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LLC formation service review

ZenBusiness

LLC formation from $0 plus state fees with the Starter package, which does not renew; the EIN and an operating agreement template are $99 add-ons. Pro ($199) and Premium ($299) renew every year, and no package includes the registered agent, which costs $199 a year.

By ZenBusinessParent company: ZenBusiness, Inc.

RTC SCORE

6.5

#8 of 15 with enough data

What we like

  • Starter at $0 plus state fees doesn't renew, and the EIN and template are published add-ons.
  • 60-day money-back guarantee on formation plans.
  • Phone support every day of the week, in all 50 states and DC.

What to watch

  • No package includes the registered agent, at $199 a year.
  • Starter comes with a website builder trial already selected ($15 a month after 30 days) and a free compliance year that then renews at $199.
  • The registered agent can't be cancelled online, and you need written proof of the new agent.

How the score breaks down

RTC Score6.5out of 10

Methodology v1.0.0

Data completeness100%

We could verify 100% of the scoring data

Strongest points
3-year cost of the standard basket, Refund window on the vendor's fees, Files in all 50 states
Weakest point
3-year cost of the standard basket

Score by criterion

  • 3-year cost of the standard basketWeight 30%StrongestWeakest5.9 out of 10

    $795 over 36 months

  • Refund window on the vendor's feesWeight 12%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Registered agent renewalWeight 10%5.1 out of 10
  • EIN obtained for youWeight 10%6.0 out of 10
  • Operating agreementWeight 10%6.0 out of 10
  • First year of registered agentWeight 10%0.0 out of 10
  • Files in all 50 statesWeight 10%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Phone supportWeight 8%10.0 out of 10

Current promotion

  • Discount

    $100Source: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)50% off the first year: $99 instead of $199.
    Conditions
    50% off the first year of registered agent when you form an LLC; it renews at $199 a year.
    Valid until
    The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days.

Counts in the RTC Score only if our reference restaurant qualifies.

The switching or signing incentive is one of the criteria with the most weight in the RTC Score. We count a promotion only while it's current, with a fixed published amount and conditions our reference restaurant meets. "Up to" amounts, buyouts of your current contract and unpublished amounts don't count. The cost calculator subtracts one only when your numbers qualify.

Check it with your numbers

All the data, with sources

Each value links to its source. "Not published" means the vendor doesn't disclose it; "Unconfirmed" means we looked and couldn't confirm it. Data points we have for fewer than four vendors are left out until we can compare them.

Pricing
Data pointValue
Cheapest formation package$0 one-timeSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)Starter package; it does not renew.
How the package is soldOne-time feeSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)Starter is one-time; Pro and Premium are yearly subscriptions.
Other chargesRush filing on Starter $79. Annual report filing $100 each. New York publication $200. The Worry-Free Compliance service also bills the state's fees when it files.Source: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
What the package includes
Data pointValue
EIN obtained for youIncluded in a higher packageSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)In Pro and Premium; a $99 add-on on Starter.
EIN add-on$99 one-timeSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Operating agreementIncluded in a higher packageSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)A template, in Pro and Premium; a $99 add-on on Starter.
Operating agreement add-on$99 one-timeSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Files in all 50 statesYesSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Registered agent
Data pointValue
First year of registered agentPaid from the startSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Registered agent per year$199/yrSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)Its registered agent page offers 50% off the first year when you form an LLC.
Registered agent renews on its ownYesSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Renewals and add-ons
Data pointValue
Package renews every yearN/ASource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)Starter does not renew; Pro ($199) and Premium ($299) renew every year.
Free trials that turn paidStarter adds a free year of Worry-Free Compliance (then $199 a year if you keep it) and a 30-day trial of the AI website builder, preselected at checkout, then $15 a month.Source: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Refunds and cancellation
Data pointValue
Refund window on the vendor's fees60 daysSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Refund and cancellation terms60 days on formation plans, but a package isn't refundable once any part is submitted to the government. Registered agent: 30 days and only before it's appointed. Finished documents: 7 days. The registered agent can't be cancelled online: by phone or contact form, with written proof of the new agent.Source: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Support
Data pointValue
Phone supportYesSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Support hoursMonday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Source: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)
Language
Data pointValue
Human support in SpanishNoSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)We found no statement of support in Spanish on its site.
Website in Spanish for the USNoSource: ZenBusiness (opens in a new tab)Its /es/ address shows an English article, not a Spanish site.

More about ZenBusiness

How we score