Both Bizee (formerly Incfile) and LegalZoom offer business formation services for entrepreneurs. These services take the headaches and paperwork associated with forming a legal business entity out of the hands of the business owner and complete the entire process on your behalf. We’ve analyzed each option and have provided our findings on the LegalZoom vs. Bizee debate to help you determine which might be right for you.
Note: Incfile changed its name to Bizee in December 2023.
Bizee vs. LegalZoom: At a Glance
Bizee provides the most affordable business formation service on the market today, providing a base business registration for just the cost of the state filing fees where you reside. However, this doesn’t necessarily make it the best option. LegalZoom provides a more extensive service that has proven to be not only successful but very helpful to entrepreneurs for many years. Both have their pros and cons but LegalZoom has the best overall rating by our standards.
Bizee
Starting LLC Price
$0 plus state filing fees
EIN Fee
$70
Registered Agent Service
Free for first year
$0 plus state filing fees
$70
Free for first year
Incfile is a popular choice among entrepreneurs because of its zero-fee business formation filing (any business type). For just the cost of the state filing fees, which you’ll pay even if you file on your own, Incfile will set up your business by filing your articles of organization (or incorporation). You receive one year of free registered agent service. This zero-fee tier does not come with more advanced features, such as filing for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or providing documentation to help you set up your business bank account.
You can receive quite a bit of additional service options if you’re willing to pay up to $299 (plus state filing fees) for Incfile’s services. For example, with its highest package, Incfile will provide an operating agreement for your business and provide you with a business bank account as well as a business tax consultation. This is likely to be more than most people are looking for, however, so the service should be judged based on its free and mid-level tier. These make Incfile a good option but lack a bang for the price compared to other options, including LegalZoom.
Learn more: Read our Incfile review.
- Most affordable solution for just filing your paperwork
- A free year of registered agent service
- Unlimited phone and email support
- Customer service can be difficult to get a hold of quickly
- Can take a while to file your paperwork
- Paid tiers don’t offer enough added value for the price
LegalZoom
Starting LLC Price
$0 plus state filing fees
EIN Fee
$79
Registered Agent Service
$249 per year
$0 plus state filing fees
$79
$249 per year
LegalZoom has been an alternative, and leader in the industry, for business owners wanting help with filing the appropriate business formation paperwork for more than two decades. This means that the company has helped well over 2 million business owners, giving it quite possibly the most experience in the industry.
The added benefit for the entry-level package that is not offered by Incfile is the digital welcome packet. This comes with a step-by-step checklist to help you as you move forward. The package also includes a customizable website. This is the best option for someone who needs a lot of hand-holding when starting their business but does not include free registered agent services.
Higher-tier packages (at $249 and $299 plus state fees) include extras such as an operating agreement, EIN, insurance/tax phone consultations and one-day processing (at the highest tier). While LegalZoom’s limited liability company (LLC) formation service is free, it charges fees to form corporations, nonprofits and DBAs.
Learn more: Read our LegalZoom review.
- Excellent and responsive customer service
- Offers legal services for an additional fee
- Well-experienced in business formation
- Registered agent service is additional and pricey
- Slow turnaround time
How Bizee and LegalZoom Compare
When looking at any comparison of Bizee vs. LegalZoom, it’s important to take a closer look at how they stack up, side by side. Bizee can be easier to get started since you may not have to pay more than the state filing fees and the service offers a free registered agent for a year if you end up paying. LegalZoom charges an additional $249 per year for registered agent services but offers a lower initial fee of $60 for all services and you can pay for legal advice. The right option will depend on what you’re looking for.
Bizee vs. LegalZoom [Side-by-Side Comparison]
Both Bizee and LegalZoom can get the job done when it comes to registering your LLC business and taking the complication out of the process. It is the extras that you’re paying for that you need to pay close attention to make sure you’re getting what you need.
Bizee, for example, advertises a free service to register your business (as any business type) but that only includes the filing of the articles of organization, a name search and free registered agent service for a year. LegalZoom, on the other hand, includes a bit more for its free package. You will get the filing of all your entity paperwork, a digital welcome packet that includes a step-by-step checklist for you and a customizable website.
LegalZoom isn’t offering much more, other than a website, and you will need to pay for your registered agent. LegalZoom’s customer service team is also available more hours than Bizee and customer reviews point to them being more helpful overall. If you want to form a business type other than an LLC you will pay a fee with LegalZoom.
