Direct Incorporation Review (2025) Is It a Legit Company?

The formation of an LLC should be handled by a professional formation service, and Direct Incorporation is one of the companies that stand out for its professionalism.

To provide a thorough review of this LLC service, I solicited expert help from a team of certified business experts who've been in the industry for over a decade.

We tested this Michigan-based service to determine if the service is a good fit for your startup company.

What Is Direct Incorporation?

Direct Incorporation is an online service launched in 2003 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Apart from processing legal papers, this LLC service also offers the LLC formation process, filing corporate paperwork, and domain licensing in its different packages.

Since its launch, the company has created over 80,000 enterprises in the US, according to their website.

"Direct Incorporation is the clear choice for businesses searching for exceptional customer service, all-inclusive formation packages, transparent pricing, and most importantly, access to industry specialists in the form of law firm professionals and registered agent service."

- Jazmin Castello, MBA, Writer

Direct Incorporation Review Ratings

Direct Incorporation has been rigorously evaluated to provide a detailed and unbiased review.

Venture Smarter ratings are based on a comprehensive analysis of various aspects of the company's services, ensuring potential customers clearly understand what to expect.

Support - 4.7/5

Direct Incorporation's customer support is exceptional, earning a perfect score.

Customers have reported prompt and professional responses from the support team.

The team's expertise in handling all aspects of business formation contributes significantly to the overall positive experience of using Direct Incorporation's services.

Direct Incorporation claims to offer exceptional customer support. Reflecting on Venture Smarter experience, the swift and helpful response from their team substantiates this claim, providing evidence that they deliver on their promise of high-quality customer service.

Price - 4.6/5

While Direct Incorporation offers a range of valuable features in its packages, its pricing positions it approximately 20% higher than some of its market competitors.

This slightly lower rating reflects the balance between the quality of services provided and the cost, acknowledging that while the services are excellent, the pricing may be a consideration for some customers.

Despite Direct Incorporation's claim of competitive pricing, our comparison reveals that their services are priced higher than several alternatives.

This discrepancy suggests that while their offerings are comprehensive, cost-conscious consumers may find better value elsewhere.

Features - 4.5/5

Direct Incorporation excels in the range and quality of features offered.

From comprehensive LLC formation packages to additional services like trademark protection and e-commerce solutions, the company provides a one-stop solution for business formation needs.

Upon review, we found that the inclusion of features such as EIN registration and trademark protection not only meets but exceeds the standard offerings, validating their claim of offering value-added services.

This justifies the perfect score in this category.

Turnaround - 4.6/5

Direct Incorporation prides itself on efficient service delivery, promising quick turnaround times for its range of business formation services.

Our experience and customer feedback mostly validate this claim, highlighting the company's commitment to timely service.

Nevertheless, it's important to acknowledge occasional delays reported by some users.

These instances, while rare, underscore the need for Direct Incorporation to strive for even greater consistency in its service execution, ensuring that all customers enjoy the swift and reliable service they expect.

User Ratings - 4.6/5

Direct Incorporation holds a solid user rating of 4.6 out of 5, reflecting the general satisfaction among its customers. Users appreciate the company's straightforward approach and comprehensive service options.

In my personal experience, I found their platform to be reliable, delivering exactly what was promised without any hidden fees or surprises.

The overall customer experience was smooth and efficient, aligning well with the positive ratings.

Ease of Use - 4.6/5

The ease of use is one of the notable strengths of Direct Incorporation, earning it a commendable rating of 4.6 out of 5.

The platform is designed with simplicity in mind, allowing users to quickly navigate through the incorporation process.

From my experience, setting up my business was hassle-free, thanks to the user-friendly interface that guided me through each step.

The clear instructions and well-organized dashboard made it easy to manage all necessary tasks without any confusion.

LLC Service Features & Prices

Here’s a breakdown of the LLC formation packages offered by the Direct Incorporation service.

• Standard Package ($174 + state fees): Includes a federal income tax ID number, annual report, and a 3-week trial membership to the Executive Club.
• Premier Package ($297 + state fees): You get features from the standard package plus an LLC kit, corporate suite, and an operating agreement.
• Elite Package ($429 + state fees): Includes everything from the Premier bundle, plus a DIY website and an email account.
• Venture Package ($699 + state fees): Includes features from the Elite bundle plus trademark security, a custom business logo, a 12-month subscription to the Executive Club, and a DBA name.
• Registered Agent Service ($159): Direct Incorporation provides complimentary registered agent service for the first six months upon LLC formation. Subsequently, there is an annual fee of $159 should you wish to continue using their registered agent service beyond the initial six-month period.

