2024 LLC Provider Comparison

Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness vs Incfile Review

Do you want to form a limited liability company, but don’t know where to start? Many LLC formation companies like ZenBusiness, Incfile, and Inc Authority offer high-quality formation services. With so many options, it can be challenging to choose the best option. In this 2024 LLC provider comparison, you’ll find all the relevant information about these three providers so you can make an informed decision on which service to use to form an LLC.
Start Your LLC with IncAuthorityZenBusiness and Incfile.

2024 LLC Provider Comparison: Breakdown of Services

Inc Authority Overview

Similar to Incfile, Inc Authority offers a free basic plan that includes many helpful features that can help you form your business.

Inc Authority Pros

  • Inc Authority is one of only two companies that offers a free basic LLC formation package. The company offers a year of free registered agent service, a service that is required to form your LLC.
  • Inc Authority has great customer service, and offers support over the phone with their dedicated agents.many positive online customer reviews. In any step of the process, you can talk to an experienced customer service agent on the phone

Inc Authority Cons

  • Inc Authority's premium packages are expensive when compared to competitors, with plans starting at $399.
  • Some customers report excessive upselling.

Inc Authority Pricing and Features

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Free Package

Inc Authority’s free package will only cost you your state’s mandatory filing costs. This package comes with the following features:

  • Name availability search
  • LLC documentation assistance and filing
  • One year of registered agent service
  • S Corporation tax election form
  • Business checking account
  • Tax planning consultation
  • Business funding analysis
Starter Package

The starter package costs $399 plus your state’s documentation costs. This package includes everything the comes with the free package does, plus these extra benefits:

  • OFree operating agreement legal template
  • Record book and company seal
  • Ownership certificates for each LLC member
  • EIN documentation and filing
Executive Package

The executive package costs $499 plus your state’s filing costs. This package comes with the free and starter package features plus adds the following features:

  • Business license report
  • Website domain
Tycoon Package

The tycoon package costs $799 plus your state’s filing costs. This package comes with all other package features, along with these features:

  • Expedited processing
  • 90 days of personalized business coaching sessions
  • Access to Business Credit LaunchPad, a program that helps LLCs with the business credit development process
  • Dun and Bradstreet credit bureau registration

ZenBusiness Overview

ZenBusiness offers starter company formation packages starting at $0.00  plus your state’s applicable filing fees.

ZenBusiness Pros

  • Affordable, simple LLC formation plan
  • Excellent customer support
  • Positive online customer reviews
  • Affordable registered agent services

ZenBusiness Cons

  • ZenBusiness has no free option. Other services provide a cheaper base package.  Inc Authority and Incfile deliver a completely free service. You just pay your state's filing fee.
  • Filing fees are paid yearly.
  • The Starter plan is $49/year + state filing fees and increases to $119/year after that.

ZenBusiness Pricing and Features

ZenBusiness offers three service packages for small business owners: Starter, Pro, and Premium. Its packages include valuable features that can help you run your business and increase your revenue stream.

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All three packages include the following features:

  • Registered agent service: ZenBusiness offers a free registered agent service for the first year. After one year, you can continue the service for $119 per year.
  • Custom operating agreement: An operating agreement can help define the terms and ownership of your company. ZenBusiness provides this service free of charge with all its packages.
  • Accounting advice: All plans come with a free evaluation of your company finances by a certified accountant. Your accountant can help you keep track of your company's taxes and cash flow.

The company’s Pro ($199 + state filing fees) and Premium ($299 + state filing fees) packages come with other helpful features, including:

  • Employer identification number: ZenBusiness will obtain an EIN through the IRS on your behalf. An EIN is a personalized number that allows you to file taxes, open a bank account, and apply for capital financing.
  • Business email, website, and domain privacy: These products can help promote your marketing efforts and build your company's online visibility.
  • Rush filing: Rush filing is available for small business owners wanting to start the formation process as quickly as possible.

Incfile Overview

Similar to ZenBusiness, Incfile provides a standard plan that offers excellent service for an affordable price. The company also provides higher plans for customers who want more features.

Incfile Pros

  • Incfile offers a full year of registered service at no cost. After the first year, the service costs $119 per year, which is more affordable than other services.
  • Incfile provides an order tracking tool that helps you track the status of your LLC formation documents.
  • Incfile offers an online dashboard that can help you track important deadlines and file annual reports.