Business Formation Services
Now, let’s take a look at a more detailed comparison of the business formation services of Bizee vs. LegalZoom. Both offer the ability to register your LLC, corporation, nonprofit or doing-business-as (DBA) through a simple online process. However, there are some important differences between the two options that could cause you to lean one way or another for your unique situation.
Bizee
Bizee claims to have helped register more than 1 million businesses over the past 20 years. One of the best things about Bizee is its offer to register your business without any additional cost beyond the state filing fees that you would have to pay if you did the work on your own, plus a free registered agent. The company makes its money through premium services and not the registration itself. It is notable that all business formation services are free with Bizee, whether you are starting an LLC, corporation or DBA.
Bizee does make you go through the process of providing business and personal information as well as asking you what services you want before giving you a final price, however. While it advertises no hidden fees, this does create a few hoops to make sure that what you’re getting won’t cost more than you’re expecting.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom is more upfront about exactly what it is offering and what it costs. While an LLC doesn’t cost any additional fee beyond the state filing fees, there are fees for corporations ($149 plus state fees), nonprofits ($99 plus state fees) and DBAs ($99 plus state fees). However, you do get some additional services, if you need those services. For example, you can get legal advice for an added fee through the service, and registered agent services cost an additional $249 per year.
The overall customer support is offered for business formation services for longer times than Bizee’s Monday through Friday support, with LegalZoom offering support on the weekend while Bizee does not. If you’re looking for better support hours, then LegalZoom has more options for you in that regard.
Cost
While registering a simple limited liability company (LLC) is straightforward and free with either company, there are some differences in what premium services they offer and what those cost. Basic Plans
The basic plan for each only includes the base LLC business registration. For Bizee, this involves registering any type of business. You’ll just pay state filing fees. You do not get any advanced features but the company does throw in a full year of registered agent services for the business you register.
For LegalZoom, the basic plan only involves registering an LLC business, and along with Bizee, you will only pay state filing fees. It includes a digital checklist and a customizable website. The registered agent service is not included with this plan and costs an additional $249 per year for any business type. The plan for both service options includes a filing binder.
Advanced Plans
Bizee does not provide an advanced plan, just premium plans. For LegalZoom, the second-tier plan costs $249 and includes an operating agreement, EIN, a guide to business licenses and phone consultations about insurance and taxes. The top tier costs $299 and includes all of the second-tier features plus a one-day processing time.
Add-Ons
Bizee offers premium plan features that you can add on to your filing. You can include an EIN registration for $70 or additional years of registered agent services beyond your first free year. It also offers premium features such as annual report filings, foreign qualifications, certificates of good standing, business license research and even tax consultations.
LegalZoom also offers a variety of add-ons. The most common are EIN registration for $79, registered agent services for $249 per year and legal advice for an undisclosed fee. Other premium options include business license registration, annual report filings, compliance calendar, minutes manager for company meetings, trademark search and registration and business advisory plans.
Customer Support
Now let’s look at the comparison of Bizee vs. LegalZoom as it relates to their customer support offerings. Both offer phone and email support but the availability of the two is different. Before overanalyzing the offering though, make sure you have a good grasp on how much you may need customer support based on the services you’re looking to buy. A one-off business registration with no additional service isn’t likely to require much customer support, if any at all.
Bizee Support
Bizee offers phone and email support but only on weekdays. You can reach out with your questions Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time. It claims to respond “as quickly as possible” but there is no specific guarantee of response time if you submit via email instead of calling. You can also fill out an online form to submit an email support request.
LegalZoom Support
LegalZoom offers a similar customer support option as Bizee but with expanded hours. You can reach out via phone or email seven days per week. Monday through Friday, the support hours are 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time. On Saturdays and Sundays, it will also take support inquiries from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time. There is no guarantee of a specific response time if you submit via email, and you can also submit an email ticket through its online form.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
Both Bizee and LegalZoom offer a service that is well-respected online by their past customers. Here is how each performs when it comes to reviews and reputation.
Bizee Reviews
Bizee has received more than 9,700 reviews on Trustpilot and has maintained a 4.7 out of 5 rating from those reviews, with 84% being 5 stars. There are some complaints about the slowness of its customer support but overall Bizee is well-reviewed and has a strong reputation.
