LawDepot vs LegalZoom (2024 Honest Comparative Review)
If you're planning to launch a company, you could consider using LawDepot and LegalZoom as a platform to help you start the business.
As a business consultant with a decade of practice in the LLC formation industry, I've gained experience working with various companies and am familiar with the features and services needed to efficiently form a limited liability company.
I'll share my insights on both companies and provide enough information regarding their plans, additional services, and other features to enable you to decide which platform best suits your company.
At a Glance: LawDepot vs LegalZoom
LawDepot is one of the most successful online legal document services that provide customizable templates and contracts carefully reviewed and updated by legal professionals.
Since the company was established in 2001, they have helped over 10 million users save on legal fees.
LegalZoom is a leading full-service legal platform that offers LLC formation, lawyer, and family law services for entrepreneurs and has catered to over 4 million individuals and businesses.
1. LawDepot LLC Highlights
- Business formation
- Legal services
- Legal document options
- Intellectual property
- Copyright registration
WE RECOMMEND ZENBUSINESS
2. LegalZoom LLC Highlights
- Legal services
- Company formation
- Legal document options
- Registered agent services
WE RECOMMEND ZENBUSINESS
3. How LawDepot and LegalZoom Stack Together
LegalZoom features an LLC formation service as well as legal consultation, documentation, and registered agent. You can choose from three different LLC formation packages that best suits the needs of your company.
If your company is inclined to focus on legal aspects and documentation, subscribing to LawDepot will give you unlimited access to business templates and other company needs.
Side-by-Side LLC Plan Comparisons
LawDepot and LegalZoom offer the following plans:
1. Basic Plan: LegalZoom Basic vs LawDepot Free Trial
- LegalZoom’s Basic plan ($0 + state fees): The plan includes filing of the Articles of Organization, a name check service, a digital welcome packet, and a customizable website. A client of mine was pleased to learn that the digital welcome packet includes a guideline on how to maintain an LLC after formation.
- LawDepot's One-Week Free Trial: LawDepot offers a one-week free trial where users may access templates to generate legal documents. Once the period is over, Venture Smarter opted to purchase their monthly or annual subscription plan.
2. Mid-Level Plan Comparison: LegalZoom Pro vs LawDepot Monthly Subscription
- LegalZoom’s Pro plan ($249): Besides the basic plan, I was able to customize our operating agreement, obtained an EIN, gained access to legal templates, and received initial phone consultations with specialists regarding business insurance and taxes.
- LawDepot’s Monthly Subscription ($35): LawDepot offers a $35 monthly subscription plan which includes unlimited access to all documents on their website. LawDepot offers over 150 customized legal document templates.
3. Top-Level Plan: LegalZoom Premium vs LawDepot Yearly Subscription
- LegalZoom's Premium ($299 + state fees): It 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.
- LawDepot’s Yearly Subscription ($107.88 annually): If the nature of your business requires legal documentation on a regular basis, you can avail of LawDepot's one-year pro plan that costs $107.88. If you only need a single document, you can opt for LawDepot's pay-per-use basis that ranges from $7.50 to $119.
"The best way to start a business is to quit planning and start doing."
- Danya Shafkeh, Corporate Attorney & Writer of Venture Smarter
Registered Agent Service
After contacting LawDepot, Venture Smarter learned that the company uses Northwest Registered Agent for their registered agent services, which costs $125 annually.
The package includes mail scanning, annual report reminders, privacy by default, and corporate guide service.
LegalZoom provides its own professional registered agent service for $249 a year. The registered agent will receive service of process on behalf of the business, and emails about tax and annual report deadlines.
Additional Services
Apart from the services included in the plan, you can avail of the following additional features:
1. Business Licenses and Permits
When I was looking for a formation service to form an LLC, I discovered that LegalZoom offers a comprehensive business license report for $99. The packages features information on permits, licenses, and registrations necessary to operate in the state.
LawDepot does not offer this service.
2. Trademark Registration
You can register your desired trademark with LegalZoom for $599 plus federal fees. Our concerns were handled by a reputable trademark attorney who assisted us throughout the process.
LawDepot does not offer trademark registration.
3. DBA Registration
A client of mine registered a DBA name with LegalZoom for $99. The package includes a name availability verification, preparation and filing, name publication (if required by state), and access to legal documentation.
LawDepot does not offer this service.
4. Annual Reports Filing
An annual report is necessary for your company to maintain a status of good standing within the state. LegalZoom offers an annual report service that includes drafting and filing the document which costs $99. An expedited option is available for $119 plus state fees.
When Venture Smarter asked LawDepot, we discovered that the company does not offer this service.
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Our #1 Recommendation
Customer Service
LegalZoom offers priority support and typically answers my queries within 24 hours. You can also reach customer service by email and phone, Monday to Friday between 5 am to 7 pm PST and on the weekends from 7 am to 4 pm PST.
LawDepot’s customer support is available by phone, email, and chat Monday to Friday between 8 am to 7 pm EST. They also have a lot of frequently asked questions on their website that are useful.
Their customer service team was highly knowledgeable and very responsive to my concerns.
Customer Reviews
FAQs
What is LawDepot Best Used For?
LawDepot is best used for as a document library. You can gain access to customizable legal document templates without having to employ the services of an attorney.
Which Company is Rated Higher as an LLC Formation Service, LawDepot or LegalZoom?
LegalZoom is rated higher as an LLC formation service, while LawDepot is noted as a legal consultation and document creation company.
LawDepot vs. LegalZoom: Our Recommendation
LegalZoom is great option for business formation and legal consultation while LawDepot provides access to legal documents in an affordable and simplified manner.
In my experience with LLC formation, management, and maintenance, I am aware that both companies have been in the industry for more than 2 decades.
They have years of experience and will help you start a business and maintain compliance.
While both platforms offer great LLC formation services, we recommend ZenBusiness.
ZenBusiness offers free business formation, affordable registered agent services, a 100 percent accuracy guarantee, fast filing, and business money planning.
Our #1 Recommendation
ZenBusiness
- ZenBusiness offers a wide range of packages from $0 to $349.
- The basic plan features a 1-year free compliance service.
- The formation process turnaround time can be completed within 1–5 days through an expedited option.
- They have a user friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for beginners.
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of December
- The packages offered does not include the services of a registered agent. You have to avail it separately.