Additional Services

These are the additional services Direct Incorporation offers, which we explored to provide a comprehensive overview of their full suite of business solutions:

• C-Corp starts at $174 + state fees
• S-Corp starts at $174 + state fees
• DBA Filing Service $89 + state fees
• $9.95/month
• Startup Tax Program $59/month
• Annual Report $97
• Trademark Protection Service $295
• Websites & Domain Registration $13.95/month per site
• Dissolution Service $132 + state
• Executive Club $13.99/month
• Foreign Entity Qualifications $199 

Benefits

Here are the benefits of using Direct Incorporation service to form an LLC, based on our firsthand experience navigating the process with them.

• Good Customer Support: When we decided to form an LLC, their customer support team proved to be a valuable resource. They promptly addressed our inquiries and provided knowledgeable assistance both through email and phone calls.
• User Friendly: We found it easy to compare different LLC packages and associated costs, which helped us make an informed decision quickly. In our case, we were able to complete the LLC formation process in about 10 minutes, which was incredibly convenient.
• Long-Term Maintenance: The company's services are designed for long-term engagement, offering continuous access to various compliance tools and updates, especially through their Elite package Business Compliance Program.
• Complimentary EIN Registration: Direct Incorporation includes a federal tax ID number (EIN) in their LLC formation packages, essential for the over 80,000 enterprises they've created since 2003, mirroring the importance outlined by the SBA for business operations and compliance [1].
• Efficient E-Commerce Plan: Their e-commerce plan is highly beneficial, providing tools like a shopping cart, vendor account for credit payments, and personalized support for managing online marketplaces.
• Comprehensive Trademark Search: When it came to trademark search and registration, their professional trademark attorney services streamlined the process, offering comprehensive assistance and peace of mind.
• Convenient Dissolution Services: Direct Incorporation assists in the dissolution process, handling the necessary paperwork and relieving clients from ongoing maintenance obligations.

Downsides

One of the major downsides to this LLC formation service is its high pricing structure. For starters, there are no free packages and services.

Plus, the most affordable choice is as expensive as some mid-tier deals from competing LCC firms.

Also, their registered agent service runs free for six months only.

Who Should Hire Direct Incorporation Service?

Any entrepreneur or LLC owner looking for a comprehensive compliance filing at a premium price should hire Direct Incorporation service.

This LLC service is also a good fit if you're looking for a Venture bundle that offers rich features like trademark protection, logo design, and pro website services.

Other User Testimonials

"I've worked with Direct Incorporation service for over 6 years, and their service team is always professional, prompt, and thorough when handling my compliance."
- Max, Colorado 

"On my first trial, purchasing their plan was easy. I also called one of their support members, and he promptly responded and guided me through the order filing process."
- Dave, Texas 

"I didn't appreciate the slow turnaround times. After purchasing their venture package, I waited for three months to get my LLC paperwork filed."
- Beth, Arizona 

"I really enjoyed my registration and filing experience with Direct Incorporation, but I feel like their pricing is way higher compared to other LLCs in the market."
- Phoebe, Massachusetts 

Comparison To Other Services

Here's how Direct Incorporation service compares to other top LLC formation services in the industry.

1. ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a big name in the LLC sector. In terms of pricing, ZenBusiness offers fair prices as opposed to Direct Incorporation service.

The lower plan for ZenBusiness goes for $0, while Direct Incorporation charges $174. Hence Venture Smarter recommend hiring ZenBusiness if you're tight budget-wise.

LLC creation packages of Direct Incorporation compare well with ZenBusiness.

For starters, ZenBusiness does not provide registered agent service; if purchased separately, this service costs $99 for the first year and $199/yr afterward.

On the other hand, Direct Incorporation includes six months of registered agent service at no additional cost. However, they charge $159 per year for continued service after that period.

2. Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent is relatively affordable; for $39, it offers 12 months of registered agent service, which is a huge plus.

Unfortunately, Northwest Registered Agent lacks popular services like domain registration and website design, even in its premium versions, so if you want internet integration, we recommend using the Direct Incorporation service.

Regarding customer support, both companies offer excellent and qualified customer care.

3. Bizee

Similar to Direct Incorporation, Bizee (formerly IncFile) operates swiftly and provides paperwork to the state in a single day.

In my experience, the staff members of these companies are kind, knowledgeable, and helpful.

Also, as far as turnaround time is concerned, both Bizee and Direct Incorporation offer relatively close delivery times.

Bizee has a 1-day 8-week turnaround depending on your state, while Direct Incorporation offers 2 days to 12 weeks.

Related Articles:

• Incorp Review
• Filenow Review

FAQs

Venture Smarter Verdict on Direct Incorporation

After personally exploring Direct Incorporation's services, their comprehensive offerings are commendable. However, a sticking point for me was the pricing as their packages come at a premium.

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with a robust set of features, ZenBusiness might be your go-to.

They offer a free basic plan, inclusive of worry-free compliance for a whole year, and their customer service is top-notch.

In my experience, for those starting out and wanting value for money, ZenBusiness seems to have the edge with its first-rate customer care, shorter turnarounds, and affordable prices.