representatives from either company via phone, email, and live chat. Both companies have knowledgeable teams ready to answer your questions.
Trustworthiness and reviews
Both providers have strong reputations in the business formation industry. ZenBusiness has a Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of five stars. Customers praise ZenBusiness for its friendly support staff and easy-to-use interface, but users have noted difficulty in cancelling services.
LegalZoom has a Trustpilot rating for 4.6 stars. Customers praise LegalZoom support staff for their helpfulness and professionalism. Some LegalZoom users note that the checkout process includes frequent upsells.
Which service is right for you?
Your choice between ZenBusiness and LegalZoom depends on your specific goals and budget.
ZenBusiness is the better choice if you want a platform focused purely on getting your business off the ground. Its mid-tier pricing is lower, and its customer feedback is positive.
LegalZoom is the better choice if you anticipate needing legal advice, trademark registration, or a wide variety of legal contracts. Its paid plans include attorney consultations, which can be a useful resource for business owners navigating legal questions.
How BizFilings can support your business
At BizFilings, we’ve been supporting small business owners for decades with formation and compliance services they can trust. Whether you’re forming an LLC or corporation, need registered agent service, or want help staying on top of ongoing filing requirements, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. We help simplify complex state requirements and reduce administrative burdens—so you can focus on growing and running your business with confidence.