Fact Checked by Editorial Staff
ZenBusiness Review: ZenBusiness is a top-rated business formation service that offers LLC formation at $0. From offering business name searches to filing formation documents, ZenBusiness offers a whole bunch of required services to establish your company. In this ZenBusiness Review, we pointed out the facts and features of this company.
As you continue reading the review, you can explore more about their services and packages and whether you should buy or bypass them. Among many best LLC services, ZenBusiness stands out to be the best for its “100% accuracy and transparency”.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
ZenBusiness Review: A Quick Summary
The Good👍
- Low-cost formation services
- 100% accuracy in forming an LLC
- Hassle-free, fast & simple formation
- User-friendly services
- Finest, trustworthy & dedicated customer service
- Exceptional Customer Reviews (Trustpilot)
- More than 2,00,000 new businesses formed
- Personalized Service
- Customizable Dashboard
- BBB accredited since 2019, with an “A+ rating”
The Bad👎
- No Non-profit formation
- EIN is included in the Pro and Premium packages but not in the Starter Pack
- Service Quality: 5/5
- Turnaround Time: 4.5/5
- Pricing: 5/5
- Customer Feedback: 5/5
- User Friendly: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.8/5
ZenBusiness: About The Company
Ross Buhrdorf founded ZenBusiness in 2015 in Austin, Texas. In November 2017, the company declared that it had raised $200 million. Even if the company is fairly new in the market, it still stands out with its consistency & services.
ZenBusiness specializes in business formation at an affordable price. For a Limited Liability Company formation, ZenBusiness offers it at $0 plus mandatory state filing fees. The company’s core values are “Transparency, Protection, & paying it forward.” ZenBusiness, until now, has formed over 5,00,000 businesses and gained a 4.5+ rating in TrustPilot.
ZenBusiness offers three plans for LLC formation: Starter, Pro, & Premium Plan. It is perhaps the only formation service company that offers the three important features in all its Plans. Those three important features included in every Plan are LLC (Limited Liability Company) formation, email, and phone support.
Note: The credit for ZenBusiness being in the top position can be attributed to its 100% accuracy in forming an LLC & its best budget service.
Packages Offered by ZenBusiness
As mentioned above, ZenBusiness offers three Plans; Starter Plan, Pro Plan, & Premium Plan. Even the starter Plan has essential services like free registered agents & free operating agreement templates.
Starter Plan
$0 + Additional State Fees (Tax deduction may apply)
Turnaround Time: 2-3 Weeks
- Name Availability Search
- Prepare and File LLC
- Phone and Email Support
- Online Document Access
- Statement of Organizer
- Free Accounting Consultation
- Virtual Business Guide
- Google Ads Credit
- Standard Filing Speed
Starter Plan Beneficiaries
The ZenBusiness starter plan is beneficial for small businesses & startups with comparatively tight budgets. It is cost-effective & offers all the essential services, e.g., formation document filing and operating agreement draft. With the Starter Plan, you must pay an additional cost to get an Employer Identification Number.
Pro Plan
$199 + Additional State Fees (Tax deduction may apply)
Turnaround Time: 1-5 Days
- All the services included in the Standard Plan
- Advertising Consultant LLC filing – ZenBusiness does everything needed to file your application to become an advertising consultant business and communicates with the state until your LLC is formalized.
- Advertising Consultant Operating Agreement
- Advertising consultant Annual Compliance service – ZenBusiness takes care of everything needed each year in your state to operate legally within your industry
- Rush Filing Service
Pro Plan Beneficiaries
The Pro Plan is suitable for mid-sized businesses looking for an expedited process & filing of an Employer ID Number. It is the best fit for companies; that may not be able to handle the compliance part on their own. Startups or Small business owners may regret choosing this plan because they may be paying extra for services that are not required for their businesses.
Premium Plan
$349 + Additional State Fees (Tax deduction may apply)
Turnaround Time: 1-2 Days
- All services included in the Pro plan
- Fastest /Rush Filing Speed
- Business Website
- Business Domain Name
- Business Email address
Premium Plan Beneficiaries
The premium plan is all-inclusive; hence, it is suitable for bigger businesses. These companies would require an agency to manage almost everything related to the formation, Banking Procedures, Websites, Email Addresses, etc. So, the LLCs who do not want these additional services should not opt for this plan.
Add-ons Offered by ZenBusiness
Along with the standard services offered within each plan, ZenBusiness offers several other a-la-carte services. While some of these services are offered within the plans (at an additional cost), some services must be bought individually. In short, for the services offered individually, you don’t have to buy any plans. For further assistance on pricing & services, you can mail them or chat with the customer associate.
- Standalone Registered Agent Service – $99
- Business Name Reservation- $50
- Annual Report Filing- $100 + state fees
- New York Publication- $200 + publication cost
- Filing Amendment- $100 + state fees
- Certificate of Good Standing- $100 + state fees
- Business License Report- $99
- Business Document Templates Library- $99
As mentioned above, ZenBusiness offers services you can add to the plan; at checkout as an upgrade. Those services are
- Expedite Filing Speed- $50
- Rush Filing Speed- $100
- Banking Resolution Template- $30
- Employer ID Number- $99
- Worry-free Compliance- $199 yearly
- Business Website- $129 yearly
- Business Domain Name- $25 yearly
- Business Domain Name Privacy- $10 yearly
- Business Email Address- $25 yearly
- Google Ads Credit- $150 value
ZenBusiness Service Plans: At a Glance
| Service | Starter | Pro | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Name Availability Search | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Phone & Email Support | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Online Document Access | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Virtual Business Guide | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Operating Agreement Template | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Google Ads Credit | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Standard Filing speed | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Accounting Consultation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Rush Filing speed | $100 | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Banking Resolution Template | $30 | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Employer ID Number | $99 | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Worry-free Compliance | $199/yr (1st Yr free) | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Business Website | $129/yr | $129/yr | ✔️ |
| Business Domain Name | $25/yr | $25/yr | ✔️ |
| Domain Name Privacy | $10/yr | $10/yr | ✔️ |
| Business Email Address | $25/yr | $25/yr | ✔️ |
Verdict: Should You Choose ZenBusiness or Not?
