When it comes to starting a business, one of the first steps you’ll need to take is choosing a reliable LLC formation service. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one best suits your needs. Two popular players in the market are ZenBusiness and Bizee (previously known as Incfile). Both platforms offer a range of services designed to help entrepreneurs start and manage their businesses, but how do they compare?
In this article, we will dive deeper into the features, pricing, customer service, and overall value of both ZenBusiness and Bizee. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which service best meets your specific business needs. Whether you prioritize cost savings, extra services, or ease of use, this comparison will help you make an informed decision on the best platform for forming your LLC.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a relatively young company compared to some of the more established LLC formation services, but it has quickly gained a reputation for offering a user-friendly, comprehensive service aimed at entrepreneurs.
ZenBusiness aims to simplify the LLC formation process by providing a full suite of services that go beyond just setting up your business. These services include things like registered agent services, ongoing compliance assistance, business tools for managing your entity, and even website creation.
The company’s key selling point is its focus on customer service and its user-centric platform. Whether you’re starting a single-member LLC or a larger corporation, ZenBusiness offers a variety of packages tailored to different types of business owners. They also have an affordable pricing structure that appeals to small businesses and startups.
Bizee (formerly Incfile)
Bizee, previously known as Incfile, is another popular choice for LLC formation services. Like ZenBusiness, Bizee offers a range of services to help entrepreneurs with their business formation needs. Founded in 2004, Incfile was one of the first players to disrupt the market with its affordable pricing and a focus on transparency. In 2024, Incfile rebranded to Bizee but continues to offer the same services under a new name.
Bizee’s strengths lie in its straightforward approach to LLC formation and its emphasis on keeping things simple and cost-effective. They offer free LLC formation, charging only state fees, which is an appealing offer for those on a tight budget. Bizee also stands out for offering free registered agent services for the first year, a benefit that can save entrepreneurs significant costs when just starting out.
Pricing and Value for Money
ZenBusiness Pricing
ZenBusiness offers three pricing tiers for its LLC formation services: Basic, Pro, and Premium. While the basic package is very affordable, there are additional costs for added features, such as registered agent services or compliance tools.
- Basic Plan: Free LLC formation with state filing fees. This package includes the essentials like the filing of articles of organization and name availability search. However, you will need to pay extra for add-ons like registered agent services or operating agreements.
- Pro Plan: Starting at $199 per year, the Pro Plan includes features like a registered agent, an operating agreement, and a Worry-Free Compliance guarantee, which ensures you stay on top of important business filings.
- Premium Plan: Starting at $299 per year, this plan includes everything in the Pro Plan plus some additional features like domain name registration, business website creation, and a business email.
Overall, ZenBusiness offers great value for money, especially with its Pro and Premium plans, which bundle in various useful business services at an affordable price.
Bizee Pricing
Bizee takes a more streamlined approach to pricing. They offer a basic free LLC formation plan where you only pay for the state filing fees. The company’s other plans are also quite affordable, with a particular focus on transparency and simplicity.
- Free Plan: The Free Plan allows you to form your LLC for $0, as long as you pay for the state filing fees. You get the basic LLC formation services, including document filing and name availability search.
- Premium Plan: The Premium Plan costs $249 and includes registered agent services, which are free for the first year. It also adds a few more features like a custom operating agreement and more options for annual compliance.
For entrepreneurs on a budget, Bizee’s free plan is an attractive option, especially given that the company offers free registered agent services for the first year. However, if you want ongoing services beyond the basics, you’ll need to opt for one of the paid plans.
Services Offered
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee offer a wide range of services beyond LLC formation, but there are some notable differences in what each platform provides.
LLC Formation
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee offer streamlined LLC formation services. The process typically involves the following:
- Name Availability Search: Both platforms allow you to search the state database to ensure that your business name is available.
- Filing of Articles of Organization: Once you’ve chosen a name, both services will file the necessary paperwork with the state to officially form your LLC.
- Operating Agreement: While ZenBusiness includes a custom operating agreement with its Pro and Premium plans, Bizee offers an operating agreement for an additional cost in some plans.
Registered Agent Services
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee offer registered agent services, but there are some key differences.
- ZenBusiness: Registered agent services are included in the Pro and Premium plans for an additional fee, which is charged annually.
- Bizee: Bizee stands out by offering free registered agent services for the first year as part of its Premium plan. After that, a fee is charged for continued service.
Registered agent services are important for maintaining compliance with state regulations, and the free offering from Bizee is a valuable bonus for new business owners.
Business Compliance
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee offer compliance services to help you stay on top of essential filings, such as annual reports and business renewals.
- ZenBusiness: ZenBusiness provides a Worry-Free Compliance guarantee with its Pro and Premium plans, which helps you avoid missed deadlines and penalties.
- Bizee: Bizee also offers compliance tools, including annual report filing reminders and easy access to compliance resources, though these features might not be as robust as ZenBusiness’s Worry-Free Compliance service.
Other Services
- ZenBusiness: In addition to LLC formation, ZenBusiness offers a variety of services aimed at helping you grow your business, such as business website creation, email services, and domain name registration.
- Bizee: Bizee focuses more on LLC formation and compliance but also offers some additional services like EIN registration, document filing, and business tax consultation.
While both platforms provide essential business tools, ZenBusiness offers more comprehensive services for entrepreneurs who need additional support in building and managing their online presence.
Customer Support and User Experience
Customer support is a crucial consideration when choosing an LLC formation service. Both ZenBusiness and Bizee provide customer support, but their approaches differ slightly.
- ZenBusiness: ZenBusiness offers multi-channel customer support via phone, email, and live chat. Their customer service team is known for being friendly, knowledgeable, and available during extended hours, which can be helpful if you have questions or need assistance outside regular business hours.
- Bizee: Bizee offers customer support primarily through email and phone, though their hours are more limited compared to ZenBusiness. While they offer solid customer service, some users report that the platform’s response times can be slower than ZenBusiness’s.
Overall, ZenBusiness has a slight edge in terms of customer support due to its extended hours and availability across more communication channels.
Turnaround Time and Processing Speed
When you’re forming an LLC, time is of the essence. Both ZenBusiness and Bizee aim to process LLC formations quickly, but their turnaround times can vary depending on the service tier and state you’re filing in.
- ZenBusiness: ZenBusiness offers an expedited processing option, allowing you to form your LLC faster if you’re willing to pay an additional fee. In some cases, they can process your LLC in just a few days, which is an advantage if you’re in a hurry.
- Bizee: Bizee also offers expedited processing for an extra cost, but their processing times may be slightly slower than ZenBusiness’s, depending on your state and the plan you choose.
In general, ZenBusiness offers more flexibility and faster processing options, which could be a deciding factor if you need to get your business up and running quickly.
Reputation and Customer Reviews
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee have received positive reviews from users, but there are some distinctions in customer sentiment.
- ZenBusiness: ZenBusiness is often praised for its user-friendly interface, helpful customer service, and comprehensive suite of services. Many customers appreciate the all-in-one platform that helps them manage not only their LLC formation but also their ongoing business needs.
- Bizee: Bizee (formerly Incfile) has built a strong reputation for its affordability and transparency. Customers appreciate the free LLC formation and the free registered agent services for the first year. However, some users mention that the website could be more intuitive, and customer support could be more responsive.
Overall, both platforms are well-regarded, but ZenBusiness tends to receive slightly higher praise for its user experience and customer service.
Bottom Line: ZenBusiness vs. Bizee (formerly Incfile)
When deciding between ZenBusiness and Bizee, your choice ultimately depends on your business needs, budget, and preferences.
- Choose ZenBusiness if you want a full suite of services that help you manage your business from formation to growth. ZenBusiness offers excellent customer service, a more comprehensive set of tools for online presence management, and flexible service options for entrepreneurs who want more than just LLC formation.
- Choose Bizee if you’re looking for a more affordable, no-frills solution to LLC formation. Bizee’s free LLC formation and free registered agent services for the first year make it a great choice for entrepreneurs on a tight budget or those looking for a simple and cost-effective solution.
Both platforms provide valuable services, but ZenBusiness stands out for its all-in-one approach, while Bizee shines with its affordability.
FAQ’s
Is ZenBusiness or Bizee better for a new business owner?
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee are great options for new business owners. ZenBusiness is ideal if you’re looking for a comprehensive suite of services, including a business website and email. On the other hand, Bizee is perfect if you’re on a budget and just need the basics like LLC formation and a registered agent, especially with their free first-year registered agent service.
Does ZenBusiness charge for LLC formation?
ZenBusiness offers free LLC formation, but you will need to pay the state filing fees. Additional services, such as registered agent services or operating agreements, are offered at extra costs depending on the plan you choose.
What’s the difference between the free plan and paid plans with Bizee?
Bizee’s free plan allows you to form your LLC for $0 (excluding state filing fees). This plan includes basic LLC formation services. The paid plans, such as the Premium plan, include added features like registered agent services (free for the first year), a custom operating agreement, and other business tools.
Can I upgrade my ZenBusiness plan later if I need more services?
Yes, you can upgrade your ZenBusiness plan at any time. If you start with the Basic plan and later decide you need additional features like registered agent services or an operating agreement, you can easily upgrade to the Pro or Premium plans to access those services.
How long does it take to form an LLC with ZenBusiness or Bizee?
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee offer different processing speeds depending on the plan you choose. The standard processing time can take a few weeks, but both platforms offer expedited processing for an additional fee. ZenBusiness tends to provide quicker processing options overall, especially with its expedited service options.