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LegalZoom vs. Bizee: When you’re willing to start an LLC, LLC formation services like LegalZoom and Bizee 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 Bizee offers different services and prices than LegalZoom.
As we share our take on LegalZoom and Bizee, we point 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. Bizee for the budding entrepreneur.
LegalZoom vs. Bizee: Quick Review
| Services | LegalZoom | Bizee |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | Available | Available |
| Starting Price | $0 + State filing fee | $0 + State filing fee |
| Registered Agent Service | Available at $299 a year | Available at $0 for a year ($119 per year from 2nd year) |
| Legal Advice | Available at an additional fee | Not Available |
| EIN | Available at $79 | Available at $70 |
| Operating Agreement | $99 | $40 |
| Annual Report | $99 + state filing fee | $100 + state filing fee |
| Attorney Service | Depends on services | Not available |
| Website | LegalZoom | Bizee |
| Review | LegalZoom Review | Bizee 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 Bizee to bring the comparison study for you.
LegalZoom vs. Bizee: 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, Bizee does not offer any legal services. It focuses more on LLC formation for free. Bizee, compared to LegalZoom has cheaper packages. For those, who are looking for cheap LLC basic formation services then Bizee is your option. However, if you seek elaborate business plans and legal support then feel free to choose LegalZoom over Bizee..
LegalZoom vs. Bizee: Price and Packaging
LegalZoom offers LLC formation at $0; however, the required state filing fee must be paid. On the other hand, Bizee offers the LLC formation at $0 too, plus the state filing fee. When forming your LLC with LegalZoom or Bizee, there are many more things than the formation fees. With Bizee, a registered agent costs $0 for a year ($119 per year from 2nd year). However, with LegalZoom, it is $299 a year. Hence, it is better to go with Bizee in terms of cost. However, on the other side, LegalZoom is much more popular as a brand.
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.
Bizee Price & Package
- LLC Formation Packages start at $0 plus state fees and go up to $299.
- Additional services can be added with a la carte options,
- Registered agent services are free for the first year and then cost $119 per year,
- Tax filing services start at $0 plus state fees and can go up to $199,
- Trademark services are available at $199 + federal fees,
- Business Licenses and Permits start at $99,
- Certificate of Good Standing costs $49.
Add-ons By Bizee
- Employer Identification Number: $70,
- Operating agreement: $40,
- Certificate of Good Standing: $49 + State Filing Fees,
- File corporation annual report: $88 + State Filing Fees,
- Doing Business As (DBA): $99 + State Filing Fees,
- Trademark Registration: $199 + Federal Filing Fees,
- Business License Search: $99,
- Dissolution: $149 + State Filing Fees,
- S-Corp Tax Election: $50 for current LLC & $25 for current C-Corps
Starter/Basic Package: Comparison
| Services | LegalZoom | Bizee |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $0 + state filing fee | $0 + State filing fee |
| Processing time | 30 days | Next Business Day |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | $79 | Available at $70 |
| Operating Agreement | $99 | $40 |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | Free for lifetime |
| Web domain & web hosting | Not Available (website building through WIX) | Not available |
Pro/Mid-Level Package:
| Services | LegalZoom | Bizee |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $249 + state filing fees | $199 + State Filing Fees |
| Processing Time | 15 days | Next Business Day |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Yes | Included |
| Operating Agreement | Yes | Included |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | Free |
| Web domain & web hosting | Not Available (website building through WIX) | $20 a month for hosting |
| Domain Name Registration | Not Available | Included in Platinum/Top package |
| Business Email | Not Available | $5.99 per month |
Premium/Top Level Package:
| Services | LegalZoom | Bizee |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | $299 + state filing fee | $299 + State Filing Fees |
| Processing Time | 15 days | Next business day |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Yes | Included |
| Operating Agreement | Yes | Included |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | Free |
| Web domain & web hosting | Not Available (website building through WIX) | Domain at $0 + $20 a month for hosting |
LegalZoom vs. Bizee: How They Are Different or Similar
LegalZoom and Bizee offer similar services. Both companies have many things in common, while some things are different. Let’s look at the similarities and differences Bizee 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.
On the other hand, Bizee offers the same formation services, such as business formation, filing formation documents for LLCs, Corporations, and other structures, registered agent services, operating agreements, etc. However, it does not provide attorney services or legal support like LegalZoom.
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.
Bizee does not provide any of these services. It only offers business formation and related services. If you need legal support, then Bizee is not for you.
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 Bizee.
On the contrary, in Bizee, the cost of LLC formation is $0 + state filing fee, and registered agent service is free for a year. From next year, a registered agent costs $119 a year. Hence, the overall average cost in Bizee is lower than LegalZoom. However, to enjoy free registered agent service, one has to purchase an LLC formation package. On the other hand, the price of EIN is also less than LegalZoom. Hence, using Bizee will be cost-effective for beginners or small businesses.
Customer Support
Regarding customer support, LegalZoom has the best in the industry. The company is old, and the team is much more experienced than Bizee. 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.
On the other hand, Bizee has a similar customer support system. It has a live chat, asks questions, and phone numbers to connect with the customer service people. Phone calls are available during working hours.
Bizee Additional Services
There are some services that LegalZoom does not provide, but Bizee does. The following services are offered by Bizee, but LegalZoom has no such services.
Business Reinstatement: Unlike LegalZoom, Bizee offers a business reinstatement service. If you want to continue maintaining your business, even after dissolution, you must reinstate your business. Bizee provides this service, whereas LegalZoom does not. With Bizee, you can get your business reinstated easily. You need to file the reinstatement to get it done. Bizee does that on your behalf at a specific price + state fees.
LegalZoom vs. Bizee: 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 Bizee, 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. |
Bizee: Pros & Cons:
| Pros of Bizee | Cons of Bizee |
|---|---|
| Affordable prices: Bizee has a more affordable pricing structure than LegalZoom, especially for business formation packages. | Limited legal services: Bizee has a limited number of legal services compared to LegalZoom. |
| User-friendly interface: Bizee’s website is easy to navigate, and business guides can help first-time entrepreneurs better understand the business formation process. | No satisfaction guarantee: Unlike LegalZoom, Bizee has no satisfaction guarantee. Hence, there is no refund policy if you are unhappy with their services. |
| Free registered agent service: Bizee offers free registered agent services for the first year, which can save entrepreneurs money. |
FAQs
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Conclusion
LegalZoom and Bizee 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, Bizee 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 offers LLC formation at $0 and is suitable for entrepreneurs who want a one-stop shop for all business-related services. It has higher prices, but it is worth the investment for entrepreneurs who want personalized advice from legal professionals. On the other hand, Bizee is better for budget-conscious entrepreneurs who want basic formation services.
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.