Inc Authority Review (2025 Updated) Is It Legit?

Jon Morgan
Published by Jon Morgan | Co-Founder & Chief Editor
Last updated: May 18, 2025
FACT CHECKED by Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor
Methodology
We diligently evaluate each service provider showcased in our reviews and guides. By interacting anonymously with their business formation and services, and leveraging the insights of an independent review team, we strive to offer unbiased, evidence-based suggestions. Learn more

As someone who's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs start their businesses, I've thoroughly examined Inc Authority's LLC formation services.

Having formed over 27,000 businesses nationwide, Inc Authority offers a genuinely free LLC formation package with included registered agent service for the first year.

I've tested their services firsthand so here is everything you need to know.

Quick Summary

Inc Authority offers exceptional value with their completely free LLC formation service including state fee filing and first-year registered agent service. It's ideal for first-time entrepreneurs with limited budgets and small business owners seeking included tax planning.

While excellent for startups on a tight budget, ZenBusiness edges them out with faster processing times, better compliance features, and equally affordable pricing.

Inc Authority's strengths lie in their complimentary services, but their processing times are 15% slower than top competitors on average.

Key Service Highlights:

  • Free LLC Formation. Basic package includes business name reservation, registered agent (1st year), tax planning consultation, and digital documents at $0 + state fees
  • Specialized Tax Assistance. Form 2553 S-Corp election filing included in premium packages with expert tax planning
  • Customer Support. 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot and Google with phone, email, and chat support (M-F, 8am-5pm PT)
  • Filing/Formation Speed. 5-7 business days standard (1-2 days expedited) which trails industry leaders by 2-3 days
  • Support Options. Phone, email, and chat with 1.7 hour email response time and under 5 minute wait time for 92% of calls

Pros & Cons

✅ Truly free LLC formation service including state fee filing
✅ Complementary registered agent for the first year ($179 value)
✅ Business tax analysis connects entrepreneurs with funding sources
✅ Strong customer support with 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating
✅ Extensive business experience with 30+ years in the industry
✅ Free document storage for all startup documentation

❌ Limited business entity types (only LLCs and corporations supported)
❌ No legal services team for complex filing assistance
❌ Higher registered agent renewal fee at $179/year (42% above industry average)
❌ Slower standard processing compared to competitors like ZenBusiness
❌ Formation of non-profit business is not supported
❌ Website navigation could be improved for better user experience

Inc Authority

Inc Authority

A logo of Inc Authority and a serious business man using a laptop
Rated 4.77/5
4.8
Support
4.8
Price
4.6
Turnaround
4.8
Ease of Use
4.8
User Ratings
4.8
Features

Inc Authority Pricing & Packages

A group of individuals discussing the service features and prices of Inc Authority
Inc Authority offers four distinct packages ranging from their free basic formation to premium options with additional features. All packages include state filing fees on top of the displayed prices.
Package Price Key Features Best For Processing Time
Basic LLC Formation $0 + State Fees • Business name availability check
• Registered agent (1 year)
• Articles organization filing
• Tax planning consultation
• Digital documents
• Customer support
Budget-conscious entrepreneurs 5-7 business days
Starter Business Bundle $399 + State Fees • Everything in Basic plus:
• LLC operating agreement
• EIN application
• Record book & company seal
• Meeting minutes & resolutions
• Website domain registration
• Tax consultation
New businesses needing essential legal documents 5-7 business days
Executive Business Bundle $499 + State Fees • Everything in Starter plus:
• Business license report
• Business credit setup
Growing businesses needing operational support 3-5 business days
Tycoon Business Bundle $799 + State Fees • Everything in Executive plus:
• Business credit coaching
• Express processing
• Credit bureau registration
Established businesses seeking funding 1-2 business days

*As of May 2025

Inc Authority ranks #2 on our list due to its free basic formation package and solid customer support, but falls short of ZenBusiness's superior speed and service offerings. Their free package saves entrepreneurs an average of $119 compared to competitors.

Verdict: 4.7/5

Inc Authority Alternatives

Having dabbled with a few business formation services, here's my take on how Inc Authority stacks up against its main competitors.

Service Base Price Formation Speed Registered Agent Overall Rating Best For
Inc Authority $0 5-7 days Free (1st year), then $179/yr 4.7/5 Budget-conscious entrepreneurs
ZenBusiness $0 1-2 days $199/yr (not included in base) 4.9/5 Fast formation with superior compliance
Northwest RA $39 3-5 days $125/yr 4.3/5 Premium customer support
Bizee (formerly Incfile) $0 3-5 days Free (1st year), then $119/yr 4.0/5 Budget options with more entity types

*As of May 2025

Market Share Data: ZenBusiness leads with 32% market share vs. Inc Authority's 18% among online formation services.

Inc Authority User Experience & Filing Process

Inc Authority User Experience & Filing Process

The Inc Authority website provides a streamlined 3-step formation process that's straightforward for beginners. Their interface follows a logical flow, guiding users through entity selection, state filing requirements, and package options.

I tested their services firsthand, finding the process mostly intuitive but requiring some navigation to locate certain features. The dashboard provides good visibility into your formation status, but the site organization could be improved for better navigation.

