Incorporating any new business idea into an LLC comes with a lot of headaches. IncFile and ZenBusiness are among the Best Choices in online LLC formation services that can save you from such headaches.
But which one to hire? This ZenBusiness vs IncFile comparison will surely help you decide.
LLC DIY could be a good idea only when you have time, stamina and basic know-how of the process otherwise don’t waste your energy and hire a professional LLC service.
Many entrepreneurs know that the work suits in the hands of the one skilled to do it. So they prefer to deal with the challenges of their new venture, and hire experts for paperwork and filing their LLC.
In this ZenBusiness vs. IncFile review, we compared the pricing, customer service, public feedback, quality of services, legitimacy, reputation, additional features, and more. So, let’s have a quick look.
Rating | Startup Price | Famous For | Ranking | Official Website | |
ZenBusiness | 4.8/5 | $49 | Overall Best | 1st | zenbusiness.com |
IncFile | 4.2/5 | $0 | Best Cost value | 7th | incFile.com |
How do We Compare the LLC Services?
Among hundreds of LLC formation services, we only included the 8 best in our list. Do you know why? Well, the answer is pretty simple. There is no doubt that most LLC services have at least something good which helps them sustain in the market. But, is that enough to rank them among the top service providers? We think no.
Our experts judge every LLC filing service strickly and evaluate the performance on pre-set criteria of 7 basic and most important qualities that every LLC should have. Let’s have a look at where these two stand in that criteria.
IncFile vs ZenBusiness | An Overview
Sr # | Features | ZenBusiness | IncFile |
1 | Company’s reputation | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
2 | Registered Agent Service | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
3 | Customer Support | 4.6/5 | 2.9/5 |
4 | Pricing and Plans | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
5 | User experience on the company’s website | 4.8/5 | 3.7/5 |
6 | Turn around time | 4.8/5 | 3.9/5 |
7 | Key and value-added features | 4.9/5 | 4.5/5 |
8 | Customers reviews | 4.6/5 | 3.2/5 |
Detailed Side by Side Comparison
1. Company Reputation
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has worked really hard to compete with some big giants in the market. Within a short period of 6 years, it has earned the trust of thousands of happy customers with overall positive reviews. Just since the onset of the COVID pandemic, Zenbusiness has formed more than 100,000 micro & small businesses through their platform.
IncFile
IncFile was established in 2004 and in the last 16 years it has served than 500,000 customers. In the last year, their business growth was 200% which shows they have got a reputation and are trusted by new entrepreneurs. However, we rated it a bit lower than ZenBusiness because, in just 6 years, ZenBusiness has served more customers on average than IncFile.
2. Registered Agent Service
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness offers top-notch registered agent services for only $99 per year. If you form an LLC with ZenBusiness, they offer you a free registered agent for the 1st year of incorporation with them even in their startup package. After that, they charge you $119 each year.
You can also add worry-free compliance with registered agent service to stay updated and tension-free related to state correspondence. It will cost you only $149 per year to enjoy both of these features.
IncFile
IncFile offers easy, dependable, and above all free registered agent service for the 1st year of incorporation with them. This is incredibly great if you sign up for their $0 package and get free resident agent service. After completing a successful year with IncFile, you can review your registered agent services for $119 per year.
3. Customer Support
ZenBusiness
Most clients are satisfied and happy with the customer support team as ZenBusiness has cooperative and knowledgeable customer care representatives. Unfortunately, some clients rated ZenBusiness customer services a bit low at Better Business Bureau (BBB)as they find the support team a bit slow in responding back.
IncFile
On different third-party review platforms such as Yelp and Trustpilot, many customers were unhappy about the customer services of IncFile. They complained that the support team is unqualified and their response is slow. Unfortunately, many customers had a bad experience with IncFile due to the rude behavior of the support team.
4. Pricing and Plans
ZenBusiness
To accommodate the needs of a range of customers, ZenBusiness offers 3 packages at a very competitive price. Regardless of the plan, you get a free Registered Agent, Operating Agreement template, and 100% accuracy guarantee. In other words, ZenBusiness covers all the essential and most crucial requirements of LLC formation in their plans.
IncFile
IncFile’s silver package has gotten an upper hand over ZenBusiness as they offer filing services totally free. Moreover, IncFile offers the other 2 packages at a very competitive price especially the silver package with free filing and registered agent services.
5. User experience on the company’s website
ZenBusiness
Almost all the customers found it very easy to file their LLC with ZenBusiness. Their website has a simple and easy-to-use interface, and the registration process is very straightforward with easy checkout. You will not have to face too many upsells or third-party offers. You will have a dashboard where you can track your registration process.
IncFile
You will encounter a few upsells from third-party partners along the way of your registration process with IncFile. This will make your registration process on their website a bit longer. Setting up a business bank account with Bank of America and building a business website with SnapWeb are some prominent third-party offers on IncFile’s website. These upsell often make customers confused and if someone chooses any of them, it definitely adds to the overall price.
6. Turn around time
ZenBusiness
It could take almost two weeks to get your LLC or corporation registered with the state using the basic package of ZenBusiness. However, the expedited and rush filing in the Pro and Premium package reduces the turnaround time to 2-5 business days.
IncFile
IncFile promises to process your order the next business day and you usually can expect your business formed within 14 days. However, a few customers were dissatisfied and said it took more time than the IncFile promised and they faced difficulty in getting the updates.
7. Key and value-added features
ZenBusiness
The mix and match option makes it convenient for every new business owner to choose what they want and skip what they do not need. This is why customers of ZenBusiness praise them for their number of features such as name availability search, business website, two amendments per year, EIN, handling of state fees, and so much more.
IncFile
The services included in the 3 packages and value-added features are incredible. IncFile covers everything that you may need to form and run the business in a state-compliant manner. However, standalone features cost you more which goes to an expensive side.
8. Customers Reviews
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has great customer feedback on multiple third-party review platforms. Which shows how they are performing and what is not liked by customers. Trustpilot rates Zenbusiness excellent with 4.8/5 stars from 6198 reviews while BBB (Better Business Bureau)
rates ZenBusiness as A- and gives 3.54/5 stars from 35 reviews.
IncFile
Spending more than one and a half decades in business, IncFile has not many reviews on third-party review platforms. Trustpilot: It rates IncFile poor with 2.6/5 stars from 107 reviews. Having such a low rating is very disappointing. BBB: It rates IncFile 4.3/5 stars from 525 reviews.
A Quick Comparison of Basic Plans
Services | ZenBusiness | IncFile |
Price | $49 + State Fee | $0 + State Fee |
Turnaround Time | 2-3 weeks | Next business day |
Registered Agent | Free for the 1st year, $119 per year afterward | Free for the 1st year, $119 per year afterward |
Operating Agreement Template | Included | No ($40 extra) |
Annual Report Service | Yes | No |
Accounting Consultation with CPA | Yes | No |
Business name availability search | Yes | Yes |
Additional Resources | Virtual Business Guide | No |
A Quick Comparison of Middle Plans
Services | ZenBusiness | IncFile |
Price | $199 + State Fee | $199 + State Fee |
Turnaround Time | 7 days | Next business day |
Registered Agent | Free for the 1st year, $119 per year afterward | Free for the 1st year, $119 per year afterwardr |
Operating Agreement Template | Included | Included |
EIN | Yes | Yes |
Annual Report Service | Yes | No |
Accounting Consultation with CPA | Yes | Yes |
Business Name Availability Search | Yes | Yes |
Additional Resources | Virtual Business Guide | No |
Banking Resolution | Yes | Yes |
Worry-Free Compliance | Yes | Lifetime company allerts |
Business Bank Account | No | Yes |
A Quick Comparison of Top Plans
Services | ZenBusiness | IncFile |
Price | $299 + State Fee | $349 + State Fee |
Turnaround Time | 3-5 business days | Next business day |
Registered Agent | Free for the 1st year, $119 per year afterward | Free for the 1st year, $119 per year afterward |
Operating Agreement Template | Included | Included |
EIN | Yes | Yes |
Annual Report Service | Yes | No |
Accounting Consultation with CPA | Yes | Yes |
Business name availability search | Yes | Yes |
Additional Resources | Virtual Business Guide | Business Contract Templates |
Banking Resolution | Yes | Yes |
Worry-Free Compliance | Yes | Lifetime company alerts |
Business Bank Account | No | Yes |
The web Domain Name and emai | Yes | Yes |
Business Website and Domain Privacy | Yes | No |
Bottom Line
Every business owner has their personalized needs and requirements while they are looking for LLC filing services. Depending on your preference and customized needs;
Choose ZenBusiness
If you are looking for a company with an affordable pricing model, plenty of online reviews, multiple add-on features, and a pleasant user experience, ZenBusiness is the right choice.
Choose IncFile
If you want $0 startup and with free registered agent, IncFile is an appropriate choice. However, if you are looking for advanced features and value customer support and quality, you have plenty of better options. Even for $0 package, we recommend Inc Authority.