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ZenBusiness vs. Harbor Compliance: When you attempt to start an LLC or any sort of business in the United States, you must do it flawlessly to avoid discrepancies. A business formation service like ZenBusiness or Harbor Compliance makes it easier for you as they have plenty of professional services that help you establish your business smoothly, irrespective of the state you’re in.
This page will explain a comparative guide between ZenBusiness and Harbor Compliance. LLCBuddy editors, with their best possible knowledge, have come up with this comparison to ease your decision on which service to buy. Let’s dig up more on the ZenBusiness vs Harbor Compliance guide for the aspiring entrepreneurs around us!
ZenBusiness vs. Harbor Compliance: Quick Review
| Services | ZenBusiness | Harbor Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | Available | Available |
| Starting Price | $0 + State filing fee | $99 + State filing fee |
| Registered Agent Service | Available at $99 per year | Available at $99 per year |
| Legal Advice | Not Available | Not Available |
| EIN | Available at $99 | Available at $99 |
| Operating Agreement | $125 | $99 |
| Annual Report | $100 + state filing fee | $100 to $175 per state + state filing fee |
| Attorney Service | Not available | Not available |
| Website | ZenBusiness | Harbor Compliance |
| Review | ZenBusiness Review | – |
ZenBusiness vs. Harbor Compliance: Our Take
ZenBusiness is one of the best LLC formation services available today. Their vast packages and diverse services can easily attract businesses. Like ZenBusiness, many other businesses offer LLC formation at $0, however, the company offers quick turnaround time (within 1 business day processing for Pro and Premium members) that no other close competitors offer. Besides, ZenBusiness is known for its 100% accuracy which makes it even more popular among aspiring entrepreneurs.
However, on the other side, Harbor Compliance specializes in compliance services more than direct legal support. It also offers diverse business software that helps small businesses to manage their company without any hassle. Harbor Compliance is not as popular as ZenBusiness, but it does have a brand presence when it comes to offering LLC formation services. Choosing ZenBusiness over Harbor Compliance will be wise if you’re looking for an LLC formation at $0.
We prefer LLC formation packages over subscriptions or memberships. We would also prefer to go with customized packages where you can pick services and make your own package. You must have your own preferences, budget, and requirements. You can explore the best LLC services to get an overall comparison among the top-rated companies in the market.
Our main aim is to share insights into the features and prices that both these services offer. We researched the details of ZenBusiness and Harbor Compliance to bring the comparison study for you.
ZenBusiness vs. Harbor Compliance: Price and Packaging
This is the most crucial part you should consider before making a choice between ZenBusiness or Harbor Compliance. Your requirements, your budget, the services they offer, and the price they charge should all be aligned so that you can make a smooth choice. However, the world isn’t that easy. You lose some, you gain some. If you’re looking only for the registered agent service and not the formation, you can explore the best Registered Agent services available. So, here we are with a comparative price and package study for ZenBusiness vs Harbor Compliance.
ZenBusiness Price & Package
- LLC formation Package starts from $0 and go up till $299 + state filing fees.
- Add-on services are available that can be purchased without the entire package.,
- Registered agent is available at $99 a year.,
- Business name reservation at $50.,
- Worry-free compliance at $199 a year.,
- Business document templates library is available at $99 (one-time cost).,
- New York publication service is available at $200 (one-time cost).,
- Business license report is available at $99 (one-time cost).,
- Annual report filing is at $100.,
- LLC formation document amendment can be done at $100.,
- Certificate of Good Standing filing costs $100.
Add-ons by ZenBusiness
- 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
Harbor Compliance Price & Package
- LLC formation: $99 + state filing fee,
- Registered Agent: $89-$99 per state per year,
- Initial Report Starting at $175 plus state fees,
- Annual Reports: $100 to $175 per state plus filing fees,
- Dissolution & Withdrawal: $399 plus state fees,
- Articles of Reinstatement: $399 plus state fees,
- Certificate of Good Standing: $85 plus state fees,
- Foreign Qualification: $399 service fee includes registered agent,
- Nonprofit Registration Services from $1,799 plus filing fees
Add-ons By Harbor Compliance
- Initial Report Starting at $175 plus state fees,
- Establish Payroll Tax Accounts one-time package $600,
- Sales and Use Tax IDs one-time package $300,
- Publishing starting at $300 plus state fees
Starter/Basic Package: Comparison
| Services | ZenBusiness | Harbor Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $0 + State filing fee | $99 + State filing fee |
| Processing time | 7 to 10 working days | Standard filing |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Available at $99 | Available at $99 |
| Operating Agreement | $125 | $99 |
| Business Compliance | $199 a year | On demand |
| Web domain & web hosting | Available at $129/year | Not available |
Pro/Mid-Level Package:
| Services | ZenBusiness | Harbor Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $199 + State Filing Fees | $99 + state filing fees (flat) |
| Processing Time | 1 business day | Standard filing |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Included | $99 |
| Operating Agreement | Included | $99.00 |
| Business Compliance | Free for a year ($199/year after) | On demand |
| Web domain & web hosting | $129/year | Not Available |
| Domain Name Registration | $25/year | Not Available |
| Business Email | $25/year | Not Available |
Premium/Top Level Package:
| Services | ZenBusiness | Harbor Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | $299 + State Filing Fees | $99 + state filing fees (flat) |
| Processing Time | 1 business day | Standard filing |
| Business Name Search | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EIN | Included | $99 |
| Operating Agreement | Included | $99.00 |
| Business Compliance | Free for a year ($199/year after) | On demand |
| Web domain & web hosting | Included | Not Available |
ZenBusiness vs. Harbor Compliance: How They Are Different or Similar
ZenBusiness and Harbor Compliance offer similar yet different services. Both companies have many things in common, while some things are different. Let’s look at the similarities and differences between Harbor Compliance and ZenBusiness.
