To compile a list of the top five online incorporation services, we looked into all available options. ZenBusiness is the best online incorporation service. It offers quick turnaround times and lifetime customer support. You can also incorporate multiple types of business entities. The cost of forming an LLC or corporation is $49 plus any state fees.
Online Incorporation Service Best for Most
ZenBusiness
Best for the Most
ZenBusiness is an easy way to start your business. ZenBusiness has low fees and offers support even after the business is established. Upgrades are available for users who want faster filing speeds and worry-free compliance.
ZenBusiness offers the most comprehensive online incorporation service. It has a wide range of entity types and expert services. The fastest turnaround time makes it the best. You can use the service to incorporate corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), sole proprietorships, and do business as (DBAs). Its service team can assist you throughout the life cycle of your business. The filing turnaround time is as short as a few days.
Take a look at the Best Online Incorporation Services
- ZenBusiness Best for Most
- In file – The Best Selection of Incorporation Services
- LegalZoom is Best for Legal Advice
- BizFilings Best for C Corporations
- Inc Authority Best for Bypassing Fees
When it makes sense to invest in an online incorporation service
Online incorporation services are a good investment for business owners who want to improve their credibility, have a lower risk of liability, and increase their chances of funding and securing licenses.
Companies that are incorporated have a higher level of credibility with prospects and clients. A company with an “LLC” (or “Inc”) after its name is more likely to be a good business partner.
A fully registered business can make it easier to partner with other businesses. It shows that your business is a legitimate one and not just a hobby or side hustle. You will be treated more seriously if you incorporate your business.
Business owners who register their company as an LLC/corporation place liability on their business, not their own. Owners are only responsible for the investment they made in the business if the company is sued or goes into default.
Someone who fails to register their company and is sued can lose their assets, such as their house or car. Even if you register as a sole proprietorship you still have personal liability for the business.
Banks and other lenders will be more inclined to lend money to companies if they are incorporated. This is also required to obtain certain licenses and permits. Incorporation is a great way to increase your chances of getting external financing.
#1 – ZenBusiness – Best for Most
ZenBusiness
Best for the Most
ZenBusiness is an easy way to start your business. ZenBusiness has low fees and the service team can help you even after your company is established. Upgrades are available for users who want faster filing speeds and worry-free compliance.
ZenBusiness offers the best online incorporation service. The service team is available to help members throughout the entire lifecycle of their business. It makes use of technology to quickly form your company. It charges a low fee for filing and returning business documents. Companies such as Yahoo Finance and The New York Times have reaffirmed their trust in the service.
There are five steps to get started with the service. Users will first choose a filing package. They can then add business services such as registered agents, worry-free compliance, and expedited file speed. ZenBusiness will then file the paperwork with the appropriate state.
The state will then confirm the business. This is based on how fast they process and what package users select. Once the state confirms the business, documents are sent to each user’s dashboard.
Users can use the dashboard to manage domain names, store formation documents, and receive notifications about state compliance. ZenBusiness provides ongoing support to ensure that no problems occur.
ZenBusiness can assist individuals with corporations, LLCs, sole proprietorships, and DBAs.
ZenBusiness offers three pricing options. The Starter plan is $49 per annum plus state filing fees. It will automatically renew for $119 per annum after the first year. This plan includes annual reports services, preparing and file LLC, standard filing speed, and an operating agreement template. It also comes with a 100% accuracy guarantee.
ZenBusiness Pro is $199 per annum plus state filing fees. It offers expedited filing speeds, worry-free compliance, and an employer ID number (EIN).
ZenBusiness Premium is $299 per annum plus state filing fees. This plan includes rush filing, domain name privacy, and a business email address. It also comes with a website and business domain name.
You can also add unique add-ons to the service for additional annual fees. If they don’t already have a plan, users can add a registered agent service and business formation services to their accounts.
