In today’s fast-paced world, managing legal tasks without the help of a traditional attorney can be a real challenge, especially for small business owners and individuals with limited legal knowledge. Thankfully, the rise of online legal services has made it easier than ever to access legal help and resources without spending a fortune or waiting weeks for an appointment. Among the most popular online legal service providers are Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom, both of which offer a variety of solutions to help you navigate everything from business formation to estate planning, trademark registration, and more.
While both platforms promise to make legal services more accessible, they each have their unique features, pricing structures, and service offerings. So, how do you choose between the two? Which one is better suited to your needs and budget? These are the questions many users face when deciding which service to go with.
Rocket Lawyer, founded in 2008, offers a subscription-based model that provides users with access to a wide range of legal documents, consultations with licensed attorneys, and other legal services. This makes it a strong contender for those who require ongoing legal assistance or need help with multiple legal tasks over time. It’s known for offering more affordable, ongoing legal support, particularly for small business owners and individuals seeking regular legal guidance.
On the other hand, LegalZoom, which launched in 2001, operates on a more traditional pay-per-service model. It’s best known for its business formation services and document creation, though it also provides help with estate planning and intellectual property matters. LegalZoom’s straightforward, one-time payments for specific services make it a good choice for users who only need a particular legal document or service without committing to a subscription.
In this comprehensive comparison, we will explore how Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom differ in terms of pricing, services, customer support, ease of use, and customer feedback to help you decide which one is the right choice for your legal needs.
Rocket Lawyer
Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer is an online platform designed to help individuals and businesses with their legal needs. The company offers an extensive library of legal documents, contracts, and business formation services. One of Rocket Lawyer’s standout features is its subscription-based model, which gives users access to a wide variety of legal documents and consultation with attorneys for a monthly fee. It is particularly known for its robust legal support for small businesses, individuals seeking ongoing legal help, and those who need quick answers to legal questions.
Rocket Lawyer is a good choice for people who need ongoing legal support and advice at an affordable rate. The service is designed to streamline the process of creating legal documents and getting legal advice without requiring a lawyer for every single task. This platform is a great way to save time and money if you need frequent legal assistance.
LegalZoom
On the other hand, LegalZoom was founded in 2001 and has quickly become one of the most popular online legal service providers in the world. LegalZoom offers a variety of legal services, including business formation, estate planning, intellectual property services, and more. Unlike Rocket Lawyer, LegalZoom primarily operates on a pay-per-service model, though they also offer subscription plans for specific types of support.
LegalZoom is a great option for individuals or businesses that need one-off services, like registering a trademark or forming an LLC. It has a more traditional approach compared to Rocket Lawyer and has built a reputation for offering excellent customer service and user-friendly tools for those with little to no legal experience.
How Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom Stack Up
Now that we have a general understanding of each platform, let’s compare the two in several important areas to help you choose the best option for your legal needs.
Pricing
Rocket Lawyer operates on a subscription model, which makes it unique in the legal service space. The subscription fee provides you access to a range of services, such as unlimited document creation, legal consultations, and discounts on other legal services. For individuals and businesses that need continuous legal support, Rocket Lawyer’s subscription plan can be a cost-effective choice.
- Monthly subscription: $39.99
- Annual subscription: $239.99 (which works out to about $20 per month)
- Document creation: Many documents are available for free to members, but non-members must pay a fee per document.
- Attorney consultation: Members can have 30-minute consultations with attorneys at no additional charge. Non-members pay $59.99 per consultation.
LegalZoom, on the other hand, uses a pay-per-service model, which means you only pay for the specific service you need, such as registering a business or creating a will. However, LegalZoom also offers subscription services for ongoing support.
- LLC Formation: Starts at $79 plus state fees
- Trademark Registration: Starts at $249
- Living Will: Starts at $89
- Subscription for ongoing legal help: $31.25/month for Business Advisory Plan
- Registered Agent Service: $249 per year
The price structure of LegalZoom is more flexible if you’re just looking to handle a specific legal task, but Rocket Lawyer offers better value if you anticipate needing ongoing legal support.
Services Offered
Both platforms offer a wide array of services, but there are some notable differences in the types of services they provide.
Rocket Lawyer
- Document Creation: Rocket Lawyer has a vast library of legal documents that can be customized based on your needs. Whether you need an LLC operating agreement, a lease agreement, or a will, Rocket Lawyer offers ready-made templates that can be tailored easily. Most document creation is free for subscribers, though non-subscribers will need to pay per document.
- Legal Consultation: One of Rocket Lawyer’s standout features is its legal consultation service. With a paid subscription, members get 30-minute consultations with attorneys at no additional cost. This can be a game-changer for individuals and small businesses that don’t want to pay for a full-fledged attorney.
- Business Formation: Rocket Lawyer offers comprehensive support for forming LLCs, corporations, and other types of businesses. It also provides services like obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and drafting essential business documents, such as operating agreements.
- Ongoing Legal Support: Subscribers can ask legal questions at any time, and Rocket Lawyer provides access to a network of experienced attorneys who can help with specific issues or represent clients in court if needed.
LegalZoom
- Business Formation: LegalZoom is well-known for its business formation services, including LLC formation, incorporation, and obtaining business licenses. They also provide services for trademark registration and patent filing.
- Estate Planning: LegalZoom offers a variety of estate planning services, including will creation, living trusts, power of attorney documents, and more. They make it simple for individuals to get their affairs in order.
- Intellectual Property: LegalZoom excels in helping individuals and businesses with intellectual property, such as trademark registration and copyright protection. They also provide assistance with patent applications.