Incfile Cons

  • You need to pay extra if you want features such as an EIN or an operating agreement.
  • Customers complain about the length of time it takes Incfile’s customer support team to respond to emails. Waiting days or weeks for a response is not uncommon. The company’s phone support is better but still inconsistent, and wait times can be extended.

Incfile Pricing and Features

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Silver Package

The silver package is free other than your state’s filing costs. This package comes with the following features:

  • One year of registered agent service at no cost
  • Lifetime LLC compliance alerts
  • LLC documentation assistance and filing
Gold Package

The gold package costs $149 plus your state’s filing costs. This package comes with all of the silver package features plus these extra benefits:

  • A free operating agreement template
  • A banking resolution authority
  • EIN registration services
Platinum Package

Finally, the platinum package costs $249 plus your state’s documentation expenses. This plan includes every feature included in the lower plans plus these extra benefits:

  • A free domain name and business website
  • Legal contract templates
  • Expedited shipping and filing services

Pricing

It’s very challenging to beat Inc Authority and Incfile regarding pricing, as they offer starter packages for free. Both companies provide excellent features, including customer service and registered agent service.

ZenBusiness also offers an affordable entry-level plan, with a package costing $49. While its primary package costs more than Inc Authority and Incfile, ZenBusiness offers excellent features and good customer service.

ZenBusiness is the better choice when it comes to premium packages with extra features. All three companies offer the ability to increase your coverage as you wish.

Features

The features in the free packages offered by Inc Authority and Incfile and the $39 plan provided by ZenBusiness are similar. All three programs help you fill out and file your business formation documents and come with one year of registered agent service. However, Zen Business offers a free LLC operating agreement, which the free plans do not.

ZenBusiness also offers flexible packaging options, allowing you to personalize your package with the services you want. Experience

IncAuthority has more experience than both Incfile and ZenBusiness. Inc Authority started in 1989, and it has formed almost 150,000 LLCs. On the other hand, ZenBusiness and Incfile are more recent companies. ZenBusiness formed in 2015, and Incfile started in 2004. Both companies have created thousands of businesses, but they don’t have the same experience as IncAuthority. A team of experienced customer service agents are on staff at Inc Authority, that customers can speak with on the phone if there are any questions throughout the formation process. Inc Authority has the highest level of personal customer service.

Turnaround Times

All three websites show you how long it will take to form an LLC in your state. You can learn how long it will take by visiting each website and selecting “LLC” in your state. While IncAuthority boasts the fastest turnaround times in the industry, its processing times seem to be on par with ZenBusiness and Incfile.

However, ZenBusiness takes a different approach that can slow down processing times. The company intentionally expedites or slows down your formation documents based on the package level you chose. Thus, its lower-priced packages have the longest times, while the upper-tier packages are much faster.

Order Tracking

All three companies have order tracking tools available on their websites. You can log into your account and monitor progress on all three websites through their customer dashboards, which allow you to track documents as they are uploaded and approved as well.

Registered Agent Service

Every LLC must designate a registered agent during the business formation process. A registered agent is a person or entity that accepts essential legal and tax documents on behalf of the company. An LLC can serve as its own registered agent.

ZenBusiness includes registered agent service for one year with all packages, but this service costs $99 per year if ordered separately. Inc Authority and Incfile also add a year of service with their packages, and both charge $99 per year after the first year.

Customer Reviews

ZenBusiness provides excellent customer service, as evidenced by its thousands of positive online reviews. Clients rave about the company’s efficiency, prompt customer service, and plan features.

Inc Authority’s customer service ratings are also strong. With more than 6,500 reviews online, the company has overwhelming positive comments from clients.

However, Incfile struggles in the customer review category. Most clients are frustrated with the company’s lack of email support. Some customers report sending an email and never receiving a response. While Incfile’s phone support is more reliable, some of its agents do not know a lot about its services.

Ease of Use

All three companies are relative equals in the ease-of-use category, as they all make the process of forming an LLC quite simple. However, ZenBusiness has a slight edge as its website is streamlined and incredibly easy to use. Its website is well-designed, and it is easy to find information.

Additional Services

With all three companies, there are many additional services you can add for an extra cost. Many of these services are similar and include registered agent service, certificates of good standing, EIN acquisition, and more. All three companies offer thorough pricing schedules on their websites.