#2 – Incfile – The Best for Limited Liability Companies
Incfile
Best Range of Incorporation Services
Incfile allows you to register up to 10 types of LLCs. Incfile is trusted by more than 500,000 businesses and can register C corps, S corp, and nonprofits. It automatically files annual reports, and it also offers continuing services such as bookkeeping and banking.
Incfile helped more than half a million people to register their businesses. The service helps companies register as LLCs, C corporations, S corporations, and nonprofits. You can also use the service for ongoing services such as bookkeeping or banking after you register.
Incfile says that an LLC is the best business structure for over 80% of small businesses. Incfile offers a guide to help you decide whether or not an LLC is right. Incfile allows users to register LLCs and enjoy limited liability protection, flexible tax statuses, minimal compliance requirements, and many other benefits.
Annual reports are required in many states for LLCs. Incfile allows users to determine whether annual reports are required for their business and can request that Incfile automatically submit them.
Incfile allows you to register the following types of LLCs:
- Domestic LLCs
- Foreign LLCs
- Member-managed LLCs
- LLCs managed by managers
- LLCs with one member
- Multi-member LLCs
- Series LLCs
- Restricted LLCs
- L3Cs
- Anonymous LLCs
Incfile has three plans. Prices vary depending on entity type and state. Incfile plans are not like ZenBusiness and require only a one-time payment.
The most affordable plan, the Silver plan, includes unlimited name searches and Articles of Organization preparation. It also provides free registered agent service for a year. Although the package is completely free, users will need to pay any state filing fees.
Incfile Gold is $149, plus the state fee to register the entity type. It includes unlimited email and telephone support, unlimited company alerts, lifetime bank resolutions, online access dashboard, business resolution, corporation bylaws, and an IRS Form 2553.
Incfile Platinum costs $299, plus any state fees, to register your entity type. It includes all the Silver and Gold plans, plus business contract templates and expedited filing.
#3 – LegalZoom – The Best for Legal Advice
LegalZoom
Best for Legal Advice
LegalZoom offers legal advice for as low as $40 per month through a network made up of lawyers. If you are not satisfied with the service within 60 days, you will receive a full refund. This service assists with trademark registration, annual reports filing, business licenses, federal tax IDs, as well as trademark registration.
LegalZoom is an online incorporation company that offers legal advice. LegalZoom can help you create an LLC, corporation, or DBA. LegalZoom has helped over 600,000 people to register their businesses and provided more than 2 million consultations.
LegalZoom’s network of tax professionals and attorneys is what makes it unique. A membership that includes legal support is available for as low as $40 per month.
A LegalZoom attorney can help you with the following things when you register a new company:
- Answer tax filing questions
- Provide advice about privacy policies and terms and conditions
- Set up a website for your business
- Get the permits and licenses you need
- Review formation documents
- Choose the right type of formation
LegalZoom is available in all 50 states and charges flat-rate fees. If requested, a refund of the fee will be made within 60 days.
This service is available to help users set up entity names, federal tax IDs (EIN), seller’s permits, and business licenses.
It contains annual reports, compliance calendars, minutes managers, and registered agent services that help users remain compliant.
LegalZoom can help you with business planning, trademark search, trademark registration, and legal agreements once your business is ready to grow.
LegalZoom charges $79 plus any state filing fees to start an LLC. For corporation registration, plans start at $149 plus state filing fees. Plans for non-profit and DBA registration start at $99 plus the state filing fees.
#4 – BizFilings – The Best C Corporation Websites
BizFilings
C Corporations: Best
BizFilings users can incorporate their business online and over the phone in just three simple steps. To determine the right entity for you, use its Incorporation Wizard or Business Type Comparison Chart. You can customize your package with add-ons and there are no hidden charges.
BizFilings, like Incfile, is trusted by more than 500,000 businesses. This is the best way to create a C corporation. It can also be used for registered agents, LLCs, and DBAs. BizFilings offers a comparison chart of business types and an incorporation wizard that will help you choose the right entity for you.
Three simple steps are required to incorporate a C corp company. The first step is to choose and customize a BizFilings Ccorp package. The next step is to complete an online order. Users will then receive their documents for incorporation into the C corp.
BizFilings guarantees its services against pricing errors and reviews each order carefully for errors. The process can be initiated online or by phone. There are no hidden charges. BizFilings experts are available to help you throughout the life of your C corp. For legal services, it partners with Wolters Kluwer.
All C corp packages include six months of free registration agent service, email and chat support from a registered agent, C corporation document preparation, filing and verification, and automatic C corp business name verification. BizComply is a document library and business monitoring tool that can be used 24/7.
BizFilings has three pricing options. Prices vary depending on the type of entity and state. You can customize your plans by adding optional extras.
BizFilings’ basic features are included in the Basic plan, which is also the most affordable. BizFilings Standard is more expensive and comes with a compliance kit as well as customizable corporate forms. BizFilings Complete, the most expensive plan, comes with a federal tax ID cement service, certified copies of state-filed documents, and overnight shipping.
#5 – Inc Authority – Best for Bypassing Charges
BizFilings
C Corporations: Best
Inc Authority’s service can be used for free. Only state fees are required. Registered agent services for one year, filing and automatic preparation of business documents, as well as a consultation on tax planning are included. This service is available for corporations and LLCs.
Inc Authority will allow you to avoid paying service fees and only pay the state’s required fees. Inc Authority can incorporate corporations and LLCs. Its service is completely free. You only need to choose your state and enter your business name. Then, you can form your company by paying the state registration fees.
Inc Authority users get one year of registration, automatic entity formation submission and preparation, as well as phone and email support. The service offers a consultation on tax planning to help businesses save money. For assistance with financing, users have access to a funding and credit expert.
The service allows users to check the business names in their state, file S-Election Forms 2553s, and store documents digitally through the user’s online client area. To serve its clients, Inc Authority has partnered with companies such as PayPal, Bank of America, and Intuit QuickBooks. In just two to three minutes, users can sign up for Inc Authority.
Methodology to Choose the Best Online Incorporation Services
Make sure you choose the right online incorporation service that suits your needs.
Type of entity
Before you decide on an online incorporation service to use, you must first choose the type of business entity you want to create. There are many types of business entities, including LLCs, S-C corporations, sole proprietorships, and nonprofits. Each type has its pros and cons, so be sure to consider both when making your choice.
Most services offer a guide or chart on their websites to assist you in making a decision. BizFilings has an Incorporation Wizard, which asks questions and helps you make a decision. LegalZoom allows you to speak with a licensed attorney about the best entity for you.
After you have chosen an entity, ensure that the online incorporation service can register it. Most can handle LLCs and corporations, but not all can accommodate sole proprietorships or nonprofits. Pay attention to the pricing of each service. While one service might be great for LLCs, it may not be the best for corporations.
Fee Structure
Next, you need to establish the fees for the incorporation service that you are interested in. While some services have different pricing for different types of entities, others charge the same fee for all. A service such as Inc Authority can help you save significant money. They only charge what the state requires. While some services may require an annual fee, others require only a one-time payment. You should carefully read the pricing pages for each service.
Services in Legal
This criterion doesn’t apply if you are an experienced incorporator or have a business lawyer. If you have any questions, it is important to choose a legal service. An attorney can help you choose the right type of entity, answer tax-related queries, review formation documents, and secure permits or licenses.
ZenBusiness
Best for the Most
ZenBusiness is an easy way to start your business. ZenBusiness has low fees and its support team can help you even after your company is established. Upgrades are available for users who want faster filing speeds and worry-free compliance.
Summary
ZenBusiness is the best online incorporation service for business owners. Incfile is the best option if you are looking to register an LLC. LegalZoom is for business owners that need an attorney to guide them through the process. Bizfilings is the best service for registering C-corporations.
Inc Authority allows you to pay only the state’s required service fees, so you can skip paying any fees. Consider the types of entities served, the fee structure, and the legal options available if you require them before you decide on a service.