LegalZoom Reviews
LegalZoom has significantly fewer reviews on Trustpilot, with only around 2,300 at the time of writing. Its score is high as well, though, with a total score of 4.6 out of 5 and 82% of its reviews received 5 stars. However, 14% of its reviews received 1 star. The bad reviews come with a variety of reasons that include slow processing, unapproved fees, and less-than-ideal customer support.
While both companies seem to have a strong online reputation, Bizee has received many more positive reviews.
Bottom Line
All business formation services can get the job done by filing the appropriate paperwork and getting your business entity off the ground. However, the right option for you will depend on how much help you need and what additional services are right. If you just need someone to file your paperwork, then Bizee can do a great job and it offers a fee-free option.
However, if you’re looking for more help and guidance than just filing the paperwork, then LegalZoom is a better option. From providing a welcome packet with a step-by-step guide as your business gets going to additional services such as the registered agent service and legal advice, LegalZoom can help your business entity get started but can also provide support long after you’ve been receiving sales.
Who Is Bizee Best For?
Bizee is typically best for those registering an LLC on a budget as it will throw in a year of registered agent services for free. It’s also a safe bet with a strong reputation.
Who Is LegalZoom Best For?
LegalZoom might be best for more complex registrations and needs as it offers a legal advice service that can provide better insight and a more personalized experience.
Featured Partners
1
ZenBusiness
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
2
LegalZoom
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
3
Northwest Registered Agent
$39 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
Top LegalZoom and Bizee Alternatives
While you might have your winner in the Bizee vs. LegalZoom debate, they are far from the only services available today. Here is a breakdown of a few other options that might also be a good solution to what you’re looking for.
- ZenBusiness: Another popular business registration service, ZenBusiness offers a range of services from business registration to accounting and business funding. It offers packages that help you expedite business registration and it’s simple to add on additional features as your business grows. It stacks up quite nicely against Bizee and LegalZoom.
- Inc Authority: If you’re looking for fast processing times to register your new business, then you may want to consider Inc Authority, which promises a 24-hour processing time. It doesn’t charge any additional fees to register your business other than state filing fees and offers customer support seven days per week.
- Northwest Registered Agent: Another business registration service that goes beyond just the basic option is Northwest Registered Agent. The company offers services and tools to help you run your business as well, such as virtual office options, mail forwarding and phone service. Similar to LegalZoom, you can also get on-demand legal advice for additional fees.
- Rocket Lawyer: If you’re looking for more legal help than just business registration, then Rocket Lawyer might be a very good solution for you. It offers access to a network of licensed attorneys who can give you legal advice on a variety of matters through email, chat or phone. It also offers a guarantee of $10,000 if your legal documents aren’t legally enforceable.
- Swyft Filings: Swyft is one of the fastest online filing service providers available today. Some customers have been able to get their business formed in as little as 24 hours by going through a simple 10-minute process. This is included in its base fee, whereas other companies may charge you for the same type of speed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I register an LLC on my own?
Registering your business is done through your state’s secretary of state office. While the process depends on what state you are registering your business in, most provide an online portal to help walk you through the registration process today. It takes a little bit of time and understanding to make sure you file the right paperwork and pay the correct amount of fees.
How much is Bizee’s registered agent service after the first year?
Bizee charges $119 per year for its registered agent service but it throws the first year in for free when you register your business through its platform.
Is LegalZoom good for startups?
LegalZoom can be a good option for any business looking to file formation paperwork with a state. Many startups have used LegalZoom and continue to use its services even after the business is formally registered.
Is Bizee cheaper than LegalZoom?
Bizee is cheaper than LegalZoom for basic registration services if you’re registering something besides an LLC. It is also cheaper for many add-on features, such as offering a free year of registered agent services while LegalZoom charges $249 per year.
Is Bizee good for an LLC?
Bizee has a strong reputation for registering LLCs. It can perform the full service that you need, especially if you have a very basic registration requirement. The service also throws in a full year of registered agent services, which can be required for LLC filings.
Is LegalZoom good for an LLC?
LegalZoom has a good reputation for filing LLCs with its customers, though the reviews favor Bizee. There is nothing to suggest that LegalZoom cannot do the job adequately enough if you have basic needs, and it offers legal services for more advanced situations.
Should I use Bizee or LegalZoom?
This decision depends on your preferences and your needs. Bizee is likely the better option for those wanting to file a simple LLC registration but, the more complex your situation is, then the more likely you may want to consider LegalZoom. If neither option seems like a good fit for you, then there are several alternative options that have strong histories and reputations for accurate and timely filings.