- Ongoing Legal Assistance: LegalZoom also offers subscription services, which can provide users with ongoing legal assistance, but it’s more limited compared to Rocket Lawyer’s subscription, which includes more comprehensive support for both personal and business matters.
Customer Support
Customer support is crucial when it comes to legal matters, and both Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom are known for providing good customer service. However, there are some differences in how they operate.
- Rocket Lawyer offers 24/7 customer support via phone and email. Additionally, their legal consultation service allows you to directly interact with a licensed attorney for legal advice. The platform’s customer service has received high marks for being responsive and helpful, especially when it comes to troubleshooting and document-related questions.
- LegalZoom also offers phone and email support, and their support team is highly regarded for being friendly and knowledgeable. Their legal consultations are typically handled by their network of attorneys, so you may experience a wait for a consultation. That said, LegalZoom’s customer service is often praised for being attentive and thorough in helping with both administrative and legal questions.
Ease of Use
Both platforms are user-friendly and designed to be intuitive for people with little to no legal experience. However, there are slight differences in their interface.
- Rocket Lawyer has a straightforward interface where you can easily search for legal documents, create new documents, and access your account settings. They also offer helpful guides and resources that make it easy for users to understand the legal processes involved.
- LegalZoom offers a clean, simple interface as well, and they provide easy-to-follow steps for creating legal documents and completing specific services. They also offer a helpful FAQ section, a legal glossary, and other resources to help users navigate the process.
While both platforms are easy to use, Rocket Lawyer may have an edge due to its subscription model, which keeps everything consolidated in one package, making it easy for users to access different services without needing to navigate between different plans or pricing structures.
Customer Feedback
Customer feedback is essential in understanding how well these platforms perform in the real world. Here’s a brief look at how customers perceive each service.
- Rocket Lawyer: Many users appreciate the value of the subscription model and the convenience of having access to legal advice and documents at a relatively low cost. Rocket Lawyer has received positive feedback for its customer service, especially its legal consultation service, which many users find beneficial for both personal and business-related matters. However, some users feel that the service could be more comprehensive in certain legal areas, particularly for more complex legal needs.
- LegalZoom: LegalZoom has garnered positive reviews for its comprehensive service offerings and ease of use. Customers praise the simplicity of their online forms and their commitment to making legal services more accessible to the average person. However, some users have reported issues with delays in processing certain services, and others feel that LegalZoom’s pricing can be on the higher side, particularly for one-off services.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom are both excellent options for those seeking affordable and accessible legal assistance. However, the choice between the two depends on your specific needs and how you plan to use the service.
- Rocket Lawyer is ideal for individuals or businesses that need ongoing legal support and want access to unlimited legal consultations. Its subscription model is perfect for people who anticipate requiring frequent legal help. It’s especially useful for small businesses that need assistance with document creation, business formation, and ongoing legal questions.
- LegalZoom is a better option for individuals who need specific legal services, such as forming a business, creating a will, or protecting intellectual property. If you need a one-off service and are looking for simplicity and clarity, LegalZoom is a great choice. Their platform also offers solid customer support and a more traditional approach to handling legal matters.
Both services have their merits, and your decision should be based on whether you need ongoing legal assistance or are simply looking for a specific legal document or service.
FAQ’s
What services do Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom offer?
Both platforms provide a range of legal services, but they cater to different needs. Rocket Lawyer offers ongoing legal support with access to a library of legal documents, attorney consultations, and business formation services. It operates on a subscription-based model. LegalZoom, on the other hand, offers a more traditional pay-per-service approach, providing services like LLC formation, trademark registration, will creation, and intellectual property services.
How much do Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom cost?
The pricing structure for these platforms is different. Rocket Lawyer offers a subscription service priced at $39.99 per month or $239.99 per year. Subscribers get access to unlimited document creation, 30-minute consultations with attorneys, and other legal services. For non-members, Rocket Lawyer charges per document or service. LegalZoom has a pay-per-service model, with prices starting at $79 for LLC formation, $249 for trademark registration, and $89 for creating a will. LegalZoom also offers subscription plans starting at $31.25 per month for ongoing business support.
Can I talk to a lawyer through Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom?
Yes, both platforms offer consultations with attorneys, but the way they provide access differs. Rocket Lawyer allows members to have 30-minute consultations with an attorney as part of their subscription. Non-members can also access consultations for a fee. LegalZoom offers consultations with attorneys as part of certain packages, but it is typically an additional cost on top of the service price.
Which platform is better for forming a business?
Both Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom offer business formation services, including LLC formation, incorporation, and obtaining an EIN (Employer Identification Number). LegalZoom is known for its strong business formation services and transparent pricing, making it a solid option for those who need to form a business. Rocket Lawyer also provides these services but is especially valuable for those who may need ongoing legal advice or additional legal support down the line.
Can I use Rocket Lawyer or LegalZoom for estate planning?
Yes, both services provide estate planning tools. LegalZoom offers a variety of estate planning services, including will creation, living trusts, and power of attorney documents. Rocket Lawyer also provides templates for wills, living trusts, and other estate planning documents, with additional access to attorneys for personalized advice through their subscription service.
Are Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom easy to use?
Both platforms are designed to be user-friendly, with simple, guided processes for creating legal documents and accessing services. Rocket Lawyer offers an intuitive dashboard for document creation and legal advice, while LegalZoom provides easy-to-follow steps for forming a business or creating legal documents. However, Rocket Lawyer may be more convenient for those who want ongoing access to legal support, as the subscription model consolidates services in one place. LegalZoom is great for users who prefer paying for specific, one-time services.