Bizee vs LegalZoom (Comparison & Verdict 2024)
If you are looking for LLC formation services, there are several options available in the industry to streamline the process. Bizee (formerly Incfile) and LegalZoom stand out as two prominent business formation services in the field.
As a business consultant with a decade of experience, I had the opportunity to work with several LLC formation services and became familiar with the system.
I'll share my insights regarding Bizee and LegalZoom based on their features, cost, additional services, and performance to help you determine which company is best suited with your business.
At a Glance: Bizee and LegalZoom
Founded in 2004, Bizee is a full-service business formation company with advanced digital tools that simplify the process. To date, they have helped over 1 million individuals form their businesses.
LegalZoom is an LLC formation service that specializes in offering legal service for your business entity. Since its founding in 2001, LegalZoom has assisted over 4 million businesses and individuals with company formation.
1. Bizee LLC Highlights
- Business formation
- Registered agent services
- Compliance management
- Business filing
- Business tax services
WE RECOMMEND ZENBUSINESS
2. LegalZoom LLC Highlights
- Business formation
- Legal service
- Legal document options
- Registered agent services
WE RECOMMEND ZENBUSINESS
3. How Bizee and LegalZoom Stack Together
Both companies offer basic LLC formation plans and a variety of packages with specific features and services.
LegalZoom is also noted for its counseling services and access to legal professionals, whereas Bizee is known for finance, accounting, and tax consultations.
Venture Smarter advises that you consider the overall profile of each company to enable you to pick the one that is more suitable to your business.
"In the world of business, focus on preparation and do not rely on luck."
- Danya Shafkeh, Corporate Attorney & Writer of Venture Smarter
Side-by-Side LLC Plan Comparisons
Bizee and LegalZoom provides several formation packages that cover launching, maintenance, and management of your business.
1. Basic Plan Comparison: Bizee Silver vs LegalZoom Basic
- Bizee's Silver ($0 + state fees): This plan includes preparing and filing your LLC documents, name availability check, as well as email and phone support. A client of mine was actually pleased to learn that the package is complemented by a free registered agent service for a year.
- LegalZoom's Basic Package ($0 + state fees): This free plan includes Articles of Organization, a name check service, a digital welcome packet, and a customizable website.
2. Mid-Level Plan Comparison: Bizee Gold vs LegalZoom Pro
- Bizee's Gold ($199 + state fees): This package includes all the features in the Silver plan, and is complemented by an EIN, IRS from 2553, an operating agreement, banking resolution, lifetime company alerts, a business bank account, and business tax consultation.
- LegalZoom's Pro ($249 + state fees): Besides the basic plan, you get a custom operating agreement, an EIN, and customizable legal templates with unlimited eSignatures for 12 months. When we availed of this package, it was helpful that specialists provided us with business insurance and tax consultation.
3. Top-Level Plan Comparison: Bizee Platinum vs LegalZoom Premium
- Bizee's Platinum ($299 + state fees): This package has all services included in the Gold plan plus business contract templates, domain name, email address, and expedited service [1].
- LegalZoom's Premium ($299 + state fees): Includes the Pro LLC formation service features plus firsthand attorney guidance, unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations, and 30 days amendment on your LLC formation documents [2].
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Registered Agent Services
Bizee offers a registered agent service for $119 a year. The package feature handling of all documents, automatic forwarding tool, personalized dashboard, as well as email and SMS notifications.
A free registered agent for a year is included in all of their packages.
With LegalZoom, you can avail of a registered agent service as an add-on for $249 annually. Apart from service of process, Venture Smarter was offered mail alerts, tax and annual report deadline notifications, and unlimited cloud storage.
Additional Services
Aside from the features included in their packages, both companies offer the following additional services:
1. Business License Report
Both Bizee and LegalZoom offer a business license report package for $99.
When a client availed of Bizee's business license report package, they received a comprehensive report on permits and licensing requirements necessary to legally operate the company.
Apart from receiving a license and permits summary report, LegalZoom provides direct access to all required applications to help you streamline the process.
2. Annual Report Filing
Annual reports are necessary for your business to remain in good standing with the state. For a fee of $99 plus state fees, LegalZoom will draft and file the document with the Secretary of State or its equivalent agency.
Bizee offers a similar service and would handle the preparation and filing of your LLC's annual report for $99 plus state fees.
3. DBA Registration
Venture Smarter was able to register a DBA name through LegalZoom for $99, and the company handled the preliminary name search, application, and filing [3].
Bizee offers a similar package for $99 and the company will handle your DBA processing so your company may operate under a different name.
4. Trademark Registration
You can register a trademark with LegalZoom for $599 plus federal fees. The process will be handled by an attorney to ensure that your business trademark gets approved.
Bizee offers a trademark registration service that includes legal counsel, trademark search, preparation and filing of the application. However, when we visited the website, there were varying price quotes for the package [4].
5. Virtual Address
For clients who needed a virtual address, I advise them to try Bizee's package. For $29 a month, it gives your business a street address where you can accept traditional mail, letters, and checks, as well as mail scanning.
LegalZoom offers virtual mail that allows you to run your business wherever you are. The $29 monthly package inlcudes a business address, recipients, and mail items.
Our #1 Recommendation
Customer Service
Bizee's customer service can be contacted through phone, fax, or live chat, Monday to Friday between 9 am to 6 pm CST. We were pleased with the fast response time and accommodating representatives who addressed our concerns.
LegalZoom offers customer support through phone and live chat but with extended hours. Businesses can reach them on the weekdays between 5 am to 7 pm PST and during the weekends from 7 am to 4 pm PST.
The representative was able to address our inquiries professionally and was knowledgeable about the formation process.
Customer Reviews
FAQs
Which is More Affordable, Bizee or LegalZoom?
Bizee and LegalZoom are equally affordable since both companies offer a $0 basic plan. However, Bizee has a slightly lower priced mid-level package.
Which is Ranked Better, Bizee or LegalZoom?
LegalZoom is ranked better in terms of legal services while Bizee is considered to be cost-effective according to consumers and reviews.
Bizee vs. LegalZoom: Our Recommendation
In my years in the industry, I learned to determine the basic LLC formation needs, as well as the specific services that are best suitable for the business of my clients. This allows me to recommend the appropriate company that would cater to their needs.
Both Bizee and LegalZoom are great business formation services that provide basic LLC formation features. If you are looking for a more cost-effective solution, choose Bizee, but if legal service is important to you, LegalZoom would be a better option.
While both of these platforms offer great LLC formation services, you may consider ZenBusiness as an alternative.
ZenBusiness's plans also start at $0 and offer some additional features, including an accounting assessment, worry-free compliance, document templates, website and email setup, banking services, and more.
Our #1 Recommendation
ZenBusiness
- ZenBusiness offers a free basic formation plan, as well as Pro and Premium packages.
- Basic plan a 1 year compliance service for free.
- Provides excellent customer support through phone, online, and email
- ZenBusiness is ranked among the top 5 formation services.
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of December
- The registered agent service is availed and paid for separately in all the plans.
References:
- https://orders.bizee.com/form-order-now.php
- https://www.legalzoom.com/business/business-formation/llc-overview.html?cjdata=MXxOfDB8WXww&cjevent=e95c03b4b73711ee83a829570a1cb82b&utm_source=cj&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=15053485&utm_campaign=Sovrn+Inc&utm_campaignID=2470763&utm_adgroupID=4003003
- https://www.legalzoom.com/business/business-formation/dba-overview.html
- https://bizee.com/trademark-name-search