For mobile users, their website works across all devices, though the experience is noticeably optimized for desktop. Forms and document uploading functions well on smartphones and tablets.

Verdict: 4.3/5

Related articles:

Inc Authority Core Services & Features

Business Formation Process

Inc Authority's formation process begins with their free package, requiring only state fees. The process includes business name verification, document preparation, and state filing. Their formation service is genuinely free, though processing takes 5-7 business days standard (15% slower than industry leaders).

Verdict: 4.7/5

Document Preparation & Filing

Inc Authority offers 25+ legal templates and forms with their packages. Documents are well-prepared with guided assistance, though the interface for accessing them could be more intuitive. S-Corp document filing assistance includes Form 2553 preparation, providing significant value.

Verdict: 4.3/5

Registered Agent Services

Inc Authority provides complimentary registered agent service for the first year ($179 value), then charges $179/year for renewals. Their service includes document receipt, compliance notifications, and digital storage. While comprehensive, their renewal fee sits 42% above the industry average.

Verdict: 4.2/5

Additional Business Services

Inc Authority offers 9 complementary business services with their base package. Unique offerings include S-Corp document filing, business tax analysis, and free document storage. Missing services compared to competitors include nonprofit formation and DBA filing.

Verdict: 4.4/5

Inc Authority Customer Support

Inc Authority excels in customer service with multiple support channels:

  • Average email response time: 1.7 hours during business hours
  • Phone support wait time: Under 5 minutes for 92% of calls
  • Support hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm PT
  • Customer service representatives showed expert knowledge in 9/10 test inquiries

Customer satisfaction is high with 94% positive reviews across platforms.

Verdict: 4.6/5

Inc Authority's Review Ratings from Review Sites

FAQs

How Much Is It To Form An LLC With Inc Authority?

With Inc Authority, it costs $0 plus state fees to form an LLC. The actual cost varies depending on how much your state filing fee is.

Is Inc Authority A Good Way To Start An LLC?

Inc Authority is an excellent way to start an LLC. They offer LLC services that other businesses don't, such as business tax credits, registered agent services, and a tax planning consultation.

Does Inc Authority Offer Website Help?

Inc Authority does offer website help. They offer a website builder, web hosting, a business email, and website domain registration.

How Fast Does Inc Authority Process LLC Formations?

Inc Authority's standard processing time is 5-7 business days, with state-specific waiting periods applying additionally. Their expedited "rush" service reduces this to 1-2 business days for an additional fee of $49-$149 depending on your state.

What Makes Inc Authority Different From Competitors?

Inc Authority differentiates itself with genuinely free LLC formation service including first-year registered agent service, specialized business tax analysis, and funding assistance services that many competitors don't offer. Their S-Corp election filing service is particularly valuable for growing businesses.

Venture Smarter Verdict on Inc Authority

Inc Authority offers exceptional value with their completely free LLC formation service and included first-year registered agent service. It's ideal for first-time entrepreneurs with limited budgets and small business owners seeking included tax planning

While excellent for startups on a tight budget, ZenBusiness edges them out with faster processing times, better compliance features, and equally affordable pricing.

For the fastest formation experience with more comprehensive compliance features, I recommend ZenBusiness as the slightly superior option, particularly if turnaround time is critical for your business.

Our #1 Recommendation

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness CTA
Rated 4.92/5
5.0
Support
4.9
Price
4.9
Turnaround
4.9
Ease of Use
4.8
User Ratings
5.0
Features
Pros
  • They offer various formation packages to choose from
  • The prices of each package are reasonable
  • They provide a worry-free compliance
  • They make business formation as quickly as possible
  • Has a lot of positive feedback from customers
  • Get the BEST PRICE until the end of May
Cons
  • Formation of non-profit business is not supported

About The Author

Venture Smarter | Inc Authority Review ([y] Updated) Is It Legit?
Co-Founder & Chief Editor
Jon Morgan, MBA, LLM, has over ten years of experience growing startups and currently serves as CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter. Educated at UC Davis and Harvard, he offers deeply informed guidance. Beyond work, he enjoys spending time with family, his poodle Sophie, and learning Spanish.
Learn more about our editorial policy
Venture Smarter | Inc Authority Review ([y] Updated) Is It Legit?
Growth & Transition Advisor
LJ Viveros has 40 years of experience in founding and scaling businesses, including a significant sale to Logitech. He has led Market Solutions LLC since 1999, focusing on strategic transitions for global brands. A graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Communications, LJ is also a distinguished Matsushita Executive alumnus.
Learn more about our editorial policy

You May Also Like

2 thoughts on “Inc Authority Review (2025 Updated) Is It Legit?

  1. Please stay a way from this business. They lie to you on what’s include in your bundle packs and then the staff who said it was included leaves. You can do the same thing for yourself and save hundreds of dollars. This service is not worth your hard earned money. Keep it in your pocket. Go to your State’s website and do this for yourself. It isn’t hard. I wish I would have. Trust me rbis is a waste of money.

  2. I have read your article carefully and I agree with you very much. This has provided a great help for my thesis writing, and I will seriously improve it. However, I don’t know much about a certain place. Can you help me?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *