Jack DonaldWhatever we do, it’s always nice to be able to delegate some actions and rest assured they’ll be completed in a due manner. Getting engaged in a new business, normally, you have a lot of chores to do, both minor and major ones. Likely, at the stage of forming an LLC, you can use the help of LLC formation companies that will do all the registration routines for you. In our informative IncFile vs LegalZoom comparison guide, we’ll review two formation services that are confident top-liners and each of them has a big number of devotees. We’ll outline online LLC service prices each platform operates at and closely monitor the features you’ll get for those fees.
Are LegalZoom and IncFile Good Deals?
If you look at IncFile and LegalZoom’s customer reviews before doing any further research, you’ll see that each of these business formation services is not only strongly supported by their users but also has a lot of positive comments from their happy clients. With that, both of these LLC services offer overall high value. Yet, scrutinizing the companies’ included features and their price tags, you’ll see that one of them is an obvious winner if costs are your major concern. Thus, providing a free LLC filing service, InFile has a strong advantage over LegalZoom, which is also a well-known brand. At the same time, don’t rush into hasty decisions straight off the reel and consider our comprehensive comparison of IncFile and LegalZoom first.
6 Similar Features of LegalZoom and IncFile
To give you a quick overview, let’s see what similarities these two top-rated LLC service providers share.
- Affordability: Though IncFile with its free-of-charge service is really hard to compete with, LegalZoom’s price points are also nowhere close to the hefty hourly fees of a qualified business attorney. In this concern, LegalZoom and IncFile both provide affordable prices and are the services that will fit any budget.
- Industry Expertise: Proficiency results from experience, it’s a fact. Maintained by extensive track records, both of these LLC legal services are professionals that can handle an LLC registration diligently and with ease. With thousands of customers in their portfolios, each year, IncFile and LegalZoom create LLCs for thousands of new users.
- Filing Speed: The LLC formation process might turn out a lengthy affair. And the flip side of popularity when it comes to top-ranked LLC services is a longer process overall since all applications are considered in the order of receipt. Thus, normally, the registration will take about a month. Yet, if you want to get your LLC formed quickly, both IncFile and LegalZoom have expedited services available in their top-tier plans. At additional costs, they will legalize your business entity in a matter of days.
- Client Support: An extensive customer support system is a solid feature of any reputable legal service provider. Opening an LLC, you can fully rely on IncFile and LegalZoom’s customer support team comprising professional representatives ready to consult you on any issues related to the LLC process.
- Education Aspect: Incfile and LegalZoom LLC services are among industry leaders for a good reason. Apart from the high-quality assistance they deliver in LLC formation, both companies have online learning centers providing relevant and duly structured information about many issues you might face when starting your own LLC. You’ll learn appropriate and valid info about different business structures, ongoing compliance issues as well as find out all ins and outs of business taxation.
- Added Services: Starting an LLC is not only about filing your formation docs. Depending on your business scenario, you might need some other services to keep you firm up and running. And both companies have many add-ons, from a registered agent service you can order online to business licensing to meet specific state requirements to a personalized LLC assistance essential for first-time startuppers.
In-Depth Comparison
Now, let’s dig deeper and see how IncFile and LegalZoom compare in aspects that matter for any customer when choosing an LLC service to cooperate with.
Fees and Rates
If you choose to create an LLC with either of these formation platforms, each of them offers three pricing plans for your choice that vary in cost to set up an LLC and service bundles they cover. Comparing LegalZoom vs. Incfile’s pricing, IncFile with its $0 starting price point confidently beats the $79 economy package from LegalZoom. IncFile’s top-tier LLC formation packages ($149 and $299 accordingly) also outcompete those from LegalZoom (that come at $329 and $349).
Expertise
Experience and proficiency are the key features of top-level online legal services you can’t disregard. And this is where LegalZooom really stands out. Opened in 1999, they’ve cooperated with more than 2 million business clients and registered about 1 million LLCs since then. Founded in 2004, IncFile is not that much “younger” but within this time, they’ve got around 250,000 businesses formed, which is alone an impressive figure. Yet, it’s still a lower client volume than that of LegalZoom.
Feature Sets
Right off the bat, strange though it may seem, at $0 with IncFile, you’ll get more than at $79 with LegalZoom. Both companies provide the name availability check and duly file all your formation paperwork. More than that, you’ll be able to track your application online, and LegalZoom will even send you copies of all documents when the registration process is finished. Besides, within the basic package, both providers offer the preparation of papers you need to open a business bank account for your firm. However, a paid plan from LegalZoom doesn’t cover some features you’ll have with IncFile for free such as a full year of registered agent service, a 30-minute business tax consultation from an experienced professional, and lifetime compliance alerts.
When it comes to higher-tier plans you come across on these legal platforms, they include such valuable options as drafting an Operating Agreement, receiving an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and getting a banking resolution along with customized corporate identity kits and expedite filing. Yet, even premium business packages in IncFile are less expensive than those in LegalZoom.
Client Support
No big LLC formation service is complete without a well-set customer support system. So, whether you choose IncFile or LegalZoom, you’ll get access to their extensive customer service systems, which are certainly up-to-par. Both providers deliver all types of assistance including that via phone, email, and online chats and both help centers accept calls beyond normal business hours. At the same time, to further enhance their brand power, LegalZoom is known for a more customer-focused approach. While response times in IncLife appear to be longer, LegalZoom provides extended customer service hours and even has weekend phone support.
Ease of Use
This is the area where both LegalZoom and IncFile online LLC services go stride for stride. They have user-friendly and well-explained websites that offer intuitive navigation. The only inconvenience you’ll experience with LegalZoom is that it will throw a lot of add-ons at you before you’ll be able to complete the application and download important LLC documents. Though InFile has also added functions, they are less active in pushing them through than LegalZoom.
Customer Feedback
At this point of the LegalZoom vs IncFile comparison, it should be noted that extensive customer feedback on third-party review websites proves that both providers are very popular among users. You’ll find over 2,000 reviews for LegalZoom and more than 15,000 reviews for IncFile. Note, though, that while LegalZoom has mixed feedback, IncFile boasts mostly positive reviews, which is no wonder given their free-of-charge basic package.
Filing Speed
It takes time to officially launch a new business, and the final speed of formation directly depends on the state of formation and the LLC company you choose to help you. With LegalZoom, everything is pretty clear and relates to the package level you order. Thus, estimated turnarounds in Economy, Standard, and Express Gold packages are 30, 15, and 7-10 business days accordingly. Surely enough, you’ll have to pay extra for faster filing. In the meantime, in IncFile, turnaround times entirely depend upon the state and might vary from next-day processing to the whole 8 weeks.
Order Tracking
Both websites allow you to conveniently keep an eye on your LLC formation process via the use of functional LLC status tracking tools. However, with InFile, you’ll get real-time order status updates while LegalZoom doesn’t have that option.
Registered Agent Service
Serving as an intermediary between your company and governmental structures that need to be able to contact your business at any time, LLC registered agent is a must-have feature for any newly formed business and a very popular third-party service. IncFile and LegalZoom registered agent services are totally different. IncFile is really hard to compete in this aspect since they offer the first year of registered agent service for free for all their packages. In contrast, LegalZoom provides this service only as an option that comes at $159. Each next year in IncFile is also payable but the price is $119.
Add-on Functions
Optional services further add value to any LLC service provider and will help you both duly start and maintain a compliant business entity. On IncFile and LegalZoom platforms, you’ll spot a variety of additional services covering EIN filing, LLC foreign qualifications, compulsory annual reports, and more. At the same time, IncFile is a choice only for business clients while LegalZoom has something to offer to individuals as well. They provide help with real estate deeds, wills and testaments, marriage and divorce documents.
IncFile vs LegalZoom: Which Is the Best LLC Service for Starting a Business
All things considered, LegalZoom and IncFile are both industry leaders that confidently stand out among their rivals. Yet, similar in many aspects, these companies are very different, and in this battle, IncFile is an obvious winner with their unique “more for less” approach. At a $0 fee, they’ll provide more helpful features than you’ll get with LegalZoom paying $79.
Go fo IncFile if:
You want to open an LLC for free and get LLC compliance assistance, regular legal help, and enjoy a whole year of registered agent service at no cost beyond state fees.
Go for LegalZoom if:
You put experience and brand power above all and need a legal helper with a wide variety of ongoing services to meet complex legal needs.
