When launching a business, is it really possible to get everything — from formation services to logo design — in one seamless platform? Enter ...
ZenBusiness vs Inc Authority Comparison
Written by: Carolyn Young
Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.
Edited by: David Lepeska
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Published on September 8, 2022
Updated on September 30, 2023
Business entity formation is a crucial element of launching a business, and because it’s often complex and tedious, many entrepreneurs hire a professional to do the job right. These business formation services also offer additional services that can be helpful to a new business owner.
Two of the leading online services to consider are ZenBusiness and Inc Authority. And to help you determine which is best and which might be best for you and your business, we have thoroughly reviewed their services by putting ourselves in the shoes of an entrepreneur. Read on to make the choice that will put your business on the highway to success.
Services Overview
Business Formation Service
ZenBusiness
Inc Authority
Plans and Pricing
3 plans: Starter, Pro, and Premium; $0 – $349 annual fees + state filing fees
Free Formation, Starter, and Fast Track Business Bundle + state filing fees
Registered Agent Service
Not included, $199 annually
Included for one year, then $179 annually
Operating Agreement
$99 if you go with the Starter plan; Included in Pro and Premium plans
Not included, $89
Annual Report Service
Worry-free compliance service covers annual filing; only annual reporting is $100 + state fees
Annual compliance notifications
Processing Time
Standard, rush
Standard state times, $0 express processing
Customer Support
Chat, email, phone; Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm CT, Sunday 9am – 6pm CT
Chat, email, phone; Mon – Fri 6am to 5pm PT
Business Documents Online Library
Included in Premium, $99 (one-time fee) for other two plans
No
Other Services Offered
Domain name registration, business website creation and business email address, business banking, business credit cards, online payments
Ownership or Stock Certificates, Professional Tax Consultation, Web Domain + 5 Email Addresses
Number of Business Served
500,000
250,000
Money Back Guarantee
60 days
60 days
Our Verdict
After a thorough assessment, we have determined that ZenBusiness offers better value. With ZenBusiness, you’ll save money and likely receive higher quality customer service and equally fast turnaround times. Although Inc Authority’s platform of LLC formation packages offers a variety of services, they are significantly more expensive.
If you’re an entrepreneur with an eye on your budget, ZenBusiness is the better choice.
Pricing
Turnaround Time
Help and Support
Customer Satisfaction
Ease of Use
Overall Score: 4.7/5
Pricing
Turnaround Time
Help and Support
Customer Satisfaction
Ease of Use
Overall Score: 3.4/5
We recommend ZenBusiness over Inc Authority, mainly due to the better value plans and great customer service. Both offer a robust lineup of services with many features, but we find Inc Authority significantly overpriced compared to similar competitors.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Competitively-priced packages offer good value ($0 business formation plan)
- Great and helpful customer support
- Positive customer reviews
- Quick and easy purchase process
- Company is socially responsible and active
Cons
- Registered agent service not included in the plans (available as an add-on)
- Cancellation can be a lengthy process
- Some information is difficult to find on the website
Pros
- Free plan is a good value
- Free 1-year registered agent service and EIN
- Quick and easy purchase process
- Good rating with Trustpilot
Cons
- Pricing not disclosed on site; the information is hard to find on the site
- Expensive service packages
- Aggressive sales tactics
- Poor customer service
Plans and Pricing – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
Renowned for some of the most affordable rates in the industry, ZenBusiness offers a free LLC formation package — Starter plan.
For those desiring more comprehensive features, the $199 Pro package offers continuous compliance support, an EIN, an operating agreement, and rush processing.
Additionally, the $349 Premium plan includes rush processing service, a business website package, and a domain name.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority’s free business formation plan includes free LLC formation, one year of free registered agent services, and an employer identification number (EIN). The prices of their premium bundles aren’t clearly displayed, but they offer services like the INC Success Advisor Package, Private Banking, Personalized Business Advice, and expedited filings.
Experience – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness was founded in 2015 and has formed over 500,000 businesses.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority, established in 1989, has formed over 250,000 LLCs and corporations.
Customer Support – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
The customer support team at ZenBusiness is accessible via phone, email, or our online chat portal, and they’re available even on Sundays.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority also offers support through phone, email, or chat, but with more limited hours and no weekend service. However, we found that the chat option was not always available.
Turnaround Times – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
At ZenBusiness, formation speeds are state-dependent. For urgent requests, premium packages offer rush service. Compared to other formation services, ZenBusiness matches or slightly exceeds their speed.
Inc Authority
For Inc Authority, processing times hinge on each state’s requirements, varying from a few business days up to several weeks.
Customer Reviews – It’s a tie between the two
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness shines in customer feedback, with over 12,000 reviews on Trustpilot alone, most of which are positive. Clients often praise their services for being efficient and easy to use.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority enjoys an excellent customer satisfaction rating, with over 26,000 reviews that are predominantly positive. Their clients particularly praise their free LLC formation service and swift processing times.
Ease of Use – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
Purchasing a business formation service from ZenBusiness is a breeze. You begin by choosing the desired incorporation package, then provide basic personal and business information, and select any additional features. It’s a simplified process designed to avoid any confusion.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority effectively simplifies the LLC formation process compared to the do-it-yourself approach. Their platform is user-friendly, with intuitive guides assisting users through each step, thus making business entity setup more accessible for entrepreneurs.
However, there are upsells during the formation process that can lead to increased LLC costs.
Additional Services – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness and Inc Authority provide several identical services, but each platform also brings unique offerings to the table.
Specifically, Inc Authority has a distinct edge with its business funding service and business credit package, which ZenBusiness does not offer. They also offer fewer additional services than ZenBusiness.
On the other hand, ZenBusiness stands out with its services tailored to the handling of compliance issues and its worry-free CPA assessment. They also offer a wider range of packages that are designed to meet varying business needs, whereas these are services not offered by Inc Authority.
FAQs
Why should I use a business formation service to start my LLC?
Using a business formation service to start your LLC frees you up to focus on growing your business. These services handle the filing process for you and offer additional services that can make life easier for a new business owner.
What should I take into consideration when choosing the right business formation service for my LLC?
When assessing whether or not a business formation service is right for you, it’s important to dive into the following four categories: included features, customer service, pricing, and turnaround time.
Where can I learn more about what real customers think of the various business formation services?
To learn more about the customer experience at a particular business formation service, check out the reviews and ratings on the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot websites.
Is Inc Authority a good business formation service?
Inc Authority’s robust suite of formation packages comes with a ton of valuable services, however, they are significantly more expensive compared to other companies. Competitors like LegalZoom and ZenBusiness offer similar packages and better customer service at much more affordable price points.
ZenBusiness vs Inc Authority Comparison
- Services Overview
- Our Verdict
- Pros and Cons
- Plans and Pricing – Winner: ZenBusiness
- Experience – Winner: ZenBusiness
- Customer Support – Winner: ZenBusiness
- Turnaround Times – Winner: ZenBusiness
- Customer Reviews – It’s a tie between the two
- Ease of Use – Winner: ZenBusiness
- Additional Services – Winner: ZenBusiness
- FAQs
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