Business Formation
ZenBusiness offers business formation services, such as LLC formation, filing formation documents with SOS, registered agent services, operating agreement, EIN, worry-free annual compliance, business domain and creating websites, and many more. The processing time in ZenBusiness is incredibly fast compare to the other service.
Harbor Compliance does not have a series of formation packages. It has only one flat rate for LLC formation. Other services like Registered Agent is much cheaper than what ZenBusiness offers. However, the overall price is much more in Harbor Compliance than ZenBusiness for formation of LLC
Legal Support & Attorney Services
ZenBusiness does not provide attorney consultation of direct legal services. It does provide legal documentation and templates for compliances and such. However, if you’re looking for legal help then ZenBusiness might not be an ideal choice for you.
Harbor Compliance does not offer legal support or attorney service. Hence, users who are looking for legal service Harbor Compliance would not be a wise option.
Overall Cost
ZenBusiness offers LLC formation service at $0 + state filing fee. Other services, such as registered agent service are available at $99 a year. On the contrary, obtaining EIN is a bit pricey. ZenBusiness offers EIN at $99. Besides, ZenBusiness offers annual compliance free for a year with the basic package. Hence, in terms of overall cost, ZenBusiness is cheaper compared to any other service. But, EIN and Operating Agreement costs are higher than many other companies.
Harbor Compliance, no doubt is a bit expensive than ZenBusiness. If we calculate the overall price, Harbor Compliance’s price is much more than ZenBusiness. Though the price of registered agent service is less, however, other services such as EIN is much higher than ZenBusiness. Besides, it does not offer any free LLC formation like ZenBusiness.
Customer Support
ZenBusiness has three main ways for customers to reach them. These three ways are Live Chats, Phone Call, and Email. You can reach out to them during working hours through live chat and phone call. You can also drop a mail anytime via their official email ID. The easiest way to reach out to them is through their live chat during business hours.
Users can reach Harbor Compliance Service Help Center via 4 ways. First, users can call them directly. You can drop a mail at their main office in Pennsylvania, you can email them, Fax them, and/or you can call them from Monday to Friday during official hours.
Harbor Compliance Additional Services
There are some services that ZenBusiness might not have expertise in while Harbor Compliance does have dominance over them. Here’s a list of some ‘exclusive’ services that Harbor Compliance offers!
Establish Payroll Tax Accounts with Harbor Compliance available at one-time package at $600
Some sepcific state needs publishing after creating the LLC. Harbor Compliance offers this service at $300 plus state publishing charges.
Some states require Initial Business Report filing. Harbor Compliance offers this service starting at $75 plus state filing fee
ZenBusiness vs. Harbor Compliance: Pros & Cons
As we are talking about forming an LLC or any business, both services, ZenBusiness and Harbor Compliance, can be your choice. However, establishing a business is not only about filing the papers; a whole lot of work is involved. Hence, let’s get into the Pros and Cons of each service before you jump to any conclusion.
ZenBusiness: Pros & Cons:
| Pros of ZenBusiness👍 | Cons of ZenBusiness👎 |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective: ZenBusiness offers affordable pricing plans for business formation services, making it accessible for small business owners or entrepreneurs on a budget. | Limited customization: While ZenBusiness offers a streamlined process, it may lack in terms of flexibility and customization options. Some entrepreneurs might prefer more personalized solutions tailored to their specific business needs. |
| Streamlined process: The platform provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the business formation process. It guides users through necessary steps and ensures all required documents are filed correctly and promptly. | Upsells and add-on costs: While ZenBusiness offers affordable pricing for its basic services, they have several additional features at an extra cost. Customers need to be mindful of these add-ons and consider their necessity before purchasing. |
| Additional features: ZenBusiness offers a range of features, such as registered agent services, annual report filings, and ongoing compliance reminders. These services help businesses stay organized and in compliance with legal requirements. | Customer support: Some users have reported inconsistent or slow customer support responses. This lack of prompt assistance may cause frustration, especially when urgent matters need to be addressed. |
Harbor Compliance: Pros & Cons:
| Pros of Harbor Compliance👍 | Cons of Harbor Compliance👎 |
|---|---|
| Harbor Compliance has been in business for over a decade and has successfully helped thousands of businesses with their compliance needs. | Hiring a professional service like Harbor Compliance comes with a cost. While their services can save you time and provide peace of mind, it may not be the most cost-effective option for everyone |
| Harbor Compliance ensures that all the necessary legal and compliance requirements for forming an LLC are met. | Some users may value a personalized experience when creating their LLC. As Harbor Compliance works with many clients, there may be limited opportunities for one-on-one communication and customization |
| Harbor Compliance provides ongoing support, even after your LLC is formed. They can help with annual report filings, business licenses, and other compliance requirements that may arise throughout the life of your LLC. | Some users may prefer more control over the formation and compliance process of their LLC. Harbor Compliance offers standardized services, which may not cater to the specific needs or preferences of certain businesses. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Conclusion
ZenBusiness and Harbor Compliance are both popular and top-rated companies that have made a lot of difference in the business world in the past few years. We shared this comparative guide to make your way easier while choosing the right option for yourself.
While doing our research, we have come up with a perspective that brands are not always helpful. You can go for the pricey and most popular company. But it is all about your company’s formation requirements. It is all about what they offer and what you need. Whether their offering is useful for your company or not, no matter how big their company or brand name is. We personally preferred ZenBusiness (LLC formation at $0 + state fees) for its vast services and packages at a very affordable price.
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.