ZenBusiness vs. Rocket Lawyer: Overview

Starting a new business involves a lot of paperwork, legal decisions, and careful planning. Choosing an online LLC formation service can reduce the administrative burden. Two options are ZenBusiness and Rocket Lawyer. Both offer tools to help you register your limited liability company, but they cater to different needs.

This article compares ZenBusiness and Rocket Lawyer to help you evaluate which service aligns with your needs. We will explore their pricing models, package features, trustworthiness, and overall value.

What is the difference between ZenBusiness and Rocket Lawyer?

ZenBusiness and Rocket Lawyer share the goal of helping small business owners, but their core service offerings differ significantly. ZenBusiness focuses almost entirely on business formation and state compliance. It provides a path for entrepreneurs who want to set up an LLC or corporation.

Rocket Lawyer does offer LLC formation and compliance services, but its primary focus is on providing legal support through a subscription model. Members gain access to a library of legal documents, attorney consultations, and legal advice. If you anticipate needing continuous legal guidance beyond your initial business setup, Rocket Lawyer offers a wider safety net.

The business formation experts

BizFilings

Form an LLC today for as little as $99. Includes 3 months FREE Registered Agent. 

ZenBusiness vs. Rocket Lawyer: Pricing and packages

Pricing is often the most critical factor for new business owners. These two companies approach pricing in different ways. ZenBusiness uses a tiered package system focused specifically on formation, while Rocket Lawyer relies on a monthly or annual membership model.

ZenBusiness LLC formation packages

ZenBusiness offers three LLC formation packages for entrepreneurs.

The Starter package $0 plus standard state filing fees. This entry-level tier includes basic articles of organization and a standard processing time of 7 to 10 days.

The Pro package costs $199 per year plus state fees. It upgrades processing to one business day. This tier also includes an operating agreement template, obtaining an employer identification number, and ongoing state filing compliance.

The Premium package costs $399 per year plus state fees. It includes everything from the Pro package, plus a year of registered agent services, advanced compliance protection, and a suite of tools to help build a business website and domain name.

Rocket Lawyer legal services and formation costs

Rocket Lawyer takes a different approach than many online business formation services. Through their standard Rocket Legal subscription ($39.99 a month), the cost to form an LLC is $99.99 plus state fees. This subscription level provides access to legal documents, their Legal Pro suite, contract templates, and Rocket Copilot, an AI assistant that has been trained on legal content from Rocket Lawyer.

Rocket Lawyer also has a Rocket Legal Plus membership that costs $239.88 per year. With this service, your first business registration is free, excluding state fees. The membership also offers discounted rates on registered agent and other compliance services.

Comparing features for small business owners

Beyond pricing, it can be helpful to compare features that will support your compliance needs over time.

Registered agent services

Every LLC requires a registered agent to receive official legal and tax documents on behalf of the business. Both offer this service, but the costs vary.

ZenBusiness includes registered agent services in its top-tier $399 Premium package. If you choose the Starter or Pro package, you can add a registered agent for $199 per year.

Rocket Lawyer charges $124.99 per year, but you must have either a Rocket Lawyer Plus or Pro membership.

Operating agreements and employer identification numbers

An operating agreement outlines the ownership and operating procedures of your LLC. An employer identification number is essential for opening a business bank account and hiring employees.

ZenBusiness includes an operating agreement in its Pro and Premium plans, or you can purchase it separately for $99. They also charge $99 to secure your employer identification number; this service is included in their Pro and Premium packages. For Rocket Legal Plus subscribers, they charge $69.99 to obtain an employer identification number.

Ongoing legal support and attorney access

A Rocket Legal membership through Rocket Lawyer provides access to licensed attorneys and to Rocket Copilot, marketed as an “AI legal assistant”. The AI tool can provide answers to legal questions and review contracts for key terms and red flags. ZenBusiness does not offer attorney consultations, but Premium subscribers have access to their business documents library.

Trustworthiness, reputation, and customer support

When selecting a provider to handle your legal formation, consider reviews, support options, and service history. Both ZenBusiness and Rocket Lawyer serve many customers, but their support structures differ.

ZenBusiness customer reviews and support

ZenBusiness can be reached by phone or chat seven days a week, or by email.

Rocket Lawyer customer reviews and support

Rocket Lawyer customer support is available via phone, chat, and email. Their phone hours are five days a week, Monday through Friday.

Frequently asked questions

The business formation experts

BizFilings

Form an LLC today for as little as $99. Includes 3 months FREE Registered Agent. 

The business formation experts

BizFilings

Form an LLC today for as little as $99. Includes 3 months FREE Registered Agent. 

For a deeper dive into the top providers, check out our guide to finding the right LLC service for your business.

Check out this resource to learn more: Guide to forming an LLC

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