Fact Checked by Editorial Staff
LegalZoom vs. BizFilings: When you’re willing to start an LLC, LLC formation services like LegalZoom and BizFilings are the first things you look for. They are competent, offer diverse deals in business formation, are affordable, and help you go through a hassle-free process of LLC formation. However, not all services are the same, like BizFilings offers different services and prices than LegalZoom.
As we share our take on LegalZoom and BizFilings, we pointed out the pros and cons of both services for you to decide which one is suitable for your business. LLCBuddy editors dug up a lot and brought a detailed comparative guide on LegalZoom vs. BizFilings for the budding entrepreneur.
LegalZoom vs. BizFilings: Quick Review
| Services | LegalZoom | BizFilings |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | Available | Available |
| Starting Price | $0 + State filing fee | $99 + State filing fee |
| Registered Agent Service | Available at $299 a year | Available at Included |
| Legal Advice | Available at an additional fee | Not Available |
| EIN | Available at $79 | Available at $79 |
| Operating Agreement | $99 | $39 |
| Annual Report | $99 + state filing fee | $99 + state filing fee |
| Attorney Service | Depends on services | Not available |
| Website | LegalZoom | BizFilings |
| Review | LegalZoom Review | – |
Before we make a purchase, we always look for affordability and quality rather than the name or brand. Of course, brand matters, however, depending on your requirements, sometimes we have to choose unpopular names over a big brand. When it comes to deciding on which service we are going to choose or purchase, we look for a few general points.
- Reliable
- Reasonable
- Meet requirements
Our main goal is to share the insights of features and prices both these services offer. We researched the details of LegalZoom and BizFilings to bring the comparison study for you.
LegalZoom vs. BizFilings: Our Take
It is a bit difficult for us to say what you should choose. It depends on what services you’re looking for. Both services offer LLC formation, however, LegalZoom is more focused on legal assistance and attorney services. On the other side, when we consider BizFilings, it does not offer elaborate legal services. However, it offers formation services and other business tools to establish and manage businesses. BizFilings does not offer free LLC formation. Hence, for a small budget company LegalZoom can be an option..
LegalZoom vs. BizFilings: Price and Packaging
LegalZoom offers LLC formation at $0; however, the required state filing fee must be paid. On the other hand, BizFilings offers the LLC formation at $99 plus state filing fee. When forming your LLC with LegalZoom or BizFilings, there are many more things than the formation fees. With BizFilings, a registered agent costs Included. However, with LegalZoom, it is $299 a year. Hence, it is kind of a trick to choose between the two. BizFilings offer basic LLC formation package at $99 + state fees that includes the Registered Agent Service for a year. This is quite a good deal for small and tight budgested businesses. On the other side, LegalZoom offers more services than BizFilings in their basic package. Hence, it is recommended to choose carefully before making any final decision.
LegalZoom Price & Package
LegalZoom offers three packages for LLC formation. Basic ($0 + state fees), Pro ($249 + state fees), and Premium ($299 + state fees).
- Business Formation Packages start at $0 + state fees and go up to $299 + state fees. Additional services can be added with a la carte options.
- Registered agent services cost $299 per year.
- Legal document review services start at $39 and can go up to $219, depending on the complexity of the document.
- Business compliance services start at $69 a year.
- Intellectual property services start at $199 and go up to $499, depending on the requirements.
Add-ons by LegalZoom
- Trademark registration: Assisting with the US trademark application process
- Copyright registration: Guidance on registering copyrights for creative works
- Patent services: Support in obtaining utility, design, and plant patents
- Estate planning: Offering personalized wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents
- Legal advice: Access to a network of lawyers for consultations and legal guidance
- Expedited Filing: With an additional $99, you can speed up your filing process.
BizFilings Price & Package
- LLC Kit & Seal: starting from $99 + state filing fee
- Operating Agreement: $39
- EIN: $79 (One-time)
- Payroll Tax Registration: $199 a year
- Business License Research Package: $99
- Compliance DVD: $39
- Annual Report Filing: $99 + State filing fee
- Expedited Process: $60
- Overnight Shipping: $20
- 24-hour rush filing: $199
Add-ons By BizFilings
- Payroll Tax Registration: $199
- Business License Research package: $99
- Palo Alto’s Live Plan: $99
- ADP Payroll Service for Businesses with Employess: Price on Request
- Other Add-ons: EIN; Operating Agreement; Annual/Biennial Reports; Business Compliance; Rush Filing;
Starter/Basic Package: Comparison
| Services | LegalZoom | BizFilings |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $0 + state filing fee | $99 + State filing fee |
| Processing time | 30 days | Rush filing available at additional cost |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | $79 | Available at $79 |
| Operating Agreement | $99 | $39 |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | $39 a year |
| Web domain & web hosting | Not Available (website building through WIX) | Not available |
Pro/Mid-Level Package:
| Services | LegalZoom | BizFilings |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $249 + state filing fees | $299 + state filing fee |
| Processing Time | 15 days | Rush filing available at additional cost |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Yes | Included |
| Operating Agreement | Yes | Included |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | $39 |
| Web domain & web hosting | Not Available (website building through WIX) | Not Available |
| Domain Name Registration | Not Available | Not Available |
| Business Email | Not Available | Not Available |
Premium/Top Level Package:
| Services | LegalZoom | BizFilings |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | $299 + state filing fee | $458 + state filing fee |
| Processing Time | 15 days | Rush filing available at additional cost |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Yes | Included |
| Operating Agreement | Yes | Included |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | $39 |
| Web domain & web hosting | Not Available (website building through WIX) | Not Available |
LegalZoom vs. BizFilings: How They Are Different or Similar
LegalZoom and BizFilings offer similar services. Both companies have many things in common, while some things are different. Let’s look at the similarities and differences BizFilings and LegalZoom have with each other.
Business Formation
LegalZoom provides a complete business formation service that helps customers create their legal entity. They offer various business entity types, including LLC, Corporation, and Non-profit. LegalZoom offers different packages for each business entity type, including a basic package that offers the basic requirements for business formation, such as legal document filing and registered agents. With LegalZoom, you can get access to attorneys and other legal services.
BizFilings offer 3 packages, Basic, Standard, and Complete Package. All the packages include unlimited name search, registered agent in 51 states, business name verification, and 24×7 business monitoring tool. Besides, BizFilings offer other formation-related services like annual report, EIN, operating agreement, compliance packages, etc.
Legal Support & Attorney Services
LegalZoom, as per its name, provides in-and-out legal support to entrepreneurs. The company also offers attorney consultation services. LegalZoom is your solution if you want to hire an attorney to form your business. Not only the professional purpose but LegalZoom offers personal legal help as well. Property lawyers, Will, Power of Attorney, and other personal legal services are available in LegalZoom.
BizFilings does not offer any legal support. It only offers business formation and related services.
Overall Cost
LegalZoom offers LLC formation at $0. However, other services, like a registered agent, cost $299 a year, making the overall cost more than other close competitors. It is a bit expensive compared to BizFilings.
BizFilings does not offer free LLC formation, hence, the basic cost of LLC formation is definitely more than LegalZoom. On the other hand, the register agent costs nothing in BizFilings, unlike LegalZoom. Overall, BizFilings offer much lesser services compared to LegalZoom at a low rate. However, BiFilings offer all the main LLC formation services at reasonable prices.
Customer Support
Regarding customer support, LegalZoom has the best in the industry. The company is old, and the team is much more experienced than BizFilings. LegalZoom’s customer service is swift and available during working hours. One can contact them by asking questions and by phone. The LegalZoom official site has many business-related articles that help you understand their services.
Users can contact BizFilings support team in 4 ways. They can directly call on their number (800-981-7183) during working hours, they can email ([email protected]) the team, Chat with them through the official website, and finally, users can check their FAQ section to know the process of filing.
BizFilings Additional Services
There are some services that LegalZoom does not provide, but BizFilings does. The following services are offered by BizFilings, but LegalZoom has no such services.
Palo Alto’s Live Plan is a step-by-step guide to prepare a business plan. BizFilings provides this service at $99.
ADP Payroll Service for Businesses with Employees is a payroll solution for businesses that are expanding. It is available with BizFilings. You must request quote to know the price.
LegalZoom vs. BizFilings: Pros & Cons
Before you choose either of these options, you must specify what requirements you have. If you’re establishing an LLC and looking for a basic business formation package, then both these companies, LegalZoom and BizFilings, can be considered. Both companies offer LC formation at a reasonable price.
LegalZoom: Pros & Cons:
| Pros of LegalZoom | Cons of LegalZoom |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive legal services: LegalZoom offers a vast range of legal services that can help entrepreneurs meet all their legal obligations. | Higher prices: LegalZoom has higher prices than other competitors in the business formation industry, especially for add-on services. |
| Established brand: LegalZoom has been around since 1999 and has helped over four million businesses. Thus, it has a reputation and tracks records of forming businesses. | Limited customer support: LegalZoom offers customer support, but it may not be as extensive as expected. Some customers have mentioned they had difficulty getting support from LegalZoom. |
| 100% satisfaction guarantee: LegalZoom offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, and if you are not satisfied with their services, you will get a full refund. |
BizFilings: Pros & Cons:
| Pros of BizFilings | Cons of BizFilings |
|---|---|
| BizFilings has been offering LLC formation services since 1996 and has helped form over 500,000 businesses, so they have a wealth of experience and knowledge in this area. | BizFilings’ LLC formation service can be more expensive compared to other options available. |
| 24×7 Business monitoring tool is available with all the LLC formation packages. | If you are looking to form an LLC as a non-US resident or have complex international business structures, BizFilings’ services do not have much options. It may not be as well-suited to your needs |
| While their base price may seem attractive, be aware that there may be additional fees for certain services or add-ons that are not included in the initial package. |
FAQs
Also Read
Conclusion
LegalZoom and BizFilings are reputable companies offering quality services at competitive rates. However, which one you choose depends on your specific business needs. LegalZoom is an excellent choice if you are looking for a more straightforward pricing model and a wide range of legal support services. If you are looking for a more affordable option and an excellent business formation package, BizFilings is the perfect choice.
It is worth noting that both companies offer a satisfaction guarantee, so if you are not satisfied with their services, you might get a refund.
To summarize the comparison, LegalZoom is suitable for entrepreneurs who want a one-stop shop for all legal services. It has higher prices, but it is worth the investment for entrepreneurs who want personalized advice from legal professionals. On the other hand, BizFilings is better for budget-conscious entrepreneurs who want a more streamlined and efficient business formation process.
Finally, before making your final decision, it is crucial to research other business formation companies and determine which one is the best fit for your business needs. By doing so, you can make an informed decision that will help you build a strong legal foundation for your business.