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LegalZoom vs. InCorp: When you’re willing to start an LLC, LLC formation services like LegalZoom and InCorp 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 InCorp offers different services and prices than LegalZoom.
As we share our take on LegalZoom and InCorp, 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. InCorp for the budding entrepreneur.
LegalZoom vs. InCorp: Quick Review
| Services | LegalZoom | InCorp |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | Available | Available |
| Starting Price | $0 + State filing fee | $99 + State filing fee |
| Registered Agent Service | Available at $299 a year | Available at $129 per year |
| Legal Advice | Available at an additional fee | Not Available |
| EIN | Available at $79 | Available at $69 |
| Operating Agreement | $99 | Included |
| Annual Report | $99 + state filing fee | Not Available |
| Attorney Service | Depends on services | Not available |
| Website | LegalZoom | InCorp |
| 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 InCorp to bring the comparison study for you.
LegalZoom vs. InCorp: 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, InCorp offers business formation services but not legal support. It offers Trademark services along with formation services that many LLC formation services do not offer. InCorp does not have an elaborate package. So, any business that is not looking for diverse services can opt for InCorp. But, it is recommended to go for LegalZoom over InCorp as the former has much more on its menu than the latter..
LegalZoom vs. InCorp: Price and Packaging
LegalZoom offers LLC formation at $0; however, the required state filing fee must be paid. On the other hand, InCorp offers the LLC formation at $99 plus state filing fee. When forming your LLC with LegalZoom or InCorp, there are many more things than the formation fees. With InCorp, a registered agent costs $129 per year. However, with LegalZoom, it is $299 a year. Hence, it is not ideal to choose InCorp over LegalZoom as it might incur more costs than LegalZoom. As the later offers LLC formation for free, users can save a lot of money from it. Besides, LegalZoom offers attorney consultation in their basic LLC formation package that InCorp does not have.
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.
InCorp Price & Package
- Registered Agent – $129/year
- $87/year for users who purchase the service for more than one year
- Manage Reports – Price on demand
- Foreign business formation – starting from $149 plus state fees
- Certificate of Good Standing – price on demand plus standard state filing fee
- Company dissolution – start at $99 plus any applicable state fees
- Other services – Amending formation documents; Apostille service; Trademark and copyright
- Corporate Kit – Prices start at $149 plus state fees.
Add-ons By InCorp
- Corporate record kit – starts from $149 + state fees
- Apostille Certificate – price on demand
- Uniform Commercial Code search and filing – price on demand
Starter/Basic Package: Comparison
| Services | LegalZoom | InCorp |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $0 + state filing fee | $99 + State filing fee |
| Processing time | 30 days | Standard filing |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | $79 | Available at $69 |
| Operating Agreement | $99 | Included |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | On demand |
| Web domain & web hosting | Not Available (website building through WIX) | Not available |
Pro/Mid-Level Package:
| Services | LegalZoom | InCorp |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $249 + state filing fees | $99 + state filing fees (flat) |
| Processing Time | 15 days | 7 business days |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Yes | $69 |
| Operating Agreement | Yes | Included |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | On demand |
| 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 | InCorp |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | $299 + state filing fee | $99 + state filing fees (flat) |
| Processing Time | 15 days | 7 Business days |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Yes | $69 |
| Operating Agreement | Yes | Included |
| Business Compliance | $280 per year | On demand |
| Web domain & web hosting | Not Available (website building through WIX) | Not Available |
LegalZoom vs. InCorp: How They Are Different or Similar
LegalZoom and InCorp offer similar services. Both companies have many things in common, while some things are different. Let’s look at the similarities and differences InCorp 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.
InCorp offers LLC formation at $99 + state filing fee (flat) rate. It does not have diverse formation packages like others. It takes 7 business days to file the LLC in any state. The processing time might vary due to standard state filing time.
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.
InCorp does not offer any legal services or attorney consultation. Anyone who is looking for legal or attorney services, InCorp is not your optimal solution.
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 InCorp.
InCorp charges $99 excluding the state filing fee for LLC formation unlike LegalZoom that offers formation at $0. On the other side, the cost of registered agent is much more with LegalZoom than InCorp. However, the overall cost is more with InCorp as it does not offer many services at lower price, like LegalZoom does.
Customer Support
Regarding customer support, LegalZoom has the best in the industry. The company is old, and the team is much more experienced than InCorp. 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.
You can reach out to InCorp through several ways. Call on their phone number during the business hours to reach out to them. Besides, one can also email them or drop by to their physical address. For sales or business-related help, users can contact their sales department via their official website.
InCorp Additional Services
There are some services that LegalZoom does not provide, but InCorp does. The following services are offered by InCorp, but LegalZoom has no such services.
Apostille Certificate is one such service InCorp offers that LegalZoom does not offer.
Uniform Commercial Certificate Code search and filing
LegalZoom vs. InCorp: 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 InCorp, 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. |
InCorp: Pros & Cons:
| Pros of InCorp | Cons of InCorp |
|---|---|
| InCorp offers expedited processing options for those who need their LLC formed quickly. | InCorp is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice. Some individuals may prefer to work with a lawyer who can offer personalized guidance throughout the formation process. |
| InCorp makes it easy for individuals to form an LLC by providing online services and simple step-by-step instructions. | InCorp operates primarily online, so individuals may miss out on the face-to-face interaction and personal attention that can come with working directly with a lawyer or other professional service provider. |
| InCorp offers pre-packaged formation services, which may not cater to the specific needs and preferences of every individual. |
FAQs
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Conclusion
LegalZoom and InCorp 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, InCorp 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 business-related and 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, InCorp 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.