Starting a business involves much more than just filing a formation document. ZenBusiness does everything from top to toe. The biggest advantage ZenBusiness has is the pricing. It offers basic LLC formation at $0. Now, other service providers such as LegalZoom, Inc Authority, and Bizee (powered by Incfile) offer similar pricing. However, ZenBusiness surpassed all others in terms of many things.
ZenBusiness, unlike other services, has elaborate plans that cover everything you need to start a business. On the other side, Zen has a bunch of add-on services that can be clubbed with any existing packages. ZenBusiness is an ideal choice for small businesses with tight budgets. On the other side, the Premium plan is for the bigger companies as it offers other services that might not be required for a small business.
With some companies, registered agent service seems to be cheaper for the first year as it comes for free. But, after a year the price goes up sharply. ZenBusiness does not offer free registered agents, but it offers it at a flat rate. The price of the registered agent is comparatively lower than other competitors. Hence, in every aspect,
When Should You Choose ZenBusiness?
ZenBusiness is a kind of company anyone can choose over any competitors. Their starter pack is available at $0. Unlike other free services, ZenBusiness has much more facilities. Especially small and mid-sized businesses, start-ups, and businesses with a limited budget can go for ZenBusiness. If you are a large business, then their Premium Plan would be the best choice. As it offers everything, you can form an LLC at a reasonable price.
When Should You Not Choose ZenBusiness?
A very small LLC looking for only the essential services may find it difficult to choose ZenBusiness. The starter plan is a more suitable option for them, but there is an additional cost even for the basic service like filing an EIN. So, one can not rely upon the starter plan alone to cover all the essential services.
ZenBusiness Alternatives
ZenBusiness offers services at a bare minimum price. There are a few service providers that offer basic LLC formation at $0. However, as our team of editors looked deeper into the other services, ZenBusiness, no doubt stood out among other free services. Compared to other available free services, Zen offers much more to the business. Hence, we consider ZenBusiness to be the best in the batch. However, before you jump to any conclusion and buy any service, you must explore the list of best LLC services available.
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK  | $0 + State Fees |
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 | $0 + State Fees |
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F.A.Qs
Yes, ZenBusiness is a trustworthy & legitimate business, formed in 2015. It is BBB accredited since 2019 with an “A+ rating.”
It is not mandatory to have a registered agent for your LLC. But, it is highly advisable to have one for proper & timely filing of various documents & taxes so that you don’t have to bear late fees or penalties.
You can cancel your account with ZenBusiness without any penalties or fees. You can chat with customer service during the prescribed hours.
ZenBusiness offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on its offerings. You get a refund after deducting State fees or any other third-party fees for cancellation.
The ZenBusiness starter plan costs you $0, which includes all the essential services in addition to LLC formation. The other two plans cost $199 and $349, respectively.
How to Use ZenBusiness
Founded in 2015, ZenBusiness aims to provide affordable and expedited services for entrepreneurs looking to establish and manage their own businesses. With a focus on simplicity, transparency, and customer service, ZenBusiness streamlines the process of starting a business so you can focus on what truly matters- growing your company.
One of the key features that sets ZenBusiness apart is its user-friendly platform. The website is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing you to complete tasks quickly and without confusion. Whether you’re looking to form an LLC, set up a corporation, or register as a sole proprietor, ZenBusiness provides step-by-step guidance to help you through each stage of the process.
Another standout feature of ZenBusiness is its affordable pricing. Starting at just $49, ZenBusiness offers a range of packages to suit your specific needs and budget. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, there’s a package for everyone. Plus, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees, you can trust that you’re getting a great deal when you choose ZenBusiness.
In addition to its user-friendly platform and affordable pricing, ZenBusiness also offers top-notch customer service. From the moment you start your business journey to years down the line, ZenBusiness is there to support you every step of the way. With a team of dedicated experts ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have, you can rest easy knowing that help is just a phone call or email away.
One of the most appealing aspects of ZenBusiness is its commitment to simplicity. Rather than overwhelming you with jargon and legal terms, ZenBusiness breaks down the process of starting and managing a business into easy-to-understand steps. By demystifying the complexities of business ownership, ZenBusiness empowers entrepreneurs to take control of their futures with confidence.
In conclusion, ZenBusiness is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to start and manage their own businesses. With its user-friendly platform, affordable pricing, and top-notch customer service, ZenBusiness makes the process of business ownership easier and more accessible for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your current business, ZenBusiness has the tools and guidance you need to succeed. If you’re ready to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey, be sure to consider ZenBusiness as your trusted partner.
In Conclusion
ZenBusiness is one of the best LLC services available today. Even after having the same price offered by other services, ZenBusiness surpassed them all by its series of business formation services. For many people, ZenBusiness might be expensive, as ZenBusiness charges $99 for EIN which can be obtained for free from the IRS official site. However, it is in their add-on services so you can bypass this and buy their other services.
Overall, ZenBusiness is a wholesome service that provides 360-degree LLC formation services. You can start forming your LLC at $0 and can choose your required add-ons at the time of checkout. There is no close alternative to ZenBusiness, however, depending on the requirement, you can choose other services. For example, LegalZoom also offers LLC formation at $0 but it also focuses on attorney services and legal consultation. If anyone wants complete legal services can opt for LegalZoom.
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